Yes! He had asked her before about her relationship with Xia Shuangming; how could she forget? Wasn’t it all for that five million? She owed a huge debt and even risked her life competing in fights to repay it, but Qi Longbing knew nothing of this. But then again, what did it have to do with him? He just liked to meddle in these matters. And now, he had somehow managed to trace it back to Xia Shuangming? But, if Xia Shuangming was dug up, everything they had done before would be exposed to the world, and that involved far too many secrets... No, I can’t let him find Xia Shuangming! Thinking of this, Hua Xiaomo quickly made up her mind.
She glanced at the time. It was just past ten o’clock, and Qi Longbing’s meeting wouldn’t be finished until at least twelve.
Hua Xiaomo quickly grabbed her bag, gave a casual excuse to MS Lin, who was still sitting outside, and then swiftly took the president’s elevator down, leaving the Qi Imperial Court.
Just as Hua Xiaomo left, a figure in a black suit appeared not far away on the first floor. However, Yu Bao didn’t call out to her. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed the familiar number ending in a string of eights.
"Hello? Where is she now?" A deep, dangerous, and resonant voice came from the other end of the line.
"President Qi, Miss Hua has left the Qi Imperial Court. Barring any surprises, she’s likely heading to that old castle in the suburbs," Yu Bao reported.
"Good... proceed as planned," Qi Longbing said expressionlessly before hanging up. He quickly walked out of the empty meeting room and hurried down the elevator.
Xiao Mo, don’t blame me. Since I, Qi Longbing, have sworn to protect you, to be your ideal man, I can’t let anyone threaten your life and safety again. A mix of melancholy and eeriness shrouded Qi Longbing’s incomparably handsome face. From the moment he heard her called "Super Mario," his heart had been brutally torn apart... He knew she was fighting in the ring for money, getting herself covered in blood, bruised and battered—these scenes, all of this... It was a pain that he, Qi Longbing, could never forget in this lifetime! And the source of all this pain was that man named Xia Shuangming. No matter if he was a Feng Shui Master or some kind of evil spirit, he, Qi Longbing, had to completely remove him from her life!
In the suburbs, within a dense and secluded forest, stood a four-story ancient castle. Its outer walls were hidden by dense creeper vines, making it difficult to spot without careful observation.
Hua Xiaomo quickly arrived.
As she pushed open the door, the sound of fluttering crows erupted once more. Chapters fırst released on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩
Hua Xiaomo glanced at the dimly lit lobby. Without further thought, she quickly ascended the European-style solid wood staircase to the second floor. Just as she turned a corner, however—
WHOOSH! A force suddenly swung towards her from the side.
Hua Xiaomo swiftly stepped back, avoiding the strike.
A purple-haired young man in a Tang suit appeared, his Long Hunting Rifle aimed at the intruder.
But upon seeing the girl with the white blouse and tousled short hair, Zi Yunsui slowly lowered his Long Hunting Rifle. "Hua Xiaomo, what are you doing here?"
Hua Xiaomo glanced at Zi Yunsui, her gaze quickly shifting towards a particular room. "I’m here for Xia Shuangming! Is he inside?"
Zi Yunsui didn’t answer immediately, a hint of slyness on his handsome face. "How did you know my master was returning today after completing his rituals elsewhere? Hua Xiaomo, your information network seems a bit too efficient, doesn’t it?"
Hua Xiaomo’s expression turned serious. "Zi Yunsui, I don’t have time to waste talking with you. I want to see Xia Shuangming!"
"Apologies, Master needs to rest today. He won’t see you," Zi Yunsui refused coolly, his handsome face tinged with ruthlessness.
"Young man, since you’re being so tactless, don’t blame this ’big sister’ for forcing her way in," Hua Xiaomo said. Paying him no further heed, she quickly walked forward.
Just as Zi Yunsui was about to reach out and stop her, a faint voice suddenly drifted from one of the rooms. "Let Xiao Mo come in."
Only then did Zi Yunsui retract his hand. He glanced at Hua Xiaomo, but before he could say anything more, she had already coldly pushed him aside and strode into the room.
Xia Shuangming was still sitting cross-legged on the floor. A Tang Suit Black Robe, embroidered with dark gold mystical patterns, enveloped his perfect physique. His handsome face was still covered by the platinum mask, and his voice was slightly hoarse.
"You’ve come to see me. Have you made your decision?" Xia Shuangming asked without lifting his head.
His hands still toyed with a pyramid-style spread of tarot cards on the coffee table before him. He manipulated them into ever-changing, dazzling patterns that could easily mesmerize an onlooker.
"Yes, I’ve made my decision," Hua Xiaomo replied. She quickly opened her bag, took out a deep blue magnetic card, and placed it in front of him. "This card is for five million. I’m giving it to you now. I don’t owe you any more money."
After a brief pause, Hua Xiaomo added, "I hope our partnership ends here and now."
Suddenly, Xia Shuangming lifted his head. From beneath the platinum crown mask, his eyes gleamed with a bewitching radiance.
However, before he could speak, a commotion erupted outside the room.
"Master, many men in black have arrived outside!" Zi Yunsui exclaimed, rushing to the doorway with his Long Hunting Rifle. With a SLAM, he pulled the door shut.
Zi Yunsui leaped up, aiming his Long Hunting Rifle at the intruders who were barging in.
Xia Shuangming glanced at Hua Xiaomo and said coolly, "You brought these people, didn’t you, Little K?"
Despite this, Xia Shuangming remained perfectly calm and composed, his gaze returning to the tarot cards he was manipulating on the table.
Precisely then, four Club cards formed an impenetrable "palace" formation...
Interesting... However, it seemed these were people who would inevitably come knocking sooner or later.
Hua Xiaomo looked at him and couldn’t help but sneer. "Xia Shuangming, do you really think I would betray you? Then tell me, what would I possibly gain from it?"
"Back then..." Hua Xiaomo paused, an enigmatic light flickering in her eyes before she continued quickly, "Since we’re in the same boat, if our connection is exposed today, it would be a disaster for both of us."
"And so?" Xia Shuangming murmured, the light in his eyes still holding an indistinct, mysterious darkness.
"There is no ’and so.’ You leaving—that’s the best outcome for both of us," Hua Xiaomo stated, her gaze hardening.
BANG! A gunshot suddenly rang out from outside the door.
The air outside instantly grew suffocating.
"Who are you people? How dare you trespass into a private residence?" the young Zi Yunsui demanded, his Long Hunting Rifle raised and his expression cold.
A group of menacing, fierce-looking men in black stormed in.
Yu Bao now stood protectively in front of Qi Longbing, afraid the next shot might accidentally hit the president. His grip on the weapon in his hand tightened.