Category: Bloodthirsty Countess’s Overbearing Love

Chapter 65

Li Mo was led to a small, single-story English cottage on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by vast, rolling meadows. It was a peaceful and serene setting.

Song Ling parked the car in front of the cottage and led Li Mo inside. Li Mo looked around, her heart warming. She felt a strange sense of familiarity, of belonging, as if she had come home.

The cottage was decorated in a classic English style, with red brick walls, leather sofas, wooden floors, a long wooden table, and a red brick fireplace, adding a touch of warmth to the elegant space.

“Your house is beautiful. It’s so cozy. I love it.”

“You’re welcome to move in anytime.”

“… ” Li Mo rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious.”

“Stop it. Why did you bring me here?”

“Don’t be impatient. Let me get you something to eat first.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Oh, really? Are you sure you’re not just used to a different kind of food?”

Li Mo looked at her, surprised. Song Ling smiled and went to the kitchen, retrieving two bags of blood from the refrigerator. She heated them in the microwave and then poured the blood into two crystal glasses.

She returned to Li Mo, offering her one of the glasses. Li Mo stared at her, speechless. Song Ling chuckled and then drank her own glass of blood.

“Are you sure you don’t want any? It’s fresh. It would be a waste.”

“You… You… How…”

“I told you, I know your secret. You just didn’t believe me. And I’m a vampire too. So you don’t have to pretend around me.”

Song Ling’s casual revelation of Li Mo’s hidden identity shocked her. How did she know? And she was a vampire too? It was too much to process.

“Drink it. I won’t hurt you. If you still don’t believe me, I can transform right now and show you.”

Without waiting for a response, Song Ling released her power, her eyes glowing red, her fangs elongating. Li Mo watched, stunned. She had been so careful, so secretive, hiding her true nature all this time. For what?

She looked at the glass of blood in her hand, sighed, and drank it, accepting the truth. She looked at Song Ling, her mind racing.

“How did you know?”

“I could sense it. But why couldn’t you sense my aura? You should be able to.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never met another vampire before. You’re the first.”

“Are you sure you don’t recognize me? Not even a little?”

“I really don’t. I have no memory of you. Are you sure you haven’t mistaken me for someone else?”

“Impossible. The moment I sensed your aura, I knew it was you. But I don’t understand why you don’t recognize me. Come with me. I’ll show you something.”

Song Ling led her through a hallway to a room. She opened the door, and Li Mo gasped. A large oil painting hung on the wall, depicting a woman in ancient Qing Dynasty attire. Li Mo stared at the painting, her heart pounding. The woman in the painting was her.

Although the clothes, hairstyle, and accessories were different, the facial features, the contours, the shape of the face, were identical. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The painting didn’t look recently painted. It seemed centuries old. How could a painting from so long ago depict her face?

She reached out and touched the painting, trying to determine its age. She wasn’t an expert, but it definitely didn’t seem like a modern work. She turned to Song Ling, her face filled with confusion. Song Ling nodded silently.

“This… This… The woman in this painting…”

“It’s you.”

“How is that possible? This painting… I’m not sure, but it looks at least a few hundred years old. We just met! How can this be?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. Will you tell me everything you’ve been hiding?”

“I haven’t hidden anything, except my identity.”

“What about your past? Don’t tell me you’re an orphan. I don’t believe you.”

Song Ling stepped closer, and Li Mo instinctively backed away, her heart pounding. Song Ling continued to approach until Li Mo was trapped against the wall.

“Jun’er, stop lying to me. Do you know how long I’ve been searching for you? Are you still ashamed of being a jiangshi? We’re both vampires now. Please, don’t run anymore.”

Tears welled up in Song Ling’s eyes. She placed a hand on Li Mo’s face, her composure crumbling. She had intended to reveal everything gradually, but the moment she uttered the name “Jun’er,” all her patience evaporated. She leaned in and kissed Li Mo passionately. Li Mo’s eyes widened in shock, tears streaming down Song Ling’s face, her love and longing evident. She didn’t react in time to push her away.

Song Ling, sensing no resistance, deepened the kiss. Li Mo finally snapped out of her daze and pushed Song Ling away, sending her stumbling backward. Song Ling, caught off guard, fell to the floor. She opened her eyes and looked at Li Mo, who was glaring at her, her face flushed with anger.

“Ms. Song, please control yourself! I’m Li Mo, not Jun’er! Stop this!”

“You really don’t recognize me? You’re not lying?”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t know you! I first met you at the awards ceremony! I don’t know why we’re both vampires, but that doesn’t give you the right to assault me!”

“I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry. I was just… overwhelmed. There’s one more thing I can show you. Maybe you’ll remember.”

Song Ling got up and opened a nearby safe, retrieving a small box. She handed it to Li Mo, who, still annoyed, accepted it.

Song Ling urged her to open it. Li Mo opened the box and found a beautiful jade pendant inside. She picked it up, her brow furrowed in confusion. The pendant was engraved with the character “Jun” on one side and a pair of dragons and phoenixes on the other.

“Do you remember this pendant? You gave it to me as a token of our love. The character ‘Jun’ is your name. Your full name was Li Xinjun.”

Li Mo felt a strange sense of familiarity as she looked at the pendant. She thought for a moment and then remembered seeing it in a dream a long time ago. In the dream, she had been holding this very pendant and had given it to a woman, but the woman’s face was blurry, and she couldn’t remember who it was.

Countless questions flooded her mind. This woman, Song Ling, felt familiar, but she had no memory of her. The painting, the pendant from her dream… She was starting to believe Song Ling’s story, but she couldn’t remember any of it. She needed more information to determine if she was truly the person Song Ling claimed her to be.

“Ms. Song, I honestly don’t remember any of this. I have no memory of you. But I have to admit, the first time I saw you, I felt like I knew you from somewhere, but I couldn’t explain it. So, I’d like to hear your story. Can you tell me everything?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll tell you everything.”

Song Ling recounted her story with Li Xinjun: their first meeting, their first encounter with jiangshi, their separation and reunion, Li Xinjun’s near marriage to the Emperor, their banishment from the Qing Dynasty, their journey to Britain, their brief but happy life together, Li Xinjun’s sacrifice, her transformation into a jiangshi, her disappearance, Song Ling’s search for her, her return to the Qing Dynasty, and the news of Li Xinjun’s death.

Li Mo’s eyes were red with tears as she listened. She wasn’t crying because she remembered those events. She was crying because the story was so tragic, so heartbreaking.

She looked at Song Ling, her heart filled with sympathy. She had initially thought Song Ling was just a flirty and eccentric CEO, but now she realized that Song Ling truly believed that Li Mo was the woman she had loved for centuries. She felt a pang of pity for this woman who had held onto love for so long.

Song Ling, seeing Li Mo’s tears, gently wiped them away, her touch tender and loving. Li Mo’s heart skipped a beat. She wished she were the Li Xinjun of Song Ling’s memories, the recipient of such unwavering love. But she wasn’t. She had no memory of any of it.

“Ms. Song, I wish I could tell you that I am the person you’ve been searching for, but I’m not. I don’t remember any of this. I’m sorry. I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Chapter 64

The next morning at 8:30, Li Mo received a call from an unknown number. She answered groggily, and a gentle voice on the other end introduced herself as Yu Wenqian, her new agent.

Li Mo sat up straight, her sleepiness forgotten as she listened attentively to Yu Wenqian’s instructions. She nodded and hummed in acknowledgment, and then Yu Wenqian ended the call.

The call had been brief. Yu Wenqian had introduced herself, outlined some work-related matters, and informed Li Mo that she would pick her up later to take her to the company, introduce her to her new colleagues, discuss her career path, and inform her that the company had officially announced their collaboration on Weibo.

Li Mo opened Weibo and found Pinnacle Entertainment’s official page. She saw the announcement, liked it, and then closed the app. It was a standard announcement, informing the public that Li Mo had signed with Pinnacle Entertainment and expressing their hopes for a successful partnership. Nothing out of the ordinary.

However, Director Xu, upon seeing the announcement, was consumed by jealousy and resentment. She had tried so hard to keep Li Mo by her side, offering to set up a studio for her, but Li Mo had refused. She had even tried to introduce Li Mo to a friend’s agency, hoping to maintain some control over her career, but Li Mo had declined that as well.

Now, seeing this announcement, she felt betrayed and envious. How could Song Ling, someone Li Mo had only known for a few days, successfully sign her to her company? And Song Ling wasn’t even from the entertainment industry. She had been in the tech industry before suddenly acquiring Pinnacle Entertainment and then securing a presenter spot at the awards ceremony.

It all seemed too coincidental, as if it had been orchestrated specifically for Li Mo. There were no such coincidences in the world. This was clearly a deliberate plan. Director Xu gripped her phone, her eyes narrowed as she stared at the announcement. She was determined to investigate Song Ling and uncover her motives.

Li Mo arrived at Pinnacle Entertainment again, this time as a signed artist. Unlike yesterday, she didn’t go to the top floor. Yu Wenqian escorted her to the middle floors, first taking her to the HR department to get her employee ID and introducing her to the staff. They then went to Li Mo’s new office, where Yu Wenqian instructed her to wait.

Yu Wenqian returned with four people, introducing them to Li Mo as her assistants and explaining their roles. She then presented Li Mo with three movie scripts.

“I’ve reviewed these three scripts. I think they’re all suitable for you. Take a look and see if you like any of them. I’ll handle the negotiations.”

Li Mo was surprised to see that all three scripts were from renowned directors, and the roles were all leading roles. She had expected Song Ling to provide her with good opportunities, but this was beyond her expectations.

