Chapter 94: Reaping What You Sow

Lines of delicate poetry swirled in his mind as Ye Qiu stood in the room, caught between conflicting emotions.

"Threads of wistful thoughts weave like lilac knots, 

Emotions linger like the tender touch of a jade-like bosom. 

With a sidelong glance, autumn waters reflect her startled gaze, 

A thread of affection winds around, softly binding."

The scene before him was as alluring as it was unsettling. Tang Guo's exquisite features, her nearly exposed chest that defied her own modest claims, combined with the mix of shyness, fear, and confusion on her face, stirred a physical reaction in Ye Qiu—a part of him that usually lay dormant but now stood at attention, trembling with excitement.

Yet, something about the situation felt off. A woman he barely knew—at least not deeply in terms of understanding or emotional connection—suddenly sitting half-naked before him was disorienting, leaving Ye Qiu somewhat at a loss.

In all honesty, it wasn't intentional. He had merely forgotten to remind her to be cautious when untying the strap at the back of her neck.

Ye Qiu wondered if he should do something to make amends.

They say that men like to smoke afterward, and women enjoy being held. While Ye Qiu hadn't done anything wrong to Tang Guo, he had seen her body, so he figured he should go over and comfort her with a hug. As he opened his arms, preparing to embrace her, Tang Guo shot him a cold glare. "Ye Qiu, you're nothing but a beast."

Her expression was calm, devoid of joy or anger. She slowly pulled up the fallen strap of her little camisole, fumbling several times before managing to tie it behind her neck. Then, she put on her thick camouflage jacket and headed for the door.

"I'll walk you out—" Ye Qiu started to say, but as he noticed Tang Guo's shoulders twitch, he quickly sensed danger and dodged just in time. With a swish, Tang Guo's swift and clean "groin kick" missed him by a hair.

"I'll castrate you someday," Tang Guo threatened fiercely before storming out of the dorm.

Am I really a beast? Ye Qiu touched his nose, a playful smile curling his lips. Actually, I'm worse than a beast.

With Tang Guo gone, Ye Qiu found himself feeling a bit bored in the dormitory. He wasn't interested in joining the military training—it was a waste of time for him, offering no real benefit. So, he decided to go for a walk. He had visited many places that would seem daunting to ordinary people, but this was his first time on a military base.

The camp wasn't particularly interesting. The buildings and the plants were all arranged with military precision, just like the tightly folded blankets of the soldiers. Discipline and loyalty were the core values here, and the numerous rules governing every aspect of life were understandable.

Military bases are usually off-limits to outsiders, but Ye Qiu hadn't encountered any obstacles as he wandered around. People were only slightly puzzled to see him, a freshman in training uniform, wandering aimlessly. Ye Qiu avoided crowded areas, deliberately walking through a small grove toward the mountain he had noticed earlier.

To his surprise, there was a small pond at the edge of the grove. It was hard to tell whether it was man-made or natural, but it was overgrown with lush grass. An old man with white hair and a beard sat on a small stool, holding a bamboo fishing rod, engrossed in his fishing.

Ye Qiu's interest was piqued. Growing up in a village, he could always find ponds and streams where he could fish, even without a rod—just by jumping into the water. It was one of the childhood pastimes he shared with his friends.

As he grew older, his grandfather had insisted on taking him fishing every day. Initially, Ye Qiu was reluctant, finding it tedious to sit for hours holding a bamboo rod. But now, he realized his grandfather's intent: to temper his impatience and desire for quick results through the slow, deliberate act of fishing.

Over time, Ye Qiu had come to appreciate this quiet sport. However, since moving to Yanjing, he hadn't had the chance to fish. He was either too busy following Tang Guo around or couldn't find a suitable pond.

Lin Bao'er had mentioned that some parks had fishing ponds, but they were expensive, and you had to pay extra if you wanted to take the fish home. Ye Qiu had no interest in such things, feeling that the city folks had a spiritually impoverished life despite their material wealth. When everything is tied to money, the joy of the activity itself is lost.

