Lele had followed Le Zheng for so many years and knew his temper better than anyone else in Liubei Trade Consortiumâcertainly better than Ning Cheng. She knew that once she fell into his hands, it wouldnât be a simple matter of death! After all, she wasnât his biological daughter. She was panicked enough to seek death, but didnât know why she forced a smile. Perhaps she didnât want to show weakness in front of this man.
Ever since he mixed into Liubei Trade Consortium and earned Le Zhengâs admiration, she was on a collision course with him. From the moment Le Zheng wanted her to marry him, they begin to fight officially. Although she was a woman, she had never lost to any man. All members of Liubei Trade Consortium were male and many wanted to wed her, but they were all stomped beneath her feet. Only this man had not only failed to get crushed, but had trampled on her multiple times. This time she was truly underfoot. She admitted that she lost, but so what? She wasnât going to let him laugh at her!
âIf youâre reluctant, then marry me. Weâll kill Le Zheng together and split up his treasure. Howâs that?â Lele asked smilingly.
Ning Cheng replied, âIt will be more interesting to meet your godfather after you wake up again.â
His words were akin to lynching her. She thoroughly lost her cool and stiffened on the bed, unable to move. Ning Cheng called over a guard and instructed, âTie her up and send her to the bossâs room.â
He had already made it to the door when he looked back. It had to be said that in this moment, Chengâer had the mistaken impression that Ah-Cheng almost seemed to regret it and was going to let her go. But he only said coldly, âThatâs right, I forgot to tell you. Batu burned down Carefree Joy. That killer of yours was surrounded by multiple attackers and shouldnât be able to make it.â\nWhen he finished, he left without hesitation. Chengâer only gaped as she lost all energy. By the time she was sent to Le Zhengâs room, she saw Ah-Cheng standing by the doorway while playing with two unique keys in his hands. She immediately flared up at the sight and wished she could bite him right there.
Abominable! Absolutely abominable!
The guard threw her harshly to the ground. Soon enough, Le Zheng walked out. Chengâerâs head was bowed; she didnât dare to look at him. She knew that she had to be docile now, or else sheâd die more miserably.
Like that night, Le Zheng was extremely quiet. But unlike that night, his eyes had no more tears. He loomed over her and demanded coldly, âWhy?â
Chengâer didnât answer.
âLele, didnât this old man treat you well enough? I could give you anything you wanted, why did you do this?!â Le Zheng snarled.
Chengâer still didnât answer.
Le Zheng suddenly strode over and kicked her in the shoulder, forcing her to her knees.
âUngrateful thing! After all these years, I wouldâve been better off raising a dog!â
At last, his words enraged Chengâer. She looked up and said, word for word, âBoss Le, fostering a child you trafficked isnât kindness, but hypocrisy!â
Le Zheng was shocked. âLele, youâŠâ
âMy name isnât Lele! Iâm Chengâer!â Chengâer cried. âIâve seen all your slave sale contracts!â
Le Zhengâs eyes grew fierce as he looked at Chengâer. He remained silent for a while before he declared, âThen, you should die!â
Ning Chengâs gaze grew complex. Before he could speak, Le Zheng cried, âSteward Ma,[1] I leave it to you!â
Chengâer was shocked before cold sweat drenched her back. All the female death inmates who fell into Steward Maâs hands were famously bullied and humiliated.
NoâŠ.\nChengâer subconsciously glanced towards Ning Cheng with eyes full of fear and pleading.
Thatâs right. She looked down on him the most, but now she was begging him silently. He was her only option. Ning Cheng only met her gaze a moment before ruthlessly looking away. Chengâerâs eyes immediately turned red. For some reason, she stopped panicking but felt misery take its place. It felt as if something was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
She was unresigned, but alsoâŠlost.
Steward Ma was overjoyed. If not for consideration of Le Zhengâs emotions, he would have laughed out loud. Even in his dreams, he never expected to get Eldest Miss Le one day! This was something thatâd make him smile even while sleeping!
âMaster, donât worry. Those who betray you will suffer a fate worse than death with me!â Steward Ma strode forward and threw Chengâer over his shoulders to take her away. Chengâer looked up to see Le Zheng turned and enter his rooms with Ah-Cheng following behind him. She had never shed tears even when acting, but seeing Ning Cheng vanish beyond the doors, teardrops fell from her eyes in silenceâŠ
Ning Cheng stayed a while in Le Zhengâs rooms before coming out. He slowly left the courtyard, but ran straight for Steward Maâs rooms when he was out. With a bang, he slammed opened the door, only to see Chengâer wrapped up in bedcovers like a frightened animal while curled up on the bed. Steward Ma only had his pants on and stood at the foot of the bed, covered in scratch marks. No part of his skin was left untouched as he bled nonstop.
Ning Cheng was dumbfoundedâŠ
Steward Ma was equally stunned by his arrival.
