Chapter 82: The Fading Sunset, Crimson as Blood

“How could the factory end up in someone else’s hands?” Yet at this moment, Lan Yaoming was utterly bewitched. He could no longer discern the meaning behind such an obvious rebuke.

Fang Huayan’s anger finally boiled over. “That worthless woman who sleeps with anyone—what’s so good about her that she’s bewitched you to this extent? Your intellect has regressed to that of a child! Let me tell you, Lan Yaoming, after today you’ll owe a debt of gratitude, a thousand thanks, to Wu Ya—the man you accused of being a fraud!”

“Thank him?” But Lan Yaoming, beset by troubles both within and without, could not grasp her words. It was hardly his fault; his mind was chaotic, unable to focus, and facing Fang Huayan only made him feel more guilty. His thoughts were hopelessly tangled. These childish, laughable questions slipped out unconsciously.

“You!” Fang Huayan was speechless, shaking her head in utter disappointment as she looked at Lan Yaoming. “Your little darling Mo Xiao is fooling around with someone at Morningstar Hotel! If you go now, you might catch them in the act. Wait any longer, and you’ll find nothing but a mess and empty rooms!” She decided to tell him Wu Ya’s true intentions. There was no other way. Watching her husband lose his mind, she knew that if she didn’t tell him the truth, he’d just keep dithering. Revealing everything would shock him awake and send him straight to the hotel. Once he saw it with his own eyes, it would all be over.

It’s no wonder Fang Huayan, as the factory’s matron, held a certain position in the workers’ hearts. Even after three years away, her authority remained high—a fact not to be ignored.

Sure enough: “What did you say? Mo Xiao is fooling around at Morningstar Hotel? Impossible!” Lan Yaoming jolted, staring at Fang Huayan in horror. Her words pulled him back to reality. He had always considered Mo Xiao his most trusted confidante, letting her call the shots on everything. Her unchecked arrogance had shattered the factory’s unity, turning teamwork into chaos. The business’s daily decline was a direct result. Yet, he had never blamed her—not once!

But now… she was cheating on him at a hotel? If that were true, then disaster loomed. Her betrayal meant her loyalties had shifted. Was her accusation against Wu Ya, branding him a fraud, also motivated by ulterior motives?

Recalling the unexplained financial shortages and the factory’s increasing difficulties, a cold sweat broke out across Lan Yaoming’s brow. “That wretched woman!” Grinding his teeth, he spat out the words and vanished from his home.

“Oh Lan Yaoming, clever all your life and foolish for a moment! Men can play—but how can you lose yourself completely? Don’t you know that women outside are poisonous weeds?” Watching Lan Yaoming storm out, Fang Huayan could only lament his weakness. She had foreseen this the day she chose to be a full-time housewife—her husband would inevitably stray. After all, men are prone to such things; it’s in their nature, both physically and psychologically. She never expected he would stray so far as to ruin his own peace of mind. Aside from his reluctance to abandon the family, he was completely ensnared. How could she tolerate this?

“Wu Ya, Wu Ya—after this, I must thank you properly! It seems it’s time for me to return and take charge of factory affairs. I hope that when we work together again, you won’t drive too hard a bargain!” Her thoughts turned back to the factory. Wu Ya hadn’t left, which meant he still wanted to buy equipment. But business is business. He’d offered them three hundred thousand, with collateral, and promised another three hundred thousand in twenty days. Those were exceedingly generous terms in the trade! Yet her husband had squandered the opportunity—not only that, but he’d slandered an outstanding, promising young client as a fraud!

A fraud—an insult to his character! Would Wu Ya show mercy in future dealings? Likely he’d withdraw all his previous concessions, and perhaps even demand a lower price than before. Accept it? Refuse? If they refused, the factory would face bankruptcy. If they accepted, keeping the lines running at cost would be Wu Ya’s mercy. There was nothing else for it; she would have to handle matters herself and hope for a successful partnership.

Meanwhile, at Morningstar Hotel—

“Brother Zhu, are you satisfied tonight?” Mo Xiao’s cheeks were flushed, her body languid after three rounds of passion, her skin glowing like sunset.

Her sultry eyes half-open, half-shut, she seemed on the verge of sleep. Yet in this drowsy, lazy state, she was at her most dangerously seductive.

“Hahaha, satisfied! I’m more than satisfied! Little minx, your skills grow ever more exquisite! Lucky for me my friend’s miracle pills arrived yesterday—otherwise I’d have been forced to surrender!” Zhu Changxing laughed heartily, full of contentment. Gazing at Mo Xiao in his arms, his eyes still burned with desire. Unfortunately, his body would not allow him to continue.

“As long as you’re satisfied. Save your strength for me, and you won’t be running wild outside anymore.” Mo Xiao’s voice was sweet and lazy, her hand tracing circles on Zhu Changxing’s chest, sending a fresh surge of desire through him. In an instant, the fire rose from his abdomen to his mind—exploding once more.

“Ah!” Mo Xiao’s cries echoed through the suite.

But just as they entered the height of passion—

Bang, bang, bang!

Suddenly, a fierce knocking at the door—a bucket of ice water in the dead of winter, extinguishing their arousal in an instant.

“Which bastard is knocking at this hour? Did someone die in their family?” Zhu Changxing, his energy suddenly drained, scrambled off Mo Xiao and cursed angrily, storming toward the door.

“Brother Zhu, Brother Zhu, it’s definitely just a clueless hotel staff. Ignore it—let’s keep going,” Mo Xiao pleaded, dragging him back, unwilling to let him leave at such a critical moment.

But the person outside seemed completely unaware of the situation within. The knocking only grew more urgent and forceful, as if the door would be kicked down if left unopened.

“Are they mad? I want to see what they’re after. Whoever it is, I won’t let them off easily!” Zhu Changxing, his mood ruined, leapt from the bed and strode to the door in a fury.