Chapter 186: The Birthday Party
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"Do you know where they sent the abductees?" Qiao Yue asked.
Qiao Ze shook his head. "I only know that they deal at the end of every month, but they've just been found out by me. I'm afraid their next deal will only happen next month."
It seemed that the next deal might be in December.
Qiao Jing had a rough idea of what was going on. "If they were found out, your career might be jeopardized."
Qiao Yue didn't plan to use any of her influence and power in C-Country. Such cases always ended up in the hands of the police and the count of law.
However, once the police was involved, this matter would become public news, and it might end Qiao Ze's career as an artiste.
"You are willing to throw away your career?" Qiao Yue asked.
"I'm not afraid of such rumors. I've already told you yesterday." Qiao Ze looked at the gigantic pupil on the Ophanim and smiled bitterly. "This shouldn't be what the Qiao family is known for."
Qiao Jing nodded. "At the end of next month, I will think of a way to deal with this." He looked at Qiao Yue and asked, "Will KA also step forward?"
"KA?" It's now Qiao Ze's turn to be confused. Could Qiao Yue be related to KA?
Qiao Yue sighed, "Yes."
"Fifth brother, are you related to KA?" Qiao Ze asked with a frown.
However, as soon as he asked, Qiao Ze regretted it. The talent that Qiao Yue had exhibited during this period was not something that a child from a mountain village could have. Qiao Yue's resume was definitely not as simple as he had thought.
"Just a little." Qiao Yue answered guiltily.
"My fifth brother is indeed no ordinary person." Qiao Ze nodded. "Then I'll leave it to both of you."
He let out a long sigh.
"If your acting career ends, come to Qiao Corporation." Qiao Jing said suddenly.
Qiao Jing had always been in charge of Qiao Corporation. Qiao Xuan and Qiao Ze had their own careers and avoided crossing paths.
If Qiao Ze joined the company, it would mean that he would have control over a part of the Qiao family business. People would then start to speculate about the distribution of the Qiao family assets, and Qiao Jing's position might be compromised.
Qiao Ze shook his head. "It's okay. I could use a break." He smiled bitterly before he added, "It's late. Let's go home."
After that, he went back into his car.
Qiao Yue wanted to follow him but was stopped by Qiao Jing. "Let your third brother have some time alone."
Qiao Ze's car disappeared at the end of the road.
Qiao Yue looked at the huge statue of the Ophanim and sighed, "I don't want to sacrifice third brother's career."
Qiao Jing patted her on the shoulder. The two of them stood under the statue for a long time without speaking.
The days gradually calmed down and Qiao Yue seemed to have gone back to being just a student. She went to school and came home at the same time every day.
Renovation of Yayi had also been completed, and the club was back in business. However, the people at Yayi had received orders to go to Qiao Ze's KTV at the end of December to arrest Qiao Yi and his gang.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of Bo Ning's birthday party.
Rumor had it that both Qiao Yue and Qiao Yu were invited to the birthday party, so all the girls were filled with excitement as they went around to verify their attendance.
Two of the school's most handsome men were going to the party. Bo Ning was indeed capable.
Bo Ning's birthday party was on a Friday at the Bo Mansion.
Bo Ning's parents were in politics. Their mansion looked low profile but exuded an air of unostentatious wealth.
Although the furnishings in the courtyard were not very eye-catching, Qiao Yue could tell that the mountains, lakes, and stones were of the best quality. The landscape was simple but the plants and sculptures were very expensive.
The Bo Mansion didn't look like the home of ordinary government officials.
Qiao Yue and Qiao Yu arrived at the Bo Mansion together.
The girls at the birthday party almost went crazy as they crowded around the Qiao boys, asking them this and that.
Bo Ning walked over and put her arm in Qiao Yue's.
Qiao Yue frowned, wanting to move away but Bo Ning whispered in her ear, "Do you want to know the secret? It's about your second brother. If you do, don't push me away."
As Bo Ning got close, Qiao Yue could smell the perfume on her. It smelt of oranges and lemons. It was so sweet that Qiao Yue felt a little dizzy.
Was there something else added to the perfume?
The people around them saw Bo Ning with her arm in Qiao Yue's and began to gossip. Did Qiao Yue like Bo Ning? Such an intimate act between the two?