This kind of wild fishing was exactly what Ye Qiu enjoyed. He quietly sat down beside the old man, careful not to disturb his enjoyment, and watched him fish.

After waiting for a while, the simple reed float on the water remained still. Just as Ye Qiu began to doubt whether there were any fish in the pond, the reed suddenly sank. The old man, who had been dozing off, sprang into action, lifting the rod with precision to hook the fish firmly. With a flick of his wrist, a foot-long silver crucian carp was tossed onto the bank.

Ye Qiu was delighted. He quickly rushed over to help hold the fish down, preventing it from wriggling back into the pond. He then carefully removed the hook from its mouth and handed the fish to the old man, smiling, "Old man, this is a wild fish—fat and tasty. You'll have a great meal tonight."

"Haha, indeed. The fish in this pond recognize people. They only bite when I'm fishing; others get nothing," the old man said, opening his fishing basket for Ye Qiu to drop the fish into. The basket was empty—this was the first catch of the day.

"Hey, are you one of the students here for military training?" The old man eyed Ye Qiu's uniform, puzzled.

"Yeah," Ye Qiu nodded.

"Aren't the freshmen all supposed to be in training? What are you doing out here?" The old man suddenly glared at Ye Qiu, as if he had committed a serious offense.

"Haha—I'm not feeling well, so I took some time off," Ye Qiu replied with a smile.

"Not feeling well? Or just slacking off? Why are young people today so weak? Can't even handle a bit of hardship?" The old man pointed a finger at Ye Qiu and scolded him.

"Hey, old man, whether I train or not is none of your business, right? Besides, standing for two hours and practicing a set of flashy, useless moves—does that count as hardship?" Ye Qiu retorted, annoyed.

"What?" The old man seemed to have been struck in a sensitive spot. He threw down his rod and said, "Did you just call the military's hand-to-hand combat routine flashy and useless?"

Ye Qiu was surprised by the old man's strong reaction but stood his ground, "Well, yeah. What good does it do? Can it protect you? Catch thieves? Defend the country?"

"You brat. Looks like I need to teach you a lesson. You dare to dismiss the martial art honed by countless military elites? Watch closely—I'll use the very military techniques you scorn to take you down," the old man declared, launching a sudden strike toward Ye Qiu's shoulder.

Ye Qiu narrowly dodged the move, startled by the old man's agility. He hadn't expected the old man to be so skilled. If he hadn't been quick, he would've been caught in the first exchange.

"Interesting—" The old man was equally surprised. His tried-and-true grappling technique, which had subdued many, was evaded by a seemingly frail student. "No wonder you look down on military hand-to-hand combat. With your skills, you do have the right to criticize," he sneered.

"Old man, I'm just out for a stroll. I don't want to fight you," Ye Qiu said, smiling as he turned to leave.

"Kid, you don't get a choice. If you're a man, accept my challenge. Don't act like a coward."

"—" Ye Qiu thought, given our age difference, I practically am your grandson!

As the old man spoke, he lunged forward, aiming a straight punch at the back of Ye Qiu's head. The back of the neck and the base of the skull are vulnerable spots; a blow there could leave someone incapacitated for hours. Ye Qiu had no choice but to counter with a kick aimed at the old man's groin.

Immediately after the kick, Ye Qiu regretted his action. What's wrong with me? Have I been too influenced by Tang Guo? Do I resort to this 'groin kick' every time I face an opponent now?

The old man, halfway through his attack, saw Ye Qiu's lightning-fast kick aimed at his nether regions. He twisted his body, performing a rolling dodge to avoid the low blow, and cursed, "You little brat, you've got a ruthless streak, attacking an old man like that. If I don't knock your teeth out today, I'll take your name!"

