Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 126

Qin Mo, as a prince, prided himself on having seen countless beauties.

Among them were those who fawned over him, pursued him, and clung to him, offering many opportunities for interaction.

But today’s loss of composure was a first.

He had always found this little fool interesting, wanting to tease him, help him when he looked troubled, and make him happy. Seeing him close to others made him uncomfortable, but he never realized…

Not until today, under the bed, did he realize he couldn’t handle being in such an intimate situation with the little fool.

When the little fool mentioned his and Song Qingzhan’s relationship, Qin Mo thought he was crazy.

But now?

Damn!

What a mess!

Qin Mo rolled out of bed, frustrated and helpless, and called for a bucket of cold water.

When Song Qingzhan came up from the basement after the interrogation, Qin Mo had just emerged from the cold bath.

Song Qingzhan looked at the bucket of cold water in astonishment, “It’s almost autumn.”

Qin Mo shot him a look, his heart suddenly filled with a strange mix of joy and disdain. Why was he feeling this way?

Qin Mo cursed under his breath, adjusted his clothes, and asked Song Qingzhan, “Did you get anything?”

Song Qingzhan, eyeing Qin Mo suspiciously, paused before saying, “The people sent to kill Xie Chengnian and Xie Yu were hired by Xie Jin’s father. Their mission was to kill Xie Yu and take Xie Chengnian away.”

Kill Xie Yu?

This father-son relationship must be deeply fraught!

After fifteen years of torment, now he wanted to kill him outright?

Qin Mo remained silent as Song Qingzhan continued, “Xie Chengnian wants to see you.”

Qin Mo nodded, “Bring him here.”

After a moment’s pause, he added, “Bring Lu Tang as well.”

Song Qingzhan looked at Qin Mo, hesitated to speak, but eventually said nothing and left to fetch them.

When Lu Tang arrived, the large wooden tub in Qin Mo’s room had already been taken away. Despite their recent awkward encounter and Qin Mo’s cold bath, he expected to feel awkward seeing her. Yet, looking at Lu Tang now, all he could recall was the feeling of holding her, without any other emotion.

Qin Mo chuckled inwardly. He was now certain of his feelings.

It seemed the little fool liked him first; otherwise, why would he act so coquettishly around him? Back on the street, when Qin Mo was embarrassed, the little fool had been the one to flirt.

Tsk~

The little fool must really like him.

When the little fool thought he was with Song Qingzhan, he must have felt terrible, jealous enough to say those things in the carriage. That was just testing him.

So cunning.

Raising an eyebrow, Qin Mo pulled out a chair and said to Lu Tang, “Why are you standing? There will be times when you can’t sit down.”

Lu Tang:!

As they spoke, Song Qingzhan brought Xie Yu and Xie Chengnian up.

Seeing Lu Tang, Xie Yu’s eyes reddened, and he rushed forward, “Little Tang!”

Lu Tang opened her arms to greet her friend, but Qin Mo pulled her behind him, using his body to block Xie Yu’s robust frame. He patted Xie Yu’s shoulder, “Calm down.”

Having just survived a near-death experience and now seeing Lu Tang, Xie Yu couldn’t calm down. He started crying.

Song Qingzhan, feeling it was an awkward sight, glanced at Qin Mo and then closed the door, gesturing to Xie Chengnian, “Please have a seat, Master Xie.”

Xie Chengnian, remembering Song Qingzhan’s instructions, didn’t dare address Qin Mo as “Your Highness.” Instead, he bowed and sat opposite Qin Mo.

Qin Mo said nothing. After a moment, Xie Chengnian sighed heavily, “When I left the Ministry of Works, it wasn’t due to any hidden reasons. The design for the Xiyang Dam was drawn by Jiang Yi.”

Jiang Yi, a name unfamiliar to Lu Tang but known to Qin Mo.

Jiang Yi was the daughter of Jiang Huaiyu, the then Minister of Works when Xie Chengnian was working there. Jiang Yi, influenced by her father, had a keen interest in engineering. She designed her own house and two drainage systems in the capital, earning a reputation as a talented woman.

Unfortunately, a severe fever left this talented woman mute.

Qin Mo and Song Qingzhan exchanged glances but said nothing.

After a pause, Xie Chengnian continued with a sigh, “I greatly admired Jiang Yi’s talent. During the construction of the Xiyang Dam, none of the Ministry’s designs were usable. As the main person responsible for the project, I was stressed. One day, while drinking at a restaurant, I met Jiang Yi, who showed me her design. I knew instantly that her design was perfect. The Xiyang Dam was built according to her plans, and it was a masterpiece. I was ecstatic and took her to the Ministry of Works, but she asked me to keep it a secret until the dam was completed so she could tell her father herself. I was so focused on the project that I agreed without question. Later, during the busy construction, I didn’t think much about her request. I thought Jiang Huaiyu would be proud to learn the design came from his daughter.”

Tears welled up in Xie Chengnian’s eyes.

Lu Tang sighed inwardly, realizing Jiang Yi must have been a tragic figure.

“When the dam was completed, I immediately went to Jiang Huaiyu.”

Xie Chengnian suddenly stopped, his body hunched. He supported himself with his hands on his knees, fingers tangled in his hair, gripping it painfully.

“The next day, rumors spread that Jiang Yi was ill. When I saw her half a month later, she had lost her voice due to a high fever.”

Lu Tang felt a chill.

Mute from a fever?

It’s possible, but was Jiang Yi really made mute by a fever?

Lu Tang turned to look at Xie Yu. He was poisoned, which had led to his current condition.

Unable to hold back, Lu Tang interjected, “Was it because her father didn’t want her to be exposed and credited for the dam? Even if he didn’t want that, turning her mute seems extreme.”

What if Jiang Yi insisted on claiming credit? Would a father poison his daughter to silence her?

Lu Tang shuddered.

Could parents really do such a thing?