Qiao Yue ignored Bo Ning's threat, took her arm and moved it away from hers.
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Chapter 187: Duped
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"What do you mean? Don't you want to know..."
Qiao Yue frowned at Bo Ning. "You should know what you shouldn't do, Miss Bo."
Qiao Yue was only interested in Qiao Jing's secret. She had absolutely no interest in Bo Ning.
After all, Qiao Yue was a girl herself and she had no such inclination towards girls.
Bo Ning's smile froze as she let go of Qiao Yue's arm. "Okay. Wait for me after the birthday party. I'll tell you the secret then."
After saying that, Bo Ning went into the Bo Mansion.
Qiao Yu was surrounded by a group of girls with a polite smile on his face.
Qiao Yue was amused.
Qiao Yu had helped her share the burden of the girls' attention and she's happy to be free.
Qiao Yue sat in the courtyard and read on her phone the plan that Xiao Jia sent her.
Without the Godfather's help, they were a little short-handed. Qiao Yue felt her head throbbing as she recalled her last phone call with the Godfather.
Two years. Already more than a month had passed. She didn't know if she had enough time to finish what she came back to do.
Everyone was enjoying the party in the courtyard when it started to snow.
The servants hurriedly brought the tables and food back into living room while serving mulled wine to the guests in the courtyard.
Qiao Yue also took a glass of the mulled wine and took a sip.
Fresh oranges, lemons, and cherries were added to red wine to cover up the sourness of the wine. The Bo family had a good chef.
Although Qiao Yue didn't like to drink that much, she enjoyed her glass of mulled wine.
Meanwhile, Bo Ning smiled smugly as she stood by the window on the second floor, watching the figure by the pool, who's enjoying the snow and drinking wine.
Just now, she had specially instructed the servant to put something in Qiao Yue's wine.
It was a colorless and odorless drug that would react with the special perfume she was wearing, and then some indescribable things might happen.
Bo Ning had noticed Qiao Yue long ago, but she didn't like him.
She looked at Qiao Yue, who had just finished his mulled wine, and a cold smile appeared on her face.
Scumbag, I'm going to embarrass you big time today!
The mulled wine was a little strong. Qiao Yue turned off her phone and watched the snow.
She was able to hold her liquor but something in the mulled wine made her dizzy.
Just as everyone was drinking, Bo Ning walked down the stairs. She was wearing a pink dress with a furry cloak. The dress was made up of layers of pink chiffon, which complemented her snow-white skin and made her look very elegant.
She wore her black wavy hair down. The soft curls fell on her shoulders and she looked extremely beautiful.
"She's so pretty."
"She's a real goddess. She looks good with both long and short hair."
Everyone exclaimed in admiration.
Qiao Yue felt that something was wrong. She felt her body temperature rise and Bo Ning's perfume scarily overpowering. They were standing so far apart, yet she could smell the orangey scent.
There was something wrong with her mulled wine!
Qiao Yue clutched her arm, her nails digging in, leaving glaring red marks.
This Bo Ning, she really shouldn't have trusted her.
However, this dosage was nothing.
"Since it's snowing today, let's cut the cake in the snow." Bo Ning walked around Qiao Yue to the middle of the courtyard. There was a big three-layered cake there, which the servant had not moved.
Qiao Yue frowned and took a step back.
Bo Ning's perfume reacted to what she had just drunk. As long as she stayed away from Bo Ning, she should be fine.
Bo Ning walked up to the cake, picked up the cake knife and started to cut the cake.
Against the snowy backdrop, she looked like an ice princess, and all the girls and boys present gasped in admiration.
The two brothers, Li Cheng and Li Rong, were also invited to the birthday party. They looked at Qiao Yue with hateful expressions.
Like Jin Lu, these girls were also fooled by Qiao Yue's face. Qiao Yue was not a good person.
Bo Ning divided the cake and asked the servants to bring a piece to each of the guests. Only Qiao Yue's piece was personally served by Bo Ning.
Qiao Yue held her breath when Bo Ning walked over.
Bo Ning looked at Qiao Yue and tilted her head slightly. "Why don't you try it? This is a custom-made cake and it's delicious."
