The Threat

After a night of deep sleep, Chi Qing awoke, opening her eyes. The first thing she saw was not dazzling light, nor the room's decor, but strands of black hair. Chi Qing frowned, staring at the person lying in her arms ~ Bai Lin. Perhaps, to be precise, Bai Lin was being held in her own embrace.

Chi Qing knew that her sleeping posture was not good. Due to poor sleep quality, she often tossed and turned restlessly. Even with medication, her sleep was very uneasy. Yesterday, she deliberately didn't take her medicine, specifically to prevent herself from sleeping deeply. However, she never expected that someone with extremely high vigilance like herself could fall into such peaceful sleep in a strange environment, unable to predict what the person beside her might do.

Chi Qing's gaze lingered on Bai Lin's sleeping face, a wave of fear washing over her. If the other party had wanted to kill her or escape last night, they would have surely succeeded long ago.

Not wanting to think anymore, Chi Qing frowned in annoyance, raising her head to look at the alarm clock on the wall. Only then did she realize that the clock hands already pointed to ten o'clock, a discovery that astonished Chi Qing. What annoyed her even more was that the person still sleeping soundly in her arms was ~ Bai Lin.

It was almost noon, and Bai Lin still showed no signs of waking, instead curling up in Chi Qing's arms like a hibernating animal. Her arm, pinned by Bai Lin, was starting to ache, but Chi Qing didn't want to pull it away. She found that she unusually enjoyed this feeling, and of course, she was also afraid that moving would wake Bai Lin.

Left with no choice, Chi Qing remained still, observing the person in her arms, and incidentally appreciating her sleeping posture. It had to be said that Bai Lin's sleeping posture and her personality gave a completely mismatched impression. Normally, she was aloof, disliking anyone getting close. However, when she slept, she lacked a sense of security, craving physical contact with others. This could be inferred from how she clutched Chi Qing's shirt.

"Mmm..."

Presumably sensing Chi Qing's gaze, the sleeping person hummed softly, curling her body tighter. At this moment, Bai Lin was like a child clinging to her mother, unwilling to get out of bed, adding a rare touch of cuteness to her usually aloof demeanor.

Staring at her fair face and slightly parted lips, Chi Qing didn't know what came over her. Her heart began to race, her eyes became hazy, and a desire to kiss Bai Lin arose. This thought flashed through her mind, and Chi Qing didn't even have time to think before hastily dismissing it. She forcefully pushed the person in her arms away, simultaneously waking the other party.

The atmosphere at this moment could only be described as 'awkward'. Freshly awakened from sleep, Bai Lin's eyes were still hazy with confusion, and her usually cold black pupils were innocent, making her look like a girl who had never experienced life's hardships.

"I'm sorry."

After a long while, Bai Lin realized what she had done. Remembering Chi Qing telling her last night not to get close, Bai Lin softly apologized to the other party.

"Mm, wash up and come downstairs."

Chi Qing said, not glancing at Bai Lin, and turned to return to her own room. Bai Lin watched her leave, feeling a little disappointed. Had she annoyed her again? Chi Qing didn't like her getting close. But she had still violated that.

After all, her feelings for Chi Qing were truly intense.

Looking at the empty spot beside her, Bai Lin, for the first time, chose to lie back down on the bed. She collapsed onto the spot where Chi Qing had slept, hugging Chi Qing's pillow. Even with just simple contact, she could smell the other person's lingering scent. Finally, unable to control herself, Bai Lin pressed her face against the pillow, gently rubbing it. Then, she rubbed it against her own lips.

"Qing..."

After a long while, not until her body, due to lying on the bed, once again felt sleepy, did Bai Lin prop up her weak body and stand. Entering the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror, her heart filled with joy. After two transfusions, her complexion had improved significantly. Although not like a healthy person, it was no longer terrifyingly pale.

After washing her face, Bai Lin looked at herself again, feeling a bit awkward. Chi Qing told her to go downstairs, but besides the clothes she was wearing, she had no other clothes. Bai Lin didn't know what Chi Qing meant by going downstairs, but if she had to go downstairs in such thin clothes, she absolutely couldn't do it. After all, these clothes were a bit too revealing.

