NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71: Releasing Xiao Qingxue
The next morning, Xiao Yongqiang’s 30 billion had been successfully transferred.
“Xiao Yongqiang is really decisive,” Chen Luo remarked with a hint of admiration. With the payment received, Chen Luo had no intention of going back on his word. It was time to release Xiao Qingxue.
A weary Xiao Qingxue was woken up by Chun Mei and brought downstairs.
“What more do you want? Can’t you even give me a moment’s rest?” she protested, exhausted.
The past few days have been grueling, making her see Chen Luo as a relentless monster. Despite it being 10 am, she barely had four hours of rest, having been kept busy till dawn, almost to the brink of collapse.
“I’ve actually come to give you good news. Don’t you want to hear it?” Chen Luo asked with a smile.
“What good news can you possibly have for me?” Xiao Qingxue replied, her voice laced with skepticism and exhaustion.
“The good news is that you’re free to go home,” Chen Luo announced.
“Are you joking?” Xiao Qingxue’s immediate response was disbelief, having grown accustomed to Chen Luo’s twisted sense of humor over the past few days.
“No joke. Your father, Xiao Yongqiang, cares about you deeply. He spent 30 billion to secure your release,” Chen Luo informed her.
A flash of anger crosses Xiao Qingxue’s eyes.
“So in your eyes, I’m worth 30 billion?” she asked bitterly.
“Hmm, you think I asked for too little? Alright, then I’ll demand more,” Chen Luo quipped playfully.
At this moment, Xiao Qingxue regained her composure, feeling an inexplicable rage brewing inside her, as if she had been sold off.
‘Is 30 billion a lot? Yes, it is. But anything that can be measured in money is cheap in my eyes,’ she thought, wondering if, in Chen Luo’s eyes, she was just another cheap commodity.
“You seem upset. Could it be that you’ve developed feelings for me?” Chen Luo asked, gazing directly into Xiao Qingxue’s eyes.
“Feelings for you?” Xiao Qingxue, not avoiding his gaze, replies coldly, “All I have for you is hatred.”
“It seems I’m not charming enough to attract CEO Xiao,” Chen Luo remarked with a smile, then turned to Chunmei, “Please escort CEO Xiao back.”
“Wait, I need to change my clothes,” Xiao Qingxue interjected.
She was currently wearing a maid’s outfit, and she couldn’t bear the thought of facing her father in such attire.
“Sure, you’ve served me well these past few days. I’ll grant you this request,” Chen Luo said nonchalantly.
Xiao Qingxue gave Chen Luo a cold look and headed off to take a bath and change into a dress. When she reappeared, she regained her usual demeanor of a formidable female CEO.
“Not bad, this is more interesting,” Zhao Yingxuan said with a gleeful, albeit malicious, smile.
“Chen Luo, Zhao Yingxuan, I will repay this debt in the future,” Xiao Qingxue declared, gazing intently at Chen Luo before she departed.
Zhao Yingxuan’s hand gently rested on Chen Luo, and she softly asked, “Do you feel it’s a pity to let her go just like that?”
“Why don’t you guess whether I find it regrettable or not?” Chen Luo replied, embracing Zhao Yingxuan and heading upstairs to the bedroom.
Zhao Yingxuan laughed tenderly, wrapping her arms around Chen Luo’s neck. Their intentions were left unsaid.
Chun Mei escorted Xiao Qingxue back to the Xiao family mansion and then left. Standing before the familiar mansion, Xiao Qingxue felt as if she had been through a lifetime of experiences. Although her time captured by Chen Luo was short, it was a period she would never forget for as long as she lived.
“Miss, you’re back,” the butler exclaimed joyously upon seeing Xiao Qingxue.
“Mm,” she responded, her expression colder than before, seemingly more distant.
“Qingxue, are you alright? Chen Luo didn’t harm you, did he?” In the living room, Ye Chen was also present and immediately showed a look of joy upon seeing her.
Xiao Yongqiang’s eyes flickered upon seeing his daughter, but he wasn’t the type to openly express his emotions.
“Father, I’m tired. I’d like to rest for a bit,” Xiao Qingxue said, evidently exhausted.
“Alright, go and rest. We can talk after you’ve had some rest,” Xiao Yongqiang responded, understanding that Xiao Qingxue must have suffered at the hands of Chen Luo and Zhao Yingxuan.
Ye Chen’s gaze remained fixed on Xiao Qingxue. He sensed a significant change in her. She seemed to exude a more mature aura than before.
At this moment, Ye Chen harbored a troubling thought. ‘Could it be that Xiao Qingxue was… by that guy Chen Luo? No, it must be an illusion. Chen Luo wouldn’t dare. He definitely wouldn’t.’
Even if it meant deceiving himself, Ye Chen sought comfort in his own reassurances.
However, he wasn’t the only one with suspicions. Xiao Yongqiang also wondered if Chen Luo did something to Xiao Qingxue.
“Now that Qingxue is back, it’s time to deal with Chen Luo. My money isn’t so easily taken,” Xiao Yongqiang thought, his eyes glinting coldly.
He opened a website, seeking a hitman, ready to spend ten billion yuan for Chen Luo’s life.
Not just Xiao Yongqiang, but Ye Chen was also plotting to kill Chen Luo. His plan involved the remaining four subordinates. Once armed and combined with his own efforts, Ye Chen was confident in eliminating Chen Luo.
“No matter if you laid a hand on Qingxue or not, just for kidnapping her, Chen Luo, you’re as good as dead,” Ye Chen resolved.
There were too many reasons for Ye Chen to want Chen Luo dead. From initially sending him to jail, to the beatings, the kidnapping of Xiao Qingxue, and possibly doing unspeakable things to her. Moreover, his fifteen brothers all died at Chen Luo’s hands, making their feud irreconcilable.
Two days passed since Xiao Qingxue’s release. During this time, Xiao Yongqiang pondered but decided against asking Xiao Qingxue about her experiences.
Ye Chen didn’t ask either, fearing the answers he might receive. Even if he did, Xiao Qingxue wouldn’t reveal anything. She would remain silent even if her father, Xiao Yongqiang, asked.
The day after her return, Xiao Qingxue went to the company. With her return, the stocks of Yongqiang Corporation began to stabilize and even showed an upward trend.
***
“Have you found any trace of the other four yet?” Chen Luo asked as he arrives at the Rose Bar, sitting in the main seat with Bai Meixiang beside him.
“Not yet. They’re well hidden. Given that Magic City is an international city with many foreign tourists, locating four foreigners is challenging,” Bai Meixiang said. “Give me three more days. Even if it means combing through every little clue, I’ll find them.”
“Alright, you have three days. If you find them within this time, I’ll give you a surprise.”
“What kind of surprise?” Bai Meixiang’s eyes flicker with curiosity.
“A surprise wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you now. But I assure you, you’ll be satisfied.”
“I’m looking forward to it then,” Bai Meixiang said, genuinely eager.
Her fear of Chen Luo had lessened, finding him approachable most of the time. She was increasingly curious about this enigmatic man.
“Once you locate them, contact me first. Don’t act on your own,” Chen Luo reminded Bai Meixiang.
“I wouldn’t dare act without your permission,” she replied, her attitude pleasing to Chen Luo.
While he didn’t fully trust her, he was satisfied with her usefulness. Perhaps in the future, he might even allow her to unite Magic City’s underworld, becoming its sole queen.