127: He fled, she chased.

Tu Nan didn't make it to the City Hall the next day.

Because of Kong Jiamu's interference.

"You're going out? No way!" He brushed aside the subordinate who had rushed over early in the morning to report on their progress and stopped Tu Nan, who had just come downstairs and was clearly about to head out.

Yet, his eyes couldn't help but linger on Tu Nan's new look.

It was obvious she had put effort into her appearance today. She wore a small shirt with a stand-up collar under a long grey-blue checkered top, paired with wide-leg trousers and small black pointed leather shoes. Her long black hair was pinned up at the back of her head, her eyebrows were drawn with sharper angles, and deep brown eyeshadow added a sense of depth to her eyes.

Her intention was likely to make her charming appearance look more professional, but Kong Jiamu couldn't help but see a different kind of allure in her.

"But I already have an appointment with Lance, and I've already taken a number at the City Hall in advance," Tu Nan frowned.

Today, she was supposed to hold a video conference under the witness of government officials for equity certification and the declaration of the company's establishment, which would also be recorded. Tu Nan took this very seriously.

She was about to become a company founder and CEO; this would be a milestone.

After all, any respect she had received in the business world in the past wasn't because of herself, but simply because she was the daughter of the Tu Family.

Seeing Tu Nan unhappy, Kong Jiamu ignored his subordinate, who was already huddled against the wall in the corner. He stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, and unconsciously softened his tone as he tried to persuade her gently.

"I'm saying today isn't appropriate... There's no conclusion yet regarding yesterday's incident, and the culprit hasn't been caught. It's not safe for you to go out."

What was he doing? The Peacock refused to do anything productive last night, and now he wanted to stop her from doing her work today too? Still reeling from the blow of yesterday's pregnancy test, Tu Nan was a bit cross, but she couldn't voice her grievances. After all, Kong Jiamu didn't know that no one would ever lay a hand on her again.

"But if I have to take a new number, the whole series of subsequent events will be delayed. What if the investors withdraw their funding?"

"It's just an investment; I'll provide it for you instead," Kong Jiamu said, naturally tossing aside his principle of not getting involved in his female companions' businesses.

Tu Nan wasn't pleased; she had absolutely no intention of letting Kong Jiamu have a stake in this business.

However, Kong Jiamu's eager, following-her-every-step attitude allowed Tu Nan to sense something different. With a flash of her eyes, she grabbed Kong Jiamu's hand in return.

"That's not necessary..." The beauty in the formal suit smiled mischievously. Leading Kong Jiamu, she intended to head upstairs. "Then why don't you come upstairs with me and help me see if my injury has truly healed, how about it?"

"The injury... hasn't it already healed?" Kong Jiamu's gaze fell on her arm, hidden by her sleeve, and he almost reached out to roll it up for her.

However, in the next second, she lightly hooked a finger in his palm. "When I was changing just now, I felt... that patch of skin was a bit pale."

Kong Jiamu's breath hitched, and his feet felt nailed to the spot.

He was almost certain that Pearl was definitely not talking about a "simple scratch."

Seeing that he wasn't moving, Tu Nan looked up at him with a hint of sly charm. This confirmed to Kong Jiamu that he hadn't misread her.

His heart tightened, and his gaze involuntarily slid toward the living room—the human pillar was still there.

Kong Jiamu took a deep breath, suppressed his inner fire, and steered her toward the living room instead: "We'll look at it tonight."

He cleared his throat, acting as if nothing had happened. "Let me introduce you. This is my subordinate, Zhuang Huayu. He's been with me for many years."

"Miss Blue Pearl," the man quickly greeted Tu Nan with extreme solemnity. After all, who had ever seen the boss formally introduce a female companion to them?

Tu Nan was also slightly dazed. So there was a guest... Forcing a warm and polite smile, she greeted him, then shot Kong Jiamu a meaningful look—it seemed there was no chance for that now. Sigh.

Kong Jiamu gave a light cough, looking as if he had no impure thoughts, and solemnly ordered Zhuang Huayu to resolve the issue of Pearl's company registration.

Thus, in less than two hours, the City Hall actually sent people over to Kong Jiamu's house to complete all the procedures Tu Nan needed for her company registration.

The scene that required video recording was set in Kong Jiamu's study, making it look exceptionally high-end and grand.

It was said that the city government, under pressure from Kong Jiamu but unable to find a single shred of useful evidence for the case, was now eager to please. They only hoped that when Kong Jiamu returned to the Capital City to report on his duties, he wouldn't say a single word about this incident in front of the Emperor.

Well... and then there was Lance. She had been called to the scene by Tu Nan. This lucky koi unceremoniously toured Kong Jiamu's house and voiced many opinions.

Afterward, she and Tu Nan huddled in Kong Jiamu's master bedroom to plan.

"...You really don't need to be in such a rush. You should be more experienced than me; these things always take time."

Lance touched the dark blue velvet curtains and toured the huge bathroom and the obviously expensive bathtub with exaggerated curiosity.

"Look where you are. Are you still afraid of not getting 'results'?" Lance emphasized the word suggestively. "By the way, why are we huddled here? Let's go to the study."

"I'm certain there's no surveillance in the bedroom, but I'm not sure about other places." Tu Nan asked Lance: "How are the Children?"

She had a video call with the Children this morning. The two little ones were holding up for now, but they clearly missed her and wanted to come back.

"They were tired from playing yesterday. Today, Amy said she'd take them to meet an older brother—probably her brother Jimmy. The two of them have something to look forward to again, but I doubt they can be coaxed tomorrow."

Tu Nan nodded; she felt the same way.

"Is the house rented?" Tu Nan asked Lance. They had scouted a place while on the flight, saying they could live together after disembarking to make it easier to discuss company matters.

"No need. My mom gave me a place and said we can stay there as we please," Lance said with a grin. "She seems to like you a lot. She told me to keep a close eye on you and said she'd definitely come to talk to you in person once she's scheduled some time."

Fine, she had forgotten that this person also had a deep background and was filthy rich. Tu Nan accepted her kindness.

"Kong Jiamu... he still has to return to the Capital City. How can I not hurry?" Tu Nan answered the question Lance had asked earlier.

"Delays bring trouble. I have to work a bit harder."

Tu Nan looked around the Peacock's private nest. Based on the bits and pieces he had revealed about his complex family environment, the Kong Family's manor on the Capital Star probably wasn't a residence he liked. This small standalone villa, which now belonged solely to him, was perhaps the place where he could relax his mind the most.

"Where's the high-concentration medicine I asked you to bring?" Turning her palm over, she asked Lance for the item she had ordered.

Lance placed a bottle in Tu Nan's palm.

"I'm starting to walk on the edge of the law. It's hard to say if this is a forbidden drug... I've seen anyone who smells it go crazy."

Tu Nan asked: "What if I drink it?"

Lance instructed her, "Just a lick is enough. With your pathetic Physique, you're not as drug-resistant as Colonel Kong. I don't want to see you drive yourself crazy."

"I won't go crazy. He seems to be starting to feel reluctant to let go," Tu Nan said, appearing unconcerned.

She only intended to create opportunities to "eat" Kong Jiamu a few more times.

Lance offered a silent prayer for Colonel Kong.

If you walk the night road long enough, you're bound to run into a ghost. If Kong Jiamu really fell for Pearl, he could only hope for the best. After all, as she saw it, Pearl's original intention had never wavered..."}],