True, if Zhao Qin really wanted to mess with Zhu Xiangxiang, why give herself a Truth card? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
Zhu Xiangxiang tugged Sun Yi, "Let it go, I lost the bet fair and square."
"The seawater is so deep, your body won't be able to handle it." The seawater was very cold at night, and Zhu Xiangxiang, a delicate and pampered rich young lady, wouldn't be able to take it.
"Sun Yi, if you really can't bear to see your sweetheart suffer, you might as well jump in with her, at least they'll have each other for company," Li Jiaojiao joked.
Zhu Xiangxiang's face was slightly pale, but she remained calm, a reminder of why she was Jiangcheng's number one socialite - her grace was unrivaled.
Sun Yi, being the ultimate protector, insisted, "I'll jump if I have to."
Originally, Zhao Qin planned to have the person who drew the Dare card ask the person with the Truth card a question, and while others wouldn't know their identities, they'd be able to enjoy the scene. But now with the Truth card in her possession, she could only change the rules…
However, before she could come up with a new plan, Zhu Xiangxiang took the lead of laughing: "I remember when we used to play Truth or Dare, the person who drew the Dare card would ask the person with the Truth card a question. Am I right?"
Zhao Qin stiffened and said, "Different people have different ways of playing."
"I think it's the most fair to let me ask you a question, is that okay?" Zhu Xiangxiang smiled gently, and it was impossible to refuse.
Zhao Qin clenched her teeth and forced a smile, "Fine, go ahead and ask."
Charles Gao took pleasure in the imminent chaos: "Two women are at each other's throats, the show is starting."
He poured a glass of champagne for Ming Jing, but she shook her head, "I don't drink this stuff."
"What do you drink, then? Soda? Milk?"
"Nothing, let's just watch quietly."
Charles Gao quietly looked at the young girl's indifferent profile amid the night, feeling an increasing sense of mysterious untouchability.
He knew Zhao Qin well enough to be sure she would never leave the Truth card for herself. He had been observing her earlier, and ascertained that she intended the Dare card for Zhu Xiangxiang. Their rivalry wasn't surprising, but the Truth card… His thoughts turned to the undercurrents between Ming Jing and Zhao Qin during the card drawing.
Managing to outwit Zhao Qin was certainly interesting.
Zhu Xiangxiang thought for a moment and said, "My question is - who is the first person you've hurt since you were born?"
What a poisonous question.
As the female bully of Shengde High School, Zhao Qin had bullied countless people - too many to fit in a single truck.
Zhao Qin's viciousness wasn't a secret, and she wasn't afraid of others gossiping about her. She candidly answered, "When I was seven years old, the daughter of our housekeeper came to our house for a short stay. She kicked my golden retriever, which made me very angry. So, I shaved her head while she was sleeping."
The next day, the girl woke up to find her head completely bald and was so frightened that she wet herself. Zhao Qin mocked and took pictures of her, permanently scarring her with a deep psychological trauma, which led to depression and eventually her suicide at fifteen.
No one, including Li Jiaojiao, knew about this incident.
"It was just shaving a head, no big deal. I know how much Zhao Qin treasures her golden retriever, so this punishment was mild," someone commented.
"Hair is so important to a girl. If I woke up one morning to find myself bald, I would go crazy," another chimed in.
The crowd discussed Zhao Qin's cruelty with renewed vigor.
Zhu Xiangxiang nodded, stood up, and walked to the deck, gazing down at the turbulent sea.
Charles Gao, fearing an accident, ordered a lifeguard to wait in a small yacht below.
Sun Yi came over and said, "Don't be scared, Xiangxiang. I'll jump with you."
Zhu Xiangxiang smiled and shook her head, "I can't let you suffer with me anymore. Don't worry, there's a lifeguard below. I'll be fine."
Her perseverance and consideration deeply touched Sun Yi's heart, and his disgust for Zhao Qin grew even more intense.
Zhu Xiangxiang looked around, the expressions of those present displaying sympathy, schadenfreude, or anticipation for the upcoming drama; each person's gaze betrayed their true feelings.
Only Ming Jing and Jiang Jinchen were the exceptions.With such indifferent attitude, even if she were to jump off a cliff today, the two probably wouldn't even furrow their brows.
Zhu Xiangxiang let out a bitter smile, climbed onto the railing.
She had dressed deliberately for tonight, wearing a flowing white dress. Her elegant gown flitting as the night breeze brushed the hem; she seemed to be ready to ride the wind away.
The hearts of many men present were instantly moved by the fragile beauty of her silhouette, wishing they could take the plunge for her.
Li Jiaojiao hooked her lips, a malicious smile flashing in her eyes.
