I Turned Filthy Rich Just By Sleeping With Women?!

On the wide, sun-drenched porch of Madam Ruan's house -yes her private house, not the mansion that felt more like a casino- Zhao Yiming squinted at the chaotic patch of green and brown in the corner of the garden.

Among the fine trimmings of traditional stone benches and potted bonsai stood a strange, mixed mess of mismatched plants.

Wildflower stalks jutting next to a stubborn cabbage, a single sunflower slumping beside limp chili bushes.

Standing in the middle of this green crime scene was Ruan Lihua, dressed in a flowing black robe, her hair tied up messily as she dramatically tossed something into the soil.

Zhao Yiming watched for a few seconds in silence before finally asking, "...What are you doing?"

She turned to him with a proud smile, holding a small paper packet of seeds in one hand and a miniature shovel in the other.

"Gardening," she replied like it was obvious. "Well, sort of. I love tending to plants, but for some reason, the more I take care of them, the more they die."

He blinked, walking closer as he observed a wilted tomato plant leaning at a 45-degree angle like it was trying to escape.

"So... what are you throwing?"

"Seeds," she chirped. "I just throw them around now. The weird part is that only the ones I don't tend to actually survive. It's like they know I'm coming and just decide to give up on life."

Zhao Yiming stared at the garden, lips twitching. "You're telling me... You just toss random seeds into your yard and don't take care of them and those are the ones that grow?"

"Yes!" she beamed. "So now I just embrace it."

"I've accepted my fate as the Plant Reaper. Anything I water or fertilize dies. But if I ignore them and let the wind decide? They bloom like crazy."

He was flabbergasted. Truly speechless. Back when he was Lao Chen, he'd grown vegetables in broken plastic buckets just to save money on groceries.

His precious scallions, bok choy, and bitter melon had been his pride. Painstakingly watered with leftover rice water and fertilized with compost scraps.

And here she was... throwing seeds like confetti.

He rubbed his temple. "How exactly were you tending them before?"

"Oh, I gave them tons of water! At least three times a day. And fertilizer too. Loads of it. That should help them grow, right?" Her expression suddenly turned downcast.

"But… they just kept dying. All of them. Like they couldn't handle my love."

Zhao Yiming slowly turned his head to the plants, as if mourning their spirits. "You drowned them... and overfed them. No wonder they died. They probably exploded from nutrient shock."

Though, the weird part wasn't the dead plant or the random garden that looked more like a vegetable market.

But Ruan Lihua, the leader from Black Orchid, the most scariest woman in the whole city, didn't have the common sense to tend plants?!

Ruan Lihua pouted. "You make it sound so violent…"

He sighed, walking back to the porch steps and sitting down. "It was violent. Just very slow."

She followed and instead of sitting beside him, she plopped down right on top of him, straddling his lap with a cheeky grin like she owned the spot.

"Why the serious face, Boss Zhao? Are you mourning my garden?"

"I'm mourning common sense," he muttered. "But you're beyond saving."

"Mmm. You used to like gardening too, didn't you?" she said, resting her chin on his shoulder. "You told me that once when you were drunk in the middle of mahjong."

He clicked his tongue. "Of course I did. Vegetables are expensive. When I was broke, I learn to grow my own."

She giggled and wiggled slightly in his lap, arms wrapping lazily around his neck. "You make it sound so tragic."

"Because it was."

She leaned in, teasing voice dropping a note lower. "Then why not cheer me up? I'm kinda sad you spend more time with Han Queying and the rest of the harem instead of me."

He looked at her for a second, then shrugged, nonchalantly. "We saw each other two days ago."

"That's two whole days, Mr. Zhao. Tragic, isn't it?" She leaned forward, lips brushing his ear. "Don't act like you didn't miss me too."

Zhao Yiming tensed, The woman on top of him smelled like an expensive orchid, so fancy and elegant. Especially that thick thigh and ass that grinding deliberately on his cock, her teasing face.

Too hard to reject, so he kissed her slowly and gently. Before she cupped his face and indulged in their kiss. Their hot and wet tongue played around, their saliva dripped from their cheek, and ended up on her dress.

So hot and unbearable, none of them wanting to let go and when they did their breath was ragged, face red, but their longing stare at each other won't budge.

Until the sound of a clear throat behind them startled them. When they turned their head around, it was Ruan Lihua's left-hand man, Peng.

