Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: Angering Huo Sicheng
Chapter 132: Angering Huo Sicheng
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Gu Qingcheng’s eyes widened as she stared at Qi Shaoze in utter disbelief. To her, Qi Shaoze’s serious expression was a stark contrast to his outrageous words.
“Where’s your sense of reality?” She regarded Qi Shaoze as if he were speaking utter nonsense. “Have you lost your mind? Put your act together!”
“What’s the significance of ‘Section C’? To me, the term ‘baby’ holds more importance than my innocence.” Qi Shaoze gazed at Gu Qingcheng. “What if you become my mother? You can call me ‘Baby’.”
Before Gu Qingcheng could respond, he continued, “I’m just pulling your leg. Look at you getting all worked up. Despite everything, no matter how you address me, as long as you’re with me, we’ll be like siblings for life.”
Gu Qingcheng was taken aback. She hadn’t anticipated Qi Shaoze harboring such preposterous thoughts.
“Is your mind trapped in a door or something?” She exclaimed, her disbelief evident. “If I can’t even let you call me ‘baby,’ how could I ever call you that? And, for the record, I have no intention of adopting you as my son. I only recognize you as my dear brother and a good friend. Nothing more, nothing less. ”
Qi Shaoze’s ears rang with the harshness of Gu Qingcheng’s words, a glimpse into the storm of emotions brewing within him.
“My brain isn’t stuck in a door. I was just teasing you,” he responded, looking at Gu Qingcheng with a bright smile. “You’re so particular. Remember how you made me refrain from addressing you by your name to avoid upsetting Huo Sicheng? But it doesn’t matter how I call you. As long as we’re together, we’ll remain siblings.”
“Whether we continue being siblings depends on your behavior,” Gu Qingcheng retorted, rolling her eyes at Qi Shaoze. “And by the way, news of you going down on one knee to propose to me is all over the trending searches. You set me up!”
“That incident on the red carpet, I didn’t think it through, and I regret it,” Qi Shaoze admitted, his tone more solemn. “I messed up and caused you trouble. But I didn’t harm your relationship. You and Huo Sicheng are rock-solid. My presence didn’t affect that. Please forgive me.”
“Don’t bring up Huo Sicheng,” Gu Qingcheng’s irritation was palpable. “And what nonsense are you spouting? You might not have harmed me this time, but what about next time?”
“There won’t be a next time!” Qi Shaoze asserted earnestly. “I promise to control myself around others and avoid causing you any more problems.”
“Haha.”
“Don’t laugh at me,” Qi Shaoze’s tone was plaintive. “I made a mistake.”
“You’re right. I don’t really care,” Gu Qingcheng shrugged off his apologies.
“Why don’t you get those trending searches removed then? The money I gave you should be enough to clean up your mess.”
“I haven’t seen the news; I’ve been focused on you,” Qi Shaoze defended himself. “During the Peach Lotus Cup incident, you and Huo Sicheng just left like that! I was concerned, but you weren’t answering my calls. I had no idea where you were, and I worried for your safety.”
“I’m with Huo Sicheng, what danger could there be?” Gu Qingcheng retorted dismissively. “I’m tired now. I’m going to rest. You can go.”
Qi Shaoze decided not to press the issue any further.
Gu Qingcheng looked at the seaside villa ahead and crossed her arms, questioning, “Is it appropriate to bring me to your place?”
Qi Shaoze looked puzzled. “What’s wrong with that? Your place is my place, and mine is yours. Besides, I asked where you wanted to go, and you said it’s up to you. So, I brought you home.”
Gu Qingcheng considered his words and found the reasoning logical. If he could come to her place whenever he pleased, then the reverse should be true as well.
Plus, she was tired and didn’t have the energy to argue. “Where’s your study? I need to use your computer.”
Guiding her to the study, Qi Shaoze excused himself.
With the computer powered up, Gu Qingcheng inserted a USB drive, and to her surprise, it contained footage spanning a week from the Peach Lotus Cup.
