Bad Blood - Chapter 5

A week had passed since the tutoring incident, and the male master, upon hearing the recording, chose to let things slide, not even daring to mention medical expenses. In the Prestige Mountain Residence owner’s group, someone mentioned that since the male master returned home from the hospital, the female master had been quarreling with him daily.

It turned out that during the previous incident, he had deceived the female master with his smooth talk, making her believe in his gentlemanly facade without suspicion. She had been convinced that “it was the woman who seduced me.” Ding Ke’s incident had helped her break free from the lies piled up in their marriage.

After the academic English class, Zhang Miaomiao seemed drained of energy, leaning on Ding Ke’s shoulder. “Alright, Wednesday’s tasks are done. Time to catch up on sleep!”

After buying lunch and returning to the dormitory, Zhang Miaomiao was the first to collapse onto her bed. Her clothes from yesterday were crumpled beneath her, but she didn’t care, embracing her carefree attitude.

However, when she opened her eyes and saw the neat and tidy bed across from her, she felt compelled to tidy up her own bed, biting her lip. Once done, she sat at Ding Ke’s desk, watching some online course replays with her. When Ding Ke finished her tasks, Zhang Miaomiao said, “Can’t you just complain about me not cleaning up? That way, I’d get rebellious and just let things go.”

“Knowing you’d let things go, I won’t say anything,” Ding Ke replied, opening the rice noodle container and handing Zhang Miaomiao a pair of chopsticks. “If I embarrass you, you’ll clean up.”

Zhang Miaomiao couldn’t argue, covering her arm with a napkin and taking a bite. “You’re too clever! All 169 centimeters of you are full of cunning.”

“Eat,” Ding Ke said, handing her a bottle of yogurt.

Zhang Miaomiao brought her Shao Mai¹ over to share with her.

While they were eating, Ding Ke’s computer WeChat popped up with a message.

Zhang Miaomiao glanced over and saw a message from Huang Yong, the gym manager. She swallowed her food, “Are you going to the gym for your part-time job this afternoon?”

“Yeah.”

Ding Ke had been spotted on the street and offered a high-paying part-time job at Star Gym-selling classes. She wasn’t familiar with gym operations, and Star Gym was for celebrities, often leading to secret filming, so she decisively refused.

The person didn’t give up, following her and her classmates for two blocks, persistently persuading her, eventually convincing her with the condition of “double commission.”

Ding Ke worked the first month, bought a new computer, and realized that the unit of money for wealthy people was different from ordinary people.

Later, because the money came too quickly and she didn’t have enough experience to handle it, she thought earning money was as easy as sleeping, so she resigned.

Just like most people who suddenly come into money first think of enjoying it-buying Mercedes, BMWs, houses, then going to high-end nightclubs to hire the most expensive escorts, eventually sitting idle and confused about life again.

It had been half a month since she last went to the gym, and Ding Ke had promised manager Huang Yong to go two or three times a month.

Zhang Miaomiao watched her reply and teased, “Once you get paid, treat me to hotpot!”

“Sure,” Ding Ke agreed generously.

Zhang Miaomiao leaned on her shoulder, accidentally glancing at her open browser, noticing a tab with news about the male master harassing the tutor. She instinctively clicked it, and the page was still the victim’s pinned apology letter. She turned and asked, “You still look at it? Doesn’t it make you feel sick?”

Ding Ke calmly continued eating, “I’m training myself to face disgusting things.”

Zhang Miaomiao nodded in admiration, “I wish I had seen it earlier; it could have been avoided. But I’m not surprised by you, knowing to record it. That person is a lawyer, yet he was careless. I heard when he first started dating, he dated the woman for a few years, broke up, and used his legal knowledge to reclaim the money he spent on her, even anonymously posting about how he freeloaded off her for years. Men are truly a species that constantly refreshes their lower limits.”

Ding Ke could only say, “That’s how the reputation of legal practitioners gets ruined.”

Zhang Miaomiao sighed, “Even my mom says, as long as you know how to play both sides, this industry makes money easily.” She paused and then added, “I find myself constantly swaying between having the right and wrong values. Sometimes I think you’re right, but my actions still tend to follow the habits I’ve had since childhood.”

After pondering for a moment, she continued, “Is this a reflection of how the environment influences one’s life?”

