The World's Richest Man: Start with the Daily Intelligence System

202: Chapter 202 has already explained everything.The next day, Xiao Meimei woke up early and dressed up meticulously. She chose her favorite dress and applied light makeup, striving to show her best side in front of Qi Dongshi. Arriving half an hour early at Qi Dongshi’s room, she took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door.

The door opened slowly, and Qi Dongshi’s figure came into view. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes the moment they met Xiao Meimei’s, but he quickly regained his usual calm and depth. ”Come in.”

Xiao Meimei stepped into the room, her gaze involuntarily scanning the surroundings. She sat slowly on the sofa, her hands clutching her handbag tightly. A mix of tension and complex emotions intertwined, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Qi Dongshi took a bottle of red wine from the cabinet, poured it gently into two crystal-clear glasses, and handed one to Xiao Meimei. ”Have a drink.” His tone remained as gentle as possible, trying to use alcohol to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Xiao Meimei took the glass and took a small sip. The liquid spread slowly across her tongue, bringing a hint of tipsy warmth, but it also seemed to ignite the long-suppressed emotions in her heart. She plucked up her courage and looked directly into Qi Dongshi’s eyes. ”Brother Shi, can we really only be ordinary friends?”

Qi Dongshi sighed softly, a trace of imperceptible apology flashing in his eyes. ”Meimei, what happened between us was just a misunderstanding from the start. You’re still young; there are many things you don’t understand yet.” His tone revealed an unspeakable helplessness.

”Don’t understand? Is it because I’m too young, or because you simply don’t want to understand?” Xiao Meimei’s voice trembled slightly as the anger in her heart was completely ignited. She thought of the sweet times they once shared, the promises and vows that had now become the sharpest blades piercing her heart. ”How did you promise me back then? You said you would always stay by my side, and now? You’re with Lin Xiaoqing, so what am I to you?”

Qi Dongshi’s expression became somewhat impatient as he tried to explain, ”Meimei, calm down. Continuing like this won’t benefit anyone. The situation between Lin Xiaoqing and me is something you cannot understand.”

”I’m being unreasonable? What right do you have to say I’m being unreasonable?” Xiao Meimei’s emotions grew more intense, tears welling in her eyes. ”Since you chose Lin Xiaoqing, why did you come to provoke me? Why give me hope only to plunge me into despair?”

Qi Dongshi’s face turned cold, and his voice became even more blunt: ”What was between us was just meeting up when we were happy; you’re the one who overthought it.”

These words were like a sharp knife stabbing ruthlessly into Xiao Meimei’s heart. Her body trembled slightly, and the mixture of anger and despair almost consumed her. She took a deep breath, trying hard to compose her emotions, her voice carrying a hint of finality: ”Fine, since you put it that way, I have nothing left to say. From now on, our paths diverge.”

Putting down the wine glass, she stood up and looked firmly at Qi Dongshi. ”Brother Shi, I’m leaving. Can you give me one last hug?”

Looking at Xiao Meimei, an indescribable emotion welled up in Qi Dongshi’s heart. In the end, he softened and took the initiative to reach out and embrace her.

However, at the moment of the embrace, Xiao Meimei suddenly pulled a shiny knife from her coat pocket and stabbed Qi Dongshi without hesitation. Qi Dongshi was completely caught off guard, feeling only a sharp pain in his chest as blood instantly stained his clothes. He looked at Xiao Meimei in disbelief, his lips trembling, but he couldn’t make a sound.

Xiao Meimei stared blankly at the knife in her hand, as if unable to believe what she had done. Her tears rolled down, but her heart felt empty, as if all her emotions had been exhausted at this moment. ”I’m sorry...” she murmured softly, then threw the knife into the vast sea.

Qi Dongshi’s body slowly collapsed onto the cold carpet, blood staining the floor around him. Xiao Meimei looked up at the ceiling, her eyes hollow and desperate. ”He... he’s dead.” Her voice was weak and trembling, as if at this moment, her entire world had completely collapsed.

The room was so quiet that only breathing and heartbeats could be heard, and the air was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression. Xiao Meimei stood there, her body trembling slightly, her heart filled with fear.

”Qi Dongshi, you’re finally dead, haha.” Xiao Meimei ended her painful recollection. She murmured under her breath, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms, yet she felt no pain. The Night Color deepened, and the sea breeze grew more violent. Xiao Meimei sat on the life raft, the tears at the corners of her eyes gradually drying in the wind.

Meanwhile, at another gathering point on the ship, ”Zhang Wei, Sister Yuhan!” Amidst the chaotic crowd, a clear and familiar voice suddenly rang out. Zhang Wei and Lu Yuhan looked toward the sound and saw Liu Haorui and An Xiaoxi already safely seated on a lifeboat not far ahead, waving to them with warm and sincere smiles on their faces.

The two of them couldn’t help but wave back, an indescribable wave of emotion rising in their hearts. Under the orderly direction of the rescue personnel, they carefully boarded their own lifeboat.

Sitting in the lifeboat, Lu Yuhan gazed at the surging sea, and Xiang Yuanyuan’s heart-wrenching words involuntarily echoed in her mind. Her heart was still shrouded in a shadow of fear. She turned her head to look at Zhang Wei beside her, a flash of unmistakable vulnerability in her eyes.

”Zhang Wei, I’m a little scared.” Her voice was tiny and trembling, carrying a hint of helplessness and dependence.

Hearing this, Zhang Wei’s heart softened, and he gently pulled Lu Yuhan into his firm embrace. His arms were warm and powerful, as if they could dispel all the cold and fear in the world. Lu Yuhan leaned into his chest, feeling his body heat and heartbeat. That powerful and steady rhythm seemed to convey a firm belief to her—everything would be alright, there was no need to fear.

She slowly raised her hands and hugged Zhang Wei back.

A week later, the cause of the cruise ship fire was found: a leak in the engine’s fuel return pipe. Fortunately, the rescue was timely; although most of the luxury cruise ship was destroyed, none of the over 1,000 passengers and staff were injured.

The sunlight of the City Name poured in through the coffee shop’s floor-to-ceiling windows, warm and soft. Bai Hua, Zhang Wei, and Lu Yuhan sat by the window. Outside was a bustling street with heavy traffic and a stream of pedestrians. The cafe was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, and soothing music flowed gently in their ears.

”Xiang Yuanyuan has been arrested. She confessed everything during the interrogation.” Bai Hua picked up his coffee, took a small sip, and looked up at Lu Yuhan and Zhang Wei.

Lu Yuhan’s expression changed slightly. She gripped her coffee cup tightly, her voice trembling: ”Why did she do it?”