“Was it your friend who stole my goods?” Dong Enyu shivered all over.
With Huo Ai’s reminder, she realized she had never doubted Wutang’s actions.
Indeed, if it were Han Ge and Qi Ge’s goods, how could they be stolen? In the North District, apart from Wutang, other groups were no match and no one would be foolish enough to oppose them.
Moreover, the Coral Reef Group might be involved in black market dealings, but they still maintained a corporate image on the outside.
Could Han Ge and Qi Ge really be so overbearing? “I can understand that being a bandit for too long might make one lose the rationality for normal transactions,” Huo Ai didn’t dwell on past events.
She pushed the documents on the table towards Dong Enyu, her slightly hoarse voice both unique and charming.
“Your friend has repeatedly interfered with Haijiao’s goods.
It seems they really want to do business with us, so this time I want you to negotiate with them.
There’s a large auction in two months, and I don’t mind selling the Antique I have to them for bidding.”
Dong Enyu remained calm and clear-headed.
Now she knew Han Ge and Qi Ge had offended another force in the North District, but the Coral Reef Group didn’t plan to retaliate.
Instead, they wanted to cooperate with them using a soft approach.
Just right, if she approached as a businesswoman, she might be able to contact Wutang’s higher-ups.
“This matter isn’t urgent. You should focus on recovering this month, and we’ll discuss it further once you’re well.” Huo Ai picked up her handbag and stood up, advising Dong Enyu not to wander around this month.
The place was remote, and she hadn’t hired security or bodyguards to watch over her.
If Wutang’s people came knocking, she’d have to bear the consequences.
Dong Enyu wasn’t foolish and wouldn’t provoke Wutang’s people at such a critical moment.
She saw Huo Ai out, and as she was about to open the car door, Dong Enyu couldn’t help but call out.
“Do you trust me?” In the slanting sunlight, Huo Ai was bathed in golden light.
Her long hair danced in the wind, and her gentle eyes were serious and disciplined.
The straight suit she wore looked particularly elegant on her.
She might not have Zhao Han’s coldness, Luo Ye’s murderous aura, or Yong Le’s arrogance, but Huo Ai was an interesting woman.
Her smile was appropriate, just within the bounds of politeness.
She spoke methodically, but with an underlying absolute authority that was hard to resist.
She valued efficiency, made decisive decisions, and was smart and capable—a modern, civilized strong woman.
…But could she be trusted? Or rather, did she trust Dong Enyu? After stepping on so many landmines and being blown up painfully, surviving only to fall into another game, she now had to start over.
In the afterglow of the sunset, Huo Ai’s eyes were darker than thick ink.
Dong Enyu couldn’t fathom this woman’s thoughts, like a woman in a painting, with a classical temperament, standing in front of Dong Enyu, so beautiful that she wondered if she was real or if she was still in a coma after being hit by a car, and all this was just her imagination.
“There’s nothing to trust or not trust.” Huo Ai interrupted Dong Enyu’s wild thoughts.
Her fingertips slid down the car window, her dark eyes reflecting nothing.
“If you fail, I’ll throw you out of the Coral Reef Group, and then you’ll be on a dead-end path.
But if you succeed, you’ll get to live a little longer, that’s all.”
…Whether she lived or died depended on Dong Enyu’s performance.
Huo Ai was willing to save her because she still had some value.
If even that value was gone, it would mean the game was over.
Alright, simple enough.
Dong Enyu watched Huo Ai leave, then went back inside to rest.
She hung the clothes Huo Ai bought for her back in the closet—all branded shirts, a few suits, and women’s outfits for work.
The rest of the casual wear was more relaxed, seemingly chosen by Shirley, with both flashy and plain styles, all of good quality.
The benefits of joining the Coral Reef Group were quite good.
After organizing her home items, she sat back on the living room sofa and took out the phone Huo Ai gave her.
The last one she had thrown away in the Mountain Area, and this time Huo Ai got her a new one.
The phonebook only had Huo Ai’s number, which made Dong Enyu smile.
It felt like a boyfriend buying a phone for his girlfriend and only saving his own number—quite sweet.
But she quickly snapped back to reality, shaking her head to stop herself from thinking wrongly.
She took out the Coral Reef Group’s business card and entered the company phone number and Shirley’s number.
These were now her lifelines.
Dong Enyu idly pressed the number keys, the phone emitting beeping sounds, irregular and gradually breaking off…
She hesitated, unsure if she should call someone… Mu Lin.
When was the last time they met? Dong Enyu sat in the dark living room, recalling it was several months ago.
At that time, she took Mu Lin back to Luo Ye’s Apartment, and Mu Lin asked her to teach her how to kiss.
Yes, they kissed.
Dong Enyu lightly pressed her lips, still remembering the sensation and sweet taste, the perfume of that little woman still lingering in her mind.
Mu Lin, the only woman without a vested interest, who wouldn’t hunt her down.
But Dong Enyu was still hesitant.
Maybe she should give up contacting Mu Lin? They might be friends, but now she had changed roles.
She hadn’t forgotten the tension when escaping the old factory, nor Qi Ge’s eyes that wouldn’t close in death.
