Chapter 24: The Scheming Reporter and the Anxious College Student

John gazed curiously at Liu Yan's phone.

"What's wrong?"

"Isn't it just a monthly salary of fifty thousand? We have fifty thousand a month everywhere in the United States."

Liu Yan shook her head repeatedly, gritting her teeth in frustration. "The news says the entrepreneur offering interns fifty thousand a month is Zhang Fan! I just checked their company name; it’s definitely the one Zhang Fan just registered."

At the mention of Zhang Fan, John’s expression shifted instantly. He still couldn't forget the brutal beating he had received from Zhang Fan on the plane, nor the fact that he had fallen into a coma the moment he arrived home. His dreams were still haunted by Zhang Fan’s sandbag-sized fists and those two words—a classic, vulgar Chinese expletive. The hatred he felt for Zhang Fan was so intense that it even caused him to temporarily forget his own twisted desires. His eyes turned cold as he clenched his fists.

"Yan, didn't you say your husband was just a food delivery guy?" John hissed. "How could someone who delivers food and does manual labor at construction sites possibly pay his employees such a high salary? Are you hiding something from me?"

Liu Yan was frantic, rushing to explain. "I didn't lie to you, I absolutely didn't! Although Zhang Fan was an executive at a big company before, for the last year, he really has been delivering food and working construction. Darling, why would I lie to you?"

Seeing her panicked expression, a realization dawned on John. "Then I know. Didn't you say he has a good friend who is a lawyer in China? Lawyers in China make decent money; the money Zhang Fan used to start this company must have come from that lawyer."

Liu Yan caught on, her hatred for Zhang Fan intensifying. "That's right, it must be Zhao Tie-zhu helping him! Otherwise, how could a loser like him afford to start a company, let alone pay employees fifty thousand a month?"

Thinking this way, Liu Yan regained a sense of superiority. John stopped talking about Zhang Fan and smiled, taking her hand. "Yan, let's go. Your wounds are dressed. I’ll take you to do something exciting today."

At these words, Liu Yan’s face turned pale. After more than a week together, how could she not know what John meant by "exciting"? It was nothing more than satisfying his cuckold fetish. She looked uncomfortable, feeling quite miserable inside, and couldn't help but plead.

"Darling, I was just shot yesterday. Even though it only hit my shoulder, could you let me recover for a while? I promise, once my green card comes through and I get American citizenship, I'll do whatever you want."

John’s gaze darkened, and he looked at Liu Yan with immense dissatisfaction. His attitude was no longer as warm as it had been when he first brought her to the U.S. "Yan, you eat my food, live in my house, and use my things. I’m only asking you to cooperate with me and film a few videos. Besides, don't you enjoy it? If you really can't, I’ll just go find another woman."

Liu Yan lunged forward and grabbed his arm tightly. Like a snake gripped by its vital spot, she forced herself to put on a flattering smile. "No, no, darling, we are in true love! Of course, I’m willing to do anything for you. I am!"

John was thrilled. He dragged Liu Yan out of the hospital, not caring that she was still wearing her hospital gown. In fact, the gown only made it more exciting. Liu Yan bit her lip hard, not daring to utter another word. But in her heart, she couldn't help but compare Zhang Fan and John.

By comparison, Zhang Fan was truly a good man. He was capable inside and outside the home, willing to work hard to support her and their daughter, never complaining regardless of the hardships he faced. Looking at John, he appeared refined on the surface, but his heart was forever occupied by his twisted hobbies.

A wave of regret surged in her. *If I hadn't cheated, if I had stayed married to Zhang Fan...*

The thought had barely surfaced before Liu Yan snuffed it out. *No! I absolutely cannot think like that! Liu Yan, you have no way back now! You can only walk this path to the end. It’s just a few of John’s twisted requests. I’ll just go along with him for now; once I secure my green card and citizenship, I’ll be free! As for Zhang Fan, hmph, he’s just using Zhao Tie-zhu’s money to start a company and making a scene with those high wages. So what? He’ll go bankrupt sooner or later! And I will eventually become an elite member of American society!*

When they returned home, it wasn't long before heart-wrenching screams emanated from the villa.

...

Zhang Fan had already woken up from his nap. After dropping his daughter off at school, he arrived at the office to find a very sexily dressed woman standing at the door. She wore a low-cut white blouse with the top buttons deliberately undone, a tight black skirt, high heels, and a black coat draped over her shoulders—the standard attire of a corporate white-collar worker.

The beauty, who had attracted the gazes of countless men, saw Zhang Fan and trotted over. She reached out a fair, delicate hand and offered a sweet, intellectual smile. "You must be Mr. Zhang Fan? I’m Zhao Xiaolu, a reporter for the Haishi Evening News. Hello! It is such a pleasure to meet you!"

Zhang Fan shook her hand casually. At thirty-five, a man is rarely easily swayed by a pretty face. He could appreciate her beauty, but excitement? That was far from it.

"Yes, Zhang Fan. What would you like to ask?"

Zhao Xiaolu was surprised. She was quite confident in her appearance. Which man hadn't stared at her chest or legs when they met her? Every single one did. No matter how serious or gentlemanly they claimed to be, they would all secretly swallow their saliva when faced with such a beauty. Yet Zhang Fan appeared completely indifferent. Even when she deliberately loosened her blouse to let more of her assets show, he remained unmoved. This kind of man was rare.

*No way,* she thought. *The station manager sent me here to dig up some dirt on Zhang Fan. If he isn't lustful, how will that work?* Using her beauty to seduce men and then trapping them into committing indiscretions was Zhao Xiaolu’s specialty. If she could expose his ugly side to the public, it would be a massive headline. Furthermore, in her view, it was impossible for Zhang Fan to actually pay his employees such high wages; it was just a gimmick.

Pondering how to make Zhang Fan reveal his flaws so she could secretly film him, she smiled. "Could we sit down and discuss the interview details properly? Right now, the entire city of Haishi—or rather, the entire country—is curious about you, Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Fan nodded and led her into his office. After a hasty renovation, the floor was finally starting to look like a real company. "Xu Wanying, make us some tea."

Xu Wanying scurried over, busy and awkward as she prepared the tea. She was too nervous, especially in the presence of her boss and the famous reporter Zhao Xiaolu. In a moment of carelessness, she spilled a cup of freshly brewed hot tea directly into Zhang Fan's lap.