Lin Xi grew happier the more she thought about it.
Xiao Chun, standing nearby, could see Lin Xi trembling with excitement all over.
"This room is prepared for me?" Lin Xi, imagining that He Yining might be hiding in the trunk, was practically overjoyed.
Would she open the trunk soon and then tumble around with He Yining in this beautiful room, surrendering her first time in such a poetic, princess-like chamber?
Oh my god, just thinking about it was enough to make her ecstatic!
Xiao Chun replied with a gracious smile, "Yes, this room is specially prepared for you."
Lin Xi cheerfully went to open the trunk.
Like a ghost, Xiao Chun followed her, raised her hand, and struck Lin Xi's neck with a sharp chop!
Lin Xi's body stiffened instantly, then she slumped to the floor.
Xiao Chun smiled humbly. "Sorry, this gift isn't for you. On the contrary, you are the gift for Feng Manlun."
Feng Manlun put away his phone and immediately jumped into the car.
But the moment he started the engine, doubt crept in!
Was this a trap?
Could Shen Qi be colluding with He Yining to deceive him?
After all, they were husband and wife...
Yet, he had clearly investigated. Shen Qi marrying He Yining was indeed a mistake!
They had married by sheer coincidence, with no real feelings between them.
Just as Feng Manlun was wavering, unable to decide, Shen Qi inadvertently helped He Yining again.
Shen Qi posted a Weibo update.
Shen Qi had several phones.
One for work, one for personal use.
When she left in the morning, He Yining had taken her work phone.
Shen Qi didn't think much of it.
Now that she was the second young mistress of the He family, no one had the audacity to ask her for styling services anymore.
Except, of course, He Yining.
So, Shen Qi took her personal phone to meet the Shen family.
But Weibo could be accessed from any phone.
Thus, upon meeting the Shen family, Shen Qi was so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn't help but post a Weibo update: "Today, I encountered the greatest surprise of my life. Grateful."
Just that one line made Feng Manlun mistakenly believe Shen Qi had seen Master Zhu Guangqian's manuscript.
After all, Shen Qi genuinely admired Zhu Guangqian.
Without further hesitation, Feng Manlun drove straight to the destination.
To avoid drawing attention, Feng Manlun went alone, without any companions.
Upon arrival, the entire resort seemed perfectly normal.
Feng Manlun noticed nothing amiss.
He pulled out his phone to call Shen Qi, but the line was dead.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Feng Manlun parked the car and prepared to search every corner!
He couldn't let Shen Qi ruin today's plans!
Just then, a waiter walked by. Feng Manlun stepped forward and blocked him. "Where is He Yining?"
The waiter was taken aback and instinctively replied, "I don't know. I can't say!"
Feng Manlun opened his wallet and pulled out a stack of cash. "Can you say now?"
"He's in Building A, meeting a guest." The waiter's eyes were glued to the money, and he swallowed involuntarily.
"Good. And where is Zhu Guangqian's manuscript?" Feng Manlun pulled out another stack of cash.
"In Building C." The waiter's eyes were fixed, unblinking.
Feng Manlun shoved the money into the waiter's hand and strode toward Building C.
As soon as Feng Manlun left, the waiter, who had been acting greedy, immediately composed himself, adjusted his earpiece, and murmured, "He's on his way. Arriving in about ten minutes."
Upon reaching Building C, Feng Manlun grabbed another waiter. "Has a beautiful girl come by here?"
The waiter thought for a moment. "You mean that room over there? A very pretty girl did come today, saying she was waiting for someone."
Overjoyed, Feng Manlun asked for the room number and rushed straight to the designated room.
He had to stop Shen Qi!
Feng Manlun knocked urgently on the door. "Xiao Qi, are you in there?"
No response came from inside.
Feng Manlun's heart sank.
What was going on?
Had Shen Qi already discovered He Yining meeting Lin Xi and her fake father?
Forgetting caution, Feng Manlun pushed the door.
Click—the door wasn't locked!
A flicker of doubt crossed Feng Manlun's mind, but he quickly dismissed it and stepped inside.
The room was beautiful, quintessentially princess-themed.
In the center stood a large trunk, wrapped in ribbons tied into a neat bow.
"Xiao Qi?" Feng Manlun circled the room, but there was no sign of anyone.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
A message popped up: "A gift for you. Hope you like it."
It was from an unknown number.
