QTIMP -Chapter 224 Character Persona – Fool (Part 20)

“Mr. Fang, please forgive us. Qiuqiu doesn’t like physical contact with strangers.”

Fang Yiming’s smile looked slightly strained. “I understand, I understand. This pet park is quite large—why don’t we talk while walking?”

Si Qiu was tugging hard at Elias’s collar, shaking him insistently. Elias lowered his head and glanced back, only to see her nodding vigorously.

He smiled, took her hand, and gestured politely for Fang Yiming to go ahead. The three of them walked side by side.

The pet park housed only wild and dangerous beasts—wolves, jackals, tigers, leopards, bears, as well as crocodiles and raptors like hawks and falcons.

All of them were kept in separate, well-maintained enclosures. They looked sleek and healthy—but every single one of them was fiercely dangerous.

Only when Elias approached did they show any hint of friendliness.

Si Qiu squatted about two meters away from a metal fence, watching Elias feed a black panther.

Elias turned his head slightly. “Want to come feed it?”

Si Qiu shook her head.

She realized she was wrong—she only liked seeing wild animals as fluffy, cute videos online. She didn’t want to get anywhere near real, dangerous beasts.

She thought she was more suited to hugging small cats and dogs and petting them in her arms.

Elias didn’t force her. He casually stroked the panther’s head and tossed a piece of raw beef forward. The panther leapt up and caught it in its jaws.

Its powerful bite made blood drip onto the ground, and the smell of raw blood quickly spread through the air.

Seeing that, Si Qiu shuffled backward while still squatting, accidentally bumping into Fang Yiming’s leg.

Following the line of his grey suit trousers, she looked up.

Fang Yiming looked down at her, still wearing a gentle, refined smile.

That kind of smiling, condescending gaze—instantly reminded Si Qiu of her father.

He used to smile the same way, always speaking in a calm tone while criticizing her mother’s every flaw. Even after their divorce, whenever they met, he would still lecture them from a position of superiority.

He was exactly that kind of person—pressing someone down to the bottom line again and again until they broke.

After the divorce, her mother had told her:

“Qiuqiu, remember this: the more beautiful the lie, the more dangerous it is. Some people speak of morality and righteousness, but inside they are as filthy as a sewer.

‘Dirty’ doesn’t even begin to describe it—it’s disgusting.

You just live your own life. Live however you’re comfortable. What do other people matter to you? Even if they bite their tongues off, it has nothing to do with you.”

Her mother was afraid she would become like she once was—endlessly sacrificing herself just to be seen as a “good person,” swallowing every grievance in silence.

After inheriting the original body’s memories, Si Qiu had developed a strong aversion to people like that.

She wasn’t even afraid of Elias pointing a gun at her—but she was afraid of people like this smiling at her.

She shifted away, scooting to the side.

But just as she moved a couple of steps away, Fang Yiming also stepped closer and squatted down beside her.

“Miss Si Qiu, right? You’re also from China? How old are you? How did you end up here?”

Because of her earlier association, Si Qiu’s brief joy at meeting a fellow countryman vanished instantly.

She turned her head away, showing only the back of her fluffy head.

Fang Yiming chuckled. “Did I do something wrong? Why is Qiuqiu ignoring me?”

Si Qiu turned back and said, “Stop talking to me. You look exactly like the main character in a wife-murder-and-dismemberment case.”

Fang Yiming’s smile froze completely.

What on earth were kids watching these days? He had such a refined, gentle image—anyone who saw him normally would praise him without hesitation.

How did it turn into her being the protagonist of a wife-murder dismemberment case?

As expected of someone who could be with that dark demon—truly the kind who didn’t care whether others lived or died.

After saying that, Si Qiu didn’t bother with his internal breakdown. She continued shuffling sideways, but accidentally tripped over a small stone and nearly fell forward.

Elias, who had been keeping his attention on her the entire time, took two quick steps over and lifted her into his arms.

“Are you okay? Were you scared? It’s all my fault. I should’ve had them level this place properly in advance.”

Si Qiu pushed him away. In this hot weather, he felt like a furnace—being pressed against him was suffering.

“Isn’t it getting late? Can we go back for dinner now?”

Elias stepped back a little under her push. “Alright, let’s go back. We can’t let you get hungry—that wouldn’t be good for your body.”

Fang Yiming saw it clearly. There was absolutely no act in Elias’s concern; it was entirely genuine. He had already spoken well enough, but still underestimated Si Qiu’s weight in Elias’s heart.

And when Si Qiu ran toward the park exit—

Elias really did instruct his people to properly renovate the pet park: harden all the ground, fix everything thoroughly.

Then set aside an area to raise some gentle animals, so they could be kept for Si Qiu to play with the next time she came.

After giving a few quick instructions, Elias hurried out of the pet park.

Fang Yiming, who was a step slower in watching the excitement, only saw Elias take a few strides and get onto the sightseeing cart Si Qiu had started—completely ignoring him as a guest.

With no choice, he turned and got onto another sightseeing cart driven by bodyguards, following them back to the villa area.

Meanwhile, Michel, who hadn’t left the pet park, turned to the man in black behind him after everyone had gone.

“How is it? Is that woman dead?”

The man in black shrugged. “Fortunately, yes. She’s dead.”

Michel glanced toward the east side of the park, where the crocodile pool was. “Oh, then send her to where she belongs. But be more careful in the future. Understand?”

Everyone naturally knew what they needed to be careful about.

The boss didn’t want Si Qiu to learn the fate of these backstabbers. From now on, all these “little cuties” in the park would have to avoid certain things.

Still, it was somewhat irritating. The boss, although strict, was generous with money—what exactly were these people betraying him for?

Fang Yiming watched the sightseeing carts head in different directions and smiled thoughtfully. Since Wittelsbach had allowed him to follow along, then…

Back at the villa, Si Qiu wanted to take a quick shower and change clothes. Elias looked expressionlessly at the housekeeper.

The housekeeper slightly bowed.

“From now on, don’t let her drive the sightseeing cart alone. No—set all sightseeing carts to a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

Elias then turned to Theodore. “Widen all the roads by another twofold, and install soft guardrails along the sides.”

Theodore froze for a moment, swallowed, and nodded before turning to leave under Elias’s gaze.

Thus, the only ones sitting in the living room were Fang Yiming and Elias. The housekeeper had already instructed servants to serve them tea.

Fang Yiming picked up his cup and took a slow sip.

“Not bad. It seems your girlfriend is also quite fond of tea.”