A whirlwind marriage: The real heiress marries a warlord.

Everyone in Nancheng knew about the dispute between Qin Yan and Liu Jinyao.

Back then, the "Vernacular Times" saw its sales skyrocket by criticizing Liu Jinyao. At that time, Qin Yan had just married Cheng Tianxun, and her siblings, Xiang Linzi and Xiang Linchuan, read her newspaper all day long.

Xiang Linchuan also said, "Should we remind Second Brother to send someone to protect Cousin's wife? Liu Jinyao will kill her."

Xiang Linzi also felt a chill run down her spine: "Where is Second Brother now?"

Qin Yan won in the end.

Liu Jinyao was notorious and suffered a complete defeat, being dismissed from his post and expelled. It is said that he handed over all his assets to the military governor's office, thus avoiding imprisonment.

Of course, the fact that he was able to make a comeback in less than two years shows that he had retained some of his wealth.

He has leeched off too many wealthy people in the southern part of the city.

When it comes to him, no one is afraid.

Xiang Linzi was also terrified.

It was through this incident that Xiang Linzi developed a deep admiration for Qin Yan. It wasn't just that Qin Yan was beautiful and had defeated Du Zhuojun, but that she had rid Nancheng of a scourge.

"What do you want to do?" Xiang Linzi immediately blocked Qin Yan's way and sternly rebuked Liu Jinyao for approaching.

The junior clerk was stunned and shrank behind Qin Yan and Xiang Linzi.

Ling Manyun came downstairs. She had arrived at the newspaper office ahead of time, spotted Liu Jinyao through the window, and hurried downstairs.

Qin Yan said, "You guys go up first."

Ling Manyun: "Qin Yan, you..."

"Let's go up first," Qin Yan said again.

Ling Manyun took Xiang Linzi and left first. Xiang Linzi was still worried and wanted to help Qin Yan, but Ling Manyun grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

Qin Yan and Liu Jinyao stood a distance apart at the entrance of the newspaper office.

"Miss Qin, don't be so formal. We're practically acquaintances," he said with a smile.

A set of pearly white teeth, perfectly aligned, gleamed coldly in the sunlight, as if they were about to devour someone.

His eyes were dark and unfathomable, holding an overwhelming amount of emotion. They almost engulfed Qin Yan, crushing him into dust.

"You can call me Mrs. Cheng, or President Qin," Qin Yan said.

Her tone was indifferent, and her expression was also indifferent.

Liu Jinyao, with his hands in his pockets, said nonchalantly, "But when I met you, you were Miss Qin. In my heart, you will always be Miss Qin."

He added, "Miss Qin, you smell so good. The prison in the garrison is so stinky, but you smell like a plum blossom pulled out of an ice cellar, so fragrant it's tempting."

Qin Yan quietly looked back at him.

She wasn't dragged back into that torture by his words.

Once she gets angry, she loses her composure and exposes her weaknesses to Liu Jinyao in this confrontation.

Perhaps she has already revealed herself: when she met him before, she immediately moved Ling Manyun to the small mansion, so he may know what she cares about.

"Only those who sit in high places have the leisure to appreciate incense. Special Envoy Liu, you've been doing quite well lately, and now you're indulging in leisure again?" Qin Yan asked.

Liu Jinyao laughed again, his smile particularly hearty: "I crawled out of the mud, I lack everything, but I'm just tough."

"Indeed, you're tough," Qin Yan said. "Then I wish you a bright future and continued success."

"Thank you, Miss Qin. I will not let you down. I will never forget you in my life," he said.

As he spoke, he took two steps back, his voice even softer, as if he wasn't speaking to Qin Yan: "Last time, after careful consideration, I let you go, but I didn't treat you well. When you fall into my hands again, I have something even better to offer you."

He turned and left.

He wasn't moving very fast, but Qin Yan caught a glimpse of the ferocity on his face as he turned around.

Qin Yan knew that he had kept his composure.

