Chapter 26: The Pot Shouldn’t Call the Kettle Black

Everyone has a temper; who doesn’t? The man was ruthless, but Qin Hongfei was even colder. Life had taught her never to back down—if she did, if she let herself be cowed and crushed, it would truly be over.

After three seconds of silence, she spoke. “Either let me go and I’ll tell you where your friend is, as an exchange. Or, strangle me, kill yourself with your own hands, and doom your friend along with you.”

The man’s brows furrowed, a fury in his eyes that seemed to burn for her blood. But thinking of his friend, he slowly released his grip. He stepped back three paces, impatience in his voice. “Tell me where he is. If anything’s happened to him, I’ll kill you and your sister.”

A glint of ice flashed in Qin Hongfei’s eyes. Damn it! What kind of ungrateful wolf had she just saved? Would it be too late to just beat him to death now?

She retreated three steps in silence, stumbling back to the edge of the bed. Suddenly, she yanked open a drawer, pulling something out and aiming it at the man. His reflexes were sharp—he dodged the strike with a tilt of his head and lunged forward, pinning her shoulder in a grip as strong as before, enough to shatter bone with the slightest pressure.

But this time, the weapon in Qin Hongfei’s hand was pressed against his throat—a pen, or rather, a concealed blade disguised as a pen. With a click, the blade tip jutted out, slicing a bloody line across the man’s neck.

He frowned, eyeing the weapon at his throat.

Qin Hongfei stared back at him. In their hearts, both cursed.

Bastard! Dog of a man!

She spoke coldly, “I’ll count to three. We both let go at the same time, or we both die. If you agree, say something.”

A flicker passed through the man’s icy eyes. “Count.”

“Three…”

“Two…”

“One…”

Neither moved.

The man sneered, “Women—never a good one among you.”

Qin Hongfei shot back, “Same to you. Takes one to know one.”

Annoyance flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, he jerked his head aside and caught the pen blade in his hand, heedless of the sharp edge cutting into his flesh, blood spilling. At the same time, his right hand squeezed her shoulder with brutal force.

Crack!

Qin Hongfei felt her right shoulder as if the bone had been snapped in two. Cold sweat broke out instantly from the pain, and she couldn’t help but gasp sharply.

“Stop! Enough!” A voice rang out as a disheveled man climbed in through the window, striding over to pull the cold man’s hand off Qin Hongfei’s shoulder.

“Tang Xiaojin!” The cold man’s gaze softened at the sight of his friend. “I thought you were dead.”

Tang Jinnan replied, “If you’re alive, how could I be dead?” Then he turned to Qin Hongfei, his tone gentler. “You acted too rashly. She’s the one who helped us.” He walked over, reaching out to examine her shoulder, a helpless look in his eyes as he scolded, “You went too far. You’ve broken her bone…”

The cold man frowned. “She’s too fragile. Not my problem. Stay away from her—she’s nothing but trouble. Cunning enough to lead you astray.”

Qin Hongfei, wracked with pain, could only curse, “That’s right, I’m trouble. I should’ve just screamed you were here, let them find and drag you off—serves you right.”

The cold man’s brows drew together.

Qin Hongfei stared him down coldly. If it was a contest of ferocity, she’d never been beaten. In the world of scientific research, she’d fought her way up on her own, seen every kind of monster and demon there was.