Chapter 133: Zhang Long Belongs to Me, Qian Caiying Takes the Stage

Zhang Long, composed and at ease.

A flicker of indescribable emotion flashed through Du Hong’s eyes. She had not expected this young man to be so relaxed; he looked nothing like a silver speculator who had just walked away with tens of millions.

Just from the Huivin platform, managed by Mr. Liu Qingsong, he had taken 13 million. Without real skill, such a feat would be impossible. Spot trading could be profitable, but making a fortune was rare.

“I’ll finish this glass.”

Zhang Long poured Du Hong a glass of champagne, pushed it toward her, clinked his glass against hers, and with a faint smile, downed the drink in one go. It was actually quite good.

“I’m impressed.”

Du Hong gave a noncommittal response as she picked up her champagne, swirling it gently. Her gaze settled on Zhang Long’s face, and she smacked her lips. “I kept wondering why you refused to lead a team for me. You didn't even care about a salary of several hundred thousand a month. So, this was the reason.”

“You made over thirty million in less than two months. A BMW 740 is hardly a match for you now.”

“Did you earn it yourself?”

This final question was what truly concerned Du Hong. She still found it hard to believe that Zhang Long had earned it on his own. Whether there were people standing behind him was crucial.

“Does it matter? It doesn’t.”

Zhang Long smiled faintly, his eyes devoid of any fear. “Anyway, I’ve stopped.”

“And I won’t be moving again in the future.”

“Heh, at least you have a conscience.”

Du Hong suddenly let out a soft laugh. “It’s a good thing you didn’t open an account at my Rongjin to make that money, or I would have been furious. Mr. Liu at Huivin was practically driven half-mad by you.”

“But whether you earned it by your own skill or through other channels, stop here.”

“Indeed, you should not make another move.”

Zhang Long listened in silence, but Du Hong’s gaze gradually grew colder. “There are no secrets in the internet age. The idea that ‘the bolder the person, the greater the harvest’ isn’t absolute. You took over thirty million from three accounts at our exchange; I’m sure you did the same at others. I’m certain of it.”

“Ten million from a single platform isn’t a small amount, but it’s not huge either. Regardless of how much you’ve kept, don’t make another move.”

“If you move again, it won’t end well.”

Zhang Long did not reply. Instead, he poured another glass of champagne and downed it. That was his answer.

Seeing this, Du Hong paused, her hand holding the glass trembling slightly, before she smiled and raised her own glass, finishing it in one gulp.

Everything was understood without further words.

***

“Qian Caiying lied, didn't she?”

The conversation did not end there. For Du Hong, the issue of spot trading didn't matter since he hadn't taken money from her firm. Giving Zhang Long a piece of advice was enough; a smart person shouldn't be foolish. Tens of millions were enough for Zhang Long to live a carefree life, and it seemed he was more than he appeared to be.

“Uh, why do you say that?”

Zhang Long shrugged. Du Hong leaned back lazily. “I know Qian Caiying well enough. If she didn't think highly of you, she wouldn't even bother with you. I didn't think much of it before, but looking back now, it’s not normal.”

“I suspect she was saying the opposite of the truth. You didn't cause her to lose money; you helped her make it.”

“And more importantly...”

Du Hong looked at Zhang Long’s handsome face, her eyes narrowing slightly with a hint of allure. “Hongze’s performance has been quite good lately. Compared to other stock investment advisory firms I know, they are doing much better.”

“There are no secrets on the internet. Certain results reflect actions, leaving behind traces.”

“So, I just guessed.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Long remained silent and simply poured himself another glass of champagne. This drink had a low alcohol content—it was practically fruit juice, and drinking more was just fine.

Du Hong already knew the answer.

Looking at Zhang Long’s tall, well-built physique and his handsome, striking face, she felt even more drawn to him. She had been impressed by him from their first meeting. When he refused the watch she sent the second time, she knew he wasn't an ordinary man—or at least, he was not the same kind of shallow person as Lin Yuan, who had no self-control.

Whenever Lin Yuan faced a setback, he would wallow in self-pity. If not for his maternal uncle’s substantial Chen family background, he would be incapable of handling any real responsibility. Of course, regardless of his incompetence, he was still a second-generation heir.

“Sister Hong, let’s meet again if fate allows.”

***

Having finished three glasses of wine, and with everything that needed to be said expressed, Zhang Long didn't want to stay any longer. But as he stood up to leave, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. He shook his head and looked at Du Hong, his expression dazed yet captivating.

His thoughts were sluggish; he felt muddled.

“Heh, since you’re already here...”

Watching Zhang Long’s swaying figure, the corners of Du Hong’s mouth curled into a faint smile as she whispered to herself. She rose to steady him; it was time to change the venue.

“Hmm?”

Du Hong’s expression froze. The situation had suddenly changed.

***

“Sorry, he’s mine.”

Zhang Long’s swaying body was suddenly steadied by a pair of fair, strong hands, followed by a crisp, cold female voice. Qian Caiying had arrived.

“Yingzi, that’s not fair.”

Du Hong’s face darkened instantly as she watched Zhang Long, who was now leaning on Qian Caiying’s shoulder, slip away.

Damn it, why did this bitch have to show up?

“Whatever. He’s mine.”

Qian Caiying was noncommittal. Looking straight at Du Hong, she stated firmly, “No matter what scheme you’re plotting, the fact that I arrived in time says it all. I’m taking Zhang Long away today, and don’t bother him again.”

“Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

“Hmph, you think I’m afraid of you?”

Du Hong scoffed. “You’ve been trying to snatch everything away from me since we were kids. Do you really dislike me that much?”

“Besides, I helped you get rid of a hypocritical pest. You could at least be grateful. Turning against me over this? You’re the one being unfair.”

“My business is none of your concern.”

Having her wounds exposed, Qian Caiying’s face also darkened. “Being deceived is my business.”

“It’s not for you to handle or mock. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

The bad blood between the two could not be cleared up in a moment, so neither intended to dwell on it. But both wanted Zhang Long tonight, and that was the crux of the matter.

His physical charm was only one aspect; his capabilities and the channels he controlled were the real prizes. Du Hong’s meeting tonight wasn’t just to deliver a message; she intended to swallow him whole. Once he was in Du Hong’s bed, he wouldn’t be escaping.

“Are you really going to go against me?”

“You’re the one going against me.”

Qian Caiying didn't argue. She pulled out a luxury cruise ticket and held it up. “Look closely. Tomorrow at noon, Zhang Long and I will be boarding this ship. If you don’t believe me, call Zhiqing right now. You know she won’t lie to you.”

“Or ask Lin Yuan over there. He was the one who gave this ticket to Zhang Long. A few days ago, Zhang Long invited me to join him, so it is you who is being unfair.”

Seeing this, Du Hong’s expression fluctuated. If Qian Caiying wasn't afraid of verification, it had to be true.

Damn it, she was just one step away. This was infuriating.

***

Du Hong was frustrated, but Zhang Long was suffering even more.

Like being drunk, his mind was sluggish, but his perception of the outside world remained somewhat clear. He felt Qian Caiying’s arrival, but his dazed state prevented him from speaking. At the same time, a fire seemed to be igniting within his heart, spreading through his body, his blood, and every fiber of his being, fueling a burning passion.

Leaning against her soft, firm body and smelling a faint, delicate rose fragrance, the internal fire only burned hotter.

“Hiss, behave yourself.”

Once they left the bar, Qian Caiying shuddered and tilted her head. Zhang Long had suddenly bitten and sucked on her earlobe, causing her legs to go weak for a moment. It wasn't from pleasure, but rather because it was one of her sensitive spots.

“Phew, you’re heavy.”

After getting Zhang Long into the car, Qian Caiying let out a breath and drove home. She knew where Zhang Long lived; the last time he was drunk, she had been the one to take him home, and she knew he had a fingerprint lock on his door.

There was no need to take him to her own place. Besides, bringing him to her villa would likely alert the Qian family, as the security guards there were all little informants. Even if she didn't return home for the night, she couldn't just bring any man into the Qian household. Not just any man could enter their gates.

***

“At least it’s not a potent drug.”

While driving to Zhang Long’s Bund residence, Qian Caiying checked his state in the rearview mirror. At least his face wasn't overly flushed, and his mind wasn't completely scorched. It was merely his primal, masculine instinct that was burning.

Otherwise, he wouldn't just be twisting his body; he would be groaning and pawing at her in the back seat.

“Du Hong, that damn woman.”

Qian Caiying frowned, wondering what exactly she saw in Zhang Long that made her so persistent, even resorting to drugging him. How desperate could she be?

Thinking of this, she glanced at the twisting Zhang Long in the back seat again, and the corners of her mouth curled up.

Serves you right, you big idiot.

***

“Hiss... ah-choo...”

At the Bund residence, Qian Caiying spent a great deal of effort finally getting Zhang Long inside. Thankfully, he wasn't as limp as a noodle like a typical drunk, or she wouldn't have been able to carry him.

Without a word, she stripped him naked and tossed him into the bathtub, turning on the cold water to cool him down physically.

“Are you sober yet?”

Stung by the cold water in the dead of winter, Zhang Long regained some clarity. Though his reactions were still slow, he could at least see that he was in his own bathroom, while Qian Caiying stood with her arms crossed, sneering at him.

“Uh, so cold...”

Zhang Long couldn't help but shiver.

“Cold is good.”

Qian Caiying smacked her lips and sneered. “I told you to stay away from that woman, Du Hong. Regardless of the reason, you dared to accept her invitation tonight. If I hadn't arrived in time, you’d be in her bed right now.”

“Getting eaten alive by Du Hong.”

“Hiss, ah-choo...”

Zhang Long shivered again. Being doused in cold water while wearing nothing but his boxers felt quite embarrassing. He couldn't say anything; it was humiliating.

He had opened the champagne himself, and the glasses were chosen at random. How did he end up drugged? His mind was too sluggish to figure it out.

“Alright, handle it yourself.”

Although Zhang Long had a great physique and appeared well-endowed, Qian Caiying had no interest in him. “The cold water only woke you up for now. Find a movie later to work it out; the heat needs to be released.”

“Otherwise, it’ll burn you all night.”

“I gave your car keys to Lin Yuan. I’ll come by to pick you up tomorrow morning.”

“Alright, have a pleasant night.”

With that, Qian Caiying turned and left, appearing heartless and unwilling to help him resolve the matter. She left him to stand under the cold shower, shivering and miserable.

Damn, what a night.

A while later, Zhang Long put on a bathrobe and returned to the bedroom, bringing his laptop from the study to browse the files on a certain partition of his hard drive.

He had to admit, his former self had decent taste. The collection of materials he had saved was quite stimulating, to say the least. It was comparable to a Hollywood blockbuster, plus there were a few recordings of his interactions with his ex-girlfriend, Fan Lu.

Tonight was destined to be a long, lonely one, putting the moon to shame.

“Phew, goddamn it.”

The night passed without incident, and when dawn broke, Zhang Long woke up with a deep sigh. He washed up and prepared to leave for the seven-day luxury Spring Festival cruise, with Qian Caiying as his companion.

He had been seen naked by her yesterday; should he ask her to take responsibility? Forget it, whatever.

He hadn't lost anything, so he decided to be magnanimous...

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