Devoured Down to the Very Crumbs

May was almost here, and Su Yutang was still basking in the blazing love that was about to come her way.

Lately, Lin Meng had felt that things had quieted down a bit. That day, just as she got off work and was about to pull out her phone to enjoy her lovely evening, she noticed a new bank card deposit notification.

Lin Meng found it strange. It wasn't even payday yet—how could she have gotten a deposit?

When she opened the message and looked, she instantly felt like she was hallucinating. If she wasn't hallucinating, then why were there so many zeros in the deposit amount?!

Lin Meng hurried to check who had transferred the money. When she saw the sender's name was Su**, she didn't hesitate to open Su Yutang's contact and call her.

The phone rang for a few seconds before the person on the other end picked up: “Darling, this is the first time you've ever called me on your own initiative. I have to commemorate this.”

Lin Meng was in no mood to joke around with her: “A sum of money suddenly appeared in my bank account. Did you transfer it to me?”

Su Yutang laughed: “Darling, didn't I tear one of your dresses last time? This is compensation for the dress. You can treat the rest as pocket money.”

Lin Meng felt her blood pressure spike: “I don't need that much money!”

Sure, the dress Yun Huaizhu had given her was a bit expensive, but no matter how expensive, a dress wouldn't cost a million yuan!

That amount was enough to land her in jail for years!

Lin Meng took a deep breath, then continued: “I'll go ask my friend how much that dress cost first, then I'll transfer the extra money back to you! Please don't transfer money to me anymore—no more transfers!”

Hearing the repeated emphasis on the other end, Su Yutang felt a stifled gloom settle in her heart. She said, somewhat aggrieved, “We've already slept together, and I can't even transfer money to you? I like transferring money to you. You don't want my things, you don't want my money—what exactly do you want?”

There was no way Lin Meng could make her understand over the phone.

She felt that the best relationship she could have with Su Yutang was one of distance, and sleeping together had been an accident. She couldn't be tied to Su Yutang just because of one accident; where would that leave Yun Huaizhu?

Lin Meng's tone softened. “I just can't take your money for nothing. Wait a bit—once I've asked my friend, I'll transfer the extra back to you.”

At that, Su Yutang was so angry she hung up on the spot.

Why was this person still so impossible to reason with?

Did she have to notarize her money and gifts before Lin Meng would accept them?

...

Lin Meng heard Su Yutang hang up. Her brows knitted tightly, and she held the phone to her ear for two more seconds before opening her chat with Yun Huaizhu.

Because Yun Huaizhu was always busy, Lin Meng was afraid a call would interrupt her work, so she sent a WeChat message instead. Yun Huaizhu would see it once she was free: [Zhuzhu, are you there?]

[It's nothing important. Reply when you're done with work.]

[I just wanted to ask, how much did that gown you took me to buy last time actually cost?]

Lin Meng had braced herself to wait for Yun Huaizhu's reply, but unexpectedly, after those three messages, Yun Huaizhu responded almost instantly: [Not much. Why do you ask, Mengmeng-jie?]

Seeing this, Lin Meng quickly typed: [It's just... last time on my way back there was a bit of an accident, and the dress got torn. How much was it? I want to pay you back.]

Ten seconds after she sent that message, Yun Huaizhu called.

Lin Meng froze for a moment, then answered.

An anxious voice came through: “What accident? Were you hurt that time? Why didn't you tell me?”

Hearing the urgency in Yun Huaizhu's concern, Lin Meng suddenly felt a bit guilty. “Nothing happened. The dress just got scratched. You gave it to me, so I wanted to ask how much it was. I want to pay you back.”

Yun Huaizhu let out a deep breath of relief. “As long as you're fine. It's just a dress; I gave it to you, so it's yours. You don't need to pay anything.”

Lin Meng continued: “But I was originally going to return it to you after the banquet. That dress is too expensive—I can't accept such an expensive gift from you.”