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Chapter 188: Tenderness
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue looked at Bo Ning coldly and said, "I don't like sweets."
"But since you came to the birthday party, you should have some." Bo Ning replied.
"That's right. Since you've accepted Bo Ning's invitation, if you don't eat some cake, you'll be letting down her kind intentions."
Hearing the crowd's cheers, Qiao Yue frowned, took a step back to avoid the overpowering perfume on Bo Ning, and took a bite of the cake.
It was just an ordinary butter cake with icing, and there was no strange taste. Bo Ning probably did not do anything to the cake.
Even so, Qiao Yue still felt a strong sense of discomfort as she felt dizzier by the minute.
She put down the cake and wanted to find a place to calm down.
Qiao Yu noticed her expression and walked up to her. He grabbed Qiao Yue's arm, pushing Bo Ning to the side.
"What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Qiao Yue shook her head. Qiao Yu's hand on her arm was cold, but she felt a strange feeling.
What was going on?
She looked up at Qiao Yu's concerned face, and the uncomfortable feeling came back. She knew what Bo Ning had put in her wine!
"Do you have a fever?" Qiao Yu reached out to touch Qiao Yue's forehead.
"I don't." Qiao Yue shook off Qiao Yu's hand and walked towards the villa.
Li Rong and Li Cheng didn't know what Bo Ning had done, but they walked over deliberately to ask Qiao Yu, "Is Qiao Yue okay?" They couldn't wait to see Qiao Yue make a fool of himself.
Qiao Yu ignored Li Rong and Li Cheng and looked in Qiao Yue's direction. If he didn't see wrong, Qiao Yue's face looked very red.
What's wrong with Qiao Yue?
Bo Ning didn't care about Qiao Yue's condition. Instead, she instructed the servants to turn on the projector to play a movie for her guests.
When the movie started, everyone's attention was focused on the screen, but Bo Ning sneaked away in a different direction.
Qiao Yue found a bathroom inside the villa and locked herself in. She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to wake herself up quickly.
She felt dizzy and couldn't focus at all. A person's figure kept circling in her mind.
She held on to a pillar in the bathroom, took out her phone, and subconsciously dialed a number. As soon as the call connected, the door opened, and Bo Ning appeared in her evening gown.
At home, Qiao Jing had just finished a meeting with several board members of his company.
At the end of every year, these board members would come back from all over the country to check on the company performance for the year.
Qiao Corporation had been expanding its business since Qiao Jing took over, and the board members were very pleased.
After the meeting ended, it was time for the Board of Directors' dinner. This year, the dinner was held at the largest five-star hotel in C-Country.
Tonight's dinner wasn't a formal one, so Qiao Jing went back to his room to change into casual clothes after the meeting.
Qiao Jing was on his way to the dinner venue when his phone suddenly rang. Caller ID showed that it was Qiao Yue.
Qiao Yue had never called him before. Could there be some emergency?
He answered the call but didn't hear Qiao Yue's voice. Instead, he heard an argument.
Bo Ning looked at Qiao Yue's flushed face and laughed. "What's the matter, the number one scumbag of Harvey? Tell me what you're thinking now."
"I don't like you, so why did you drug me with this?" Although Qiao Yue felt dizzy, her mind was still clear.
Drugging her with this drug might not make Qiao Yue feel attracted to Bo Ning, but she might feel attracted to boys.
She looked at Bo Ning, with just a feeling of dizziness.
"Why did you treat Xiaoxiao like that?"
Qiao Yue frowned. That happened so long ago. How could she still be faulted for it?
"I didn't do anything to Xiaoxiao."
Bo Ning walked over and grabbed Qiao Yue's collar. "You broke her heart, and you're still entangled with so many girls."
In all honesty, Qiao Yue usually kept a respectful distance from the girls in school. When did she become entangled with so many girls?
"I also heard from Li Cheng that you and Teacher Jin Lu have an improper relationship."
Qiao Yue felt aggrieved. What could a girl like her do to these girls?
Unfortunately, Bo Ning didn't know that she was a girl.
"But I don't plan to do anything with you today. I've installed a camera in this bathroom. When you act up later, everything will be recorded. Then, everyone will know that you're a jerk."