She picked up one of the scripts and began to read. It was an action thriller about an undercover police officer. The female lead, as a child, had been kidnapped. The kidnappers had intended to abduct her classmate but had mistakenly taken her instead. They had abused and tortured her, and she had been on the verge of death when she was rescued by a female police officer. The experience had inspired her to become a police officer herself.

Li Mo found the story uninteresting and put down the script, picking up another one. This one was set in the Republican era. The female lead was the daughter of a poor family. Her parents, struggling to make ends meet and favoring sons over daughters, forced her to marry a mentally challenged man from a wealthy family.

The man’s family was desperate to find a wife for their son, and they agreed to pay a hefty dowry to the poor family in exchange for their daughter’s hand in marriage.

The female lead, of course, refused, arguing with her parents, but her father beat her and locked her up until the wedding day. She was forced to marry the mentally challenged man.

On their wedding night, she was supposed to consummate the marriage, but fortunately, the man was truly simple-minded and didn’t understand what that meant. She pretended to have slept with him, and they lived a peaceful life together.

She befriended the second female lead, a maid who served her husband. The maid was also from a poor family and had been sold into servitude to pay off her family’s gambling debts. The female lead, sympathizing with her, developed a close bond with her.

Months passed, and her family, seeing that she wasn’t pregnant, suspected she was lying. They tied her up and tried to force the mentally challenged man to ra*e her. The maid, learning of their plan, rescued the female lead and helped her escape.

The female lead, fearing for the maid’s safety, urged her to escape with her. The maid, seeing no future for herself in that household, agreed, and they fled together.

They left the village and went to Shanghai, the most prosperous city at the time, to seek a new life. However, as two young women from the countryside, they couldn’t find work. They sold their belongings and opened a small food stall.

Their business was doing well, but their good fortune was short-lived. The Japanese invaded Shanghai, and the city descended into chaos. People were killed, injured, and robbed. They lost almost all their savings.

They survived by collecting valuables from the dead, but their meager livelihood was destroyed when Japanese bombs rained down on the city, separating them.

As they searched for each other, the maid was rap*d by a Japanese soldier and became pregnant. The female lead was injured in the bombing, her face scarred.

They continued to struggle to survive, determined to find each other. Shanghai eventually fell to the Japanese, and they were forced to flee. The female lead went to Hong Kong and became a dance hostess, while the maid was taken to England by a British woman.

Years later, they finally found each other through a missing persons notice. They were both middle-aged by then.

Li Mo’s eyes were red with tears as she finished reading the script. She clutched it tightly, her heart aching for the characters’ tragic fate. Yu Wenqian, seeing her reaction, knew that she had found a script she liked.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it! But Sister Qian, this script is so good, and the director is so famous. Would they really consider me for the role?”

“Don’t worry, all three of these scripts are looking for fresh faces for the lead roles. I’ve already spoken to the directors, but you’ll still need to audition. If they like you, we can negotiate the contract.”

“Okay, I’ll do my best.”

“That’s my job. I’ll let you know when I have the audition dates. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the script and the character’s emotions. That will help you during the audition.”

“Okay, I will.”

“From now on, you can have Ah Zhong drive you around. And Huizi will be in charge of your daily schedule. If you have any questions, you can ask her or me. And don’t post anything on Weibo without my approval, understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Here’s your signing bonus. Take a look. If everything is in order, please sign here. Then I’ll go and arrange your upcoming work schedule.”

“Okay, no problem.”

“Alright, let me know if you have any questions. I’m leaving now. You can have Ah Zhong drive you home.”

“Okay, I have something to do later, so I won’t need a ride. You can go.”

“Alright, I’m leaving.”

After Yu Wenqian left, Li Mo looked around her new office. It was beautifully decorated, clearly designed with her preferences in mind. The dominant color was white, her favorite color. The desk, chairs, curtains, and cabinets were all white, accented with touches of gray. It was a calming and elegant space.

She went to the bookshelf and browsed the titles. Most of the books were about acting, many of them written by her favorite teachers.

She put the books back on the shelf and glanced at her watch. It was almost six o’clock. She remembered her appointment with the flirty CEO and left her office. She entered the elevator, swiped her new employee ID card, pressed the button for the top floor, the eighteenth floor, and waited.

When the elevator doors opened, she saw the secretary from yesterday still sitting at her desk. The secretary looked surprised to see her. Only Song Ling and her secretary had access to the eighteenth floor. Everyone else needed her permission to enter.

As a capable personal assistant and secretary, Wang Xinru had sharp observation skills. Seeing Li Mo arrive unannounced, she understood that this woman must hold a special place in Song Ling’s heart. She smiled warmly at Li Mo.

“Is Ms. Song in?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Could you please inform her that I’m here? We have an appointment.”

“Of course. Please wait a moment. I’ll let her know.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Wang Xinru informed Song Ling of Li Mo’s arrival, and Song Ling instructed her to let her in. Wang Xinru stood up, opened the office door, and gestured for Li Mo to enter. She then closed the door behind her and returned to her desk.

“You finally arrived. I thought you were scared.”

“Who’s scared? Are we leaving now?”

“Yes, I’ve been waiting for you. Let’s go.”

Song Ling gathered her things and then took Li Mo’s hand, leading her out of the office. Li Mo wanted to pull her hand away, but they were already in the hallway, and she didn’t want to make a scene in front of Wang Xinru. She allowed Song Ling to lead her to the elevator.

Wang Xinru watched them enter the elevator, her suspicions confirmed. Li Mo and Song Ling were definitely more than just business partners. She would have to remind the other staff to be careful around them. Li Mo, her hand still in Song Ling’s grasp, finally voiced her question as they got into the car.

“Why do you always hold my hand?”

“Because I like to.”

“… Can you please be serious? I feel like I’m aging prematurely from talking to you.”

“You’re not old.”

Li Mo’s heart skipped a beat. What did she mean? Did she know something? Or was she just saying that Li Mo looked young? She decided it was probably the latter.

“Of course I’m not old, but if you keep frustrating me like this, I will age prematurely.”

“Hee hee hee, why are you pretending?”

“You… What do you mean?”

“You’ll understand when we get to my place.”

Chapter 63

While waiting for Director Xu, Li Mo decided to take a shower. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Song Ling. She couldn’t understand why she was so drawn to this woman. There was a strange familiarity about her, a feeling of recognition. Could Song Ling be telling the truth? Had they really known each other before? Who was Song Ling, and did she know Li Mo’s true identity?

Li Mo was troubled. She had never felt this way about anyone before. She was desperate to learn more about Song Ling, her mind buzzing with questions.

The doorbell rang. Li Mo turned off the shower, dried herself, and then put on a bathrobe before going to answer the door. Director Xu entered, her eyes widening as she saw Li Mo in her bathrobe. She swallowed hard, her gaze discreetly scanning Li Mo’s neck for any marks. Relieved to find none, she asked,

“Did that Ms. Song do anything inappropriate? Or did she try to pressure you into anything?”

“No, she was very professional. We only talked about business.”

“Really? Where’s the contract? Let me take a look. I’m worried there might be some hidden clauses you missed.”

“It’s over there.”

Li Mo pointed to a document on the table. Director Xu grabbed it and began to read. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the terms. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she must be seeing things, but the numbers remained the same.

Two million yuan as a signing bonus. A 90/10 profit split in Li Mo’s favor for all future projects. Four personal assistants, a personal makeup artist, a personal hairstylist, a chauffeured van, access to the company’s private jet and helicopter, and a long list of other benefits.

Was this an entertainment contract or a presidential decree? It was outrageous! Director Xu stared at the contract, speechless. Pinnacle Entertainment would surely lose money under these terms. How could a newcomer, with only one award to her name, possibly generate enough revenue to cover these expenses? It was like they were giving Li Mo free money.

“Mo Mo, be honest with me. Did you promise to be Ms. Song’s mistress?”

“No way! I would never do that!”

“Then why would she offer you such a contract? It’s impossible!”

“I don’t know. Maybe she has too much money. I told her I wasn’t worth that much, but she said it didn’t matter, so I signed it.”

“Mo Mo, she’s giving you two million yuan as a signing bonus! Your last film took a year to shoot, and your salary was less than five hundred thousand yuan! This signing bonus is two million! And a 90/10 profit split! Plus all those cars, planes, helicopters, and other perks! Where in the world would you find such a deal? Even I can’t offer you that! Do you understand?”

“I know.”

“Then why did you sign it?!”

“You just said that even you can’t offer me such a good deal. Why wouldn’t I sign it? I’m sure she can provide me with great opportunities. It’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“You trust her that much? Don’t you think she has ulterior motives? No one in their right mind would offer such terms. She’s obviously trying to take advantage of you! We have to return this contract! Yes, return it! I’ll figure out the penalty fee.”

“Director Xu, you’re overthinking this. I already told her that she can’t touch me. There’s no funny business going on. Don’t worry. And besides, you don’t have that kind of money to pay the penalty fee. Did you see how much it is? Don’t be silly.”

Director Xu, unconvinced, flipped to the penalty clause and gasped as she saw the astronomical figure. She counted the zeros, her face turning pale. Li Mo snatched the contract back from her and locked it in her safe, preventing her from counting any further.

“Mo Mo… I can borrow money, take out loans, sell my apartment… Maybe it will be enough.”

Li Mo sighed and placed her hands on Director Xu’s shoulders, her expression serious.

“Director Xu, I know you care about me, that you’re worried I’ll be taken advantage of. But I’m not a child. I’m not easily fooled. I can protect myself. I don’t need you to pay the penalty fee. I signed this contract willingly. I don’t want to break it. Do you understand?”

“… But Mo Mo…”

“No more buts. This is my decision. I hope you can respect it and support me. Okay?”

