After I stopped trying, a rich woman trained me into a demon emperor.

Chen Ya did not back down in the slightest despite Xiao Hongli's assertiveness.

She walked to Zhou Ran's side and very naturally reached out to smooth out the wrinkles on his collar.

This gesture was intimate and natural, perfectly showcasing the hostess's demeanor.

"Xiao Zhou, since it's President Xiao who has extended such a warm invitation, then you should go."

Chen Ya's voice was gentle as water, but her fingers lightly touched Zhou Ran's firm chest.

"But you need to know your limits and not cause trouble for President Xiao."

These words contained no questioning, nor any obstruction.

Yet it silently declared her sovereignty.

Xiao Hongli watched Chen Ya's movements, her eyes turning colder.

She was also a woman who had fought her way up in the business world; how could she not see through the subtleties involved?

This woman was demonstrating her absolute possession of Zhou Ran in the gentlest way.

interesting.

Originally, she hadn't thought about it that way, but Chen Ya's attitude stirred up Xiao Hongli's competitive spirit.

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, Mr. Zhou is my honored guest, and I will take good care of him."

"Then we'll really have to trouble you, Mr. Xiao."

Chen Ya smiled, turning to look at Xiao Hongli, her smile as warm as a spring breeze.

"Perfect timing, I've already had the supplementary agreement for that project in the south of the city drafted."

"However, I changed my mind."

"Based on the original plan to give up three percentage points of profit, I have decided to add another three percentage points."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ran sensed a strong smell of gunpowder in the air.

This is not giving away money.

This is clearly an attempt to distance himself from her and prevent himself from taking a concubine!

Xiao Hongli frowned slightly, for she understood Chen Ya's meaning all too well.

"Mr. Chen is truly happy to share."

Xiao Hongli gave Chen Ya a deep look and said meaningfully.

"It's not really about sharing."

Chen Ya's smile remained flawless. She even stepped forward and took Xiao Hongli's arm, their intimacy resembling that of longtime best friends.

"I just feel that it is an honor for Yazhu Real Estate to be able to work with someone like my sister."

"Moreover, I trust Xiaoran's judgment."

I'm naturally more willing to trust people he approves of.

"Since you are so sincere, it would seem petty of me to refuse."

Xiao Hongli then took Chen Ya's arm in response, directly confronting her.

"From now on, little sister, you must come to Tiangong-1 often and visit your older sister more often."

The air was taut and tense.

Standing between the Maybach and the Ferrari, Zhou Ran listened to the verbal sparring between the two women and felt a chill run down his spine.

Chen Ya, arm in arm with Xiao Hongli, smiled radiantly, their bond as close as sisters.

Xiao Hongli wore a faint smile, but her body was ramrod straight, like a proud peacock, never bowing her head in the slightest in terms of imposing manner.

"Okay, in that case, I'll have to save a bedroom for my sister."

Chen Ya laughed heartily and patted Zhou Ran's chest.

"Go ahead, don't keep Mr. Xiao waiting."

Xiao Hongli withdrew her arm, tidied the stray hairs at her temples, and resumed her icy expression.

"It's getting late, Mr. Zhou, please."

Chen Ya's smile remained dignified as she personally opened the Ferrari door for Zhou Ran.

She raised her hand and straightened Zhou Ran's collar again, her fingertips intentionally or unintentionally tracing his Adam's apple.

"Come back early, there's soup at home."

The word "home" sent chills down Zhou Ran's spine. He nodded, bent down, and climbed into the passenger seat.

He bent down and climbed into the passenger seat.

The Ferrari's engine roared, and it shot out of the sky like an arrow.

The oppressive atmosphere inside the car only eased slightly after the figure in the rearview mirror completely disappeared.

"Ah, women of the mortal realm."

In his mind, Ye Futian's voice carried a hint of schadenfreude.

"Boy, if that scene had happened in the cultivation world, it would have been the prelude to a demon empress and her favorite concubine vying for the emperor's favor."