Li Minglang had gone above and beyond her request. She had initially asked for the first three days’ recordings, but he had provided a whole week’s worth. Li Minglang had also informed her earlier that the other set of surveillance cameras malfunctioned on the day of the event, leaving this footage as the sole source of recorded information.
Her eyes flickered as she decided to accelerate the video playback, considering she had no immediate commitments at Qi Shaoze’s villa.
But her thoughts inevitably drifted to Huo Sicheng. An ache formed within her chest as she thought of him, wondering whether he even cared. Yet, she couldn’t linger on it for long. Her current task required her full attention.
* *Meanwhile, back at Huo Sicheng’s private hospital villa:**
Huo Sicheng sat at his desk, seemingly engrossed in documents, but in reality, he was consumed by thoughts of Gu Qingcheng.
“President Huo, would you like to take a break?” Chu Yu inquired carefully.
Handing over a signed document, Huo Sicheng’s eyes never left it. His mind was a whirlwind of Gu Qingcheng.
Chu Yu accepted the document and retreated, mentioning, “The assassin who targeted Madam had poison in his teeth. He took his own life on the spot after
Madam and President Huo left.’
Huo Sicheng’s expression darkened, evidently displeased.
Sensing the aura of coldness emanating from Huo Sicheng, Chu Yu continued cautiously, “I’ve reviewed everyone from the Peach Lotus Cup. Besides Chu He and Gu Mei, there’s no other suspicious person.”
“Did Madam notice anything?” Huo Sicheng inquired.
“Li Minglang, the nephew of Li Jing, Diyi’s vice president, runs an IT company,” Chu Yu explained. “All surveillance during the Peach Lotus Cup was organized by his company. He set up two camera systems. One failed during the stage collapse, but the other had a separate power source for continuous recording. After the accident, Li Minglang removed the second set and gave Madam the recorded footage.”
Huo Sicheng’s gaze remained intense, but he didn’t comment.
“President Huo, is it possible that Madam was anticipating this incident?” Chu Yu speculated. “She had Li Minglang set up an additional camera beforehand. During the event, she seemed highly vigilant. And immediately afterward, she made sure to retrieve the sole copy of the recording.”
Huo Sicheng’s voice was low and cold as he said, “Madam is the victim.”
Chu Yu got the message—Huo Sicheng didn’t want him to jump to conclusions regarding Gu Qingcheng.
Chu Yu nodded and departed. Shortly afterward, he informed Huo Sicheng about Gu Qingcheng’s departure.
Huo Sicheng’s voice resonated with authority, “We need to reinvestigate this incident thoroughly.”
“Understood, President Huo,” Chu Yu swiftly acknowledged before making a hasty exit.
With his computer humming to life, Huo Sicheng found himself gazing at Gu Qingcheng’s image on the screen. His fingers brushed gently against her cheek, a tender affection evident in his eyes.
“President Huo,” Chu Yu returned, breaking the silence. “The butler informed me that Madam has left the villa and entered a Land Rover.
As he spoke, he positioned the laptop on the table before Huo Sicheng and continued cautiously, “Qi Shaoze has arrived to pick up Madam.”
Huo Sicheng’s gaze fixed on the screen, Qi Shaoze’s smile provoking him.
Past Qi Shaoze, his eyes landed on Gu Qingcheng seated in the passenger seat.
A surge of jealousy erupted within him!
He knew that without vigilance, she could escape with that audacious man in a matter of moments!
This infuriating woman!
His phone came out to check her location.
Seeing where Gu Qingcheng was, his usually composed face grew somber.
He believed her temper was short-lived. He thought she would just walk it off and come back to him when she cooled down.
But she had indeed gone for a walk, a stroll that led her to the beach! The worst part was that she was in the company of Qi Shaoze!
“Prepare the car,” he gritted his teeth.
“Of course, President Huo,” Chu Yu responded, his demeanor respectful, yet tinged with apprehension. “I’ve verified that Madam has gone to Qi Shaoze’s seaside villa. Please try not to reprimand her too severely..”