“I…”

“Come on, don’t be like that. Let me tell you a secret. Back in the US, I was a bit of a troublemaker. Boys twice my size were no match for me. If Ms. Song tries anything funny, I’ll just knock her out with a single punch. Remember when you got drunk and I knocked you out? Hehe.”

“Don’t remind me! My nose hurt for a week! I thought you broke it!”

“That’s what you get for being a drunkard! You deserved it! I was being merciful by not breaking your nose.”

“I wasn’t being a drunkard! I was just…”

“Okay, enough. I’m tired after a long day. Go home and rest, Director Xu.”

“… Sigh, alright. Get some rest. Goodnight.”

“You too. Be careful. Bye.”

“I’m leaving.”

Director Xu left reluctantly, glancing back at Li Mo several times. Li Mo waved goodbye with a smile. Director Xu, defeated, finally left.

Li Mo shook her head and sighed, relieved to be alone. She knew Director Xu cared about her, but feelings couldn’t be forced. She didn’t feel the same way, and besides, she knew her own fate. She was destined for a solitary life and wouldn’t indulge in fleeting passions.

She rubbed her stomach, realizing she hadn’t eaten all day. She went to the refrigerator, retrieved a bottle of red liquid, opened it, and drank it in one gulp, finally feeling satisfied.

She lay down on her bed, her thoughts drifting back to the domineering CEO. She picked up her phone and found the contact “My One True Love.” She cringed at the cheesy name and changed it to “Bossy Thief,” then burst out laughing.

She thought for a moment, deciding that the name wasn’t quite right, and changed it again to “Flirty Powerhouse,” laughing even harder. Finally, she opened WeChat and typed a message.

“Hey, are you asleep?”

“What, missing me already?”

Li Mo rolled her eyes at the reply and typed back.

“Hmph! Didn’t I warn you about flirting?”

“I’m innocent! This is just normal conversation, not flirting!”

“You’re totally flirting!”

“Okay, okay, I apologize. So, what did you want?”

“I wanted to ask when you’ll arrange my work schedule.”

“Your agent will handle that. She’ll contact you tomorrow. Her name is Yu Wenqian. She’s very experienced and has managed many famous actors and singers. You can trust her.”

“Thank you for being so kind. Actually, I wanted to ask, is what you said before true?”

“What do you mean?”

“About knowing me from before.”

“Absolutely.”

“Are you sure you haven’t mistaken me for someone else?”

“Impossible.”

“Why?”

“If you really want to know, come to my place tomorrow. I’ll show you something.”

“Tomorrow? But you said Yu Wenqian would be contacting me.”

“In the evening.”

“… Are you a power plant or something?”

“Hahaha, am I electrifying you again? I’m serious! I’m not joking! Are you afraid I’ll eat you? I’m not a man!”

“Even women can be perverts nowadays.”

“Hahaha, you’re so cute! Who’s the pervert here? I was just asking if you wanted to come over. But if you’re really interested, I’m open to it.”

Li Mo was furious. Song Ling was the one who kept flirting, yet she was acting innocent, making Li Mo feel like the pervert! She fumed, struggling to come up with a response. Another message arrived.

“So, are you coming or not, little pervert?”

“You’re the pervert! You flirty corpse! Fine, I’ll come! Who’s afraid of who? We’ll see who wins in the end! Hmph!”

“Oh? Ready to discuss who’s on top already? You must be hungry~ Don’t worry, I can handle it. I’ll let you decide, top or bottom.”

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Bye!”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow night. Mwah!”

“Argh! Help! Police!”

Li Mo punched her pillow in frustration, while Song Ling laughed gleefully. Their reactions were polar opposites, but both found it difficult to sleep that night, their minds racing with thoughts of the other.

Chapter 62

At 8:15 AM the next morning, Song Ling arrived at Li Mo’s apartment building and patiently waited in her car, watching the clock tick by. Finally, at 8:30 AM, she sent Li Mo a text message.

“Good morning~ Are you awake? Don’t forget our appointment at 9:00.”

She waited for a reply, and a moment later, her phone buzzed.

“Good morning. I haven’t forgotten. I’m ready. You can come up whenever you’re ready.”

“Then come down now.”

“You’re already here?”

Li Mo put down her phone and looked out the window. The silver Maserati was parked in front of the building. She grabbed her bag and went to the door, pausing at the mirror to check her appearance one last time before leaving.

She found Song Ling standing by the car, waving to her. Li Mo nodded and approached her.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Not too long. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were here. You should have told me. I was ready early.”

“It’s fine. We agreed on 9:00. By the way, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?”

“No, not yet. But it’s okay. I don’t eat breakfast.”

Song Ling smiled faintly and whispered,

“You don’t eat breakfast, or you don’t need to eat breakfast?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

They got into the car. As Li Mo was settling into her seat, Song Ling leaned towards her. Li Mo, startled, shrank back. Song Ling reached over and pulled down the seatbelt, fastening it for her.

“What’s wrong?”

“… Nothing. I can do it myself next time.”

“Why are you always so afraid of me?”

Song Ling leaned closer again. Li Mo instinctively raised her hands to stop her, but her hands landed on Song Ling’s breasts. Song Ling looked down at her hands, then back up at Li Mo, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Li Mo, embarrassed, realized where her hands were. She quickly withdrew them, blushing and stammering an apology.

“Oh… I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!”

“It’s alright. You can keep them there if you like.”

“Uh… No, thank you. Hehe.”

“You’re so cute. I just want to gobble you up.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry, I’m just kidding. At least not now.”

“…”

Song Ling, no longer teasing her, focused on driving. She drove them to the headquarters of Pinnacle Entertainment. They took the elevator to the top floor, and as the doors opened, a woman in a black suit approached them.

“Good morning, Ms. Song. The contract you requested is on your desk.”

“Okay, thank you. Go about your duties. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

“Yes, Ms. Song.”

Li Mo followed Song Ling into her office. Song Ling gestured for her to sit on the sofa and then retrieved a document from her desk, handing it to Li Mo.

“Take a look at the terms. If you’re not satisfied with anything, I can have it changed immediately.”

Li Mo opened the contract and was stunned. The terms were incredibly generous, even a top actress wouldn’t receive such favorable treatment.

“Ms. Song, are you sure you reviewed this contract?”

“What’s wrong? Are you not satisfied?”

“No, but this is too much! I might have won Best Actress, but I’m not worth this much! And you’re even offering me all these other benefits! Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?”

“No mistake. I think you deserve it.”

“… Ms. Song, we’ve just met. I’m curious why you’re so interested in me and why you’re offering me such a good deal. I’m just a newcomer.”

“What if I told you that we’ve known each other for a long time? Would you believe me?”

Song Ling asked, her gaze fixed on Li Mo’s face, searching for any flicker of recognition.

“Huh? How is that possible?”

“Then let me ask you this. Did you leave anything out when you told me about yourself?”

“I… I… Ms. Song, I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is all very strange.”

Song Ling’s suspicions grew stronger with each evasive answer. She wanted to confront Li Mo, to demand an explanation, but she couldn’t risk it.

“Li Mo, I don’t know why you’re not telling me the truth, but I can assure you that we knew each other a long time ago, and we were very close. I won’t force you to tell me why you’re pretending not to know me. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

Li Mo was overwhelmed. Why was this woman so convinced that she was hiding something? Had they really known each other before? Did she know Li Mo’s true identity? She wasn’t sure. She needed more time to observe this woman.

“Ms. Song, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know you. Maybe there’s been a misunderstanding. I don’t want to take advantage of this situation. Perhaps we should set aside the contract for now.”

“Li Mo, do you truly want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?”

“I am interested in acting.”

“Then that’s all that matters. We can discuss other things later. But if you truly want to succeed in this industry, I can offer you the best opportunities.”

“But I’m not the person you’re looking for.”

“Whether you are or not is irrelevant. You have no choice. If you don’t sign with me, you can forget about going anywhere else. I’ll make it clear that anyone who tries to poach you will be crossing me, Song Ling. I might be new to the entertainment industry, but with my reputation in the business world, few would dare to oppose me.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I just want you to give me a chance, to give us a chance to get to know each other. Is that okay?”

Song Ling, sensing Li Mo’s anger, softened her tone. She didn’t want to push her away. Li Mo, initially annoyed, was swayed by Song Ling’s sincerity and even a hint of pleading in her voice.

She couldn’t understand why she couldn’t bring herself to be angry with Song Ling. There was something familiar about her, a sense of comfort and connection that she couldn’t explain. It was this feeling that made her tolerate Song Ling’s overbearing behavior.

She looked into Song Ling’s eyes, seeing the sincerity and determination in her gaze, and decided to give in, to allow them time to get to know each other.

“I’ll agree to your terms, but I have one condition.”

“Anything. Just name it.”

“You can’t interfere in my personal life, and you can’t flirt with me all the time.”

“… Am I flirting with you?”

“Yes, you are! You’ve been flirting with me since yesterday! You’re making me blush!”

“So… You’re attracted to me?” Song Ling leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“See! That’s what I’m talking about! You’re flirting again! If you keep doing that, I won’t sign the contract!”

“Hahaha, alright, alright, I promise. I won’t flirt with you. But I can’t help it if you’re attracted to me.”

“You… Do you even want to sign this contract? I can leave right now.”

“I’m sorry, I’ll stop. Let’s sign the contract, okay?”

Song Ling, seeing Li Mo’s flustered anger, decided to back down. She wanted to spend more time with this woman. Pushing her away now wouldn’t benefit her. Besides, once she figured everything out, she would have plenty of time to settle the score with this little rascal. There was no rush.

Li Mo picked up the contract, skimmed through it, and then signed her name. Song Ling extended her hand, and they shook on it, sealing the deal.

