Chapter 58: The Heroine Descends from the Heavens

After settling Wang Yan and the other four, the places found for them were in neighborhoods near the central media compound where Yang Mengke now lived. Of course, the five of them didn't stay together, but instead were scattered in separate locations. This way, even if one of them were discovered, they wouldn't all be taken down at once. Moreover, their roles were different, but their ultimate aim was still to protect Yang Mengke. Essentially, wherever Yang Mengke appeared, she would always be within one of their lines of sight.

As for the USB drive in his hand, Su Bai considered handing it directly to the police. Yet he worried the other side might act too quickly or that their influence might reach too far. After much deliberation, Su Bai decided to contact Liu Lei. Even though he hadn’t seen Liu Lei since their last mission together, Su Bai still trusted him.

“Hello, Liu Lei, this is Su Bai!”

Receiving Su Bai’s call, Liu Lei was clearly surprised, but also genuinely pleased. He’d wanted to find a chance to sit down and have a good chat with Su Bai, but never had the opportunity. Liu Lei also hadn’t expected that after their parting, the once-delivery boy would become an overnight sensation and one of the hottest stars in the country. But thinking of Su Bai’s astonishing singing talent, Liu Lei was unsurprised—if someone like Su Bai didn’t become famous, who would?

“Su, my brother, I’ve always said I’d buy you a drink, but haven’t had the chance!” Liu Lei said. “Just as well, I’ve had a position change, so I’m not as busy now. Let’s find time for a proper drink together!”

Hearing Liu Lei’s tone, Su Bai realized he’d been too formal at first.

“Actually, Brother Lei, I have a favor to ask,” Su Bai said. “Would you be able to help me with something?”

Liu Lei replied cheerfully, “Just say it—no need to stand on ceremony with me! You saved my life, remember?”

Su Bai smiled and went on, “It’s about my sister’s kidnapping case. Did you follow it online? The suspects were caught, but the mastermind is still at large. I’ve just received evidence from a friend that points to the person behind it all. But to avoid unnecessary trouble, I don’t want to make it public directly, since the video’s content and source are… unsavory. Can you help me see if this video can be used to bring the mastermind to justice?”

Su Bai’s abrupt exit from his show had caused a stir online recently, and Liu Lei had been following the incident. When the central media revealed it was due to his family member’s kidnapping, Liu Lei kept a close eye on the case, aware that the mastermind was still unidentified. Now, hearing that Su Bai had found evidence himself, he was surprised but understood—most people could guess the likely suspect.

“Here’s what we’ll do, Su. I’ll give you an official police email address. Send your evidence to my inbox. I’ll review the video, and then get back to you,” Liu Lei said, his tone resolute. Though he didn’t promise any specific action, his attitude conveyed that no crime would go unpunished.

“Thank you, Brother Lei. I’ll look you up when I’m back in Shanghai!” Su Bai said.

After hanging up, Su Bai headed straight for the Palace Museum’s cultural promotion office. Good news seemed to be coming one after another. Moments ago, Zhang Mingke had sent word: the song for the Palace Museum’s 600th anniversary cultural campaign was basically settled. “Dragon Scale of Heaven and Earth” was all but confirmed as the final song, and Su Bai was needed on-site to confirm authorization matters.

At the group training for the hosts of “The Painted Scroll,” Yang Mengke sat, her chin in her hand, lost in thought during a break.

“Hello, beautiful, we meet again!” a voice called.

“Do you remember me?” Yang Mengke glanced up to see the pest—Zhao Hongbing. She turned away, ignoring him.

“Heh, still angry, beautiful?” Zhao Hongbing said. “That day, it was just a misunderstanding. I didn’t know that was your brother—I thought he was a rival in love! I can’t exactly be polite to a rival, can I?”

Yang Mengke, annoyed, stood up and strode off.

“Hey, don’t go!” Zhao Hongbing and Zhou Yanfeng quickly circled to block her path.

“Say something, beautiful, why so silent?”

“I—” she began.

Bang! A bottle crashed down onto Zhao Hongbing’s head.

“Damn it, who the hell did that? You’ve got a death wish!” he shouted, turning with Zhou Yanfeng, ready to teach the culprit a lesson.

A girl strode over, dressed in tight leather, combat boots, her auburn hair cascading down. She fiddled with her wrist as she approached.

“Zhao Hongbing, bullying girls has become a habit, hasn’t it? Come on, let’s step outside and spar!”

Still fuming, Zhao Hongbing’s voice dropped when he saw her. “Long Ling’er, who I hit on is none of your business, is it? I suggest you mind your own business.”

