"Speak. What happened to your wound?"
After dealing with Song Shengren, Chu Yi lowered his gaze and looked at An Ran nestled in his arms.
Facing Chu Yi's question, An Ran faltered, unable to find the words, her eyes flitting helplessly toward him.
"Forget it. Let me treat your injury first."
Treat the wound?
Before An Ran could even voice her confusion, she was pulled into the room.
Inside, the atmosphere was warm and sultry, suggestive and intoxicating.
Two hours passed.
Only after a sharp cry from An Ran did it finally come to an end.
"Ah—Chu Yi, what on earth is going on?"
She stared in shock at the thick, dark-brown sludge clinging to her skin, unable to contain her alarm.
"This is the toxin that was in your body. It has now been fully expelled," Chu Yi replied with a faint smile, utterly unsurprised by what he saw.
He had long anticipated this.
After consuming the Marrow-Cleansing Pill, his body had reached an untainted, almost ethereal state.
Immune to poison, capable of repelling toxins.
Even that part of him now bore the power to heal and purify.
"Toxins?"
An Ran frowned, puzzled.
"Try pressing your skin—see for yourself."
"Really?"
Though still skeptical, she followed his instructions.
Extending her left hand, she gently wiped away the viscous substance.
What revealed itself beneath was flawless, alabaster skin—smooth, pristine, and without a trace of the scars or wounds that had once marred it.
What remained was skin like porcelain and milk—pure and delicate.
"Chu Yi, this is unbelievable!"
An Ran raised her arm, showing it off in amazement.
"Naturally."
"But now you're covered in that black sludge. You need a thorough wash."
"What did you just say?"
An Ran feigned ignorance, pretending not to hear, but the next moment, Chu Yi had already swept her into his arms and carried her into the bathroom.
What followed was another hour or two of cleansing.
By the end of it, An Ran was so embarrassed she buried her head in the crook of her arm, like a shy ostrich hiding from the world.
Only after the bath did Chu Yi help her dress and carry her out.
…
"Young Master, Young Master!"
"The matter has been handled. If you had seen the scene—it was grand, magnificent!"
"A real spectacle!"
Da Niu strode in excitedly, gesturing wildly as he spoke to Chu Yi.
But then he noticed something off.
The young lady beside his master—why had she become so fair?
It wasn't just the fairness. Even her freckles, the little black marks—gone.
It was as if the An Ran from moments ago had been an ordinary girl, and the one before him now had been processed through layers of filters and beauty enhancements.
The transformation was so dramatic, Da Niu couldn't help but rub his eyes.
"What are you staring at, Da Niu?"
Chu Yi frowned slightly at his bodyguard's odd behavior.
"N-nothing, Young Master!"
Startled by Chu Yi's sudden question, Da Niu hurried to respond.
Though curious about An Ran's change, he knew his place.
As a bodyguard, he understood clearly what questions should be asked—and which must remain unspoken.
"Alright then."
"Oh, by the way—Song Shengren. It's all taken care of, yes?"
Chu Yi didn't press further. He understood the reason for Da Niu's surprise.
Changing the topic, he brought up their earlier matter.
"Of course! That brat is living his best life now."
"I found that old dog downstairs, but he wasn't nearly enough for him."
"In the end, I had to bring him seven or eight more bitches just to satisfy him."
"You should've seen it—it was insane. I even recorded a video. Want to see?"
Talking about Song Shengren got Da Niu thoroughly fired up again. He whipped out his phone, eager to show off the footage.
"Shameless!"
An Ran, unable to endure any more, turned crimson and fled toward the bedroom.
With a bang, the door slammed shut, and she buried her flushed face into the covers.
Da Niu, left hanging, awkwardly froze with his phone still extended, neither able to offer it nor take it back.
He turned to Chu Yi.
"Young Master, would you like to see it?"
See it?
See what, exactly?
I'm not a pervert.
Chu Yi sighed in exasperation, shaking his head at Da Niu's clueless expression.
After a pause, he said, "According to Song Shengren, his father holds a senior property management position here."
"If possible, strip him of that title."
Remove the weeds, root and all.
Though Song Shengren was a minor, forgettable villain in the book, Chu Yi didn't intend to let him off so lightly.
If they weren't punished severely now, they might come crawling back later, even more obnoxious.
And for what? A minor character wasting his time?
Da Niu's face darkened at the words.
Right. Why hadn't he thought of that?
That man did have enough authority to cause problems if he wanted to.
A cold sweat broke out on Da Niu's forehead as he stood straighter and nodded firmly.
"Understood. I'll see to it immediately."
"Good. Contact the corporate group and start discussions."
Chu Yi waved him off.
"Yes, sir."
Da Niu left at once to carry out the order.
Chu Yi stood there silently, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared from sight.
Then he turned, his eyes drifting toward the bedroom door.
He walked to the door and placed his hand on the knob.
Hm. Locked.
Surprise flickered in his gaze, quickly replaced by amusement.
No matter. I have a key.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, sliding it into the lock.
Click.
The door opened, and Chu Yi stepped in.
There, seated at the edge of the bed, was An Ran.
At the sight of him, panic surged through her.
She looked like a frightened bunny who had just seen the wolf that meant to eat her.
She leapt to her feet, backing away, her voice trembling.
"Chu Yi, I—I can't anymore. It's been five hours."
"I'm sore… please, have mercy. Tomorrow—tomorrow I'll give myself to you again."
Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes. She looked pitiful, desperate.
What the hell?
Have mercy?
I wasn't planning anything!
I just wanted to talk.
Chu Yi sighed, a vein of exasperation pulsing on his temple.
"You're overthinking. I only came to ask you a question."
"Really?"
An Ran's voice was cautious, almost hopeful, but her body remained tense, prepared to bolt at any sudden move.
She looked like she'd run the moment he dared step closer.