Song Ling then drove Li Mo back to her apartment. True to her word, she refrained from flirting, maintaining a professional demeanor throughout the journey.

However, this made Li Mo even more uncomfortable. She had grown accustomed to Song Ling’s playful teasing. This serious and formal Song Ling was unsettling. But she wouldn’t tell Song Ling that, of course. She simply stewed in her own thoughts.

Upon returning home, her phone rang. It was Director Xu. She remembered Xu’s warning about Song Ling and her insistence that Li Mo not meet with her alone. But now, she had even signed a contract with her. She didn’t know how to explain this to Director Xu. She took a deep breath and answered the phone.

“Hello, Director Xu.”

“Sigh, Mo Mo, did that Ms. Song contact you today?”

“Yes…”

“Did you tell her to contact me?”

“Um… Director Xu, I went to see her myself.”

“What?! Where are you now? Are you still with her? Send me your location! I’m coming over right now!”

“It’s okay, Director Xu, I’m home now. Don’t worry, she didn’t do anything to me.”

“Why are you so careless? I called you yesterday and specifically told you not to meet with her alone! Honestly! So, what did she want? Was it just about work? I don’t trust that woman. Don’t agree to anything she offers, okay? I don’t trust her…”

“But Director Xu, actually… I already signed a contract with her…”

“What?! You signed a contract?!”

“Yes, I did. I’m sorry. I didn’t discuss it with you first. The terms were really good, so I signed it.”

“… How could you be so careless? Sigh… I… I’m coming over to your place now. This is too important to discuss over the phone. I’ll help you review the contract.”

“There’s no need. I read it carefully. It’s fine.”

“What do you mean, ‘it’s fine’? No, I’m coming over. Wait for me.”

“Oh…”

Li Mo hung up the phone, sighing in frustration. She didn’t want Director Xu to come to her apartment. She had already sensed Xu’s feelings for her and had tried to let her down gently, but Xu seemed oblivious, clinging to her with unwavering persistence.

She didn’t want to hurt Xu’s feelings, so she pretended not to notice and simply avoided her, hoping she would eventually get the hint.

Chapter 61

When they arrived, the after-party was already in full swing. Director Xu, seeing them enter, immediately approached them. She looked at Li Mo with concern, making sure she was alright, and then turned her attention to Song Ling, her eyes appraising her from head to toe.

“Ms. Song, hello. Thank you for bringing Li Mo here.”

“You must be Director Xu. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Is there a project you’d like to discuss with Li Mo, Ms. Song?”

“Yes, there is.”

“Then please contact me directly. Li Mo doesn’t have an agent yet or a dedicated work phone number, so I’m handling everything for her for now. I’ll have my assistant contact yours later.”

“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Director Xu. Li Mo and I just exchanged numbers. And I’m planning to sign her to my company. So, if you’d like to collaborate with her in the future, you can contact her through our agency.”

Director Xu looked at Li Mo, confused. Li Mo shrugged, equally confused.

“You agreed to sign with her?”

“No, we haven’t discussed any of that yet.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll have my assistant send you a contract tomorrow. We can discuss the details then.”

Director Xu, realizing that Li Mo hadn’t actually agreed to anything, turned back to Song Ling.

“Let’s discuss this another time. Tonight, we’re here to celebrate. Let’s not talk business.”

“Alright.”

Song Ling was growing increasingly annoyed by Director Xu. If not for the crowd, she would have made this woman, who kept referring to Li Mo as “our Li Mo” and acting so possessive, disappear.

In Song Ling’s mind, Li Mo belonged only to her, not to anyone else, not even in words. She exchanged a few more pleasantries with them, but unable to tolerate Director Xu’s protectiveness any longer, she excused herself, leaving them alone.

The party ended soon after. Li Mo, scanning the crowd, tried to find the domineering CEO she had met earlier, but she was nowhere to be seen. Director Xu, noticing her searching gaze, frowned.

“Are you looking for her?”

“Huh?”

“Are you looking for Ms. Song?”

“Yes, I have some questions for her.”

“What kind of questions?”

“… It’s nothing important.”

“Sigh… Mo Mo, this industry is complicated. There are a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Don’t be fooled by appearances, okay?”

“But she doesn’t seem like a good person.”

“… Which means she’s definitely a bad person. I don’t trust her. I think she has ulterior motives. If she contacts you tomorrow, ignore her. If you’re looking for a good agency, I can introduce you to some. With my connections, you can get into any agency you want. Or I can even set up a studio for you.”

“Director Xu, it’s okay. If I decide to sign with an agency, I can handle it myself. I don’t want to trouble you any further. You’ve already done so much for me.”

“Don’t be silly. We’re friends. There’s no need to be so formal.”

“But Director Xu, I really don’t want to burden you any further.”

“Alright, alright, I know you’re stubborn. Let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ll take you home now, okay?”

“Okay.”

That night, as soon as Li Mo returned to her apartment, she received a message from “My One True Love.” She blushed, feeling a strange shyness at the contact name. She opened the message.

“Are you home?”

“Just got home. What’s up?”

“I miss you.”

Li Mo’s face flushed even redder. She tossed her phone aside, fanning her face with her hands. She stared at the message, unsure how to respond. She read it over and over but couldn’t think of a reply. Another message arrived.

“Are you shy?”

Li Mo felt like her phone was burning her hand. She fumbled with it, accidentally pressing the video call button. By the time she recovered, the call had connected, and Song Ling was staring at her from the screen.

“So you like watching me while we talk?”

“Ah! No, no! It was an accident!”

“So you don’t want to see me?”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“Then what do you mean? Hmm?”

Song Ling’s teasing tone flustered Li Mo even more. She didn’t know how to respond, but she also didn’t want to be rude.

She took a deep breath, mustering her courage to answer, and then her eyes widened in shock. Song Ling was lying in bed, her shoulders bare, her cleavage peeking out from beneath the sheets.

Li Mo, flustered, threw her phone under her pillow, her heart pounding. Who was this woman? She was so seductive! They had only met once, and she had already made Li Mo’s heart race several times.

“Pfft, hahaha, you’re so cute! What’s wrong? Why did you throw your phone away?”

“Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?!”

Li Mo shouted at the phone under her pillow. Song Ling’s voice continued,

“I was getting ready for bed. I sleep naked. And then you called.”

“Why didn’t you decline the call?”

“I wanted to see you. Why are you so angry? I’m the one who’s naked, not you. You’re not losing anything.”

Li Mo thought about it and realized she had a point. She retrieved her phone and looked at the screen. Song Ling was still smiling at her, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“So, what did you call me for?”

“You called me, didn’t you?”

“I… I… You…”

“What is it? Did you want to see me before bed? Should I video call you every night before I go to sleep?”

“No, no! Don’t!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure!”

“That hurts. Okay. By the way, do you have any work tomorrow morning?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at nine.”

“Huh? How do you know where I live? Are you stalking me?”

“Silly girl, of course I don’t know where you live. So please send me your location, okay?”

“Oh.”

Li Mo, without thinking, sent her location. After sending it, she realized her mistake. What if this woman had bad intentions? Wasn’t she putting herself in danger? But it was too late to take it back. She asked,

“Why are you picking me up?”

“I want to discuss the contract with you and take you out to lunch.”

“About the contract, I need to discuss it with Director Xu before making a decision.”

“That’s fine. We can talk, and then you can think about it. Alright, I have to go to bed. See you tomorrow morning. Goodnight, my love.”

“… Goodnight.”

Song Ling ended the call, a triumphant smile on her lips. She wouldn’t let this little rascal escape this time. Whether she truly didn’t remember her or not, it didn’t matter. She would win her back, and then they would settle the score.

Meanwhile, Li Mo was completely baffled by Song Ling’s behavior, but she couldn’t bring herself to dislike her. In fact, she found herself looking forward to their meeting, curious to see what this domineering CEO had in store for her.

Her phone rang again. She assumed it was Song Ling calling back and answered without looking.

“Hello, what do you want? Let me sleep!”

“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you went to bed so early.”

“Oh, Director Xu? Sorry, I thought it was… Never mind. What’s up?”

“It’s nothing important. I just wanted to tell you that if that Ms. Song contacts you tomorrow, don’t go out with her alone, okay? Let me handle all business matters. Just ignore her. Alright, I’ll let you sleep. Goodnight.”

“Okay, goodnight.”

Li Mo didn’t mention her appointment with Song Ling. It wasn’t intentional. Director Xu had simply said goodnight before she could say anything. And besides, she didn’t think Song Ling could do anything to her. She could always knock her out with a single punch. There was nothing to worry about.

Chapter 60

Inside the car, Li Mo briefly recounted her past and experiences. She told Song Ling that she was a Chinese-American, born and raised in the United States. She was an orphan, with no family or parents.

She had worked hard, earning scholarships to attend a prestigious university in the US, where she studied architectural engineering. After graduating, while waiting for her diploma, she met Director Xu, who was impressed by her unique aura and offered her the lead role in his next film, promising to mentor and guide her.

Li Mo, finding the opportunity intriguing, agreed and traveled to China to pursue an acting career. Her debut film had earned her the Best Actress award at the Golden Rooster Awards. And that was it.

Song Ling felt that Li Mo’s story, although plausible, lacked authenticity. Who could summarize their entire life story in just a few minutes? And Li Mo had avoided mentioning her childhood. Whenever Song Ling tried to ask, she would quickly change the subject.

This deliberate avoidance suggested a hidden secret. However, Song Ling didn’t press her, patiently listening as Li Mo finished her story.

Song Ling stopped the car. Li Mo, looking out the window, realized that they weren’t at the after-party venue. She turned to Song Ling, confused. Song Ling smiled, a cold and enigmatic smile, and then got out of the car, opening Li Mo’s door.