"I think... We have something important to discuss more," he said, as they frowned.

"Right, let's continue it later." Zhao Yiming straightened his posture while Ruan Lihua gave a death stare at Peng who simply turned his head away.

Zhao Yiming started, "The people from Hongxin Alley agreed to sell. All of them signed the intent documents. I'll start the ownership transfers tomorrow."

Her eyes lit up, the flirtatious air replaced by business-minded sharpness.

"Good," she said, sitting up straighter on his lap.

"I'll send a few of my men to guard the place tonight. That area's too hot lately. Golden Earth's rats have been sniffing around, and we're close to the trial."

"Two days left," he muttered.

She nodded. "That's more than enough time for them to pull something desperate. Be careful. You've embarrassed them enough."

Zhao Yiming cracked his neck and leaned back on his palms. "Let them come. They'll only embarrass themselves more."

"Confident man," she said, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

The conversation softened again, the sharpness fading into something comfortable.

Afternoon sunlight draped the porch, and the two of them sat there in silence for a while, sharing a pot of light oolong tea as the strange little garden swayed in the breeze—half-dead, half-alive, like a living metaphor for Ruan Lihua's personality.

Zhao Yiming stayed until the sun dipped low in the sky, letting himself relax for the first time in days.

Ruan Lihua turned to Zhao Yiming with a sly smile, her long hair fluttering behind her in the breeze.

"Stay for dinner tonight," she said, brushing dust off her hands. "I'll cook something for you."

Zhao Yiming's eyes lit up with delight. "You can cook?"

She nodded confidently with a smirk, "I can build Black Orchid from rubble to one of the biggest groups in this city. Cooking is just a simple task, ask Peng!"

Peng's face went pale like he'd seen a ghost. Slowly, very slowly, he shook his head at Zhao Yiming, eyes full of warning.

Zhao Yiming blinked. "...Why do you look like that?"

Before Peng could utter a word, Ruan Lihua grabbed him by the wrist. "Come, let's go inside."

He was dragged through the grand entrance into her house. It was elegant, beautifully preserved traditional Chinese architecture met with a touch of modern comfort.

They reached the dining room, where Ruan Lihua gestured for him to sit at the long rosewood table. "You wait here. I'll go make something special."

As she vanished into the kitchen, Peng appeared beside him, his face grave.

"Hey," Zhao Yiming whispered. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Peng leaned in close and murmured, "You'll know… just be strong."

"What does that mean?!"

However, the thin man didn't answer, making Zhao Yiming's stomach twist. What if it was that bad? Was she cursed with a black thumb and a dead tongue?

Time crawled by like a prisoner waiting for execution.

The door swung open, and a maid wheeled in a trolley behind Ruan Lihua.

"I made everything myself. You will not regret trying all of it," she declared.

Zhao Yiming looked at the dishes in awe. Sweet and sour fish, stir-fried greens, spicy mapo tofu, braised pork belly, even handmade dumplings…

They looked incredible, plating worthy of a Michelin-star restaurant.

"Wait… these look amazing," he muttered. "What's with the warning, Peng?"

Before Peng could answer, Ruan Lihua shot him a look. "Sit. You're eating too."

Peng stiffened. "I… I have work—"

"No excuses."

Beads of sweat rolled down his temple as he reluctantly sat beside Zhao Yiming.

"Dig in." She smiled proudly.

Zhao Yiming smiled and served himself a generous spoonful of tofu.

Then when he took a bite, his soul left his body.

His entire mouth rebelled against him. The tofu had the texture of rubber and tasted like it had been soaked in salt and vinegar… then boiled in sadness. His lips twitched. His tongue screamed.

Across the table, Peng silently mouthed, "I'm sorry."

Meanwhile, Ruan Lihua was happily munching away. "Mmm~ See? So good, right?"

Zhao Yiming stared at her. Did her taste buds evolve to survive disasters?

"It's… unique," he said slowly.

"You're blushing," she chucks. "Is it that good?"

He nearly choked. "Y-Yeah. Incredible."

As the torture meal continued, they chatted about the Hongxin Alley deal, his latest renovations, and Peng's odd habit of keeping three phones.

Slowly, the terrible taste was masked by laughter, teasing, and Ruan Lihua's elegance in defeating any of her enemies.

When dinner ended, she suddenly said, "You're staying the night, right? I already made the bed…"

Her voice dropped to a playful whisper. "In my room."