New Love No. 1: Have you kissed me enough, President?

At that moment, Yuan Yi was hanging by his wrists, his eyelids drooping in exhaustion. When Gu Lili lashed him with the whip, he threw back his head and let out a guttural scream, the agony too much to bear. He howled, frenzied and hoarse, "Gu Lili, just you wait—next time you fall into my hands, I swear I'll kill you!"

Gu Lili narrowed her eyes, swung the whip with full force, and struck him again. "Kill me? Tonight, I'll beat you until you beg for mercy!"

Long Yubei stood to the side, watching the scene unfold with detached amusement.

Yuan Yi's tortured screams echoed through the room, growing ragged and hoarse as his body convulsed in pain.

Eventually, the torment broke him. He began to plead, his voice cracking as he begged her to stop.

Gu Lili's arm ached from the effort. She glanced down at the blood staining the whip. "Didn't you have such a sharp tongue? Put him down."

The guards immediately lowered him from the suspension. He collapsed to the ground, letting out another anguished cry as he hit the floor.

Gu Lili turned to Long Yubei. "Husband, I can't stand the sound of his voice. Let's cut out his tongue and mince it for the dogs. What do you think?"

Before Long Yubei could reply, Yuan Yi shouted, "You venomous witch!"

"I am a venomous witch. So what?" She stepped up to him and slapped him hard across the face. "You provoked me first. Don't blame me for being ruthless. Furious, aren't you? Already plotting your revenge? You think I'll give you that chance?" She leaned in coldly. "If you want to keep your filthy tongue, sign an agreement with me. What do you say?"

"What agreement?"

"Wait and see."

Gu Lili left the room, returning five minutes later with a document in hand. She tossed it to him.

"If you ever cross me, Long Yubei, or anyone we care about—family or friend—you willingly forfeit your life to us, and waive all rights to hold us accountable for anything we do."

Yuan Yi looked up in disbelief. "What kind of bullshit contract is this?"

"You can sign it, or you can kiss your tongue goodbye," she said with a glint in her eye. "One condition. That's all it takes."

"I won't sign!"

"Perfect." Gu Lili tucked the contract away, pulled out a gleaming blade, and ordered, "Hold his head still. I'll cut it out myself."

Several men pinned Yuan Yi down at once. Gu Lili approached slowly, knife in hand, and grasped his jaw.

Just as the blade was about to descend, Yuan Yi cracked.

"I'll sign! I'll sign!"

Gu Lili waved her hand. The guards released him.

She set the contract and red inkpad before him. "Don't try anything clever. And don't think this is all—I want your entire family to sign as well. You want your pathetic life? Next time, come at me with everything you've got. I'll be waiting."

Yuan Yi signed and stamped the agreement, glaring at her with venom in his eyes.

Satisfied, Gu Lili tucked the contract away. Then, right in front of him, she rose on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around Long Yubei's neck, pulling him into a deep French kiss.

Yuan Yi was so enraged, he nearly exploded on the spot.

…

By that afternoon, Yuan Yi's family had signed identical agreements and paid a compensation of twenty million yuan. Only then was he allowed to leave.

Gu Lili handed the signed contract to Long Yubei. "Keep this safe."

Long Yubei accepted it. "Alright."

She held out her hand. "Hand it over."

"What?"

"The twenty million. Let's split it fifty-fifty."

Long Yubei raised an eyebrow. "Why? If not for me, they wouldn't have paid a cent. And without me, you'd still be tied up in Yuan Yi's dungeon."