He Yining's presence was commanding as he looked down at Shen Qi. His slender fingers brushed across her cheek. "Silly girl, from now on, if you like something, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I won't let you suffer. Not just a car—I'm yours."
Gasps rippled through the surrounding women again. Public confessions like this were the most enviable thing, especially from someone as devilishly handsome and staggeringly wealthy as He Yining!
At this moment, the onlookers' gazes toward Shen Qi shifted from envy to a look that screamed, "If you dare reject his confession, we'll fight you!"
Feng Manlun's face darkened. He had planned everything perfectly. Why had it turned out like this? He wanted to drive a wedge between the couple, to deal a blow to He Yining. Why, why did this dealership have a global limited edition? Damn it, damn it!
Lin Xi's expression was equally grim. She had been bragging to her circle about buying a supercar today. But after dragging He Yining here, she hadn't even touched a tire before he casually secured the only limited edition in Greater China for Shen Qi. Jealousy, maddening jealousy! Lin Xi's eyes stabbed at Shen Qi like knives. If looks could kill, she wouldn't hesitate.
Xiaochun quickly finished the paperwork and presented a beautifully wrapped box with the keys to Shen Qi. "Second Young Mistress, this car is now yours."
Still in shock, Shen Qi asked incredulously, "How much did it cost?"
Xiaochun replied respectfully, "The dealer gave President He a discount and only charged the cost price: 120 million."
The crowd was speechless. What was there left to say? They couldn't even gasp anymore. Pagani, to celebrate the company's anniversary, had invited other manufacturers to collaborate on this car, all handcrafted by world-class masters. Only seven existed globally. Its value wasn't for driving but for collecting—like the Lamborghini Hermès, meant only for display. Who would risk wearing it down on the road? It was pure handmade!
"Xiao Qi, are you happy?" He Yining pinched her nose, unbothered by the public display of affection. "Shall we go home?"
Still dazed, Shen Qi nodded instinctively. Seeing her nod, He Yining finally smiled. That smile shed all menace, blooming like spring. With his top-tier looks, the impact was devastating. Everyone present, men and women alike, felt dizzy and defenseless against it.
He Yining wrapped an arm around Shen Qi's waist and glided away, leaving behind a parting remark: "Sorry, Manlun. My Xiao Qi already has a Pagani, so you can take this car back for yourself."
With that, He Yining and his entourage vanished into the distance.
Feng Manlun's face was ashen, twisted with fury. He had been publicly humiliated by He Yining. Unforgivable!
Lin Xi stood frozen. He Yining had left? What about her? What about her supercar? She had boasted to her friends!
Meanwhile, Weibo was ablaze with a viral post: "He's Consortium President He Yining gifts his wife a luxury car worth over 100 million to show his love!" Photos of the car spread like wildfire. Car enthusiasts worldwide were beside themselves with envy. Regardless of whether they were Pagani fans, everyone was sharing the news.
At the center of it all, Shen Qi was still in a daze. He Yining had taken her straight back to Jinghua Manor. Even as she stepped inside, she felt like she was dreaming. Had she hit the jackpot today? How had she ended up with a 120-million-yuan supercar out of nowhere?
He Yining lifted her chin. "How did Feng Manlun become your senior?"
Back home, it was time for a full interrogation. Hmph, Feng Manlun, you won't get away with this!
Shen Qi stared blankly at him. "I don't know either. I'm still confused. Teacher had an upset stomach yesterday from eating too much, so when I went to drop off my homework and heard he was in the hospital, I went straight there. I didn't expect Feng Manlun to show up too. Teacher said he once studied aesthetics and design basics with him. And then, out of nowhere, he became my senior..." She spread her hands. "And today, I didn't go to the Pagani dealership to buy a car. He said his ordered car had arrived and asked me to test-drive it. I had no idea it would turn into a gift for me."
He Yining's phoenix eyes narrowed. Just as he thought! Feng Manlun still refused to accept reality and wouldn't admit defeat, so he was targeting Xiao Qi. That made Lin Xi even more suspicious. He'd need to push things along to expose her.
