"Really, nothing?" He Yining found that teasing Shen Qi was addictive. Every time he got close to this little thing, he couldn't help wanting to touch her. "There's just nothing! Nothing!" Shen Qi stubbornly insisted, her neck stiff. "Oh, is that so..." He Yining replied meaningfully. "What a pity!" Shen Qi's eyes darted away. "So, can you tell me what the real theme of this second round is now?" "No, I can't." He Yining answered with a straight face. "I'm a man of principle. How could I possibly leak the exam questions midway?" Shen Qi was dumbfounded. How could he say something like that so shamelessly? Wasn't the organizing committee's whole point in setting this theme to make everyone rack their brains trying to figure out the real question? Wasn't this a test of the contestants' wits? And he had the nerve to talk about principles? "Of course, I'm also someone who knows how to adapt." He Yining continued, unabashed. "How about this: give me a kiss, and I'll tell you." Shen Qi remained stunned. Just how thick-skinned was he to say something like that? He Yining, weren't you already with Cui Yuelan? You've been flaunting your relationship all over the place! Is it really appropriate to say this to me now? "Looks like you still have objections?" He Yining noticed Shen Qi's frozen expression, and the amusement in his eyes grew. "Since you don't agree, let's switch it up. I'll kiss you, and then I'll tell you. How about that?" Shen Qi was utterly mortified. Instinctively, she reached out to push against He Yining's chest. But how could she possibly budge him? Instead of retreating, He Yining leaned in, gently blowing a breath near her ear. "So eager to unbutton my shirt?" Shen Qi's fingers froze instantly, hovering over his chest. Was this guy... possessed by some lecherous demon? How could he say such things! "Even though this place isn't really suitable for anything... well, if that's what you're asking for, I'll cooperate." He Yining pressed closer, their bodies nearly touching. Shen Qi instinctively refused: "No!" "Is that 'no' to here, or 'no' to changing locations?" He Yining's flirting skills had leveled up again. Completely self-taught! All because it was Shen Qi. "Neither!" Shen Qi was practically furious. She had come here tonight with a mission, not to be teased by He Yining! "Then, how about we go to a room? Mine's on the top floor." The laughter in He Yining's eyes was impossible to hide, spilling out and coloring the corners of his mouth, making him even more alluring. Shen Qi felt like she was going crazy. He Yining, what exactly do you want! Finally losing her temper, Shen Qi looked up at He Yining. "I don't have time to joke around with you! If I don't get the real theme for the second round tonight, the entire fifth team will be eliminated! If you don't want to miss me in the later rounds, then tell me the real theme!" He Yining chuckled softly, his shoulders shaking more and more. He suddenly let go of Shen Qi, turned his back to her, and slowly walked toward the sofa. Seeing that he had finally released her, Shen Qi let out a small sigh of relief. But deep down, a trace of disappointment crept in. He hadn't kissed her just now... "Since you prefer to talk business with me, then sit down and let's discuss it slowly." He Yining stretched out his long legs, looking lazy yet dangerous. His phoenix eyes slanted toward Shen Qi, and the commanding aura of a business tycoon suddenly emerged. Shen Qi instantly felt an immense pressure. Under this force, she had no power to resist and could only obediently walk over and sit in the seat before He Yining. "As you know, others have paid a certain price to find out the real theme. So naturally, you won't be an exception. What are you planning to use to exchange for my information?" He Yining hadn't unleashed his full presence, afraid of scaring his little thing. But even this slight pressure was enough to make Shen Qi feel like she was facing a formidable enemy. "Money? I don't lack it. Power? I don't lack that either. In fact, you can't give me any of those. So, what are you going to trade?" He Yining's phoenix eyes fixed on Shen Qi. "I suggested you give yourself to me, but you weren't willing." Shen Qi bit her lip. "How is that possible?" "Why not? We're still legally married. As a wife, shouldn't you fulfill your marital duties?" He Yining didn't mince words. "Shen Qi, where in the world do you get such cheap deals, letting you take whatever you want?" Shen Qi's face burned. Yes, she had been greedy! Indeed, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. To get something, you had to pay the corresponding price. She had understood this from the very beginning. But why did she instinctively overlook it when it came to He Yining? Was she too indulgent with herself? Or was she still enjoying He Yining's affection without even realizing it? He Yining's words hit Shen Qi like a slap in the face, finally waking her up. Since she had already decided to divorce and part ways, what right did she have to demand unconditional sacrifice from him? People really shouldn't be so greedy. Shen Qi silently nodded. "I understand. Please pretend I never said anything today. I'm sorry for overstepping! Goodbye!" She stood up and turned to leave. "Indeed, in this world, anyone who wants to get something from me has to make a sacrifice or trade." He Yining continued. "But there's one exception. She can take everything from me without giving anything in return. Including me and my heart. That person is you." Shen Qi's body stiffened. "Just because it's you, I allow you to run wild in my world, I allow you to be greedy in front of me, I allow you to take my heart without asking for anything in return." He Yining remained seated, unmoving, his eyes fixed on Shen Qi's back. "I have many difficulties, and many things I can't tell you for now. But I swear on my life, these problems are only temporary. Give me time, and I'll sort everything out. All you have to do is trust me!" Shen Qi didn't turn around. She gently closed her eyes. Trust? How? He had done those things with Cui Yuelan in the hotel room—how could she still trust him? Sorry, He Yining, I have a cleanliness fetish when it comes to feelings. Maybe I'm humble, maybe I'm insignificant. But even the humblest person has self-respect. I can let you run wild in my emotional world, but I can't tolerate betrayal. I'm sorry, I won't trust you. Shen Qi said nothing and continued walking forward. "The real theme of this second round is 'