"Master Chu, there's no one inside."After storming in and smashing everything up, the crew returned with nothing to report.
"No one?" He Wei quickly objected. "That's impossible. They were still staying here yesterday. Could it be they ran off, afraid we'd retaliate?"
Chu Haowen's cold, murderous gaze shot toward He Wei, sending a shiver down his spine and stirring a sense of unease in his heart.
"I'm giving you one day. If you haven't found them by nightfall tomorrow, I'm coming to you for that five hundred thousand." He Wei's face instantly turned grim.
"Quit the nonsense!" Ah Biao barked fiercely, pointing at He Wei. "Do what the boss said, or I'll make you regret it!"
"Yes, yes," He Wei answered hurriedly, bowing respectfully, not daring to speak another word.
"Ah Biao, burn it down." Chu Haowen glanced at the wooden shack, then turned and got into the car.
"Right away, boss. I'll have the brothers light it up now."
The shack, built from wood and dry straw, caught fire instantly. Thick smoke billowed into the sky as the flames roared, quickly engulfing the entire structure.
Meanwhile, Wang Yu's moving truck had already arrived at the Guangming District in the southern part of the city, stopping at No. 58 Nanxing Road.
At this time, Liu Yunyun had to head to work. With a new supervisor recently appointed, she didn't dare be late or skip, so she apologized before leaving. That left Wang Yu to handle the move alone—but that was no big deal for him.
The new apartment was on the third floor: a modest 80-square-meter, three-bedroom affordable housing unit. It was dusty and messy, likely because no one had lived there for a while.
Wang Yu spent the entire afternoon cleaning, finally getting the place spotless. He also bought a bunch of daily necessities, including bedding.
His parents—one without legs, the other blind—couldn't help much. Watching their son do everything on his own, they were both proud and deeply ashamed.
"Wow, it's so clean!"
Just as Wang Yu finished, Liu Yunyun returned, carrying a large bundle of vegetables and pork. After work, she'd gone straight to the market to buy ingredients, wanting to celebrate the move with Wang Yu's family.
Earlier in the day, the place had been a mess. Now, the windows sparkled, and everything was neatly arranged—completely transformed. She couldn't help but see Wang Yu in a new light.
"Yunyun, come have a rest in the living room. You helped me move, and I haven't even thanked you yet. Why are you the one bringing food?"
"You did all this by yourself?" Liu Yunyun asked in surprise, sweeping her gaze over the clean, tidy apartment.
Just then, Wang Yu walked out of a room carrying a bucket of dirty water. Seeing her, he smiled and said, "Yunyun, you bought so many groceries—you're cooking tonight?"
Liu Yunyun pouted playfully. "So what if I'm cooking? I'll have you know my cooking skills aren't worse than yours! Just watch."
With that, she headed straight for the kitchen.
After a flurry of activity, a full table of dishes was set. To be fair, the girl was quite capable—though the flavor wasn't perfect, it was definitely edible.
At the dinner table, Wang Yu and Liu Yunyun looked just like a young, filial couple, constantly serving the two elders.
Wang Yu's mother beamed and said, "Yunyun, do you have a boyfriend? You and our Wang Yu seem like a great match."
Liu Yunyun blushed furiously at the comment.
Wang Yu glanced at her, grinning. "Liu Yunyun, you have a boyfriend? Then you'd better bring him over and introduce him to me."
"I don't have a boyfriend," she replied quickly.
"But I saw you talking with a young man named Yang Rui last time—you seemed to get along. Isn't he your boyfriend?" his mother asked again.
"No, we're just ordinary friends," Liu Yunyun explained. "Anyway, we're not a good match. Let's not talk about him. Let's eat."
Since she clearly didn't want to discuss it, no one pressed further. They resumed eating.
After dinner, Wang Yu walked Liu Yunyun home—after all, it wasn't safe for a girl to be out alone at night.
Liu Yunyun lived in the dormitory of Daqiong Group, which was also in Guangming District—not far, just a twenty-minute walk.
"Wang Yu, I asked HR this afternoon. I'm really sorry, but the company isn't hiring security guards at the moment. I couldn't help you." She sounded apologetic as they walked under the streetlights.
Wang Yu smiled casually. "It's fine. I don't have to be a security guard. Any job will do. Are there any openings at Daqiong Group right now?"
Getting into Daqiong Group was a mission he had to complete. Even if it meant sweeping floors, he'd do it.
"There's a spring job fair coming up in a few days. Our business department is hiring a few salespeople," Liu Yunyun replied.
"Then I'll apply for a sales position," Wang Yu said.
"What?!" Liu Yunyun stopped in her tracks, staring at him in surprise. "Wang Yu, you want to do sales? Are you sure?"
She herself worked in the business department and knew just how tough the job could be. Sales wasn't something just anyone could do. Many people either gave up halfway or couldn't handle the pressure at all.
A former soldier like Wang Yu didn't seem cut out for that kind of work.
Wang Yu chuckled inwardly at her skeptical look. During his undercover days, he'd done all kinds of jobs—including sales.
Just as he was about to explain, a sharp scream pierced the night, interrupting their conversation.
"Ah! Murder! Help!"
Liu Yunyun, startled by the shriek, instinctively huddled closer to Wang Yu, trembling. "Wang Yu, what's going on?"
"It came from up ahead. Let's go!" Wang Yu's expression darkened as he prepared to dash forward—but Liu Yunyun grabbed his arm.
"I'm scared, Wang Yu. Let's not go. Please."
Wang Yu gently held her trembling hand and reassured her, "I'm here. Don't worry."
With that, he pulled her along as they rushed toward the source of the scream.
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Liu Yunyun's fear melted away, replaced by a comforting sense of safety. As long as Wang Yu was with her, she wasn't afraid of anything—not even the unknown.