Chapter 17: The Male Lead with X-Ray Vision vs. Five Female Leads (17)
[Host, go for it!] The system silently appeared online, its mechanical voice seemingly laced with schadenfreude.
Huo Xian shoved Qiao Yirong aside and kicked one of the kidnappers—or presumed kidnappers—wearing a stocking over their head. Kidnapping people in broad daylight in a van—this idiotic plot definitely showed the perpetrator was crazy! It’s all for the sake of picking up women and having fun without any logic!
“What are you daydreaming for? Call the police!” Huo Xian vented his anger about encountering Qiao Yirong and the stupid hero-saves-the-damsel plot on the kidnapper, not forgetting to slap Liu Chengpei.
Liu Chengpei’s face turned pale with fright. Huo Xian’s slap brought him back to his senses, and he fumbled for his phone, but he couldn’t find the app for several swipes. Instead, another kidnapper prevented him, sending his phone flying along with the man.
Huo Xian couldn’t bear to watch. He raised his hand to grab the kidnapper’s fist, retaliating with a punch, but the next second, his clothes were tugged, causing him to shift his weight back, resulting in his punch only making surface contact with the stocking on the kidnapper’s face.
“Huo Xian, save me…” Qiao Yirong grabbed his clothes to avoid another kidnapper who appeared from nowhere.
“Let go of me, you b*tch!” A vein throbbed on Huo Xian’s forehead. As he shook off Qiao Yirong, he couldn’t avoid a kick from the kidnapper he had just fought. He received a solid blow to his left abdomen. He seized the chance to grab the other’s ankles, flipping him three meters away, where he fell to the ground with a painful cry.
By the time the police arrived, Huo Xian had already knocked all three kidnappers to the ground. Besides his messy hair and clothes, he only had some injuries on his cheek and left abdomen, so he still had to make a statement.
Coincidentally, at the police station, he encountered Police Officer Lin Da, with whom he had a brief interaction. Officer Lin was surprised to see him. After briefly understanding that he had been involved in another act of bravery, his attitude became even better.
Both were young men, but the three young people wearing stockings as masks were kidnappers, while Huo Xian acted bravely. The difference was clear.
Lin Da had some minor matters at the police station and didn’t want to delay the police officers from taking statements. Before leaving, he unexpectedly remembered Huo Xian’s unusual eyes, a pair of X-ray vision eyes. Before, he was able to help the police by revealing his special ability; if there were others who needed his help…
Huo Xian’s statement was simple: He was eating, then Qiao Yirong asked for help, and three kidnappers attacked him without saying a word. Whether it was out of protection for Qiao Yirong or for himself, he was blameless.
Later, he learned that those kidnappers weren’t ordinary kidnappers. They didn’t kidnap Qiao Yirong for money, but because their boss and Qiao Yirong were once a couple, but Qiao Yirong changed partners faster than she changed clothes. Although their boss was similar, their boss only ever tired of women, and there was never a case of women dumping him. They took the initiative to give Qiao Yirong a lesson.
They usually couldn’t get close to Qiao Yirong, a high-class heiress. But they got lucky today, encountering Qiao Yirong entering a small alley. Perfect timing, place, and people. Hence the failed kidnapping.
In short, it was all caused by a love affair.
Huo Xian decided to carry an almanac with him from now on.
“Huo Xian!” Just as Huo Xian was about to leave, he unexpectedly heard Qiao Yirong’s voice again. He felt an immediate aversion and was about to ignore her and hurry away when Liu Chengpei appeared.
Liu Chengpei stopped Huo Xian, “Where are you going? Miss Qiao is calling you.”
Huo Xian said with a forced smile, “I’m in a hurry to go home and find the safe.”
The words “safe” immediately struck a nerve with Liu Chengpei. He immediately ignored Qiao Yirong and pulled Huo Xian towards his house.
Unfortunately, in the short time Liu Chengpei had delayed, Qiao Yirong had limped to Huo Xian, ordering in an不容拒绝不容拒绝 tone, “Huo Xian, take me home.”
Huo Xian: You must be crazy.
Qiao Yirong saw the coldness on his face and pointed to her right foot, “You’re the reason my foot is injured. Taking me home is your duty.”
“Yes…” Liu Chengpei remembered her and wanted to please her. But he was pushed aside by Huo Xian.
Huo Xian looked coldly at the woman who, without her high heels, only reached his chin but was still bossy. His thin lips opened and closed, spitting out a few words: “If you’re mentally ill, go get treatment.” With that, he bypassed her and walked away.
Qiao Yirong was stunned, then anger rose to her face. She reached out to grab him, “Stop right there!”
Huo Xian didn’t let her succeed, coldly saying, “Miss Qiao, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even be at the police station. Why should I pay for your trouble? Please understand, I’m not anyone to you, so stop bossing me around.”
“You…” Qiao Yirong’s face turned alternately green and white. This was the first time anyone had been so impolite to her.
Huo Xian didn’t want to hear her nonsense and turned to leave. This turn happened to meet Qiao Yixuan’s complicated gaze, causing a throbbing headache, and he paused slightly.
Qiao Yirong spoke again, “Huo Xian, I was almost kidnapped because I was looking for you. You must take responsibility for me, both morally and reasonably!”
Huo Xian: …
Human language couldn’t express Huo Xian’s feelings at this moment. The most appropriate description was probably “f*cked up.”
To avoid triggering the condition of encountering female leads when going out, he specially chose a dirty and messy eatery for dinner. But now he’s told that a female lead who always has a sarcastic tone towards him is following him?
