Chapter 19: I Am Very Capable

Arriving at the entrance of the Tianlan Hotel, Cao Mang got out of the car and followed Qiu Yumeng inside. All the staff were already lined up in neat formation, ready to welcome them. Qiu Yumeng held her head high and walked with the pride of a princess as a senior manager began introducing the basic situation of the hotel. Cao Mang listened quietly, without offering any opinions.

He had no intention of actually becoming the security manager—he was simply earning an extra salary, which greatly relieved the original manager. Despite her frail health, Qiu Yumeng had received an elite education since childhood and wasted no time in asserting her authority, immediately convening a meeting of the management team.

Cao Mang did not attend. His phone rang—it was Su Meiqi, and her annoyed voice came through as soon as he answered.

“Qiu Zhentu promised me yesterday, and today he’s gone back on his word. It’s infuriating!”

Cao Mang was nonchalant. “It’s fine. There’s always a next time.”

“Don’t worry, I keep my promises. I’ll make sure you achieve great things. As for the accounts book, you’ll need to pay extra attention.”

“I already have it,” Cao Mang replied.

Su Meiqi was instantly delighted. “Really? Where are you? I’ll come get it right away.”

“I’m at the Tianlan Hotel.”

“There’s a café in the mall downstairs. Wait for me there.”

After hanging up, Cao Mang wandered around the building for a while before heading to the café at the appointed time. He hadn’t been seated long when Su Meiqi arrived, accompanied by two female bodyguards.

The two bodyguards kept a respectful distance. Su Meiqi removed her sunglasses, took the book from him, and flashed a charming smile.

“You really are capable!”

“I certainly am,” Cao Mang replied, his words carrying a subtle undertone.

Ever since marrying Qiu Zhentu, no man had dared to flirt with Su Meiqi. This made her feel oddly unsettled. Unexpectedly, she slipped a foot wrapped in sheer stockings out of her high heel and placed it on Cao Mang’s leg under the table.

“You may be capable, but you don’t dare make a move, do you?”

Cao Mang reached out and seized her foot. “That’s not certain.”

Su Meiqi grew flustered and lowered her voice in reprimand. “Are you crazy? Let go, quickly.”

At that moment, her body trembled as he pressed an acupoint in her arch, sending an electrifying sensation straight to her head—she nearly cried out. Cao Mang stopped at just the right moment, leaving her restless, a peculiar and unbearable itch stirring inside her.

She pulled out a card from her bag and tossed it onto the table. “A reward for you.”

Cao Mang glanced at the two bodyguards. “Is this safe?”

“Don’t worry, they’re my people. We’ll talk about other matters when you come home.”

She hurried away, afraid she might lose control. As she left, she answered a call and quickly returned, her expression furious.

“Come with me. That crazy Qiu Yumeng actually hit my cousin!”

They took the elevator to the top-floor conference room, where a man lay sprawled in the corridor, blood streaming from his head. Upon seeing Su Meiqi, he wailed, “Sister, that little upstart actually hit me…”

Bang! An ashtray flew from the conference room, striking the man squarely on the forehead, opening another gash as blood flowed anew.

“If you want to die, I’ll oblige you,” Qiu Yumeng’s face was twisted with malice as she strode out. Su Meiqi quickly blocked her way.

“At least give me some face…”

Qiu Yumeng was unmoved. “He’s forgotten whose family feeds him. This place belongs to the Qiu family, not the Su family.”

The man, clutching his head, howled, “Even if I haven’t done much, I’ve worked hard. You want to fire me the moment you arrive? Absolutely not!”

“Toss him out the window.”

At Qiu Yumeng’s order, Cao Mang grabbed the man by the neck and lifted him effortlessly with one hand. Su Meiqi hurriedly gripped his arm. “Wait, let’s talk this over.”

Qiu Yumeng snorted coldly. “If you want him spared, that’s easy—everything he’s embezzled over the years must be returned, or my father will decide his fate.”

Her words sent a chill through all the senior managers. Previously, the hotel had been managed by Qiu Tianyi, a playboy who cared for nothing but his monthly allowance. The managers had all been skimming off the top, and it was clear this was meant as a warning.

Su Meiqi did not want things to escalate and knew well how fearless Qiu Yumeng could be. She was deeply intimidated.

“No problem, we’ll pay back the money. Just put him down—he’s about to be strangled!”

At Qiu Yumeng’s signal, Cao Mang released his grip. The man remained indignant and tried to threaten them, but Su Meiqi silenced him with a sharp rebuke.

“Shut up and go to the hospital.”

He shot a venomous look at Qiu Yumeng and Cao Mang before storming off, gritting his teeth.

Forcing a smile, Su Meiqi said, “Your father always says, ‘If the water is too clear, there will be no fish.’ It’s not a problem if people take a little, as long as they create more value.”

Qiu Yumeng scoffed, “He is who he is, and I am myself. Such things will not be tolerated on my turf. If this continues, we’ll never become strong. The money must be returned by tomorrow, or he can prepare for his funeral.”

Su Meiqi dared not contradict her and could only stomp her foot and leave, heading off to complain to Qiu Zhentu.

At that moment, Qiu Zhentu was already troubled—a previously unknown illegitimate daughter from the Ling family had suddenly appeared.

Just recently, she had obtained a marriage certificate with the son of Ye Zhiqiang and was clearly on her way to carve up Ling Group’s assets. He had already spoken with Ye Zhien by phone; Ye Zhien certainly didn’t want a half-brother to surpass him and have the right to compete for the heir’s position. After some deliberation, they decided to hold a wedding for Ye Xingmei and Qiu Tianyi the very next day and had already sent out invitations.

Faced with Su Meiqi’s complaints, Qiu Zhentu showed no interest and dismissed her with a few words. Though she had expected this, Su Meiqi was still filled with fury and helplessness, her desire to change her circumstances only growing stronger.

At noon, Cao Mang drove Qiu Yumeng to a hotpot restaurant to meet her two girlfriends. As a bodyguard, he sat at a different table to avoid any gossip.

While he was eating, an attractive woman sat down across from him. It was Gu Wushuang, a public security officer, but today she was dressed in casual clothes rather than her uniform. As she sat, she leaned a bit too close to the table, causing her exceptional figure to make the tabletop creak, drawing Cao Mang’s gaze.

Gu Wushuang blushed slightly and leaned back, then hesitated before leaning forward again to speak in a low voice.

“I know where Ye Bufan is recovering from his injuries.”

Cao Mang was surprised. “Then why don’t you go arrest him?”

“I suspect he’s being shielded by someone high up. If I inform the bureau, the news may leak. How about we take action together?”

Cao Mang was tempted but feigned indifference. “Why should I help you?”

“It would be doing a public service, and besides, you have a grudge against him.”

“I only follow orders. Talk it over with my employer.”

“Why are you so thickheaded? If he leaves, he’ll be hard to find again.”

Just then, Qiu Yumeng came over. “What are you two whispering about?”

Cao Mang replied bluntly, “She knows where Ye Bufan is hiding and wants me to go with her to take him out.”

Qiu Yumeng’s face lit up. “I want to go too!”

Gu Wushuang was beside herself with frustration. She had obtained this critical information only through her family’s connections, and now Cao Mang had revealed it so casually.

Cao Mang grew serious. “Don’t be impatient. That guy is like an indestructible cockroach. This time, we need to prepare properly and not give him another chance to escape!”