As soon as Shen Qi left with Liu Yi, He Yining's silhouette quietly emerged from the doorway.
He Yining simply stood there, watching Shen Qi's back.
He realized he seemed to have grown fond of this habit.
Just standing there, quietly watching her, as she walked further and further away.
Every time he watched her back like this, it reminded him of that day when she cried so sorrowfully.
He had never seen Shen Qi cry so heartbreakingly before.
The first time he met her, Shen Qi had cried hard too, even losing herself in tears.
But back then, Shen Qi's tears were only despair, not heartbreak.
That day, though, Shen Qi was heartbroken.
Those wounded, tearful eyes and that receding figure—He Yining felt he would never forget them for the rest of his life.
Shen Qi and Liu Yi returned to the hotel. After taking a shower and changing clothes, Team Five began to assemble.
The team leader notified everyone one by one: change into formal attire and wait in the hotel lobby.
When Shen Qi and Liu Yi reached the first-floor lobby, most of Team Five had already gathered.
Everyone was dressed formally—women in elegant evening gowns, men in sharp suits.
Shen Qi looked left and right. Huh, it seemed she and Liu Yi were the most casually dressed!
Hadn't they said it was just a casual dinner?
Why dress so formally?
Had she misunderstood the instructions?
No way—she always kept up with fashion trends!
But going back to change now was clearly too late.
Shen Qi glanced down at her outfit, then decisively pulled a hair tie from her bag, gathered her long hair, and styled it into a simple bun—playful and cute.
There was no time for makeup, so she used lipstick, smudging it on her cheeks and the corners of her eyes to create the effect of blush and eyeshadow.
She added a bit of highlighter to her nose, and instantly, her whole face looked much more vibrant.
Liu Yi stared at Shen Qi in amazement, raising both thumbs. "Amazing! With just a few things, you look like a completely different person! Xiao Qi, you're so beautiful!"
Shen Qi couldn't help but smile shyly. "I used to be a stylist, you know. So when emergencies come up, two lipsticks can basically handle everything."
Liu Yi laughed heartily. "I won't bother preparing. I don't have an evening gown anyway."
Shen Qi nodded. "It's just a dinner party—probably not too big. If it turns out to be a formal event, we can show up, find a corner to eat, and stay out of the way. That should be fine."
Liu Yi smiled, genuinely unconcerned.
She didn't even own a regular skirt, let alone an evening gown.
Outside, the cars sent to pick them up were all extended-length business vehicles.
The fifty people split into ten cars, heading off in a grand procession toward their destination.
In truth, calling it a "destination" was just moving from one hotel to another.
But this hotel's venue was far more luxurious.
As soon as Shen Qi and Liu Yi walked in, they saw a standard high-society banquet scene.
It really was a formal dinner.
Shen Qi reassessed her outfit, pulling her collar down to create an off-shoulder effect.
She pulled out a few strands of hair from her temples, curling and tousling them.
While this outfit wasn't suitable for a formal banquet, it could barely pass as semi-formal.
As long as the host didn't nitpick, she could probably get away with it.
Everyone filed into the venue, with many letting out low gasps of awe.
Such a grand occasion was something most people had never seen in their lives.
Shen Qi dragged Liu Yi to an inconspicuous corner and whispered, "Once the banquet starts and the host finishes the opening dance, we'll grab some food, fill our stomachs, and leave."
Liu Yi smiled and nodded. "Whatever you say."
Soon enough, the banquet officially began.
Shen Qi was all too familiar with the flow of such events.
So she pulled Liu Yi far away, with no intention of getting close.
But the host of the banquet was Wen Yibo—how could he let them off?
Hmph, hmph, hmph.
Wen Yibo scanned the room as soon as he arrived, using his height to see far, and instantly spotted Shen Qi and Liu Yi.
Tonight, Wen Yibo was dressed in a crisp white suit, his sideburns trimmed immaculately, his peach-blossom eyes half-smiling, stealing the hearts of countless girls.
True to his nature, dressed so flamboyantly, he never missed a chance to flirt.
If he didn't charm every girl in the room, he wouldn't be the Young Master Wen!
But tonight, he wasn't in the mood.
Why?
His target was in the corner, not even giving him a glance.
Wen Yibo pushed through the crowd and walked over to Shen Qi and Liu Yi.
He originally wanted to invite Liu Yi to dance, but seeing her in a cheap white T-shirt and ripped jeans, he couldn't bring himself to extend his hand.
Luckily, Shen Qi's outfit tonight, though casual, showed she'd made some last-minute fixes.
Plus, her white long dress had a fairy-like vibe.
It wasn't formal, but it wasn't too disrespectful either.
