Chen Feng sat on his second-floor balcony, three different phones with distinct cases laid out before him. He swirled a glass of cheap whiskey on ice, his gaze as sharp and precise as a high-stakes trader, fixed on the jumping red notifications on the screens.
Ding—
Phone One: Pink Case. Woman A, Lin Yue, 24. A naive corporate rookie in the terminal stages of "love-brain."
Lin Yue (Voice note, sobbing): "Chen Feng, are you lying to me? My best friend said she saw you at Wanda Plaza with another woman. You told me you were on a business trip in Nanning! Answer me!"
Chen Feng remained expressionless. He listened to the message, crushed his cigarette, and didn't rush to reply. Instead, he picked up the second phone.
Phone Two: Rhinestone-studded Case. Woman B, Manny, 31. A divorced boutique owner currently in a state of extreme emotional hunger.
Manny (Voice note, flirtatious): "Hubby, I want to change my car. I've got my eye on that red Mini. You said you'd cover half the down payment... when are you transferring it? I'm wearing that black lace you love tonight, waiting for you."
A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Chen Feng's mouth. Finally, he looked at the third phone.
Phone Three: Matte Black Case. Woman C, Sister Zhou, 38. A high-ranking real estate executive. This kind of woman was the hardest to handle, but also the most lucrative.
Sister Zhou (Text): "Three days without a word. My patience is limited, Chen Feng. If you think this 'hard-to-get' act is funny, we're done. Ten o'clock tomorrow morning—be in my office, or stay out of my life forever."
Three women. Three frequencies. Three ticking time bombs.
Chen Feng took a sip of his drink, the ice clinking against the glass. He took a deep breath and began his "alchemy."
He picked up the Pink Phone. His voice instantly became weary, raspy, and tinged with a subtle tremor:
"Yueyue, don't cry. Since your friend saw me, I can't hide it anymore. The Nanning project had a major disaster. I'm in Beihai, but I'm at the police station assisting an investigation. The girl at Wanda... that's my boss's daughter. If I don't accompany her, my life is over. Wait for me. Once I settle this mess, I'll come get you."
Send.
Without a second's pause, he grabbed the Rhinestone Phone. His tone shifted to doting and dominant:
"Babe, a Mini is too low-class for you. I just spotted a pre-owned Porsche 718 and I'm talking price with a friend. I'll cover the whole down payment. Just be a good girl—I have a major client to meet tonight. If I close this deal, the car goes in your name tomorrow. Wait for my call."
Finally, he took the Black Phone. He didn't send a voice note. Instead, he sent a photo.
It was a picture he had snapped half an hour ago in a hospital emergency room—a lonely shot of a IV stand under cold, white lights.
Chen Feng (Text): "Stomach bleeding. Just finished a gastric lavage. The doctor told me to stay off the phone. Zhou, my life is cheap; I won't die that easily. But my only regret would be dying before seeing you again."
Five minutes later, the balcony was deathly silent.
Ding!
Lin Yue (A): "I'm so sorry, hubby! I didn't know you were in trouble! I'm transferring 10,000 yuan right now. Use it to smooth things over at the station. Don't let them mistreat you!"
Ding!
Manny (B): "You're the best! I'll wait for you. I just sent you 5,000—go buy some supplements, don't overwork yourself for that deal."
Ding!
Sister Zhou (C): "Which hospital? I'm driving there now. Also, I just put 20,000 in your account for your 'medical fees.' Don't thank me. You know what I want in return."
Chen Feng watched the bank notifications flood his screen. There was no love in his eyes, only the hollow boredom of a completed task. His digital balance surged.
He pulled a tattered notebook from a drawer. Inside were detailed records of every target: menstrual cycles, preferences, parents' names, and... their weaknesses.
He muttered to himself:
"There's no such thing as a 'Prince Charming.' Everyone is just getting what they need. They buy the emotion; I sell my soul."
Suddenly, a fourth phone—a backup he always kept off and hidden—lit up.
It was the only phone he never let a target see.
A single message appeared:
"Chen Feng, the Beihai trap is set. The Master is waiting for your update. Next target: Double the stakes."
Chen Feng's hand trembled slightly.