Lin Xi followed the script prepared for her and continued, "Yining, would you despise me for being too poor and never talk to me again?"
He Yining, shedding his earlier coldness, suddenly smiled warmly: "How could I?"
Of course he wouldn't ignore her!
There were still some acts to play out!
He remembered clearly that his little angel had told him her father was called Boss Lin!
In that environment, how could someone called "boss" be poor?
The reason his little angel had covered herself in band-aids wasn't because her family was poor, but because she believed band-aids were a cure-all—no matter the wound, just slap one on and it would heal!
He had never told anyone about this.
So the other party absolutely wouldn't know this detail.
This Lin Xi was definitely someone deliberately arranged.
Interesting, very interesting.
He suddenly looked forward to the next act.
"So how's your father now?" He Yining said unhurriedly. "We could meet him sometime."
Lin Xi's face suddenly flushed, and she twisted shyly: "Oh, stop it, Yining. Isn't it too soon to meet the parents?"
"Why not?" He Yining laughed heartily. "You've been back with me for so long now. It's time to meet your father."
Lin Xi looked at him uncertainly: "Yining, are you serious?"
He Yining suddenly leaned in, his phoenix eyes fixed on Lin Xi without blinking: "What do you think?"
This was the first time He Yining had voluntarily gotten so close.
Lin Xi's heart raced as she stared at his stunningly handsome face drawing near!
For a moment, a flicker of hope rose in Lin Xi.
If only she really were the one He Yining was looking for.
No, she was now!
As long as she held firm and insisted she was the one he sought.
Then, could she truly win He Yining's affection?
Could she really push aside Shen Qi and become the president of the He Group?
Lin Xi murmured as if in a dream: "Alright. I need to talk to my family first."
"Of course." He Yining suddenly raised a hand, brushing a stray strand of hair from Lin Xi's ear, revealing half her cheek.
Thinking He Yining was about to kiss her, Lin Xi excitedly closed her eyes.
Watching her tilt her face up in a pose begging for a kiss, He Yining smirked mockingly, a chill flashing in his phoenix eyes.
Her? Worthy?
He Yining pulled away abruptly and turned to leave.
Lin Xi waited, but the kiss never came.
She opened her eyes in confusion, only to find the reception room empty!
She immediately realized He Yining had played her.
Furious, she stood up, spat bitterly, and muttered to herself: "Just wait until I succeed—I'll deal with you then! What's Shen Qi? As long as I stick to this identity, no one dares touch me!"
Charles was genuinely full of praise for Shen Qi's cooking.
"Xiao Qi, your skills are amazing. Ever thought of opening a Chinese restaurant in the US? It'd be a hit." Charles ate with gusto. "This tastes fantastic—way better than what I get in America."
Shen Qi laughed. "A lot of Chinese restaurants overseas adapt to Western tastes, so they lose some authenticity. But honestly, I'm more into design than running a restaurant."
Charles burst out laughing.
"Still, getting to eat such authentic Chinese food while I'm here is more than enough," he said with a sigh. "I'm getting old—who knows how many more years I'll enjoy this."
Feng Manlun set down his chopsticks nearby and smiled warmly: "Then just stay in China. Whatever you want to eat, I'll take you there."
Charles waved a hand. "You're the heir of the Feng family—too busy. I have Xiao Qi; she's not as swamped as you."
Shen Qi nodded: "That's right, I'm here! Whatever you want, I'll cook it for you!"
After the meal, Feng Manlun actually rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Shen Qi clung to Charles, continuing her lessons.
Watching her bent over the table, so focused, Feng Manlun paused.
He had to admit.
Shen Qi was a woman hard to dislike.
Lively when needed, quiet when needed.
Neither arrogant nor impatient, neither rushed nor slow.
Her eyes seemed to hold a special power, calming even the most restless soul.
When they took a break, Shen Qi pulled out her phone. It wouldn't turn on no matter how many times she pressed the button. "Oh no, my phone's broken! Good thing it's not the one He Yining bought me, or that'd be a problem."
