The howling autumn wind swept through the window, and thick, dark clouds pressed against the sky, obscuring the dark moon layer by layer.
The rain pattered against the window, but Bai Ruanruan couldn't hide her excitement as she copied and sent the photos and edited text.
"Such a big story, you'll make a fortune."
"How's it going? When will it be released?"
"Why aren't you saying anything? You're shocked too, aren't you!"
"It was really disgusting; I almost threw up when I found out."
Quite some time later, the most famous and outspoken celebrity paparazzi finally replied.
"Is this all the information you have?"
Bai Ruanruan replied, "Isn't that enough?"
"Don't you have any more explosive news?"
Bai Ruanruan rolled her eyes, thinking the other person was crazy.
Where will he find even more juicy gossip? By catching them in the act?
"That's all. You can release this first to test the waters. I'll find another opportunity to film the rest."
Soon, the other side responded with an "OK" gesture.
Bai Ruanruan felt relieved and lay down on the sofa.
The lounge was spacious. He hummed a song while scrolling through Weibo, waiting for the next bombshell.
The thought of Nan Qing and Qin Mubai's affair being exposed, and Nan Qing being vilified like Xi Juan, forced to slink out of the entertainment industry, filled him with a sense of satisfaction.
He had waited too long for this day, and he had tolerated Nan Qing's existence for far too long. He never expected to suffer so much bullying from a damned, vicious cannon fodder.
However, upon further reflection, he realized that if Nan Qing were to leave the entertainment industry, Huo Yuzhou would surely despise him and kick him out. As for Qin Mubai, his shameless actions would inevitably draw widespread condemnation, and the Qin Family's stock price would be greatly affected. Therefore, he was no longer qualified to be the family heir.
Aside from Bai Yanxiu, that self-proclaimed gentleman and idiot, the only remaining heir for the Qin and Bai families is himself.
At that time, all the family fortune will be his! Even the villainous boss Huo Yuzhou will be his!
And then there's the Xi Juan...
Bai Ruanruan scoffed.
A fallen movie star isn't even qualified to carry his shoes; he's long since unworthy to be Bai Ruanruan's future husband.
His dream was right after all. Although the process was a bit tortuous, he was indeed the chosen one of this world, and he was destined for the most brilliant and dazzling future!
A loud clap of thunder was heard, the lights in the room flickered, and the room was plunged into complete darkness.
Bai Ruanruan angrily dialed a number and received an apology from the staff, who said that due to extreme weather, the aging circuits had malfunctioned and were currently being repaired.
The repairman will be here soon and will fix it quickly.
Bai Ruanruan rolled her eyes, hung up the phone, straightened her clothes, and walked out.
Who wants to wait here for them to fix the circuits? He's the future hottest star in the entertainment industry; his time is extremely precious!
Bai Ruanruan pushed open the door, and a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the corridor, where two burly figures blocked his doorway.
"Get out of the way--"
Bai Ruanruan looked up with an unfriendly tone.
The next second, a thunderous roar resounded, and the extinguished lightning took away all the light in the corridor. A huge figure slowly rose from above, and Bai Ruanruan slowly raised her head along with the shadow.
At the same time, a sickeningly loud crash of bones broke out, and Bai Ruanruan's shrill scream faded into the air.
A pitch-black rainy night, with lightning and thunder.
Footsteps echoed down the red carpeted corridor, the sound of heavy objects being dragged scraping against the carpet. Bai Ruanruan frantically kicked at the floor, only to be dragged further and further away...
In just half a minute, the corridor returned to silence.
Everything was as if it had never happened.
-
The aroma of braised duck soup wafted from the restaurant. The butler, dressed in a suit, closed the windows tightly and remarked that the recent weather was the worst in S City in nearly 10 years.
With half an hour until dinner, Nan Qing took a deep breath of the aroma and, sure enough, heard her stomach rumbling.
Huo Yuzhou smiled and pinched his cheek, watching him go upstairs to change his clothes.
Until the figure, now joyful again, disappeared around the corner of the stairs, the smile in Huo Yuzhou's eyes vanished completely, and even his gentleness was replaced by a sharp and chilling killing intent.
He tossed his rain-soaked suit jacket to the butler, loosened his dark blue-gray jacquard tie, and headed towards the study.
The moment the door closed, thunder roared outside the window.
The intermittent flashes of lightning illuminated his grim and sharp face; his narrow, squinting eyes held a profound sense of danger, and his aura was imposing.
"They took it away?"
The person on the other end of the phone said something, Huo Yuzhou's sharp facial features tightened, his voice filled with a chilling madness.
"He likes to talk so much, let him talk to his heart's content."
"The tongue has been removed."
The person on the other end of the phone responded, followed by a scream.
Huo Yuzhou remained expressionless, his voice so cold it was almost suffocating.
"Continue!"
The howling storm, carrying a bone-chilling cold, and the deafening thunder, obscured all traces.
The small lamp on the desk flickered twice; it was a message from the bedroom.
Huo Yuzhou hung up the phone and dialed the number in the bedroom.
The next second, Nan Qing's light and cheerful voice rang in my ears, the last syllable drawn out like a cute little fox wagging its tail, sounding like it was being affectionate.
" Huo Yuzhou, I can't find my favorite pajamas."
The man's voice on the phone was still gentle, with a hint of amusement.
"The nanny must have washed it. Is it okay for me to wear that white Xingxing one today? I'll go change into another one later, so we can wear matching pajamas."
The person on the other end of the phone was quickly appeased, happily agreed, and hung up.
Huo Yuzhou's smile faded slightly, but an uncontrollable, sinister killing intent surged in his eyes.
The message log was opened again, untouched, and every line of text was enough to sting his eyes.
This also explains those recent anomalies that may have raised concerns.
He really should have killed Qin Mubai.
How dare someone of his status harbor such disgusting thoughts towards Qingqing?
Even though they were switched at birth, even though they weren't related by blood, Qingqing was practically raised by him. During the years he was supported by the Bai Family, he personally witnessed how Qingqing respected and trusted him...
How could he?
How dare he?
Looking into those clear eyes, how dare he expose his filthy, shameful thoughts to the light of day?
Animals.
He deserves to die!
Huo Yuzhou's arms suddenly tensed, the crisscrossing blue veins bulging high, his chest heaving—
He should have been killed.