Shen Qi had no idea that she had just narrowly escaped death's door. Feng Manlun had suddenly softened.
Feng Manlun leaned back in the passenger seat, a bit confused by his own actions. Keeping Shen Qi under house arrest was one of his plans—if he could control her, He Yining would have a weakness he could exploit at will. But at that moment, he had inexplicably gone soft.
Feng Manlun glanced sideways. Shen Qi was focused on navigating as she drove, completely oblivious to him. "Don't worry, just hold on a little longer," she said, trying to comfort him while driving. "We'll be there soon!"
Feng Manlun watched her earnest expression and asked with a strange look, "Shen Qi, do you never suspect anyone?"
Shen Qi looked bewildered. "Huh? Suspect what?"
Feng Manlun suddenly felt like laughing. There was actually a woman this adorably naive! Did she never guard against strangers? Or was it because he had interacted with her a few times that she trusted him so easily? This woman was really... infuriating!
Infuriating? Why should he be angry? Wasn't it a good thing that she didn't guard against him? Why was he getting upset over her foolish honesty?
Feng Manlun fell silent. He seemed to have realized something terrifying—he really couldn't bring himself to hurt Shen Qi. Damn it!
Shen Qi finally got them to the doorstep. Like He Yining, Feng Manlun didn't live with his family but in an upscale villa district. His house was the largest and most luxurious. Shen Qi found it quickly. As soon as they got out, someone came to help Feng Manlun. Shen Qi was about to leave when Feng Manlun suddenly said, "Xiao Qi, come inside for a moment. The doctor might have a few questions for you."
Shen Qi thought it over and nodded, following him inside. The doctor arrived promptly. When he examined Feng Manlun, his expression stiffened—Feng Manlun was perfectly healthy! But since Feng Manlun was faking illness, the doctor had to play along.
Shen Qi stood nearby, anxiously asking the doctor, "Is he okay?"
The doctor slowly put down his stethoscope and looked at Shen Qi. "Were you with him when he had the episode?"
Shen Qi nodded.
"Tell me the symptoms first, so I can determine the condition," the doctor replied smoothly.
Feng Manlun's lips curled slightly. This doctor was sharp. Shen Qi, unaware, recounted everything she had seen and heard. The doctor pondered for a moment. "Preliminary assessment suggests it might be a lingering effect from a previous surgery that wasn't fully resolved. It's not serious, though—rest will take care of it. Miss, could you stay and help care for the patient?"
Shen Qi was taken aback. "Me?"
"Yes. You were present during his first episode and now this one, so you're the most suitable to stay," the doctor said. "Others wouldn't know how to handle it."
Shen Qi wanted to say she didn't know either—she had just happened to be there! But when she opened her mouth, she saw the disappointment in Feng Manlun's eyes and couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Feng Manlun had figured it out. Shen Qi was genuinely kind-hearted, not an act. Her weakness was her softness. If he could exploit that, she couldn't say no.
Shen Qi gritted her teeth. "Alright... but can someone stay with me? I really don't know anything about medicine! If something happens in the middle of the night..."
The doctor quickly reassured her. "That won't happen. I'll leave medicine for you; just make sure he takes it on time."
Shen Qi wanted to argue that if it was just about taking medicine, anyone could do it. But she had already agreed, and backing out now seemed wrong. After all, Feng Manlun had gotten sick while driving her home. Sigh...
But her phone was broken, so she couldn't even let He Yining know!
Feng Manlun seemed to read her mind and handed her his phone. "Your phone's broken, so use mine to call."
Shen Qi gratefully thanked him, took the phone, and stepped away to call He Yining. It rang for a long time before being answered. "Mr. Feng, what can I do for you?" It was Xiao Chun.
Shen Qi bit her lip. "Xiao Chun, it's me, Shen Qi."
There was a brief silence on the other end. "I'll give the phone to the CEO right away."
Within seconds, He Yining's voice came through. "Xiao Qi, why are you with Feng Manlun? Why isn't your phone working?"
"It's a long story. I might not make it back tonight. Feng Manlun he—" The call suddenly went dead. Shen Qi looked at the phone—battery dead, auto-shutdown. She was frustrated. Why did it have to die now of all times?
