I Turned Filthy Rich Just By Sleeping With Women?!
Chapter 73: A Bond

Chapter 73: A Bond

After all the heavy conversation, the mood finally lightened as their noodles arrived. The group shifted into a more casual rhythm, chatting about their daily lives and hobbies like old friends catching up.

Mr. Wu, ever the gracious host, insisted on paying for everyone’s meal.

"Ahh, Madam Wen’s noodles are as delicious as ever!" Han Queying commented cheerfully, raising her bowl to her lips and downing the scalding red broth like it was her favorite tea. Not even a flinch.

Zhao Yiming, meanwhile, grimaced. His noodles were the mildest on the menu, and yet his lips were already red and swollen, his throat felt like it had been hit repeatedly by a boxing glove dipped in chili oil.

His spice tolerance hadn’t improved one bit—even in Zhao Yiming’s new, stronger body.

"Damn, Detective Han! That’s incredible," Luo Yanyu said in awe.

Han set the empty bowl down with a sigh. "Spicy food is the best cure for stress. So today, I’m indulging."

"I heard being a detective’s a high-pressure job. Is that really true?" Zhao Yiming asked.

Han and Mr. Wu both nodded solemnly.

"One of my cousins is a senior detective," Mr. Wu added. "He got divorced because he was never home. Poor guy’s balding now, and he’s only in his forties."

"It is stressful," Han admitted. "But not because of the difficult cases. It’s this city—there’s something wrong with it."

She leaned in slightly. "This case, for example... The motive points straight toward illegal land grabbing. Mr. Wu, why didn’t you report the harassment to the police earlier?"

Mr. Wu let out a tired breath. "We did. But the police did nothing."

Han’s expression darkened. "I knew it..."

She tapped her fingers against her bowl, deep in thought. "Right before I came here, one of my senior officers suddenly asked me about this case."

"He never gets involved in anything like this. But today, he came to me personally, and asked if the perpetrators were just a couple of thugs—or something bigger."

She rubbed her chin, eyes narrowed. "That’s why I dug deeper into the Lianwu shopping district. Turns out, a certain group’s been trying to buy it up—dirt cheap. When Zhao Yiming gave me that video... it connected the dots."

She looked at Mr. Wu. "I suggest we escalate this case—not just ’intentional injury,’ but illegal land grabbing. If we dig further, this could turn into something big. And the bastard who hurt your wife could get punished even harder."

But Mr. Wu hesitated. His expression turned guarded.

He knew. He knew just how powerful the group behind this land grab was. If they pushed too hard, they wouldn’t just risk themselves—but everyone on Lianwu Street.

He shook his head. "No. I just want the one who hurt my wife punished. That group you’re talking about... I’m not so sure the police aren’t backing them too."

Han Queying blinked. She understood all too well what he was implying.

"Mr. Wu... I know I’m young, and maybe I don’t look experienced—but I’m not a dirty cop. Even if another officer is behind this, I’ll track them down and make sure they pay."

Mr. Wu’s response cut deep.

"Hah! Don’t be a fool young detective! Do you think you can win against a beast like this? I don’t think so."

His words fell heavy, like a knife through the table.

But Zhao Yiming could tell—Mr. Wu wasn’t trying to be cruel. He was trying to protect her. To stop her from poking a tiger she couldn’t fight.

"Mr. Wu, don’t say that!" Luo Yanyu interjected.

But the old man stood and waved her off. "Anyway, I’m done for today. Come on, young lady. Let’s go home. And don’t bring that boy with you!"

He sighed wearily. "I can’t stand hearing the voices you two made at—"

"AHHHHH!!" Luo Yanyu screamed, face bright red as she slapped her hands over Mr. Wu’s mouth.

"YES! Yes! Let’s go now!"

She practically dragged the old man out, flustered beyond belief. Since she brought her own car, Zhao Yiming didn’t need to escort them. Han Queying also left on her own, refusing his offer to walk her out—she needed time to think.

Zhao Yiming stood outside the shop, watching the cars leave.

He let out a long sigh.

He was relieved, honestly, that Han Queying hadn’t agreed to take on the case involving the Golden Earth group. If she did... she might eventually uncover Jin Haolong’s death.

And that trail would lead straight to him.

But still—he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Because deep down, he wanted those bastards to pay.

"Well, there’s more than one way to punish someone," Zhao Yiming murmured to himself. "Even if the law can’t touch them, I’ll be the one to get rid of them."

"Of course, I won’t make it illegal... I think." He shrugged, then turned—only to see Lao Xinya peeking out from behind the kitchen door.

His eyes widened as he stepped closer. "Do you need something? Or... do you want to go shopping? I did promise to take you one day."

Caught off guard by the sudden, bold question, Xinya hesitated. "Ugh... we don’t have anyone to help Mom run the shop."

Zhao Yiming blinked. "You don’t have any staff?"

She frowned. "Look at this place. Do you really think a lot of people eat here? It’s already hard enough just trying to survive. We can’t afford staff."

"I... I see..." A pang hit him square in the chest. It was guilt—raw and unavoidable. After all, he was the one who’d dragged them into this mess in the first place.

Just then, Wen Qiao appeared behind her daughter, startling them both. "It’s alright, Xinya. You can go. I’ll close the shop for now—my arthritis is acting up again."

"Mom! That’s even more reason not to leave you alone," Xinya protested. "Let me help you close up and take care of you."

But Wen Qiao shook her head gently. "You don’t need to, sweetheart. You’re still young. Go out, experience the world. I feel sorry for keeping you stuck in this shop all this time."

"Why would you be? I want to be here," Xinya sighed. "But... okay, if you insist, I’ll go shopping. After we close up."

Wen Qiao smiled warmly and reached out to rub her daughter’s head. "Good girl. Let’s get it done, then."

"I’ll help too," Zhao Yiming offered, already rolling up his sleeves.

As they worked together to close the shop early, Zhao Yiming couldn’t stop watching the mother-daughter duo. The way they moved, spoke, and understood each other—it made his chest tighten.

He was relieved they were okay. Grateful that their bond was still this strong despite everything.

And yet... the guilt didn’t go away.

’I need to help them...’ he thought, clenching his fists. ’I need to do something about this shop. I can’t just stand by anymore.’

However, Madam Wen suddenly appeared behind Lao Xinya as she said, "It’s fine Xinya, you can go." she smiled, "My arthritis