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Chapter 189: Illicit Drug
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue suddenly became alert when she heard the word "camera".
"Your plan is to drug me so that I would harass you and then record everything?" Qiao Yue asked with a frown.
"Yes." Bo Ning saw that Qiao Yue hadn't reacted, so she walked up to him and held his hand.
Qiao Yue felt that her body was hotter than Bo Ning's, but how could she be turned on by Bo Ning?
Qiao Yue took a step back and held her phone in her hand. "Why are you so sure that I'll harass you?"
"The drug I gave you was custom-made. Unless you're a woman, there's no way you wouldn't react to me."
Qiao Yue almost laughed out loud. It had really never occurred to this person that she might be a woman.
"If I remember correctly, this kind of drug is illegal in C-Country. How did you get it?" Qiao Yue leaned against the wall, trying her best to open her eyes wide so she could see clearly and to stall for time.
If Qiao Jing had accepted the call, he would have sent someone over.
"These drugs can be found on an ecommerce website. Although it's illegal, it won't be found out if no one reports it."
Qiao Yue frowned. She didn't know much about this kind of illegal drug, but if it was so easily available, wouldn't people like Qiao Yi use these drugs on the girls to make them compliant?
Qiao Yue admired herself a little for being able to calmly analyze a forbidden drug under such circumstances.
"Alright, stop talking nonsense. The video recorded here will be projected on the big screen outside shortly. We have to hurry."
God, this Bo Ning had actually set up a live broadcast!
Qiao Yue slowly stood up against the wall. She took the shower head beside her, twisted it off with trembling hands, and held it in front of her.
"You know that I'm good at beating people up, right?"
Bo Ning laughed. "Qiao Yue, you're not going so far as to hit a woman, are you? No wonder you are a scumbag."
"If you don't want to be beaten up, let me out now. I'll explain any misunderstanding that arises."
Bo Ning sneered. She had heard words like these many times. Didn't all scumbags like to sweet talk?
"This won't work on me. Qiao Yue, I'll let everyone see your true colors today." Bo Ning reached out to grab Qiao Yue's clothes as she spoke.
Qiao Yue felt that she's in a truly laughable situation. The scenario was simple enough but the reason for it was stupid. How could she be duped by such a clumsy trick?
Meanwhile, Qiao Yu realized that something was wrong. Qiao Yue and Bo Ning had both disappeared.
Could something have happened between his fifth brother and Bo Ning? The more he thought about this, the more Qiao Yu felt that something was wrong. Also, Qiao Yue didn't look well just now.
Just as he was about to look for Qiao Yue, he heard a commotion outside.
Qiao Jing came in with a few bodyguards.
"Second brother?" Qiao Yu frowned. Why would his second brother be here?
Qiao Yu ran up to Qiao Jing. "Second brother, what happened?"
Qiao Jing's face was as cold as ice. His eyes were frighteningly cold as he looked at Qiao Yu. He ignored Qiao Yu and led the bodyguards to the bathroom, where they knocked on the door.
Bo Ning's parents heard the commotion and ran out.
"Who's causing a ruckus at my daughter's birthday party?" Bo Song asked sternly. Seeing that it was Qiao Jing, he greeted him quickly, "Second Young Master Qiao."
The Qiao family and the Land Management Bureau where Bo Song worked had several dealings a year, so Bo Song naturally knew Qiao Jing.
"I don't know what happened, but it's my daughter's birthday party today. Why is Second Young Master Qiao..."
Before Bo Song could finish, Qiao Jing kicked the bathroom door to the ground.
Qiao Jing walked in and saw Qiao Yue curled up on the ground holding a shower head and Bo Ning walking towards him aggressively.
Qiao Jing's eyes were cold, and Bo Ning was so scared that she quickly made way for him.
Qiao Jing walked over and picked Qiao Yue up in his arms. Qiao Yue was already a little delirious at this time. She was still talking clearly over the phone just now but how could she have fainted in just a few minutes?
"Miss Bo, you used forbidden drugs and recorded people in secret. These are all illegal. You're an adult now, so you must take responsibility for your own actions."
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Chapter 190: The Rescue
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Bo Ning had never encountered such a situation. She was scared and shocked. "I didn't..."
