Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Exterminate Her

Even in such a situation, Rong Xiao's mind, seasoned by gunfire and battle, remained incredibly calm. His grey-black eyes first glanced over Yun Zi'an's extraordinarily beautiful face, then settled on his smooth, well-defined collarbone, focusing intently on the small red cinnabar mole on the pale skin.

Despite being apart for three years, he was certain that this was his legally wedded spouse, even registered in H Country, the only grandson-in-law of the Rong family, and his childhood sweetheart—Yun Zi'an.

Rong Xiao's gaze moved to Yun Zi'an's phone screen, looking meaningfully at his own black and white obituary photo.

His grip on the suitcase handle tightened suddenly, the veins on the back of his hand standing out prominently.

"Just three years away, and Yun Zi'an has..."

"...buried me?"

Rong Xiao, wheeling his suitcase, arrived at the smoking area. He fumbled for a cigarette pack in his pocket, only to realize he had run out of his usual brand. The current pack, a random purchase from the airport during a layover in Congo, was of inferior quality.

"There's probably nothing more complex than returning home to find your legally wedded spouse has 'buried' you, and all you're left with is a pack of shoddy cigarettes to ease your brooding."

At the smoking area, various men puffed away: businessmen, middle-aged men. Rong Xiao, in a simple black t-shirt and camouflage military pants, paired with Blackhawk combat boots, didn't stand out in attire, but his imposing presence was like a jungle beast, unmissable and intimidating.

Phone to his ear, cigarette in hand, he leaned against the wall, knee bent, resembling a silent lion.

The other smokers quickly extinguished their cigarettes and left, perhaps sensing Rong Xiao was not someone to mess with or speculating about the mysterious contents of his luggage. It was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

In reality, Rong Xiao's luggage contained only basic personal items and daily necessities. The most important thing inside was his discharge certificate from the CYO peacekeeping special forces.

His usual military knife, unable to pass airport security, had been sent back through special channels. So, he traveled light.

The phone was answered with a respectful greeting: "Young Master."

"Why did my spouse enter the entertainment industry?" Rong Xiao asked, frowning. "What happened?"

"Young Master," the butler paused, "It was a decision made by the spouse themselves. Both Rong and Yun families strongly opposed it, but once the spouse is set on something, no one can stop them, as you know."

After a brief silence, Rong Xiao responded coolly, "I see."

He instructed, "Send a car to the airport to pick me up," and hung up.

Rong Xiao searched Yun Zi'an's name on Weibo. In the time it took to smoke a cigarette, he skimmed through the profile, learning about Yun Zi'an's sudden rise to fame due to a random photo and his current status as a third-tier actor. Only today's "married and widowed" news had propelled him to the top of the hot search, a rarity for him.

If Yun Zi'an wanted to enter showbiz, the Rong family had ample resources to support him, not to mention the Yun family. As the favored eldest grandson of the Yun patriarch, how could he be just a third-tier actor?

Confronted by the situation, Rong Xiao couldn't afford to waste another second. He extinguished his cigarette and left the smoking room, but as he pushed the door open, he accidentally collided with someone passing by.

Su Yuanyuan, having faced a major embarrassment in the makeup room, was so infuriated she decided to skip the Starlight Awards and leave Beijing immediately. She had just fired her assistant, who she deemed incompetent for failing to secure a VIP airport passage, only to be bumped into so carelessly.

"Are you blind?" Su Yuanyuan, in her sunglasses, reprimanded haughtily. "Do you know who you just bumped into?"

Rong Xiao, unfamiliar with the current entertainment scene and having been away from the country, didn't recognize Su Yuanyuan, the popular actress. After a few seconds of silence, he simply said, "Sorry."

"A simple apology is enough for you?" Su Yuanyuan crossed her arms, scrutinizing Rong Xiao from head to toe. Noticing his non-branded clothing and the smell of cheap tobacco, she scoffed, "Do you know how much my life insurance is worth? And you dare to bump into me?"

Rong Xiao, with a personal insurance value of 1.4 billion dollars, maintained his silence.

Su Yuanyuan's gaze casually fell on Rong Xiao's phone screen, spotting a photo of her arch-enemy Yun Zi'an. Seizing the opportunity, she couldn't restrain her spitefulness. "You have such poor taste, following someone like Yun Zi'an. The whole industry knows he's a lowlife, easy for any man, begging to be taken by anyone with a dick, famous only for his seductive, cheap face, and his manipulative tricks. Countless have slept with him in the industry..."

Su Yuanyuan reveled in her vicious tirade against Yun Zi'an, her malice apparent. However, as she looked up to gauge the man's reaction, she was taken aback.

Rong Xiao was utterly emotionless, as if he hadn't heard a word she said. To him, the popular actress Su Yuanyuan was no more significant than an ant on the street.

No, even less significant than an ant.

This indifference left Su Yuanyuan without the satisfaction she sought, instead feeling a chill of foreboding. She instinctively stepped back. "You..."

"I am very sorry for bumping into you," Rong Xiao spoke again. "If you are unharmed, I will take my leave now."

With that, he began to walk away, pushing his luggage.

Left behind, Su Yuanyuan's face twisted in fury, tearing off her sunglasses. "Do you know who I am? I am Su Yuanyuan! The Golden Phoenix Award-winning best supporting actress!"

Yet, just like how she felt disregarded by the seemingly insignificant actor Yun Zi'an earlier that morning, Su Yuanyuan was once again ignored. No matter her beauty or her frustration, she couldn't garner a moment's attention from this man.

As Rong Xiao entered the VIP section of the airport, the waiting butler greeted him with a slight bow. "Young Master, welcome back to the country."

After Rong Xiao's call, the VIP passage at the Capital Airport was closed to the public in the afternoon, which was another reason for Su Yuanyuan's anger.

Rong Xiao took a suit from the butler and entered the changing room. Minutes later, he reemerged, the cheap black T-shirt replaced with a diamond-patterned, high-couture suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and tall stature.

Unaccustomed to wearing formal attire after such a long time, Rong Xiao adjusted his neck uncomfortably and instructed the butler, "For future tailoring, add five centimeters to the chest measurement."

The butler bowed slightly, "Certainly, Young Master."

Exiting the passage, a discreet black sedan with a Beijing license plate awaited him. The family's long-serving driver respectfully opened the car door for Rong Xiao, "Young Master, welcome back to the country."

"Shall we head to the old mansion?" The butler inquired from the passenger seat. "Your grandfather and lady are awaiting your return."

Rong Xiao's dark eyes were pensive, "Take me to my spouse's current residence."

The butler nodded gently, "Understood."

As the car started smoothly, Rong Xiao, reclining on the leather seat, eyes closed for a rest, casually said, "Also, blacklist a female star named Su Yuanyuan."

His tone was indifferent, as if squashing an ant – no reason needed.

"She's too noisy."

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