The man's sinister grin froze at the corner of his mouth.
?
Not just him—the group following Ji Nian also fell silent: "……"
But their acceptance of the situation was clearly higher than his.
Used to it, huh?
Though being used to it isn’t recommended.
"You’re playing me!!!!!"
The man flew into a rage, abruptly raising his arm as the gleaming dagger in his hand lunged toward Shen Qingtang’s throat as she lay unconscious.
From the three o’clock direction in the woods, the sniper pulled the trigger without expression.
The blade veered off course at the last moment, leaving only a shallow cut on Shen Qingtang’s neck.
The bullet pierced cleanly through the man’s skull, and he collapsed with wide, unseeing eyes.
Ji Nian was the first to step forward, kicking the corpse aside before crouching down to lift Shen Qingtang and check her condition.
Relief washed over her when she saw that Shen Qingtang was merely unconscious, with no other visible injuries.
"Wait—"
You Er suddenly spoke up, pointing at the mark on her neck.
Ji Nian leaned in for a closer look and noticed—
A thin, transparent line separated the bleeding wound from the surrounding unbroken skin.
Before Ji Nian could react, You Er reached out, pinched the edge of the lifted skin, and yanked.
A lifelike mask resembling Shen Qingtang’s face peeled away, revealing a man’s features beneath.
Realizing he’d been exposed, the man’s eyes snapped open.
Years of training under Zhiliao kicked in reflexively.
Ji Nian flipped her wrist smoothly, driving the knife she’d never let go of straight into him. Only after flinging him aside did she register the truth.
"Where’s Shen Qingtang!?"
The thought that the real Shen Qingtang might have been taken away ignited a murderous glint in her young eyes—one that shouldn’t be underestimated.
You Er swiftly restrained the man before he could attempt suicide, binding him tightly.
"I’ll handle the interrogation."
Rare agitation flickered across Ji Nian’s face, surprising even You Er.
[Don’t worry, she’s the female lead. Nothing will happen to her.]
The system chimed in reassuringly.
[She won’t die, but she won’t escape unscathed either.]
Whatever reason they had for kidnapping Shen Qingtang, it definitely wasn’t anything good.
A storm of fury swirled in Ji Nian’s eyes as she glanced at the sniper’s handiwork—so intense she nearly considered desecrating the corpse.
She’d let her guard down.
"It’s getting dark, Miss. We should head back."
You Er glanced at the dimming sky and urged.
What was done was done. They could regroup and plan their next move later.
Ji Nian nodded and turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Ji Tingzhou on his way back.
Ji Nian looked behind him.
Zhiliao wasn’t there.
"Dad, Shen Qingtang’s been kidnapped."
She recounted the events calmly, but Ji Tingzhou immediately picked up on her unsettled emotions.
"I know where she is. She’ll be fine."
He patted her shoulder, then ruffled her hair. "Scared?"
Though Ji Nian had summarized the ordeal briefly, Ji Tingzhou could imagine just how perilous it had been.
His gaze flicked subtly toward You Er.
You Er stiffened under the weight of it, snapping to attention before bowing respectfully upon recognizing Ji Tingzhou.
"I’m alright. Do you know where Shen Qingtang is?"
She’d been outside too long, and the evening chill had seeped into her bones.
Ji Tingzhou draped his coat over her shoulders.
Ji Nian instinctively inhaled—the fabric carried the faint scent of his incense, soothing and familiar.
It was the new blend she’d made. So he’d used it.
"I have an idea. Mu Xiu has her."
"Zhiliao’s already on her way."
Unfortunately, by the time he’d gotten the news, Zhiliao was already deep in the wilderness, cut off from all signals. There’d been no way to relay Shen Qingtang’s situation.
The name should’ve been reassuring, but Ji Nian froze mid-step.
Zhiliao… Shen Qingtang…
[In the original story, wasn’t it Zhiliao who… died saving Shen Qingtang?]
But the plot had long since veered off course, like a booger flicked wide of the trash can. Who could say now?
"However."
Ji Tingzhou paused, making Ji Nian tilt her head at him.
His expression remained neutral, but his gaze darkened.
"Mu Xiu has two hideouts. Zhiliao’s headed to one."
Meaning they couldn’t confirm which one held Shen Qingtang.
The real question was whether Shen Qingtang was with Mu Xiu or Zhiliao.
And without knowing, Ji Nian couldn’t tell if this was the same turning point as in the original story.
"Dad, if you’re going, take me with you."
Ji Nian knew Ji Tingzhou would personally settle his score with Ji Wanting.
But with Zhiliao and Shen Qingtang involved, she had to be there.
Ji Tingzhou gave her a sidelong glance.
"Behave, and I’ll take you."
Ji Nian nodded obediently.
"Also, Dad… can I bring something?"
She widened her emerald-green eyes, pleading pitifully.
It was probably a weapon or some protective gear.
But even if Ji Nian wanted to lug around a toilet, he wouldn’t bat an eye.
This wasn’t a vacation, but so what if his daughter was a little spoiled?
"Whatever you want."
Fifteen minutes later.
Ji Tingzhou stared at Chen Mo standing beside Ji Nian.
"This is the ‘something’ you meant?"
He’d underestimated her.
Ji Nian coughed, glancing at Chen Mo’s cold, indifferent profile.
Incidentally, it was Chen Mo who’d provided intel on Mu Xiu’s second hideout.
His hatred for Mu Xiu ran just as deep as Ji Tingzhou’s.
The memory of his sister’s mutilated corpse was seared into his mind—every detail etched behind his eyelids. Meeting Ji Nian had only buried that fury, not erased it.
He wanted to carve Mu Xiu apart with his own hands, to avenge his sister’s spirit.
Ji Nian knew.
She understood.
So she’d brought Chen Mo along.
And now the three of them stood here, united.
When Ji Tingzhou clashed with Mu Xiu, Chen Mo wasted no time pulling Ji Nian toward the building.
Sensing their intent, Mu Xiu hurled his weapon at them, shrugging off Ji Tingzhou’s punch to his shoulder.
Chen Mo shielded Ji Nian as they dodged, narrowing his eyes.
Good.
Mu Xiu’s reaction confirmed it—something or someone important was inside.
He exchanged a glance with Ji Nian.
She suspected Shen Qingtang was there and was desperate to check.
But Mu Xiu was no pushover. He held his own against Ji Tingzhou while still managing to intercept Chen Mo and Ji Nian.
Chen Mo’s gaze locked onto the man, hatred so palpable it could’ve strangled Mu Xiu on the spot.
Noticing Mu Xiu’s wary, venomous glare, Chen Mo smirked.
He took a deliberate step forward.
Mu Xiu instantly lunged toward them, leaving his back exposed. Ji Tingzhou struck, drawing blood.
Though the wound wasn’t fatal, the sight of Mu Xiu bleeding brought a twisted satisfaction.
Chen Mo took another step, taunting Mu Xiu like a dog on a leash, savoring his helpless rage.
"You’re dead!!!!!"
Realizing Chen Mo’s game, Mu Xiu’s face darkened.
He ignored Ji Tingzhou entirely, severing his own trapped arm with a swift slash. The severed limb dropped as he charged at Chen Mo, hellbent on killing him before he could reach the building.