Yun Huaizhu paused on the other end.

She had thought Lin Meng refused Su Yutang's gifts because she disliked Su Yutang. She hadn't expected Lin Meng simply didn't dare accept them because they were too valuable.

Now she was tasting the same frustration Su Yutang had.

Yun Huaizhu felt a breath lodge in her chest, neither rising nor falling. If she couldn't fly to Lin Meng's side right now, she would want to cry in front of her.

“Mengmeng-jie, let me ask you—are we good friends?”

Hearing Yun Huaizhu's tone suddenly turn serious, Lin Meng answered quickly, “Of course. You're my best friend in this world.”

When Yun Huaizhu heard Lin Meng add the word “best” before “friend,” the anger that had just risen dissipated. The gloom on her face was instantly replaced by a hint of smugness. “Good friends don't need to be so calculative with each other. Mengmeng-jie, that dress really wasn't that expensive. If you still feel bad about it, come shopping with me next weekend.”

Lin Meng hesitated.

Although she still didn't really want to go out, this was Yun Huaizhu's request. Besides, just going shopping with Yun Huaizhu—could that really make up for the dress Yun Huaizhu had given her?

That didn't seem fair to Yun Huaizhu.

After saying that, Yun Huaizhu blew Lin Meng a kiss through the phone. “All right, Mengmeng-jie, I have to go to a meeting. See you.”

Lin Meng said hesitantly, “Okay, see you.”

After finishing calls with both of them, Lin Meng stood there dazed for a moment, then hesitantly opened her chat with Su Yutang: [Send me your account number.]

Ten minutes passed and Su Yutang hadn't replied. It seemed she was determined not to give Lin Meng her account number.

As the eldest daughter of the Su family, Su Yutang could freely access private information—even bank accounts. Yet Lin Meng couldn't get Su Yutang's account number to transfer the money back.

A sudden wave of gloom rose in Lin Meng's heart. She sat on the bed with her knees drawn up and buried her head between them, as if shielding herself.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the box of red wine the company had given out that day to celebrate sales. The wine box was red—so similar to that Ferrari in the rain that day.

At the thought, inspiration struck. She opened Huo Yi's chat: [Yiyi, are you there?]

Turning to Huo Yi, the fun-loving troublemaker, was truly a last resort. Besides, she was only using Huo Yi to return money to Su Yutang; surely Huo Yi wouldn't make a fuss over something like this.

Lin Meng bit her fingernails anxiously and stared at the chat. Two minutes later, Huo Yi replied: [What's up? Did something happen?]

Seeing the reply, Lin Meng quickly typed: [It's just... Eldest Miss Su accidentally transferred me a sum of money. I want to send it back, but I don't know her bank account. Could you tell me?]

Huo Yi: [Sorry, Tangtang has too many bank cards. I can't remember her account number either.]

Lin Meng sent another message: [Then could you ask her directly for me?]

Huo Yi replied: [Since she transferred it by mistake, why don't you just ask her yourself?]

That single sentence killed the conversation.

Lin Meng was about to cry from frustration. If Su Yutang would just send her the account number, why would she be messaging Huo Yi?

At that moment, Huo Yi was sitting on her balcony, sipping tea and admiring the night view of the river. Seeing no response for a long while, she smiled helplessly.

Someone as shrewd as Su Yutang wouldn't accidentally transfer money to someone—so there was only one possibility: Su Yutang had deliberately sent it. It was just that the little sheep with strong boundaries refused to accept her money.

If something Su Yutang gave was returned, she would feel utterly humiliated.

Just like last time—when Lin Meng sent that dress back to her home, she flew into a rage, yet in the end it was quietly smoothed over.

Huo Yi didn't know how much Su Yutang had transferred to Lin Meng to frighten her so badly, but the money was indeed a hot potato. Lin Meng felt uneasy holding it, and if Huo Yi gave her the account number, Su Yutang would surely come after her too.

