Chapter 1343 - 1319: Thoughts of Death

Chapter 1343: Chapter 1319: Thoughts of Death

"Young Master Xiao has a rich imagination. President Ye is a businessman from a multinational corporation. How could he be the leader of death row inmates in Young Master Xiao’s core group?" Quan Mingyuan wanted to deny it, but the more he tried to conceal, the more suspicions seemed to surface.

"Isn’t it?" Xiao Lin smiled pleasantly. "I just mentioned that Young Master Quan wasn’t getting along well with Boss Xing, yet Young Master Quan’s response was that President Ye is a businessman from a multinational corporation, not the leader of death row inmates, this..."

Quan Mingyuan’s hand shook slightly while holding the cup. "Young Master Xiao, what would you like to discuss with me? I’m all ears."

"Young Master Quan! So many people have already died." Xiao Lin saw Quan Mingyuan’s silent acknowledgment, though confirmed, he still couldn’t settle his heart over this fact. If Xun Xiangxiang was an insider, Consort Ling’s hostility towards her could be understood. However, he still felt something was slightly amiss.

"If Young Master Xiao doesn’t want anyone else to die, then offer your head willingly so I can report back." Quan Mingyuan’s shamelessness left Xiao Lin at a loss.

"So, does Young Master Quan want to continue? How many more death row inmates can you use? Clearly, Boss Xing is unwilling to send his subordinates to me to die in vain anymore. After all, death row inmates don’t exist just for me, Xiao Lin, and the cost of training these people is no laughing matter!" Xiao Lin paused here. "Quan Xianglin, when you initially organized this team, you must have anticipated this scenario. If you persist, the loss certainly won’t be mine."

Denying Quan Mingyuan further chance to say more, Xiao Lin walked directly out of the café; no matter what was said, the outcome wouldn’t change.

After finding Xun Xiangxiang, Xiao Lin discovered that Ye Yunyun had already left, which didn’t surprise him as he had anticipated it.

"Xiangxiang, earlier you said you had a way to solve my problem. I’d like to know who exactly the people you know are?" Xiao Lin asked casually, and Xun Xiangxiang didn’t rush to answer this time but paused for a long while.

"Just those figures in the underworld. If you want to meet them, some auntie can introduce you, but I don’t know if she would agree."

"In that case, please trouble you, the sooner, the better."

Xun Xiangxiang’s ability to handle matters can’t be described as good, only as swift. Shortly after Xiao Lin proposed it, there was a response. Originally, Xiao Lin thought Ye Yunyun wouldn’t agree to this private meeting, but unexpectedly, she agreed very easily.

This time, Xun Xiangxiang didn’t insist on tagging along but instead went off to find a place to have fun on her own.

Xiao Lin drove to the location specified by Ye Yunyun. Half an hour later, the two met in front of a secluded residence. Ye Yunyun said little; she simply let Xiao Lin in and closed the door behind them.

"Young Master Xiao, you didn’t notify anyone about coming this time?"

"Is Boss Xing worried my subordinates would raid your hideout?" Xiao Lin surveyed the residence, seeing signs of life — presumably Xun Xiangxiang and her family lived in Palermo. "Since I’m here, why not state your demands and see if I can comply, or perhaps you’re planning to take care of me personally here."

"How did you know I am Boss Xing? Chu Qi has never met me." This was what had always puzzled Ye Yunyun.

"Scent! You seem to only emit that scent at night. You’ve met Chu Qi several times at night; however, during the day, this fragrance is not as easily detected." Xiao Lin didn’t shy away and bluntly revealed the answer, resolving Ye Yunyun’s confusion.

"But Boss Xing, why did you kill that woman in the open lot that day? She had no intention of betraying you."

"I wasn’t the one who killed that person. In fact, the assassin’s actions that day were not on my orders." Ye Yunyun had no trace of a killer vibe about her; could someone like this really be the leader of the death row inmates? Xiao Lin couldn’t reconcile the two identities.

Xiao Lin hissed. "You’re not the real Boss Xing."

Ye Yunyun showed a slightly relaxed smile. "Young Master Xiao had his doubts from the start; the testing between you and Quan Mingyuan was just to make me show my face. It’s said there’s a female Zhuge called the Military Advisor within Dragon Soul, and a reincarnated Hua Tuo called the Military Doctor. I think Young Master Xiao should have another title as well."

Xiao Lin chuckled. "In fact, figuring out if you’re Boss Xing is simple. A person who mingles with assassins all day, even if you haven’t killed anyone, would have a bloody smell. But President Ye’s scent is very clean; I’m curious about what that fragrance really is."

Ye Yunyun rose, fetched a deep purple perfume bottle from the living room, and shoved it in front of Xiao Lin. "This is just a ploy to mislead those people. I’m merely a messenger; perhaps Quan Mingyuan has long wanted to get rid of us, which is why he secretly contacted those death row inmates. Yet, those whom he can exploit are not good people."

