Shen Qi couldn't help but blush, shooting him a playful glare. "Nonsense again."
The sweetness of these past days had almost made Shen Qi forget the worries buried in her heart. Perhaps it was because love was too blissful, or the present too delightful. Shen Qi's former anxieties were deeply buried, and she carefully savored the beauty of the moment. She admitted it—she liked her current life. Even if this was just a dream, let it last a little longer.
He Yining made a grand entrance with Shen Qi.
This was a birthday party thrown by a well-known local wealthy businessman for his daughter. Normally, a gathering of this level couldn't possibly attract a big shot like He Yining. But since He Yining wanted to come, who would dare not send an invitation? And when others heard that He Yining, the president of the world-famous He Corporation, was attending with his wife, those who had initially scorned the event scrambled to get invitations. For a time, demand skyrocketed.
Shen Qi only knew the party's theme was a birthday celebration, so she had done her makeup in the elegant, dignified style typical of formal birthday banquets. But she had no idea this birthday party wasn't for an adult—it was for a five-year-old little girl! So both He Yining and Shen Qi were overdressed! He Yining had done it on purpose; Shen Qi had been... tricked!
Seeing everyone around in casual clothes, with only herself and He Yining in formal evening wear, Shen Qi realized she'd been duped! Ah, she wanted to scream!
The moment He Yining appeared with Shen Qi, they drew everyone's attention. Even the host smiled stiffly: "President He, Second Young Madam, welcome, welcome!"
He Yining nodded with a smile. "Just arrived and heard your daughter is celebrating her fifth birthday. Came in a hurry and didn't prepare much. A little Lotus sports car will have to do as a birthday gift."
Xiao Chun stepped forward and handed the car keys to the host. The crowd trembled. A Lotus sports car... Even for an adult, giving a sports car was a lavish gift, let alone for a five-year-old child.
Shen Qi's smile was strained. She finally found a chance to whisper fiercely in He Yining's ear, "Did you do this on purpose?"
"Yes," He Yining replied matter-of-factly. "Let them see what real wealth looks like today."
Huh? What did he mean? That wasn't like him. He Yining was always low-key, never flaunting his wealth—because he didn't need to. Everyone in the world already knew how rich he was. Was he having a fever today, or had he lost his mind?
Just then, a familiar voice rang out from outside: "Mr. Qian, congratulations!"
The host, Mr. Qian, hurried to greet them. "So it's Mrs. Sun and Miss Sun! Please, come in!"
Shen Qi turned to see the girl who had drenched her in ice cream that morning, along with her round mother, waddling in from outside. Oh, wasn't this a small world? Shen Qi hadn't checked the internet or Weibo today, so she had no idea she'd become a trending topic again—this time as the victim.
The odd mother-daughter pair didn't notice Shen Qi, or perhaps didn't recognize her, as they approached with beaming smiles. "President He, Second Young Madam, we've heard so much about you."
He Yining chuckled softly.
Miss Sun froze the moment she saw He Yining. This man was captivating. Who was the woman beside him? She looked vaguely familiar.
Shen Qi sighed helplessly and simply nodded in response.
"Second Young Madam is the epitome of grace and elegance—a role model for us all," Mrs. Sun began, heaping praise on Shen Qi, completely forgetting how she'd called her a country bumpkin that morning.
"Uh, thank you," Shen Qi replied with a wry smile. She wondered what expression Mrs. Sun would have when she learned her true identity.
Mrs. Sun kept flattering Shen Qi without repeating herself, making the onlookers' expressions shift. Sure, the He family was wealthy, and tonight Shen Qi was dressed impressively, but such blatant flattery while ignoring everyone else wasn't appropriate, was it?
Shen Qi couldn't take it anymore and said flatly, "This isn't our first meeting tonight, Mrs. Sun."
Mrs. Sun blinked. "Oh? Have we met before?"
Her eyes lit up. Could it have been at some important event? If so, she needed to clarify—this would be bragging material for later! Having met the He Corporation's president's wife twice wasn't something just anyone could claim. With that status, she'd be able to walk all over this place! The thought made her eyes gleam even brighter.
