Chapter 84: The Prince Charming Who Descended from Heaven

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn

Ning Qingxue disliked Starbucks and rarely went there. She didn't care for the "North American style," including the pastries. However, she accompanied Su Jingwen to meet a journalist friend who favored Starbucks coffee.

As soon as Ning Qingxue and Li Mumei arrived, Su Jingwen called from a window table. A tall, attractive woman sat beside her.

"Mumei, Qingxue, over here!"

"Let me introduce my friend, Xiao Lei," Su Jingwen said. "She's a renowned Beijing journalist, always on the front lines. Xiao Lei, these are my friends, Mumei and Qingxue."

Xiao Lei stood, shaking hands. "Hello, Qingxue, Mumei. I've heard of the beautiful Ning Qingxue! I'm a little starstruck, haha."

Li Mumei, more outgoing, quickly engaged Xiao Lei. "Big Journalist Xiao, I've read your Flowing Snake reports. I never expected to meet you in Ning Hai! It's an honor."

Xiao Lei smiled. "If someone hadn't saved me at Flowing Snake, I wouldn't be here. She looked at Ning Qingxue. She knew Ning Qingxue's fiancé was Ye Mo—the same name as her rescuer—but doubted it was the same person. The contrast seemed too vast. Everyone in Beijing knew Ning Qingxue's fiancé; how could he be the Ye Mo from Flowing Snake?

Su Jingwen, acting as hostess, asked, "What will everyone have?"

Li Mumei ordered a mocha. Ning Qingxue, indifferent to the drinks, simply said, "I don't mind." Her primary goal was to learn about Ye Mo.

The four women attracted considerable attention, making Ning Qingxue uncomfortable.

"Xiao Lei, I admire your journalistic spirit," Ning Qingxue said, despite not having lived in Beijing.

Li Mumei, suspecting a connection to the Song family, asked, "Xiao Lei, Jingwen mentioned you're interviewing about that case. How's it progressing?"

Xiao Lei, thinking it a casual conversation, replied after sipping her coffee, "The fugitive hasn't been apprehended, but the victim's family reportedly knows the culprit. Lack of solid evidence, though; the culprit destroyed all surveillance footage."

Ning Qingxue felt relieved. For the first time, she tried the coffee. The milky smoothness surprised her; it wasn't as bitter as expected.

Li Mumei, showing no sympathy, commented, "Song Shaotan's death will enrage the Song family. They were arrogant, so it's no surprise someone acted. One shouldn't be too overconfident."

Xiao Lei disagreed. "The Song family, while powerful, are numerous. This is overshadowed by another murder—Qian Shiping."

Ning Qingxue and Li Mumei exchanged surprised glances. Who could be more powerful than the Song family?

"Who is Qian Shiping?" Su Jingwen asked. Ning Qingxue, however, felt a deeper urgency, as it concerned Ye Mo's safety.

Su Jingwen, noting Ning Qingxue's unusual interest, found it strange.

Xiao Lei explained, "Qian Shiping's father, Qian Baihe—also known as Qian Longtou—leads a powerful Northeast Asian gang, Nan Qing. His influence is vast. But his son's murder…his reaction will be significant."

Before Xiao Lei finished, Ning Qingxue, startled, spilled her coffee. While she didn't fully grasp Nan Qing's implications, she knew it was serious. Ye Mo's involvement with such a powerful figure filled her with apprehension.

"Qingxue, what's wrong?" Li Mumei asked, concerned about her friend's health.

Su Jingwen, noticing Ning Qingxue's distress, changed the subject. "Let's talk about something else. Xiao Lei, tell us about Flowing Snake. I'd like to visit."

Xiao Lei, still looking at Ning Qingxue, cautioned, "Don't go! If Ye Mo hadn't saved me, I'd be dead."

Li Mumei, Ning Qingxue, and Su Jingwen all exclaimed, "Ye Mo!?"

Xiao Lei quickly corrected herself. "It's a Ye Mo, but not Qingxue's…I'm sorry, I didn't realize."

Ning Qingxue smiled. "It's alright. Tell us."

Xiao Lei recounted her ordeal at Flowing Snake. "Wang Qianjun, the man who hired me, abandoned me to bandits…after being paid fifty thousand."

Li Mumei asked, "You didn't mention that on your blog. What happened next?"

Xiao Lei's eyes grew dreamy. "Then…he appeared, like a prince charming, knocking out all the bandits. His speed…his kicks…unforgettable! I thought I was watching an action movie!"

Su Jingwen and Li Mumei felt a thrill of excitement. Ning Qingxue, however, felt increasingly certain this Ye Mo was her own.