Chapter 645: Confusion (52)

Consciousness was awakened by the smell of dampness.

As soon as Qiao Xi woke up and opened her eyes, she was met with darkness. With the faint light, she could vaguely make out that she was indoors.

There was a faint smell of medicine around.

Qiao Xi struggled to sit up with her weak body. She hadn't eaten since noon, and it was probably already early morning.

It is inevitable that your physical condition will be a little weak.

The first thing she did when she woke up was to look around and take in the environment.

She wasn't quite sure where she was.

However, there are quite a few things in this room that can be called evidence of guilt.

Zhi Liao brought her here.

It goes without saying that when Zhi Liao approached the man before, even though he was kept by him, he did not leave anything that could be called criminal evidence in the villa.

I haven't found a breakthrough yet.

Qiao Xi had no choice but to continue dealing with him.

Yan Liang can be completely left to the Yan family and the Xi family to deal with. She doesn't need to add fuel to the fire. She just needs to wait quietly for that person's end.

But Zhiliao is different.

This person has never let down his guard towards anyone. Even Gan Youmeng has no way of truly getting to know his true side.

Be very vigilant.

Even Qiao Xi was the same. She had provoked Zhi Liao before, and now she was abandoned by the Xi family.

But even so.

Zhi Liao simply took her to a new room covered with a white cloth, locked her up for a while, and then sent her back to the place where she was imprisoned in the Xi family after she passed out.

At this time.

Qiao Xi knew that if she didn't take the initiative to step into danger, didn't take the initiative to contact Zhi Liao, and didn't set foot in his world.

She will never be able to come into contact with the real Zhi Liao.

You will never be able to obtain proof of this person's crime.

Success often comes with risks.

This is why Qiao Xi has to take risks. She has to use herself as bait and gain Zhi Liao's trust with scars all over her body, so that she can step into the closed heart of this man.

Don't do that.

She would never be able to obtain evidence of Zhi Liao's crime, nor would she be able to expose this man who was deeply trapped in darkness.

Beauty trap.

The people they were chasing had used it on Zhi Liao before.

There were even many spies planted around him, but those people had a miserable end and could not escape death once their identities were discovered.

As for the honey trap...

Zhi Liao naturally would not accept people who approached him for no reason. Even if someone approached him, those people had legitimate reasons at the beginning.

But Zhi Liao’s intelligence network is terrifying.

If they can place spies around him among the people they are chasing, why can't he place spies around his opponents?

That's it.

Thanks to the terrifying intelligence network, this plan failed to be implemented on Zhi Liao, who did a good job of keeping his identity secret.

Outsiders know.

It would only be Mr. Z, the number one drug lord and the prince of both the black and white worlds, but no one knew Zhi Liao.

He grew up around guns and violence.

He was surrounded by instability, and therefore never trusted anyone. The only time Gan Youmeng saved him was the only time Zhi Liao thought she approached him without any ulterior motives.

So he is special to Gan Youmeng.

It’s a pity that when Gan Youmeng looked at him later, there was only ambition, exploitation and desire in her eyes.

It will become clear as soon as Liao arrives.

Gan Youmeng had long since degenerated. Not killing her was Zhi Liao's last act of mercy towards her.

Then claim to know his identity.

What about Qiao Xi, who kept provoking him, and then betrayed her family, gave up her identity and even everything she had?

initial.

Zhi Liao only regarded Qiao Xi as someone who wanted to seek new excitement temporarily, until Qiao Xi brought him evidence of the Xi family's tax evasion, and then he began to resist the Xi family and gave up his identity as the only daughter of the Xi family.

She is like this.

Raised by the Xi family, she chose to betray the Xi family and give up her comfortable living conditions.

In fact, Zhi Liao was somewhat surprised.

Is this considered a backlash from those conceited ancient families?

The door was opened from the outside.

The cold night wind suddenly rushed into the already narrow room through the gap in the door. Qiao Xi, who was sitting on the bed, grabbed the blanket covering herself tightly and wrapped herself more tightly.

There seems to be no light here.

But Qiao Xi could see that the person who came in accurately found her position in the dark and came towards her.

"Zhi Liao..."

Almost subconsciously, Qiao Xi murmured the man's name.

I have never seen such a stop.

He wore a well-tailored, crisp suit that highlighted his tall, handsome figure. He wore no earrings or excessive adornments, and his short, silver-gray hair was combed back and fixed with gel.

Beneath his sword-like brows were a pair of sinister, dark eyes.

There is obvious indifference and brutality hidden in these black pupils.

