Volume One, Chapter 28: Lu Xiaoman Is Shang Linyuan’s Bottom Line—and the Line I Drew

Chu Yan’s heart tightened violently. She could sense the finality in Shang Linyuan’s tone, yet she could not let go.

Suppressing the bitterness in her throat, she continued to play the fool: "Is there something I did wrong? Linyuan, tell me, and I’ll change, won't I? I’ll be more sensible and obedient in the future, and I promise I’ll never make you angry again..."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, followed by a busy signal.

Chu Yan slowly lowered her hand holding the phone, the panic and feigned innocence vanishing from her face in an instant.

Was that idiot Chu Yutang’s brain short-circuited?

How dare he run to Shang Linyuan’s villa to cause a scene and hurt Lu Xiaoman’s bastard in front of so many people?

She absolutely could not let Chu Yutang ruin her!

Inside the private room, the sound of dice rattled against the smell of alcohol.

Shang Xubai had just pushed a stack of chips to the center of the table when his phone began to vibrate on the leather sofa. He glanced at the screen, his fingertips pausing at the name "Chu Yan."

A hostess in a backless dress was rubbing against him, but he blocked her with his wrist, his tone languid: "Taking a call."

He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and pulled back a corner of the heavy velvet curtain. The neon lights from outside surged in, casting flickering shadows across his face.

"Hello?" His voice still carried the nonchalance of the card game, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the cold window frame.

"Shang Xubai," Chu Yan’s voice came through the receiver, carrying obvious urgency and even a slight tremor. "My brother... my brother has been arrested at the East City Police Station. Can you take a lawyer over there right now?"

Shang Xubai raised an eyebrow: "What trouble did Chu Yutang get into this time? Didn't I just help him settle his drunk driving case a while ago?"

"He went to Shang Linyuan’s house to cause trouble and hit Lu Xiaoman’s son; he was just taken away by the police!" Chu Yan explained hurriedly. "Don't you have a criminal defense lawyer you're close with? You must get him out as soon as possible."

Shang Xubai looked at the endless stream of traffic below and suddenly chuckled: "Chu Yan, didn't you let your brother go? Lu Xiaoman is your love rival now; surely you wanted something to happen to her."

"I truly didn't! I’m still lying in the hospital myself. Besides, with such a huge mess, aren't I afraid of making Shang Linyuan angry? He just called me to break up."

"Chu Yan, I really feel it’s not worth it for you," Shang Xubai said, his voice drawn out and playful. "So many years have passed, and you still haven't been able to replace Lu Xiaoman in Shang Linyuan’s heart. Tsk."

Chu Yan was humiliated and angry: "Aren't you the same? You treated Lu Xiaoman so well back then, yet she still had Shang Linyuan’s son and didn't even look at you properly!"

The light in Shang Xubai’s eyes turned cold: "Fine then, don't ask me for help. I’m busy right now, and this game is just getting interesting..."

"Shang Xubai!"

Chu Yan cut him off, the fury in her voice almost burning through the receiver. "We are in the same boat now. If my brother falls, I go down with him, and what good will that do you? If I can't marry into the Shang family, I can't do things for you. Even for your own sake, you have to get my brother out this time."

"I know you can't stand my brother, and I know why you help me. But this isn't the time for that. Consider it an I.O.U. from me, okay?"

Through the receiver came the sounds of friends cheering at the card table and the hostess’s cooing call: "Brother Xubai, hurry back."

Shang Xubai glanced back, signaled to them to wait a moment, and turned back to the phone: "An I.O.U.? Do you think you owe me few enough as it is?"

He paused, his tone suddenly chilling: "But for the sake of our long cooperation, I’ll do you this favor. Goodbye."

"Wait," Chu Yan added. "I have a feeling my brother’s actions were instigated by someone. He went out of his way to stand up for me, which isn't like him. Ask him clearly who put him up to this; we must unearth the person behind it."

"Fine."

Shang Xubai returned to the table, tossed his Ace of Spades onto the felt, and carelessly loosened his tie.

Good shows are only interesting when watched slowly.

The fluorescent lights in the police station were blinding. Shang Xubai walked through the corridor in his polished leather shoes. Lawyer Li was waiting for him at the door of the detention room, holding a copy of the statement he had just obtained.

"Xubai, the situation is a bit tricky," Lawyer Li lowered his voice. "Chu Yutang admitted to smashing things at Shang Linyuan’s house and strangling a child—the very child who is Lu Xiaoman’s son."

