Chapter 44: The Scent of Blood That Perfume Cannot Mask

Before she lost consciousness, Bai Lu was already aware of what was happening to her.

She tore off a decorative ornament from her dress and clutched it tightly in her palm, using the pain to force herself to stay awake, determined not to succumb to sleep.

The agony kept her hovering on the edge of awareness; she heard chaotic noises, voices calling out to her...

And then, she thought she heard the voice of the immortal man.

"Asui..."

"It's me."

Hearing his voice, Bai Lu closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to faint in peace.

Her hand relaxed, and the ornament fell onto the carpet with a muffled thud.

Huo Yan put his head down, holding the girl's wrist, his expression cold as he gazed at the crimson stain in her palm.

The doctor rushed over with his medical kit, carefully disinfecting the wound in her hand, unable to stop himself from exclaiming, "Miss Bai is truly resilient... She fought the drug's effects with this method. Only by enduring such piercing pain could she stay conscious!"

Huo Yan's expression grew even darker.

Once the doctor had treated her wound, Huo Yan said, "Thank you both. Go and rest now."

The doctor and the general manager's wife hurriedly left.

"Dad... Dad..."

Bai Lu slept fitfully, murmuring for her father in her sleep.

Her delicate brows remained deeply furrowed.

Huo Yan walked to the bedside and sat down, holding her hand.

Soon, Bai Lu's brows relaxed, and she sank into a deep slumber.

When dawn broke, Tang Xing tiptoed in, speaking in a hushed voice, "Mr. Huo, you should rest. I'll keep watch for you."

The girl held his finger tightly, refusing to let go all night.

Huo Yan replied, "It's fine."

Tang Xing, despite showering and applying perfume, could not mask the scent of blood that lingered on him.

"Don't go home these days," Huo Yan instructed.

Tang Xing nodded, "I know. With this smell, I can't explain it to Second Master. Fortunately, Xu Yi will be back soon, so I'll have him stay with Second Master."

"Good."

Tang Xing hesitated, "Mr. Huo..."

"Hmm?"

"Sorry, I lost control a bit. That room needs to be completely stripped and renovated."

"No matter. I permitted it."

"That's not what I wanted to say, Mr. Huo. It's..."

Huo Yan glanced at the girl on the bed, "We'll talk later."

"Alright!"

Tang Xing withdrew from the bedroom, closed the door, and rested briefly on the sofa in the living room.

Though his internal organs were shattered, the man would not die immediately.

The one surnamed Hou would endure the torment, waiting for death in excruciating pain.

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Bai Lu awoke to darkness, heavy curtains drawn across the windows.

She gently felt the hand she was still holding and couldn't help but chuckle.

Huo Yan said, "You laugh as soon as you wake up? Do you realize what happened last night—"

Bai Lu interrupted him, "I know..."

That was why she tore off the star-shaped ornament from her dress and stabbed her palm to keep herself awake.

Huo Yan asked, "So why are you laughing?"

"Because every time I think of you staying with me, I can't help but smile," she murmured. "Asui, thank you... I seem to be thanking you over and over. I wanted to help you make your debut and earn standing in the world, but all I've done is accept your help."

The black rabbit cried.

Huo Yan withdrew his fingers from her palm and stood up. "I'll go get you some breakfast."

"Mm, mm..."

He hadn't even closed the door when he heard her muffled sobs.

She was trying hard not to cry.

He closed the door.

Tang Xing heard footsteps and sat up immediately, "Mr. Huo, this isn't simple."

Huo Yan raised his wrist, cutting off Tang Xing's report. He ordered breakfast for Bai Lu by phone, set the phone down, and nodded.

Tang Xing followed him to the balcony.

Speaking in a low voice, Tang Xing reported, "It was Wu Liping who sold Bai Lu. Hou's instructions were that Shen Yanghong owed Jin Yuan Casino a million; he used that to threaten him. But Shen Yanghong refused and paid back the money. I checked—Yu Fuqing provided the money. Then Wu Liping contacted Hou again—five million, and Bai Lu was sold."

Huo Yan responded with a nonchalant hum from his nose.

Tang Xing gritted his teeth and took out his phone. Huo Yan glanced at him, "What do you mean?"

On the phone was a promotional poster of Bai Lu.

"Look closely, this isn't an ordinary poster. It's... it's a poster advertising Bai Lu for sale. ‘National Daughter Bai Lu, one million for your pleasure, first come first served.’ The rest is too disgusting for me to read aloud."

Huo Yan's gaze slowly shifted to Tang Xing's face.

Tang Xing bit his lip, "Hou also said that Wu Liping had installed pinhole cameras in Miss Bai's room ahead of time. Wu Liping intended to use the video to blackmail Miss Bai, to force her..."

"I said I owe Bai Lu a favor," Huo Yan replied lazily, looking into the distance. "Forgotten?"

Tang Xing nodded repeatedly, "Understood. I'll take care of it right away!"

Suddenly, Huo Yan recalled what the black rabbit had said at the hot springs, "Wait."

"Mr. Huo?"

"Leave the foster mother for Bai Lu."

If it were the black rabbit, she would want to handle it herself.

Tang Xing nodded, as if he had something to say but hesitated.

Huo Yan narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Tang Xing."

Tang Xing nearly dropped to his knees, "Mr. Huo, when I checked Jin Yuan Casino, I discovered—discovered there's a payment of one million from Sixth Young Master's account to the casino! I don't know if he went there to gamble or if he bought Bai Lu!"

"..." Huo Yan commanded, "Call Huo Peicun. Immediately."

Tang Xing quickly pulled out his phone. The call rang for over ten minutes before Huo Peicun answered groggily, "Assistant Tang, I'm begging you, it's only six in the morning. I only got home from the bar at three. Can you give me a break? I'm practically on my knees!"

"Sixth Young Master, I need to ask you something. You must answer honestly. Otherwise, breaking your legs won't be enough this time." Tang Xing enunciated every word, "Jin Yuan Casino received a million from your account. What's going on?"

Huo Peicun, barely awake, mumbled, "What casino? My uncle broke both my arms last year; since then I've never gone to a casino. Tang Xing, you really should check your facts before calling and questioning me!"

"Six...Young...Master!" Tang Xing gritted his teeth. "You must really want to die! If I hadn't checked thoroughly, would I be calling you now? Think. Think right now. If you can't remember, I won't wait for Mr. Huo's orders—I'll come break your legs myself."