Chapter 50: The Vengeful Liew Ruyan
Chen Ning, Bai Yuhao and the others left the colosseum together, completely dismissing Liew Ruyan’s threats.
He didn’t spare a thought for how she, barefoot, would manage to leave.
In Chen Ning’s view, since Liew Ruyan had been threatening him all day, what he had done was nothing more than a minor lesson.
Once outside, Bai Yuhao leaned close and whispered, “What on earth did you do to piss Liew Ruyan off that bad?”
Chen Ning blinked innocently.
“Yesterday, I dropped by the Liew Trading Company for a look. Accidentally released one of their captive colossal gorillas, causing a bit of chaos. She’s been chasing me ever since, demanding compensation. But after today’s fight, I’d say the debt’s cleared.”
Su Luo cut in, “Sure, the money’s cleared. But from the way she glared at you, she’s got a grudge carved into her bones. Don’t be surprised if she comes back for more.”
Chen Ning shrugged. “I don’t live in Vermilion Phoenix City anyway. We’re heading back to the Azurebird Base today. What’s she gonna do, come after me all the way there?”
Bai Yuhao laughed. “That’d be impossible.”
And it was true. Though the Azurebird Base was merely one of the Phoenix Legion’s many recruit camps, the Phoenix Legion reputation was no joke—not just for strength, but for being fiercely protective of their own. Few dared to provoke them.
By noon, Bai Yuhao had everyone gathered for lunch at a well-known restaurant in Vermilion Phoenix City. Afterward, he planned to take the group sightseeing, including a stop at the city’s landmark—Vermilion Tower.
But Chen Ning excused himself, saying he had personal matters to attend to. He’d rejoin them later in the afternoon.
The others were puzzled. It was Chen Ning’s first visit to the city—what “personal matters” could he possibly have?
Still, Bai Yuhao was a courteous friend. Since Chen Ning didn’t explain, he didn’t pry, only reminded him.
“All right then, but remember—we must depart by six. We need to reach the base by midnight. Don’t be late.”
“Got it,” Chen Ning replied with a nod before disappearing down the street.
His “personal matter,” of course, concerned his daughter.
This trip to Vermilion Phoenix City had been sudden. He had no real plan to rescue her yet.
With little time and the Liu family’s power, charging in blindly would be suicide. For now, all he wanted was to see her—just to know she was safe.
After parting ways, Chen Ning took a taxi and returned to the vicinity of the Liu residence.
This time, he stayed farther away, watching from the shadows like a patient hunter. He had only a few hours before leaving the city; whether he could glimpse his daughter depended on luck.
Luck, however, was not on his side. After two hours of waiting, he saw many faces pass through the Liu family gates—but not the one he longed for.
Neither his daughter, Xiao Guo, nor his ex-wife Zhang Qian, nor that arrogant playboy Liu Ming appeared.
Instead, the person he least wanted to see found him—Liew Ruyan.
She was still dressed in the same white dress from earlier, but now wore a new elegant pair of high heels, her arrival as sudden as a ghost’s.
She deliberately let her heels click against the cobblestone, the sharp rhythm echoing through the quiet alley—half announcing her arrival, half as provocation.
It was as if she were saying, See? You stole my shoes, but here I am—still in heels, and still right on your tail.
Chen Ning sighed and turned from the Liu mansion’s gate to face her. For the first time, he looked at her helplessly.
“You really don’t know how to give up, do you?”
Liew Ruyan acted as though she’d forgotten their earlier conflict, and even her threats. She gave him a teasing glance, then looked meaningfully toward the Liu mansion.
“Tsk, tsk. Hiding in an alley, spying on the Liu family gates? You look like some poor lover pining after a noble’s maid. What’s the story? Which beauty makes you this desperate?”
The moment she appeared, Chen Ning knew he couldn’t keep his stakeout going. He snorted coldly. “None of your business. How did you even find me?”
She smirked.