However, when meeting such gazes.

The strong sense of oppression and shock only makes people's legs tremble and they want to escape quickly from this oppressive and almost suffocating atmosphere.

There was no expression on that handsome face.

It was clearly the same face as before, but at this moment he seemed to have a maturity and indifference beyond his original state, without any human warmth.

It's like...

This is the image he should have, that of a ruthless and cruel prince.

It seemed as if he had removed the disguise he used.

Presented in front of Qiao Xi.

It is the image that originally belonged to him.

"Why are you here?" Zhi Liao didn't have time to pay attention to Qiao Xi who was staring at him with strange eyes.

He just dropped his eyelids.

He looked at the woman sitting on the bed hugging the blanket tightly, then leaned over slightly, clamped Qiao Xi's jaw with his big, bony hands, and pinched her cheeks.

Sudden force.

It also made Qiao Xi feel a sharp pain. Zhi Liao was not very gentle to her. Even the cold texture of the ring on his hand pressed against her cheek made Qiao Xi, who was already cold, shiver slightly.

"I'll come and participate in the show."

The girl almost squeezed out these words from between her teeth.

She spoke this way, clearly feeling threatened. Then, she raised her eyes, staring intently at the man before her with those clear, bright eyes.

“Because I’m paid, I came here.”

She said this again.

He said very directly that he came here just for the money.

Who could have imagined that the once high-ranking eldest daughter of the Xi family would actually come to such a desolate mountain area to participate in the filming of a program just for money?

She used to not even talk about money.

She could even easily possess everything she wanted, as long as she submitted to the Xi family and bowed her head. In this world, what could not belong to this pampered young lady, who was the sole darling of the Gu family?

Now she even has a hard time surviving.

With only one week left, we have to come to this kind of place to shoot a show for the sake of our future livelihood and money.

How ironic.

A little research on this kind of thing will reveal the whole story. When Zhi Liao found her there, he already knew the reason why Qiao Xi appeared there.

It was just a bit unexpected.

She would go to such lengths, risking her life to the point of sacrificing herself, not even caring about her own injuries.

Just one glance.

When Zhi Liao's gaze fell on her lost and drooping eyes, he already knew. Qiao Xi never lied, no matter how many times.

No matter how he tried.

No matter how many times he let go, let Qiao Xi leave on her own, gave her the chance to break free from the cage, and let her go.

but……

This person never left, never left his side. There were no lies to him.

Zhi Liao is a very cautious person.

Before deciding to do something, you must know everything about the other person and you must also understand everything about the other person.

Treat Qiao Xi.

The same is true.

So he knew that Qiao Xi had been taken away and brought here to participate in some program. He also knew that Qiao Xi had broken up with the Xi family and given up all the happiness she had in order to leave the Xi family.

Naturally.

He knows it too.

Those who appeared around Qiao Xi and had some connections with Qiao Xi.

He likes the feeling of being in complete control.

Because Zhi Liao doesn't like things that are beyond his expectations, and he also doesn't like things that are not in his plan.

Just like when he knew the result, he tested Qiao Xi again and again.

But he didn't expect that he would be unable to take his eyes off Qiao Xi, and his thoughts would be unable to stop caring about Qiao Xi who was out of his sight.

When trading.

He checked the location and found that Qiao Xi was on that mountain.

A little absent-minded.

Occasionally he would have some ridiculous guesses, wondering what she was doing on that mountain, even though he knew exactly what Qiao Xi was doing.

But even so.

I still wonder what Qiao Xi would do when she was with another man?

But even if I did something.

To him, these were all insignificant matters. He could have simply ignored them. Zhi Liao never dwelled too much on such playful things.

However, until the transaction is completed.

Such thoughts still linger in my mind, like a spell that cannot be driven away.

"You come to provoke me, you can't be so safe and sound."

Zhi Liao released the hand that was holding her. Qiao Xi was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him with a puzzled look.

"The person who brought you to the show was Yu Zhi, right?"

Zhi Liao didn't pay attention to Qiao Xi's gaze.

Instead, he looked away, gazed into the distance, and continued to speak to himself: "The private plane he's on in half a month will crash due to an accident."

"……What?"

The sudden statement made Qiao Xi stunned. What did this sentence mean?

Qiao Xi knew it.

As the lead dancer of a top boy band, even though Yu Zhi has some rest time after his world concert, he will eventually return to the team and continue to fulfill his musical dream with their boy band.

Until that time.

Yu Zhi will also become very busy. The programs and variety shows he is filming in China now are the result of negotiations with foreign companies.