Ding Ke finished eating and tidied up the lunch box, “Thoughts can shape the environment.” She picked up the trash and took it downstairs to dispose of it.

Shu Rui came to Zhan City to mooch a bottle of wine from Li Mujin.

Li Mujin had a knack for selecting wine.

His parents and Li Mujin’s parents were old friends, and he had heard from his mom about Li Mujin’s upbringing.

Li Mujin’s grandmother was a businesswoman who started from scratch, built a strong enterprise, and didn’t focus on exam-based education for her children, which was at odds with his grandfather’s philosophy. They often argued about not being on the same page.

After they separated, each took one child. The grandfather groomed his son, Li Chong, into a cadre, while the grandmother groomed her daughter, Li Mi, into a businesswoman.

Li Mi looked down on men but valued enjoyment, so she only dated and never married in her forties. She once said she would leave her fortune to Li Mujin, but there was a condition-she wanted Li Mujin to be adopted by her.

Li Chong wasn’t happy; no matter how rebellious his son was, he couldn’t give him away. He had to die with his name on his household registration. But he loved his sister, so he tacitly agreed to raise the siblings together.

When Li Mujin was very young, Li Mi took him to meet clients and negotiate deals, raising him to be perceptive and decisive. Even at a young age, he could read people and strategize, his abacus beads clattering more accurately than hers.

He also had taste; Li Mi raised him like a king, giving him whatever he wanted, so to this day, Li Mujin always wanted the best.

Li Chong wanted him to marry within the system, digest internally, and had arranged a partner for him since childhood, just waiting for him to accept the arrangement and go abroad for further studies, then return to politics.

Song Yazhi’s dream of stardom was shattered when she married Li Chong, but she hoped to nurture her son to enter the entertainment industry.

The grandfather wanted him to join the military and study national defense.

The grandmother wanted him to burn incense sticks and become her successor, to carry on the old craft and make it everlasting.

No one in the family listened to anyone else; everyone was the boss, and Li Mujin might have seen too much of their fighting, so despite his skills, he didn’t follow anyone’s script and wrote his own story of being a villain.

Shu Rui stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the large apartment, looking at Li Mujin sleeping on the sofa. They had been friends for years, and Li Mujin seemed to say everything but also seemed to say nothing.

He had never heard Li Mujin speak from the heart.

Shu Rui knew Li Mujin had emotions, but did he have moods?

While lost in thought, Li Mujin woke up.

Shu Rui handed him the wine, “This week, horse racing, car racing, card games, having a good time?”

Fu Zhizhi had been flattering him, taking Li Mujin to all the good places in Zhan City this week. He posted about it daily on social media, afraid no one in his circle knew he was on a roll.

Li Mujin took a sip of wine, “What time is it?”

“One o’clock.”

Li Mujin leaned back, resting his head on the sofa’s backrest.

Shu Rui sat across from him, hesitated for a moment, and still asked, “Haven’t you been looking for Ding Ke lately?”

Li Mujin didn’t react, still with his eyes closed.

“If you’re unsure, why not ask Mr. Li? The commissioner has professional advantages; he can check the system to at least know Ding Ke’s family background, identity information, whether she’s always been called Ding Ke, or if she changed her name,” Shu Rui suggested.

Li Mujin opened his eyes, “What would Li Chong do?”

“Mr. Li…”

Shu Rui fell silent.

If Li Chong knew, regardless of whether she was the former Ding Ke, she would become that Ding Ke, first to clear Li Mujin’s name of rape and murder charges, then to act.

A grand act of repaying evil with good and caring for the people would be broadcast on TV, in the streets, and alleys.

But Shu Rui put down his wine glass, “How long can you hide it? Mr. Li is not easy to fool; you moved to Zhan City for no reason, and he’ll definitely find out why. When he discovers her, it would be better for you to confess and negotiate terms.”

“Mr. Peng will cover for me, and if Li Chong suspects, he’ll inform me.”

Mr. Peng worked under Li Chong, had been friends for over twenty years, and had accompanied him throughout his career, their friendship deeper than a couple’s.

Shu Rui knew him but wasn’t too convinced, “Mr. Li’s people can cover for you?”