Relieved that the old man had dodged the kick, Ye Qiu stepped back and tried to explain, "Old man, I'm not your match. Just let me go. I admit it—military hand-to-hand combat is a formidable martial art. I was wrong, and I apologize sincerely."

"It's too late, kid. Apologies won't cut it. Today, I'm going to use military hand-to-hand combat to teach you

 a lesson you won't forget," the old man insisted, moving quickly with a left jab aimed at Ye Qiu's face.

"You're aiming for my face?!" Ye Qiu shouted, angry now.

"And you kicked my groin! What's the problem?"

"You're old! So what if I kick? You don't need it anymore. But I'm in my prime—"

"What?! Are you saying I'm useless?!" The old man fumed, his punches becoming more ferocious. "You little punk, prepare yourself!"

"Hehe, do you think you're some kind of immortal, like Pengzu? A man your age, still bragging about your manhood?"

"Keep running your mouth, kid. You'll regret it," the old man muttered, though he was increasingly impressed with Ye Qiu's skills. For someone to dismiss military hand-to-hand combat, they had to be quite competent themselves.

In truth, military hand-to-hand combat comes in several variations: one for special forces, one for regular soldiers, and another, simplified version taught to students during military training. The latter is watered down, with fewer moves and less power, tailored for young people with no physical training background. Its lethality is limited, to say the least.

But the old man was feeling frustrated. Despite his proficiency in the special forces' version of military hand-to-hand combat, refined and enhanced over years of experience, he hadn't managed to land a blow on this young man. It was a humbling experience.

As he pondered this, he suddenly changed his approach and, with a loud thud, landed a punch on Ye Qiu's chest.

Ye Qiu felt a burning pain in his chest, sliding back several steps before barely regaining his balance. He rubbed his sore chest and cursed, "You old bastard, you tricked me. You said you'd only use military hand-to-hand combat!"

"Hehe, I've decided to mix in some Wing Chun now," the old man said, grinning smugly after landing a hit.

Seeing his self-satisfied expression, Ye Qiu was suddenly reminded of the old man back home. Every time he beat Ye Qiu in a sparring match, he would wear the same smug look, as if he derived great pleasure from Ye Qiu's defeat.

"Alright then. I won't hold back anymore. Don't say I didn't respect my elders," Ye Qiu said, charging at the old man and launching his first offensive move.

As Ye Qiu closed in, he feinted with a left jab to the old man's face, then quickly followed up with a right hook aimed at his jaw. The old man, caught off guard by Ye Qiu's sudden aggression, stumbled backward, dodging the punches, only to find himself lifted off the ground by Ye Qiu.

"What are you doing?" the old man shouted, alarmed as Ye Qiu hoisted him into the air.

"Hehe, giving you a little taste of punishment for not keeping your word. How about a dip in the pond?" Ye Qiu said, carrying the old man toward the edge of the pond.

"No need—I surrender!" the old man called out, quickly signaling with his right hand.

"Too late." With a powerful heave, Ye Qiu threw the old man into the pond like a stone.

"Hey, you little brat—what's your name—I won't let you get away with this!" the old man shouted, his head bobbing above the water as Ye Qiu walked away.

After brawling with someone who reminded him of the old man back home, Ye Qiu felt much better. Any lingering awkwardness with Tang Guo vanished. Now, he even regretted not taking a longer look. After all, aren't women meant to be admired? Should they be worshipped like deities?

As Ye Qiu walked away, a group of soldiers arrived at the pond. Two of them jumped in without even removing their uniforms, helping the old man out of the water. Another pair stood by, ready to assist, while a third soldier quickly stripped off his jacket and pants, preparing to offer them to the old man.

"Commander, are you alright?" one of the men asked in a deep voice.

"Haha, I'm fine. Who would've thought that in my old age, I'd get thrown into a pond by a university student—" the old man replied, still smiling.

"Commander, should we—"

"Haha, no need. He's a good kid. I was worried you might hurt him, so I quickly signaled you to hold off. Otherwise, I would've put up more of a fight," the old man said, waving them off.

