After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 372 - 363: Defying Superstition, Targeting Him Only

Chapter 372: Chapter 363: Defying Superstition, Targeting Him Only

Even during the day, the villa’s basement was as dim as an ancient tomb.

Xu Qingmei, who had made up her mind not to step out of the house and let her stand-in film on her behalf, was called down.

"Are you planning to keep hiding like this?"

Listening to the slightly displeased voice from above, Xu Qingmei silently cursed. Others would research antidotes after developing poisons, but you, once you developed something, paid no heed to its consequences.

She replied with a humble demeanor, "I saw online that Jing Huai went to the hospital. He might have already noticed the anomaly of the wound, and now he’s probably looking for me."

A light chuckle responded to her, "What’s there to fear? That thing is meant to control people. Wasn’t he already your intimate guest? Just continue using it. With my drug, he’ll be even more obedient and cooperative."

"You call him an intimate guest?" Xu Qingmei sneered slightly. "At most, he’s just a little plaything. Not to mention now, I’m already fed up and planning to sever ties with this little toy."

"Sir, once that drug enters the wound, there’s really no way to handle it?" Having been cooped up at home, Xu Qingmei was also annoyed. She was meant to stand in the spotlight, revered by thousands, and this affair with Jing Huai had left her trapped here like a mushroom. How ridiculous!

Recalling how the sir explained the usage when handing the drug to her, it wasn’t just about getting it into the target’s wound. It also required the scent she carries to activate the drug, which is why she hurried away after scratching Jing Huai, neglecting everything else.

If it were to activate and bind completely, she never intended to keep Jing Huai by her side permanently. Her style was to discard when bored.

Unactivated, those microscopically invisible things would only slowly breed within the bloodstream, with little impact on their host—except for occasional signs of anemia.

At this thought, a sliver of hope kindled in her heart. "If I never contact him, those things won’t activate, right? Will they just decompose and disappear over time?"

"No," the sir before her casually yet ruthlessly dashed her hopes. "The drugs from my hand don’t have such a fragile life. I’d advise you to quickly resolve this issue by bringing him in. You’ve been indoors too long—who’s going to arrange my entry into the entertainment circle? Don’t delay my debut!"

Xu Qingmei barely kept a straight face.

She genuinely doubted if the sir intended to deal with Jiang Lingxi or rather to steal their spotlights in the entertainment circle.

Simultaneously, she couldn’t help but feel tangled inside.

The fastest and most convenient solution for now would be to summon Jing Huai back. Once the substance activates, he’d certainly be the most obedient pet by her side.

Yet, she still harbored feelings for Shen Yunqing.

Had she obtained him, perhaps she wouldn’t yearn so much.

Precisely because she never had, the unwillingness intensified.

"Sir, once the drug is used, it can only target one person, right?"

As soon as she asked, Xu Qingmei was greeted by a glance filled with a mix of amusement and scrutiny. "You’re quite greedy, but mind not to overreach. With your aptitude, controlling one person is feasible; handling two, however, could backfire against you. Weigh it carefully."

"Please allow me some more time to think it over."

"Make it quick. You know my patience is limited."

Ascending from the basement, Xu Qingmei pondered on the word ’aptitude,’ her face subtly twisting.

It wasn’t her first time being told face-to-face about her lack of aptitude. When she first met the sir over a decade ago, she was deemed unfit; but due to her ruthless spirit, she was begrudgingly included in that organization—one she still couldn’t fathom the depth of.

Over the decade, she watched the sir maintain a youthful appearance year after year, while she, despite her preservation efforts, couldn’t fight the passage of time—being limited by her own aptitude.

Now, again with that aptitude talk trying to make her give up, why was he consistently so dismissive of her capabilities? Could ’aptitude’ explain everything? After all, she still won the Best Actress award!

A sudden surge of rebellion emerged; this time, she was determined not to succumb!

*

At the villa gate.

Before the guy in the baseball cap, pretending to be a kind passerby, could help the ashen-faced Jing Huai into the car, Li Yuwen and the assistant arrived just in time.

They found Jing Huai so quickly, thanks to his assistant.

After learning Jing Huai had quietly slipped out of the hospital while they were both away, Li Yuwen almost cursed out loud, planning to call the police privately. The assistant suddenly recalled last night’s conversation with Jing Huai, speculating he might be looking for Xu Qingmei.

They rushed over and sighed in relief upon seeing Jing Huai still in his hospital gown outside the villa gate.

"Huai!"

The guy in the baseball cap paused his supporting hand on Jing Huai’s arm, glanced at the two rushing over, but only had time to press the conduit gently onto Jing Huai’s arm wound.

By the time Li Yuwen and the assistant arrived, the conduit in his hand had already vanished. He greeted them with feigned surprise, "Are you this gentleman’s family? I happened to pass by and saw him almost fainting at the villa gate. I was about to take him to the hospital."

With a baby face, the young man appeared amiable, and though his clothes bore no brand, their cut and fabric suggested the status of a resident in this villa district.

Even Li Yuwen found nothing suspicious in his words after a glance, gratefully expressing, "Yes, this is my brother. Thank you for helping us!"

The young man released his grip, revealing dimples in a smile, "You’re welcome."

Jing Huai couldn’t help but glare at his supporting assistant, knowing his escape plan had failed.

He glanced reluctantly at the villa behind him, still unwilling to let go. "Xu..."

The next moment, his mouth was covered.

"Huai, pulling a stunt like this, Sister Wen almost blew her top, and I took a scolding too. Can’t we just be peaceful?"

The young man watched the car drive away, then returned to his own vehicle, took out the conduit to examine the collected blood, sealed it in a bag, and finally activated his earpiece to report, "Sir, Jing Huai’s manager and assistant came and took him away, but I have obtained the blood."

"Continue monitoring at the hospital. Hand the blood to Huzi en route, and he’ll take over."

"Understood."

After issuing the order, Shen Yunqing closed his eyes, brow furrowing as he reviewed in detail the accident on stage, particularly the change in Xu Qingmei’s expression after inadvertently wounding Jing Huai’s arm.

Though she had schemed intentionally, why did she panic upon realizing the wrong target had been hit?

If she felt guilt toward the accidentally injured Jing Huai, her reaction should’ve been one of remedy instead of fleeing in haste.

Unless, the substance’s effect on him specifically was what Xu Qingmei intended to see. Or rather, it solely aimed at him!

If applied to others, it might yield unwanted results Xu Qingmei couldn’t accept or didn’t wish to witness.

What exactly might this lead to?

For now, it seemed apart from the wound continually failing to heal, there were no other side effects.

Jing Huai’s current lethargy was purely from sleeplessness combined with self-induced fear.

Thankfully, with another blood sample obtained, there was hope Lu Ye might uncover more information.

"The money just came through, thanks, boss!"

A raspy yet excited voice broke Shen Yunqing’s focus.

He coolly gazed over, "Have you located Xu Qingmei’s residence yet?"

The young man, tallying his bonus balance with excitement, instantly deflated, "No, boss, could you give me a bit more time?"

He might have started celebrating too soon!

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