Li Mujin sat up, took his phone, swiped a few times, found something, spun the phone in his palm, and tossed it onto the table, sliding it to Shu Rui with a thud.

Shu Rui looked down and saw a woman’s nude photo… He asked, “Whose is it?”

“Mr. Peng’s daughter.”

Shu Rui was shocked, “Did you take it?”

“It was sent to me via text.”

“…” Shu Rui suddenly became silent but still remarked, “Bold. Just shows how many people you’ve unknowingly seduced.”

Li Mujin took a sip of wine, excluding his personality flaws and difficult temper, he was utterly unremarkable. If not for his money, power, and solid appearance, who would be willing to fall for him?

And who could endure his extreme control and violence and still want to understand him, believe he could offer a bowl of good blood?

Of course, no one could, not even a bowl, not even a sip.

He was terrible.

Shu Rui continued the previous topic, “With Mr. Li’s suspicious nature, Mr. Peng won’t be able to cover for long.”

“Doesn’t need to be long.”

Shu Rui understood, just long enough for him to figure out her identity. But, “Then what? If she’s her, what will you do? If she’s not her, what will you do?”

Li Mujin didn’t answer.

Shu Rui didn’t ask further, stood up, and walked to the window. The view from the municipal center was different from the view from the mountain villa.

One thing was the same: you needed money to see their differences.

He remembered, “You’re not living at Prestige Mountain Residence?”

“Never said I would.”

“Then why let Fu Zhizhi host a housewarming party there?” Shu Rui recalled, “Oh, he said the detached houses at Prestige Mountain Residence are a must-see in Zhan City.”

Speaking of Fu Zhizhi, he called, and Shu Rui answered, putting it on speaker, placing it on the table, “What’s up?”

“Hey, Shu Rui, you’re here? Great, come over tonight, I have a program lined up, all college girls, I even brought my oyster pills.”

Shu Rui’s ears hurt, “Taking pills at twenty-one, what will you do at thirty?”

“Get lost, I’ll flip the pill bottle and show you my prowess.” Fu Zhizhi shouted loudly on the other end.

Shu Rui hung up on him.

Too annoying, Shu Rui couldn’t stand it.

Li Mujin stood up.

Shu Rui raised an eyebrow, “You’re not going, are you?”

“School registration.”

“Huh?”

The gym’s reception area had eight people, three times the usual number.

Ding Ke skillfully introduced products, recommending courses based on their needs. She had been working since ten o’clock, and now, four hours later, her voice was hoarse, but due to the constant inquiries, she hadn’t had a moment’s rest.

Manager Huang Yong watched as industry leaders leaned in to listen to Ding Ke speak, their expressions vastly different from when they faced him. It was hard to say whether he had a keen eye for discovering Ding Ke’s value or if men were just too weak, unable to resist a pretty woman.

At three o’clock, Huang Yong replaced Ding Ke, allowing her to eat something.

Ding Ke had no appetite, thinking of just having a cup of coffee, but before she could head to the tea room, Li Mujin arrived.

Li Mujin spotted Ding Ke immediately, his expression momentarily different from usual.

Shu Rui also raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Fu Zhizhi exclaimed, “Wow.” He hadn’t seen Ding Ke during the housewarming party he organized, as he had left early. His exclamation was purely out of astonishment at her impeccable appearance.

Huang Yong didn’t notice the unusual atmosphere between them, assuming they were just three more men captivated by Ding Ke’s charm, and approached to greet them, “Looking to inquire about any courses?”

The receptionist came over at this point, introducing Fu Zhizhi to Huang Yong, “Manager, this is Fu-Ge; he previously joined our club upstairs.”

Fu Zhizhi also said, “I’ve been here for half a month, but the timing hasn’t worked out, so I haven’t met the manager.”

“Already a client, then feel free,” Huang Yong replied politely.

Fu Zhizhi, naturally sociable, started flattering, “Your staff here is really great, including the club upstairs. I just arrived in Zhan City, unfamiliar with the place, and they enthusiastically recommended many good spots.”

“Ah, just joking,” Huang Yong didn’t chat much, as the person next to Fu Zhizhi had too strong a presence, making it impossible for him to casually engage in small talk. He turned to look and asked, “Are you looking to inquire about any courses, or interested in learning about club membership?”

Li Mujin looked at Ding Ke, “Let her speak.”

