Xiao Cheng stood beside Meng Jingwei, listening to her words. Xiao Cheng's body stiffened abruptly, his brow furrowed.
In his mind, memories surged.
Scenes from half a year ago unfolded as if yesterday, vividly reappearing.
Xiao Cheng could not forget the image of Xiao Meiyan being humiliated by Qing Muye, nor could he tolerate the fact that after they were sent to Africa, both of them became prisoners, forced to entertain "guests."
Xiao Meiyan, born into privilege and doted upon by the entire family, was always cherished. But there, Xiao Meiyan had no right to speak, like fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others.
Forced to "entertain," Xiao Meiyan had tried to escape. The first time, her leg was broken.
With her injuries not yet healed, she still had to endure the unbridled demands and abuse of those people every day.
Xiao Meiyan finally couldn't bear it and chose to commit suicide.
This time, Xiao Meiyan thoroughly enraged those people, who then bound her limbs with shackles, only releasing them for meals and bathroom breaks.
Such days did not last long before Xiao Meiyan completely lost her mind.
After going mad, she regained her freedom and was released.
Later, after Xiao Cheng escaped from that dark and lightless place, he learned that Xiao Meiyan had been abducted and brutally tortured to death.
Xiao Cheng, having escaped, searched for Xiao Meiyan's remains by every means possible, only to find a pile of bare bones in the end.
"Mind your own business."
Xiao Cheng took a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and took a hard drag, his fingers pinching the cigarette butt, his fingertips trembling slightly.
That memory was something he did not wish to touch.
Even after he set that hellish place ablaze, watching those who had beaten him struggle in the flames and perish did not erase the hatred in his heart.
He turned, walked to a nearby chair, and sat down.
A bodyguard immediately stepped forward, poured him a cup of coffee, and placed it on the table.
Xiao Cheng quietly sipped his coffee, then asked, "What would you like to drink?"
Meng Jingwei, who had been watching Qing Muye intently, snapped back to attention. "I... tea, forget it, I doubt you have it. I'll have a latte."
She walked towards Xiao Cheng and sat beside him.
If one ignored the large interrogation room in front of them, it would seem like an underground city, a good place for a clandestine meeting.
Xiao Cheng took a sip of his coffee, slowly put down the European-style white porcelain cup with carved floral patterns, and gestured to someone nearby.
The person standing at the door nodded, opened it, and walked in.
Only then did Meng Jingwei notice that the door was a coded door.
Truly heavily guarded.
A hunch told Meng Jingwei that Xiao Cheng treated Qing Muye this way because he had no intention of letting him leave alive.
If he were to kill Qing Muye, what would she do?
"Thinking about how to save him?"
Xiao Cheng asked lazily.
Meng Jingwei did not expect Xiao Cheng to ask so directly.
She gave a helpless wry smile. "Yes. I'm thinking, with your tight security and all these thugs, if you kill him first and then want to kill me, how should I escape."
Half true, half false.
What each person thought in their heart was clear to the other.
"Qing Muye's feelings for you, and your feelings for him, everyone can see clearly. What was the purpose of your breakup?" Xiao Cheng had known Qing Muye for many years.
A man of self-discipline, before meeting Meng Jingwei, he had maintained a distance from other women.
He had also witnessed Qing Muye risk his life multiple times to save Meng Jingwei.
That kind of affection must have been love to the bone, otherwise, why would he be so crazy.
A bodyguard brought over the coffee and placed it in front of Meng Jingwei.
She nodded slightly to the person, showing her gratitude.
Picking up the coffee, she looked up and her gaze met Xiao Cheng's.
Her eyebrows arched almost imperceptibly.
See, it's truly 'those involved are bewildered, bystanders are clear.'
Everyone else could tell that Qing Muye's breakup with her was not normal, yet she had actually believed it.
"I also really want to know."
Meng Jingwei blew on the steaming coffee, took a cautious sip, and then quickly put it down. "Phew, it's so hot."
She casually grabbed a tissue from the table, wiped her mouth, and then sighed, saying, "Perhaps you can help me ask?"
As she spoke, her eyelids drooped, her gaze fixed on the coffee in her hand, filled with apprehension.
Was the coffee poisoned?
"Heh."
Xiao Cheng suddenly laughed, raised his hand, picked up Meng Jingwei's coffee, took a sip, and then slightly lifted the white porcelain cup. "Hmm? Is it poisoned?"
Saying that, Xiao Cheng placed the coffee cup back in front of Meng Jingwei, looking somewhat disappointed. "You have never trusted me."
What coffee burned her mouth?
She had only taken a sip of coffee and spat it all onto the tissue she used to wipe her mouth. Did he not see?
With her small thoughts discovered by Xiao Cheng, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Meng Jingwei's face.
She pursed her lips, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and her expression became more serious. "Back then, it was precisely because I trusted you too much."
Meng Jingwei's words instantly darkened Xiao Cheng's expression.
Yes, he had made a mistake.
The mistake was having improper thoughts about her.
The mistake was meeting her after Qing Muye.
"I am a wolf; it is right not to trust me."
Xiao Cheng laughed wildly. "Have you watched Japanese action movies?"
Suddenly, he changed the subject, flashed a mischievous smile at Meng Jingwei, and asked.
Thump—
At that moment, Meng Jingwei's hands, placed on her knees, tightened nervously. Her face turned a little paler, and she forced a relaxed smile, pretending to be at ease.
Her pretense was evident at a glance.
"You, you, what do you want to do?" she stammered.
"I heard through the grapevine that he broke up with you because he liked Yun Qiuze, oh, that's Yun Shasha, who has now become a woman. Since he likes men so much, I don't mind fulfilling his wish."
Xiao Cheng spoke to Meng Jingwei, but his gaze was fixed straight ahead, at the room more than ten meters away. In his mind, he saw the scenes of him and Xiao Meiyan being tortured by Qing Muye's men.
In his eyes, the hatred, deep in his bones, was thick and unyielding.
A terrifying killing intent enveloped Xiao Cheng. Even seeing only Xiao Cheng's profile, Meng Jingwei could feel a strong, chilling aura that made her spine prickle.
Meng Jingwei clenched her hands, her brows furrowing involuntarily.
Her mind raced. Just as Xiao Cheng was about to open his mouth to give orders to a subordinate beside him, Meng Jingwei immediately spoke to stop him. "Xiao Cheng, this... no, it's not good. A scholar can be killed but not insulted; you can torment him in other ways..."
Bang—!
Clatter clatter.
Before Meng Jingwei could finish her sentence, Xiao Cheng abruptly stood up, overturned the table in front of him, and the cups fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
Before the sound had even stopped, Xiao Cheng raised his foot and fiercely kicked Meng Jingwei's chair.
The speed and the sudden change in his attitude happened in an instant, catching Meng Jingwei off guard. She fell to the ground, her head hitting the floor with a bang, causing her mind to go blank.
Meng Jingwei instinctively reached out to cover her head, secretly gasping.