Chapter Eighty-Two: Framed

Chu Bing was shoved into an empty room by one of Li Yuxi’s subordinates, and the door was promptly locked behind her.

She rotated her aching wrists, surveying her surroundings. The room was barren, save for a wooden cot topped with a thin blanket—simple and unadorned. She plopped down and propped her chin on her hand, sighing, “What am I supposed to do now?”

The system snorted, “Host, you should quickly find Li Haoran and begin the task!”

Chu Bing wrinkled her nose, “You think I don’t want to finish this damned task as soon as possible? I mean, how am I supposed to escape from this place right now?”

She did have a Concealment Array, but this fortress was vast; she feared she’d be discovered before she could get out. She was no match for Li Yuxi and would likely be caught again.

The system was silent for a moment before saying, “Li Yuxi has set extensive traps around the perimeter. Host, you cannot escape.”

Chu Bing… Thank goodness she hadn’t acted on impulse! Otherwise, she’d have been riddled with holes by now.

“So I’m a prisoner now?”

“Actually… Li Yuxi probably knows where Li Haoran is too. Host, do you want to switch your target?” the system suddenly suggested.

Chu Bing was taken aback. Right! How had she not thought of that? With so many men under Li Yuxi’s command, how could he not know Li Haoran’s whereabouts?

Her eyes brightened and she sprang to her feet.

She paced the room a few times before the excitement faded from her face. “No, no, Li Yuxi definitely doesn’t trust me now. How can I get him to tell me?”

Li Yuxi was so suspicious; he wouldn’t disclose Li Haoran’s location. He might even suspect her true identity!

She remembered how Li Yuxi had tormented her when she was Chu Bing, and chills ran down her spine. She absolutely could not reveal who she was—otherwise, that man would toy with her to death.

“Bang.”

Just as Chu Bing was lost in thought, the door suddenly swung open and a familiar figure entered.

It was Yun Xin!

What was she doing here?

Chu Bing turned warily to face Yun Xin.

Yun Xin wore a peach-pink gauzy dress, baring a fragrant shoulder, her appearance seductive and alluring. In a camp full of men, her attire made her intentions clear.

“You’re the woman the master brought back?” Yun Xin’s eyes roamed over Chu Bing with jealousy. She raised her chin arrogantly. “You’re not much to look at!”

So she considered Chu Bing a rival in love?

Chu Bing’s eyes darted, and an idea flashed through her mind. Perhaps she now knew how to gain Li Yuxi’s trust!

She deliberately put on an imperious air. “I was personally brought here by the master. Who are you?”

Jealousy almost materialized in Yun Xin’s gaze as she snorted, “I’m the master’s favorite. There’s only one woman by his side—me. I don’t know where you came from, but now that you’re here, you’d better learn the rules!”

“What rules?”

“The master doesn’t like women getting close to him. You should stay away from him in the future!” A strange glimmer flickered in Yun Xin’s eyes.

Chu Bing didn’t believe a word of it.

She asked pointedly, “Is that so? Does that mean you can’t approach the master either?”

Yun Xin hesitated, her anger rising as she snapped, “Of course I’m different from you! I am the master’s…”

Chu Bing couldn’t help but laugh. She covered her mouth, giggling. “I see you truly are foolish.”

If Li Yuxi had any designs on Yun Xin, Chu Bing would write her name backwards.

Though she’d only met him a few times, Chu Bing was certain—Li Yuxi would never touch a woman someone else had used. He was choosy.

“What?” Yun Xin’s face alternated between pale and flushed, clearly not expecting Chu Bing, who had just been speaking gently, to suddenly mock her.

Chu Bing glanced toward the door, hearing faint, familiar footsteps approaching.

She curled her lips and suddenly strode toward Yun Xin.

Before Yun Xin could react, Chu Bing was upon her, landing a punch to her abdomen.

Yun Xin’s face contorted with pain, and she instinctively raised her hand to strike back.

Chu Bing’s expression twisted into panic. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Her voice was shrill and sharp, laden with grievance. Outside in the courtyard, Li Yuxi heard the commotion, his brows furrowing as he quickened his pace. He arrived just in time to see Yun Xin, her face twisted with fury, raising her hand to hit Chu Bing.

He seized Yun Xin’s wrist and flung her to the ground.

Yun Xin was stunned, looking up to see Li Yuxi standing protectively before Chu Bing, her face ghostly pale. “Master… It’s her! That wretch set me up on purpose!”

She pointed at Chu Bing, cursing incessantly. Chu Bing feigned shock and stubbornness. “You’re talking nonsense!”

She cast barely concealed glances at Li Yuxi. Caught in the act, she quickly withdrew, embodying a stubborn and innocent girl to perfection.

Chu Bing thought that once she got back, she might try her hand at acting. With skills like these, she could vie for Best Actress.

Li Yuxi glanced at her, a smile playing at his lips. “What’s going on here?”

Hope flickered in Yun Xin’s eyes. She scrambled up and gazed at Li Yuxi, her voice sweet as honey. “Master, that wretch hit me on purpose to provoke me, just so you’d catch me striking her…”

“So you really did want to hit her?” Li Yuxi interrupted.

Yun Xin was taken aback, her expression stiff as she nodded. “Yes, but…”

“Hmm, seems you still haven’t learned your lesson.” Li Yuxi chuckled softly, then called toward the courtyard, “Take this woman to the Discipline Hall. Lock her up for a few days.”

“Yes, sir.” Two subordinates marched in, seized Yun Xin, and led her away without so much as a glance.

Yun Xin struggled desperately. “Master, you can’t do this to me!”

“Master!”

He didn’t so much as look at her.

Chu Bing was curious—what kind of place was the Discipline Hall, to terrify Yun Xin so?

Li Yuxi rubbed his ears in exasperation. Once the others had gone, he turned to Chu Bing, smiling gently. “Did you get scared? Women are always so troublesome—a little discipline goes a long way.”

Though he smiled, his eyes were devoid of warmth, and Chu Bing felt a chill run through her.

She swallowed and shook her head with difficulty. “I’m fine, really.”

Li Yuxi acted as if nothing had happened, scanning the room before wrinkling his nose in distaste. “What kind of arrangement is this? How could they let a beauty like you stay here? I think you should move in with me instead.”

Chu Bing was terrified, waving her hands repeatedly. “No, no, that’s not necessary! This room is just fine!”

She would never stay with that madman! If she did, her disguise would be blown for sure.