Uncle Zheng is right; only those who have lost once should be afraid. As long as Qin Yan doesn't show any fear, she won't lose to her defeated opponent.

Liu Jinyao went to the restaurant.

Upon his arrival, he booked the only Five Nations Hotel in the southern part of the city.

Several dignitaries and Qin Yao's luggage were originally staying at this hotel, but they were all thrown out.

Even after a crushing defeat, Liu Jinyao returned with his lingering influence, and the hotel manager feared him more than Governor Cheng.

He and the mission occupied the entire hotel.

"Send someone to the Du family and bring over everyone in Du Rongfei's household who has influence," Liu Jinyao said.

Du Rongfei raised a huge sum of money for him and promised him a sum of money. Even if Du Rongfei "disappeared," he had to get the money.

Du Rongfei's disappearance has completely disrupted Liu Jinyao's plans.

Qin Yan destroyed him for the second time.

As Liu Jinyao thought of this, his hands clenched, and his temples throbbed slightly.

He never showed mercy in his life. How could anyone who went to jail and was tortured by him ever get out? His original intention was to get the "Vernacular Times".

Although the Vernacular Times wasn't authoritative enough at the time, it still had a significant impact. Starting another vernacular newspaper would be a poor imitation, lacking the influence of the first one.

He can get whatever he wants.

Find any excuse to ask the company president to come to the police station for questioning; most people wouldn't dare refuse. Once you're there, don't even think about leaving.

Liu Jinyao simply hadn't expected that the owner of the "Baihua Times" was a young woman.

The woman was like an ice sculpture, perfectly flawless.

The whip fell on her body, making her skin even whiter, and beads of cold sweat seeped out—Liu Jinyao, who was never short of women around him, had never experienced anything like this before.

Her fragrance was also pleasant, inexplicably like the cool and elegant plum blossoms, refreshing and soothing in the sweltering heat of midsummer.

He was moved by a moment of passion and let her go from prison. He thought there was plenty of time in the future, and wouldn't it be easy to control her?

Let alone women who work in the public eye, even those hidden deep within Governor Cheng's mansion, he could still get his hands on them.

Little did he expect that this decision would plunge him into an abyss.

He was forced to spend his money to save his life. His savings over the years were considerable, and even Governor Cheng was tempted, letting him leave. He thought he could save up some money and start over, but Du Rongfei was once again defeated by this woman.

"...Sir, the Du family has arrived. Miss Du is here too," his subordinate reminded him.

Liu Jinyao snapped out of his daze: "Let them in."

Du Zhuojun changed into clean clothes, tidied her hair, and put on makeup.

Liu Jinyao is capable; perhaps the Du family's opportunity has arrived, and her father can return.

She wanted to meet Liu Jinyao in person.

As she entered, she looked for him but saw someone sitting behind a desk. The curtains blocked half the sunlight, and the man's face was obscured in shadow.

He stood up.

Tall and imposing, like a towering pine tree, it exudes a commanding presence.

"Please sit down." He moved to the sofa.

He was very strong; even though his clothes were well-tailored, his bulging muscles were still visible due to the thin clothing.

But the person is very good-looking.

He was of a certain age; you knew he wasn't young, but he was definitely not old. His eyes were dark and serene, unfathomable, and his jawline was sharp and defined.

He looked back at Du Zhuojun: "Are you Du Rongfei's daughter?"

"Yes, that's me," Du Zhuojun replied immediately.

She blushed suddenly, looking a little flustered.

"Take her out first." Liu Jinyao frowned. "Summon the person in charge of the Du family to see me, otherwise there's nothing to talk about."

Du Zhuojun was slightly surprised.

Liu Jinyao: "I'm not here to play house with children."

"No, I'm not..."

The steward hurriedly pushed Du Zhuojun out, saying, "Seventh Miss, please wait a moment."

Liu Jinyao disliked Du Zhuojun very much, feeling that it was beneath him to talk to her.

The Du family's hopes were pinned on this man, and the steward dared not offend him in the slightest.