Besides, she really couldn't remember Su Yutang's private accounts.

Their business dealings involved hundreds of millions at a time; all funds flowed through corporate accounts.

Huo Yi's lips curved slightly, and she sent Lin Meng a message: [But you can transfer the money to me, and I can pass it on to Tangtang for you.]

The moment she sent it, the other side seemed overjoyed: [Really? That's great! Then please send me your account number!]

Seeing how readily Lin Meng trusted her, Huo Yi asked: [Aren't you afraid I'll steal this money?]

The WeChat page showed “the other party is typing...” The person probably deleted and rewrote several times. After a few minutes, Huo Yi saw her reply: [You're Miss Huo. Here you're as rich as Eldest Miss Su. Why would you covet such a small amount?]

Huo Yi couldn't help but laugh out loud. The little sheep was a logic freak, but her thinking was still stuck at the basest level.

In this world, greed wasn't the only thing that made people covet money. There could be other reasons too.

Huo Yi thought for a moment, then sent an account she used for holding idle stocks. Although she'd just said those misleading words, Lin Meng still trusted her completely and transferred the money immediately.

After transferring, Lin Meng sent several “thank you” stickers in a row, then added: [Also, next time you see Eldest Miss Su, could you remind her not to transfer me money anymore?]

Seeing this, Huo Yi replied: [Why? When Tangtang is in a good mood, she likes transferring money to people. The pocket money she gives out never gets taken back. Why don't you want it?]

Lin Meng thought about it: [Hmm... I can't accept rewards I haven't earned. Why should I?]

When Huo Yi read this, she was already laughing so hard she was doubled over. She hadn't expected Su Yutang to have a day like this.

After all, Su Yutang used to use money and all kinds of gifts like tips to make so many people worship her and feel grateful to her.

Now Su Yutang's only method had failed on Lin Meng.

At this moment, Huo Yi truly found Lin Meng adorable. A cute little sheep like this could easily be devoured down to the very crumbs by a bad person.

After ending the conversation, she checked the money Lin Meng had transferred into her account. Unexpectedly, Su Yutang's pocket money this time was quite generous. After all, the person she used to favor most had only ever gotten two hundred thousand at a time.

Huo Yi used this small sum to buy several stocks she predicted would surge within the next half month, then set down her teacup and stood up to look at the river reflecting the golden lights across the way.

Before returning this money to Su Yutang, she'd help the little sheep pluck some wool first. After all, money born from money couldn't be counted as Su Yutang's “tip.”

...

After learning that Yun Huaizhu also had feelings for Lin Meng, Su Yutang spent the next half month relentlessly targeting the Yun family. She would either snatch the Yun family's orders or sabotage Yun Huaizhu's collaborations.

As long as Yun Huaizhu was unhappy, she was happy.

Of course, her deliberate targeting of Yun Huaizhu during this period became known to Su Yurong. To get revenge on Yun Huaizhu, Su Yutang had even disregarded her own company's interests.

Today she could abandon so many employees on a whim; in the future, when Su Yutang inherited the vast Su empire, wouldn't she act even more recklessly?

Su Yurong absolutely would not allow such a thing. She dispatched her best bodyguard team and Ji Quanying to Su Yutang's residence.

...

Night fell. Su Yutang dressed up specially; today she wanted to drive that Porsche and spend a sweet evening with Lin Meng.

After this period of interaction, she had figured out Lin Meng's routine.

Lin Meng could stay out overnight on Friday nights, because the next day was Saturday. No matter how late she played the night before, it wouldn't delay her work.

Lin Meng liked Yun Huaizhu's type—that fake green tea who pretended to be pure. Su Yutang had even specially learned to do a “lotus emerging from clear water” makeup for herself. Even her dress was made of white cloud brocade embroidered with lotus flowers.

