"Many things in life can't be achieved through effort alone. A person's talent is very important." He Yining's lips curved slightly as he reached out and pinched Shen Qi's cheek. "For example, someone like you, whose overactive imagination is so extreme, it's a sickness that needs treatment!"
Shen Qi swatted He Yining's hand away and stared at him intently. "I'm not!"
"Then tell me, what did Feng Manlun say to you?" He Yining raised an eyebrow, his gaze carrying a clear meaning.
Shen Qi choked for a moment before replying, "That day at Jinghua Manor's first party, when I made my public debut, he came to find me."
"Oh?" A flicker of killing intent flashed in He Yining's eyes.
"He told me that you've always had a woman in your heart, that you've been searching for her all along, and that you've found many substitutes in that search. I'm one of them." Shen Qi's mood was still somewhat low. "Dare you say that you accepted me only because I coincidentally also have a birthmark?"
He Yining almost laughed in exasperation.
Falling for a woman because of a birthmark?
He wasn't that foolish!
"He also said that you're very persistent with your feelings, that once you fall in love with someone, you won't easily change. So I'm just... a shield to block external pressure for you." After saying this, Shen Qi looked at He Yining with righteous indignation. "I don't think he's wrong!"
He Yining let out a soft sigh. "Feng Manlun's strength lies right here. His words are always half-truths, half-lies, making it impossible to tell which is real and which is false. If I'm not mistaken, he didn't say things so explicitly, but rather led you with suggestive hints. Those thoughts were actually your own imagination. If you wanted to confront him, he could easily deny ever saying such things."
Shen Qi thought back carefully to her two conversations with Feng Manlun, and it seemed that was indeed the case.
Every time, he acted as if he were casually chatting about trivial matters, talking as if about himself, yet his words always subtly steered toward He Yining.
A sudden chill ran down Shen Qi's spine.
Had she been used by Feng Manlun?
"You really are such a silly girl!" He Yining said helplessly, looking at Shen Qi. "Feng Manlun is right, I have indeed been searching for someone all along. But I never looked for substitutes, not a single one. Because I don't have that kind of time."
Hearing this, Shen Qi felt a mix of happiness and discontent.
"I owe a promise from my childhood. But back then, I was only eight years old." He Yining smiled lightly. "I'm a man of my word, it's that simple. Besides, Lin Xi came to me on her own, claiming she was the one I was looking for. Do you think I'd easily believe what she says?"
"But you didn't drive her away either!" Shen Qi retorted stubbornly.
"That's because keeping her close makes it easier to investigate." He Yining chuckled softly. "Are you jealous?"
"No." Shen Qi denied it outright.
"Still saying no?" He Yining suddenly grinned mischievously and reached out to tickle her.
Shen Qi yelped and turned to escape.
"He Yining, don't change the subject! I'm not done talking!" Shen Qi shrieked.
"Alright, go on." He Yining withdrew his hand and looked at Shen Qi seriously.
"What am I to you, really?" Shen Qi stared fixedly at He Yining. "If Feng Manlun's words were lies, then tell me the truth. If Lin Xi really is the one you're looking for, then what am I?"
This question caught He Yining off guard.
He admitted that the girl from his childhood and the current Shen Qi were both special to him.
One was the moonlight, the other the rose.
He Yining couldn't answer that question. He lowered his eyes and said, "You're my wife, of course."
"If it came down to a choice between her and me, who would you pick?" Shen Qi had now calmed down.
He Yining said nothing.
"Hard to answer, isn't it?" Shen Qi nodded with a hint of melancholy. "I think I understand."
"What do you understand!" He Yining grew annoyed seeing her overthink again. "Stop letting your mind run wild!"
Shen Qi looked at him stubbornly, saying nothing.
He Yining sighed and ruffled the top of her head. "One day, you'll understand."
Shen Qi turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze.
The conversation had reached this point; there was no need to ask further.
Who in this world could she trust?
Everyone who said they'd stay by her side—where were they now?
One by one, they drifted away, one by one, they gave up.
Enough.
Shen Qi kept her head down, not letting He Yining see her eyes or expression, and replied softly, "Mm."
When it was time to sleep, Shen Qi turned her back to He Yining.
She couldn't fall asleep.
She didn't know if she could try to believe He Yining's words.
But putting herself in his shoes, if she had someone she'd been thinking about for over a decade, a husband she'd married as a substitute...