Her work was so dangerous—could it inadvertently drag Mu Lin into it?
Her grip on the phone tightened and loosened, loosened and tightened… In the end, without realizing it, she dialed the familiar number.
“Hello, who is this?” A soft and gentle voice came through, a voice Dong Enyu never tired of hearing, like a heavenly melody that made her unconsciously relax.
But Dong Enyu pressed her lips, not daring to speak.
She had dialed the number, but Mu Lin didn’t know this number.
If she spoke, Mu Lin would definitely get involved, right?
…Wouldn’t that be too selfish? Dong Enyu’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
Being undercover was lonely, she understood that.
Just as she was about to hang up, Mu Lin suddenly spoke, with an uncertain voice: “…Enyu?”
Dong Enyu froze, stopping her action of hanging up.
“…Is it Enyu?” Mu Lin asked cautiously, yet sincerely.
“Yes,” she admitted.
She selfishly wanted to talk to Mu Lin, to find her oasis again.
“I’m Dong Enyu.”
“I knew it was Enyu.
Why didn’t you say anything? I thought it was a prank call.” Mu Lin seemed relieved, speaking gently while holding the phone.
“Because I was hesitant, but it’s okay now.
I’m surprised you recognized me.” She thought Mu Lin didn’t have her number, yet she could still recognize her, which wasn’t easy.
Answering a stranger’s call also required a lot of courage.
“Well… because only Enyu would call me… so I guessed… it might be you?” Mu Lin spoke softly, almost inaudibly.
Mu Lin didn’t have much of a social circle.
Even though she was gentle and considerate, she wasn’t good at making friends.
Hearing her say this, Dong Enyu felt both touched and a bit heartbroken.
“Enyu, are you mad at me?” Out of nowhere, Mu Lin suddenly asked.
Dong Enyu gripped the phone tightly, laughing, “Silly, what are you talking about?” How could she be mad at Mu Lin?
“Because I called and texted you so many times, but you never replied… so I thought maybe I upset you somehow.
I’m not good at reading people’s minds.
If I offended you in any way, you must tell me.” Mu Lin spoke anxiously, making Dong Enyu laugh.
She could imagine Mu Lin’s flustered expression.
“I just… changed jobs temporarily, and I was on a business trip for a few days, very busy, even lost my phone, so I didn’t get your calls.” Dong Enyu casually made up a lie, mixing truth and falsehood.
She did change jobs, but the details couldn’t be revealed to Mu Lin.
“Can I come see you now?” Mu Lin asked Dong Enyu eagerly, then added, “I remember where your Apartment is, I can come over myself.”
Unexpectedly, her words made Dong Enyu gasp.
The Apartment Mu Lin referred to was naturally Luo Ye’s home.
No way!
“No!” she exclaimed in panic, and Mu Lin on the other end of the line immediately fell silent.
Dong Enyu composed herself, took a few deep breaths, and said, “It’s not that.
I changed jobs, so I moved.
Now that Apartment only has my former roommate, so don’t waste your trip.”
Letting Mu Lin go to the Wolf’s Den? Too dangerous!
“Sorry, I made a decision without asking first.” Mu Lin apologized obediently, her soft voice making Dong Enyu’s heart ache.
This isn’t Mu Lin’s fault.
“It’s okay.” Dong Enyu scratched her head and let out an awkward laugh.
“Did you change roommates too?” Mu Lin’s casual question slightly pricked Dong Enyu’s heart.
…Change roommates.
She had changed two roommates, both of whom had a deep connection with her.
Even though she knew Mu Lin didn’t mean anything by it, it made Dong Enyu feel like her behavior was improper.
She was involved with two women, lingering between them.
Maybe it was due to interests, but developing feelings over time wasn’t impossible.
She saw their good sides and had also witnessed their harshness.
Now she was finally free from Wutang, but this entangled relationship was still not severed.
“I don’t have a roommate now, I live alone.” Dong Enyu tried to make it sound casual, but it came out awkwardly, as if she was telling Mu Lin, ‘I’m single now’… “Can I come see you?” Mu Lin asked politely after a moment of silence.
Dong Enyu pressed her heart, as Mu Lin’s words just now made her heart race, as if she was expecting something… Expecting to see Mu Lin?
“Enyu, can I come see you?” she asked again.
“My place is a bit far.” Dong Enyu glanced at the clock; it was only half-past nine.
“It’s okay.” Mu Lin didn’t mind, even if it was midnight.
“I don’t have any snacks to offer at my place.” Dong Enyu knew this was a lame excuse, but she said it anyway.
“No worries, I can buy some late-night snacks on the way,” Mu Lin was determined to go, “What do you want to eat?”
Mu Lin actually asked Dong Enyu what she wanted for a late-night snack, which made her eyes instantly well up with tears.
She was very touched; Mu Lin’s gentle and considerate question almost made Dong Enyu cry.
…How long had it been since someone cared about her?
“Enyu?” Not getting a response for a while, Mu Lin called out in confusion.
After a moment, Dong Enyu replied with a faint nasal tone, “I want to eat the vegetable soup you make.”
