The slap, not very loud in the noisy hotel lobby, left Father Xia frozen in place for a long time, completely unresponsive.
After a considerable pause, his fury erupted. Gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, he unceremoniously lunged at Song Qiao.
As his fist flew, a roar of rage accompanied it.
"You son of a bitch, you're looking for death! I'll fight you!"
As the words fell, Song Qiao caught his incoming fist. No matter how much Xia struggled, Song Qiao's grip was like an iron clamp, utterly unyielding.
This made Xia swallow hard, his heart filled with dread.
Just as Xia was about to retreat, Song Qiao applied a slight pressure, causing Xia's face to contort in pain, becoming incredibly ferocious.
All of this was observed by Hana Duo, but he made no move to intervene. He simply watched coldly as Song Qiao continued his rampage.
He didn't even bother to threaten anymore.
Regardless of what Song Qiao did, he was undoubtedly finished!
There was no way out for him.
While Song Qiao remained composed, Fan Ze's face turned extremely grim. After some thought, he took a deep breath and walked nervously to Hana Duo's side.
"Mr. Hana Duo, I think we can discuss this further."
He didn't want this matter to escalate too much, as the international repercussions would be severe.
If this incident were to be brought to light, no one would escape unscathed.
More critically, future cooperation with other countries would become significantly more difficult.
This was the most troubling aspect.
Unfortunately, Hana Duo only snorted coldly, showing no inclination to negotiate.
"This is my hotel, and my hotel has been trashed. There's nothing to discuss. We'll proceed according to the rules. You just wait!"
With that, Hana Duo angrily flicked his sleeves and prepared to leave.
It was at this moment that Song Qiao approached with a smile, looking at him. Despite his smile, there was no warmth in his eyes, only a bone-chilling coldness deep within them.
"Leaving? Did I give you permission?"
Hana Duo's footsteps halted. He glared angrily at Song Qiao, his chest heaving with rage. "You want me to stay? You truly don't shy away from trouble! Aren't you afraid of this escalating further?"
"Song Qiao, let's leave some room for maneuver. Don't push me to a point of no return!"
But Song Qiao simply stared at him, showing no intention of letting him pass. Seeing this, the pale-faced Fan Ze was greatly alarmed.
His heart trembled slightly, and he quickly ran to stand between them, staring at Song Qiao with an extremely somber expression.
"Song Qiao, let's put an end to this. If it continues to escalate, no one will look good, and it won't benefit us at all."
Song Qiao frowned.
"I already said, he's a spy sent by an enemy nation, and a wanted criminal from Snow Country. What? Is that so hard to understand?"
"That's enough!" Fan Ze raised his voice, shouting at Song Qiao with icy eyes, gritting his teeth.
"Things have reached this point, don't make one mistake after another. Let the person go, and there might still be a chance for things to turn around! Do you really want to push this to an uncontrollable point?"
This rebuke gave Hana Duo a sliver of satisfaction. However, when he turned his gaze to Song Qiao, his heart skipped a beat. He noticed Song Qiao was also staring at him.
The murderous intent in those eyes was completely unconcealed, sending a shiver down his spine.
Shifting his gaze from Hana Duo, Song Qiao looked at Fan Ze, who was standing in front of him, and said in a cold voice, suppressing his anger.
"Let me repeat myself, the Ministry of Security is currently apprehending a wanted criminal from Snow Country. I am simply doing my duty. It's best if you don't interfere."
"What do you mean 'don't interfere'? Song Qiao, wake up! Don't keep going down the wrong path!"
"None of your damn business?" Song Qiao, seeing that talking was futile, waved his hand, and several men immediately came to pull Fan Ze away.
"Keep a close eye on him. Don't let him run around. Such a meddlesome fellow. I hate people like him the most."
After a cold snort, Song Qiao turned his attention back to Hana Duo.
Seeing Song Qiao's gaze on him, Hana Duo's face turned dark as charcoal. Just as he was about to leave, two soldiers, under Song Qiao's command, approached him with a pair of handcuffs, subdued him, and cuffed him.
Fan Ze, witnessing this scene, was beside himself with rage, his eyes bloodshot and incredibly crimson. He couldn't help but cry out in agony.
"He's such an idiot, an absolute fool!"
"Why do you do things without considering the consequences? If the international community pursues this, we'll all be finished, all of us!"
"Don't you understand the pressure of public opinion?"
Fan Ze cursed furiously until his throat felt dry and his voice gradually subsided, becoming hoarse.
His chest heaved a few times. Seeing Song Qiao slowly walking towards Hana Duo, Fan Ze, with a raspy voice like fingernails scraping glass, called out.
"Song Qiao!"
"If you continue to be so obstinate, you'll bring great harm to Huaguo!"
"At that time, you will be a sinner to all of Huaguo!"
The last sentence was uttered with the utmost despair.
But it was no use!
Song Qiao didn't even pause his steps.
He merely spared a moment to glance at Fan Ze as he walked.
Just a single glance.
Then, with a sentence that made Fan Ze's eyes swim with dizziness.
"Whatever the outcome, it has nothing to do with you."
He's incorrigible!
Truly, mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall!
When the nest is overturned, not an egg will remain intact. Does Song Qiao truly not understand the gravity of the situation!
He cursed inwardly for a long time. Fan Ze felt his body go weak; if not for the people supporting him, he would have collapsed on the ground.
The first thing he did upon regaining his senses was to curse again, glaring at Song Qiao.
"You're simply rebelling! Rebelling against heaven, completely disregarding the law!"
With a roar, he used his last ounce of strength to break free from those supporting him and rushed to Hana Duo, attempting to unlock the handcuffs on his wrists.
Song Qiao's gaze turned cold. He raised a foot and unceremoniously kicked Fan Ze in the rear.
"Scram!"
With that command, Fan Ze was kicked away like a sandbag, his body arcing through the air before landing with a thud on the ground.
The next second, to Hana Duo's stunned gaze, Song Qiao stepped directly in front of him. Looking at his face, Song Qiao's eyes were filled with disgust and coldness.
"Hana Duo, I've waited a long time for this day."
"Kanonina's debt, I haven't settled with you yet. That was a living person's life. Life can only be repaid with life!"
Upon hearing this, Hana Duo couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.
"Kanonina? She brought it upon herself! And even if she died, what does it matter? A nobody, a mere flick of the wrist, and who would remember her?"
Just as he was about to mock further, the next second, Hana Duo felt something cold pressed against his forehead. His body stiffened instantly, and the words caught in his throat, unable to be spoken.
Song Qiao looked at him, his tone exceptionally calm.