CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 103 NINE YEARS OF AFFECTION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Xia Shuangming got into a white Maserati sports car. A slender finger hooked his mask by his ear. Just as he was about to take it off, he smiled elegantly instead.

I’ve long become accustomed to all the pretenses, I’ve long become accustomed to this life, why bother becoming someone else? Xia Shuangming spoke softly, his eyes beneath the mask shimmering with a serene yet profound light.

The identity of that person and their world had long since drifted far away from him. He couldn’t even remember anything anymore...

Everything about the Qi Family no longer concerned him...

Forget it then! Forget it all!

Being alone, how wonderful!

Xia Shuangming smiled again, relaxed, as if it was just like every time he found a major buyer and effortlessly sold off a treasure!

But when a certain thought occurred to him, he still felt a bit uneasy.

He took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Boss, what are your orders?"

"Look up someone, Long Shangxuan."

"Understood."

The call ended, leaving him in silence. The overly quiet night was perfect for thievery—suited for her, and for himself as well.

She had been with him since she was twelve. He had renamed her Hua Xiaomo. He watched her grow, step by step, until she was twenty-one. Nine years, a full nine years...

There were times he had been ecstatic over the treasures he had stolen for her...

He thought they were from the same world. But when he saw she had a boyfriend in college, he clearly realized she didn’t belong to him.

But why this time... why did he want to intervene? This was so unlike him.

CLICK! The lighter softly lit a cigarette. Rings of smoke spiraled inside the car, carrying with them the faint, lingering traces of his heart.

So unintentional, yet so undeniably present.

「The next morning, at eight o’clock sharp.」

Hua Xiaomo was awakened by the alarm on her phone.

She lazily rolled over, then, as if struck by a sudden idea, she sat bolt upright.

Oh no, I have to go to work! Hua Xiaomo quickly got ready.

Just then, two caregivers arrived punctually.

Hua Xiaomo glanced into her mother’s room and instructed the two caregivers, "Let my mother sleep a little longer."

"Of course, Miss Hua."

"Mhm. Thank you very much." Hua Xiaomo smiled sweetly, then quickly grabbed her handbag.

It seemed there was no time for breakfast, so Hua Xiaomo just stuffed two tea-leaf eggs into her bag before heading downstairs.

Downstairs, Yu Bao’s silver-gray Lamborghini sports car was already waiting. His punctuality seemed as reliable as clockwork.

"Mr. Yu, really, you don’t need to come in the future. I can just take a cab or the bus myself," Hua Xiaomo said with an awkward smile.

"Hua Xiaomo, we’re colleagues now. I’m giving you a ride since I’m heading to work too!" Yu Bao replied with a smile.

As if! How could he not give her a ride? Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to answer to the President!

Soon, the car started.

Before 8:30 a.m., he punctually delivered Hua Xiaomo to the magnificent building in the center of City A—the renowned Qi Imperial Court.

Upon entering the Qi Imperial Court, Hua Xiaomo felt a bit intimidated by the unfamiliar environment. However, with Assistant Yu handling all arrangements and looking after her, she adapted considerably.

She saw many people crowding towards the main elevators, but Yu Bao led her around a corner to a separate elevator area. It was empty, with virtually no one waiting.

Instantly, numerous envious and admiring gazes were cast their way, accompanied by hushed whispers.

"Who is she?"

"Why did Assistant Yu take that girl up the CEO’s elevator?"