Chapter 45

Xie Chu arranged to meet Ming Jiao at their usual club. Interestingly, this was the same club where Aunt had previously asked to meet her.

It seemed the original host truly loved this place. Stepping into the familiar performance venue once more, Ming Jiao thought to herself.

The System had been pondering the entire journey but still couldn’t figure out what it had overlooked. Why did the host seem to already understand the reason why Xiao Ying appeared near the bookstore, while it remained completely clueless?

【Host, Xiao Ying really did follow us. She’s being very discreet – if I hadn’t been continuously expanding my energy to search the surroundings, I wouldn’t have detected her tracking us. Have you figured out why she’s following you?】

Ming Jiao’s red lips curved slightly upward, 【Since she followed us, my speculation is almost certainly correct. I’ll tell you after I verify it.】

System: The host told me not to speak in riddles, but now you’re being cryptic yourself. Such double standards.

But before it could press further, a private room door opened, revealing Xie Chu wearing a smile brimming with both enthusiasm and vitality. “Ming Jiao, you’re here.”

His handsome features and approachable demeanor, combined with what seemed like innate sincerity in his eyes, made it genuinely difficult for anyone to dislike him.

The System sighed inwardly at the terrifying acting skills of this movie emperor, then noticed its own host’s demeanor had also undergone some changes.

Ming Jiao was usually casual and languid, only showing her sharp and arrogant side that one rare time she slapped someone in the restroom.

But now the System noticed she had transformed into a proud swan strutting with her head held high. Her face showed a somewhat awkward attempt to suppress her delight, yet her eyes couldn’t conceal her habitual haughtiness.

Wow, so the acting mode the host activated in front of Aunt wasn’t even the highest level?

Considering this, the host was actually quite genuine with everyone else normally. With this Oscar-worthy acting skill, deceiving anyone would be effortless.

Xie Chu watched Ming Jiao approach him with sparkling eyes while pretending to be nonchalant. This further confirmed his original speculation.

There must have been some oversight during the hunter’s assassination attempt that night, which was why she didn’t die. All those mysterious excuses were clearly meant to cover up her mistake.

After all, if someone else were impersonating her, they couldn’t possibly mimic her so perfectly.

Shape-shifting ability users could change appearances, but they weren’t born actors.

And Ming Jiao’s first words made him even more certain this was the real person. “At least you still have some conscience.”

She said, “If you dared to abandon me so casually, I’d definitely make you regret it.”

See, this was Ming Jiao.

No matter how desperate her situation became, she would never show weakness, stubbornly maintaining her tough facade till the end.

Xie Chu observed her discreetly, just as he had at the banquet, paying extra attention to her complexion. Of course, he also did something he hadn’t at the banquet – secretly checking whether there were any ability users protecting her.

“Of course not, how could I do something so heartless?” He quickly reassured Ming Jiao, “I wanted to call off the engagement because I thought it would be better for both of us.”

When Ming Jiao glared at him, he gave an awkward bitter smile, “I was mistaken. Let’s have some drinks.”

Ming Jiao pursed her lips, but a smile still spread across her face, bright as blooming flowers. “Fine, I’ll forgive you for now.”

While she was earnestly sparring with her companion, the System’s reminder sounded, [Host, this man is quite cunning. You know what? The hunter has indeed arrived. Although he’s quite far from your position, if he wanted to approach, he could be here in an instant.]

Ming Jiao sat perfectly composed, not even letting the smile in her tone waver, [If Xie Chu wanted the hunter to come over, there would be no need for him to stand so far away. His current distance is probably just beyond the detection range of an ordinary ability user.]

The System said, [That’s right. If I hadn’t expanded my search to cover dozens of kilometers, I wouldn’t have detected him at all.]

Ming Jiao asked, [What about Xiao Ying? Could she be discovered? If she’s detected, remember to help cover for her.]

The System immediately complied, [Okay.]

Ming Jiao’s main purpose in meeting Xie Chu today was to prevent him from becoming suspicious—to avoid him realizing that she suspected him, had people investigating him, and even to create the impression that Aunt’s investigation was entirely her own doing, because Aunt was clever.

As for her—a beautiful fool with no brains—wasn’t it perfectly reasonable for her to turn to her most trusted Aunt when in danger?

She believed Xie Chu would give her this opportunity. After all, wasn’t his purpose in inviting her to probe the attitude of the ability user behind her and the direction of the investigation? To find out whether Aunt’s suspicion of him was a general inquiry based on the presumption of innocence or a targeted one.

It certainly couldn’t be that he actually wanted to date her.

Xie Chu’s subsequent concerned questions confirmed all her speculations. And he was even more cautious than she had anticipated—not a single word probed into matters related to ability users; his questions were indirect and obscure.

Ming Jiao mustered her energy and enthusiasm to respond while also wondering how soon Xie Chu would arrange her “lunchbox” again. Would he have the hunter follow her back directly?

What would he think if he couldn’t detect any ability user closely protecting her?

Then, the only thing that took Ming Jiao by surprise happened. She paused for a moment, repeating the invitation Xie Chu had just extended to her, “You want to take me to see the lavender fields?”

“Don’t you like it? I remember you’re very fond of flowers,” Xie Chu said, appearing quite interested as he enthusiastically promoted the idea. “Come with me to see it. I’ve heard the scenery there is absolutely beautiful, and we can take lots of photos.”

Ming Jiao’s mind raced. For the first time, she found herself unable to grasp Xie Chu’s intentions.