Zhu Xiangxiang, I have prepared a big surprise for you. Wait for it!
Zhu Xiangxiang spread her arms, closed her eyes, and leaped with all her might.
"Ah…." A timid scream.
With a "splash," a huge wave rose from where she fell.
Just at that moment, the rain started pouring down heavily, forcing everyone to hurriedly return to their rooms, except for Sun Yi, who remained leaning against the railing, looking down into the water.
Zhu Xiangxiang had learned how to swim, so as she hit the water, she tried to resurface. But suddenly her foot was entangled by something, pulling her down into the depths.
Filled with terror, Zhu Xiangxiang thought, "I must have had the terrible luck to be caught in an underwater plant."
She struggled to swim upwards, but the icy water quickly sapped her strength. Despite her exhaustion, her will to survive kept her from surrendering. Biting her tongue, she fought to stay conscious.
Where was the lifeguard? Why hadn't anyone come to rescue her?
In an instant, Zhu Xiangxiang thought of a possibility: Zhao Qin had planned this whole thing to quietly put her to death.
Filled with hatred, Zhu Xiangxiang vowed that if she could escape alive, she would never let Zhao Qin go.
Sun Yi was somewhat acrophobic; seeing the deep water below, he hesitated and ultimately did not jump in.
"Zhu Xiangxiang? Where's the lifeguard? Where the hell are they? Someone's going to die…."
The torrential rain came down, drowning out his cries.
Suddenly, a figure raced out of a room, swift as lightning and leaped onto the railing. Their lithe silhouette was as graceful as a crane, and without any hesitation, they jumped.
If Sun Yi was not mistaken, the person who just jumped was the girl Charles Gao had been hovering around all night.
Of all the people there, only she stepped up.
Tao Xingxing ran out with an umbrella, leaned on the railing, and shouted, "Ming Jing… you must be alright."
Charles Gao angrily yelled: "Where is the damn lifeguard?!"
Zhu Xiangxiang felt desperate, was she really going to meet her end here?
She wouldn't accept that!
Suddenly, someone broke through the water, wrapped their arms around her waist, and carried her to the surface>.
Zhu Xiangxiang's consciousness was already fading, but she remembered that this person's face was indifferent, yet gentle, just as striking as when they first met.
With that memory, she fell into complete unconsciousness.
Ming Jing hoisted Zhu Xiangxiang onto the deck, but as she was about to pull herself up, a sudden enormous wave crashed into her, sweeping her away.
"Ming Jing…" Charles Gao's heart-wrenching cry echoed in Ming Jing's fading consciousness.
Suddenly, a figure leaped onto the yacht, carried the unconscious Zhu Xiangxiang on board and drove the yacht away from the area.
"Call the police; I'm going to look for her."
Charles Gao strained his voice, yelling, "Jiang Jinchen, you must bring her back to me!"
"You are the empire's best special agent, having served the organization bravely for many years and made outstanding contributions. The organization will never forget you…."
"The money has been transferred to your personal account. Enjoy the rest of your life!"
...
"Yu'er, you are the only love of my life, and I am willing to give my life for you."
"Yu'er, don't you think staying on the island is too boring? Let's go to Switzerland and have fun skiing. I've heard it's a great place for that."
"Yu'er, don't blame me. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too many secrets. Only the dead can keep secrets forever."
...
The snow-covered ski slopes were a dazzling white as far as the eye could see.
Twenty armed men stood at the ready, their only target a lone woman on the slope.
"Bang, bang, bang!" Gunshots echoed around the valley, scaring away countless birds.
Blood bloomed like Red Plum Blossoms on the snowy ground, reaching breathtaking beauty.
...
"Tap, tap, tap" - the wooden fish's monotonous sound, the distant fragrance of sandalwood providing a sense of peace.
Master Wu Xin opened the door to the temple, and amidst the freezing cold, a bundled baby had been abandoned at the door.
Master Wu Xin picked up the baby. She was so beautiful, with fair skin and bright eyes. When she saw the baby's eyes, she was momentarily surprised. They were a pair of infant's eyes, pure and innocent, yet with something extra.
"All forms are illusionary; let go or hold on with a single thought."
Master Wu Xin placed her hands over the baby's eyes. "Bodhi has no tree; the mirror has no stand. From now on, your name will be Ming Jing. I hope you cultivate your character and let go soon."
Life in the temple was simple and austere. Ming Jing grew from an infant to a young girl, showing exceptional talent in understanding the Buddha's teachings and developing a calm temperament. Her senior and junior sisters in the temple loved her, but her Master had always been particularly strict with her, as if her accomplishments were never enough in her Master's eyes.
