Chapter 38: Retaliating Against the Enemy Who Fled with the Funds

Unlike Old Master Lu, who loves to get to the bottom of things, Yun Xinbo and Ran Yao, after feeling a wave of lightness in their bodies, simply exchanged glances without asking what had just happened.

Yun Zhi asked with curiosity, "Dad, Mom, why aren't you asking me anything?"

Ran Yao chuckled, "Seeing your relaxed attitude, I know your trip went well and you weren't hurt. As for the good things you obtained, you wouldn't tell us their true origin anyway, and if we asked, we'd just be forcing you to invent excuses. So, your father and I agreed not to ask anymore."

Yun Xinbo added, "Exactly. We know that whatever you give us must be good, and we don't need to know the specifics. We're about to open a private kitchen restaurant and will have to deal with many people. If we knew too much and accidentally let something slip to someone with special abilities who could force the truth out of us, wouldn't that just be harming you?"

They were ordinary people who couldn't help their daughter much, but they were determined not to be a burden. They were aware that Yun Zhi had become an external member of the Haicheng Supernatural Management Bureau, and had even taken the time to watch various shows and read novels about people with abilities. They realized that such powers were vast and varied, including some that could force others to speak the truth.

Yun Zhi was surprised and moved. She had to admit that her parents’ considerations were very sound. Knowing that Ziji liked to tell Old Master Lu everything to offload his psychological pressure, Yun Zhi had considered whether she should be more transparent with her parents. That was why she had told them about awakening her water-based ability and joining the Bureau. She hadn't said more, fearing that knowing too much would bring them danger.

Old Master Lu was elderly and stayed mostly at his manor, rarely traveling without a retinue of bodyguards, including retired special forces soldiers. Even against many superpowered individuals, he had a fighting chance. Plus, his prominent status meant few dared to target him. But her parents were in their forties; Yun Zhi couldn't force them to stay home or travel with a pack of bodyguards just to reduce her own potential trouble. Thus, she adopted a policy of "saying less, making fewer mistakes," not out of a lack of trust.

Yun Xinbo patted his daughter’s shoulder, "I will manage the restaurant well and strictly oversee safety and hygiene. As for the food, with your mother and Aunt Lou's skills, it will surely be excellent. This business will be enough for our family to live a comfortable life. Xiao Zhi, if you’re tired, just come home; your parents will take care of you."

Ran Yao held Yun Zhi's hand and added, "That's right. After the ups and downs we’ve been through, we don't care about luxury items or jewelry anymore. As long as our food and living conditions are clean and comfortable, that’s enough. If we’re short on money, we’ll just spend less. Your safety comes first."

Yun Zhi smiled, "Mom, Dad, you are so wonderful. I am so happy to have you as my solid support."

After a pause, Yun Zhi brought up someone who made her parents’ teeth itch with hatred. "I had a hacker friend help me check. Lian Kangkai is currently in the Summer Islands in Country M, spending his days on the beach with bikini-clad beauties, living a very comfortable life..."

Yun Xinbo gnashed his teeth, "That scoundrel! Using the hard-earned money of so many people in the company to live it up—he truly has no conscience!"

Ran Yao, however, guessed something more. Now that her daughter had money and power, and had specifically tracked the man down, could it be... "Xiao Zhi, don't be impulsive and do anything foolish! Intentional injury or murder is against the law..."

Although Lian Kangkai hadn't attacked them directly, his sudden embezzlement had left the company, which had a chance to survive the industry winter, in a severe funding crisis. He had stolen 80 million in public funds! With Yun Xinbo holding a 60% stake, 48 million of that belonged to him. Had it not been for Lian Kangkai, even if the company had gone bankrupt, the Yun family wouldn't have been saddled with 30 million in debt. After paying off the debts, they would have had over 10 million left—a modest, comfortable life. Ran Yao wouldn't have been in such a rush to the company that she got into a pile-up, and Yun Xinbo wouldn't have considered jumping off a building. If not for the physical enhancement potion Yun Zhi had obtained from somewhere, Ran Yao might not have woken up, and Yun Xinbo would have suffered lasting complications.