She thought that if she appeared before Lin Meng dressed like this today, Lin Meng would surely be captivated. Then she'd take Lin Meng to a romantic candlelit dinner, roam the city to see the night view, and after all that, they could sleep together.

Su Yutang's vision was beautiful, but it shattered the instant she saw Ji Quanying in the garage.

If it were only Ji Quanying, that would be one thing, but Su Yutang clearly saw the group of bodyguards behind her. Over the years, the Su family had become Jing City's foremost household; during that time, many had wanted to harm the current head of the Su Corporation, Su Yurong.

Su Yurong had spent ten years searching everywhere for bodyguards with powerful physiques and excellent combat skills.

As far as Su Yutang knew, her mother's bodyguards operated in teams of eleven, with three teams total. The three teams handled travel, inner-residence security, and miscellaneous affairs respectively. These people were clearly from Su Yurong's personal guard.

Su Yutang retreated warily. “Steward Ji, did my mother send you?”

Ji Quanying bowed respectfully to Su Yutang: “Yes, Eldest Miss. Madam says you are to stay at the old residence for a while.”

Su Yutang's expression changed instantly. She clenched her fists. “She wants to lock me up again. Every time she finds me displeasing, she locks me up. Even though I have my own company, I can't escape her! Tell her I won't go. If you can, then beat me to death!”

After saying this, Su Yutang moved to get in the car and force her way out. But the moment she opened the door, a bodyguard blocked her path.

Ever since being kidnapped as a child, Su Yutang had learned Muay Thai and close-quarters combat. She knew these bodyguards were Su Yurong's trusted people, so they definitely wouldn't harm her. She threw nearly all her strength into a heavy blow against the bodyguard blocking her.

But when she took down one, another came from the side.

Her fighting skills weren't bad—she could even defeat champion after champion in underground fight rings. But she couldn't handle these people, each an elite forged on the battlefield. Before long, she was panting and defeated.

Seeing this, Ji Quanying instructed the bodyguard captain: “Madam said if Eldest Miss doesn't obey, tie her up.”

“Yes!”

Hearing this, Su Yutang raised her head furiously. “How dare you!”

Ji Quanying stepped forward respectfully: “Eldest Miss, please don't make things difficult for us subordinates. The order to take you to the old residence came from Madam.”

Su Yutang's strength was nearly spent from fighting the bodyguards. She struggled as if unconvinced. “Let me go! You're all just my mother's lackeys. I'll tell my grandmother, and she'll throw every one of you out of the Su family!”

Ji Quanying ignored her struggles and threats: “Take her away.”

“Yes.”

Su Yutang knew she couldn't escape today, so she tried playing the emotional card with Ji Quanying. “Auntie Ji, you watched me grow up. I haven't done anything bad all these years. I have a very important date tonight. Let me go on my date first, all right? Once that's done, I'll come back with you willingly.”

Ji Quanying said expressionlessly: “Sorry, Eldest Miss. Madam's order is to bring you back to the old residence immediately.”

Su Yutang's expression changed immediately. “No matter how well you play the lackey, my mother won't think any better of you. Tell them to let me go! Otherwise I'll tell my grandmother and have you thrown out of the Su family at once!”

Ji Quanying ignored Su Yutang's provocations. The group completed Su Yurong's task and left Su Yutang's villa.

...

After Yun Huaizhu moved Li Wan to the information security department, the Yun family's terrible internal systems indeed became much more orderly. She knew Li Wan had won the national youth computer silver award in high school, but after that she was no longer the child held in her parents' palms. After dropping out, all her computer knowledge was self-taught.

Li Wan wasn't just good at writing code and handling network operations—she could even design jewelry. If her family hadn't suffered such a drastic upheaval, someone as outstanding as her would have built a massive business empire.

Yun Huaizhu rarely visited Li Wan's department. When she entered, dense lines of code were reflected in Li Wan's glasses.

The lenses Li Wan wore now weren't as thick as before, and her dispirited appearance had improved somewhat. She suddenly looked much younger.

