Chapter 121: Now Out of Reach

Arriving at Mia’s room, Xia Yu knocked directly on the door.

The door opened almost immediately. Mia looked at him with a charming, alluring gaze. "Mr. Xia, I thought you were just teasing me. I didn't expect you to come so quickly."

Xia Yu walked inside. It was a spacious suite, and the living room was set up with a literal candlelight dinner.

"I’ve prepared wine and food. Would you like to have a drink with me?"

Mia stepped up to him, her slender fingers tracing lightly across his shoulder. It felt like a provocation, yet she pulled away just as quickly, leaving one feeling restless. Clearly, she had been well-trained; she knew exactly how to advance and retreat, making it impossible for a man to resist.

"Sure." Xia Yu squinted, walked over, and sat down.

He stared at the food and wine on the table, but had no intention of eating. At a time like this, who knew if she had poisoned it? Xia Yu had no desire to capsize in a gutter. He had been observing throughout his journey here and hadn't noticed any warning signs of danger. Therefore, he wasn't sure of her true intentions in calling him up—could she really just be looking for a casual encounter?

"What’s wrong? Is the food not to your taste?" Mia asked, puzzled by his hesitation.

Xia Yu shook his head. "I was already full from drinking downstairs. I really don't have an appetite. Let’s just get straight to the point."

Mia rolled her eyes and said in a soft, melodic voice, "Oh, then what is it you want? Aren't you afraid your girlfriend will get jealous and angry?"

"Heh." Xia Yu let out a cold laugh. "Enough, let’s stop playing games. Tell me, who exactly are you?"

With that, Xia Yu nonchalantly took out a Hongjinlong cigarette and lit it.

Mia’s heart tightened, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes, though she quickly regained her composure. "I’m a corporate agent—a headhunter, in the professional jargon. I specialize in poaching talent for other companies."

"Oh, and what about your real identity?" Xia Yu stared at her with a look that was half-smile, half-scrutiny.

Mia felt a sense of unease. She forced a smile and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Stop pretending. Tell me, what is your purpose in getting close to me?" Xia Yu exhaled a cloud of smoke. "It’s pointless to keep acting now."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Mia’s expression shifted slightly, and she quietly slid her hand under the table.

"Whose side are you on? Are you here to kill me, or do you have some other objective?" Xia Yu said coldly. "Is there really any need to keep up the charade?"

"You..."

A murderous glint surged in Mia’s eyes. Suddenly, a sharp dagger appeared in her hand, and she lunged at Xia Yu. The strike was swift and powerful—a clear sign of rigorous training.

Xia Yu shifted his body slightly, caught her wrist, and kicked her in the stomach.

"Ugh..."

Mia let out a muffled groan and stumbled back a meter. Xia Yu seized the opportunity, lunged forward, and pinned her against the wall by her throat.

"Not bad. A delicate-looking thing who knows how to fight," Xia Yu sneered. "Too bad you ran into me."

"Can you tell the truth now?"

Mia’s face turned deep red, and blood spilled from the corner of her mouth. Choked by Xia Yu’s grip, she couldn't catch her breath. Sensing this, Xia Yu loosened his hold just enough for her to gasp out, "In your dreams. Just kill me. I won’t say anything."

"Oh, so you’re in such a rush to die?" Xia Yu teased. "But dying right now would be a luxury for you."

"You’d better cooperate honestly, or the story that follows might be quite unsightly."

"In your dreams!" Mia stared at him with unwavering hatred, showing no fear of death.

"Oh." Xia Yu gave a wicked smile and tossed her aside. She slammed into the sofa, letting out another groan of pain.

Half an hour later.

Mia’s hands and feet were bound, and the scoundrel had stripped away her dress. He had even pulled out his phone, threatening to call people up to "serve" him—claiming he would call thirty men!

"You shameless bastard, you’ll meet a miserable end!"

"Oh, you tried to harm me, and I’m punishing you. That’s perfectly reasonable, isn't it?" Xia Yu said mockingly. "Are you sure you won't talk? Because once I make this call, you won't be able to turn back."

"You..."

Mia’s eyes were bloodshot and filled with terror. At the thought of the scene he described, she shuddered.

"Speak, I’ll speak..."

"That’s more like it." Xia Yu smiled, put his phone down, and pulled up a chair to sit in front of her.

Facing the scene that would make any man’s blood boil, he remained remarkably calm. Mia gradually calmed down. She did not fear any torture, nor did she fear death. But this scoundrel had used the most shameless method imaginable to target her. Ultimately, she was a woman, and this method was far more terrifying than death itself.

"Xia Yu, I... I am his person."

"..."

Xia Yu narrowed his eyes and spoke a name.

Mia nodded. "That’s right. He was the one who sent me to approach you and find out exactly what you were doing. He needs to know everything about you."

"He also told me to use my beauty to bewitch you and turn you into a complete, useless wreck."

"Oh, so he’s not in a rush to have you kill me?" Xia Yu nodded. "No wonder there wasn't a single assassin around to assist you, even with such a perfect opportunity."

Mia remained silent, staring at him with resentment.

"What have you told him?"

"Everything about your time in Shen City," Mia replied. "Before Shen City, we were still completely in the dark about your history."

"I’ve said everything I should. Just kill me now." Mia closed her eyes, having abandoned the will to live.

However, instead of killing her, Xia Yu untied her hands.

"You... what are you doing?"

"You should be grateful you’re a woman," Xia Yu said indifferently. "I still have a soft spot for the fair sex."

With that, he walked toward the door.

"Wait."

"Hmm?"

"When did you find out that I was his person?"

Mia couldn't fathom it. Her disguise had been perfect; she had only met him once, and their subsequent contact had been infrequent, mostly via text. She had even played hard to get, fearing he might be suspicious. How on earth had he figured it out?

"From the very beginning." Xia Yu paused and replied softly.

"What? You knew from the start?!"

"Your disguise was fine, just too amateurish in my eyes."

Having said his piece, Xia Yu left without looking back.

"Go back and tell him: if there is a next time, I will kill him!"

Mia remained frozen in place, watching him disappear, unable to recover for a long time.

"He knew from the start? How could he have possibly seen through it?!"

"If that’s true, then he’s just too terrifying!"

Back at the banquet, Zhao Sijie and Wang Dong were still waiting for him. Wang Dong and Wu Tian had already accepted the fact that Xia Yu was the president of Yinghao. Even though they couldn't believe it, the reality was right in front of them, and they had no choice but to accept it.

Xia Yu’s status and position now far outstripped theirs by several streets. Seeing him return, the group stood up subconsciously, forcing smiles and greeting him with fawning tones.

"Xia Yu—no, President Xia, all finished?"

"Why don't we sit down and have a good drink together?"

However, Xia Yu didn't even bother to look at them. He ignored them entirely and turned to Zhao Sijie with a gentle smile. "Nothing left to do. Let’s go."

"Okay." Zhao Sijie smiled at them, and out of politeness, nodded to Lily and Wang Dong before leaving.

Watching Xia Yu’s departing figure, the expressions of Four-Eyes and Wu Tian turned ugly and regretful. If they had maintained a good relationship with Xia Yu, wouldn't they have had the chance to soar to the top?

But now, they truly embodied that old saying:

Before, they treated Xia Yu with indifference; now, they were no longer in a position to climb the social ladder to his height.