“Please. You think the Liew Trading Company got famous for nothing? We deal not just in rare goods, but in rare information. With our network, tracking you down is child’s play.”
Her words struck a spark in Chen Ning’s mind.
Indeed, being alone in Vermilion Bird City, a direct rescue attempt for his daughter was temporarily unfeasible. It was even difficult to get updates on her current situation.
But with the help of local connections—using the city’s established networks to gather information—things would become much simpler.
After Liu Ruyan finished boasting, she suddenly noticed Chen Ning staring at her with an intense gaze.
Her heart tightened with nervousness and alertness. After all, they were in a secluded alley, and she was alone and vulnerable. If Chen Ning were to harbor ill intentions, she would have little means to resist.
Earlier, she had sent an assistant to deliver a pair of high heels to the Colosseum and tasked them with investigating Chen Ning’s whereabouts.
Then, driving a sports car in a fury, she chased after Chen Ning to settle the score.
But she hadn’t brought any bodyguards or subordinates with her—partly because in Vermilion Phoenix City, few dared to touch her, and partly because, deep down, she didn’t truly believe Chen Ning was a bad person.
This intuition was rooted in what she had witnessed at the arena: Chen Ning’s act of helping the gladiator find release from suffering.
Still, his gaze made her tense. If this scoundrel tried anything… she was doomed.
Her right hand quietly moved toward her waist, brushing the small palm-sized revolver holstered there—her last line of defense.
Unaware of her fears, Chen Ning narrowed his eyes and asked, “Your trading company… really deals in intelligence?”
Liew Ruyan froze for a second, lowering her hand slightly. “Yeah. Why?”
A smile spread across Chen Ning’s face.
“Perfect. I need your help with something— I need information, to be exact.”
So that’s why he’d been staring like that.
She almost laughed aloud, torn between exasperation and amusement. Then, regaining her usual confidence, she lifted her chin and said sweetly.
“Well, well. So you do need me after all? I can help—but it’ll cost you. One thousand gold coins per piece of information.”
Chen Ning frowned.
“You’re kidding, right? You don’t even know what I want investigated yet, and you’re already quoting a price? Sounds like you’re just making things difficult for me.”
Liew Ruyan sneered.
“Exactly. I am making things difficult. Didn’t I warn you? Never fall into my hands.”
Chen Ning stayed calm, replying evenly, “If your company sells intelligence, others must too. I’ll just find someone else.”
He turned to leave.
Her smirk faltered. She hadn’t expected him to give up so easily—she’d planned to toy with him a bit more.
But Liew Ruyan was quick to recover.
“Go ahead,” she called after him. “Other agencies will charge less—maybe three hundred gold coins. But tell me, do you even have the money?”
Chen Ning froze. “This expensive?”
Liew Ruyan laughed coldly.
“The Liu family patriarch is Liu LuanLin—the Legion Commander of the Voracious Wolf Legion. The man’s a powerhouse in this city.
You’re asking to dig into his affairs. Three hundred gold for that kind of risk is cheap. In fact, most agencies won’t even take the job. The smart ones would just sell you out to Liu LuanXiong instead.”
Chen Ning’s eyes narrowed.
“And you’re saying you would dare investigate the Liu family?”
Liew Ruyan chuckled. “Heh. Did you forget? The Liew Trading Company has the city lord himself as our patron.”
Chen Ning nodded.
“Fine. If you help me investigate one thing, I’ll owe you three hundred gold coins—and I swear I’ll pay it back within the agreed time. Deal?”
She blinked. “No deal.”
He frowned. “Why not?”
She tilted her head, lips curling into a proud pout.
“Because this lady is in a bad mood.”
Chen Ning sighed inwardly. Clearly, she was still holding a grudge from the arena. He forced a wry smile.
“Then, milady, what would it take to improve your mood?”
At that, Liew Ruyan’s peach-blossom eyes sparkled mischievously—bright, sly, and full of dangerous ideas…
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