If he hadn't signaled from mid-air, the sniper assigned to protect him might have shot Ye Qiu. Turning to the soldier who had undressed, he said, "Put your clothes back on. It's not that cold—I'll change when I get back."

"Commander, please wear these," the soldier insisted, draping his jacket over the old man's shoulders. It was clear they deeply respected the old man.

"Let's head back. I didn't expect to meet such an interesting young man while fishing today—oh, and don't forget my fish. I want my wife to make fish soup tonight," the old man said with a chuckle as he walked back toward the camp, surrounded by his bodyguards.

Lin Bao'er had never been through such an ordeal. First, she arrived late and, unable to find her original spot, was scolded by the instructor. Then, she stood under the scorching sun for half an hour. After that, she had to practice military hand-to-hand combat—her form was all wrong, and she was scolded again. She ran three laps around the field, then stood at attention for another half hour. By the time the first afternoon of training ended, Lin Bao'er felt like she might collapse.

When she returned to the dormitory, her body aching all over, she found Tang Guo lying on her bed, lost in thought. She hadn't even noticed Lin Bao'er's return.

Smiling mischievously, Lin Bao'er snuck up to her and asked, "Tang Tang, did Ye Qiu take advantage of you?"

"Mmhmm," Tang Guo nodded absentmindedly.

Lin Bao'er's mouth formed an "o" shape, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Did he touch you or kiss you? Or did you two already—"

"Touch—ah. Bao'er, when did you get back?" Tang Guo snapped out of her daze.

"Hehe, I've been back for a while. Tang Tang, did Ye Qiu really take advantage of you?" Lin Bao'er's wide eyes stared at Tang Guo, smiling as she asked.

"No, nothing like that. Don't talk nonsense," Tang Guo chided, though her expression was a bit unnatural.

Seeing Tang Guo's reaction, Lin Bao'er became even more convinced that something had happened between them. Clinging to Tang Guo's arm, she pleaded, "Tang Tang, please tell me. I promise I won't say anything. What did you two do? How did it feel? I'm so curious!"

"If you're curious, go try it yourself."

"—"—

When the workday ended and her colleagues happily shut down their computers and packed up to leave, Shen Monong rubbed her eyes, feeling a headache at the sound of the bell. She had asked Li Zi to arrange a dinner with that balding manager, and Li Zi had reported that he had agreed, insisting on treating them at the Kaiyuan Hotel.

Kaiyuan Hotel was one of the most famous hotels in Yanjing, especially known for its seafood. Shen Monong had tried it once with Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er and found it quite good. But now, having to dine with that sleazy man, staring at his disgusting face, how could she possibly eat?

*Knock knock knock—*

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Shen Monong knew it was Li Zi, so she called out, "Come in."

Sure enough, the seductive and charming Public Relations Manager, who had touched up her makeup in the bathroom, walked in, filling the room with a strong scent of perfume. Shen Monong was somewhat allergic to perfume, but knowing that it was part of Li Zi's job, she didn't say anything.

"Chairman Shen, are we ready to go? Manager Guo has been waiting at Kaiyuan Hotel for quite some time," Li Zi said with a smile. It seemed she had adjusted her attitude and no longer referred to Guo as "Baldy."

"Yes, let's go." Shen Monong shut down her computer and packed some essential items into her bag. After some thought, she took out an old-fashioned pair of glasses from her drawer and put them on, instantly concealing much of her striking beauty.

Seeing this little move, Li Zi couldn't help but smile.

When they arrived at the Kaiyuan Hotel, the outside was already ablaze with lights, and the entrance was packed with cars. Following the guidance of the security staff, Shen Monong parked her car and waited briefly until Li Zi, carrying her bag, caught up. They had each driven separately.

Shen Monong considered reminding Li Zi that she was allergic to alcohol and that Li Zi should help her fend off any drinks later, but she held back. With her sharp mind, Li Zi would surely think of this herself.