“Get out.”

“Where are we going?”

Li Mo asked nervously. Song Ling leaned closer, her lips brushing against her ear, and whispered,

“I’m taking you shopping.”

She chuckled and, without further explanation, pulled Li Mo out of the car, giving her no time to think. Li Mo, bewildered, was led into a high-end boutique filled with expensive clothes and shoes.

The salespeople, seeing Song Ling enter, immediately rushed over to greet them. Song Ling went to a rack of clothes, casually selected a black dress, and disappeared into the changing room. Li Mo sat down on a nearby sofa, realizing Song Ling’s intentions. She took out her phone, opened WeChat, and read a message from Director Xu.

“Mo Mo, where are you? Have you arrived yet? I don’t see you. Is everything alright?”

“Director Xu, I’m with Ms. Song. We’re shopping for a change of clothes. I’ll be there soon. Don’t worry, everything’s fine.”

Li Mo typed a quick reply. Director Xu responded almost immediately.

“Be careful. Call me if anything happens. You know there are a lot of people in this industry who try to take advantage of newcomers. Don’t fall into their traps, okay?”

“Okay, I understand. I’ll be careful.”

Song Ling emerged from the changing room, wearing the black dress. She saw Li Mo engrossed in her phone, oblivious to her presence, and walked over, taking the phone from her hand. She saw the open chat window.

Li Mo raised an eyebrow, displeased. Song Ling smirked, tossed the phone back to her, and twirled in front of her, showing off the dress.

“How do I look?”

“You look good.”

“Don’t look at your phone when you’re with me. I don’t like it.”

“…”

Li Mo was annoyed by this domineering CEO, but unsure of her motives, she didn’t dare to confront her. Song Ling, seeing her silence, leaned closer, her hand tilting Li Mo’s chin up, forcing her to meet her gaze.

“I saw your WeChat conversation. Are you hoping I’ll take advantage of you?”

“No! You must have misunderstood! I was saying that I won’t let you take advantage of me! I’ll protect myself!”

“Do you think I would do that?”

“…” Li Mo couldn’t read this woman. She didn’t know how to answer.

“Your silence means you agree?”

“Ms. Song, what do you want? I don’t understand you.”

Song Ling, seeing Li Mo’s annoyance, softened her expression and winked playfully.

“Hee hee hee, don’t be angry. I was just teasing you. Now, go and choose a dress for yourself.”

“I don’t need one. I’m fine with what I’m wearing.”

“No way! You’re an actress, the star of the night! You can’t wear the same dress to two events! The media will have a field day! Go and pick one.”

Li Mo, seeing Song Ling’s serious expression, gave up trying to understand her. She went and picked a black cocktail dress. Song Ling, satisfied, watched as she entered the changing room. She took out her phone and sent a message to Wang Xinru, her assistant.

“Investigate Director Xu.”

“Yes, Ms. Song.”

Song Ling put away her phone and waited for Li Mo. Li Mo emerged from the changing room a few minutes later, the dress hugging her curves. Song Ling nodded approvingly, then stood up and circled Li Mo, her eyes appraising her from head to toe. She then nodded again, a smile playing on her lips.

“We match.”

“We match?”

“Yes, we look good together.”

“…”

Li Mo blushed, flustered by Song Ling’s words. Song Ling took her hand and led her out of the boutique. The salespeople bowed as they left.

They got back into the car and drove towards the after-party venue. Li Mo’s phone buzzed. She reached for it, but Song Ling snatched it away, stopping the car and turning to face Li Mo.

“I told you, I don’t like it when you look at your phone when you’re with me.”

They were so close that Li Mo could feel Song Ling’s breath on her face. She shrank back, but her back was against the seat, leaving her no room to escape. Song Ling’s gaze was intense, unwavering. She was certain that this woman was Li Xinjun. At this close proximity, she could sense the faint demonic aura emanating from her.

But she couldn’t understand why Li Mo didn’t recognize her. She was angry, jealous, and excited all at the same time. She wanted to confront her, to demand an explanation for her disappearance, to ask why she hadn’t died and why she hadn’t come looking for her, leaving her to suffer for centuries.

But she held back. There was a sliver of doubt, a tiny possibility that she might be wrong. She couldn’t risk scaring Li Mo away. She couldn’t bear to lose her again. She decided to take it slow, to get to know her, to uncover the truth about what had happened.

“Ms. Song… You’re a bit… too close.”

Li Mo, flustered by Song Ling’s proximity, lowered her head, unable to meet her gaze. Song Ling, seeing her shy demeanor, felt a mischievous urge to tease her. She was so adorable, just like the young Li Xinjun she had known.

She lifted Li Mo’s chin, forcing her to look at her. They stared at each other, their gazes locked, neither speaking. After a long moment, Song Ling finally spoke.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Um… A little.”

“Why?” Song Ling’s lips curled into a smile.

“Your eyes… They’re scary. Like a predator… Like you want to devour me…”

Song Ling’s smile widened, her eyes narrowing. She leaned closer, and Li Mo instinctively closed her eyes. Song Ling whispered in her ear,

“I do want to devour you. You’re too adorable.”

She then pulled away and sat back in her seat, restarting the car and continuing their journey. Li Mo’s face was flushed, her heart pounding. She couldn’t understand this woman, her unpredictable mood swings unsettling her. But she was intrigued, wanting to know her true intentions. She stole glances at Song Ling, her mind racing with possibilities.

They soon arrived at their destination. Song Ling got out of the car and opened Li Mo’s door. She then took Li Mo’s phone, which she had confiscated earlier, and used Li Mo’s finger to unlock it. She quickly typed in her own number and saved it as “My One True Love,” then dialed her own number to confirm that it was saved correctly. Satisfied, she handed the phone back to Li Mo.

“That’s my number. I’ll contact you later. We can meet again and discuss collaborations.”

Li Mo stared at the number and the contact name, confused. She was about to ask Song Ling what that was about, but Song Ling had already taken her hand and was leading her into the venue.

Chapter 59

Song Ling successfully acquired Pinnacle Entertainment within a week and, as the company’s new CEO, attended the prestigious Golden Rooster Awards ceremony. Dressed in a sleek white gown that flowed gracefully behind her, she walked the red carpet, posing for the flashing cameras with a confident smile. After a brief pause for the photographers, she entered the venue and took her seat.

The highly anticipated annual award ceremony began after all the guests were seated. The stage lights illuminated the podium, and the curtains parted, revealing two hosts, a man and a woman, who walked to the center stage.

The hosts, with their witty banter, officially opened the ceremony. They announced the nominees for various awards and presented the awards to the winners. Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: the Best Actor and Best Actress awards.

The Best Actor award was presented first. Four handsome actors, the nominees for the award, appeared on the large screen behind the stage. A renowned guest presenter was invited to the stage. He opened the envelope, announced the winner’s name, and a spotlight shone on the actor in the audience. The actor, his face beaming with surprise, stood up, hugged the people around him, and then went up to the stage to receive his award and deliver his acceptance speech.

The atmosphere remained tense as only one award remained. The hosts interacted with the audience, building up the suspense. The screen displayed the photos of the four nominees for Best Actress, one of them being Li Mo.

It was an unprecedented event. A newcomer, in her debut film, had been nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards.

The cameras focused on the four actresses, capturing their every expression, especially Li Mo, who was the center of attention. The live stream chat was flooded with comments from viewers, speculating whether Li Mo would pull off an upset and win the award.

The hosts, no longer teasing the audience, invited Song Ling, the new CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, to present the final award. This was an opportunity that Song Ling had secured after acquiring the company. She gracefully walked onto the stage, her long gown trailing behind her, and stood beside the hosts.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m sure you’re all eagerly awaiting the announcement of the final award. Without further ado, I will now present the award for Best Actress at this year’s Golden Rooster Awards.”

Song Ling opened the golden envelope and took out a card. The name “Li Mo” was clearly written on it. She smiled and, leaning towards the microphone, announced the winner’s name.

“Li Mo!”

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Li Mo, her hand covering her mouth in surprise, looked at Director Xu beside her. He hugged her excitedly and urged her to go up to the stage.

Li Mo made her way through the audience, shaking hands and hugging people along the way. She then walked up the stairs to the stage, her black gown flowing behind her. Song Ling watched as she approached, her heart pounding.

She studied Li Mo’s face. Although her hairstyle, clothes, and makeup were different from the Li Xinjun she knew, she recognized her instantly. This was the woman she had loved and lost, the woman who had haunted her dreams for centuries.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands trembled as she opened her arms to embrace Li Mo, who was looking back at the audience and Director Xu as she walked.

Their eyes met as Li Mo reached her. She looked at Song Ling’s tear-filled eyes, confused, but didn’t dwell on it. She hugged Song Ling briefly and then accepted the golden statuette from her.

Song Ling handed her the award and then kissed her gently on both cheeks, whispering,

“Congratulations, Li Mo.”

Li Mo held up the statuette, the audience erupting in applause and cheers once more. After the applause subsided, she began her acceptance speech.

“Thank you, everyone. Thank you for your support. First, I want to thank everyone who loved my character. Thank you for your love. And I want to thank the judges for recognizing my performance. Finally, I want to thank a very important person, the person who made all this possible: Director Xu! Thank you for choosing me, for giving me this opportunity, and for teaching me so much about acting. Thank you. I wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you, everyone.”

Song Ling listened to her speech, a pang of jealousy stabbing at her heart. She followed Li Mo’s gaze to Director Xu, memorizing his face. She maintained a smile, waiting for Li Mo to finish her speech before escorting her backstage.

Backstage, Song Ling watched Li Mo, who seemed oblivious to her presence. She felt a wave of disappointment and sadness. She tried to maintain her composure as she spoke.

