"You haven't been here long. Your young lady demeanor was quite strong just now. It seems you've been living quite freely in my absence!" Li Yang joked.
"Not at all. Without you in the provincial capital, I could only entertain myself with these merchants. But they were too boring, and they still wanted to play mind games with this young lady. They all lost, and none of them were as fun as you."
Long Lingling blinked her beautiful eyes, quietly moved closer to Li Yang, grabbed him by a sensitive spot, and said with a giggle, "I want to play with this. Why don't we find a place and have some fun?"
"Miss Long, this is the street. You're not being this presumptuous, are you? Let go quickly!"
Li Yang was stunned by the woman's actions and quickly urged her to release her grip, lest it lead to an irreversible consequence.
Long Lingling couldn't help but chuckle, shrugged, and said, "What are you afraid of? I was covering myself with my clothes. No one could see."
"Miss, we still have important matters to attend to. Are you sure you want to leave with Mr. Li?"
Just then, a subordinate behind Long Lingling suddenly spoke up to advise her.
"What's there to be busy with? In front of Li Yang, nothing is more important than him. You guys go back first. After I'm done dating Li Yang, I'll go take care of the mission."
Long Lingling turned back and reprimanded her subordinate sternly before directly pulling Li Yang to leave.
The subordinate was about to stop Long Lingling, but was held back by another subordinate, who signaled him not to pursue.
Long Lingling's temper was always fiery, and she was not easily provoked. If she became unhappy, it would be difficult for them to handle.
Since Li Yang was capable of protecting her, it was best to go back and wait for her.
Long Lingling tugged at Li Yang's arm, eagerly leading him towards the hotel, all the while whispering unspeakable things to him along the way.
Every time Li Yang remembered her video calls late at night and what she did for self-gratification, he could imagine her behavior later.
"Li Yang, you haven't seen me for so long, you have to really torment me later. If you hadn't come to the provincial capital, I would have come to Jiangcheng to find you."
Long Lingling could no longer hold back, like a cat in heat during spring, she clung to Li Yang.
However, she only displayed this behavior in front of Li Yang.
There were many suitors for her in the entire provincial capital, but Li Yang was her true love. Other men held no interest for her at all.
Li Yang found her suggestive words speechless, but it was in line with Miss Long's bold personality.
"Miss Long, it's been a while!"
Just as they were about to leave the antique street, a cold, deep voice suddenly came from an alley.
"Is that you?"
Long Lingling stopped in her tracks, her expression turning cold as she looked at the approaching figure. It was a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his forties, and he was bald.
A hint of evil gleamed in his eyes, indicating he was no good person.
"Miss Long, I've been waiting here for you for quite some time. Your Long family stole our Ma family's belongings. Now it's time to hand them over. If you're willing to hand them over willingly, I can let you leave," Ma Shihao said with a cold expression.
"What if I don't?" Long Lingling asked expressionlessly.
"You won't? Then you're not leaving today. I, Ma Shihao, have waited here for you for so long, and it won't be in vain."
Ma Shihao lightly clapped his hands, and many bodyguards emerged from the surroundings, encircling Long Lingling and Li Yang.
These individuals had fierce eyes and were all powerfully built and imposing, clearly tough characters.
Long Lingling's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she stared coldly at Ma Shihao, saying, "Ma Shihao, you have a lot of nerve, daring to threaten this young lady in broad daylight."
"Miss Long, don't forget that my Ma family's influence in the provincial capital is no less than your Long family's. Furthermore, your Long family stole the treasure that rightfully belonged to our Ma family and now refuses to return it. I am taking it back in my own way, is there a problem with that?" Ma Shihao said arrogantly.
"Belonging to your family? What a joke! I acquired this item at an auction. What right do you have to claim it as yours?"
Long Lingling sneered disdainfully, "Did your Ma family open the auction house? Even if they did, I paid for it, so it belongs to me. It has nothing to do with you."
"So, Miss Long truly has no intention of handing it over? In that case, I have no need to waste any more time with you."
Ma Shihao said coldly, then waved his hand slightly, "You few, search her. Find the item on her."
"Yes, Young Master Ma!"
Several subordinates responded in unison, immediately rising and walking towards Long Lingling.
Long Lingling couldn't help but be startled, and her steps involuntarily retreated a few paces. At this critical moment, Li Yang stepped forward, blocking her, and looked at Ma Shihao disdainfully, saying, "Miss Long is my friend. If you want to search her, you'll have to get past me first!"
"What the hell do you think you are!"
Ma Shihao looked at Li Yang, a stranger's face, and couldn't help but feel enraged. He said coldly, "Get lost now and don't ruin my plans, or I'll break your dog legs."
"Then try me!" Li Yang said with a cold expression.
"Damn it, you ungrateful brat! All of you, go! Take down this kid first!"
Ma Shihao instantly lost his patience. He didn't take dealing with a mere youngster seriously.
However, just as his men were about to make a move on Li Yang, an old man's voice echoed from a distance: "Stop!"
"Elder Bai?"
Ma Shihao turned his head, looking back in surprise. He saw Bai Jingchang walking over with a solemn expression.
Upon seeing Li Yang, Bai Jingchang bowed deeply and respectfully said, "Mr. Li, you are truly a divine being. What you reminded me of just now was indeed true."
"It was a close call. I almost lost my life just now. Fortunately, I stopped in time."
"It's good that you're alright. It seems heaven does not wish for your demise," Li Yang said calmly.
"Elder Bai, what are you talking about? Why are you being so polite to this kid? He's just a country bumpkin. He offended me just now, and I was about to teach him a lesson. You should step aside first. I will make sure this kid suffers today." Ma Shihao, utterly confused, said seriously to Bai Jingchang.
"Nonsense!"
Bai Jingchang's brows furrowed, and he looked at Ma Shihao, saying, "This Mr. Li is my benefactor. If you have enmity with him, it is equivalent to having enmity with me. Do you also want me to suffer?"
"Elder Bai, I wouldn't dare!"
Seeing how angry Bai Jingchang was, Ma Shihao quickly responded respectfully.
Bai Jingchang and his father were old friends, and he had watched Ma Shihao grow up. He only had respect for Bai Jingchang!