"The Qiao family lawyer will contact you."
The people in the hall who had followed them in to watch the show were all frightened by Qiao Jing's imposing aura. Everyone quietly made way for Qiao Jing to carry Qiao Yue out.
Qiao Yue felt her body heat up again, while Qiao Jing's body was cold. She felt the coolness like she was holding an ice cube in the hot summer.
She couldn't help but wrap her arms around Qiao Jing's neck, her entire body trembling.
When Qiao Jing saw Qiao Yue like this, his eyes were shrouded in darkness.
Meanwhile, the movie that was projected outside stopped playing and a video of what was happening in the bathroom was screened live.
Everyone there knew Qiao Jing and knew that Qiao Yue and him were brothers, but they were all shocked to see Qiao Yue curled up in Qiao Jing's arms.
Although they were both men, the scene was like out of an anime. The crowd covered their mouths with their hands, and their faces looked like they had just hit something.
Qiao Yu looked at the big screen and frowned.
He had noticed that Qiao Yue looked unwell just now. His condition now.... It seemed like he had been drugged!
"Qiao Yu, your fifth brother and second brother look like a good match." Someone came up to Qiao Yu and said.
Qiao Yu grabbed the man by the collar. "They're brothers. You'd better watch your words."
Qiao Yu felt a little displeased, like a child whose toy had been snatched away.
Qiao Jing carried Qiao Yue out of the villa.
Bo Song and Bo Ning followed behind with gloomy faces.
"Second young master, please don't be angry. I can help fifth young master find a hospital. Please don't take your anger out on the Bo family." Bo Song looked at Qiao Jing with a panicked and ingratiating expression. "Please don't hold it against my daughter, second young master."
Qiao Jing got into the car expressionlessly, ignoring Bo Song who was shouting behind him.
Qiao Yu walked over and was about to get into the front passenger seat when Qiao Jing suddenly said, "Fourth brother, I'll take fifth brother to the hospital. You stay put at the Bo Mansion and investigate this matter."
Qiao Yu looked worriedly at Qiao Yue, who was curled up in Qiao Jing's arms.
"I will take good care of fifth brother."
Qiao Yu's face darkened. He closed the door and nodded at Qiao Jing.
"Second young master, are we going to the hospital now?"
Qiao Jing shook his head and hugged the person in his arms even tighter. "No, back to my private residence."
Qiao Jing was the only one who knew that Qiao Yue was a girl. Although the Qiao family also owned a hospital, it was hard to guarantee that there would be no leaks.
Although Qiao Jing still didn't understand why Qiao Yue was pretending to be a boy, he decided to keep her secret.
The assistant looked at Qiao Jing, who was holding Qiao Yue tightly in the back seat, and was a little confused. Why did these two young masters look more like a couple than brothers?
Although Qiao Yue was a boy, looking at his features, he would be very pretty as a girl too.
If the fifth young master was really a girl, the second young master would probably like her as well, right? The assistant couldn't help but turn around again.
"Turn back around," Qiao Jing saw his assistant's actions and ordered coldly.
Qiao Yue was feeling sicker by the minute. She clung to Qiao Jing and the distance between them closed.
Qiao Yue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she looked at Qiao Jing in confusion, her eyes misty.
Qiao Jing had never seen Qiao Yue in such a fragile state. She was completely different from when she was injured, and she had a power that drew people in.
"Don't move." Qiao Jing tightened his grip to hold her steady.
Qiao Yue opened her mouth slightly, as if she had something to say.
Qiao Jing leaned closer to listen. Qiao Yue's voice was low and she was panting softly. "Please find out how Bo Ning got the aphrodisiac... It might have something to do with Qiao Yi's illegal business."
"Alright," Qiao Jing replied before he patted her on the head. "Be good."
She was in such a state and yet she was thinking about investigating the matter.
Qiao Yue snuggled her head against Qiao Jing's hand and her rationality almost disappeared in their intimate distance.
She unconsciously reached out and pressed her face against Qiao Jing's hand.
Qiao Jing's hand was cold, which eased the heat caused by the drug.
She gently opened her mouth and licked his palm like a cat.
Qiao Jing's face darkened.
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