186: Chapter 186 Cao Kun Prepares to Make a Move

Cao Kun picked up his spoon and slowly sipped his tofu pudding, his gaze casually sweeping over the crowd in the shop as he enjoyed this moment of tranquility.

His life now was worlds apart from the penniless young man he had been six months ago.

With over twenty million in cash, his own company, real estate, luxury cars, and the compassion system by his side, he also had a group of women who cared for and depended on him.

His daily life was incredibly comfortable.

Just as Cao Kun lowered his head to pick up a soup dumpling and was about to eat it, two figures walked into the breakfast shop, catching his eye.

The man walking in front was of medium build and wore an ill-fitting jacket.

His hair was greasy, and there was a hint of restlessness and gloom in his eyes that was hard to hide, though he deliberately feigned a gentle expression; it was Lou Dong.

Walking beside him was a young and beautiful woman.

The woman looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five years old.

She had a slender figure, fair skin, an oval face, gentle eyes, a small nose, and naturally pale pink lips.

Her long black hair draped casually over her shoulders, and she wore a light-colored knit sweater paired with jeans, looking clean and gentle.

There was a touch of naive softness in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned; the way she looked at the man beside her was full of dependence and trust, as if he were her entire world.

This woman was Shang Yuya.

However, Cao Kun could clearly see a few faint bruises on her fair neck, partially hidden by her collar; one wouldn't notice them without looking closely.

Those were marks left by long-term domestic violence, which she had deliberately hidden.

The two found an empty seat and sat down. Lou Dong eagerly picked up the menu and asked softly, "Yuya, what would you like to eat? The usual—soy milk, buns, and tea eggs?"

Shang Yuya nodded, her voice soft and filled with a hint of contentment. "Mhm, I'll have whatever you're having."

"Alright."

Lou Dong smiled and waved for a waiter. After ordering, he reached out and ruffled Shang Yuya's hair in a doting manner.

"You've worked hard these past few days. After we're done visiting the lake, I'll take you to buy that dress you liked last time, okay?"

Shang Yuya's eyes instantly lit up, her face showing a girl-like joy. She took Lou Dong's arm, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Dong Zi, you're so good to me. I knew you would change for the better."

"Of course," Lou Dong replied. A flash of imperceptible ruthlessness flickered in his eyes, yet his voice remained so gentle it could drip with sweetness.

"I was wrong before, getting addicted to gambling and making you suffer. From now on, I'll work hard to make money and treat you well. I'll never let you suffer again."

Shang Yuya leaned on his shoulder, her eyes slightly reddened with emotion.

This past week had been the happiest time in the two years since they married.

Lou Dong no longer went out to gamble, no longer came home late, no longer shouted at her, and no longer hit her.

He would wake up early to make breakfast for her, accompany her for walks in the Park, listen patiently to her, and plan their future life together.

She thought that her two years of persistence and tolerance had finally moved this man.

She thought that her choice to marry him despite everything was right after all.

She had even begun to fantasize about the two of them paying off their debts, having a cute child, and living a simple life together forever.

She was immersed in this false tenderness, completely unguarded and unaware that the man beside her, who was doting on her in every way, harbored a monstrous murderous intent to push her into hell and take her life.

This scene, as witnessed by Cao Kun, made him furrow his brows tightly.

He could sense that this man's tenderness was entirely faked; beneath that skin lay greed, malice, and ruthlessness.

And the woman's innocence and trust seemed incredibly tragic under this layer of disguise.

Just as a strange feeling arose in Cao Kun's heart, a cold, mechanical system prompt suddenly rang in his mind.

【Ding! A new mission has been issued!】

【Help Shang Yuya escape her demonic husband Lou Dong, expose his plot to murder his wife for insurance, make Shang Yuya see reality, and start a new life.】

【Mission Reward: 800,000 huaxia coins】

The moment the voice faded, a massive flood of information surged into Cao Kun's mind.

All the information regarding Shang Yuya and Lou Dong flashed through his consciousness like movie frames.

Shang Yuya, twenty-four years old. Two years ago, despite her parents' strong opposition, she insisted on marrying the penniless Lou Dong and completely broke ties with her family.

After the marriage, Lou Dong revealed his true nature. He was addicted to gambling, owed huge gambling debts to loan sharks, and would frequently kick and punch Shang Yuya, subjecting her to long-term domestic violence.

Lou Dong, twenty-eight years old, a gambler. He owed 580,000 in high-interest loans and had been threatened multiple times by the lenders. Driven to a corner, he conceived a wicked idea.

A week ago, he purchased large accident insurance policies for Shang Yuya and himself, with a coverage of two million. The beneficiary was Lou Dong himself, and the insurance would officially take effect in seven days.

This week of tenderness and consideration was entirely a disguise, meant only to make Shang Yuya let down all her guard.

Last night, the loan sharks came to his door and cut off one of Lou Dong's pinky fingers as interest, ordering him to pay off the debt the next day or else lose his hands and feet.

Driven to a corner, Lou Dong completely lost his humanity and devised a plan to murder his wife for the insurance: rent a boat, take Shang Yuya rowing on the lake, create the illusion of an accidental drowning, and claim the two million in insurance money to repay his debts.

Every detail, every plot, and every murderous intent was presented clearly in Cao Kun's mind.

Cao Kun's hand holding the spoon suddenly tightened, his knuckles turning white, and a fierce anger instantly welled up in his eyes.

He had seen demons like Chairman Zhao who harmed young children, and scammers like Zhang Genshuo who toyed with women's emotions.

But a piece of trash like Lou Dong, who would play false with his own wife and personally weave a tender trap just to take her life for money when she was at her happiest, made him even more furious.

Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. For Lou Dong to be able to strike such a cruel blow against his own partner was simply heartless—worse than a beast!

What distressed him even more was that Shang Yuya was blinded by love and false tenderness, trusting Lou Dong implicitly.

For this man, she had abandoned her parents and was now lonely and helpless. Her heart and eyes were full of longing for the future, yet she had no idea she was about to walk toward her death.

Cao Kun took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart.

He knew that now was not the time for impulsiveness.

He was a stranger; if he were to rush up and tell Shang Yuya that her husband was planning to kill her for insurance, anyone in her position wouldn't believe him.

Especially since Shang Yuya was currently in a state of extreme trust toward Lou Dong, she would think Cao Kun was intentionally trying to drive a wedge between them, that he was a bad person or a liar.

And Lou Dong would surely seize the opportunity to strike back, turning around to slander him for harassment or defamation.

When that happened, not only would he be unable to save Shang Yuya, but he would also alert the enemy, causing Lou Dong to act early or change his plan—the consequences would be unthinkable.

Cao Kun's gaze fell on Shang Yuya once more.

She was happily drinking the soy milk Lou Dong had handed her, a faint smile on her lips and her eyes clear and innocent.

It was the look of someone well-protected and full of faith in love, yet this beauty was about to be completely torn apart by Lou Dong.

Cao Kun made a decision in his heart.

He would remain quiet for now and follow them.

He would look for an opportunity to communicate with Shang Yuya alone and tell her the truth.

If she could listen and wake up in time, that would be the best outcome.

If she remained stubborn and refused to believe him, he would have to lie in wait and save Shang Yuya the moment Lou Dong acted, bringing the piece of trash to justice at the same time.

No matter what, he would not let Shang Yuya die for nothing, nor would he let Lou Dong's plot succeed.

He had to complete the mission from the compassion system.

And he had to uphold this sense of justice.

...