So Wen Yibo offered his hand to Shen Qi. "Xiao Qi, may I have the first dance?"
Shen Qi made a funny face at him. "There are so many beautiful women here, and you come all the way to find me?"
"Can't help it—we're old friends!" Wen Yibo grinned slyly. "It's easier to make a move on someone you know!"
Shen Qi burst out laughing, placed her hand in his, and said to Liu Yi, "I'll be right back."
Wen Yibo took Shen Qi's hand and smoothly glided into the dance floor.
"Xiao Qi, is there some misunderstanding between you and Yining?" Wen Yibo came straight to the point as a mediator—this was He Yining's task, and he'd been threatened into it, boohoo!
Shen Qi sighed helplessly. "Can we not talk about him tonight?"
Wen Yibo sighed too. "I'm stuck in the middle here!"
Shen Qi matched his steps, her eyes dimming slightly as she hid her melancholy. "There are things I can't explain. Maybe I'm too greedy, wanting too much, so he can't give it. But I'm still grateful for what he's done for me. Maybe we just don't have enough fate—I don't blame him."
Wen Yibo held her waist lightly, showing full respect. "Alright, I won't ask anymore. Xiao Qi, about that Liu Yi—is there anything between you two?"
Shen Qi looked confused. "What could there be? Oh, we're friends now."
"Right, I just wanted to ask—does she have a boyfriend?" Wen Yibo pretended to ask casually.
Shen Qi immediately grew wary. "Why? You've invited so many people tonight—why not go bother someone else? Xiao Yi is off-limits. No discussion, no way!"
Seeing Shen Qi looking at him like he was a thief, Wen Yibo found it both funny and frustrating.
"Xiao Qi, we're friends too—why aren't you on my side?" he protested.
"How is that the same? Xiao Yi is a girl, so of course I have to protect her." Shen Qi replied matter-of-factly. "Do you think I don't know? He Yining told me long ago—your ex-girlfriends could be counted in the thousands! Stay away from Xiao Yi. Go bother someone else. Look, so many people are willing to be bothered by you!"
Wen Yibo's eyes widened. "Who's slandering me like that?"
Shen Qi didn't hesitate to throw He Yining under the bus. "He Yining said it!"
Wen Yibo: "..."
Fine, he had nothing to say to that!
The first dance ended, and Shen Qi said, "Alright, the opening dance is over. I'm going to eat! Once we're full, we'll head back to sleep..."
Before she could finish, her wrist was suddenly grabbed, and she was yanked into another embrace.
Just then, the music started, and the person led her into the rhythm, forcing Shen Qi to follow along.
She looked up and saw He Yining's familiar face, calm as if nothing had ever happened.
Shen Qi wanted to escape the dance floor, but the next second, his hand tightened on her waist, and he spun her deep into the center of the crowd.
Surrounded by people, she had no way to flee!
Shen Qi glared up at He Yining in frustration.
He Yining's lips curved slightly, the delight in his eyes unmistakable.
He felt like they were back to when they first met.
Back then, Xiao Qi would always glare at him like this too...
Since she couldn't escape, Shen Qi decided to speak up. "Don't touch Liu Yi."
"Hmm?" A lazy voice came from above, dripping with casual ease.
"Don't let Wen Yibo go after Liu Yi." Shen Qi said angrily. "Xiao Yi isn't right for Wen Yibo. There are plenty of women lining up to have some unspeakable secret with him—let him stick to his harem and leave Xiao Yi alone!"
"Xiao Yi? That's quite familiar." He Yining's phoenix eyes shifted slightly, the corners of his narrow eyes lifting, both charming and dangerously sharp.
He wouldn't admit it, but he was jealous!
It had taken Shen Qi so much effort just to stop calling him "Mr. He."
And now, in just a few days, she was calling her "Xiao Yi"?
Shen Qi glared up at him again, furious. "I said no, and that's final!"
"And what authority do you have to command me?" He Yining held her waist firmly, giving her no chance to escape.
"I..." Shen Qi faltered.
Right. She was about to leave. What right did she have to stop He Yining from doing what he wanted?
What standing did she have to make such a request?
Seeing her pale face, He Yining continued, "Of course, as my wife, you have the authority and standing to make such a request."
Shen Qi fumed.
How could she still be his wife?
He had already chosen Cui Yuelan!
Divorce was only a matter of time.
It was only because she was still in the competition and couldn't leave the team alone that the divorce hadn't been finalized yet.
"Think it over carefully." He Yining leaned down, whispering in her ear. "This identity can give you everything you want, including privileges. As long as you're my wife for one more day, you enjoy those privileges. Naturally, that includes protecting the people you want to protect."