"Where is Boss Xing?" Xiao Lin began to understand the implication in Ye Yunyun’s words. From the start, he never considered the death row inmates’ organization to be a mere ragtag group, but it also wasn’t as simple as Chu Qi believed.

"Boss Xing died more than a year ago, and this matter has been kept secret. As for whether Quan Mingyuan contacted those death row inmates because he knew about it, however..." Ye Yunyun suddenly stopped, observing Xiao Lin.

"Chu Qi is the one I had the most hope for; I originally planned to let Quan Xianglin release him after this mission. However, he betrayed me, Young Master Xiao. I have been forced to take a new view of you, which is also why I agreed to meet with you."

"Death row is merely a term for delaying life. Chu Qi should never have become a death row inmate. I merely allowed him to clearly understand the deepest things. But, President Ye, do you really believe in sending these innocent people to their deaths? Even if they deserve to die, it should be on the execution ground, not being toyed with by others."

"Young Master Xiao’s righteous stance is admirable, but I don’t feel any guilt because of it. If you truly want to help these people, please resolve the issues with Quan Xianglin quickly. I don’t want any more of my people getting hurt. As for those who privately accept Quan Mingyuan’s commissions, I will not tolerate them either."

"President Ye, are you saying you won’t participate any further personally? How will you explain this to Quan Xianglin? Refusing the task is tantamount to betraying him."

"You don’t need to worry about that, Young Master Xiao. We have our own ways of handling the exchange of interests, so you needn’t waste your time coming to find me specifically."

"I understand what you’ve said, President Ye. If you can maintain your current stance, I would be grateful. Likewise, I will not have compassion for those death row inmates who want me dead. I don’t want them to die without knowing why. You should properly handle the connections between the death row and Quan Mingyuan. Personally, I believe those who work for Quan Mingyuan have also betrayed you."

An unproductive conversation solved no substantial issues. Xiao Lin drove aimlessly through the streets. Without Boss Xing, a death row organization in a woman’s hands, why would Quan Xianglin conceal this secret? He could simply appoint a new leader.

Of course, the answer to this question held no significance for Xiao Lin. Just then, his phone rang, and Chu Qi’s anxious voice came through the line.

"Something happened to Xun Xiangxiang!" Xiao Lin had not truly left Xun Xiangxiang alone outside. Although reluctantly, Chu Qi had been dutifully protecting her in the shadows. But the unexpected occurred suddenly, and he was unable to react in time.

When Xiao Lin arrived at the hospital, Ye Yunyun and Xun’s father were already waiting outside the operating room. Hit by three bullets in the chest, her life hung by a thread.

This news tightened Xiao Lin’s heart. How many innocent people have been dragged into this? Ye Yunyun’s tears weren’t fake. Setting aside her obscure identity as Boss Xing, she had always been a good businesswoman and stepmother. It was evident Xun Xiangxiang was fond of Ye Yunyun as well. Xun’s father remained his usual silent self, merely letting Ye Yunyun lean on his shoulder.

This scene was as ordinary as could be, yet to Xiao Lin, it seemed strangely eerie. As an observer, he and Chu Qi didn’t step forward to inquire directly but waited quietly on the side for further information from the hospital.

"What happened?" As he walked down the corridor, Xiao Lin quietly asked Chu Qi. Xun Xiangxiang didn’t have anyone she knew in Palermo, not even someone who could be considered an enemy. The attack on her could either be related to him or to Ye Yunyun.

"Xun Xiangxiang was targeted by a sniper from a height while selecting clothes. I checked the shooting location afterward but found no clues."

"Professional?" No traces left behind, one shot, clean execution—all of it was handled so smoothly. The modus operandi differed markedly from an average assassin. Quan Mingyuan was excluded by Xiao Lin, so who else would want Xun Xiangxiang dead?

Amidst his unresolved thoughts, Xiao Lin was startled by a burst of crying. A bad premonition crept over him. Ye Yunyun collapsed into tears on the ground, and even the normally stoic Xun’s father showed emotion, watching the doctor shake his head helplessly. The worst outcome was now apparent.

Xun Xiangxiang was dead!

Xiao Lin approached Ye Yunyun and crouched down. "I will get to the bottom of this and find the killer."

With that, he left the hospital with Chu Qi, heading to the mall where Xun Xiangxiang was attacked, with their first stop being the shooter’s position.

In fact, operating from this position wasn’t easy. The mall had an open circular island design, and at that time, Xiangxiang was standing in the corridor. Shooting from this angle made everything clear; it was impossible for passersby not to notice.

The smallest sniper rifle is still longer than a handgun, not to mention that a sniper needs the right timing and position, requiring longer standing time, which would naturally raise suspicion. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)