Huang Yong saw his gaze and understood his intentions, but, “Our Ke hasn’t eaten yet.”

“Does that concern me?”

Huang Yong was at a loss.

“Are you suggesting I treat?”

“…”

Fu Zhizhi chuckled, “Let this sister speak, afraid my buddy will freeload? That’s a small-minded view; my buddy has plenty of money.”

Shu Rui reminded him, “Watch your mouth, if you bite your tongue, no one will save you.”

Fu Zhizhi realized his mistake, glanced at Li Mujin again, his gaze clear, his intentions obvious, and dared not speak disrespectfully again.

Huang Yong instinctively felt the visitors were troublemakers, fearing trouble, he looked at Ding Ke.

Ding Ke had already sensibly put down her coffee cup, ready to continue working. She led Li Mujin to the reception area, grabbed a bottle of water, placed it on the table, squatted down, and opened the product manual, introducing it perfunctorily, her voice indistinct and quiet.

The wall-mounted vintage clock’s pendulum swung with a crisp ticking sound, interrupting Ding Ke’s emotionless reading, losing its rhythm.

But it didn’t matter, as Li Mujin wasn’t listening anyway.

He stared at her intently, from her eyebrows to her eyes, to her nose, to her perfunctory mouth.

Ding Ke finished speaking and closed the manual, “Interested in anything?”

“Yes.”

“Which project?”

Li Mujin reached out.

Ding Ke placed the manual and pen in his hand.

Li Mujin finished writing and handed it back to her.

Ding Ke opened the manual, saw it, closed it again, “No.” She stood up, turned to leave.

Li Mujin reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling slightly, and the slender person lost balance, sitting on his lap.

Ding Ke didn’t stay for a second longer, but she was too weak, just rising and sitting back down, even deviating from her intended direction.

She froze, motionless.

“Never sat before? Why so nervous?”

Ding Ke snapped out of it, struggling, “Let go!”

Li Mujin easily restrained her with one hand, effortlessly, casually lifting his chin slightly, his gaze piercing from his eyes, “If you’re not her, why approach me?”

“Ding-”

Right on the hour, the vintage clock emitted a chime, its sound lingering, long-lasting.

“Self-delusion.”

Ding Ke looked back, not avoiding his gaze.

The reception room’s door and partition wall were frosted glass, making it impossible to see the scene inside but possible to see movement.

Fu Zhizhi saw two silhouettes very close together, elbowing Shu Rui, raising an eyebrow, shrinking his neck, speaking in a sleazy tone, “Look, really impressive!”

Shu Rui didn’t look, reminding him, “Wanting to see everything makes you prone to styes.”

Fu Zhizhi ignored him, his next words even sleazier, “Hey, do you think with this sitting posture, it’s in?”

Shu Rui felt nauseated, walked to the side. You can be bad, but don’t be vulgar. He couldn’t listen or watch Fu Zhizhi’s behavior.

In the reception room, Li Mujin’s large hand supported Ding Ke’s waist, suddenly pressing down, her nose lightly bumped into his lips.

Ding Ke instinctively clung to his shoulder, preventing her upper body from leaning closer to him.

Li Mujin slightly tilted his head, his jawline touching Ding Ke’s hand back.

The sensation was warm and firm, Ding Ke curled her fingers.

Li Mujin liked watching her lose her rhythm; he heard her heart pounding. Whether she liked it or not, she was nervous.

He wanted her to be nervous.

“Fu Zhizhi insisted on hosting a party at Prestige Mountain Residence, wasn’t it your suggestion?”

Ding Ke remained silent.

“Let me think.” Li Mujin pressed his finger against her lips, gently prying, his fingertip touching a bit of moisture, moistening his heart.

He really liked it.

“You knew that lawyer was despicable, deliberately letting me see.” He didn’t want her answer, suddenly leaned in, kissed her.

Ding Ke didn’t expect him to be so shameless, stunned for a moment before struggling.

Fortunately, Li Mujin didn’t intend to linger, after a brief kiss, he said, “Your idea was even more despicable.”

Footnote:

1. Shao Mai(烧卖): Shao Mai is a type of traditional Chinese dumpling, typically filled with pork and sometimes shrimp, and wrapped in a thin dough, often served as part of dim sum.