The hatred for Lian Kangkai was profound; he had nearly destroyed their family. Ran Yao didn't want her daughter to ruin her life for such scum. Yun Xinbo also urged, "Yes, Xiao Zhi, don't be impulsive. That guy is hateful, but your well-being is more important than anything."

Yun Zhi explained that she had already booked a flight from Haicheng to the Summer Islands. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad. I know my limits and will never leave any handle for others to use against me. Besides, I will make him return to the country voluntarily to face the judgment of the law!"

Hearing that she intended to use legal means—even if the process would surely involve methods they couldn't fathom—her parents were somewhat relieved, though they continued to urge her to be careful.

After dinner, Yun Zhi returned to her duplex apartment to rest. While she was in the bathroom practicing controlling water orbs, a message arrived from Gu Yaya.

"Yun Zhi, for the other types of cards you wanted, Si Ming and I completed several small plot nodes these past few days and got a few more, though the quantities aren't high. We have two Strength +2 cards, one +3, two Agility +2, one +3, two Luck +1 (they are hard to drop), and one 5-year Longevity card—nine in total. You can trade anything for them!"

Back in Province Y, after Yun Zhi and Ziji had dismantled three hideouts, she had sent the video of them beating up Liu Lao'er and Liu Xiaoqi to Gu and Si. The 1,500 points reward and the three 10-year longevity cards were obtained on the spot. Upon learning that Yun Zhi and her friend had actively participated in the special task force to destroy the base of that criminal organization, Gu and Si felt vindicated. These actions far exceeded their original request. They had been trying to save up extra rewards to thank her.

After some discussion, Yun Zhi traded three hemostatic muscle-regeneration pills, three detox pills, and enough sleeping powder to take down a dozen people for the cards. As for protection charms, she only had five left and didn't use them for the trade.

Gu Yaya exclaimed, "Yun Zhi, you’re too generous! Let’s keep helping each other out in the future!"

Yun Zhi replied, "Sure!" She then asked if they needed help checking on their families. Gu Yaya shared that her family was well-off and stable, and Si Ming noted that his family was also doing fine. "Since we aren't the only children, our families will be sad, but they will survive. Focus on your own affairs for now."

Si Ming added, "I asked others in the group; we can trade with you once a month and request one commissioned task. We will prepare more items for next month. Try not to tell them about the cards, and we won't prepare too many physical items so you don't have trouble explaining their source."

Yun Zhi agreed, "Alright, let me know when you're ready! Take care of yourselves; while getting rewards is important, your happiness matters too!"

Yun Zhi knew their system tasks weren't mandatory, but the rewards were tempting. She decided not to shortchange herself and used the +3 Strength and Agility cards. The next morning, while having breakfast with her parents, she secretly tapped the +2 Strength, +2 Agility, and +1 Luck cards onto their backs. Since the points were small, they didn't feel any obvious change. She kept the 5-year longevity card in her personal space for future use.

After breakfast, Yun Zhi set off light-handed for the airport.

***

Due to the time difference, she arrived in the Summer Islands in the early morning after a nine-hour flight. After checking into her hotel, she spent the next morning acting like a tourist, enjoying the scenery.

In the evening, Lian Kangkai—now known as Kevin—came to the beach as usual for his routine of leisure and womanizing. Lian Kangkai had been married before and was once praised as a good husband, though he was always busy. Five years ago, after catching his wife cheating with their driver and being blamed for his lack of "marital duties," he divorced and began to indulge himself, constantly changing girlfriends.

Yun Zhi didn't mind his womanizing, but because he had embezzled public funds and nearly caused her parents' deaths, she had a major grievance.