As her Master was on her deathbed, Ming Jing knelt by her side. Her Master's body was frail, but her gaze remained sharp.
"In this life, you must cultivate diligently, never allowing yourself a moment's laziness. Do not leave the mountain until your inner demons are vanquished."
...
Ming Jing slowly opened her eyes, the pale dawn light representing the very last moments of darkness.
She slowly sat up and found herself on an unknown island, lying on the beach.
Her memories from last night came to her in a flash - she had just saved Zhu Xiangxiang when a massive wave pulled her away. Human power could seem insignificant in the face of nature, and she must have been washed ashore by the waves.
She suddenly spotted a yacht by the shore and saw a tall, thin figure dragging wooden logs out of the trees.
The figure approached, his face obscured by the backlighting, revealing a noble-looking man when he came closer.
Jiang Jinchen!
Jiang Jinchen glanced at her, set up the logs, and retrieved a suitcase from the yacht. He lit the fire with a lighter.
Ming Jing silently went and sat down. Jiang Jinchen looked at her several times before she finally realized something was wrong and touched her head…
Her wig had fallen off at some point, leaving her bald.
Thanks to years of cultivation, Ming Jing had long since left behind worldly desires and felt no embarrassment.
As long as she wasn't embarrassed, the embarrassment would belong to others.
Jiang Jinchen couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "Your hair…."
No other girl would be so careless with her hair, except for this one. Her cool demeanor was truly something to behold.
"I just left the temple."
"Huh?" Jiang Jinchen was confused, momentarily unable to grasp the meaning of her words.
Once he understood, even the normally stoic Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but twitch his facial muscles as he took a serious look at the girl in front of him.
She was truly too thin. Her tiny face was probably smaller than his palm, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, lush eyelashes curled, a small and delicate nose, and cold pale lips. Every detail was exquisite.
When she looked up at him, it seemed as if the vast galaxy was contained within her eyes, embracing everything yet indifferent to it all.
Jiang Jinchen's heart shuddered, and he hurriedly shifted his gaze, his heart pounding rapidly.
He quietly clenched his fingers and stole another glance. The girl stared at the dancing flames as they illuminated her blushing face, revealing a hint of rare delicacy.
He couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen to become a nun, and why she had decided to return to the secular world. What kind of family did she come from, and what kind of person was she?
Unknowingly, the sky had brightened, and the sea had returned to calm.
Ming Jing stood up and looked around. She noted the sky and raised her hand. The sea breeze blew across her fingers as she closed her eyes to silently feel it.
Jiang Jinchen's gaze couldn't help but follow her direction.
Ming Jing opened her eyes and said softly, "We are on an island 200 kilometers west of the harbor."
Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but ask, "How do you know that?"
"I paid attention in geography class." She then headed towards the yacht.
Jiang Jinchen knew that understanding the monsoons could help determine direction at sea, but he hadn't expected this level of practical application.
He hurried to catch up with her. Ming Jing jumped onto the yacht and reached for the wheel, only to withdraw her hand nonchalantly and ask, "Do you know how to drive a yacht?"
Jiang Jinchen immediately replied, "I do. I'll drive."
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Jinchen said, "Before I came, I asked Charles Gao to call the police. Let's wait for the rescue team to arrive."
Ming Jing stared into the distance, "If you want to wait for death, stay."
Jiang Jinchen was usually decisive, but for some reason, he always submitted to her unconsciously.
However, to be honest, Jiang Jinchen's yachting skills were lacking, almost capsizing the boat. In order to not reveal too much, Ming Jing had to endure the rocking as she gave directions.
Jiang Jinchen grew more adept at driving the yacht, and soon they were sailing smoothly. The two of them, alone on the open sea, made for a beautiful image.
Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but look at the girl standing by his side. The howling wind dashed against her beautiful face, revealing a hint of determination in the rising sun.
"Watch out!" Ming Jing seized the wheel and steered to the side, narrowly avoiding a huge shark that passed by their yacht. Had they reacted any later, the consequences would have been disastrous.
"I'm sorry." Jiang Jinchen felt slightly ashamed and focused on driving the yacht without any further distractions.
The place where her fingers had touched him grew warm, her temperature as cool as snow…
"Damn, we're running out of fuel." Jiang Jinchen frowned at the lit indicator.
Ming Jing calmly said, "Slow down our speed. The rescue boat should be nearby."
As she predicted, a shadow appeared on the distant horizon - it was the rescue yacht.
Even someone as cold as Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but grin.
Only Ming Jing remained calm from beginning to end.
Was she truly able to maintain equanimity or had she been in control of everything all along?
As the rescue yacht approached, Jiang Jinchen removed his coat and draped it over Ming Jing's head.
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