Seeing her typing intently at the computer, Yun Huaizhu knocked on her office door. Li Wan didn't look up, only said, “Whatever it is, it can wait.”

Yun Huaizhu fell silent and leaned against the door, waiting. Only after Li Wan finished building the last webpage did she look up toward the door.

The moment she saw Yun Huaizhu, she straightened up. “President Yun, why did you come in person?”

Seeing her so stiff and formal, Yun Huaizhu laughed lightly. “When I first brought you in, I was worried you wouldn't adjust. I didn't expect you to get into the groove so quickly.”

Li Wan lowered her head modestly. “It's nothing, just some security bugs. Very easy to fix.”

After all, she had once been a hacker who'd broken into an international tycoon's computer.

That job had been dangerous—if she'd been discovered, she probably would have died. But at the time she'd just learned new hacking techniques and was eager for a suitable opportunity to practice. After two minutes of thought, she took the job.

As it turned out, her skills were truly mature. Not only did she escape unscathed, even Interpol couldn't trace her IP.

After that, the international tycoon was exposed for his various crimes and thrown into prison.

Li Wan didn't know if that had anything to do with her.

Yun Huaizhu stepped forward and patted her shoulder. “You're outstanding. I know it. I believe that in the near future, you'll surely win justice for your parents.”

Hearing this, tears welled up in Li Wan's eyes. Just as she was about to express her gratitude, Yun Huaizhu changed the subject. “By the way, the phone-monitoring software I asked you to research last time—is it done?”

Li Wan's grateful feelings instantly became complicated. She even found Yun Huaizhu somewhat frightening when she said that.

Even though she'd spent so long in the slums, she still knew who Yun Huaizhu was. But she had never heard that Yun Huaizhu had ever married.

If she'd never married, then where did this wife come from?

The person who came to her last time to customize earrings was just an ordinary beta. No matter how Li Wan thought about it, she couldn't connect the once-celebrated superstar with a bespectacled, timid beta.

Li Wan lowered her head cautiously. “It's done... it's just...”

She wanted to ask whose phone Yun Huaizhu intended to install this already-illegal software on.

Yun Huaizhu smiled with satisfaction. “Well done. This weekend I'll bring the phone over. You just install the monitoring software then.”

Li Wan hesitated, then couldn't help asking, “Um... may I ask, President Yun, what is your relationship to the person whose phone you're installing this on?”

Yun Huaizhu gave Li Wan a relaxed smile. “Didn't I tell you before? She's my wife. And the earrings my wife customized—aren't they already on my ears?”

Li Wan didn't know why, but she always felt that the way Yun Huaizhu smiled with narrowed eyes sent a chill down her spine.

Li Wan quickly nodded. “But if there's infidelity, wouldn't it be better for the two of them to just divorce...”

The reason that beta didn't want to divorce was that Yun Huaizhu was too beautiful. On that point, Li Wan agreed.

But now that beta had also cheated. Both had cheated—why not divorce?

When Yun Huaizhu heard this, her eyes darkened. She narrowed her eyes and stepped closer to Li Wan with an oppressive air. “I love her very much. Infidelity is nothing. As long as she lowers her head to me and swears to me, I can let bygones be bygones. The person I marry is the person I've chosen. No matter what mistakes she's made, she'll never leave me in this lifetime.”

As Yun Huaizhu spoke these words expressionlessly, Li Wan felt her legs tremble with fear.

She quickly nodded. “Yes, President Yun, you and your wife are truly a loving couple, truly a perfect match. I've never seen a pair as well-matched as you two.”

Hearing this, the gloom on Yun Huaizhu's face instantly cleared. She revealed a bright, cheerful smile like the one she used to wear performing on stage. “Right? I think so too.”

Li Wan didn't dare make another sound. She shut her mouth tightly and nodded repeatedly.

At this point, all she could do was wish that beta good luck.