Chapter 121: Handsome my foot... You really are handsome.

As if jolted awake from a dream, Bai Jing’s startled body gave a sharp shiver. Her gaze, previously vacant, regained its clarity. Everything that had happened today had occurred too quickly and too abruptly; even for a woman who had spent nine years battling in the business world, she felt a sense of disorientation.

Ever since she heard about the arrest warrant for the five experts from Fang Ming, Bai Jing had been fixated on how the Fang family had learned of their existence. To say she was agonizing over it would be an understatement. The value of those five experts was such that even if someone offered her fifty million as a trade, she would have refused without hesitation.

Money could be earned again, but once talent was lost, it was lost forever. Trying to find replacements would be as difficult as ascending to heaven—this was the philosophy her father had instilled in her. Moreover, the loss was far more than just financial; trust was equally vital, and time was often the most unforgiving factor of all.

"Time is money"—this saying was undoubtedly true, otherwise, it would not be a widely circulated proverb used as a catchphrase.

Roused by Lin Yang’s urgent voice, Bai Jing lifted her head. She glanced at Lin Yang, then turned to look at the three police cars already speeding into the distance.

"Follow them. Send someone to tail them and see where they are going." Although she did not know what they intended to do with the five experts, she would not permit it, nor would she allow anything untoward to happen. As she spoke, she was already moving, stepping toward the main entrance even before Lin Yang.

Seeing Bai Jing’s anxious expression as she approached the revolving glass doors, a young security guard who was observant and had previously benefited from her kindness stepped forward to usher her through.

Due to the urgency, Bai Jing gave the young guard a faint, appreciative smile and hurried through the revolving doors out of the building.

Lin Yang followed closely behind. The situation was too sudden; even though he considered his mental fortitude to be as solid as a fortress, he was left bewildered. The same questions flashed through his mind: Why was the Fang family targeting five biology experts? And the excuse involving biochemical reagents made him feel as though he had hit a dead end, unable to make any sense of it.

Once outside, Bai Jing did not waste a second. She immediately contacted her most reliable friends, knowing that in any era, a network of connections remained one of the most important assets.

Undoubtedly, Zhu Yunyun, the daughter of the Municipal Party Secretary, was the first person she called. Although the Party Secretary was an outsider who had been "parachuted" into the position and initially lacked his own team in Jinhai, five years of struggle, combined with his sharp intellect, had allowed him to control at least one-third of the city's power. With his position as Secretary, the stubborn factions in Jinhai dared not act too recklessly, and he held enough weight to keep the Fang family’s police director in check.

Daughters of wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials, living in luxury, loved nothing more than to spend their leisure time browsing shopping malls for the latest products. After all, girls in their circle loved to compete. They compared whose Louis Vuitton bag was the latest model, whose beauty products were more high-end, or whose outfit was more eye-catching and alluring.

Although Zhu Yunyun was not the type to be overly extravagant, being in the circle of the official elite made it hard to avoid certain influences. Over time, trying to remain untarnished while surrounded by such peers was a tragic case of "guilt by association."

When Bai Jing called, Zhu Yunyun was being dragged around the city's largest shopping center, Rainbow City, by a few fair-weather friends, including Guo Xiaoxiao, the daughter of Deputy Mayor Guo.

Ever since they were introduced through Lin Yang, the two had become close friends, often sticking together like a pair of sisters. Wherever they went, they were greeted by whistles and cheers—an undeniable affirmation of their beauty.

What woman doesn't love beauty? What woman doesn't enjoy sweet talk or praise? Zhu Yunyun and Guo Xiaoxiao were no exception.

As they walked through Rainbow City, they were met with admiring gazes from every man they passed. The sense of self-satisfaction was truly intoxicating. They had spent two hours wandering, yet had barely covered a tenth of the mall. Just as they were having the most fun, Zhu Yunyun’s phone rang at an inopportune moment.

She habitually reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and upon seeing the caller ID, paused for a moment before hurriedly answering.

"Sister Jing, you finally remembered your little sister! I thought you’d forgotten all about me," Zhu Yunyun said, deliberately pouting her cherry lips as she grumbled with feigned resentment. She then shot a mischievous, conspiratorial wink at Guo Xiaoxiao, as if to say, "Look, sister, my acting skills aren't half bad, right?"

Bai Jing, feeling like an ant on a hot pan, had no patience for Zhu Yunyun’s dramatic act. She blurted out the bad news in a rush, "Yunyun, I’m in a bit of trouble and I desperately need your help—or rather, I need your father’s help."

