Chapter 4: The Red Underwear—A Final Vestige of Dignity

The moment the car started, Jiang Wanning looked back and saw Ji Chen, his usual poise and elegance shattered, his face etched with panic and anxiety.

The next second, her pupils dilated in shock.

Ji Chen had actually jumped out after her.

Decisively.

Resolutely.

And landed face-first in the dirt.

The car sped away like an arrow released from a bow, tearing through the road as the surrounding scenery blurred into streaks of light. Jiang Wanning exhaled a small sigh of relief.

"How is there still a chase in a society governed by law? You aren't joking, are you? Is he your boyfriend?" The man manipulated the steering wheel with practiced ease, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

"Of course not. He wants to harvest my kidney for his beloved. Thank you so much for just now; if I had fallen back into his hands, I’d be dead for sure." Jiang Wanning leaned forward and patted the man’s shoulder.

"Is that so? His beloved must be very beautiful, then."

"Big brother, I don't really like the sound of that. Does being beautiful justify murder? My life is a life too, you know. Besides, am I not beautiful?"

The man glanced at her, a flash of disdain crossing his eyes before his lips curled downward. "It's alright, I suppose. Eyes are eyes, nose is a nose, face is a face."

"Heh, thanks a lot. Your compliments are truly one-of-a-kind."

"You know, looking closely, you do somewhat resemble a girl from a Picasso painting."

"Has anyone ever told you to speak less?" Jiang Wanning rolled her eyes. She knew what he meant—Picasso was a modernist, and his portraits of girls were abstract.

The man's eyes brightened. "How did you know?"

"Because when you don't speak, you're a peerlessly handsome man."

"And if I do speak?"

"I just want to poison you into silence," Jiang Wanning said with a grimace.

The man instantly clamped his mouth shut, feeling a chill run down his throat.

The car was filled with a faint floral fragrance. Jiang Wanning took a sniff—gardenias, pure, flawless, and elegant.

"Big brother, can you lend me your phone?" she asked suddenly.

"The phone is charging. Why do you need it?"

"I want to let my family know I'm safe."

The car jolted violently.

"I'm already taking you to the police station. It won't hurt to wait. You can report your safety once we arrive. You aren't afraid I'm going to sell you, are you?"

"How could that be? You’re driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Selling me wouldn't even be worth the price of one of your wheels."

Jiang Wanning pressed the window button. Good, it was locked.

The car turned into a dim, narrow alley.

The man continued, "Wrong. To be precise, a fleck of your paint would be worth more than you."

"Well said. Now, stop talking."

The man pouted.

"By the way, I haven't asked," Jiang Wanning said casually, "Were you planning to get married at the Civil Affairs Bureau earlier? Where is your girlfriend? I didn't see her—did I ruin your plans?"

The man’s tone suddenly softened. "She’s in poor health. Once she recovers, we’ll get married."

"Is that so? Congratulations, then."

"Thank you. As it happens, that matter depends on you."

Jiang Wanning: "?"

A chill shot from her soles to her scalp, her heart trembling.

"It wouldn't be such a coincidence that her problem is a bad kidney, would it?" She pulled at the corners of her mouth stiffly, feeling as though she couldn't escape her fate.

The man looked at her through the rearview mirror, a trace of coldness emerging in his otherwise clear eyes. "They all say you're stupid, but it seems you aren't completely hopeless. If not for the fact that Wanwan needs your kidney, you’d be quite an interesting person. We could have been friends."

*Oh, thank you so much.*

*Don't be so full of yourself.*

*That's a sickness!*

*It needs curing!*

Jiang Wanning pried at the car door and pounded on the window, screaming, "Help! Save me!"

The man sneered disdainfully. "I just said you were smart, and you immediately do something stupid. This car has millions in modified glass; do you really think your voice can be heard outside?"

"You never know until you try. Maybe I'll succeed." Jiang Wanning laughed in her fury. After her struggles proved futile, her voice turned unnaturally calm.

"Then go ahead and scream. Scream until your throat bleeds. Let's see if anyone hears..."

Before he could finish, he felt a sharp sting in his neck. He turned his head to find a syringe plunged into his skin. A dense, numbing ache rapidly spread through his limbs.

"You..."

"Rest in peace," Jiang Wanning finished for him. She scrambled out through the gap between the seats and reached for the steering wheel. But because the car was moving too fast and she couldn't reach the brake in the narrow alley, the car inevitably slammed into the wall.

*Boom!* A deafening crash shook the car. The front caved in, glass shards flew everywhere, and her body was thrown violently to the side.

But fortunately, the car had stopped.

Luxury cars lived up to their name; they were durable. The automatic parking system engaged perfectly.

The man, already unconscious from the sedative, had suffered a deep, bleeding gash on his forehead from the crash. Crimson blood trickled down his face, which was as exquisite as carved jade—warm and flawless. The blood only added a touch of tragic, lingering beauty to his appearance.

Anyone would be moved to pity.

Who wouldn't love such a stunning, fragile, beautiful man?

Oh, Jiang Wanning didn't.

Not even a little bit.

"Off you go."

With a ruthless, heartless kick, she shoved him aside.

Meeting a super-handsome, wealthy guy on the road by chance? That was suspicious in itself.

In the world of a "NP" (multi-male) harem novel, how could someone with such looks not be captured by the heroine? Handsome face, tall build, and—ahem—"capable"—he was the textbook definition of a male lead.

Driving a luxury car, high-profile, arrogant, and sharp-tongued—with a personality this distinct, he was clearly the heroine's little fanboy, Gu Qiyu.

The young master of the Gu family, a cynical playboy who ran away from home during his most rebellious phase, only to be taken in by the heroine. From then on, this arrogant little devil who looked down on everyone began a life-and-death, drama-filled quest to pursue her, even willing to be just one of many.

Jiang Wanning felt a wave of nausea.

She found this whole "Great Heroine" genre baffling. Every guy was rich, handsome, and capable—why couldn't they find any other woman? Why did they have to fixate on the heroine alone, unable to live without her? They were even willing to share her with other men.

It was completely illogical.

Fine, if they were happy, so be it.

But they couldn't build their happiness on her misery.

They were determined to kill her, right?

They needed her death to spice up their "she runs, he chases, she can't escape" game, didn't they?

Drop dead, all of you!

If they couldn't die for real, she would make them suffer the ultimate social death.

So, the arrogant, noble young master, was he?

The haughty, sharp-tongued young lord, was he?

Wanted to harvest her kidney, did he?

She would strip away that hypocritical mask, return them to their most primal, human state, and let them have the most intimate kiss with Mother Earth.

The red boxers were the last bit of dignity Jiang Wanning would leave for young master Gu.