Shang Xubai raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingertips on the file folder: "Has he lost his mind? Saying everything like that?"

Lawyer Li adjusted his glasses and remained silent.

"Go find out who Chu Yutang has been in close contact with recently, and check if there have been any large fund transfers in his bank account."

"Understood."

The cold, hard iron bars of the detention cell shimmered. Chu Yutang was huddled in a corner, his shirt wrinkled like a rag. When Shang Xubai pushed open the cell door, he was agitatedly pulling at his hair; when he saw it was Shang Xubai, his face went pale.

Someone from the Shang family?

"Chu Yan begged me to come get you out," Shang Xubai stated his purpose.

A flicker of joy appeared in Chu Yutang’s eyes. He stood up quickly, nodding and bowing to Shang Xubai: "Thank you, Young Master Shang. I will definitely repay you well once I’m out."

"Don't thank me yet." Shang Xubai pulled up a chair and sat down, crossing his long legs. His tone was lazy but carried an oppressive weight: "Tell me, who fed you this nonsense?"

Chu Yutang didn't understand: "Young Master Shang, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Shang Xubai scoffed, pulling a photo from his pocket and tossing it over. It was a detail of Chu Yutang’s personal bank account transactions.

Chu Yutang picked it up, took one look, and his expression changed instantly: "How did you find this?"

"Tell me, who transferred the money to you?"

The other party had used anonymous information, and he hadn't been able to trace the source yet.

"A friend lent it to me for turnover, nothing more," Chu Yutang said guiltily.

"The truth?" Shang Xubai stared into his eyes.

Chu Yutang’s gaze drifted: "It—it’s the truth."

"Very well." Shang Xubai stood up immediately. "Since that’s the truth, I can't help you get out. You’re on your own."

"Don't go!" Chu Yutang panicked, grabbing Shang Xubai. "Young Master Shang, you must get me out of here."

Shang Xubai’s lips curled up: "That depends on how you act."

Chu Yutang lowered his head: "I admit I was temporarily blinded by greed. That man said he’d give me 100,000 yuan to go to Mr. Shang’s house and teach Lu Xiaoman a lesson. Lu Xiaoman is my sister’s love rival, so it was such a great opportunity, of course I was willing to do it. I didn't do anything to them, just strangled that little bastard once..."

"You laid hands on Lu Xiaoman?" Shang Xubai asked suddenly.

"No, I didn't even see the bitch’s face... Ah!" Chu Yutang screamed.

Shang Xubai gripped Chu Yutang’s hand firmly, warning: "I don't like it when people use foul language in front of me. Remember that."

"Yes, yes, I’ll remember," Chu Yutang said, his face covered in cold sweat from the pain.

"Who was that man?"

"I—I didn't see his face. He wore a mask and didn't give a name. I was truly just momentarily blinded by greed and believed him. I thought I could help Xiao Yan..."

"Oh, is that so?" Shang Xubai said unhurriedly. "Did that person also tell you that by causing a scene, you could avenge Chu Yan and then demand benefits from her afterward to help you pay off your remaining debts?"

Chu Yutang’s eyes turned fearful. How did this man know everything?

Shang Xubai leaned forward, his gaze turning cold: "Chu Yutang, it’s one thing to be stupid once, but don't drag Chu Yan down with you."

At the mention of his sister, Chu Yutang’s spirit deflated; he moved his lips but said nothing.

"I will have Lawyer Li talk to Lu Xiaoman about compensation and an apology to strive for a settlement." Shang Xubai stood up and adjusted his suit cuffs. "But I’m warning you, this is the last time."

He leaned over toward the iron bars, his voice dropping to a low, venomous whisper: "Lu Xiaoman is Shang Linyuan’s bottom line, and she is the line I have drawn as well. If you dare touch a hair on her head again..."

He tapped Chu Yutang’s cheek: "I will make sure you know what true ruin feels like."

Chu Yutang was stunned by the ruthlessness in his eyes, momentarily forgetting how to retort.

Shang Xubai straightened up, and as he turned to leave, he seemed to recall something and looked back: "By the way, try to lead a decent life after you get out. Shang Linyuan has already asked Chu Yan to break up. You’d better pray that Chu Yan still has the means to cover your pits in the future."

The iron door of the detention room clanged shut, cutting off Chu Yutang’s suddenly elevated cursing.