Feng Manlun glanced at her phone. "Want me to take you to get a new one?"
Shen Qi shook her head. "No, I've got a bunch of spares at home. It ran out of battery this morning, so I grabbed this one."
She figured the phone had probably gotten coffee in it—no other chance for water damage.
No wonder it hadn't rung all day. It was broken.
Without lingering, Shen Qi quickly said goodbye to Charles.
Feng Manlun, naturally playing the gentleman, offered to escort her.
They drove back, his car trailing hers.
He was waiting for news.
His plan was airtight—He Yining had no reason not to take the bait!
Sure enough, halfway there, word came.
After hearing the report, Feng Manlun replied: "Arrange it. If He Yining wants to meet, let him! As long as Lin Xi earns his trust, the rest will be smooth sailing!"
The voice on the phone said: "The photos we sent He Yining didn't seem to faze him."
"Impossible. He's probably waiting for Shen Qi to get back before making a move." Feng Manlun dismissed it. "I'll handle the rest. You keep an eye on He Yining and Lin Xi."
Hanging up, his mind raced.
To fully ignite the conflict between He Yining and Shen Qi and give Lin Xi an opening, he needed enough misunderstanding between them.
Those few photos weren't enough.
No matter—he could stoke the fire!
Feng Manlun suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The screech of tires cut through the night.
Startled, Shen Qi stopped her car and rushed over: "Brother, what's wrong?"
Feng Manlun's face went pale as he looked at her: "I suddenly feel terrible. Sorry, Xiao Qi, I can't take you home. Could you take me instead?"
Feng Manlun had a medical history.
Shen Qi didn't suspect a thing.
Thinking he was having a relapse, she panicked: "I'll take you to the hospital!"
"No need," he said quickly. "Just take me home. My family doctor knows my condition best; anyone else would waste time."
That made sense.
Looking around, Feng Manlun had brought no bodyguards or assistants this time, and they were in the middle of nowhere. She was all he had!
Shen Qi gritted her teeth: "Fine, where's your place? I'll drive you!"
A flicker of triumph crossed Feng Manlun's eyes. "My car's out of commission. Can I ride in yours?"
"Of course," she said immediately. "Let me help you over."
He opened the door, leaning his full weight on her.
Shen Qi braced herself, wrapping an arm around his waist to steady him.
Her touch made his body stiffen.
Mistaking his reaction for pain, she apologized: "Sorry, I didn't mean to. There's no one else here, so I have to hold on tight."
In the darkness, Feng Manlun's eyes deepened. His voice came out strained: "It's fine."
She guided him slowly to her car: "Careful. My car's a bit smaller—watch your head."
He hummed in response, his gaze drifting toward her.
In the dark, he couldn't see her expression.
But her faint scent reached him—not sharp perfume, but a subtle, clean fragrance from her shampoo and soap.
What a... pure girl.
So pure she didn't even wear perfume.
Shen Qi opened the door and helped him in.
Suddenly, his foot slipped. She instinctively reached out: "Watch out—"
But he was heavier than she expected, and she tumbled into his arms instead.
"Oh, sorry!" Flustered, she pushed herself up, bracing against his ear.
Feng Manlun froze.
That brief collision of warmth against his chest made his heart skip a beat—uncontrollably.
What was happening?
How?
Shen Qi pulled back quickly.
In the dim car light, their breaths mingled, but their eyes couldn't meet.
Seeing him silent, she feared she'd hurt him and kept apologizing: "I'm so sorry, I couldn't hold you. I'll get you home right now!"
His eyes flickered. "Alright..."
Relieved, she slipped out of the passenger seat, got into the driver's side, and started the car.
"Give me the address—I might need the GPS." She pulled up the navigation, setting the route.
Feng Manlun steadied himself and gave her his real address.
He'd originally planned to take her to a villa and keep her confined. But in that instant, his mind shifted, and he told her the truth.