“Miss Li, you look familiar. Have we met before?”

“Hmm? I don’t think so. I was born and raised in the United States. I’ve never been to China before. Maybe we just look alike?”

“Haha, perhaps. I’ve been following your career. I know this is your first film, and you’ve already won Best Actress. That’s incredible.”

“It was just luck. I don’t think I’m better than the other nominees.”

“You’re too modest, Miss Li. Are you attending the after-party?”

“Yes, are you going too, Ms. Song?”

“Yes, I am. Why don’t we go together? We can chat in the car about potential collaborations.”

“Um… I need to ask Director Xu. I don’t have an agent yet, so he handles everything for me.”

“I understand. Why don’t you call him now and ask? I’ll wait for you here.”

Li Mo, seeing Song Ling turn away, didn’t know how to refuse. She took out her phone and called Director Xu.

“Hello, Director Xu, it’s Li Mo. Yes, I’m with Ms. Song from Pinnacle Entertainment. She invited me to the after-party and said she wants to discuss collaborations. What do you think? Oh… Okay. I’ll be careful. See you there. Bye.”

She hung up the phone and approached Song Ling, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. Song Ling turned around, a hopeful smile on her face.

“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d love to go with you.”

“Great! Let’s go.”

Song Ling, her heart soaring, took Li Mo’s hand and led her to the underground parking lot. Li Mo felt a bit uncomfortable holding hands with this beautiful but cold and domineering CEO, whom she had just met. She tried to pull her hand away, but Song Ling’s grip tightened.

They reached a silver Maserati. Two BMWs were parked beside it, each with four men inside. The men got out of the cars and greeted Song Ling.

“Ms. Song.”

“You’re dismissed. I’ll be taking Miss Li to the after-party. I’ll contact you if I need anything.”

“Yes, Ms. Song.”

The men got back into their cars and drove away. Song Ling opened the Maserati’s door and got in. Li Mo followed her, getting in from the other side.

Song Ling pressed the red button on the dashboard, starting the engine, and then turned on the stereo. “Yesterday Once More” by The Carpenters filled the car.

“Do you like this song?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You seem uncomfortable. Is something bothering you?”

“Not really. I’m just not used to this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… I don’t know. It’s just that we’ve just met, and now we’re alone together. It’s a bit… awkward.”

“Then let’s talk about you. Tell me about yourself.”

“Huh?”

“I’m very interested in collaborating with you, so I’d like to know more about your background. It will help me determine what kind of projects would be suitable for you.”

“Oh, I see. What would you like to know, Ms. Song?”

“I want to know everything about you.”

Chapter 58

When Mark and Song Ling arrived in the capital, it was a scene of devastation. White mourning banners hung from the city walls, and charred ruins stretched as far as the eye could see. Except for the imperial palace, almost every building had been destroyed. The faces of the soldiers and citizens were grim as they cleared the debris from the battle.

Mark and Song Ling’s hearts sank. They hadn’t expected the situation to be so dire. They made their way through the city, inquiring about what had happened, piecing together the events from the accounts of the survivors. When Song Ling heard that the former Empress had sacrificed herself to save them, her legs almost gave way.

Mark quickly caught her and helped her towards the palace gates, where they encountered Grand General Duoluo. The general, seeing them, approached them, holding a long, ornate wooden box.

“Doctor Song, Mark, what are you doing here?”

“General Duoluo, where’s Jun’er? Is she with you?”

Song Ling’s voice was frantic, her question ignoring his greeting. The general remained silent, his gaze lowered to the box in his hands. He offered it to Song Ling, who took it hesitantly, her heart pounding with dread. She opened the box, and a wave of grief washed over her.

Inside was a Japanese sword, a star engraved on its hilt. It was the sword Grand General Duoluo had given to Li Xinjun, a sword she had always carried with her. Its presence in the general’s hands meant only one thing: Li Xinjun was gone.

“We found this among the bodies. It was Jun’er’s sword. I wanted to bury it with her in her cenotaph. Since you’re here, I’ll give it to you.”

“Cenotaph?”

“Yes. All the bodies were burned beyond recognition. The Emperor couldn’t bear the thought of Jun’er not having a proper burial, so he decided to build a cenotaph for her. The coffin in the palace is empty. You can keep the sword as a memento or bury it with her.”

Song Ling clutched the sword, tears streaming down her face. She had arrived too late. She hadn’t been there when Li Xinjun needed her most.

“Grandfather, can you tell me what happened to Jun’er?”

“You should ask Brother Wu and the others. I wasn’t there when it happened. If you want to know the details, go to the palace and ask them.”

Song Ling and Mark, their hearts heavy with grief, entered the palace. The palace gates were open to the public today, a rare occurrence. They noticed the citizens coming and going but were too preoccupied with their own sorrow to pay much attention.

They walked towards the grand hall and saw a white jade coffin in the center. The coffin, exquisite and gleaming, reflected the respect and love the people held for Li Xinjun. Citizens, their faces solemn, lined up to approach the coffin, placing flowers inside as a tribute.

Song Ling, her heart aching, approached the coffin and looked inside. Li Xinjun’s clothes and boots were arranged neatly in the center, surrounded by flowers.

She felt a tightness in her chest, her breath catching in her throat. She stared at the coffin, her mind numb with grief. Hongli, noticing them, approached Song Ling.

“Doctor Song, before she died, Xinjun asked me to tell you that she loved you.”

His voice brought Song Ling back to reality. She turned to face him, her tears flowing freely as she saw the redness in his eyes, evidence of his own grief.

“Did she say anything else?”

“No, that was all. My condolences.”

“How did she die? Jun’er was a jiangshi! She’s immortal! She can’t die so easily! Are you sure there hasn’t been a mistake?”

“I know she was a jiangshi, but she’s gone. I saw her perish in the fire. There’s no mistake.”

“Why?! Why did this happen?! This can’t be true! I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it!”

Hongli recounted the events of that fateful night, explaining how Li Xinjun had sacrificed herself to protect the palace and its inhabitants from the horde of jiangshi. Song Ling listened, her heart shattering. She knew Hongli wasn’t lying. This was exactly the kind of selfless act Li Xinjun would do.

Although Li Xinjun often seemed indifferent to the world, she never hesitated to stand up for what she believed in, even if it meant sacrificing herself. And even though jiangshi were immortal, fire was their weakness. Even the most powerful beings couldn’t escape its wrath.

Song Ling hadn’t expected this outcome. She wept uncontrollably, her grief overwhelming. She donned mourning clothes and, as Li Xinjun’s wife, paid her respects, accompanying her on her final journey.

Seven days later, the entire nation mourned as Li Xinjun’s jade coffin was transported to a newly built tomb outside the capital. Although the tomb had been hastily constructed, it was a magnificent structure, a testament to the love and respect the people held for Li Xinjun.

The tomb was elegant and grand, its beauty reflecting Li Xinjun’s spirit. As the coffin was lowered into the ground, the people, led by the Emperor, knelt and bowed, paying their respects to the hero who had sacrificed her life for them.

After the burial ceremony, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Song Ling, Mark, Brother Wu, Ah Qi, Grand General Duoluo, Hongli, and his personal guards.

“Jun’er wouldn’t want us to grieve like this. We should live our lives to the fullest, to honor her sacrifice.”

Grand General Duoluo’s voice was heavy with sorrow. He then left with Brother Wu and Ah Qi. Hongli, watching them leave, sighed and approached Song Ling, placing a hand on her shoulder. He then left as well, leaving her alone with her grief.

Mark remained silent, observing her from a distance, allowing her to grieve in peace. Song Ling traced the characters on the tombstone with her finger, her gaze fixed on the inscription: “Li Xinjun.” Memories of their time together flooded her mind.

She remained at the tomb for seven days, refusing to eat or drink. Mark brought her blood, but she declined, yet she didn’t show any signs of hunger or lose control. She simply sat there, her eyes fixed on the tombstone.

Finally, after seven days, she stood up and bowed three times before turning to face Mark, who had been patiently waiting for her.

“Mark, thank you for everything you’ve done for us. Now that Jun’er is gone, I think it’s time for us to part ways.”

“Aren’t you coming back to Britain with me?”

“No, I want to travel the world, to see the places Jun’er and I always wanted to visit.”

“And then what? You know that we’re both immortal now. You can travel the world, but you’ll never age or die. It will never end. Where will you go then?”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out when I get there. Maybe I’ll come find you.”

“Alright. You can always find me, no matter where I am. Even if I have to leave, I’ll leave a trail for you to follow.”

“Thank you, Mark.”

---

Song Ling woke up with a start, tears clinging to her eyelashes. It wasn’t a dream. Those events had happened, centuries ago. The world was different now. There was no Qing Dynasty, no Emperor. This was an era of technology and progress.

She got out of bed and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains and looking out at the bustling city below. She had lived a solitary life, her identity changing over the centuries: a countess in Britain, a battlefield medic in World War I, a spy in World War II, a resistance fighter in China, a shopkeeper, a chef in France, and now, the CEO of Lingjun Corporation.

She picked up the remote control and turned on the TV, then went to the kitchen and retrieved a bag of fresh O-negative blood from the refrigerator. She poured the blood into a glass, warmed it in a bowl of hot water, and then, after a few minutes, took it back to the living room and sat down on the sofa, watching TV.

The news was reporting on entertainment gossip. Song Ling, uninterested, browsed her phone while half-heartedly watching the screen. A group of reporters were at the airport, hounding a newly arrived actress. She was a Chinese-American who had recently been discovered by a famous local director and cast as the lead in a big-budget time-travel film.

The film had been a box office hit, both domestically and internationally. As it was the actress’s debut, little was known about her. The paparazzi, hearing that she was arriving at the Beijing airport, had flocked there to get a glimpse of her.