Wearing a red floral bohemian dress and sandals, with sunglasses atop her head, she approached Lian Kangkai's lounge chair. When he looked up and recognized her face, his expression shifted drastically.

"You... you are Yun Zhi... how are you here!" he stammered, sitting up.

Yun Zhi smiled slightly and snapped her fingers at him. Her left hand held a pocket watch, swinging the platinum chain. As Lian Kangkai stared at the watch, his shock, fear, and malice faded into a blank stare.

Yun Zhi’s voice carried a touch of mental power, "Now, immediately, book a ticket and return to the country with me."

"Yes," Lian Kangkai replied mechanically, pulling out his phone to book a ticket.

The pocket watch was a gift from Jiao Yuxuan, a survivor Yun Zhi had rescued. It was a specially modified storage device from the Bureau that contained Jiao's remaining hypnotic mental energy. It required someone with mental power to draw it out, and it could hypnotize an ordinary person three to five times.

Lian Kangkai, now hypnotized, booked the earliest flight and returned to his villa to pack his belongings. Yun Zhi followed him closely. If she hadn't arrived, he would have transferred to a small country next week and disappeared under a new identity.

Lian Kangkai had spent much of his stolen money, leaving only about 50 million, which he intended to use for his retirement.

Yun Zhi bought a first-class ticket on the same flight. Three hours later, when the plane was already in the air, Lian Kangkai regained consciousness. He looked at Yun Zhi, who was wearing wireless headphones, with terror and anger, "What did you do to me?"

Yun Zhi glanced at him coldly. She didn't use the watch again; instead, she used a mist infused with sleeping powder. Within seconds, Lian Kangkai fell into a deep sleep. To ensure he wouldn't wake up, she ensured the dose would last until landing.

Before boarding, she had contacted Lu Ziping to have police waiting at the airport. Lian Kangkai was a wanted suspect for economic crimes. Since Ziji was currently sleeping 20 hours a day, he had given her Lu Ziping’s number. Ziji had warned him, "If you don't listen to her, I'll beat you until you're black and blue but still functional—enough to keep working for my dividends!"

After the plane landed, Lian Kangkai woke up just as they were leaving. Yun Zhi used a tote bag to hide her hand and cast a "Nightmare Rune" on him. The invisible energy surged into his head. This rune would last for a year, ensuring his mental state would be shattered by nightmares, even if his body remained intact.

Lian Kangkai would likely suspect her, but so what? Giving someone nightmares wasn't illegal. With her status in the Bureau, it was a minor matter.

Lu Ziping arrived with two police officers and his bodyguards. When the police confirmed Lian Kangkai’s identity, they handcuffed him. Lian Kangkai tried to scream, "She uses black magic! She hypnotized me with a pocket watch! Arrest her!"

The officers, aware of Yun Zhi’s status as a top expert from the Bureau who had performed heroic deeds in the rescue mission, simply taped his mouth shut to prevent him from leaking her information.

As they led him away, Lu Ziping asked, "Yun Zhi, want a ride back? Or do you want to see my brother?"

Ziji was in a frail state, which concerned Lu Ziping greatly. Though he found the "middle-schooler" persona of his brother annoying, he didn't want him to die.

Yun Zhi replied, "I'll see him in two days."

Lu Ziping sighed, "Then I must hurry to gather the materials he wanted. I need a vacation next week!"

Yun Zhi asked, "What do you need a vacation for?"

Lu Ziping blurted out, "To sabotage Lan Ruiya’s next blind date!"

Yun Zhi: "...?"

Lu Ziping explained, "I'll splash the guy with durian juice! She hates durian! Isn't that genius?"

Yun Zhi sighed, "That will only make her hate you more for harming innocent people!"

Lu Ziping scratched his head, "Then what should I do to make her like me?"

Yun Zhi thought that relying on Ziji to handle romance was hopeless. Since the Lu family had been so generous to her, she decided to help out a little—at least to prevent the Lu family line from truly ending.