Chapter 1242: Don't Try to Guess a Villain's Thoughts, You'll Never Figure Them Out

"If you have something to say, just say it directly; there's no need to beat around the bush with me."

Zhu Qingrui was a person who loved to beat around the bush, and from childhood to adulthood, he never felt there was anything wrong with speaking this way.

But when others used the same method to speak to him, he didn't like it either!

Qi Heng said directly: "Fine, then I'll tell you straight: I'm doing this just to torment you. If you feel bad, I feel good." As the illegitimate son of Zhu Yiwen, Zhu Qingrui had never appeared in the Castle as its master.

Never, not from when he was a child, until now.

Qi Heng succeeded; when Zhu Qingrui discovered this was the Castle from back then, he felt very uncomfortable inside.

But he soon got over it. After so many years of drifting, Qi Heng couldn't imagine how much bitterness he had endured. If he couldn't even withstand this bit of provocation, he would have been angered to death countless times outside.

"Ha! I actually thought you had made significant progress recently; it turns out you're still as naive as ever." The corners of Zhu Qingrui's mouth lifted slightly, his face revealing mockery.

Qi Heng was furious: "You say I'm naive?"

Zhu Qingrui: "That's right, I'm talking about you."

"You are the president of a country, not the spoiled son of an official from the past, and certainly not an ordinary commoner. You should be more rational in your actions and prioritize interests; don't get entangled in meaningless things. What are you doing now?"

"Rack your brains to torment me? Does doing this make you feel great? But besides venting your anger, is there any other meaning to it? Don't you feel that doing this is a waste of time? Isn't your time precious?"

Zhu Qingrui asked a barrage of questions, every word striking at Qi Heng's heart.

That's right, that was exactly what he was thinking.

Although Qi Heng's temper and personality had changed quite a bit after becoming president, the impulsive and emotional nature in his bones was still there!

Most of the time he would weigh the pros and cons, but he would also act on impulse.

For example, that time in Jiangzhou for the sake of Shi Ran, when he threw caution to the wind and fell from the top of the building with Liu Quan, that was emotion outweighing reason.

Shi Ran was no longer his fiancée, and given her personality, she would definitely make a clean break; it was impossible for her to be of any help to his career in the future, so why save her?

It was instinct.

Subconsciously, he had to do it.

Zhu Qingrui hit the nail on the head, directly exposing the thing buried deepest in his heart.

"I'm willing to, can you stop me?" Qi Heng couldn't show weakness in front of Zhu Qingrui, so he retorted very domineeringly.

Zhu Qingrui wasn't annoyed; this was his only chance to survive, and he would definitely seize it.

He smiled slightly and said to Qi Heng: "Of course you can stop me. You are the knife and chopping board, and I am the fish and meat. Now that I am your prisoner, of course you can do whatever you want."

If Qi Heng hadn't taken his words to heart, he should have called people in to take him away for a new round of torture at this moment.

But he didn't.

Qi Heng had actually taken them to heart, but he didn't want to admit it.

He was struggling inside, weighing the pros and cons.

It was hard to choose.

There were two little people fighting in Qi Heng's heart; one said to take Zhu Qingrui under his command and use him.

L Country was currently in ruins and waiting to be rebuilt, and it was in urgent need of talent.

And if Zhu Qingrui were placed in a useful position, he would undoubtedly be a great talent. There was an even more important point: he was also looking for the Ji Family Treasure!

If he joined, would the treasure be found faster?

At this moment, the other little person jumped out and strongly opposed it, and the reason for the opposition was also very sufficient.

That old woman Ji Yingjie was cunning and tricky, and he was no match for her; if Qi Heng couldn't control him and was backlashed by him, what then?

Having finally eliminated the wolf that was Liu Quan, was he going to invite a tiger in?

But these were small matters; the most important thing was—did his parents' death have anything to do with Zhu Qingrui?

If Zhu Qingrui was the mastermind behind his parents' death, he would never be able to get past that hurdle in his heart, no matter what.

Although there was no expression on Qi Heng's face, Zhu Qingrui knew what he was struggling with.

He didn't say much, just a light sentence: "Your parents' death has nothing to do with me. I have evidence."

"Someone come."

Qi Heng called his subordinates and had them lock him up again.

He needed time to think; one cannot easily make decisions when dealing with a tiger for its skin.

Jiangzhou.

The President Office of Dingsheng.

The QQ icon on the computer was flashing; it was that person he hadn't contacted in a long time.

She thought for a moment, clicked on it, and the person on the other end asked her how she was doing now, was she well?

More nonsense.

Hypocritical.

Last time at the coffee shop, regarding the kidnapping of her great-aunt, Shi Ran hadn't even settled the score with him yet, and this man still had the nerve to send a message?

As if nothing had happened.

She pondered for three seconds and decisively blocked him.

Originally, the reason Shi Ran gave herself for keeping this QQ was that there was still a life-saving favor to be repaid, so she left a contact method.

Actually, it was completely unnecessary.

A life-saving favor should be exchanged for something of equal value; if it really came to a life-threatening moment, presumably he wouldn't have time to get on QQ to ask for help.

Then why keep this number?

Shi Ran certainly wouldn't admit it was because she couldn't bear to let go.

Qi Heng once again made small talk, successfully eliminating that bit of reluctance.

He sent another message: Ranran, can you listen to my explanation?

There was a red exclamation mark in front of this message, indicating that the recipient was not on the friend list and the message failed to send!

Qi Heng smiled bitterly and muttered to himself, "Ranran, you forced me to do this. You and your parents cannot blame me for using Zhu Qingrui."

……

The Sheng Family.

Another heated argument erupted between Ji Yingjie and Shi Youxuan.

The family members were used to it; let them argue, arguing makes one healthier, and arguing exercises lung capacity—these were Ji Yingjie's words.

But she was furious right now, and the reason for her anger was that she hadn't won the argument!

"I don't care, I must go out today." Ji Yingjie attempted to end the topic with one sentence.

"Go ahead then, if you succeed, I'll count myself as the loser!"

Shi Youxuan was calm and composed.

There were over a dozen bodyguards in the house, standing guard at every entrance like door gods, motionless.

But it was impossible for anyone to escape right under their noses.

The argument just now had been almost for nothing; no matter how many tricks Ji Yingjie played, Shi Youxuan stuck to one principle—I won't let you leave!

"Hmph! I will definitely find a way to escape." Ji Yingjie returned to her room, fuming.

She regretted it deeply now; she shouldn't have come back here after escaping from the Underground Palace!

She should have just left the country directly.

Although she was safe now, she still had no freedom.

She didn't want safety; she only wanted freedom.

Nianyin sent a message from the Island saying that she had successfully rescued the children and Shi Yucheng, and was currently rushing toward Jiangzhou.

Since the children were no longer in Zhu Qingrui's hands, she had no more worries, and her desire for revenge became incredibly urgent.

The way she acted in front of Zhu Qingrui, as if she didn't care about her children and husband, was all a facade.

Even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs; how could she not care about the children she carried for ten months and raised?

It was just that she couldn't show that she cared; the more she cared, the more firmly Zhu Qingrui would have her under his thumb.