The purpose of coming back is to open up the domestic market.

As a member of a popular idol boy group, he must prioritize the team and his return time will be short.

After all.

He would still leave, but he didn't tell Qiao Xi the specific date. Qiao Xi certainly wouldn't ask because she wasn't that concerned about Yu Zhi's affairs.

But until now...

Zhi Liao suddenly said this to her, which made the girl feel a chill on her back, and some bold ideas began to emerge in her mind.

"Choosing to provoke me means you give up this world."

Zhi Liao seemed not to notice Qiao Xi's expression gradually darkening.

He continued.

"Everything related to you, everything that can prove your existence, must disappear from this world. This is the price you pay for provoking me."

Like a final death sentence.

There was no pity or sympathy in his gaze towards Qiao Xi, only indifference. It was as if he was announcing something perfectly normal, as if life was nothing more than a number in his mouth.

Can be easily taken away.

It can also be erased at will.

"It's your choice whether to tell him or not."

Zhi Liao half-knelt down, looking straight at Qiao Xi, who seemed to have lost her soul and was in a trance. His slender hand caressed Qiao Xi's cheek, the action was unprecedentedly gentle and loving.

But it was the opposite of his actions.

It was that pair of cold eyes that seemed to be able to see through people, the chill reaching deep into the heart, and the only emotion left seemed to be fear.

The air seemed to freeze.

After an unknown amount of silence, Zhi Liao closed his eyes slightly and leaned closer to her. At that moment, all Qiao Xi could feel was a kiss as gentle as velvet, like a fleeting dream.

This tenderness is like a deadly poison.

With an irresistible temptation, he fell into her heart, as if to penetrate and peel off everything about her. They had kissed countless times and hugged each other many times.

She is the one who is most familiar with each other's body temperature.

However, such a touch still brings up a youthful and heart-pounding emotion like first love, and the heart and eyes are filled with deep affection and love, which are revealed in the eyes without any concealment when this gentle kiss leaves.

It was an involuntary emotion.

Emotions that cannot be suppressed by so-called reason.

When Zhi Liao and Qiao Xi looked into each other's eyes, and he felt the burning emotions in her eyes, his heart felt like it was being burned, and the scorching temperature overflowed and continued to spread.

This person who depends so much on him.

Fragile and brittle, pale yet beautiful, but also the opium that captivated him and made him fall for it, a fatal addiction.

When Qiao Xi became dependent on him.

Wasn't he also gradually falling into the desire of the flesh, as if he was controlled by a mysterious magic? The sexual desire that he had always controlled very well was useless in front of Qiao Xi.

In front of Qiao Xi, he would just be like a mad beast, wanting to ask for things.

The more you desire, the hungrier you become.

It was as if the ambiguous atmosphere between the two people was ignited by that goose feather-soft kiss, and the atmosphere flowing between them was no longer one built by pure fear.

Qiao Xi lowered her eyes slightly.

Her body had not yet recovered, her face was still pale, and her whole body exuded an unconcealable fragility.

But even though she seemed so fragile and delicate and beautiful like a fairy, she stretched out her slender hands and took the initiative to put them around Zhi Liao's neck.

Like a fragile kitten, wet all over after being caught in the rain.

Stretching out little paws, seeking dependence.

"What's wrong?"

The man's low, magnetic voice, with a hint of forbearance, sounded in Qiao Xi's ears, like a mellow and charming red wine. There was an imperceptible concern in his cold voice that suppressed his passion.

Qiao Xi felt the aura on him and could sense his current condition.

Zhi Liao wanted her.

But there was no action.

In the past, he would have just followed his heart and asked for it if he wanted it. But not this time. Even though she could sense the burning emotions in his eyes, Qiao Xi didn't realize he had any intentions of hugging her.

“…I’m so hungry.”

Qiao Xi murmured softly, her already weak voice even weaker due to hunger. She did not have the willfulness she had in the past when provoking him, nor did she pretend to be strong when facing his fear.

like……

This was also the first time she hugged him and depended on him like this.

No matter how close they had been before, things always ended coldly between him and Qiao Xi after the affair. Qiao Xi was not like other women who would want to be affectionate or act coquettish after that kind of affair, and he also preferred Qiao Xi's personality.

But maybe.

It was also because of this that he had never seen Qiao Xi rely on anyone.

Even showing weakness in front of someone.

At that time, Zhi Liao finally understood that Qiao Xi, who had long been accustomed to independence, might think of solving problems by herself when encountering any problems instead of relying on others.

Who should such a person who has developed an independent character rely on?

