Chapter Sixty-Seven: Dream

Liu Jingye climbed out of bed in a foul mood and switched on the television. The local station was broadcasting the evening news; just yesterday, the news anchor had been Chen Yuxin.

Tonight, the live program had been forced to appoint a new host. The female anchor was striking, with alluring eyes perfect for the entertainment industry, but ill-suited for delivering serious news.

“That damned witch, I knew the higher-ups would have her take my place,” Chen Yuxin cursed fiercely from under the covers. “A vile woman who sleeps her way into power!”

Liu Jingye retorted, “Sex is an important part of life. Besides, not every woman who sleeps with someone gets an opportunity—what really matters is skill.”

“Shut up!” Chen Yuxin snapped.

Just then, the news moved to its main segment, and the first story was about their target—the Secretary-General.

The anchor delivered the news in a syrupy voice: “We have just received word that the city’s Secretary-General met earlier today at the XX Hotel with a Japanese business investment group. Local businessman Huang Guangzong acted as advisor to the delegation and participated in the meeting. Here is our live coverage.”

Liu Jingye and Chen Yuxin both sat upright, watching as the Secretary-General appeared alongside Huang Xing’s father on screen, followed by several Japanese guests, their posture humble and faces etched with deference.

This Japanese business group was renowned throughout Asia, a major consortium with investments across nations. Attracting foreign capital and solving employment issues were the most pressing concerns for every local government.

Both sides conversed in a cordial atmosphere. The Japanese group expressed intentions to invest heavily in local industry, and the Secretary-General promised maximum support from the authorities. On screen, he stood beside the Japanese delegates, his smile radiant.

“Even Yuan Xiaoying knows that Huang Xing’s father, Huang Guangzong, has ties to Japanese organized crime. Surely the Secretary-General is aware?” Liu Jingye lit a cigarette, pondering, “Perhaps those in power always see things from their own perspective; whether their associates are criminals or upstanding citizens, the color of money never changes. But they look so familiar with each other. And Huang Xing, just arrested for kidnapping, drug trafficking, and arms dealing, is now being met so publicly by his father—this seems inappropriate, doesn’t it?”

The news reported that within three days, the local government would sign investment deals worth billions with the Japanese consortium, promising a significant boost to the city’s economy and youth employment.

Next, the broadcast featured a special segment on Huang Xing’s father, Huang Guangzong, including a brief interview.

Huang Guangzong was a man in his fifties, ruddy-faced and somewhat corpulent, wearing a suit and smiling, though his eyes were sharp and cold. No matter how he smiled, the hostility in his gaze made viewers uneasy.

Facing the camera, he said candidly, “As a father, I bear much responsibility for my son Huang Xing’s actions. If a child is not properly guided, the fault lies with the parent. But he is an adult and must answer for his own mistakes. I trust in the just and strict laws of our country. As for myself, I know nothing about these matters. I have returned solely in my capacity as an advisor to the Japanese group, hoping to contribute to the city’s development.”

His words made it clear: he was claiming significant credit for attracting foreign investment, blatantly distancing himself from his son’s crimes. Legally, he bore no responsibility; morally, he had become a city hero.

Yet anyone with discernment could see that his high-profile appearance, facilitating a massive investment and currying favor with local officials, was intended to quell public outrage. It wouldn’t guarantee Huang Xing’s safety, but it might spare him the most severe punishment.

“Want a drink?” Chen Yuxin asked suddenly.

Liu Jingye was startled, but nodded. She went straight to the fridge, grabbed his stash of beer, and the two drank heartily together, downing glass after glass.

Neither spoke, but each understood the other’s feelings.

The Japanese had a deep history of enmity with them, a resentment that hadn’t softened over time, but had instead been complicated by new issues.

Despite calls to boycott Japanese goods, the country’s demand only grew, having no effect on Japan’s domestic industries. The streets were filled with Japanese cars and motorcycles, homes with electronics and technological products—leaving one speechless. This was why Chen Yuxin and Liu Jingye drank so heavily.

In just twenty minutes of news, the two emptied twelve bottles. Chen Yuxin remained unfazed, her tolerance remarkable. Liu Jingye, however, felt his temples throbbing and began speaking without a filter.

He asked bluntly, “Can I sleep on the bed? This is my place after all—sleeping on the floor isn’t right.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Chen Yuxin replied. “Sleep on the floor like a good boy, so you’re close enough to protect me. If you get any ideas, I’ll have your dad beat you!”

“You’re ruthless!” Liu Jingye grumbled, crawling under the covers and falling asleep.

