Chapter Nine: The Versatile Spirit Barrier

The moment Yuan Xiaoying heard that Liu Jingye’s experience with billion-dollar luxury cars was actually just taking a high-speed train, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. The flashy rich man, on the other hand, looked deeply embarrassed, giving a cold, disdainful snort full of contempt.

Liu Jingye couldn’t be bothered to argue with them and turned to clean the car—a service his inn provided, and he couldn’t afford to ruin his own business.

But Yuan Xiaoying couldn’t stand to watch. She grabbed his arm and whispered, “Are you really going to clean their car? They’re trying to humiliate us on purpose. It’s my fault—I didn’t expect to run into that woman here. She was a classmate of mine, and I think she’s always been jealous. She used to try to outdo me, and now that she sees me like this, she won’t miss a chance to mock and belittle me. I don’t care, but you don’t have to put up with it.”

Her words were sincere, her concern for Liu Jingye heartfelt. He turned his head to look at her—delicate brows, lips red and teeth white, her beauty unmatched by that gaudy woman. Her caring words also moved him deeply.

Yet Liu Jingye suspected things weren’t so simple. He sensed they were deliberately trying to provoke the two of them, hoping to make them lower their guard, dislike them, and keep their distance. That would give them an opportunity to search for Yuan Xiaoying’s belongings.

“Those earrings must be very important, for them to go to such lengths and use so many tricks to try to find them,” Liu Jingye mused, and he began to pay close attention.

Just as he’d told the man in black the previous night: “This is my inn, and I have a responsibility to protect my guests' safety and belongings. I won’t let anyone violate that. It’s a principle that cannot be shaken.”

Liu Jingye’s gaze burned into her, making the girl remember the ambiguous moments between them. A blush crept up her cheeks; she lowered her head, only to hear Liu Jingye say, “Don’t worry. I may not have your ‘broad’ capacity for forgiveness, but I do know how to bend when necessary, to be strong or soft as the situation demands.”

The rich man and the flashy woman stood to the side, coldly watching Liu Jingye. If he really went to clean the car obediently, it would prove their victory.

Yuan Xiaoying, both angry and a little heartbroken, held onto him and whispered, “Why should you have to suffer their taunts and humiliation for my sake?”

Liu Jingye just smiled, gently pried her hand away, and strolled over, whistling nonchalantly.

He took up the bucket and rag, walked slowly to the luxury car, and deftly opened the door, ready to start cleaning inside. The rich man and the woman stayed to watch, eager for their show.

“Those who tried to humiliate me have all reported to the King of Hell by now,” Liu Jingye thought disdainfully. “But here, violence won’t solve anything; I’ll have to rely on cunning.”

He climbed into the car, which was thick with perfume. On the back seat lay a small women’s purse. As he moved it aside, he suddenly found a simple platinum ring inside. Though it looked plain, for a woman dripping in jewelry and driving a million-dollar car, this ring was out of place.

Liu Jingye immediately sensed something odd. Seizing the chance, he picked up the ring and saw letters engraved on the inside.

SL—four little hearts—HL...

A cold smile curled on his lips. “HL must be the initials of the flashy woman, Hu Ling. The hearts clearly stand for love, and SL must be a man’s initials. But isn’t the rich guy’s name Gao Dashang?”

He couldn’t just accuse the woman of cheating without proof; the rich man might not believe him. But if he could create some evidence and watch the man’s reaction...

Hiding in the car, he bent low as if cleaning the back seat, but secretly took out his wallet, which held a condom he’d just restocked that morning—he’d used one as a prop the night before, and now it would come in handy again.

He tore open the wrapper, blew up the condom, then spat twice inside. The amount looked about right for a single climax; the saliva, being clear, looked as if it had been sitting for a while, losing its vitality and clarity, like diluted seed.

With a wicked grin, he slipped out of the car, holding the condom aloft for all to see. “Did you two leave this as a memento, or just forget to clean up? I can throw it out for you if you like!”

He held the condom high, making sure all three saw it clearly. Yuan Xiaoying immediately spat in disgust and turned away, while the rich man and the flashy woman froze.

The rich man reacted quickly, striding over in three steps, staring at the condom in Liu Jingye’s hand, then at the car. He was certain he’d never done anything with the woman in the car—and he never used condoms anyway. So where had this come from?

No one would suspect Liu Jingye of planting it, since the item was too sensitive and private.

The rich man examined the liquid inside the condom, then exploded in rage. He whirled on the woman, who was now panic-stricken, and roared, “What’s this about?”

The woman, flustered and desperate, feigned ignorance. “I don’t know!”

“You don’t know?” The man snatched the condom from Liu Jingye’s hand and hurled it at her, shouting, “You don’t know, but I do! Three days ago, you said you were going for a drive, just out for a spin in the city. But why did the tracker show you drove out to the suburbs? I’ve long suspected you, so I kept quiet about the tracker. I thought you were just out for a drive, but you were cheating on me—whore!”

The rich man wasn’t stupid; he’d been cautious all along. Now, in a fit of fury, he slapped the woman to the ground. With the tracker and the condom as evidence, the woman had nothing to say. She could only cry and wail, playing the victim for sympathy.

But the rich man ignored her completely, kicked her away as she clung to his leg, snatched her bag, took the car keys and a few credit cards, gave her a few more hard slaps, and then drove off in a rage, speeding away in his sports car.

The woman, clutching her face and in tears, chased after the car even though she knew she couldn’t catch it, running wildly down the road—a truly pitiful sight.

Watching the car and its owner disappear at the village entrance, a wicked smile played across Liu Jingye’s face. Yuan Xiaoying stood stunned for a long time; what a dramatic turn of events!

She walked over to Liu Jingye and said with a wry smile, “I always knew that woman was no good, but I never imagined she was so wild—or so brainless. Cheating and leaving such obvious evidence behind!”

Liu Jingye laughed heartily. Though his trick was a little low, as long as it struck a blow against the enemy, he’d pay any price.

He smiled and said, “That was mine. I just spat into it on purpose.”

Yuan Xiaoying froze, then burst out laughing, doubling over as she pointed at him. Unexpectedly, she threw her arms around Liu Jingye, planted a loud kiss on his cheek, and cried, “That was ruthless—but so satisfying! You get a thumbs up!”

Then she kissed his other cheek. For a moment, both were stunned.

They’d only known each other for less than twenty hours. Their first meeting was her in the shower; later, a ghostly midnight embrace; a tender morning kiss as thanks for his help; and now a kiss of admiration...

This was starting to feel like the prelude to marriage!