Their love was written in the stars

Chapter 2: Need Any Help?

Su Xiaoxiao followed the scent of money all the way upstairs, watching as the group escorting the cash boxes dispersed completely.

She stepped forward and, after a struggle that set her nerves on edge, managed to c***k open the door to the room where the money had been stashed.

The whole ordeal had her heart pounding—terrified someone might catch her—but these rich folks were just too cavalier! So much cash dumped in a room without even a single guard? She shook her head. They couldn’t blame her for stealing; they’d practically begged for it with their carelessness.

Her petite frame slipped nimbly through the door. She shut it behind her, only to realize her amateur skills had wrecked the lock.

With no choice but to leave it ajar, her hand hovered over the light switch. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided against it—better not risk someone noticing a room that shouldn’t be lit. The place was massive! Fumbling in the dark for those two supposedly obvious cash boxes, she nearly got lost in the dim expanse.

After circling around, she found herself back in the living room, wiping sweat from her brow with a small hand. Good thing no one was around, or this thief would’ve lost all dignity!

She’d never seen a mansion growing up, let alone stepped foot in a so-called presidential suite. Who knew the layout could be this convoluted? Making an excuse for herself, she resolved to flip on a light—careful to avoid the glow spilling through the windows—and hunt properly.

Chen Zheng hadn’t even swiped the keycard when his boss twisted the door open. The little wildcat had vanished, so President Ling settled for checking out the “surprise” those old geezers had promised instead.

The living room was shrouded in darkness, but a faint sliver of light seeped from the direction of the master bedroom. He motioned for his assistant to stay by the door and, with a flicker of curiosity, approached the source.

Probably a woman, he figured. He’d stirred up a storm in C City to take down those old foxes and swallow their companies whole. What kind of woman did they think could make him abandon his revenge? The door swung open silently.

There was Su Xiaoxiao, hunched over with her trusty tool, patiently prying at a safe hidden behind a giant wedding portrait. Ling Tianchen’s sharp eyes narrowed, a near-sneer tugging at his lips. Seek and ye shall find—without even breaking a sweat!

That tiny, hourglass figure kneeling on the bed, pressed against the wall, was none other than the fish-stealing wildcat he’d lost track of.

It was a scene both surprising and absurdly amusing. But this petty thief—hardly presentable—couldn’t possibly be the “surprise” those old-timers had in mind.

“Need any help?” he drawled. To so blatantly underestimate his hotel’s security—was this woman arrogant or just clueless? Fate kept handing her to him on a platter, practically daring him to unleash decades of pent-up grudge on her. How could he refuse?

“Eek!” The low, resonant baritone startled her like a ghost in the night. The hairpin she’d been jabbing into the lock trembled, nearly snapping.

“That’s a combination lock,” he continued. “A key alone won’t cut it.” Three wrong tries, and the alarm would blare. Climbing onto the bed with a straight face, he stretched out his long arms—one bracing the wall, the other resting on the keypad—his towering frame encircling her completely frozen form.

“How about you handle the lock, and I’ll get the code right?”

The man’s encroaching presence sent shivers down her spine. His solid chest pressed against her back, his crisp scent caging her like a trap. Su Xiaoxiao held her breath, squeezing her eyes shut as dizziness swarmed her mind.

This had to be a nightmare—a total nightmare! Her first stab at breaking and entering, and she’d already run into a ghost. Where was the justice? She’d even prayed to Guan Erye before heading out—had she opened the door wrong or something?

“What, not gonna move?” Ling Tianchen dipped his head, his chiseled jaw brushing her silky black hair. She stood petrified, like she’d been hit with a paralyzing spell, yet a subtle fragrance wafted from her—a faint, minty freshness from her body wash drifting into his nose.

That scent, meant to be crisp and bracing, ignited a sudden blaze in his core. His body tensed, eyes cooling as he instinctively pulled back a fraction. Reacting this way just from her hair’s perfume? A first for him.

The moment his arms loosened, Su Xiaoxiao ducked and bolted for the bed’s edge. Screw everything—time for the thirty-sixth stratagem: run! “Where do you think you’re going?” Ling Tianchen’s reflexes kicked in, snagging her slim wrist in a flash.

Something was off with him—way off. And what better way to vent his rage than to ruin that wretched woman’s daughter and let the world scorn her? “Heh, I’m done playing. See you next time, handsome?” She flashed a fake grin, hoping to bluff her way out.

His inscrutable gaze accidentally grazed the invincible weapon in her deep red V-neck, and his body heated up another notch. This wasn’t right—he’d never been this undisciplined. The only explanation? Those drinks at the table had been spiked.

No wonder those old bastards were so smug—they’d slipped him something dirty! Gripping her wrist with one hand, he snatched her oversized bag with the other, dragging her toward the door without a word.

“Let go! Let me go, or I’ll scream assault!” Su Xiaoxiao panicked—his intentions were crystal clear, and she wasn’t about to end up in jail without even nabbing the cash!

“Cut the crap. Want your thieving to stay under wraps? Then come quietly.” Ling Tianchen felt the urgent heat coursing through him, but he wasn’t about to let those geezers win. This little wildcat? She was his perfect two-birds-one-stone play.

“Boss, the keycard’s not for this room…” Chen Zheng gaped as Ling emerged, twisting a woman out with him, and pointed out the obvious.

“The wine’s spiked. You know what to do,” Ling barked, issuing orders without breaking stride, hauling the squirming Su Xiaoxiao down the palatial corridor. “What the hell do you want?!” She knew she’d been caught, but couldn’t shake his iron grip. Time to pull out her unbeatable ace.