Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 91

Will arrived at Jing Xuan’s residence, visibly uneasy.

“Young Master!”

“Will, I need you to investigate the owner of this phone number.” Jing Xuan handed him a slip of paper with a number written on it. “Don’t overlook even the slightest clue. And tell Shuangji to keep an eye on any suspicious guests at Huatian, as well as any unfamiliar faces appearing nearby!”

Will took the note, opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated. Seeing his hesitation, Jing Xuan knew he had something to say. “Just say it.”

“Young Master… just now, Huatian was bombed.”

“What? What happened? What about Shuangji and the others? Is anyone hurt?”

“Someone sent us a delivery today. A box. Anna received it—it was labeled as a breadmaker. But inside was a bomb. It detonated shortly after, with massive force. Anna died instantly. President Gao wasn’t there at the time, so she survived.

Since it wasn’t yet opening hours, there were no customers, but we suffered many casualties, and the place is completely destroyed. The police and media have already shown up. It’s probably all over the headlines by now.”

Jing Xuan nodded grimly, hatred simmering beneath her calm expression. This was exactly what she expected—first her friends, now her family.

Suddenly, a dreadful thought struck her. She hurriedly dialed Lan Qing’s number, but only got a voice prompt: The number you have dialed is turned off.

“Do you know where Miss Lan Qing is?”

Will looked troubled. “I’m not sure, sir. Miss Lan Qing visited twice, but you weren’t here. She hasn’t returned since.”

“Understood. Send people to find her immediately. Make sure she’s safe.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll take care of it right away. Do you know who’s behind this, Young Master?”

As Jing Xuan pulled on her coat, she replied coldly, “An old enemy has come knocking.”
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At the Jingdong Society’s branch building, Jing Xuan, Gao Zhe, the Yan family, and Uncle Pokai gathered in the conference room. Smoke swirled through the air as the wall-mounted TV broadcast follow-up reports on the Huatian bombing.

Jing Xuan stood by the window, gazing out.

“Hey! Ajing! Something this serious just happened, and you still have the mood to admire the scenery?” Gao Zhe, agitated by Jing Xuan’s composure, nearly jumped to her feet.

Jing Xuan turned around, picked up her teacup, and took a calm sip. “Panicking won’t help. This is Jing Cheng’s declaration of war. I’ve received it loud and clear.”

“But Fei’er is still in his hands!”

“I’m not too worried about Fei’er, actually. In Jing Cheng’s eyes, she’s a valuable bargaining chip. He hates me too much to let her die quickly—he’ll want to use her to torment me personally. I’m more concerned

about Lan Qing now.”

“If that girl’s been taken too, then Qiao’s leverage is halved. That would put both of them in danger.” Yan Siwei exhaled a puff of smoke and turned to Jing Xuan. “Young Master, what’s the plan?”

“Jing Cheng blew up Huatian, effectively crippling our intelligence network. But we won’t dance to his tune.” Jing Xuan thought briefly before giving orders. “Uncle Pokai, please activate all informants and dig up any leads on Fei’er’s whereabouts. Also, help Will locate and protect Lan Qing.”

“I’m on it! Young Master, you can count on me!” Uncle Pokai replied with resolve.

“Thank you, Uncle. But Jing Cheng is sharp and cunning. Please be cautious—this investigation must remain covert.”

“Understood!”

“Junye, continue managing the C University project. Apply for an extended leave for Fei’er. Her disappearance must be kept completely under wraps—especially from Qiao’s parents!”

Yan Junye nodded. “You didn’t need to say it—I already planned to.”

“Shuangji, you’ll be in charge of wine, women, and song—rebuild our intelligence network discreetly.”

Just then, the secretary knocked and entered, interrupting.

In her hands was a beautifully wrapped box, tied with a delicate ribbon. “President, someone just delivered this. They insisted it be handed to you personally.”

“What kind of person?”

“A child. Looked to be about thirteen or fourteen.”

“Give it to me.”

Jing Xuan took the box. The secretary bowed and exited.

“Huh… it’s ice cold.” She placed the box on the table and carefully opened it. The moment the lid lifted, everyone gasped.

Inside, the box was half-filled with ice. Resting on top of the frozen surface was a severed, bloody human ear.

Stuck to the inside of the lid was a cellphone, which began ringing eerily on cue.

Jing Xuan answered immediately. Jing Cheng’s smug voice came through the line.

“Sweet niece, I assume you’ve received my little gift? What do you think? Like it?”

“You despicable coward! If you have a problem, come for me! Why harm the innocent?!”

“Oh? You think this isn’t about you? And I haven’t harmed anyone innocent—you don’t have a case here. By the way, your little girlfriend is really beautiful. Now she’s missing an ear… that pitiful little face? So delicate, so helpless—I couldn’t resist.”

“If you dare hurt Fei’er, I’ll tear you limb from limb!”

“Haha, threats? Do you really think you can scare me? I plan to return your Miss Fei’er to you—in installments. Oh, and your fair lady isn’t the only one, right? There’s also Miss Lan Qing… hahaha. I’ll be in touch.

Bye-bye, niece.”

The call ended. Jing Xuan, enraged, hurled the phone to the ground. It shattered on impact, the battery and casing scattering.

“Jing… should we call the police?” Gao Zhe asked timidly.

“No. Not yet,” Jing Xuan rejected the suggestion outright.

The room fell silent. All that could be heard was the sound of breathing.

Jing Xuan stared at the broken phone, its internal chip glinting under the light. A thought struck her.

She crouched and picked it up.

“I heard Shen Yiling is a computer expert,” she said, her gaze locking onto Yan Junye. “I know you’re seeing her, even though you’ve been trying to keep it a secret.”

Yan Junye flushed red—clearly hit by the mark. Jing Xuan had read her well.

But this wasn’t the time for teasing.

She handed over the broken phone and said gravely, “Junye, I need your help. Ask Miss Shen to recover the phone data. We have to find Fei’er. I will kill that old fox Jing Cheng with my own hands!”

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Shen Yiling came through. That very night, Jing Xuan led a team to raid a fishing village in Nanhai, following the phone’s recovered location data. But whether the tip had leaked or they were simply too late, by the time they arrived, the place was deserted.

Frustrated, Jing Xuan kicked the already half-collapsed door, her eyes flashing with rarely seen fury.

“Young Master, Mr. Will is on the line. He requests to speak with you.” A subordinate respectfully handed over the phone.

Jing Xuan composed herself and answered. “Young Master…” Will’s voice was weak. A deep unease rose in Jing Xuan’s chest.

“I failed. Miss Lan Qing… she was taken by Jing Cheng’s people.”