Her voice was frantic and panicked. Even though Zhu Yunyun had initially thought Bai Jing was joking, the smile vanished from her face, and she grew serious. She whispered, "What happened? Just say the word, and I promise to do whatever it takes to help."

Hearing Zhu Yunyun’s reassurance, Bai Jing’s tense heart eased slightly. However, she glanced intentionally or otherwise at Lin Yang, who was driving beside her, leaving him completely baffled.

The reason for her glance was that Zhu Yunyun, originally a poised young lady, had picked up Lin Yang’s habit of teasing after spending time with him. That comment about "doing whatever it takes" reminded her of the rascal beside her who taught nothing good but everything bad.

"Sister Jing, what are you looking at? Did a flower grow on my face? Or have I become even more handsome, deeply captivating my single, noble sister and stirring up her stone-cold heart?" Seeing Bai Jing’s strained expression, Lin Yang teased her, hoping to lighten the tense atmosphere in the car.

"Handsome your head. Just focus on driving." Though her words were sharp, the faint smile on her face proved that Lin Yang’s teasing had indeed helped relax her.

"Ugh, I’m not handsome? Sigh! It seems I’ve been too arrogant, always thinking I was some legendary lady-killer. Now, even my sister won't spare me a second glance. It’s over, it’s all over." Lin Yang pulled a long, tragic face like a wronged young bride. His acting skills left much to be desired, but the effect was achieved—Bai Jing laughed. The difference between her previous shallow smile and this one, which bloomed like a peach blossom, was night and day.

Bai Jing wasn't a fool; she knew Lin Yang was teasing her to ease her nerves. But given the gravity of the situation, she could barely manage a smile, and even if she did, it was more painful than crying.

"Thank you, Xiao Yang," Bai Jing said with a forced but grateful smile. Without letting Lin Yang interrupt, she went back to her phone call with Zhu Yunyun.

"The Fang family has made their move." Though her voice was soft and heavy with emotion, the four words carried immense weight.

It was a simple sentence, yet it implied everything. As the daughter of the Municipal Party Secretary, Zhu Yunyun understood the underlying implications. The Fang family did indeed have terrifying influence in Jinhai, and they were the primary rivals of the Secretary who had been "parachuted" into the city. It was no wonder Zhu Yunyun disliked the mention of the Fang family. She quickly began to piece the situation together.

"What about the alcohol? Please explain, Sister, otherwise I won't be able to explain it clearly to my father," Zhu Yunyun asked, her delicate brows knitting together. She then quickly pulled Guo Xiaoxiao, who was confused, to a quiet corner of the mall, as walls had ears and she wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Bai Jing didn't leave out a single detail, laying out everything that had happened that morning, including the fact that Fang Ming, the director of the Western District, had overstepped his authority to make arrests. She dared not mention the arrest warrant from the Director-General, however, as she didn't want her negligence to put the Municipal Party Secretary in a passive position.

"Sister Jing, don't worry. I’ll contact my father immediately. Oh, and Xiaoxiao is here too, I’ll have her talk to her father as well," Zhu Yunyun promised. Her actions matched her resolve; she headed straight for the elevator. With such a major event looming, she had no mood left to shop.

As she walked, she explained the situation to Guo Xiaoxiao. Hearing that her good friend Bai Jing was in trouble, Guo Xiaoxiao, who was naturally impulsive, became indignant at the Fang family’s actions. She pulled out her white Louis Vuitton bag and immediately contacted her father, the temperamental and decisive Deputy Mayor, Guo Mingda.

With the weight of both the Municipal Party Secretary and the Deputy Mayor, if they couldn't keep the Director-General of the Public Security Bureau in check, then something would be truly wrong.

After finishing the call, Bai Jing finally relaxed, letting out a long breath and casting a look of gratitude at Lin Yang. He had always helped her without reservation; no matter the time, he would appear at a single phone call. Having a friend like him made it all worth it.

"Xiao Yang?" Bai Jing called out in a bewitching voice, leaning back in her seat.

"Yeah? What is it?" Lin Yang, who was driving, turned to look at Bai Jing, whose cheeks were slightly flushed. He was puzzled, thinking to himself that women’s faces truly changed as fast as turning pages.

"You really are handsome," Bai Jing said, her cheeks blushing, a remark that left plenty of room for imagination.