"Miss Bai."

Just as Bai Lin was hesitating, a gentle knock came from the door. Bai Lin said to come in, and then saw the woman who had helped her remove the IV drip last time enter with several black bags. She didn't say anything upon seeing Bai Lin, simply placing the bags on the bed. Inside were underwear, clothes, and shoes. No matter the style or shape, they were all her favorite colors—white, or a light shade.

Bai Lin said thank you. After the woman left, she went to the bed to look at the clothes. Even though Bai Lin had a very aloof personality, she was still a woman. If she was a woman, she would love looking at new clothes. Moreover, these were clothes chosen by the person she cared about.

Bai Lin had long since discovered that the servants in the villa had all been replaced by bodyguards. These people, male and female, old and young, were responsible for managing the villa and Chi Qing's safety. Now they also took on some trivial tasks, such as buying clothes.

Bai Lin didn't know why Chi Qing had to change the servants, but she understood that Chi Qing must have her reasons for doing so. Thinking this, Bai Lin picked up the clothes to examine them. Without a doubt, these clothes were all bought by Chi Qing for the bodyguards. Looking at the pure colors, yet with a very mature feel, Bai Lin felt warmth in her heart, filled with happiness, so stimulated that she couldn't speak.

Actually, what she wanted wasn't much. She just wanted Chi Qing to pay attention to her, to care about her a little. Perhaps, Chi Qing could never give her the longing and affection she desired in this lifetime. But Bai Lin didn't need it. Because she understood that this kind of affection was wrong. If that was the case, then let her bear the pain and punishment alone; she couldn't implicate Chi Qing.

Finally, Bai Lin chose a long white dress to wear, with a tea-colored coat over it. Because of her injury, she still couldn't wear underwear, so she put the purchased underwear into the wardrobe. Looking at the accurately sized underwear, Bai Lin bit her lip somewhat unnaturally, her small, fair ears faintly flushing red.

Why... did Chi Qing know her underwear size so clearly?

After tidying everything, Bai Lin quickly went downstairs. But she had only just walked a bit when she saw Chi Qing, Lu Wei Lai, and Zeng Ke Hen sitting on the sofa with solemn, pale faces. Opposite the sofa was another woman. Standing on the stairs, Bai Lin wisely did not go down, but watched everyone's every move from upstairs.

After a night, Zeng Ke Hen looked quite haggard, her left shoulder bandaged, leaning on the sofa and smoking. And the always gentle Lu Wei Lai frowned unhappily, looking displeased. Seeing these two acting unusually, Chi Qing was as calm and composed as ever.

Today, she was still dressed in black. The small shirt accentuated her slender waist. As the shirt was collarless, it revealed her long, fair neck and faintly visible collarbones.

She sat on the sofa like an outsider, exuding a cold and detached aura, yet with a noble and serene presence. It was as if she were an invisible person among the four. Lu Wei Lai's gloomy face, Zeng Ke Hen's weariness, and that seemingly malicious woman had nothing to do with her.

Just as Bai Lin was about to go upstairs, the woman noticed her at the right moment, even calling her name. This surprised Bai Lin a little. She stood still, asking Chi Qing with her eyes if she should go down. But the other party didn't look at her, simply waved her hand with her back turned. Bai Lin clearly understood that Chi Qing wanted her to come down.

"Tsk tsk, five years no see, Bai Lin has grown up, and shows signs of becoming a little beauty. No wonder Sister Chi always hid her away and refused to tell us."

As soon as she came downstairs, the woman grabbed Bai Lin and spoke with extreme familiarity. Only then did Bai Lin have a chance to clearly see the other person's face.

In terms of appearance, this woman was not young; she looked older than the beauties sitting there. However, hearing her call Chi Qing "Sister Chi" indicated that she was actually younger than Chi Qing. Looking at Chi Qing, who appeared to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and then at the woman who clearly looked over thirty, Bai Lin opened her mouth slightly, allowing her to pull her to sit beside her.

