Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 428: Look of pure betrayal

The moon cast an eerie glow through the dense canopy of the forest as Qie Ranzhe, Hei Xiwen, Luo Sheh, and their team of battle-hardened mercenaries moved with calculated precision. Guns gripped tightly in their hands, they crept forward, their senses heightened, cautious of any trap that might lie in wait. Their mission was clear: infiltrate Leong Jinn’s underground lair and rescue Luo Muchen, Qie Xieling and the others.

Qie Ranzhe signalled for everyone to halt. With a swift hand gesture, he directed their attention to the ground. There, in the dim light, they spotted a concealed trap—a tripwire cunningly disguised amidst the undergrowth. Carefully, they sidestepped it, their movements fluid and practised.

The forest seemed to hold its breath as the team continued their advance. Every step they took was measured, their eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger. The tension in the air was palpable, the creaking of branches and rustling of leaves amplifying their apprehension.

"I have dealt with the surveillance system. He won’t see you coming," said Wen Qinxi and Luo Muchen hummed softly in response as his gaze shifted towards the rustling bushes. A pair of yellowish-white eyes appeared in the dark before the creature scurried into the brushes. From the looks of it, it was probably a bobcat.

One of the mercenaries who was a seasoned sniper, moved ahead, his senses honed to detect any hidden snipers or guards lurking in the shadows. His keen eyes scanned the treetops, his finger resting gently on the trigger of his rifle. The forest seemed alive with unseen threats, but his vigilance remained unyielding.

As they pressed on Luo Sheh spotted another trap—a pitfall covered by a thin layer of leaves. She silently alerted the team, and they expertly avoided the treacherous trap. They each moved with the grace of predators looking for anything that oddly represented a secret entrance to an underground lair.

Meanwhile, Wen Qinxi sat inside the van parked a safe distance from the target. Surrounded by an array of monitors and blinking screens, he delved into the depths of Leong Jinn’s surveillance system. With his nimble fingers flying across the keyboard, he hacked into the cameras scattered throughout the forest, ensuring their presence remained hidden from that weasel’s watchful eyes.

The team continued their cautious advance, the forest growing denser as they neared the exact coordinates.

Qie Ranzhe’s sharp instincts led him to a peculiar hollow ground. With a swift motion, he swept the leaves away with his leg, revealing a concealed entrance. He crouched down as the others walked towards him to take a look.

Just as his fingers were about to brush against the metal, a voice echoed in his earbud, breaking the silence. "Don’t touch it!" came Wen Qinxi’s voice laced with urgency. "If you touch it it will trigger the security system."

Qie Ranzhe’s fingers froze, his hand hovering inches away from the concealed entrance. He waited patiently for Wen Qinxi’s further advice.

Back in the van, Wen Qinxi’s fingers danced across the keyboard, his eyes glued to the screen as he delved into the labyrinthine security system guarding that weasel’s lair. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he pieced together the intricate puzzle of algorithms and encryptions.

The clock was ticking, and the tension inside the van was unbearable. To Wen Qinxi failure was not an option. Suddenly, a spark of realisation flashed across his eyes. He grinned, a mix of excitement and relief washing over him. "I’ve got it," he said, his voice trembling with adrenaline.

He had finally bypassed every layer of defence like a professional thief. He was after all Leong Jinn’s teacher and knew him better than anyone else. The lines of code danced under his command, and the small door made a soft click as it opened. Five seconds later there was total silence. It seemed whatever Wen Qinxi did worked. As the heavy metal door swung open, Qie Ranzhe and Hei Xiwen exchanged knowing looks.

"Be careful my love," whispered Wen Qinxi in just ear and Qie Ranzhe smiled slightly. He climbed down the stairs into a dark tunnel.

***

Leong Jinn stood in his underground lair, bathed in the dim, eerie glow of neon lights. In his hand, he held a bottle of expensive champagne, its golden liquid effervescing with excitement. The room echoed with his triumphant laughter as he popped the cork, the sound reverberating off the cold, stone walls.

As the champagne erupted from the bottle, his exuberance got the better of him, and he spilt some of it onto the ground. Ignoring the mess, he made his way over to the sleek gaming pod where Qie Xieling lay silently.

"Cheers," he murmured with a sly grin, raising the glass to his lifeless figure. He took a big sip, relishing the effervescence dancing on his tongue. "I can’t wait to see the look on your dad’s face when he hears that I will surpass him soon," he gloated, his voice brimming with confidence. "The disciple has indeed become the master."

With a flick of his wrist, he activated the hidden speakers in the lair, filling the air with the enchanting melodies of classical music. The sweeping symphony enveloped him, and he began to waltz alone, his steps echoing against the cold, unyielding floor.

He downed the entire bottle in no time, the alcohol coursing through his veins and slowly clouding his judgment. With each passing minute, he grew increasingly tipsy, his balance wavering.

Leaning against the gaming pod, his eyes gleamed with a sinister glint. "Maybe, maybe I should just kill one of you," he mused, his voice dripping with malice. "All I need to do is turn this off, and poof, dead." He burst into villainous laughter, relishing the thought of his power over them.

Unbeknownst to him, as he revelled in his twisted triumph, figures silently moved through the shadows of the lair. They had managed to breach his defences and were hunting him down.

"Maybe I should let you pick between your long-time best friend and your boyfriend?... How about this? I wake you up and you decide who you can live without. I can imagine the look in their eyes when you don’t pick them hahaha. The look of pure hurt and betrayal," he continued to say before staggering to his computer and turning off the program running Qie Xieling’s gaming pod.