Liu Hui paused, noticing that Mei Peng also found the woman familiar. "You think she looks familiar too?" he immediately asked.

"Yeah," Mei Peng replied. "I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."

Liu Hui started racking his memory. Since Mei Peng also found her familiar, it wasn't just his own illusion; he must have encountered this woman somewhere. Before he could recall the location, Mei Peng suddenly smacked his head. "Ah! I remember now. Her name is Pingping."

Liu Hui frowned. "Pingping? Who is Pingping? When did you meet her?"

Mei Peng said, "Boss, have you forgotten? The first time Yue Wang invited us to an entertainment club after returning to Hong Kong, it was this Pingping who was accompanying him! That was the last time I drank with courtesans before my wedding, so my memory of that night is incredibly sharp. I definitely won't mistake her."

Prompted by Mei Peng, Liu Hui instantly recalled the woman named Pingping. She was the one entertaining Yue Wang when he took the three of them to a club for drinks. Later, he overheard a conversation between Pingping and the club's madam, learning that Pingping was deeply infatuated with Yue Wang, even paying for some of his favorite dishes herself.

Liu Hui still remembered that exchange; Pingping had given up a chance to settle down with a wealthy middle-aged man to remain by Yue Wang’s side. Even though she couldn't earn his affection, she was content just being near him because her feelings for Yue Wang were genuine.

At that time, Yue Wang had bragged about Pingping to them, boasting that he could steal not just a woman's body, but also her heart.

As Liu Hui recalled everything Pingping had done for Yue Wang, an idea struck him. He pulled Mei Peng up, got into his car, and signaled their security detail to follow at a distance. He drove his vehicle to a spot further down the road, parking to observe Pingping's movements.

Pingping stood alone on the roadside. Her high heels seemed to have given her trouble, so she carried them in hand and began hailing cabs. Several taxis passed by, taking one look at her attire and driving on without stopping.

After several rejections, a taxi finally pulled over to pick up Pingping. Liu Hui immediately followed in his car, with the security vehicle trailing closely behind.

"Boss, what are we doing?" Mei Peng asked, confused.

Liu Hui replied, "I have a strong feeling that following this woman will lead us to Yue Wang."

Mei Peng sounded doubtful. "How is that possible? Does this woman know where Yue Wang is hiding?"

"We'll find out if we follow her," Liu Hui said.

Liu Hui kept a careful distance behind the taxi. Eventually, the cab stopped near a bustling street. Pingping paid the fare and got out, carrying her shoes. She had clearly composed herself in the car; her face was now alight with smiles, showing none of the recent distress.

Pingping found a public spigot and washed the grime from her face and body. She then changed into a pair of flat shoes and ordinary clothes from a bag she carried. Her entire demeanor shifted instantly; the heavily made-up, marginalized woman transformed into a demure girl-next-door.

Once tidied up, Pingping entered the street. She first bought some daily necessities at a local shop. Then, glancing around, she entered a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. When she emerged, she held a large package of medicine.

Liu Hui and Mei Peng quickly followed Pingping as she walked cautiously toward a residential building. Standing before it, she took a deep breath, vigorously massaged her facial muscles to relax them, and then, wearing a wide smile, ascended the stairs.

Liu Hui and Mei Peng swiftly followed. Pingping stopped outside a door on the third floor, looked left and right, and then pushed the door open before stepping inside.

Liu Hui and Mei Peng leaned in to listen intently. They heard Pingping’s voice from inside the room: "I'm so sorry I'm late. You must be feeling cooped up, aren't you?"

Then, Pingping continued, "Oh dear, has the wound split open again? Just lie still, I'll change the dressing right now."

A sound of running water followed, then the rustle of bandages being applied.

Suddenly, a man's voice came from within the room: "Pingping, did someone hit you just now?"

Liu Hui and Mei Peng breathed a collective sigh of relief. That voice was Yue Wang's. He was hiding here, even while the whole of Hong Kong was searching for him. Mei Peng was about to knock on the door in excitement, but Liu Hui restrained him. Liu Hui shook his head at Mei Peng, and the two remained outside, eavesdropping.

Pingping laughed lightly. "No, I just slipped and fell outside by accident."

