Chapter 61: It’s Not That the Villain Is Too Clever, Only That the Heroine Is Too Tempting

When Leng Huaze received news from Ye Aotian, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of fear. However, after receiving numerous assurances from Ye Aotian, he finally felt somewhat at ease. He had never expected that this time Leng Ningxue would choose his own hotel as the meeting place. In retrospect, it made sense—more often than not, Leng Huaze kept to himself, cautious and discreet in his affairs, never daring to entangle himself with others. Precisely because of this, he had become one of the few people Leng Ningxue truly trusted.

Yet Leng Ningxue could never have imagined that Leng Huaze’s lack of ambition was not by choice, but by necessity—he simply lacked the power to compete. Compared to others, he had no background at all; even if he harbored such ambitions, he was no match for his opponents. Now, with Ye Aotian’s backing, however, Leng Huaze could finally begin to plot his own course.

Thus, today’s events unfolded.

According to Leng Huaze’s original plan, once the food was delivered, he would quickly notify Ye Aotian. Then, he’d have someone take control of the situation, claiming that Lin Li had poisoned the meal in an attempt to frame Leng Ningxue. On their own turf, every excuse would be theirs to make. Because Leng Ningxue trusted Leng Huaze so much, she would never suspect his involvement; by the time she realized, it would already be too late.

But who could have foreseen the unexpected twists that occurred at this crucial moment?

The food had already been sent in, but Lin Li remained elusive, nowhere to be found. At that moment, Leng Huaze went to consult with Chen Along.

“So, boss, what do we do now? If something really happens to my sister because of those drugs, then I—” Suddenly remembering what Ye Aotian had said earlier, he replied, “What are you so nervous about? Take a few men inside and tie your sister up first, then we’ll talk.”

Leng Huaze, naive as he was, agreed without a second thought.

Meanwhile, Lin Li and Leng Ningxue sat quietly, waiting. Not long after, Leng Huaze burst in with several men. He was confident, convinced that the drugs would have already taken effect on his sister. Perhaps, he thought, the two inside might even be in an intimate embrace by now.

To his astonishment, when he entered, he found Leng Ningxue and Lin Li calmly negotiating. Frozen in place, he stared, and the men behind him were just as bewildered.

Leng Ningxue’s icy gaze bore down on Leng Huaze.

“Didn’t I tell you that I’m here for a very important discussion today? If it’s not necessary, don’t come in. Even if you must, you should knock. What do you think you’re doing?” As she spoke, she noticed the rope in the hands of one of Leng Huaze’s goons. Leng Huaze forced an awkward smile, hastily signaling his men to withdraw.

“Ahem, sorry, sis, I must have gone to the wrong room.” With that, he turned and fled.

Only after they left did Leng Ningxue breathe a deep sigh of relief.

“What now?” Leng Ningxue gazed at Lin Li, at a loss. She had not expected the danger to be so close, nor that so many around her had already been bought by Ye Aotian.

“Now you should see that this isn’t much different from what I warned you about,” said Lin Li. “If you really make this decision, I hope you won’t regret it.”

Leng Ningxue sneered, “All these years, I’ve always had my own mind. I’ve never regretted anything. The only question is whether you have the guts—there’s no need to think about anything else.”

Seeing her so resolute, Lin Li gave a cold snort. “How coincidental. What others might consider troublesome is no big deal for me. Where others hesitate, I act.”

He hadn’t expected that, thanks to Ye Aotian’s rashness, he’d end up catching such a windfall.

He pulled out the X-ray Card. Upon using it, the entire layout of their surroundings became clear to him.

“As I suspected, I spotted plenty of Ye Aotian’s men here. Escaping won’t be easy. If I try to walk you out openly, they’ll seize me at once and accuse me of trying to harm you.”

Leng Ningxue’s breath quickened. “So what do you suggest? You can’t just abandon me now, can you?”

Lin Li merely smiled, and then produced the Invisibility Card—something he hadn’t used until now, but which was perfect for Leng Ningxue’s escape. All she had to do was hold it.

Given the duration of the card’s effect and Lin Li’s agility, he could easily spirit her away.

“What now?” Leng Ningxue asked.

Lin Li explained how to use the card, then staged a loud argument with her inside the private room for show. Once Leng Ningxue activated the Invisibility Card, he scooped her up and slipped out.

Outside, Leng Huaze and his men kept a close watch on the room, anxious that something might go wrong. They saw Lin Li storm out alone, cursing under his breath. No one noticed that he was actually carrying Leng Ningxue in his arms. Even Leng Ningxue herself was nervous—she’d never imagined such invisibility could exist in the world.

But Lin Li had opened her eyes.

Just when she thought she’d be discovered at any moment, she realized that no one noticed her at all. And so, Lin Li carried her out of the hotel with unhurried confidence.

It was a truly extraordinary scene—Leng Ningxue had seen much in her life, but nothing as bizarre as this.

Leng Huaze was equally astonished to see Lin Li leave. He had expected the negotiations to go awry, but never anticipated this outcome.

After Lin Li departed, Leng Huaze immediately phoned Chen Along, who confirmed that Leng Ningxue was still in the room and that only Lin Li had left. He then ordered Leng Huaze to lock the private room by any means necessary.

Neither of them could have guessed that, at that very moment, Lin Li had already brought Leng Ningxue to another nearby hotel.

By then, Leng Ningxue was in a terrible state, clinging to him like an octopus. Lin Li could only sigh in resignation.

It wasn’t that his methods were particularly brilliant—rather, it seemed that once the so-called Chosen Son lost his protagonist’s aura, he was left floundering, incapable of anything. Even his harem was handed over so easily...