On the same day, at noon…
Chu Wuyang had just finished eating and was about to leave the restaurant and head towards the lobby when...
She suddenly stopped walking.
Suddenly, a hand swiftly reached out from behind and covered her mouth and nose, quick and precise.
She didn't even have a chance to react.
She struggled desperately, trying to tear the hand away.
But she found that it controlled her every move like an iron clamp.
"Quiet."
A deep and calm voice sounded in her ear.
Chu Wuyang's heart suddenly raced, her body tensed like a taut string, and her breath caught in her throat.
Seeing that she was no longer struggling, the man carefully released his hand from her mouth.
"Zhou Heng?"
Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with terror and confusion.
Wasn't he already arrested?
How did I end up here?
Zhou Heng didn't answer her, but pulled her forcefully and walked quickly towards the parking lot.
Chu Wuyang struggled to call out.
But that hand pressed firmly against her mouth, and the only sound that could be heard was her rapid breathing.
Finally, Zhou Heng stopped.
He didn't rush to let her go.
Instead, he first looked down at her.
His eyes were deep, carrying a hint of helplessness and apology.
Chu Wuyang's heart pounded. She tried to calm her erratic breathing, her eyes filled with vigilance.
Just then, Zhou Heng gently and completely released his grip.
She immediately felt a sense of relief and quickly took a few breaths.
His movements became much gentler, as if afraid of startling her, and he said nothing more.
He simply pointed to a black RV parked in the corner.
"Go in."
Chu Wuyang dared not make any rash moves.
The situation before her left her somewhat bewildered, her eyes filled with defensiveness.
Zhou Heng seemed to have no hostility, but it was difficult to explain his behavior.
Seeing that she still didn't move, Zhou Heng opened the car door for her and gestured for her to get in first.
"I'm sorry, I'll explain to you after we get on the bus."
Chu Wuyang slightly tightened her fingers, a sense of unease rising in her heart.
But she also understood that the current situation left her no room for resistance.
After hesitating for a moment, I went inside anyway.
The carriage was quiet, with soft lighting all around.
Zhou Heng sat opposite her, maintaining a certain distance throughout, and made no forceful moves.
He just watched her quietly.
As the car started moving, the scenery outside the window rushed past, as if taking her into a closed world.
Chu Wuyang took a deep breath.
Trying to calm herself, she looked at Zhou Heng, her tone calm but full of wariness:
What exactly do you want to do?
Zhou Heng lowered his eyelids slightly, seemingly considering his words.
After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.
"I didn't mean to scare you, but there are some things I wanted to ask you personally. It's important, so I had no choice but to do this. I'm sorry."
His tone was gentle and without the slightest hostility, but considering the horrific things reported about him...
Chu Wuyang still dared not let her guard down for a moment.
She frowned, staring at him with a puzzled expression.
"What's the problem?"
Zhou Heng's gaze fell on the tense movements of her fingers, and his eyes darkened slightly.
He got up, poured Chu Wuyang a glass of water, and handed it to her.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. Drink some water first."
Chu Wuyang looked directly at him and did not take it.
Zhou Heng sighed softly.
He lowered his head and drank the water in one gulp, then looked at Chu Wuyang, seemingly to prove that there was nothing wrong with the water.
He took another cup, poured a glass of water, and handed it to him.
This time, Chu Wuyang hesitated before carefully accepting it, but her eyes remained alert.
Zhou Heng watched her swallow as she drank water, his eyes flickering slightly.
"The reason I'm using this method is to avoid being noticed. I'm not sure if Jingmin's people are around you,"
Chu Wuyang gripped her water glass tightly, looked up at him,
"What's the meaning?"
Zhou Heng did not rush to answer.
Instead, she slowly put down her cup, sat up straight, and gently swiped her long, slender fingers across her phone screen.
Then he pushed the screen in front of her.
"Look, does it look familiar?"
Chu Wuyang took it, and saw a magnified image of a tattoo on the screen.
—A perfect white rose, with a butterfly perched beside it.
The pattern is exquisite and the outline is smooth.
But unlike ordinary tattoos, this design has a faint silvery-white color.
It has a subtle sheen, as if it has blended into the skin.
For a moment, Chu Wuyang felt a sense of familiarity, but couldn't quite place where she had seen it before.
Seeing Chu Wuyang staring in a daze,
Zhou Heng slowly explained.
"This isn't actually a tattoo, it's a branding, a branding technique used to create it,"
"Once it's imprinted, it's a lifelong condition that cannot be completely removed by any advanced medical technology, unless—"
He paused, his eyes darkening slightly, and added:
“The branded flesh must be gouged out, and it may even have to be exposed to the bone to completely erase it.”
His words carried a chill, reflecting Chu Wuyang's cold demeanor.
Why are you telling me all this?
Zhou Heng paused for a moment, then did not answer her.
Instead, he stood up, turned his back to her, and continued talking.
"This brand originated from... the cruise ship 'Royal Shadow',"
"The Atlantean royal family founded this cruise ship, and its emblem features this white rose and butterfly design."
"Because of the unique branding process, this mark is irreversible."
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