Yue Wang sighed. "Pingping, you don't have to lie to me. Falling down doesn't turn the upper thigh purple, and the cuts on your face are too obvious—they definitely aren't from a fall."

Pingping forced a smile. "It really was a fall. Why would I lie to you?"

Yue Wang let out a long sigh. "Only today have I realized that you are the only woman in this world who genuinely cares for me. At a time like this, only you dared to take me in. Any other woman would have turned me over for the reward by now, right?"

Pingping smiled. "I told you long ago that I truly like you. Do you understand now?"

Yue Wang said, "I understand now. You are such a foolish woman. All this medicine for my wounds must have cost you a lot of money, didn't it? I saw you take the savings book from under the bed when you went out today, and you came back with all this medicine."

Pingping chuckled. "It’s nothing; this medicine is cheap. I can still afford it. As long as you get better, I'll be content."

Yue Wang sighed. "Pingping, stop lying to me. You’ve run out of money, haven't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have had to go out earning money and end up beaten like this. Think of me, Yue Wang—I always considered myself a suave ladies' man, moving through crowds of women my whole life. In the end, I have to be supported by a woman, and that money comes from... selling herself."

Pingping replied, "This is all voluntary. For you, I am willing to give everything."

Yue Wang said, "Pingping, come here."

Pingping obediently moved closer, and a rustling sound came from the room. Pingping asked, "Yue Wang, what are you doing..."

Yue Wang laughed. "I never understood your feelings before, always chasing after some legendary woman who was supposedly perfect for me. But only when I’m down like this did I realize the one I truly love has been right beside me all along. What's wrong with me hugging you?"

Pingping suddenly began to cry. "Let go of me, I'm so dirty."

Yue Wang said gently, "I won't let go. I want to hold you like this forever. You aren't dirty at all; your heart is beautiful. I’ve made up my mind. From now on, I will only love you, for all my lifetimes. I won't even look at those other women again."

Pingping wept harder. "Let go of me, I don't deserve your love. I’m just a hostess; my body is the filthiest thing in the world. Being able to take care of you like this is the greatest happiness; I never hoped for anything more."

Yue Wang sounded displeased. "Pingping, are you disgusted by me? I am nothing now, just a broken man, seriously injured. Ah! I see now, you must be looking down on me."

Pingping instantly covered Yue Wang's mouth. "Don't say that. You know how I feel. Even if you turned into a beggar, I wouldn't look down on you."

Yue Wang sounded delighted. "I knew you wouldn't despise me. I’ve lived so many years, and only now do I feel like I’ve truly understood life. I’ve decided—I want to marry you. I want us to have many children and grow old together."

Pingping suddenly started crying again. "Yue Wang, I truly am not worthy of you..."

Yue Wang laughed. "If I say you're worthy, then you are worthy."

Pingping said, "But you must know, I work in that profession. I’ve had three miscarriages. The doctor told me I can never conceive again. Even so, are you still willing to be with me?"

Yue Wang pulled Pingping into his embrace and said, "Pingping, I don't mind at all. You must know, I used to be a notorious playboy; my level of depravity exceeds your imagination. For a scoundrel like me to receive your affection—it must be heaven looking out for me!"

Pingping began to cry again. "Yue Wang..."

Yue Wang laughed. "Pingping, I’ve always called you that, but I never actually knew your name! Can you tell me your real name now?"

Pingping stopped crying and said, "I haven't used my real name in so long, I almost forgot it. My surname is Luo. If you agree, call me Luo Pingping from now on."

Yue Wang was overjoyed. "Good, Luo Pingping is a wonderful name. So, Luo Pingping, will you marry me right now and become my wife?"

Luo Pingping looked shy. "Is this a proposal?"

Yue Wang laughed. "Yes, it is. What, you don't want to?"

Luo Pingping said, "But on TV, don't marriages usually involve rings and a priest? The priest asks if anyone objects, too."

Yue Wang chuckled. "Let’s keep it simple for now. When we have the means later, I’ll give you a proper wedding, okay? Besides, who in this world would object to our wedding?"

Just then, a voice came from outside the door: "I object!" The door was then pushed open from the outside, and two people walked in.