Miss Sun's eyes were bright too, but they were fixed on He Yining. She hadn't expected the legendary He Yining to be a hundred times more handsome than in magazines. No photographer could capture his unparalleled aura! She glanced at Shen Qi again—why did she seem so familiar? Had they met before? She'd have to find out, so she could brag to her friends later.
Remarkably, mother and daughter shared the same thought.
Shen Qi sighed. "It was this morning. Outside the Haagen-Dazs store."
She left it at that, hoping they'd take the hint and leave out of shame. But the odd pair, fixated on currying favor, didn't connect Shen Qi to the person they'd bullied that morning.
Mrs. Sun frowned. "Did Second Young Madam send someone for ice cream too? I don't recall any big names showing up."
Shen Qi was speechless. She had to spell it out: "She dumped ice cream all over me."
Finally, Mrs. Sun and Miss Sun remembered. In an instant, their faces turned ashen. Oh no, they'd stepped on a landmine!
Just then, Mr. Sun burst in, drenched in sweat. The moment he saw He Yining and Shen Qi, he dropped to his knees. "President He, I was wrong! I truly know my mistake! Please, have mercy and let me off! It was my wife and daughter who were clueless and offended the president's wife—it's all their fault!"
With that, he pulled his wife and daughter down to kneel beside him.
He Yining pulled Shen Qi aside. "I can't accept such a grand gesture. After all, my wife and I are just country bumpkins from a small place—hardly worthy of such a display from your whole family."
His words lit the fuse.
Mrs. Sun finally snapped out of it and tugged at her husband. "What's going on? What happened?"
"All the projects Mr. Feng assigned—they're ruined!" Mr. Sun suddenly slapped his wife. "It's all your fault! Bullying ordinary people is one thing, but did you have no eyes? You dared to mess with the He Corporation's president's wife!"
He then slapped his daughter. "Your mother's blind, but aren't you supposed to be some little internet star? You couldn't even recognize the president's wife?"
Mrs. Sun and Miss Sun stood there, stunned. How could this happen? What were the odds?
Mr. Sun tearfully pleaded with He Yining. "President He, please, we're nobodies—let me off! If these projects fall through, I'm finished!"
He Yining's lips curled into a cold smile. "What does that have to do with me? I just thought those projects looked promising and had my assistant toss in some investment. No need to get so worked up."
"That's not quite right," Feng Manlun's voice cut in from the doorway.
As his words hung in the air, Feng Manlun strode in, travel-worn. Only He Yining could force Feng Manlun to rush over on a private plane without even changing clothes. When Feng Manlun saw the news at noon, he knew trouble was brewing. Wherever He Yining showed up, he had to stay on high alert. Sure enough, within half an hour, someone reported that the people who'd bullied Shen Qi were the family of one of his subordinates!
Feng Manlun had slammed down his folder and rushed over without changing. But he was too late. By the time his plane landed, he was told He Yining had already made his move—muscling into every project and halting several entirely. These projects were on a tight schedule; every day of delay meant millions in losses! He couldn't afford it! He knew He Yining was doing this on purpose, but he had no choice—he had to show up.
"Well, well, Brother Manlun, you're here too." He Yining played dumb, smiling warmly. "With the eldest son of the Feng family gracing the occasion, Mr. Qian must be overjoyed."
The host, Mr. Qian, was finally remembered. But he wished he'd been completely forgotten.
"Since Brother Manlun is here for Mr. Qian's daughter's birthday, you didn't come empty-handed, did you?" He Yining pressed on.
Feng Manlun's face darkened slightly. He turned to Mr. Qian. "Since it's your daughter's birthday, of course I brought a gift."
Without hesitation, Feng Manlun removed his wristwatch and tossed it to Mr. Qian. "I hope you won't mind such a modest token."
Mr. Qian's hands trembled as he caught the watch. This timepiece was worth more than his entire net worth! Feng Manlun dared to give it, but he didn't dare accept it!
Feng Manlun turned to face He Yining. "Now, President He, can we talk properly?"
He Yining let out a light laugh, his smile growing more unrestrained and bold.