Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
He smelled the stench of blood coming from the Chinese parasol tree.
“Do you smell that?”
Ji Ziming narrowed his eyes. His gut feeling was telling him that there was someone hiding on the camphor tree but unsure if there were fewer or more people than the bodyguards he had.
Acting rashly would result in more casualties.
Although the camphor tree’s fragrance was strong, he could still faintly smell blood. If he just took a few more steps forward, he would see Xu Yansong squatting atop one of that tree’s trunks in his light-green shirt.
As long as Ji Ziming walked three more meters, he would spot the injured assassin.
“Alright, bring your men and see if there are more spy cams in the area. I want you to ensure the safety of the man inside.”
Ji Ziming’s voice was cold as he looked at the camphor tree behind the Chinese parasol.
“Yes, sir.”
The bodyguard chief was soaked in perspiration. He had no idea when the outsider had sneaked into the mansion’s territory. The security here was the tightest and strictest. It was even better and safer than the Ji family’s mansion in the capital.
Now that such a thing had happened, the man was unsure if it was due to the bodyguards’ negligence or his lack of concern.
After receiving the instructions from him, the rest of the bodyguards went to check all the trees in the backyard. They were swift, with the act of climbing trees an easy feat for them. Ji Ziming felt that it was a pity that, before he and Pei Ge could return to the mansion, the bodyguard chief finished checking everything that might look like a spy camera.
In actual fact, when the bodyguard chief spotted that one spy camera earlier, he had already instructed his men to check the area surrounding the mansion, but no suspicious person or item was found.
“This fast?”
Looking at the bodyguard chief standing right in front of him, Ji Ziming could not help but suspect his abilities, for it had only been five minutes since he ordered him to search the grounds.
“Have you seen that camphor tree by the wall in the backyard?”
Pei Ge turned around. She could see on it a color that did not belong to the camphor tree.
“No need.”
The man held her hand and said nothing as he brought her inside the mansion.
“There’s someone hiding in that camphor tree earlier.”
The moment they entered the mansion, he affirmed her doubt.
“Then, why didn’t you let them go and look? What if that’s the person who installed the spy cameras?”
Nervousness crept up her face. Ever since Qu Xiujie appeared right before them, they had not been able to enjoy a peaceful day. In fact, problems kept popping up around them.
“Don’t worry; that person is injured.”
Ji Ziming looked at Pei Ge, yet the look in his eyes baffled her.
“If he’s injured, you should quickly go—”
“Don’t be anxious; that person can’t descend the hill today.”
He walked to the coffee table and poured himself a cup of tea. The green tea leaves swirled inside the white porcelain cup as the fragrance from the tea leaves filled the air in this spacious room.
“Don’t be anxious; before we left the scene earlier, I activated this mansion’s security measures. Unless they’re a bird, it’ll be impossible for them to leave the camphor tree and descend hill. Even if he’s a professional, he’s bound to receive heavy injury. ”
The look of confidence on Ji Ziming’s face comforted Pei Ge.
“So you and the bodyguard chief earlier…”
She finally understood. Even if the bodyguard chief did not do anything, the security system of the mansion would.
“Right. It’s just what you’re thinking now, so don’t worry.”
The man poured tea for her too, then caressed her hair. “Do you want green tea? Its leaves were sent here just yesterday; the taste is fantastic…”
He purposely made his words ambiguous when he whispered to her ear. His hot breath caused the woman to flush. “Of course, it doesn’t taste as good as you do.”
“You’re being improper again.”
Pei Ge pushed away the man, who was sitting on the sofa next to her. No matter where they were, he would always be able to flirt with her. Her heart was thumping wildly with all the flirting and scare she received today.
“Don’t be scared. With me around, you won’t get hurt.”
Ji Ziming spoke with her in an improper tone, his eyes reflecting the lights of the chandelier above.
“I know.”
Pei Ge dipped her head and took the cup from the coffee table.
It was indeed made with a fresh batch of tea leaves. Its fragrance melted in her mouth, and she savored the taste lingering between her teeth. It tasted divine with the delicate fragrance of fresh flowers and the scent of the tea leaves.
It was indeed a good cup of tea.
“How was it?”
Seeing that she had poured herself another cup, Ji Ziming’s lips curled as he asked.
“I think it tastes really good. It has the nostalgic taste of old tea leaves but also the novel flavor of fresh tea leaves.”
Pei Ge had managed to capture the essence of this tea that even the man had failed to do.
“Not bad. You’re really at tea-tasting.”
Ji Ziming leaned his arm against the sofa. If this woman did not fancy this tea, he had other types of tea.
“A bit. Since we’ve drunk the tea, and the matter is settled, don’t you want to visit Qu Xiujie upstairs?”
She pointed out what their focus should be, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
“Do you believe him?”
He asked a simple question. If she was unwilling to believe that fella, he would not let Qu Xiujie stay here anymore.
“What about you?”
She could not make up her mind, but when that guy spoke about the past, she kind of recalled something she had no inkling about.
“If you don’t believe him, I’ll go get evidence and let that liar shut up. If you believe him, I’ll listen to you.”
Ji Ziming handed the decision to her.
“I want to listen to him first. Even though I don’t want to be part of the Qu family, and I dislike its other members, I don’t really hate that old fellow. I want to see what he has up his sleeve.”