The possibility that he simply wanted to invite her out was so negligible it could be ignored—unless Xie Chu wanted to indirectly prove to Aunt that it was safe to go out with him, thereby reducing suspicion.

But the more he interacted with her and the longer they spent together, the more it would create the impression that they were still entangled. If he wanted to pursue Tang Xiaoyu, he certainly wouldn’t want that outcome.

Yet, aside from creating an opportunity to kill her, what other reason could there be?

If it was to lay the groundwork for eliminating her, it contradicted his cautious nature.

Ming Jiao felt she couldn’t quite figure out Xie Chu’s plan for now. Dark currents swirled in her peach-blossom eyes, but her face appropriately showed a mix of temptation and hesitation. “When did you want to go?”

“I think it’s best if we set off before dusk today,” Xie Chu smiled at her. “It’s just a two-hour drive outside the city to the Western Hills. We can go play for a few days. No need to prepare too much.”

So the sudden ambush was indeed meant for her. Ming Jiao could now confirm that Xie Chu definitely had some scheme in mind, though his exact intentions were still unclear. In any case, it was unlikely he would give her—or rather, the protectors behind her—any preparation time.

Of course, she could refuse. Ming Jiao believed Xie Chu would never let the hunter kill her immediately, but still…

She said, “Why so sudden? Other things can be left behind, but I need time to pack my clothes and makeup.”

Xie Chu replied, “I can help you pack. Don’t be angry—it’s not really that sudden.”

He smiled apologetically, “I’ve had this planned for a long time, but I hesitated for ages about calling you out. I kept putting it off until today.”

Ming Jiao shot him a glare, “Hmph, then I’ll go back first to pack my things.”

Xie Chu stood up, feigning consideration, “I’ll walk you back.”

Ming Jiao shook her head, “Where I’m staying now, outsiders aren’t allowed to enter casually. My aunt also forbids me from bringing anyone over. I sneaked out to meet you today—if I go back and tell her I’m going out with you, it’ll be a hassle to convince her.”

Xie Chu didn’t question the fact that Ming Jiao’s aunt had secretly placed her under protection. He merely gave her a glance filled with superficial pity.

He knew that after the incident, Ming Jiao had been under the protection of the Flybird organization. However, given her personality, she would have undoubtedly confided all the dangers she faced to her aunt.

And her aunt would naturally take her under her wing for protection—or rather, continue to monitor her.

There must have been some twists and turns in the process, but in the end, Ming Jiao had returned to her aunt’s side.

Little did she know that the person she trusted most also had ulterior motives toward her.

Not only did she not suspect it, but even Xie Chu, who had known them for years, had never noticed any clues.

However, if her aunt didn’t interfere with his plans, he had no interest in probing her motives. Nor would he use evidence of her monitoring Ming Jiao to threaten her at the slightest sign of trouble.

The leverage was too insignificant, and more importantly, doing so would be like confessing without being accused.

Since the topic had come up, Xie Chu could naturally ask, “What happened? Did someone cause trouble for you?”

“It’s nothing too serious. When I was staying at the Rose Garden, a man in black broke into my bedroom one night—maybe to rob me or to harm me,” Ming Jiao recalled, furrowing her delicate brows. “But he didn’t succeed. My aunt was worried about my safety and said it wasn’t a coincidence—someone must be trying to kill me. I think she’s right.”

She curled her lips disdainfully, “After all, those fools I offended must hate me to death.”

Xie Chu found himself occasionally admiring Ming Jiao. Having nearly been killed, she could still talk about it so casually, as if it were nothing. Whether it was recklessness or courage, it was something ordinary people didn’t possess.

Moreover, she seemed born with an unshakeable arrogance. She was the one who did wrong, she was the one who offended others, yet she was also the one who spoke with the most conviction. The word “self-reflection” probably never appeared in her life’s dictionary.

Fortunately, Xie Chu was also someone who was unabashedly wicked. He knew his own moral standards might actually be lower than Ming Jiao’s, so he merely sighed inwardly and refrained from moral condemnation.

Thus, he continued his performance, grabbing Ming Jiao’s sleeve with feigned concern, “Such a big thing happened, and you didn’t tell me? Do you know who did it?”

Ming Jiao cast a careless, slightly mocking glance at him and shook off his hand. “Ever since you mentioned breaking off the engagement, you’ve been avoiding me like the plague. Do you really expect me to chase after you now?”

Xie Chu was momentarily taken aback, though not surprised by her tendency to bring up past grievances after being appeased.

After all, her threats were always louder than her actions. If she truly wanted to break things off, given this young lady’s temper, she would have ended their engagement years ago instead of waiting until now.

He directly changed the subject, “Who do you suspect the most? Tell me, and I’ll investigate for you.”

Ming Jiao casually listed names like Xu Tingting and several other rivals, thinking to herself: My dear adversaries, not mentioning you at a time like this would be a betrayal of our years of mutual animosity.

After speaking, she waved her hand impatiently, “Anyway, I have my Aunt to handle things. Don’t worry about it. I’m going back now to pack my things. I’ll call you afterward, and you come pick me up—personally, understand?”

Her tone had completely lost the earlier frustration about persuading her Aunt to let her go out, clearly indicating she planned to act first and seek permission later.

This was exactly the outcome Xie Chu wanted, so he naturally agreed. The two then spent a few more minutes showcasing their superb acting skills before finally stepping down from their respective stages.