Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Marriage Set In Stone.
[A/N: In the first Chapter, I mentioned that there will be a minimum of twenty-five missions. I noticed that it is quite a lot, so I reduced it to ten. But this only works for the beginner’s level... hopefully. If there are any changes, I’d make sure to let you all know. Xiexie.]
"We can frame him," Huo Mingjie said, his eyes glinting with malice.
Song Kai leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Frame him?" His tone was almost lazy, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed his interest.
"Yes." Huo Mingjie’s voice hardened. "Huo Feng may seem untouchable on the surface, but everyone has cracks. If we strike at the right angle, we can make the world believe he is not who they think he is."
Song Kai tapped his desk lightly, as if weighing every word. He didn’t ask how, nor did he demand specifics. But it was clear that he was interested in his methods.
Instead, he simply said, "Interesting. But remember, Huo Feng isn’t the type to go down with just one push. If we are to move against him, it must be precise... and irreversible."
A silence settled, heavy with unspoken schemes. The exact details were left hanging, deliberately unvoiced — but the tension in the air was enough to suggest their intent was deadly.
"You don’t have to worry about that. I have my way." There was a strong confidence in Huo Mingjie’s statement. A smirk naturally appeared on Song Kai’s lips.
_____________
Yue Ning was in her room, preparing for a lunch date with Yun Li when the system’s chime echoed in her mind.
’Danger alert. Host, you and Huo Feng have to be extremely careful.’
Yue Ning froze as her heartbeat quickened. "What danger?"
The system didn’t reply, instead the familiar chime sounded. It was the chime of a new mission.
She swallowed hard. "Command."
The white holographic panel, and her new mission stats appeared.
[Mission: Find the danger]
[Type: Intermediate]
[Reward: A thousand points, and a hidden skill unlocked]
[Duration: Three days.]
As Yue Ning read through the stats, she had mixed feelings.
One, she had moved up to the intermediate level, and it was worth celebrating over. But that means the missions will become tougher.
’There will be severe consequences if you fail to complete this mission,’ the system’s mechanical voice resounded in her mind, and she let out a deep breath.
"It is difficult," she finally said, collapsing to the bed.
’It will help you improve,’ the system countered.
Yue Ning shook her head dejectedly. For the first time, Yue Ning felt a heavy knot of doubt. She might actually fail.
If it were missions in the beginner’s level, she could have gotten clues which will aid her. But this... she had no words to describe it. She was stuck on a crossroads, and she didn’t know how to move forward.
All of a sudden, her mind flashed with understanding. "Does this danger have to do with Song Kai?" She suddenly questioned.
She hoped the system would give her a reply, but all she got in response was silence.
She didn’t feel bad, instead, she celebrated. It meant her guess was right.
"Song Kai..." she whispered his name. "What are you planning?"
_____________
"Ning Ning, I have missed you so much." Yun Li exclaimed, throwing herself into Yue Ning’s arms as though afraid she would disappear."
Yun Li held her tightly as if not willing to let go. Yue Ning frowned. Yun Li wasn’t the type to be this emotional. Something must have happened, and that could be the reason for her request to meet up today.
Yue Ning only patted her back, and after two minutes, Yun Li let go of her.
She wiped her eyes discreetly as she took her seat, but Yue Ning caught the discreet swipe of her sleeve.
"Why are you crying?" Yue Ning demanded directly with folded arms as she took her seat opposite Yun Li.
Yun Li laughed awkwardly. "I am not crying, you must have seen it wrongly." She denied.
"I know what I saw. Now tell me, who made you cry?" Yue Ning pressed.
Yun Li sighed. "The marriage has been fixed." She finally admitted.
Yue Ning’s lips twitched. "Is this why you were crying? I thought you had already lost your V-card," she teased, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Ning Ning!" Yun Li yelled, covering her face with her hands while feeling embarrassed. Her pale face was already colored due to this embarrassment.
Yue Ning laughed loudly. "I am so sorry, I just wanted to make you laugh." She apologized while still laughing.
"This is serious. I can’t marry a man I don’t love," Yun Li said seriously, sighing exasperatedly.
Yue Ning stopped laughing, and she put on a serious expression. "I understand your point of view. But you haven’t tried to know He Yuchen." She paused, tilting her head to take a good look at her friend.
"You are quite lucky. You have the opportunity to know the man you are to get married to... but I didn’t." There was a solemn expression on her face after she was done. She tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table while her attention was elsewhere.
Yun Li was filled with guilt seeing the solemn look on her face. "I am sorry, Ning Ning." She apologized with her head lowered.
Yue Ning reverted her attention to her, asking. "Why are you saying sorry?"
Yun Li replied with pouted lips. "I made you recall how you got married. Please forgive me, I was being insensitive."
Yue Ning glared at her playfully. "Do I look offended?"
Yun Li shook her head in response.
"So, why are you apologizing? I am happy with my marriage. I also think I might... have feelings for h—""
"What? Are you in love with Huo Feng?" Yun Li questioned with a scream, staring at Yue Ning with wide eyes.
"Shh!" Yue Ning placed a finger over her lips, gesturing for her to be quiet. "Speak softly. This isn’t about me, but you."
Yun Li clamped her mouth shut instantly, and Yue Ning was satisfied.
"While preparing for the wedding, you can get to know who He Yuchen is. But I can vouch for you—he is a nice guy."
While the two ladies were discussing, He Yuchen who was the center of their discussion walked into Huo Feng’s office.
Huo Feng raised one eyebrow seeing him. "Back to your natural color already?"
"I am getting married."