"Hello."

Bai Lin didn't know what else to say, her eyes quickly falling on the gun at the woman's hip.

"Bai Lin is so polite, but why is your body so thin? Is your mother not treating you well?"

The woman spoke with great familiarity, stroking Bai Lin's shoulder. Seeing her rudeness, Bai Lin felt a little resistant and wanted to dodge. At this moment, Chi Qing spoke, calling her name.

"Bai Lin, go make four cups of coffee."

"Okay."

When Chi Qing spoke, Bai Lin always treated it as a sacred decree. Moreover, she was eager to leave that woman. But as soon as she left, the pleasant atmosphere instantly froze. The woman watched Bai Lin leave, her face darkening with dissatisfaction.

"Chi Qing, what do you mean?"

"You ask what Big Sister means, I also want to ask what you mean. Ge Tong, who do you think you are? Is the title 'Big Sister' for you to call casually?"

Hearing the woman speak, Zeng Ke Hen quickly retorted, her eyes full of disdain.

"Zeng Ke Hen, I'm talking to your Big Sister right now. What right do you have to interrupt? Don't think that just because Boss values you, you can do whatever you want. Chi Qing, I'm telling you, Bai Lin, you'll hand her over whether you want to or not! If she's that man's bastard, then she must die!"

The woman stood up agitatedly, pointing a gun at Chi Qing's head. Seeing that action, Zeng Ke Hen, unwilling to be outdone, also drew her gun and aimed it at the woman.

"That's enough, both of you."

Seeing the two at loggerheads, Chi Qing spoke to stop them. Hearing her speak in an extremely cold voice, her dark pupils showed a hint of anger. Even though the anger was momentary, Lu Wei Lai and Zeng Ke Hen clearly saw it. Seeing Chi Qing like this, Zeng Ke Hen immediately obeyed and sat back down. After all, Chi Qing at this moment was not to be provoked.

Seeing Zeng Ke Hen sit down, a trace of smugness flashed in Ge Tong's eyes. She still didn't lower her gun, keeping it aimed at Chi Qing's head. Seeing her complacent look, Chi Qing slowly stood up and walked towards Ge Tong. Closing the distance, in an instant, the two were face to face. Chi Qing was taller, so at this moment, it was clear she was dominating the other, Ge Tong being 15cm shorter than her.

"Ge Tong, if it's Boss's order, I will naturally hand her over. However, not now. When the time is ripe, I will bring her to you. As for you, you're reminding me of some unpleasant things. After all, it's been a very long time since anyone dared to point a gun at me. If you still want to keep your position as faction leader, don't casually pull out these shabby guns to threaten me."

"Otherwise... I will let you know what despair is."

As she spoke, Chi Qing had already moved behind Ge Tong. Seeing the other party's trembling body and shoulders, Chi Qing easily snatched her gun, disassembled it with great speed, and slowly placed the parts on the table.

Everything happened in just a few seconds. By the time Ge Tong regained her senses, she saw the gun parts falling from Chi Qing's hand onto the table. They clinked against the glass beneath the table. Each sound seemed to mock her, making Ge Tong extremely embarrassed.

"Chi Qing, don't be too arrogant. Sooner or later, there will be a day when I will make you die..."

Having lost all face, Ge Tong wanted to say something to salvage her last bit of self-esteem. However, her words were only half-spoken when Chi Qing's gaze made her tremble.

At this moment, the other party looked at her emotionlessly. Her pure black eyes held a hint of threat. Although Chi Qing did nothing and threatened nothing, it still made Ge Tong feel a chill down her spine. Simply, Chi Qing's gaze was too terrifying. Being stared at by her felt like death was approaching. It was as if she stood at the edge of a cliff, and Chi Qing was death waiting below.

Terrified by Chi Qing's gaze, Ge Tong dared not speak further, not even daring to retrieve her gun, and fled in disarray. Before leaving, she heard Chi Qing say.

"Mm, I truly look forward to that day."