"Welcome, how may I assist you?" The pretty hostess greeted them with a ninety-degree bow and a friendly smile.

"Please take us to the Lily Room," Li Zi said.

"Certainly. Please follow me."

The hostess led them to the door of the Lily Room and knocked gently. When a man opened the door with a smile, she politely stepped back, though she couldn

't help but wonder why such beautiful women would dine with a man who looked like that.

Maybe he's rich, she thought with a sigh.

"Just by the sound of footsteps, I knew it was Monong and Manager Li. When I booked the room earlier, the receptionist asked me which room I wanted, and I said the Lily Room. Only lilies match Monong's elegance. Right, Manager Li?" Guo Changnian said with a grin. "Come, please come in. It's my great fortune to dine with such lovely company."

"Indeed, Manager Guo has excellent taste. The Lily Room is perfect for Chairman Shen's elegance; roses would be too vulgar," Li Zi responded with a smile.

"Manager Guo, you flatter me," Shen Monong said as she sat down in the chair Guo Changnian had pulled out for her. "Manager Guo, I'm genuinely interested in working with your company. Our initial negotiations went very smoothly, so why haven't we been able to finalize the contract?"

Guo Changnian inwardly smirked. The initial negotiations had gone well because his boss had given the green light, but the delay now was due to ulterior motives. Looking at Shen Monong's unparalleled beauty, he felt a pang of regret—such a woman was far beyond his reach.

"Haha, Monong, that's not how it works in the business world. We eat first, then talk shop. Okay?" Guo Changnian said, pretending to be displeased.

Although she wasn't pleased, Shen Monong had no choice but to bide her time. Despite having no appetite, she ordered two dishes at Guo Changnian's insistence.

"It's my first time dining with Monong. I know your alcohol tolerance isn't great, so I won't make you ladies drink any hard liquor. How about we open a bottle of red wine instead?"

"Manager Guo, I can't drink," Shen Monong refused.

"Not even red wine? Monong, give me some face," Guo Changnian said, his face darkening slightly.

"Manager Guo, she really can't. She's allergic to alcohol," Li Zi quickly intervened, smiling seductively. "How about I drink with you to liven things up?"

Guo Changnian, not wanting to push further, smiled and said, "Alright, then. I'll drink red wine with Manager Li, and Monong, you can have something non-alcoholic, but you should still have a drink, right?"

"I'll just have tea," Shen Monong said.

"Alright, tea it is. The lady has spoken, and I must obey," Guo Changnian said, gesturing for the waiter to bring tea and red wine. Li Zi responded with a loud, accommodating laugh.

Shen Monong felt a wave of boredom. Was that really so funny? It wasn't nearly as amusing as some of the things Ye Qiu occasionally blurted out.

Thanks to the pre-ordered dishes, the food arrived quickly. The waiter also brought the wine and tea, and Guo Changnian eagerly poured tea for Shen Monong himself.

"Thank you," Shen Monong said softly. As long as she didn't have to drink alcohol, she could stay sharp and avoid any potential tricks. Plus, with Li Zi present, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Let me toast to you both, wishing you eternal beauty," Guo Changnian said, raising his glass.

"Thank you. I'll toast with tea. And may you, Manager Guo, rise higher and higher in your career," Shen Monong responded, lifting her teacup.

"Manager Guo, I also wish you youth everlasting," Li Zi said, clinking glasses with Guo Changnian and speaking in a coquettish tone.

"Haha, what's the point of men getting younger?"

"So more women will fall for you, of course."

"And what about you, Manager Li?"

"I'd love to, but with so many women around you, I'd probably have no place."

As Li Zi and Guo Changnian flirted back and forth, Shen Monong's mind wandered. She sipped her tea, thinking her own thoughts, filtering out their conversation until she could only see their mouths moving without hearing the words.

Suddenly, her eyes grew heavy. She forced them open, only to have them slowly droop again. Finally, she couldn't fight it anymore and collapsed onto the table with a thud.