Feng Manlun's eyes flickered with a hint of triumph, but his face showed only apology. "Sorry, I forgot to charge it today. I only brought this phone out, and there's no landline at home..."
Shen Qi slumped onto the sofa in defeat. "It's fine. I'll explain later."
Feng Manlun raised an eyebrow at her. "I might have to trouble you to watch over me tonight."
Shen Qi nodded. "Okay. I'll stay."
A servant brought pillows and blankets. Shen Qi took them to the sofa, planning to make do for the night. Luckily, the living room and bedroom were a suite, so they didn't have to share a room. But the door was open, so she could hear everything from the bedroom.
Feng Manlun lay in bed, watching Shen Qi settle onto the sofa in her clothes. His eyes flickered, and he initiated a conversation. "Xiao Qi..."
"Hmm?" Shen Qi responded instinctively, not noticing that he had switched from "Miss Shen" to "Xiao Qi"—her nickname and a sign of familiarity.
Feng Manlun's lips curved. What a slow-witted little woman. "Thanks for today," he said in a low voice. "You've saved me twice."
Shen Qi relaxed. "It's nothing. I couldn't just stand by and let someone die, even a stranger. And you're my senior."
"If I weren't your senior, would you still have stayed?" he couldn't help asking.
Shen Qi thought for a moment, tilting her head. "Probably not. If you were just a stranger, I'd have taken you to the hospital and left."
"So I'm special to you?" Feng Manlun didn't know why he asked that. Given their positions, it was a loaded, almost ambiguous question.
But Shen Qi answered without reservation. "Yeah, you're a bit special. You're not a stranger—you're the teacher's student and my senior. You helped me today, got me out of an awkward situation. You helped me, so it's only right that I take care of you."
"I see." Not getting the answer he wanted, Feng Manlun felt oddly deflated. He didn't even know what answer he was looking for; he had just asked on impulse.
Shen Qi said, "You just took your medicine, so get some sleep. I'll be in the next room. Call me if you feel unwell."
"Okay." Feng Manlun lowered his eyes with a faint smile. He Yining probably wouldn't sleep tonight, would he?
He Yining was indeed wide awake. He sat there, phone in hand, for a long time. Shen Qi's call had cut off mid-sentence. When he tried to call back, it was off. Even though he knew nothing would happen between Shen Qi and Feng Manlun, he couldn't sleep. Damn it, he was restless!
He knew exactly what Feng Manlun was up to. And he knew it! But he was still worried. His weakness was right under Feng Manlun's nose, and he had no idea where they were. As the heir of H Province's top family, Feng Manlun owned countless properties in the area. Even if He Yining searched house by house, he might not find them in one night. And Feng Manlun wouldn't let him.
Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi... He Yining hurled his phone to the floor, his phoenix eyes blazing with murderous intent. "Feng Manlun, you're forcing my hand. Don't blame me for disregarding our childhood bond. If you dare touch Xiao Qi, be ready to face my wrath!"
"Yes, CEO." Xiao Chun glanced at him and quickly withdrew.
Unable to sleep, He Yining decided to stay awake. He pulled out the recording of his interrogation of Shen Gang and watched it again. When Shen Gang blurted out "Miss Lin" for Shen Qi, He Yining's fingers froze.
Wait. Xiao Qi's original surname was Lin? During the interrogation, he had been too focused on worrying about Shen Qi to pay much attention to Shen Gang's words. He clearly remembered that his little angel was also named Lin. Lin Qi, Lin Xi...
He Yining's phoenix eyes widened. He seemed to have caught something.
Without hesitation, he dialed Xiao Dong. "Investigate two people: Lin Yuxiang and Shen Ziyao. I want all their information—everything!"
Xiao Dong had never heard the CEO so urgent, as if he had lost his composure and the commanding presence he wielded over competitors. Right now, the CEO was panicking like a child.
After hanging up, He Yining felt his fingers trembling. The first time he met Shen Qi, he had sensed something off. He never got close to women, but he made an exception for her. He felt an inexplicable closeness to her, for no reason.
If Lin Xi's story was a conspiracy, then what about Xiao Qi? Could she be a coincidence of fate?
He Yining had never longed for anything so much. He couldn't wait to find Shen Qi and ask her if she remembered a little brother who had once made a promise with her.