"If you like any car in the future, just tell me." He Yining pinched her nose again. "Your husband is much richer than him!"
Shen Qi blushed. "I'm not that greedy."
Then she remembered Lin Xi going with He Yining to Pagani. Had he been planning to buy a car for Lin Xi too? The thought made her uneasy again.
Just then, her phone rang. To hide her discomfort, she turned and answered it.
A frantic voice came through, panting. "Shen Qi, help me! Save me!"
Shen Qi froze. "Shen Yinyin?"
"Shen Qi, no, sis, sis, save me! I was wrong, I know I was wrong!" Shen Yinyin's tearful voice crackled. "I'm not qualified to compete with you anymore. I'm ruined, I've lost everything! Mom took all the family's money and ran away. Dad wants me to entertain those old, ugly men... Sis, save me!"
Shen Qi didn't know what to say. How had Shen Yinyin ended up like this? Wasn't she Shen Gang's precious daughter? Even if the Shen family went bankrupt, it shouldn't be this bad. Had He Yining crushed them completely?
"Sis, haven't you always wanted to know if Mom is your biological mother? Save me, get me out of here, and I'll tell you everything!" Shen Yinyin's voice turned panicked. "Oh no, someone's coming. Sis, hurry! I'm using someone else's phone, don't call back!"
She hung up abruptly.
Shen Qi stood frozen. What did Shen Yinyin mean? Was she saying Madam Shen wasn't her real mother? Then who was? What secrets were hidden here?
He Yining noticed her stunned expression. "Xiao Qi? What's wrong?" He touched her head.
Cold sweat beaded on Shen Qi's forehead. "Nothing." She sank onto the sofa, her mind in turmoil. What else did Shen Yinyin know? She had to see her. Every time she'd asked her mother if she was her real daughter, the reaction had been strange. Now that she'd fled with the money, Shen Yinyin was her only lead.
"Who called?" He Yining sensed something. "Xiao Qi, if you need to do something, take Xiaoxia with you. With him around, no one in H City will dare stop you."
Shen Qi nodded, too distracted to think about anything else. Shen Yinyin's words echoed in her mind: "Haven't you always wanted to know if Mom is your biological mother?" Why would she say that? Was she about to reveal that Madam Shen wasn't her real mother?
Shen Qi didn't dare call back. She could only wait. After two agonizing days, Shen Yinyin called again, her message even shorter: "Sis, I'm at the tea restaurant at 18 Nanluo Street. Come save me."
The line went dead immediately. Unable to wait any longer, Shen Qi called Xiaoxia and headed to 18 Nanluo Street.
When Xiaoxia heard the address, he paused. "Second Young Mistress, Nanluo Street? That's the red-light district. Let me bring more people. You're of high status, and it's a rough area. We can't have anyone bothering you."
Shen Qi's heart sank. Shen Yinyin was in the red-light district? Shen Gang had abandoned her there? No wonder she was begging for help. When even your own father can't be trusted, who can you rely on?
Xiaoxia moved quickly, assembling four carloads of people to storm Nanluo Street. As soon as they arrived, the pungent perfume in the air made Shen Qi sneeze several times. The entire street was lined with such establishments, so when Shen Qi appeared in her neat attire, everyone stared.
The moment Xiaoxia stepped out, several people's faces changed dramatically. Shen Qi might not be recognized, but in H City, everyone knew Xiaoxia. The four chief assistants—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—were highly visible. They practically represented He Yining.
Seeing Xiaoxia respectfully escort Shen Qi out, several people immediately reported to their bosses. Within ten minutes, men with thick gold chains hurried over, shrugging on jackets as they walked. Spotting Shen Qi, they quickly pieced it together. Hadn't the internet been buzzing about He Yining spending 120 million on a Pagani for his new wife? Was this her? Why else would she be accompanied by He Yining's chief assistant?