Song Ling, intrigued, looked up at the screen, curious to see what the actress looked like. Her heart skipped a beat. The actress, wearing sunglasses, bore a striking resemblance to Li Xinjun.

She quickly put down her phone, turned up the volume, and stared at the screen. The actress’s name was Li Mo. She had been an architecture student in the United States before being discovered by Director Xu, who had been captivated by her unique aura and cast her as the lead in his film.

Song Ling couldn’t take her eyes off her. It was the first time she had encountered someone who looked so much like Li Xinjun. Her heart raced. She hadn’t felt this way in centuries. Whether this woman was Li Xinjun or simply a look-alike, she had to meet her.

“Hello, I need you to acquire Pinnacle Entertainment. Yes, Pinnacle Entertainment. I don’t care how you do it. You have one week.”

She hung up the phone and then searched for information about Li Mo online.

Chapter 57

Li Xinjun followed Uncle Wang’s scent and found him battling a group of jiangshi. The jiangshi were equally powerful, and Uncle Wang was struggling, his body covered in wounds. His right arm was severed, his chest had a gaping hole, and he had multiple bite marks. Li Xinjun, releasing a surge of energy, rushed to his aid.

With a wave of her hand, she sent the jiangshi surrounding Uncle Wang flying. She ran to his side and helped him up, but he was gravely injured. He looked at her, his mouth opening and closing, trying to speak, but only a faint growl escaped his lips before he went still. Although jiangshi were already dead, seeing Uncle Wang’s lifeless body filled Li Xinjun with sadness.

She knew it wasn’t the jiangshi’s fault. They had been innocent people before being transformed. The blame lay with the Prime Minister and Prince Anling, who had orchestrated this chaos for their own selfish ambitions. However, Li Xinjun knew that these jiangshi, innocent or not, had to be eliminated. Once the crisis was over, they couldn’t be allowed to remain in the world, posing a threat to humanity.

Li Xinjun roared, her voice filled with power and fury. The jiangshi, sensing her aura, immediately stopped fighting and knelt before her, acknowledging her as their superior.

She gently laid Uncle Wang’s body down, stood up, and looked at the kneeling jiangshi. She roared again, then turned and walked away. The jiangshi rose and followed her, their movements synchronized.

Rage burned within her. She wanted to kill Prince Anling and the Prime Minister, to avenge Uncle Wang and the innocent jiangshi they had created. She followed Prince Anling’s scent, her steps purposeful, her eyes fixed on her target.

Meanwhile, Hongli, leading the city’s fifty thousand troops, was battling Prince Anling’s army of one hundred thousand. Casualties were heavy on both sides. Although outnumbered, Hongli’s strategic brilliance and leadership had evened the odds. Moreover, his presence on the battlefield, fighting alongside his men, inspired them, boosting their morale.

Brother Wu and Ah Qi, mounted on horses, cut through the enemy ranks, their weapons dripping with blood. Brother Wu, his eyes blazing with fury, wielded his spear with deadly precision, taking down enemy soldiers with each thrust. Hongli, however, seeing his own people fighting each other, couldn’t bear the bloodshed and called out,

“Prince Anling, surrender! I don’t want to see any more bloodshed! If you surrender now, I promise to spare your life!”

“Hahaha, you’re dreaming! Do you think I would give up now, after all these years of planning? I’m so close to achieving my goal! I will never surrender! One of us will die today!”

“Why? Why are you so stubborn?”

“If you truly care for your people, you should surrender! The Prime Minister has released a horde of jiangshi! Soon, the entire city will be overrun! If you surrender now, I can stop them! Let’s see if you, the benevolent and righteous Emperor, will choose to save your people or your throne!”

“You!”

“Hahaha, what’s wrong? Can’t speak now? Weren’t you so concerned about the innocent people? Speak up!”

Li Xinjun, having slaughtered all the jiangshi in her path, arrived at the battlefield. She heard Prince Anling, mounted on his horse, and Hongli, standing on his chariot, arguing. She chuckled, a chilling sound that drew their attention. They both turned to look at her, their eyes widening in horror.

They saw the change in her eyes, the sinister aura emanating from her, and then they noticed the horde of jiangshi behind her. Their hearts sank.

“Prince Anling, are these the jiangshi you were talking about?”

“Y-You… What are you? How did you tame those jiangshi?!” Prince Anling’s voice trembled.

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid? You love using jiangshi, don’t you? Why are you so scared of me, a fellow jiangshi?”

“You’re a jiangshi?!” Prince Anling and Hongli exclaimed in unison.

“Yes, thanks to you! If you hadn’t created those jiangshi, I wouldn’t be like this. Should I be grateful to you?”

“Xinjun… You’re really a jiangshi?”

Hongli couldn’t believe his eyes, but Li Xinjun didn’t answer him. She simply glared at Prince Anling and then, with a flick of her wrist, directed the jiangshi behind her towards him.

Prince Anling, terrified, almost fell off his horse. “Kill them!” he shouted, and his army charged towards the jiangshi. Brother Wu, seeing this, was about to join the fight, but Li Xinjun stopped him.

“Brother Wu, stay back! This is between him and me. Don’t interfere!”

Brother Wu frowned at her, but Li Xinjun ignored him, her gaze fixed on Prince Anling as she walked towards him, her steps slow and deliberate. She swatted aside the soldiers in her path, her strength inhuman. Those who foolishly tried to attack her were grabbed and bitten, their hearts ripped out. The scene was gruesome.

The soldiers and officials, witnessing this display of brutality, were horrified. They couldn’t believe that Li Xinjun had become a jiangshi, a monster.

Brother Wu and Hongli were stunned. They had interacted with Li Xinjun daily and hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Seeing her transformed into this terrifying creature filled them with rage.

“Listen up, men! We must defeat Prince Anling and avenge our fallen comrades and innocent citizens!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!” The soldiers roared, their voices thunderous, their anger fueling their determination.

“Charge!”

The Qing army, led by Brother Wu, surged forward, their hatred for Prince Anling giving them strength. The battlefield became a scene of carnage, bodies strewn across the ground, blood flowing freely, smoke billowing into the sky. Even unarmed civilians joined the fight, wielding sticks and whatever weapons they could find, defending their homes with their lives.

Prince Anling, realizing that defeat was inevitable, laughed, a bitter and despairing sound. His carefully crafted image as a benevolent leader was shattered. The citizens now looked at him with hatred and contempt.

He took out a vial from his pocket, uncorked it, and drank its contents. No one knew what it contained, but a dark red liquid dripped from his lips. His face contorted in pain, his veins bulging, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Li Xinjun, with a cold sneer, leaped forward and knocked him off his horse. Prince Anling, coughing up blood and the dark red liquid, glared at her.

“You think you can stop me by turning me into a jiangshi? Do you think I’ll be any less powerful?”

“You! Just kill me! Stop wasting my time!”

“Kill you? Hahaha, Your Highness, thanks to you, I am a jiangshi! Do you think I need a weapon to kill? You underestimate me.”

Li Xinjun, with a swift movement, tore off one of Prince Anling’s legs and tossed it aside. He screamed in agony, his face pale from blood loss. Li Xinjun smirked and then, with another swift movement, tore off his other leg.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Are you in pain? Where’s all your arrogance now?”

“You… You’re a demon!”

“Hahaha, yes, I am. And you created me! Would you like to experience what it’s like to be killed by a jiangshi? To feel the pain of those innocent people you murdered?”

She gestured to the horde of jiangshi behind her, and they surged forward, pouncing on Prince Anling, tearing at his flesh. He, unable to escape, could only watch in horror as the creatures he had created devoured him alive.

Li Xinjun watched as his lifeless body lay on the ground. She walked over, picked up his severed head, and held it high for all to see.

“Your prince is dead! Lay down your arms and surrender!”

Her voice boomed across the battlefield. The enemy soldiers, seeing their leader’s head, lost their will to fight. Just as it seemed the battle was over, a commotion erupted from within the city.

The horde of starved jiangshi released by the Prime Minister had arrived. They surged towards the battlefield, attacking indiscriminately, their hunger overwhelming their senses.

Hongli, shielded by his guards, retreated, avoiding the jiangshi. The other soldiers fought back, desperately trying to hold them off. Li Xinjun rushed forward, roaring at the jiangshi, trying to control them, but they were beyond reason, their hunger driving them to attack even her.

She had no choice but to fight back. Although these jiangshi were weaker than her, their sheer number made them a formidable opponent. The jiangshi under her command had dwindled, and she was struggling to hold off this horde of mindless, ravenous creatures.

“Brother Wu! Take the Emperor and escape! I’ll hold them off! Go!”

She shouted to Brother Wu as she fought. Brother Wu, hearing her command, ran to Hongli’s side. He and Ah Qi each grabbed one of Hongli’s arms and, ignoring his protests, carried him away.

They ran through the retreating army, carrying Hongli towards the safety of the imperial palace. Hongli ordered the guards to open the gates, allowing the citizens to seek refuge inside. The terrified citizens, hearing the Emperor’s offer of sanctuary, rushed towards the palace.

“Soldiers, protect the citizens! Let them into the palace! Guard the gates! Don’t let those jiangshi in!”

The imperial palace was like a fortress, with four gates, one facing each direction. To strengthen their defenses, the north, south, and west gates were closed, leaving only the east gate open. All the remaining soldiers were stationed outside the east gate.

They protected the citizens, ushering them into the palace, while also guarding the gate against the approaching horde. Li Xinjun, fearing that the jiangshi would breach the palace walls, shouted to Brother Wu,

“Brother Wu! I can’t hold them much longer! Get everyone inside and close the gates!”

“Xinjun, what about you?!”