Chen Yuxin smiled faintly, turned on her side, and closed her eyes.

Liu Jingye had no idea how long he slept before strange noises woke him. He opened his eyes to find something landing on his back.

He used his phone’s weak light to investigate, and was immediately horrified.

Chen Yuxin had sat up at some point and was vomiting right onto him.

“This alcohol is hitting her awfully late!” Liu Jingye groaned as Chen Yuxin retched twice, seemingly emptying herself, then flopped back down and resumed sleeping as if nothing had happened.

Liu Jingye was exasperated—it was filthy, his blankets soaked, and a pungent sour odor filled the air.

He stood up, intending to rouse Chen Yuxin to clean up herself. As his phone’s light fell on her, he was stunned.

He distinctly remembered that she’d gone to bed fully clothed, yet now her jacket was gone, her blouse and skirt vanished, leaving only a black-violet bra slipping off one shoulder and matching lace panties.

Instinctively, Liu Jingye stepped closer, just wanting to see more clearly. At that moment, Chen Yuxin mumbled in her sleep, “Auntie, Liu Jingye bullied me. Uncle, just punish him a little, don’t beat him to death…”

“Well, damn…” Liu Jingye immediately stepped back, aghast. “Don’t beat him to death—what a way to plead!”

He certainly wouldn’t take advantage of her. He used his phone to examine the bed, mumbling, “Let me make sure you didn’t vomit on the mattress—that’s my wedding quilt!”

In truth, he was thinking, “Wow… her skin is flawless, whiter than snow, clearer than crystal, and the black lingerie makes it look even more luminous…”

It’s said that fair skin hides flaws, and every girl dreams of having radiant, supple skin. But this is innate; no product can replicate such beauty if you weren’t born with it.

Reluctantly, Liu Jingye pulled the covers over her, but she soon kicked them off again. He sighed softly, “Kicking off the covers isn’t a good habit, especially for girls.”

He covered her once more, not wanting her to wake up exposed and blame him.

But, as things happen in threes, Chen Yuxin, like a restless child, kicked off the blanket again. Her little feet were painted with bright polish—playful and charming.

Liu Jingye covered her yet again. The alcohol had him on edge, and her repeated movements made him nervous about losing control.

Fortunately, Chen Yuxin stopped kicking. Liu Jingye slipped into his bedding on the floor, only to hear her whisper, “Don’t come over, stay away, don’t force me…”

He quickly turned over and saw her clutching the blanket tightly, brow furrowed as if facing something terrifying.

Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh: “This is all your doing… Balala energy, transform!”

“Thud!” Liu Jingye crashed to the floor, watching her wave her hands overhead like golden rays during a transformation.

After that, she quieted down. Liu Jingye thought, maybe now he could finally get some rest.

But soon, incoherent singing drifted from the bed: “Hibernation holiday just ended, I’m still a little confused, birds above wake the forest, spring air makes me comfortable…”

“This song sounds familiar…” Liu Jingye chuckled wryly.

Then she shouted, “Don’t be scared, silly bear!”

“Oh, that explains it…” Liu Jingye realized.

He watched her sweet sleeping face, still wearing a childlike smile, and murmured, “Sister, just how much do you repress yourself during the day, to reveal your innocence only in dreams?”

People in the city live under immense pressure—work, mortgages, suffocating burdens. Meanwhile, rural life grows ever lighter; a farmer’s spring water, a bit of land, and when the developers come, they turn into millionaires.

She finally stopped singing, but Liu Jingye was wide awake, gazing at Chen Yuxin as a sense of tenderness welled up within him. Such a woman, charging into the front lines like a warrior, facing hardships without complaint, targeting powerful figures who could end her life on a whim.

That’s what makes her perseverance so valuable—because of people like her, there’s hope for society.

Protecting her meant protecting hope, safeguarding a brighter future.

“Let’s do this,” Liu Jingye whispered, stretching. “No matter who you work for, whether you prefer bombs or setting traps, let me face you head-on!”

Just as Liu Jingye braced himself for battle, Chen Yuxin sang again: “Why does the battle flag look so beautiful, stained red with heroes’ blood; why does spring always return to the earth, heroes’ lives blossom into flowers…”

……

Thanks to ‘Wind and Wanderer, Ming Dynasty, Wave-Eyed, Reader 1228177, Queen Fan Y, Reader Longlong, Dear Your Hello, FREE Gentle Tune…’ heartfelt gratitude for your support and monthly votes, and to all those brothers who quietly support me, I bow to you.