Long Ling’er placed a hand on the table beside her, pushed off with both feet, and leapt at Zhao Hongbing with a kick. Zhao Hongbing managed to shield his chest with his arm, but still staggered back several steps, only stopping when Zhou Yanfeng caught him.

“Damn it, Long Ling’er, you’ve really got a death wish!” Zhao Hongbing roared as Zhou Yanfeng prepared to charge forward.

Long Ling’er took a single step forward, her gaze icy as she fixed it on Zhou Yanfeng. “Go ahead—try it.”

Faced with her cold stare, Zhou Yanfeng froze. He suddenly remembered how, in Beijing, a scion of a top-tier family once offended Long Ling’er, and within half a year, that entire family was wiped out. He wanted to help his boss Zhao Hongbing, but all his strength seemed to drain away, leaving him paralyzed.

Seeing this, Zhao Hongbing kicked Zhou Yanfeng to the ground. “What the hell do I keep you around for? When it matters most, you’re useless!”

Zhao Hongbing vented all his anger on Zhou Yanfeng, kicking him again and again. Despite his bitter sense of injustice, Zhou Yanfeng dared not utter a word, only enduring in silence. He couldn’t afford to offend either side.

Finally spent, Zhao Hongbing stopped, breathing heavily, and glared at Long Ling’er. “Long Ling’er, just you wait. I’ll get you back for that kick, sooner or later!” With that, he ignored the battered Zhou Yanfeng and stormed out. It wasn’t that Zhao Hongbing didn’t dare retaliate—it was that he knew he wasn’t Long Ling’er’s match.

Long Ling’er had grown up in a military compound. From a young age, her character was unlike other girls; her dream was to fight on the battlefield. But in peacetime, there was no such opportunity, so she channeled her energy into honing herself, which meant most men stood no chance against her. Coupled with her formidable background, Long Ling’er had become a unique figure in Beijing—those who could beat her wouldn’t dare offend her, and those who dared offend her couldn’t beat her.

Long Ling’er now looked down, heedless of the exposed cleavage, as if she didn’t consider herself a girl at all. She gazed at the prone Zhou Yanfeng.

“This is the master you chose for yourself? The one who uses you as a punching bag when things get tough? Do you really think clinging to his coattails will bring you success? Wake up! A dog’s worth depends on its master. A master who protects his dog is worth following. But someone like Zhao Hongbing, who vents his anger on his dog every day, is not. Believe me, if something goes wrong, you’ll be the first scapegoat thrown out. Only a fool would follow someone like him. Think about it.”

With each sentence, Zhou Yanfeng’s expression changed. Reflecting on everything that had happened, he realized that Zhao Hongbing had never truly regarded him as a person. From beginning to end, Zhou Yanfeng was just a dispensable dog, the one who bore the brunt of his master’s fury.

Was such a person really worth following? For the first time since he’d thrown in his lot with Zhao Hongbing, Zhou Yanfeng found himself deep in thought, his features twisted in an internal struggle. If he gave up now, what would all his past sacrifices mean? More importantly, over these years, he’d done Zhao Hongbing’s dirty work. If those they’d bullied found out he was no longer with Zhao Hongbing, his fate would be all too easy to imagine—unless someone as powerful as Zhao Hongbing was willing to take him in. But would anyone be that foolish? Clearly not. Since choosing this path, Zhou Yanfeng realized, he’d never really had a choice.

He laughed bitterly at himself. Yet, before leaving, he still managed to say gratefully to Long Ling’er, “Thank you, Miss Long, for your advice. Please forgive my earlier offense—I had no choice.”

Watching Zhou Yanfeng limp away, Long Ling’er shook her head. He acted as if he’d come to a realization, but in truth, he still didn’t understand. If he had, he’d have apologized not just to her, but to the person truly at the heart of it all—Yang Mengke. After all, it was Yang Mengke who most deserved an apology.

Long Ling’er turned and looked at the girl before her, a flicker of amazement passing through her heart. No wonder Zhao Hongbing was so obsessed—she was indeed beautiful.

“Hello, little sister,” Long Ling’er said. “From now on, stick with me. I’ll look after you. I promise none of those pests will ever dare come near you again.”

Huh? Yang Mengke was stunned by this sudden offer of protection. Stick with her? Look after her? It felt like she’d been transported back to the days in the orphanage when kids fought for food. The scene from years ago played again in her mind: sitting alone, crying because she’d failed to get something to eat, when a big boy appeared and said, “Hello, little sister. From now on, stick with me. As long as I have food, you’ll never go hungry.” That was where the bond of siblings began.