His hand closed around her throat, his palm even able to feel the throb of her pulse.
With just a slight squeeze, he could sever it!
Xie Jing's eyes were bloodshot, and the voice in his mind echoed again, "She doesn't like you, this is all fake! Hurry! Kill her, and she'll never deceive you again!"
The voice was evil yet intoxicating. Xie Jing seemed to heed its words, a sinister smile flashing across his face.
The red in his eyes intensified, but his hand loosened.
For the first time, he felt that killing held no meaning; he had a better way.
Since she wanted to go home, he would make sure she never got her wish.
He abruptly withdrew his hand, his gaze like a serpent's, sticking to Qin Jiujiu's face.
The voice in his mind had vanished. Qin Jiujiu seemed to have stopped dreaming, sleeping peacefully now, though Xie Jing caught a tear escaping the corner of her right eye.
His heart felt as if it were being squeezed, a suffocating sensation washing over him.
He suddenly leaned forward. In her sleep, Qin Jiujiu felt a warm touch on her cheek. The shadow receded, and the tear on her face was gone.
Xie Jing licked his lips, gazing at the serene sleeping face before him, his eyes displaying a tenderness he himself didn't notice.
Glancing at Bai Qianluo beside them, he then picked up Qin Jiujiu, returned to his original spot, sat down, and held her in his embrace.
Qin Jiujiu stirred slightly, her lips moving, then her breathing quickly stabilized as she drifted back to sleep.
She had a dream where Xie Jing was clad in red. She stepped forward to call him, and he gave her a cold glance, but his gaze suddenly softened, though it was directed behind her.
She realized something and looked back in panic. It was Bai Qianluo, also dressed in red.
Accustomed to seeing him in blue, and Bai Qianluo in white, now both clad in red, Qin Jiujiu felt they were perfectly matched!
For some reason, a dull ache bloomed in her chest. Her breath hitched. Had the plot already progressed so far?
Xie Jing's tender gaze was only for Bai Qianluo, and she could even detect killing intent in his eyes toward herself. Had he truly turned dark?
But the system hadn't informed her, nor declared the mission over. Why was she still in this world?
Though her memory of the original text was gone, she clearly remembered the villain's end—after blackening, he imprisoned Bai Qianluo, even gravely injuring Xie Yun, disregarding their brotherhood. Xie Yun, the male lead, was naturally rescued, and then Bai Qianluo, in league with Xie Yun, defeated the darkened Xie Jing. Xie Jing died beneath Bai Qianluo's Qing Jue sword!
Qin Jiujiu looked at Bai Qianluo. In her red attire, she possessed a more alluring aura, less of her usual coolness, making her a perfect match for Xie Jing! However, she had to stop this. Otherwise, she would fail her mission, and Xie Jing would die!
She could almost see Xie Jing lying bleeding on the ground. Her heart ached with a dull pain. No! She absolutely had to stop it!
"Sister Bai! You cannot get married! The person you should marry is Big Brother Xie!"
Bai Qianluo walked past Qin Jiujiu, seemingly heading towards Xie Jing. But how could this be? Bai Qianluo shouldn't react this way!
Everything seemed to have changed!
She called her name, but Bai Qianluo merely gave her a cold glance and continued straight towards Xie Jing. Qin Jiujiu then noticed Bai Qianluo's gaze was unfocused; she looked like a walking corpse!
In her desperation, Qin Jiujiu grabbed Bai Qianluo's hand.
Bai Qianluo's gaze shifted back to Qin Jiujiu, but the smile was gone.
Had Xie Jing used some wicked art on her?
Qin Jiujiu held Bai Qianluo’s hand tightly, trying to wake her, "Sister Bai, do you still remember who I am? Where is Big Brother Xie? Where is Big Brother Xie?"
Upon hearing her mention "Big Brother Xie," Bai Qianluo's eyes flickered for a moment, but only for an instant. She then shifted her gaze from Qin Jiujiu's face to her hand.
Suddenly, she forcefully shook off Qin Jiujiu's grip.
"Sister Bai?"
Realizing this approach wouldn't work, Qin Jiujiu could only turn to find Xie Jing.
His gaze was fixed on her, and she could see the thick killing intent in his eyes. She was someone who feared death, terrified of the great villain, yet for some reason, she dared to approach Xie Jing now.
Not just approach him, but take his hand.
The temperature of his fingertips seemed even colder than before, sending a chill that seemed to penetrate to her bones.
"Second Young Master Xie! You cannot marry Sister Bai..."
But she couldn't explain why. She couldn't tell him that if he married Bai Qianluo, he would surely die!
Xie Jing's gaze grew colder, his expression ruthless, utterly devoid of the tenderness he had shown Bai Qianluo moments ago. Qin Jiujiu's heart ached with every beat, the chill from her fingertips seeming to freeze her heart.
She ignored this sensation, determined to persuade Xie Jing. Only then could he live!
"Why?" Qin Jiujiu looked at the person speaking. His eyes truly seemed filled with confusion, like an innocent child, but Qin Jiujiu knew he had already blackened.
However, she couldn't answer the question.
Xie Jing waited for a long moment. Seeing no response from the person before him, his patience wore thin. The demonic energy within him was suddenly unleashed, striking Qin Jiujiu.
She was knocked aside, falling to the ground. Her body took a heavy blow, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
Xie Jing's gaze didn't fall on her. He spoke to Bai Qianluo, as if no one else were present, coaxing her, "A'luo, come quickly, come to my side..."
His voice was deep, with a mesmerizing power. Bai Qianluo's eyes were fixed on him, yet still indifferent. Her body moved stiffly, unnervingly unnatural.
Xie Jing watched the person slowly approaching him. The voice in his mind spoke again, and the demonic energy resurfaced, "See, how useful this puppet technique is! Now she truly belongs to you!"
Xie Jing's lips gradually curled into an exaggerated smile, looking bizarre and pathological.
Enduring the pain in her internal organs, Qin Jiujiu seized the moment Xie Jing was distracted and ran to Bai Qianluo, pulling her. The situation had unfolded so suddenly that Bai Qianluo was yanked away by her.
Qin Jiujiu suddenly moved closer to Xie Jing, tiptoeing and leaning in to kiss his lips.
Xie Jing froze, his mind reeling, his heart pounding violently.
His heart felt so strange at this moment...
She mimicked his past actions, trying to entice him, attempting to draw him into her trap.
Suddenly, his lips pressed harder against hers, his arm encircling her waist, deepening the kiss.
He pressed forward step by step, his kisses overwhelming her. The fragrance of his body permeated her senses inch by inch.