It’s all for the sake of dating. Character logic is thrown to the dogs.
Huo Xian took a deep breath and refused to speak to Qiao Yirong again, not even giving Qiao Yixuan a glance. He quickened his pace, walking past Qiao Yixuan without looking, ignoring her even if she called out.
Leaving behind a furious Qiao Yirong and an even more complex-looking Qiao Yixuan.
…
“Where do we start searching?” After returning home, Liu Chengpei had completely forgotten about the Qiao sisters, his eyes only on the treasure in Huo Xian’s house.
Huo Xian’s demeanor was relaxed and his expression lazy; he was very generous. “Feel free. Search wherever you want.”
Liu Chengpei’s eyes immediately lit up, “Shall we start with the basement?”
Huo Xian waved his hand, “Go ahead.”
Upon receiving the response, Liu Chengpei took off running, then stopped, turning his head to ask, “Axian, are you coming along? Let’s look together?”
Huo Xian pointed upstairs, “I’ll go check my parents’ bedroom and study first. The thief found the safe in their rooms; maybe there are others we haven’t found.”
Hearing this, Liu Chengpei’s eyes rolled, and he decisively changed his mind, “Then I’ll go upstairs with you first.”
Huo Xian didn’t mind. He walked ahead, a subtle smile on the corners of his lips.
Compared to Huo Xian, who knew the master bedroom inside and out, Liu Chengpei was obviously full of curiosity and a desire to explore. Initially, he was somewhat restrained. But seeing Huo Xian’s unhurried manner, he didn’t bother to urge him and started to search the room thoroughly.
Truly a thorough search.
Surprisingly, he was quite capable, finding at least two safes. However, when he happily shared this with Huo Xian, Huo Xian smiled and said, “Oh, this? That thief named Fang Sheng already found these. My mother’s jewelry was hidden here before.”
Liu Chengpei: …
Then Liu Chengpei diligently searched again. Perhaps he was blinded by the word “treasure,” and he was completely immersed in finding the safes, finding four safes in the master bedroom and study, and being informed by Huo Xian that Fang Sheng had already been there, before remembering to ask how many safes Fang Sheng had found.
At this time, Huo Xian innocently replied, “Just the four safes you found.”
Liu Chengpei’s face turned alternately green and white. If he hadn’t seen any other expression on Huo Xian’s face, he would have thought Huo Xian was playing tricks on him.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you go back?” Huo Xian glanced at the time.
Liu Chengpei only then realized that it was already dark outside. He looked at the wall clock: it was past seven. He had spent over three hours in the master bedroom? And all of them were empty?
He wouldn’t give up so easily.
“Axian, you live alone in such a big house. Aren’t you afraid? Why don’t I stay with you tonight?” he probed.
Huo Xian shrugged, “I’m used to it.”
Liu Chengpei rolled his eyes, saying, “Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Those heartless Huo Ting and Huo En left you to go abroad. How about I have the hotel deliver food and spend New Year’s Eve with you in advance?”
Hearing about the New Year, Huo Xian’s expression became listless. He said weakly, “Whatever. I’m tired after working so hard all day. I’ll go take a shower and change my clothes first.”
After showering, half an hour later, Liu Chengpei hadn’t found a fifth safe, but the hotel food arrived first. Besides the food, there were a few bottles of alcohol, all priced in the tens of thousands, and the alcohol content was high.
Huo Xian understood with a glance.
As expected, Liu Chengpei started to slander Huo Ting and Huo En again at the dinner table, Huo Xian occasionally responding, conveniently diverting the topic to the Liu family.
“Let me tell you, my older brother is a hypocritical hypocrite. He says one thing and does another. When Grandpa was still alive, he said he’d give me my shares when I turn forty. As a result, that b*stard Liu Chengxiang held onto them and refused to let go. When I asked him, he agreed verbally, but then he said he was too busy to forget, his words were like farts…” Liu Chengpei started pouring drinks as he talked.
Huo Xian quietly acted as a listener, pouring him drinks in the process.
Liu Chengpei acted like a child who had suffered a great injustice, complaining and cursing, drinking as if alcohol was free, pouring it into his stomach constantly. He had a good drinking capacity, so Huo Xian only started thinking about getting information when he had almost finished two bottles.
It proved that alcohol was indeed a better method for extracting information than violence. Unfortunately, Liu Chengpei didn’t get drunk; instead, he was drunk as a skunk.
[If Liu Chengpei hadn’t been drunk, how would the host have planned to get information about the mysterious Mr. X from him?] The system silently appeared and asked.
Huo Xian didn’t answer.
It wasn’t difficult to get the desired information from Liu Chengpei, but after using other methods, Liu Chengpei would probably avoid him like the plague. With Liu Chengpei’s personality, he might even retaliate. It was Liu Chengpei himself who gave him inspiration.
Mr. X, a mysterious person who not only knew about the wealth hidden in Huo Xian’s villa but also the demolition plan for Happy Garden after the New Year…
The next day.
Before dawn, Huo Xian was woken up by incessant ringing. He picked up his phone and was somewhat surprised by the caller—Police Officer Lin Da, whom he had only met for a second time at the police station.
“Hello, Officer Lin.” He answered the phone.
“Mr. Huo, there’s a very urgent matter I need your help with…”
Author’s note: Huo Xian: Take your time to find. ^＿^
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Thank you to the little fairies “Ting Yu Chui Feng” for watering the nutrient solution +1, “Lv Shu” for +3, “Fo Xi Sui Yuan” for +2, “Gregorio” for +21, mwah =3=