Chapter 131

131. The Thorny Rose

At dusk, the blood-red setting sun hung on the horizon, bathing Star River City in a sea of golden light.

Outside the detention center, Lin Gui shook his head as he looked at the card in his hand.

“I can’t beat him… maybe I shouldn’t bother.”

He hesitated, about to leave.

But thinking of Wen Han made him stop and clench his fists.

“No!” He took a deep breath. “I have to…”

Creak…

Suddenly, a voice startled him awake.

He immediately turned around and saw a face identical to the one on the card.

…

“I’m finally out!”

Step by step, Zhao Meng Sheng walked out of the detention center, unable to help but feel myriad emotions.

Looking at the scene outside the detention center, he felt that these things once within reach were now so precious.

“What a beautiful scene, how fresh the air is~!”

He closed his eyes in ecstasy.

Bang!

“Ah!!!”

In the next second, a sack instantly covered everything in sight, and a fist slammed into his face.

“Damn!” Zhao Meng Sheng shouted, only to be beaten up.

Lin Gui, who was beating him, looked around and ran away after a few random hits.

“Who hit me?!”

The sack was torn open with a rustling sound, and Zhao Meng Sheng, sitting on the ground, was bewildered.

“Who… huh?”

He looked up in panic and suddenly noticed a figure slowly approaching from the horizon.

“…Wen Han?” Zhao Meng Sheng’s face instantly became wary as he squinted his eyes.

Wen Han approached and finally stopped: “Meng Sheng, I came here today…”

“Don’t try that with me!” Zhao Meng Sheng immediately stepped back. “You liar! I won’t believe you again!”

“Meng Sheng, I’ve been waiting for you all this time!” Wen Han lifted her head.

Zhao Meng Sheng, who met her gaze, froze instantly, a black gleam flashing in his eyes.

His eyes were empty, yet he suddenly saw a familiar figure behind Wen Han.

Seeing that figure, Zhao Meng Sheng snapped back to reality, the blackness in his eyes vanishing instantly.

“Do you still want to deceive me?” He panicked and quickly stepped back. “Don’t come closer! It’s too dangerous in the country… I need to go abroad! I need to go abroad!!!”

He shouted and soon disappeared in the distance.

“Hmm? So Lin Wu Ju was right. Once someone becomes clear-headed, they’re hard to charm again?”

Wen Han watched his back with interest, somewhat disappointed.

However, her goal wasn’t to ensnare Zhao Meng Sheng.

But since this guy had coveted her and wanted to toy with her, how could the petty Wen Han not teach him a lesson?

Spare his life? Sure.

But he might live, but he would suffer!

At this moment, she laughed heartily and suddenly turned her head.

Swipe!

“…Hmm? Could it be an illusion?”

When Zhao Meng Sheng regained his senses, Wen Han had already sensed something amiss.

But turning her head then wouldn’t have shown anything, so she needed to catch him off guard.

Yet, she still couldn’t see anything.

“…Still, the main thing is important.”

Lin Gui would return soon; she couldn’t stay too long.

Putting away the camera, Wen Han turned and left.

Soon, the road outside the detention center returned to calm.

After a long while, Su Zeheng finally walked out nonchalantly.

…

Tap tap tap…

The hurried footsteps drew nearer, and finally, with a loud thud, the door to Café 777 was opened.

“I did it! I really did it!”

Lin Gui rushed in, flustered, only to freeze instantly.

Inside the café, Lin Wu Ju sat leisurely.

And Wen Han, with messy hair and disheveled clothes, sobbed with her head down.

“What did you do to her?!” Lin Gui roared. “You—”

“It’s not the first time.” Lin Wu Ju remained calm. “Did you teach that kid a lesson?”

“Yes! I gave him a good beating!”

She rolled her eyes, thinking of the five punches, three of which landed on herself.

“Now can you release Wen Han?” Lin Gui looked at him. “Release her!”

“You still need to do something for me.”

“You’re not going too far!”

Smack!

Lin Wu Ju didn’t say anything; he just tossed a video tape.

“I’ve made dozens of copies. If you don’t want to…” He smiled slightly. “This video will spread soon, and then you’ll be sued by Zhao Meng Sheng! As for Wen Han… she’ll continue in my arms.”

“You—!!!” At this moment, Lin Gui realized he had been tricked.

Now both he and Wen Han were in each other’s hands, so…

He was flustered but had no other choice: “What else do you want from me?!”

“It’s simple.” Lin Wu Ju extinguished his cigar. “I want you to…”

Ding ding ding…

A clear silver bell suddenly silenced everyone present.

Wen Han instantly raised her head, her pupils narrowing.

“I saw it said ‘Open for Business’ outside, so I came in.” Under their gaze, Su Zeheng sat at the bar. “By the way, Lin Wu Ju, when did you become Wen Han’s patron?”

“Mr. Su?” Lin Gui was stunned. “What did you say? This is…”

“They are colleagues.” Su Zeheng casually pointed. “Lin Gui, you were deceived!”

“…What?!”

Lin Gui suddenly turned to look at Wen Han.

Oh no…

Wen Han’s heart sank instantly. She hadn’t expected Su Zeheng to suddenly reveal the truth.

Though he couldn’t break the rules of the magic world, he could easily shatter their act.

Her mind raced rapidly, but she calmed down in seconds.

Under Lin Gui’s dazed gaze, she suddenly covered her eyes and ran out crying.

“Wen Han… Wen Han?!!!”

After a while, Lin Gui suddenly realized something and followed her.

Bang!

The café door was slammed shut again, leaving only two figures inside—one at the bar and one on the sofa.

“Mr. Su arrived just in time.” Lin Wu Ju looked at his cigar box. “When did you discover it?”

Su Zeheng picked up the teapot at the bar and poured himself a cup.

“I’m everywhere.”

He smiled slightly and drank it all in one go.

…

“So, what’s really going on?”

In the blink of an eye, it was almost evening.

Unable to find any trace of Wen Han, Lin Gui wandered alone on the street.

“What happened? What is this… Mr. Su?”

Unbeknownst to him, Su Zeheng was standing before him once more.

Lin Gui came to his senses: “Mr. Su, you…”

“Lin Gui, how long have you known Wen Han?”

“I…” Stunned by the question, Lin Gui shook his head. “I forgot, maybe… ten days or so.”

“Do you think ten days is enough to fall deeply in love with someone, irrevocably?”

Lin Gui hesitated: “What does Mr. Su mean?”

“Roses are very beautiful, and people often overlook their thorns because of their beauty, only to get pricked and bleed.”

“…Wen Han?”

“Yes.” Su Zeheng nodded. “I want to tell you, she is not a simple woman. You can’t control her.”

Under the night sky, Lin Gui looked at the figure before him, suddenly lost in thought.