**
Chu Ying seethed, his pride shredded. The woman he'd chased for years, Bai Shishi, was with another man. The thought of her with Lin Fan drove him wild with rage.
"You think you're safe with some guy, you slut?" he growled. "I haven't had you yet, and I will. Even if you're tainted, you're mine."
His grip tightened on Liu Qianqian's arm, making her wince. "Master Chu, please, it hurts," she pleaded.
"Are we just leaving?" she continued, desperation in her voice. "Lin Fan's a skilled doctor. He might save my grandfather. Let's beg him to help! If he cures Grandpa, I'll do anything you want—any outfit, any fantasy. Remember the park cable car? I'll do it, just help me convince him!"
Tears streamed down her face. She didn't know Lin Fan's full capabilities, but curing leukemia with acupuncture marked him as extraordinary. He could be her grandfather's last hope.
Chu Ying flung her arm away, sneering. "I just clashed with that punk, and you want me to grovel? Pathetic."
Liu Qianqian stammered, "Master Chu, I—"
He cut her off, his voice icy. "You know our deal's just physical. Your grandfather's life means nothing to me. I've already paid for top doctors. If he dies, you still obey me."
"You're my tool, nothing more. A cheap slut. You don't get to make demands."
His words hit like a sledgehammer. Liu Qianqian froze, despair and pain etching her face. She'd always known Chu Ying saw her as a plaything, but hearing it so brutally still stung. She'd given herself to him partly for money, but also because she'd cared for him. Now, her illusions lay shattered.
Chu Ying's anger boiled over. He unbuckled his belt, glaring at her. "Get to it."
Liu Qianqian trembled, tears falling. "Master Chu, not here, please. People will see. Tonight, I'll do anything you want, I swear."
A sharp slap cracked across her face. "You forgot your place. You're my tool—no right to argue. A slut like you, scared of an audience?"
Sobbing, Liu Qianqian complied, her humiliation complete. Passersby in the corridor gawked, whispering and pointing. She felt like she was drowning in shame but had no choice.
"Liu Tianwen's family! Where's Liu Tianwen's family?" a nurse called urgently, scanning the corridor. Her eyes landed on the scene, and her face twisted in disgust.
Liu Qianqian stiffened. Liu Tianwen was her grandfather.
"I… I'm his family," she said, scrambling to her feet.
The nurse's contempt was palpable. "Your grandfather's critical. Sign for surgery now. It's risky—he might not survive. Go now if you want to see him one last time."
Liu Qianqian's tears surged as she moved to run to the ward, but Chu Ying grabbed her arm, his eyes cold. "You're my toy. You don't go anywhere without my say-so."
"Master Chu, please," she begged. "My grandfather's dying. I just want to see him one last time."
"Finish what you started," he snarled. "Make me happy first."
Her spirit broke, her body slumping as if her soul had fled. She thought of Bai Shishi, whose father was now safe, while her grandfather teetered on death's edge. Jealousy and resentment festered.
*Why me? Why does Bai Shishi get to be happy?*
She never considered her own choices, instead channeling her pain into hatred for Bai Shishi. "One day, I'll make you suffer like I do. You'll fall, Bai Shishi, into hell itself."
…
In Ward 366, Bai Shishi glared at Lin Fan. "They're gone, so why are you still touching me?"
Since embracing her to provoke Chu Ying, Lin Fan's hands had roamed a bit too freely, clearly taking advantage.
Her face burned red.
Lin Fan chuckled awkwardly, reluctantly pulling back. "Ahem, it's for your sake. I told Chu Ying you're my girl. Bet he won't mess with you now."
At the mention of Chu Ying, Bai Shishi's worry deepened. "You shouldn't have done that. Chu Ying won't let this slide."
She sighed. She knew Lin Fan was standing up for her, but Chu Ying wasn't just a spoiled rich kid. Offending him was dangerous.
Lin Fan shrugged, unbothered. He'd learned from experience. When he first crossed the Qinglong Gang, he'd been terrified, but nothing came of it. Now, adding Huahai Bank to his enemies didn't faze him.
Besides, he'd already clashed with Chu Yao, Chu Ying's sister. One more Chu didn't matter.
With the System, the world was his to conquer. If push came to shove, he'd grind for more skills, maybe max out a "slap" ability. Then, anyone who crossed him—*whack*—problem solved.
**