Chapter One Hundred Thirteen: Meanwhile, in Europe

“Jiaqi, Bingning, I’ve already reviewed the reports you just gave. You two can head back and brief your teams,” Qin Mengxue said with a slight sigh of relief, relaxing her posture as she looked at Su Jiaqi and Gan Bingning sitting across from her.

Though it was only the routine Monday briefing, none of the three—Qin Mengxue, Su Jiaqi, or Gan Bingning—were careless in the slightest. Yet, if one were to be honest, their attention was somewhat divided today, and the reason for this distraction was only one: Xue Tian’ai.

Qin Mengxue was already plotting how to deal with Xue Tian’ai later to vent her frustration; Gan Bingning was contemplating how to lure him to her office for some private company; Su Jiaqi was still preoccupied with the fact that Xue had pretended to be her boyfriend just yesterday.

Naturally, the “person involved,” Xue Tian’ai, was completely unaware of the different thoughts swirling in the minds of the three women. He was sprawled lazily on the desk, fiddling with his phone out of sheer boredom.

“All right, Director Qin, don’t worry. I’ll inform my team and make sure nothing goes wrong!” Despite still being on duty, Gan Bingning and Su Jiaqi nodded earnestly in response to Qin Mengxue.

After speaking, the two women stood up to leave the office. Su Jiaqi glanced briefly at the sprawled figure of Xue Tian’ai before turning and leaving, while Gan Bingning, just as she closed the door behind them, gave Xue Tian’ai a slow lick of her lips and winked.

Once the two had left, only Qin Mengxue and Xue Tian’ai remained in the office. Feeling bolder now, Xue Tian’ai adjusted the backrest of his chair to its lowest position and nearly reclined fully, settling into an extremely comfortable posture.

“Xue Tian’ai!” Qin Mengxue’s face darkened as she rose from the sofa and approached him.

“Hmm? What’s up, darling? Are you trying to make the first move?” Xue Tian’ai replied lazily, half-lidded eyes fixed on Qin Mengxue’s long, elegant legs encased in black stockings.

“You… you actually dare to ask me what’s wrong!” Qin Mengxue’s anger flickered like a flame, her beautiful eyes flashing with lethal intent as she glared at him.

“…Hmm… Isn’t it because you suddenly realized I’m handsome and came here to make babies with me in the office?” Xue Tian’ai looked at her with a sincerely puzzled expression.

Qin Mengxue felt as if she might spit blood hearing such a ridiculous comment from him—if this scoundrel didn’t win an Oscar, it’d be a crime against his superb acting skills.

“Explain to me clearly how you ended up marrying someone so unfortunate, and why I’m always fierce, ugly, and bad-tempered! Otherwise, I swear I’ll make you regret it today!” Qin Mengxue placed her hands on her hips and ground her teeth.

“Huh? When did I say that? I don’t remember at all!” Xue Tian’ai sat up, furrowing his brows, resting his chin on his hands, feigning deep thought.

“You…” Qin Mengxue’s face turned even darker, her ample chest trembling with anger. “You bastard! You just said it! You just said it! And now you’re denying it? You’re killing me!”

“But didn’t I also say my wife is beautiful, gentle, and virtuous?” Xue Tian’ai looked at Qin Mengxue in surprise, his tone teasing.

“Really? I have no recollection of that!” Qin Mengxue’s expression froze.

“Of course that’s a lie, darling. You’re not suddenly dumb, are you?” Xue Tian’ai gave her a half-amused, half-exasperated look at her sudden airheadedness. It was strangely endearing.

Qin Mengxue’s stunned expression slowly shifted as a brewing storm of rage darkened her face, thunder and lightning raging within: “Xue! Tian! Ai!”

Sensing something was amiss, a chill crept over Xue Tian’ai’s body. He straightened up, alert: “Honey? Are you angry?”

“Angry? Not at all. I’m just ugly, fierce, average-looking…” Qin Mengxue smiled with a hint of menace, gradually closing in on Xue Tian’ai.

“Da…darling?” Xue Tian’ai had never seen her smile like this before.

