Chapter 248: Chapter 248

Hua Xiaomo said nothing, but the sound of her breathing carried a weight that words could not.

"Fine, I understand what’s on your mind right now even if you don’t say anything. I also ask you not to do anything in a moment of passion that you will regret for the rest of your life," Qi Longbing said. After a pause, he added, "Is the place you’re living Yuehu Residence, number 81?"

"President Qi, you truly have far-reaching powers, able to investigate anything," Hua Xiaomo couldn’t help but retort, her eyes growing a bit colder.

Who am I doing this investigation for? Have I, Qi Longbing, gone mad?

Qi Longbing smiled faintly and spoke again, "Regarding who actually owns the place you’re living in, I’m not telling you this to make you believe me immediately. I know that no matter what I say now, you won’t believe it. Therefore, you must use your own eyes and ears to listen, to observe, and to discover the truth for yourself."

"Until you discover the truth of the matter for yourself, find out what kind of person Long Shangxuan is, and whether he truly deserves your love. If you still choose him, I won’t stop you..." Yeah, right!

As he finished speaking, a profound, troubled look settled in Qi Longbing’s eyes.

Was this really the first time a woman he held in his arms had been snatched away by someone else? This was utterly abnormal!

Hua Xiaomo also took a deep breath, and it took her a while to say, "...President Qi, thank you for telling me so much. But I still believe in Brother Long. He wouldn’t deceive me."

Qi Longbing laughed. It seemed that no amount of scolding would make this woman see sense. Thinking of something, he said, "Fine, I won’t meddle in your affairs. Marry whoever you want, just make sure you don’t regret it. However, I must take back all the photos you took of me!"

"President Qi..." Hua Xiaomo fell silent for a moment and then said, "I absolutely won’t leak them. I’ll keep them safe for you." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕·𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎·𝚗𝚎𝚝

A deep, dangerous darkness flickered in Qi Longbing’s blue eyes. "I can trust you, and only you. I don’t trust anyone else! Especially not Long Shangxuan!"

"Don’t worry. I haven’t shown these photos to anyone else, including Brother Long. I, Hua Xiaomo, always keep my word. That’s true today, and it will remain true. I won’t let anyone see these photos. Of course... this also depends on President Qi upholding our agreement."

Hua Xiaomo spoke quickly, her amber eyes clouded with worry. She really hoped this storm would pass soon.

Only then could her life return to normal.

"How did you take those photos of me... with your phone?" Qi Longbing asked, a crafty gleam in his eyes.

He had indeed been too careless. Back at the tower, when he went to get the blanket, she must have taken the opportunity to snap the pictures. And then, when she got up during the night, did she deliberately seek another chance to photograph him?

He never imagined his lack of vigilance would lead to her Wuqing betrayal and selling out...

It seems he had loved too much...

The nicer you are to a woman, the less she tends to take you seriously.

It was only after a long silence that Hua Xiaomo responded, "...Yes."

Then Hua Xiaomo quickly muted the call, took out her phone, and gripped it tightly, her knuckles clenching and unclenching. She didn’t speak again for quite a while.

On the other end, Qi Longbing also ended the call and fell silent, but the intense malice still seeped from his blue eyes.

Soon after, he turned his phone on again, scrolled to another number, and dialed. "Yu Bao, come to my study immediately!"

"Okay," Yu Bao replied. Not long after, Yu Bao arrived at Qi Longbing’s study. "President Qi, you were looking for me?"

"Hmm, there’s something I need you to do." Qi Longbing looked at him, then beckoned him closer. Yu Bao approached. Qi Longbing whispered a few instructions, then took the Butterfly Brooch from a drawer in his study. "If you’re discovered, just say you’re here to return this item to her, understand?"

Yes, I understand, Yu Bao nodded. Still, it was bizarre that President Qi was asking him to steal her phone.

But considering President Qi’s usual methods, Hua Xiaomo’s phone must contain something very important. Otherwise, he wouldn’t resort to this.

"Act tomorrow night. Seize the opportunity and make sure you steal her phone, understand?" Qi Longbing commanded sternly.

Yu Bao acknowledged and quickly withdrew from the room.

Once the room quieted, Qi Longbing’s handsome face alternated between looking grim and pale. For a long while, he just leaned back in his chair, silent.

He instinctively lit a cigarette, took a drag, and when he exhaled again, the smoke swirled around him, blurring his vision.

Through the swirling smoke, he saw a bewildering, illusory scene, utterly unreal.

Qi Longbing suddenly chuckled. He realized he had been caught in her web of illusions all along, never truly seeing her real thoughts or intentions.

He had thought she loved him as purely and simply as he loved her, but he was mistaken. This wasn’t love; it was a distortion of its very essence.

And yet, she could go against her own feelings and be with him... just to take his picture.

Viewed this way, this woman definitely had the makings of a spy.

Yes, her unusual skills had always been shrouded in mystery.

He had thought her too simple.

"Hua Xiaomo... it seems I, Qi Longbing, need to reacquaint myself with you," Qi Longbing said, holding his cigarette and exhaling a long stream of silvery smoke. His thoughts once again took on a chillingly calculated aura.

Night fell the next day. At eleven o’clock, it was an hour of deep silence.

A figure clad in black arrived at Yuehu Residence number 81, swiftly scaled the iron fence, and slipped in through a window into the crimson villa.

Following Qi Longbing’s instructions, Yu Bao carefully ascended the stairs and walked along the second-floor corridor. After careful observation, he identified the master bedroom. But just as he was about to proceed, a figure suddenly emerged from a side bedroom—it was none other than Hua Xiaomo. At that moment, she wore a loose-fitting nightgown and headed to the bathroom on the second floor.

Yu Bao immediately stepped aside to avoid her line of sight, and once she entered the restroom, he slipped into her room.

The room was dimly lit, but Yu Bao, his eyes like a night eagle’s, quickly scanned his surroundings. However, before he even began searching, the lights in the room suddenly turned on.

Yu Bao had no time to hide and was caught red-handed by Hua Xiaomo.

"Mr. Yu, since we’re acquainted, I won’t beat around the bush. With your skills, you could be a bodyguard, but as a thief... you’re far from qualified!" Hua Xiaomo said with a light, teasing laugh.