Manipulative Harem God

"I think no one is inside," Lisa suggested as Zhang Wei continued knocking without any response from within.

*Boom!*

Suddenly, Zhang Wei kicked the doors open with a resounding crash, causing both sides of the door to fall to the floor. The loud thud startled Lisa, and she instinctively covered her ears.

"See, it's open already," Zhang Wei remarked casually, proceeding inside with an air of indifference.

In the eerie stillness of the villa, Lisa's grip on Zhang Wei's hand tightened. She glanced around, visibly uncomfortable in the decrepit surroundings. "This place feels like something out of a horror movie," she murmured.

Zhang Wei couldn't help but smile at her nervousness. "You're quite the city girl, aren't you?" he remarked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Lisa nodded, "Well, I've never encountered a place like this before."

As they continued through the dark hallways, Zhang Wei couldn't resist a tease. "If I were to leave you alone here, would your Nilethian relatives come searching for you?"

Lisa's eyes widened in alarm. "You wouldn't do that, would you?"

Zhang Wei's faint smile remained, and he teased, "I mean, I could. What's stopping me, really?" He seemed to enjoy Lisa's disconcerted reaction.

Lisa, now slightly flustered, retorted with a forced smile, "Chairman, you wouldn't abandon your loyal employees, would you?"

Zhang Wei couldn't help but suppress a chuckle. "Already switched to 'chairman,' have we?"

As they continued their exploration of the villa in silence, every creaking floorboard and shadowed corner added to the eerie ambiance.

Upon reaching the second floor and entering a dimly lit storeroom, they both noticed ropes that had been cut with precision, and their expressions darkened in unison.

Suddenly, a mysterious gas began to seep into the room, causing Lisa to cough and hold onto Zhang Wei's hand even tighter. "What's happening?" she whispered, her voice quivering.

Zhang Wei's brows furrowed as he scanned the room, catching a glimpse of a shadow.

In a split second, he spun around and hurled silver needles toward the source of the disturbance.

*Crack!*

A small, male yelp pierced through the room, followed by the shattering of a mirror. As the dissipating smoke unveiled the scene, they found themselves in an empty room with the shattered mirror and two large silver needles lying on the floor.

A trail of blood led outside, indicating that the hidden intruder had already escaped.

"B-Blood?" Lisa stammered in astonishment.

Zhang Wei, however, seemed focused on the mirror. Its frame bore ancient patterns, and the shattered glass seemed significant. In his mind, he communicated with an unseen entity, asking, 'Can it be fixed?'

[That heavenly mirror you destroyed can be repaired by Xie Meirong with her powers.]

Determination filled Zhang Wei's expression. "Let's go outside," he instructed suddenly. Xie Meirong was a puzzle that needed solving, and he had a feeling the Royal Art Academy might hold some answers.

"But what about the blood and the ropes?" Lisa reminded him as he ushered her to the car.

Zhang Wei replied calmly, "It's useless; he's already escaped." He settled her into the co-pilot seat, took the keys, and drove the car himself.

Lisa was left momentarily speechless as Zhang Wei's stern focus became evident. They headed toward their next destination, the Royal Art Academy.

Zhang Wei glanced at Lisa in the co-pilot seat and remarked, "Get used to it. If you want to be my secretary, there are challenges far more demanding than warming the bed."

Lisa's eyes widened in shock. "W-Who is warming your bed!?" she retorted, her face turning crimson.

Zhang Wei merely smiled but didn't engage in the argument, leaving a veil of mystery for her.

Lisa, not one to shy away from the question, inquired tentatively, "Would I get extra payment for all this?" She sat calmly in the co-pilot seat.

Zhang Wei, taken aback, turned to look at her in surprise. She clarified her point, "This isn't your typical business matter, right? So, I should be rewarded extra?"

*Puff!*

Zhang Wei suddenly burst into laughter, shaking his head. "What do you need so much money for?" He couldn't quite fathom her obsession with wealth.

Lisa grinned in response, "Well, Chairman, a woman has her own secrets and dreams, and money can certainly help with some of them."

Zhang Wei chuckled, "I've knew you were a negotiator. I'll consider a bonus for your efforts once this is resolved."

Lisa's satisfaction with the prospect of a potential bonus was evident. She had fully embraced her role as Zhang Wei's secretary, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they arrived at the Royal Art Academy, Zhang Wei gave clear instructions to Lisa. "Stay in the car. I'll go inside and look around. Call me if you notice anything unusual. No matter who it is, don't open the windows, and be prepared to drive away if necessary."

Lisa nodded solemnly, her tension mounting as Zhang Wei left her with the wheel. She watched him venture alone into the silent and seemingly abandoned academy.

The Royal Art Academy had been closed for several days, a grim consequence of its proximity to the location of multiple recent deaths. The city administration had sealed off the premises, and it had become the focal point of the investigation.

Zhang Wei presented his identification card from the NSA to gain access and decided to explore the academy on his own.

__________

After an hour...

The vicinity around the Royal Art Academy had undergone a significant transformation. The silent streets were now teeming with activity, as law enforcement vehicles swarmed the area. Leng Yan, leading the pursuit of the serial killer, had coincidentally chosen this very location for her investigation.

The task force was operating at full throttle, and officers and investigators diligently scoured every nook and cranny.

The flashing blue and red lights of their vehicles painted the scene with an aura of urgency and tension.

Amidst this controlled chaos, Lisa, who had been observing from the relative comfort of the car, finally emerged.

She rubbed her shoulders, feeling the weight of the situation. Her gaze swept across the turmoil, and she couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"Here goes my first day on the job...." she murmured to herself with a slighty melancholic bittersweet smile.

Today was her debut as the chairman's assistant, and little did she anticipate that it would begin in the midst of such unexpected and chaotic circumstances.