Ning Cheng took the chance to shut the door. Seeing this, Steward Ma grew more suspicious. âMaster Cheng,[2] youâŠstill have business?â\nNing Cheng said, âLooks like itâs a little wildcat, not easy to tame!â
Steward Ma was a smart man and guessed his intentions as soon as he heard him. He quickly got dressed and said cheerfully, âMaster Cheng, itâs too strong. This humble one canât tame it, you better do it yourself.â
Before Ning Cheng spoke, he added, âDonât worry. As long as that personâs killed before tomorrow, the boss wonât know a thing.â
Ning Cheng tossed Steward Ma a key and muttered, âHalf of Liubeiâs silver is yours.â
Pleasantly surprised by the favor, Steward Ma didnât even know what to say. He all but snatched the key into his hands. This motion confirmed Ning Chengâs own guesses: to fully bribe this Steward Ma, he had to put down a heavy capital.
Steward Ma straightened out his clothes and left. Meanwhile, Chengâer was still curled up with a face full of fear after witnessing the deal. Ning Cheng saw her state and couldnât help scorning her. âI thought you had some guts, but itâs nothing more than this.â
Chengâer still didnât speak, looking at him in terror.
Ning Cheng leaned close and was about to ask whether sheâd ever seen Jin Ziâs slave sale record when she suddenly clawed at him and drew blood from the back of his hand. Not expecting this, Ning Cheng backed away and snapped, âAre you done pretending? If you donât want to die, then get down!â
Chengâer didnât budge, staring at him with eyes full of hate. If her eyes were arrows, then Ning Cheng wouldâve been pierced through with a thousand holes by now.
âIâll give you one last chance. If you donât come down and speak properly, Iâll call back that surnamed Ma this instant,â Ning Chengâs patience was limited. This was also his first time being scratched by a woman.\nThe âMaâ name clearly frightened Chengâer. She stared at Ning Cheng before slowly sitting up. It wasnât until she reached the edge of the bed that she stuck out her toes, her jade-like feet a very pretty sight. Ning Cheng glanced at them before looking away until Chengâer was off the bed, only to be stunned again.
He realized that Chengâer was completely naked. When she was curled up, the sillk quilt could still cover her, but standing up meant it only concealed her body. Her long legs and jade-like arms were on full display. Ning Cheng looked aside and found the torn remains of her clothes. His gaze rested on them before creasing his brows.
Abruptly, Chengâer began to curse. âAh-Cheng you bastard! Kill me if you want, are you still a man? Why are you humiliating me?â
âI have no complaints if you want to kill or trick me because I lost! But I despise you for humiliating me like this!â
Ning Cheng turned back to see Chengâerâs face covered in tears. He froze and suddenly turned to leave. Chengâer was afraid to go out, so she could only wait. She sat for ahiwl before rummaging through the cabinet for clothes and changed into a set of Steward Maâs robes. Then she sat on the bed waiting for Ning Cheng.
Gradually, she calmed down as well.
She couldnât help but wonder what the consequences would be if Ning Cheng had come any later?
Soon enough, Ning Cheng returned with a bag of things and tossed them at Chengâerâs feet. She looked at him and asked, âWhat is it?â
Ning Cheng didnât speak, so Chengâer kicked it aside before she saw the contents and almost shriekd.
ThatâŠthatâŠthat was Steward Maâs head!
Ning Cheng lowered his head as he said in a heavy voice, âSorry, I came late. You can leave.â\nChengâer stood up to look at him, then at the head, and suddenly understood. âHey!â she exclaimed in alarm. âYou, youâŠyouâŠâ
âLeave! After today, weâre finished,â Ning Cheng said icily.
But Chengâer actually rushed in front of him and shoved him. âIâm still clean!â she cried loudly. âI wasnâtâŠIâm still innocent! You, youâŠyouâŠdo you understand?â
She didnât even know how to explain it. Did this guy really think that Steward Ma had his way with her? Thus, he cut off the manâs head and gave it to her to make reparations?
Ning Cheng had indeed misunderstood.
He wanted to kill Chengâerâs heart, but never intended to humiliate her as a woman. He didnât agree with Le Zhengâs methods and wanted to rush over to save her from Steward Maâs hands while threatening her to reveal Jin Ziâs origins. Since she had seen her own records, she must have seen Jin Ziâs, too. He didnât expect Steward Ma to move so fast! Admittedly, he was at a loss when he thought Chengâer had been bullied. Now he realized his own impulsiveness after looking at her. After all, killing Steward Ma would spell more trouble for himself.
Chengâer looked at Ning Cheng in disbelief before she murmured, âAh-Cheng, tsk tsk tsk, I didnât expect you to be a good guy!â
Ning Cheng recovered and exhaled. Too lazy to explain, he said coldly, âI have a question to ask you.â
Chengâer smiled. Although her tears had yet to dry, her expression was radiant. She said, âIf you agree to let me go, Iâll answer your question.â
1. I previously mistook him for a horsekeeper in Ch 1333, but âMaâ is actually his surname.
2. Author had Master Ning in one instance but I realize it should be Master Cheng because he took Le Zhengâs surname as part of his disguise.\n\n<!-- AI CONTENT END 2 -->