Chapter 266: Chapter 266
Hua Xiaomo looked into his eyes, which shimmered with a gentle light. "Xia Shuangming, thank you. But, about some things..." Content orıginally comes from 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
If he was still thinking about having her marry him...
"You don’t have to say it," Xia Shuangming said. "Whether you, Hua Xiaomo, acknowledge it or not, after nine years together, I’ve come to regard you as family. This room’s lease will expire in a few days. By then, I’ll be taking Yunsha back to the United Kingdom with me. It’s possible that once I leave... I might never come back."
When Xia Shuangming reached this point, he paused briefly before continuing, "As for you, you can consider whether you want to come with me. We can take your mother and leave this place together. For the future, you don’t have to worry about anything at all."
"Over these years, I’ve accumulated enough money in bank accounts around the world for us to live lavishly for a lifetime!"
Xia Shuangming spoke these words very calmly, watching her. Her expression didn’t seem to grow any more agitated.
Perhaps this serenity was the most suitable for them. After all, they had experienced so much excitement and thrill over the past nine years—far too much, in fact.
But every time, it was because they had acquired some treasure or managed to sell one for a good price.
Beyond that, the feelings between them hadn’t progressed even an iota.
It was he, he who had wasted nine years!
Perhaps if he had realized this sooner, they wouldn’t have faced so many obstacles.
Time flies; the years spare no one...
Only when he understood the feelings hidden deep in his heart did he truly realize her value.
Only then did he want to devise every possible way to keep her by his side, which was why he hadn’t hesitated to make her sign that massive debt.
But that she would fight in the arena over this debt was something he had never anticipated. Later, he had Zi Yunsui rig the matches against every Super Mario who entered...
...which allowed her to successfully win one match after another, until she was the last one standing.
That incident suddenly made him understand many things.
Money, indeed, is not omnipotent. No amount of it can buy love.
Especially *her* love!
Forcing things would only cause a beautiful flower to wither prematurely...
"Thank you, I..." Hua Xiaomo’s voice choked slightly. The man talking to her now no longer seemed so insistent.
This version of him, however, inexplicably made her feel a twinge of guilt.
She knew he would no longer ask her to steal and would even provide plenty of money to support her and her mother.
"You don’t have to rush your answer," Xia Shuangming said, his tone very calm, showing no superfluous emotion that could make one uncomfortable. "Think it over. Go to your room and rest for a while. Later, I’ll take you back."
"Mm," Hua Xiaomo responded noncommittally and stood up. "I’m done eating. I’m going to go in and sleep for a while. Remember to wake me at eleven, okay?"
"Go ahead." Xia Shuangming smiled faintly.
It was as if this final conversation had occurred countless times before; their rapport was so familiar it felt like an unspoken understanding. Indeed. Every time before a theft, she would ask to sleep for a short while. He would always wake her punctually, and she would then throw herself into the operation with renewed vigor.
Hua Xiaomo mustered a forced smile, quickly turned her face away, and walked toward the room he had indicated.
Xia Shuangming watched her enter the room, a mysterious, inscrutable light glinted deep in his eyes.
Hua Xiaomo looked around the room. As a thought struck her, she sat woodenly on the bed, feeling dazed.
So many things had happened recently; her thoughts struggled to keep up.
A series of blows, lies, and deceptions had pervaded her life. Thinking back on the fantasies she once indulged in, it all seemed laughable now!
But, should I leave just like that? Leave this city...
Eventually, an unidentifiable light replaced the beautiful amber hue in her eyes. She slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the luminous moon.
"Sometimes, one simply has no choice. Since that’s the case, why bother trying to escape?" Hua Xiaomo gave a bitter smile, resting a hand on the windowsill and looking down.
The third floor wasn’t too high. She quickly gathered her strength and leaped out of the window.
Her slender, delicate figure vanished into the vast darkness, eventually merging with it.
Meanwhile, the man in the Pandora villa had no idea she had left. The ancient pendulum clock on the white wall struck eleven, and Xia Shuangming walked towards her room.
Just then, a series of unsettling sounds came from outside the door.
Several black luxury cars soon arrived.
Rows of men in black emerged from them.
When the last person stepped out of the car, everyone bowed their heads. "President Qi!"
"Surround this place! If Xia Shuangming escapes, all of you can get out of the Qi Imperial Court by tomorrow!" Qi Longbing’s voice turned cold.
"Yes, sir!" The group of men in black dispersed, quickly establishing a perimeter around the villa. Soon, the small villa was completely surrounded.
The commotion outside also alerted the people inside.
"Master, we’re being surrounded!" Zi Yunsui’s eyes darkened, and he swiftly picked up the hunting rifle leaning in the corner.
Xia Shuangming’s eyes, beneath his mask, narrowed into dangerous slits. "Go get Xiao Mo."
"Mm." Zi Yunsui hurried to Hua Xiaomo’s room and knocked, but there was no answer.
Xia Shuangming, sensing something was amiss, strode forward with a swift step and opened the door.
The room was completely empty; its occupant had long since vanished.
The window, however, was open. Xia Shuangming glanced at it and smiled, a calm yet indifferent expression on his face. "She’s gone. And so willfully, too."
"How could Hua Xiaomo leave without a word? She truly has no regard for you, Master," Zi Yunsui said, clearly displeased.
Although Hua Xiaomo had temporarily left them, they didn’t consider her an outsider. In fact, deep in his heart, Zi Yunsui had always believed she would marry his Master and become his wife. But now, it seemed her heart wasn’t with his Master.
Xia Shuangming remained silent. His face turned a shade paler, though it wasn’t overly obvious.
"I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t mean to upset you... it’s just that..." Just as Zi Yunsui was about to say more.
"Don’t say any more!" Xia Shuangming’s voice suddenly turned cold. He looked beyond the room’s doorway, his eyes narrowing.
The door was kicked open, and a tall, imposing man strode in. It was none other than Qi Longbing’s personal aide and bodyguard, Yu Bao.