That woman surnamed Chen is no simple character. Her strategy of feigning retreat to advance—if she had a few hundred years of cultivation, she could easily become a powerful female ruler.

Zhou Ran sighed inwardly, "Old Deng, stop watching the show, we almost got into a fight just now."

"You should enjoy it!"

The sky laughs strangely at night,

"This girl with the extremely yin constitution is stubborn, but her body is very honest."

When she touched you just now, the cold energy within her body fluctuated three times, which means she cares about you!

The more arrogant these exceptionally beautiful women are, the more satisfying it is to conquer them.

Moreover, I noticed a dark aura between her brows; I'm afraid she won't last much longer.

Zhou Ran's heart skipped a beat, and he turned to look at Xiao Hongli in the driver's seat.

At this moment, she had already dropped the pretense she wore when facing Chen Ya, and her delicate face was now only cold.

"What's wrong, Mr. Zhou? Are you still reminiscing about President Chen's tender moments?"

Xiao Hongli looked straight ahead, her tone calm.

"Mr. Xiao has misunderstood."

Zhou Ran leaned back in his chair and shifted into a more comfortable position.

"I was just thinking that Mr. Chen's supplementary agreement was worth at least 300 million."

"It seems that if I don't help Mr. Xiao save some money tonight, I'm afraid I'll never be able to repay this favor."

Xiao Hongli snorted coldly.

"Three hundred million is something the Xiao family can afford."

"She just wanted to tell me that you were just someone she was lending to me."

"I don't like the feeling of being given charity."

Zhou Ran raised an eyebrow; this woman's competitive spirit was truly ingrained in her bones.

"No matter what, we have the same goal now."

Zhou Ran changed the subject.

"Tell me about the auction. Besides the lightning-struck wood, what else was there?"

When the topic turned to business, Xiao Hongli's emotions calmed down somewhat.

"Tianbao Pavilion is the largest underground black market in Jiang Province, with a complex background, and it is said to have connections to the capital."

Every year around this time, a top-tier auction is held, attracting not only business tycoons but also many others…

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"There are many people like you."

"Someone like me?"

Zhou Ran smiled.

"Warrior?"

"That's right."

Xiao Hongli nodded.

"Besides the lightning-struck wood, I heard that there's also an incomplete ancient martial arts manual tonight, as well as a 'Nine-Leaf Ice Lotus' that's said to be able to cure all poisons."

"I must get this medicinal herb tonight."

"Nine-Leaf Ice Lotus?"

"You want to use it to suppress the cold poison in your body?"

Zhou Ran hit the nail on the head.

Xiao Hongli's hand gripping the steering wheel trembled violently, causing the car to shake.

How did you know?

She turned her head and stared sharply at Zhou Ran.

"Besides my grandfather and that so-called miracle doctor, no one knows about my illness."

"Nothing can escape my eyes."

Zhou Ran pointed to his eyes.

"Your complexion is well concealed by makeup, but the chill that's ingrained in your bones can't be hidden."

"If you don't get a complete cure, you won't live past thirty."

squeak--!

The screeching sound of brakes pierced the night sky as the Ferrari came to a sudden stop at the traffic light.

Xiao Hongli's chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that Zhou Ran had struck her deepest sore spot.

"Do you have a solution?"

She stared intently at Zhou Ran, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and doubt.

"We'll talk about it after the auction."

Zhou Ran did not answer directly, but looked out the window.

"I'm determined to get that lightning-struck wood too."

"If that ice lotus is real, I can help you identify it."

Xiao Hongli took a deep breath, calmed herself, and restarted the car.

……

Half an hour later, the vehicle entered an antique street in the old town of Jiangcheng.

Unlike the bustling crowds of Panjiayuan, this place, though brightly lit, is deserted.

Xiao Hongli's car did not stop on the main street, but turned into a secluded alley, and finally stopped in front of an inconspicuous courtyard house.

"This is the entrance to Tianbao Pavilion."