Arabian Nights.

Facts have indeed proved that even when Qiao Xi was injured, she would not tell him. She would rather follow other strange men to shoot some programs and earn the living expenses that she never had to worry about.

This is enough to prove how strong this person is.

And that's how it was. In his impression, Qiao Xi, who had always been strong and independent and would never rely on others even when hurt, now curled up in his arms and trembled slightly like an abandoned kitten.

An indescribable emotion also surged into Zhi Liao's heart at this moment.

A warm emotion that has never been analyzed.

Suddenly, from the heart that had long been cold and numb, it flowed out accompanied by a dull pain.

"Eat something."

The man's hand stroked her cold hair. Zhi Liao's eyes closed slightly, and at this moment, he was actually a little greedy for the fragrance of her hair. It was a mixture of damp rain and the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Simply rubbed his head.

Such an action was unspeakably gentle. Qiao Xi didn't react for a moment and stared blankly at the man in front of her.

Zhi Liao had already let her go and left the room.

The warmth around her disappeared in an instant. The girl lowered her head slightly, looking a little lost.

The air suddenly became quiet.

It was as if the whole world had become silent with Zhi Liao's departure. An indescribable sense of loneliness seemed to have begun at this moment, silently eroding Qiao Xi's thoughts.

The girl hung her head.

But before she could feel lost for long, there was noise outside the door again.

"Um, excuse me..."

A strange voice that sounded a little timid came from outside the door.

Then there was a gentle knock on the door. Qiao Xi straightened her expression, calmed down her emotions, and said, "Please come in."

Receive the promise.

Someone came in from outside.

The door was opened and a man carrying a tray walked in. He put the tray directly on the table on the other side, then scratched his head a little embarrassed to look at Qiao Xi, and said something as if to add.

"The boss said that after you finish eating, let me take you back."

He stepped back and stood aside.

He didn't want to disturb Qiao Xi's meal, but he had to wait here to fulfill his duties.

Qiao Xi also knew that this was his job.

Therefore, he didn't say anything, but just lowered his eyes, hid his emotions, stood up and walked over there, eating in silence.

The man was also a little surprised.

I originally thought that Qiao Xi would ask him what the boss was going to do, or why the boss didn't send her off personally, or some other very difficult questions that a woman would want to ask.

But there is none.

She was very quiet, just eating there in silence.

The subordinate also breathed a sigh of relief. If Qiao Xi really asked him these questions, he didn't know how to answer. After all, the boss was going to leave the country to do something, so it would be difficult to tell the other party.

Although the boss's attitude is a bit special.

However, it's probably not to the point where I can say such a thing.

He just watched quietly as Qiao Xi finished her meal and got up. The subordinate performed his duties, took her outside, and let Qiao Xi get into a car.

It was pitch black all around.

I could only see a road in front of me, and other than that there were only desolate mountains and wilderness. It was too remote, with no street lights and pitch black in the early morning, so I had no idea where I was.

There were really only Qiao Xi and Zhi Liao's subordinates in the car.

Qiao Xi lowered her eyes and unlocked her phone silently, opened the map, and after a rough look, she didn't look at it any further.

It was impossible for her to take away the thing he wanted to trade, which was also the evidence of his guilt, right under Zhi Liao's nose.

so.

You can only take a rough look at it and note the approximate location.

The only thing Zhi Liao had installed in her phone was a locator. After checking, Qiao Xi also found that the micro device would not steal her phone's privacy, and she could use her phone normally.

The subordinate driving in front was very focused.

He had no intention of even looking at Qiao Xi who was sitting in the back seat in his blind spot. The girl, who had noted down the approximate location and was fiddling with her phone, also clicked on the latest unanswered message notification at this time.

A missed call.

And those message notifications that I didn’t have time to read.

Besides the production crew, Nan Xiangzhu was the most popular person. Qiao Xi explained and apologized to herself in an official tone, as if it were a routine matter. After replying to the production crew, she clicked on Nan Xiangzhu's message box.

The record was frozen a few hours ago.

(Are you still on the mountain? Why can’t I get through on the phone?)

(Qiao Xi, don’t let anything happen to you. If anything happens to you, the Xi family will never let you go.)

(Don’t force me to hate you. If you die there, I will never forgive you.)

And so on.

There were also words that were almost threatening, yet they showed concern for her. It was hard to imagine Nan Xiangzhu, who knew what she hated, yet still used that very thing to threaten her.

When did even this person become so kind?

Qiao Xi raised his brows slightly, thought for a while, and decided to reply to the other party.