“Don’t worry about me! I can’t die! Hurry! Close the gates!”

Brother Wu, his heart heavy, obeyed her command. He ordered everyone inside the palace and then closed the massive gate, sealing it shut. He ran up to the guard tower above the gate to observe the situation outside.

Li Xinjun stood alone at the gate, facing the horde of jiangshi, preventing them from entering the palace. She fought tirelessly, her sword a blur, bodies piling up around her. Soon, she was standing on a mountain of corpses, surrounded by a sea of snarling, gnashing teeth.

But more jiangshi kept coming, an endless tide of undead flesh. Even though she was immortal, she was exhausted. Seeing the overwhelming number of jiangshi, she made a difficult decision.

“Brother Wu, fire the arrows!”

Brother Wu froze, his heart sinking. He turned to look at Hongli, who was standing beside him, his face pale with horror. Hongli looked at the terrified citizens huddled inside the palace and then at Li Xinjun, fighting for their lives against the horde. He was torn.

“Jun’er, we’ll lower a ladder for you! Climb up!”

“No! Don’t! You can’t let those jiangshi in! Forget about me! Fire the arrows! I can’t hold them much longer! Hurry!”

“Jun’er! We can’t let you die! Come inside!”

Li Xinjun pushed back the surging horde, creating a momentary gap. She turned to look at Hongli and Brother Wu, standing on the wall above her. Their eyes, along with those of the soldiers and citizens behind them, were filled with tears, watching this woman fight for their survival.

To them, she wasn’t a monster. She was a hero, sacrificing her life for their safety. Li Xinjun smiled at them, a sweet and innocent smile, a smile they hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Don’t hesitate! Fire the arrows! Tell Song Ling that I love her.”

She was then overwhelmed by the horde, the jiangshi tearing at her flesh, their claws raking across her body. Hongli, unable to bear the sight, issued the order.

“Fire!”

The archers lit their arrows, dipped them in kerosene, and fired them into the sky. Others threw jars of kerosene over the wall. The jars shattered upon impact, and the flaming arrows ignited the spilled kerosene, creating a sea of fire.

The jiangshi, engulfed in flames, screamed and thrashed, trying to escape, but the rain of fire continued until only a blazing inferno remained.

Silence fell over the palace. The soldiers and citizens watched the fire, their hearts heavy with sorrow. There was no joy in their victory, no relief at their survival. They mourned the innocent lives lost and shed tears for Li Xinjun, the hero who had sacrificed herself to save them.

Chapter 56

Prince Anling, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward from the crowd. He raised his hands, silencing the clamoring officials, and spoke.

“I am honored by the Prime Minister’s recommendation, but I have no interest in the throne. I only wish to fulfill my duties and serve the nation to the best of my abilities.”

“Your Highness, please don’t decline. In my opinion, you are the only one worthy of the throne. Can you bear to watch the people suffer? Can you bear to watch our great Qing Dynasty fall prey to foreign powers while we are leaderless?”

“I… Very well. Since you all insist, I cannot refuse. I will accept this heavy responsibility.”

“Excellent! Men, open the palace gates! Let the soldiers enter! We will force the Emperor to abdicate!”

Li Xinjun and Hongli, who had been listening from outside the hall, were stunned. They hadn’t expected the Prime Minister to offer the throne to Prince Anling. This meant that the Prime Minister had been working for Prince Anling all along. The seemingly carefree and indifferent prince was the true mastermind behind everything.

Hongli clenched his fists, his jaw clenched. He couldn’t believe that his beloved uncle, whom he had always respected, would resort to such treachery to seize the throne. No wonder people said that the imperial family was the most ruthless. He was experiencing it firsthand.

His face flushed with anger, he strode into the hall, confronting the officials. The officials, seeing the Emperor, trembled in fear, bowing their heads and parting to make way for him. Hongli, his eyes blazing with fury, continued forward, Li Xinjun close behind him, her hand protectively on his arm.

“How dare you! You plot to usurp my throne right here in my own palace! Do you think I’m invisible?!”

Hongli’s voice boomed through the hall, his anger palpable. The officials, except for the Prime Minister and Prince Anling, cowered, their heads bowed.

The Prime Minister, however, met Hongli’s gaze, a smug smile playing on his lips. He stepped forward and said,

“Your Majesty, as the saying goes, the throne belongs to the capable. Since you are incapable of leading the Great Qing through this crisis and providing a prosperous and peaceful life for its people, I, as Prime Minister, have a duty to choose a new leader. Don’t you agree?”

“You traitor! You’re the one who created these jiangshi! You’re plotting treason! I treated you well! How dare you betray me!”

“Your Majesty, I’m sure you know how your father ascended the throne. The late Emperor intended to pass the throne to me, but your father poisoned him and secretly altered his edict. Do you really think your father would have become Emperor otherwise?”

Prince Anling, unable to contain himself any longer, stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Hongli, his usual gentle demeanor replaced by a sinister expression. Hongli narrowed his eyes, staring at him. He was aware of these unsavory events but had always believed that they were matters of the past, best left undisturbed.

Since his father’s ascension, he had treated Prince Anling with kindness and respect, granting him a fiefdom and bestowing upon him the title of Prince Anling. The prince had always seemed content with his position, never causing any trouble. He hadn’t realized that Prince Anling harbored such resentment and ambition.

“Uncle, I never imagined… You hid your true nature so well for so many years. I never suspected you, always treating you with respect. I was too naive.”

“Hahaha, respect? If I hadn’t pretended to be a harmless fool all these years, your father and you would have killed me long ago! Your father, to maintain his image, couldn’t openly order my execution, but he sent assassins after me countless times! If not for my luck, I would be dead!”

“I don’t care if it’s true or not! Those are matters of the past! I have treated you well, entrusted you with important responsibilities! Yet you still covet my throne! You even sacrificed innocent lives for it!”

“Hmph! I’m done talking! Whether you agree or not, you’re losing your throne! Men, seize the Emperor!”

The palace guards, hearing his command, drew their swords and approached Hongli. Li Xinjun, seeing this, stepped forward, shielding Hongli with her own sword. She then whistled sharply towards the palace entrance.

The Prime Minister and Prince Anling finally noticed the person standing protectively in front of Hongli. Prince Anling, recognizing Li Xinjun, smirked.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Empress who rejected the Emperor at the altar! Hahaha! I never thought I’d see you again! What’s this? Have you two rekindled your romance? Hahaha!”

“Shut up! I’m here to protect the people of the Great Qing and eliminate scum like you!”

“Oh? Don’t be angry, Your Highness. Perhaps I’ll make you my Empress after I ascend the throne. Oh, wait, I almost forgot. Our esteemed Empress prefers women. I even had Mark help you two reunite. And now you’re betraying us?

Is that Song woman not satisfying you? Is that why you came crawling back to this incompetent Emperor? You shouldn’t have been so dramatic at the wedding. But to be honest, I enjoyed the show immensely.”

“Your Highness, why waste time talking to them? Let’s just capture them! Then we can eliminate those jiangshi outside and save the people! The citizens will praise you, their benevolent and patriotic prince! And look at the time! The situation outside must be critical by now! It’s time to go and save the people! Don’t waste any more time on them!”

“Yes, seize them! I want them alive!”

Hundreds of guards attacked them. The Prime Minister and Prince Anling, without waiting for the outcome, turned and left the grand hall. The Prime Minister’s army had breached the city gates. They were ostensibly attacking the jiangshi, but they were actually targeting the city’s defenders.

Brother Wu and his troops were desperately trying to hold them back. Although they had anticipated this attack, they were outnumbered and struggling to hold their ground. Meanwhile, Uncle Wang was leading a group of jiangshi, eliminating those who refused to obey him.

Prince Anling and the Prime Minister, accompanied by a group of guards, went outside the palace, pretending to help the citizens, hoping to gain their support and bolster their image as benevolent leaders.

They had miscalculated. They hadn’t anticipated that Hongli and Li Xinjun wouldn’t be easily captured. Li Xinjun, single-handedly, had defeated all the guards who tried to stop them.

She led Hongli out of the palace to join Brother Wu and the others. Hongli, taking command, led the defense against the Prime Minister’s army, while Li Xinjun went to find Uncle Wang. The Prime Minister and Prince Anling, learning of Hongli’s escape, were shocked. They listened as a soldier recounted how Li Xinjun had single-handedly defeated hundreds of guards.

“Your Highness, what do we do now? That Li Xinjun is incredibly powerful! She rescued the Emperor by herself!”

“Hmph, we have no choice now! There’s no turning back! Release all the jiangshi! I’m going to kill that brat today, no matter the cost!”

The Prime Minister personally went to a mansion where the first batch of jiangshi, the mindless, uncontrollable ones, were being held. They had been abandoned after the Prime Minister had successfully created a new batch of obedient jiangshi.

He hadn’t intended to use them again, but Li Xinjun had disrupted his plans, forcing him to resort to desperate measures.

As a precaution, he had kept the key to the dungeon himself. He arrived at the mansion and went down to the dungeon, where hundreds of jiangshi, starved and ferocious, were imprisoned.

As a soldier approached to unlock the door, the jiangshi surged forward, scratching and biting him. When the door opened, they swarmed out, attacking anyone in sight. Many soldiers were killed. The Prime Minister, seeing this, immediately retreated, pushing his men forward to buy himself time to escape.

He ran out of the mansion, but the jiangshi caught up to him, tearing him apart. He screamed for help, but the soldiers, having witnessed their comrades being sacrificed by the Prime Minister, refused to help, watching in horror as he was devoured.

“Help me… Someone… Help me…”

The Prime Minister, who had believed himself to be a brilliant strategist, died a gruesome death, his body torn to shreds by the very creatures he had created.