"Hahaha—The ice queen finally fell," Guo Changnian chuckled.

"Congratulations, Manager Guo, on your success," Li Zi toasted, raising her glass.

"I'm just following orders; the credit belongs to someone else. Haha, Manager Li, your contribution was crucial. Don't worry, the agreed amount will be in your account tomorrow," Guo Changnian said, clinking glasses with Li Zi.

"Hehe, you're such a gentleman, Manager Guo. How could I not trust you?" Li Zi said, looking at the unconscious Shen Monong with a smile full of malice.

"Of course, I'm a gentleman. Didn't you confirm that last night?" Guo Changnian smirked, squeezing Li Zi's chest through her clothes. "I've been missing this all day."

"Stop it," Li Zi playfully slapped Guo Changnian's hand, almost encouraging him to go further.

Looking at her seductive expression and remembering how wild she had been in bed, Guo Changnian's desire flared up. He grabbed Li Zi, kissing her while his hands roamed over her body.

"Alright, you big pervert—there's a time and place for everything. Let's take care of business first," Li Zi said, suppressing her disgust and pointing at the unconscious Shen Monong.

Guo Changnian knew he couldn't afford to delay. As much as he wanted to have his way with this vixen right then and there, he had to take care of Shen Monong first. If she woke up suddenly, things could get messy. This woman had connections and was not to be trifled with.

"Alright, you little minx. I'll let you off for now, but wait for my call tonight. You drove here with her, right? Will that be a problem?"

"Humph," Li Zi snorted. "What problem? I don't know anything. That cold woman always acts so high and mighty. I've been dying to see her humiliated by a man. Too bad it's not you, or I'd help you take some photos—"

Li Zi's words reignited Guo Changnian's lust. He grabbed her hair and pushed her head down toward his groin, saying, "You little minx, I can't hold back anymore. Take care of me first—"

After Li Zi walked out of the Lily Room, wiping the sticky residue from her mouth, Guo Changnian pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. The call was answered immediately, but no one spoke.

"Boss, it's done," Guo Changnian reported respectfully.

"Someone is waiting outside. Bring her over."

"Understood."

Guo Changnian pocketed his phone and splashed red wine on the unconscious Shen Monong. He thought about carrying her out but then decided to enjoy the moment. Such a beautiful woman—he might never get another chance to even see her again, so why not touch her while he could? Even if he couldn't have his way with her, he could at least feel her all over.

Just as he was about to act on this impulse, an untimely knock sounded at the door.

Startled, Guo Changnian glanced at the still-unconscious Shen Monong. Only after confirming that she hadn't stirred did he ask, "Who is it?"

There was no answer, just three light taps on the door.

The room had a small bathroom, and Guo Changnian wondered if he should hide Shen Monong there before opening the door. But then he thought, what if it's just hotel staff? Wouldn't that look suspicious?

Maybe it's the person my boss mentioned, here to pick her up. That must be it. With this in mind, Guo Changnian hurried over to the door and opened it, only to find himself grabbed by the throat by a gloved hand.

A tall, handsome man dressed in a black suit entered the room, closing the door behind him. After checking to see that Shen Monong was still asleep and unharmed, he released Guo Changnian.

"Who—are—you—?" Guo Changnian choked out, his face turning red as the gloved hand squeezed his throat.

But the man wasn't interested in answering. With a slight twist of his fingers, he snapped Guo Changnian's neck with a loud crack.

Tossing the body aside, the man surveyed the room, ensuring there was nothing suspicious or easily traceable. Then, he walked over to the phone and dialed 110—"Hello, this is the 110 emergency command center—"

"—"

"Hello, is someone there?"

"—"

"—Hello? Are you still on the line—"

The man glanced at the still-unconscious Shen Monong, then quietly left the room. As he reached the elevator, he saw a group of hotel security guards hurrying toward the room.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8