What would she do?
No wonder He Yining couldn't answer her question—because if it were her, she wouldn't be able to answer either.
If she couldn't answer it herself, why force He Yining to?
She was being too selfish.
He Yining wasn't wrong; the fault was hers.
Shen Qi felt tears welling up in her eyes. Not wanting He Yining to notice, she quietly wiped them away.
She didn't even dare to turn over, to face He Yining's face.
So she curled up humbly on one side of the bed, in this small space, protecting the last shred of her sanity and dignity.
From tomorrow on, she would be a qualified wife.
Just... qualified.
Neither asking nor caring.
Shen Qi didn't know when she fell asleep.
After she was asleep, He Yining suddenly turned his head to glance at her.
He sighed softly and pulled the sleeping Shen Qi into his arms.
He knew she had been secretly crying.
But right now, without sufficient evidence, he couldn't say anything.
Little rabbit, bear with it.
I'll give you an explanation.
Shen Qi's dreams were a blur.
She didn't know what she dreamed of, but she woke up with tears streaming down her face.
He Yining gently kissed her forehead. "Had a nightmare?"
Only then did Shen Qi realize she had woken up in He Yining's arms again.
"Mm." She replied sullenly, feeling frustrated enough to claw at the wall.
Why did she always wake up in his arms?
What did she do in her sleep?
Wasn't she supposed to just be a qualified wife?
How could she keep waking up in his arms and maintain distance between them?
"I'm meeting a client at noon. Eat well at home by yourself." He Yining lightly bit her ear, enjoying the sight of her blushing.
Shen Qi replied gloomily, "Got it."
As a qualified wife, she knew her place—not to ask what she shouldn't.
Seeing her low spirits, He Yining guessed what was on her mind.
But he couldn't say anything now.
Because Feng Manlun was very alert.
Without absolute certainty, he couldn't speak.
After He Yining dressed and left the house, he said to Xiao Chun, "Investigate everything about Lin Xi."
"President, do you suspect Lin Xi..." Xiao Chun trailed off.
"Yes, this Lin Xi is very likely someone's deliberate plant. To gain my trust, they even had her appear before my brother." He Yining's phoenix eyes turned cold. "Her story is flawless, but that's exactly what makes it suspicious. Back then, we were five and eight. Eighteen years have passed—how could anyone remember so clearly?"
Xiao Chun immediately understood. "Who do you suspect is behind this?"
"Who in H Province most wants to suppress me right now?" He Yining's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, his eyes shimmering with clear mockery.
Xiao Chun caught on. "I understand."
He Yining then said to Xiao Xia, "Keep a close eye on Xiao Qi recently. Watch anyone who comes into contact with her. She's kind-hearted and easily used."
Xiao Xia nodded. "Understood, President."
Elsewhere.
Feng Manlun idly rubbed a Hetian jade carving of a pixiu ornament, saying casually, "Well done. Tell her that as long as she can make He Yining fall for her, there will be even greater rewards."
The man across from him bowed in acknowledgment.
"And remember, He Yining is very clever. Don't slip up, or I won't be cleaning up after her." Feng Manlun continued. "Keep creating opportunities for them to misunderstand each other these next few days."
"Understood." The man quickly turned and left.
Feng Manlun set down the pixiu ornament and opened a folder of photos.
They were candid shots of Shen Qi and He Yining in their daily life.
Though Feng Manlun was a heartless playboy, he could see that He Yining had clearly developed feelings for Shen Qi.
A man trapped by love was a fool.
Dealing with a fool was far easier than dealing with a shrewd emperor.
He Yining, I'll make you kneel at my feet!
This empire needs a new ruler!
Only a man like me deserves to be the emperor of this commercial empire!
You've suppressed me for over twenty years. Now, it's my turn to strike back!
Shen Qi received word that Mr. Charles had officially arrived in H City.
She sent a visiting card in advance, tidied herself up carefully, and went to visit him.
Mr. Charles was indeed a world-class top designer.
The moment Shen Qi entered, she was captivated by the exquisite little garden in front of her.
This small villa wasn't large—about five hundred square meters—and compared to the other villas and estates of the He family, it was nothing.
But it was small yet complete.
The garden, only a few dozen square meters, was designed to look like a full landscape.
Mr. Charles stood at the door to welcome Shen Qi.
He took the visit of the boss's wife very seriously.