Yet, Feng Manlun's heart inexplicably raced!
He felt his ears redden.
Was this message from Shen Qi?
Was the trunk the gift?
What gift?
Why would she give him a gift?
Was it because she was his junior?
Or... or could it be that she actually...
Feng Manlun suddenly felt the air grow warmer, his mouth dry.
At that moment, the trunk shifted slightly.
Feng Manlun's pupils deepened.
Could Shen Qi be hiding in the trunk, offering herself to him?
The thought flashed through his mind unbidden and refused to leave.
A sudden idea struck Feng Manlun: if he slept with He Yining's wife, it would be a devastating blow to He Yining, wouldn't it?
Once formed, this thought became unshakable, firmly lodged in his mind.
Feng Manlun's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly.
He admitted it—he was tempted by the idea!
He really wanted to try!
If the person in the trunk was Shen Qi, should he go with the flow today?
With trembling fingers, Feng Manlun untied the bow on the trunk.
The ribbons fell away, revealing the trunk before him.
Unable to control his desires, ambitions, or thoughts, Feng Manlun was driven by a mad, obsessive urge to destroy Shen Qi right here.
And to destroy He Yining too!
Unbeknownst to Feng Manlun, his pupils were already dilating abnormally.
His mind was growing hazy.
His fingers touched the edge of the trunk, and he yanked it open!
Rip—the trunk was torn apart.
A girl in a pink princess dress suddenly appeared before Feng Manlun.
She tilted her head, and the birthmark on her neck was unmistakable.
"Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi, come to hell with me!" Feng Manlun could no longer restrain himself. He scooped up the girl and fell onto the nearby princess bed.
A strange scent filled the air.
It grew stronger, further clouding Feng Manlun's senses.
In an unnoticed corner, an incense burner smoldered, burning the last of the sedative.
"Miss Lin?" He Yining stood outside the room with his entourage, smiling warmly. "I promised you a satisfactory gift. This room is my gift to you. Are you satisfied... What are you doing?"
His tone shifted from gentle to furious in an instant!
A crowd swarmed in, staring in disbelief at the scene inside.
The two people in motion suddenly snapped back to clarity!
Feng Manlun opened his eyes and saw Lin Xi beneath him.
Lin Xi? How could it be Lin Xi!
A chill ran through Feng Manlun's heart!
Damn, he'd been set up!
Feng Manlun immediately rolled off, pulling the blanket over himself and Lin Xi.
The next second, He Yining erupted in rage, pointing at Feng Manlun. "Feng, what is the meaning of this? I prepared this room for Miss Lin. How did you end up here?"
Feng Manlun was about to speak when he looked up and saw a well-known local TV film critic staring at him with delight.
Feng Manlun's heart sank.
This critic was a notorious blabbermouth on Weibo—anything he knew, he'd spill!
"Miss Lin, don't you owe me an explanation?" He Yining's phoenix eyes blazed with anger, instantly jolting Lin Xi.
Coming to her senses, Lin Xi was still dazed, having no idea what had happened. She could only stammer, "I don't know why I ended up with Feng. I thought it was you!"
"What nonsense!" He Yining grew even angrier. "I'm married. How could I cheat on my wife with another woman?"
"Utterly ridiculous!" He Yining addressed the others. "Lin Xi told me she dreamed of having a fantasy princess room. Out of consideration for her being a childhood friend, I fulfilled that dream for her. And she harbors such filthy thoughts about me? Disgusting! Feng, if you want this woman, take her! I, He Yining, have no interest!"
With that, He Yining turned and left!
The film critic smirked and followed.
The room emptied as quickly as it had filled.
Soon, only the two on the bed remained.
Lin Xi looked timidly at Feng Manlun. "Feng, I..."
Feng Manlun backhanded her.
Slap—Lin Xi was thrown onto the bed, her cheek instantly swelling.
No explanation was needed.
He'd been played by He Yining!
Feng Manlun closed his eyes tightly.
He Yining, He Yining!
You! You're good!
I fell for your trap!
Feng Manlun threw off the blanket, got out of bed, dressed quickly, and turned to leave.
Lin Xi lunged at him. "Feng, what about me?"
"Get lost." Feng Manlun's voice was ice-cold.
Lin Xi clung to him desperately. "I've already been with you like this. He Yining won't want me anymore! What about what you promised me..."