(7 Fresh Coins) Chapter 17 (Part 2): Intertwined Dreams and Reality

Si Qiang felt a jolt in her heart. The man hadn't used much force, but the slight pain and numbness on her face told her that this time... it didn't seem to be a dream.

In dreams, there is no pain.

He frantically released his grip, lowered his eyes, and dared not look the man in the eye. His mind was a complete mess. What should he do? This wasn't a dream—the man before him was real! Then, was his previous "liking"... just a dream?

—Wait! Where is Xiaoyan? Since it was Lian Sheng and his group who kidnapped Xiaoyan, then…could it be? He quickly glanced around. The room was familiar—this was Xu Qi's bedroom. Instantly, a bad feeling surged in his heart, and his once-warm heart turned cold.

When he saw Lian Sheng and Yao Jinghan, he was secretly relieved. Xu Qi's absence suggested that this was likely the work of those two behind the scenes. But now, he was in Xu Qi's room—what did that mean? Whether that "liking" was a dream or reality, he had no time to ponder it. Si Qiang slowly raised her head, her eyes indifferent: "Where is Xiao Yan?"

Xu Qi was stunned. Then, a cold smile appeared on his face. Is this how you see me? Ruthless enough to stop at nothing for profit, even kidnapping your little girl? Ha, he should have been prepared—he should have. But why… does it hurt so much?

Slowly fading from his smile, Xu Qi abruptly got out of bed, casually tossing out, "I think your father can tell you the answer." Then he quickly opened the door and left. He couldn't stay any longer.

He had never tried to defend himself before, and when the time came, he wouldn't know how. Xu Qi resolutely ignored the intense pain and longing in his heart, telling himself over and over again: he didn't need to do that.

That person trusted him completely, even after he said those things. No, he shouldn't have said them. He had exposed his most vulnerable side to the person most capable of hurting him! Utterly foolish!

The moment the man left the room, Si Qiang vaguely sensed something was amiss. His attitude wasn't that of someone trying to threaten her with something like this. Could it be that Xu Qi hadn't been involved in Xiao Yan's kidnapping at all? His mind was in complete turmoil. In a panic, he grabbed his phone and immediately dialed Yao Yinxiang's number.

“Father! Xiaoyan, she…” Si Qiang said anxiously.

"What are you doing? Why did you send Xiaoyan here? Where is Jinghan?" Yao Yinxiang's voice sounded somewhat impatient.

Si Qiang felt a wave of dizziness. Xiao Yan was indeed with her father, and there was no news of Yao Jinghan either. In other words, the masterminds were Lian Sheng and Yao Jinghan! Connecting this to the defecting cadre, a sudden thought flashed through his mind.

The recent drug trafficking incident... that cadre who met with "Longming" was the one who followed him yesterday! Not long ago, someone from "Longming" was arrested by the DEA for drug trafficking, and he received intelligence indicating that someone from the Fuqing gang was also involved. He has been investigating, but he has been unable to catch the person hiding behind the scenes.

"Father, I'll be back soon. Please rest assured, I'll handle this." Having thought it through, Si Qiang forced herself to calm down, said a few words into the receiver, and then quickly hung up.

He had other things to do now. Si Qiang stood up and walked resolutely towards a place he knew well. He knew where that person was—that person was always there when he was in a bad mood.

In the morning sunlight, the pool rippled, and a figure darted nimbly like a fish, its honey-colored skin reflecting a dazzling light. After swimming back and forth for a while, Xu Qi felt a burning desire within him growing stronger. He suddenly broke the surface, shaking his head in a fit of rage, sending tiny droplets of water flying, which, against his handsome face, made him look like a god, captivating all who beheld him.

Si Qiang stood quietly by the pool, squinting as he admired the long-unseen beauty. Although his skills were undoubtedly professional, such an open space made it impossible to conceal his figure—besides, he never intended to. Xu Qi clearly spotted him immediately, but simply turned around, plunged into the water, and quickly moved away from him.

He was indeed angry. Si Qiang smiled faintly, a hint of absolute love in his eyes. The next second, without hesitation, he kicked off his shoes and jumped into the pool.

"Splash—" The sound of a heavy object falling into the water startled Xu Qi. He quickly turned around and saw that it was Si Qiang who had jumped down. He was so shocked that his eyes widened.

Then, in a fit of rage, he swam over and grabbed the collar of the man who was still laughing to himself: "What are you doing?"

Author's Note:

Suddenly it seems to be heading in a strange direction... ORZ Please bear with it.