Ming Zheng was led by Chi Xian around to the cruise ship's deck.
At this time, everyone was gathered inside the cruise ship, engaging in friendly social activities.
There were hardly any people on the deck.
Ming Zheng's hand was resting lightly on the man's hand at her waist.
She kept telling herself.
Only then did she manage to refrain from pulling the man's hand away, trying her best to maintain her persona.
"Patriarch Chi, what do you want to do by bringing me to such a deserted place?"
She hooked her fiery red lips, deliberately leaning closer to Chi Xian's face.
That deliberately put on a coy tone, like a small feather, tickling Chi Xian's eardrums little by little.
That alluring face, so close, with slightly pouting, rosy, full lips, was exceptionally enchanting and vibrant.
It was a face that could make a man lose his senses.
Chi Xian frowned slightly.
He released the girl's waist.
He pulled his face back slightly, avoiding the girl's approaching red lips.
His dark eyes were deep, staring intently at Ming Zheng's face, his cold voice carrying a hint of interrogation, "Who are you?"
Freed from the man's restraint, Ming Zheng felt a bit more at ease.
She tossed her thick, waterfall-like black hair, and smiled flirtatiously, "You don't even know who I am, yet Patriarch Chi just takes me away like this. Aren't you afraid... my benefactor will cause trouble for you?"
Chi Xian's eyes darkened further.
That flirtatious smile inexplicably made him feel annoyed.
He suddenly reached out, heading towards Ming Zheng's face.
The way he moved.
It wasn't to touch her face.
But rather...
His fingers were directly targeting the contour of her face.
Her disguised face was enough to pass for the real thing.
Flawless from every angle to the naked eye.
But if someone skilled in disguise were to touch it,
They would surely notice something.
The moment that hand reached out,
Ming Zheng quickly grasped his slender, jade-like hand.
"Patriarch Chi, I am a person of principle," she smiled, her fingertips lightly stroking the back of his hand. "As of now, I am Young Master Zheng's companion. I cannot accept a temporary transfer."
As she spoke, she put Chi Xian's hand down, her fiery red lips curving into a wider smile, "If Patriarch Chi really likes me, you can ask me out after we get off the cruise ship."
The night sea was dark and gloomy, with only the cruise ship's lights casting rippling, flowing light upon the water.
The man's face, in the sea breeze, seemed to be veiled with a faint, chilling mist.
His dark, ink-like eyes, like cold stars in the night sky, were imbued with a hint of coolness.
He spoke again, his voice carrying the cool sea breeze, "Who exactly are you?"
The man's eyes, like black obsidian, were exceptionally solemn.
Ming Zheng's pupils contracted slightly.
For a moment, she felt... had Chi Xian recognized her.
Just then.
Footsteps approached from afar.
Mo Qingchuan, disguised as "Young Master Zheng," appeared on the deck.
His steps were casual, swaggering.
"Patriarch Chi, what do you want to do to my companion...?"
He strode forward with his long legs.
On the last three words, his tone deepened slightly.
This was a bit out of character.
The real "Young Master Zheng," upon seeing Chi Xian, should have had an attitude similar to that of Young Master Wang earlier.
It would probably be difficult to find anyone in the entire Xia Kingdom who could stand before Chi Xian with such composure.
Chi Xian looked up, his clear eyes falling on Mo Qingchuan.
His expression was calm and unruffled.
But in his eyes, thick darkness churned.
"Young Master Zheng~"
Upon seeing Mo Qingchuan appear, Ming Zheng lifted the hem of her fishtail skirt and ran towards him.
Her wrist was caught by the man.
She looked back, meeting Chi Xian's dark eyes.
"Patriarch Chi, I'm sorry, my benefactor is here to pick me up," she smiled slightly and broke free from him. "Although I'd really like to fall into Patriarch Chi's arms, I have to stick to my principles."
With that, she turned and walked towards Mo Qingchuan.
One hand, lightly placed on Mo Qingchuan's wrist.
Mo Qingchuan glanced at her.
She subtly shook her head.
Only then did Mo Qingchuan retract his gaze and look up to meet Chi Xian's eyes.
He raised his hand, adjusted the glasses on his nose, and smiled charmingly, "Thank you, Patriarch Chi, for taking care of my companion. I need to take my companion back to rest now. Let's chat again if there's a chance."
He led Ming Zheng away.
Even without looking back, Ming Zheng could feel... the man's face, so cold and expressionless in the sea breeze, becoming even more frigid.
As if...
He was angry.
She lowered her gaze.
There was no other way.
She was currently on a mission.
Any unexpected incident was absolutely not allowed to happen.
Once she was recognized by Chi Xian,
It would definitely affect tonight's mission.
This mission...
Was related to international relations.
Chi Xian absolutely could not be involved.
Their figures disappeared from the deck.
Chi Xian stood in the sea breeze, his gaze unwavering.
Those beautiful eyes, even with their enchanting eyeliner, subtly overlapped with the star-like eyes deep within his heart, vast as the cosmos.
His expression was one of extreme coldness.
-
"Why is he here?"
Mo Qingchuan asked in a low voice as he led Ming Zheng back into the cruise ship.
"I don't know." Ming Zheng pursed her rosy lips. "Perhaps, because he is the head of the Chi family."
His status and position were evident.
At an event like this,
He would certainly be invited.
"I thought just now that he had recognized you," Mo Qingchuan said, following the location of the wristband and finding them on the deck, he saw them embracing.
Chi Xian's expression was also very grave.
Ming Zheng thought of the troublesome guy's gaze and patted her chest lightly, "Don't talk about yourself, I also thought he recognized me."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and touched her face, "Although it's been a year, my disguise skills shouldn't have regressed. He shouldn't... recognize me, right?"
Mo Qingchuan stopped walking.
A deep, solemn meaning surfaced in his quiet black eyes, "A Zheng, that's not the point."
"I know," Ming Zheng lowered her hand, her slender fingers curling. "The point is, our mission tonight absolutely cannot fail."
Chi Xian was merely an unexpected obstacle.
-
Time passed slowly.
Guests on the lower seven floors had already begun the cruise ship's dance party.
And above the seventh floor,
Naturally, it was...
The auction was about to begin.
Using the excuse of Ming Zheng's earlier collision with Young Master Wang, and being "caught in the act on deck" by Young Master Zheng, and "Young Master Zheng" taking his companion back to their room.
The two of them together infiltrated the eighth floor.
However...
Ming Zheng directly focused her target on Ming Chuyan.
Through prior observation from the shadows,
It was evident that the higher echelons of the Sun Never Sets Country had taken over the auction matters and then handed them over to Ming Chuyan for management.
This meant...
Ming Chuyan would definitely have the qualification to approach the auction items.
In other words, by following Ming Chuyan, she would be able to find out where the Xia Kingdom soldiers were being held.
As expected.
With half an hour left until the auction countdown,
Ming Chuyan, who had been on the eighth floor, finally made a move.
And he...
Went directly to the ninth floor.
Ming Zheng was already in the room, using the wristband as a small computer to break through the ninth floor's laser defenses.
She and Mo Qingchuan also successfully reached the ninth floor.