“Bad-tempered, she-tiger, ugly, flat-chested, and poorly proportioned…” Qin Mengxue ignored his protests and continued, a cold smile playing on her lips as she edged closer.

“Wait… wait… I never said the last part! Honey!” Xue Tian’ai instinctively shrank back in his chair, waving his hands.

“Oh really? You never said that?” Qin Mengxue raised her delicate, milky-white hand to cover her rosy mouth in mock surprise.

“Yes, yes! I only said you’re ugly, fierce, and like a she-tiger…” Xue Tian’ai nodded emphatically, refusing to admit to what he never said.

“So you did speak ill of me!” Qin Mengxue smiled darkly.

“Well… that was just teasing! Yes, teasing, nothing more…” Xue Tian’ai laughed awkwardly.

“By the way, didn’t you also joke earlier that I bite hard?” Qin Mengxue had now fully closed the distance, leaning in with murderous intent in her eyes. “But I can be very gentle too!”

“Hahaha… really?” Xue Tian’ai tensed at the sight of her mouth opening wide like a roaring beast. “Honey, please go easy on my neck! …Ah!”

With Xue Tian’ai’s screams echoing, the clock in Qin Mengxue’s office quietly struck ten in the morning.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in the European country of Y, it was three o’clock in the morning—a perfect time for most to be asleep, but certainly not for everyone.

Off the coast of Y’s Jersey, there lay a small island called Skye. Though not large in size, for the sleepless residents of Y, it was a veritable paradise.

Though unknown to the casual world, Skye was infamous in Europe’s underground circles, a place rife with violence and bloodshed, and of course, the most extreme gambling.

Tonight was unlike any other. The boxing finals were about to crown the new H-Boxing champion.

The arena's several hundred seats were fully occupied, wealthy patrons from around the globe lavishly spending money and shouting enthusiastically, the atmosphere electric.

All the lights focused on the square ring where a fierce battle was underway.

Miller was one of the combatants in the ring, the most prominent contender in the match. His bulging, veined fists whipped through the air, striking with relentless force.

His opponent fought back fiercely, throwing punches with all his might.

Their bodies moved in a brutal dance, fists colliding with fiery impact, bright red blood splattering wildly across the ring.

Though to an untrained eye it seemed like an even fight, those familiar with the sport would immediately recognize that Miller was in complete control.

He was relaxed, almost toying with his opponent. As a multi-time H-Boxing champion, Miller didn’t consider the man across from him worthy of serious challenge.

Indeed, Miller’s opponent’s attacks barely inflicted any real damage, while Miller’s devastating blows had already broken several of his key bones.

Seconds ticked by as the crowd of hundreds roared without fatigue, their voices rising and falling in a wild cacophony.

“You should know by now you’re no match for me.” Miller tilted his head to dodge a punch, then slammed his fist into the opponent’s already broken nose.

The opponent said nothing, continuing to dodge and seek an opening, but his slowing movements and growing injuries told the story: victory was firmly tilting toward Miller.

Growing bored with the prolonged fight, Miller decided to end it swiftly and revel in the adulation of the wealthy spectators and enjoy the spoils befitting a champion.

He suddenly lunged forward with a powerful kick, staggering his opponent. Without giving him time to recover, Miller delivered simultaneous punches aimed at the temples.

The next moment—

“Bang!” Like a watermelon bursting, a spray of crimson exploded as a nearly headless body collapsed limply before Miller.

The crowd’s roar reached a fever pitch.

“Miller! Miller! Miller!” The triumphant rich patrons chanted wildly, celebrating the fighter who filled their pockets.

Under the spotlight, Miller, drenched in blood, stretched out his arms, soaking in the overwhelming cheers.

But suddenly—the entire arena plunged into darkness. Pitch black, as if an abyss swallowed the light.

“What’s going on?” “WHAT THE F*CK?” “Has the manager lost his mind?” The sudden blackout sparked a chorus of curses in many languages.

Then, just as suddenly, the lights flickered back on.

Miller turned sharply, sensing something, only to see a girl with twin black ponytails and a black mask appear behind him.

“Yo, hello there!” the girl greeted him cheerfully—in Japanese.