Chapter 109: Affection and Animosity

Although Huang Yu knew he was naturally blessed with good looks, and that his gentle, outstanding personality made him quite popular with girls, he never imagined his appeal could reach such an extent.

"She must have her own agenda," he thought to himself.

"Brother Huang Yu, since you didn't ask at the beginning, I thought you would keep it buried in your heart and never bring it up," Peng Min said, ignoring his question and smiling as she stood her ground, completely unfazed by his sudden withdrawal.

Watching the woman with a smile as bright as a flower, Huang Yu suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. "Is this truly the gentle, empathetic, and helpful girl mentioned in Li Jia’s letters?" he wondered.

Huang Yu asked, "You still haven't answered my question."

Peng Min smiled faintly. "You’re right. The drinks yesterday were indeed drugged. Ironically, the drug was obtained from Li Jia’s own parents—it’s the sleeping pill they used on their own daughter."

She had managed the dosage much better than Li Jia’s parents, ensuring Huang Yu wouldn't sleep for too long. Or perhaps, it was simply that Huang Yu was in better physical condition and hadn't consumed as large a quantity as Li Jia had.

"Why did you do this?" Huang Yu stared into her eyes.

"Why? That’s a good question. Who is the true mastermind behind the nightclub? That is the reason for all of this," Peng Min replied.

Huang Yu was stunned. He had only just discovered that his father, Huang Tianhua, was the man behind the nightclub. How could Peng Min possibly know?

Suddenly, it dawned on him. His butler had sent the investigation results to his phone the previous night.

"So, she found out from my phone," Huang Yu thought. "But how did she unlock it? Only Li Jia and I knew the passcode. Could it have been Li Jia?" He struggled to believe that Li Jia would share his phone password with a girl she had only just met, even if the girl had done her a great favor.

What Huang Yu could never have guessed was that Peng Min hadn't been told the password; she had simply taken a gamble and guessed it. She had tried Li Jia’s birthday on a whim, never expecting it to actually work. It only went to show how deeply in love the two of them were.

*If Li Jia knew that the mastermind behind her family's tragedy was the father of the man she loved so dearly, what would she think?* Peng Min mused.

"You looked through my phone while I was in the shower last night, didn't you?" Huang Yu recalled, realizing that was the only time she could have had the opportunity.

"That’s right. That was exactly when your dear butler sent the message. I initially thought it was some secret lover, but I accidentally discovered that the culprit behind the tragedy of Li Jia and her family is the father of the man she loves. Isn't that a coincidence?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Although Huang Yu was completely innocent of those matters, the old saying goes that every debt has a debtor. But was Huang Yu truly without sin? Could he simply wash his hands of it?

Peng Min had little formal education and had never attended university, but she knew one thing: Huang Yu’s life of luxury and comfort was built upon the blood and sweat of the people his father had destroyed.

"If that’s the case, then I'm puzzled," Huang Yu said, confused. "Why didn't you just kill me? You had plenty of opportunities yesterday. Instead, you chose to sleep with me. For a man, I can’t see how that’s a punishment."

No woman would willingly share such an intimate moment with the son of her enemy unless she was a masochist or mentally unstable. Yet, Peng Min was clearly articulate and sharp-minded. If she were hideous, one might understand, but she was pretty and possessed an elegant figure. For most men, being with her would be a pleasure, not a torment.

"Brother Huang Yu, it’s because I truly like you," she said softly, not bothering to hide her feelings. "Even with all the hatred I bear for you, I cannot deny that I like you, perhaps even love you. It started the night before last, when I first saw you on the phone screen during your video call with Li Jia."

In truth, ever since Li Jia began expressing her obsessive love for Huang Yu, Peng Min had been deeply intrigued by the man who captivated such an ethereal woman. Later, as she learned more about his past, she began to admire him, though she wondered if Li Jia was simply wearing rose-colored glasses. But the moment she saw him through the screen, she knew Li Jia’s descriptions hadn't done him justice. That night, she had fallen for him completely. Unlike the reserved Li Jia, Peng Min was direct in everything she did.

"But you said you had endless hatred for me, yet what you’ve done seems..." Huang Yu trailed off, his meaning clear.

"Brother Huang Yu, how do you know that’s all that happened to you? Roll up your right sleeve and see for yourself," Peng Min said, narrowing her eyes with a smile.

"My right arm?" Huang Yu rolled up his sleeve and scrutinized his skin. There, near his vein, was a clear needle mark.

His pupils dilated in disbelief. "What is this?"

"You guessed right. It’s from a drug injection. Unfortunately, you are now addicted. It’s a lifelong trap you can never escape. This is my revenge—to let your father watch his own son become a junkie," she said calmly.

"I don't believe it," Huang Yu stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

"Believe it or not, your first withdrawal symptoms will start tonight. You’ll have no choice but to believe it then," she replied.

"A single dose shouldn't cause an addiction," Huang Yu argued, refusing to accept it. "I can overcome this with my willpower." He felt no physical symptoms yet and convinced himself she was just trying to scare him.

Peng Min saw through his thoughts and looked at him with disdain. "Do you know what power is? It isn't just an official document or a promotion. In my view, the essence of power lies in how much you can influence and control the spiritual life of others. And there is no better way to control someone than through drugs. You might think you can control yourself, but you can only control your hands and feet. You cannot control your liver's enzymes, your pancreas's insulin, your heartbeat, your blood pressure, or your subconscious. Only drugs can do that. Once you are addicted, it becomes a biological necessity. The only way to escape that will is death."

As her words echoed in his ears, Huang Yu realized he had stepped onto a path of no return. He lowered his head, then looked up at her. "Everyone dies. That is a fate no one can escape. I don't resent you for what you've done; perhaps this is just the fruit I was meant to bear."

For the rest of the day, they stayed inside. Huang Yu wanted to see if the addiction would truly manifest, while Li Jia’s revenge would have to wait for a better plan. Since Peng Min had no phone, they spent the day watching television and talking. As for food, they ordered takeout, as Peng Min no longer cooked.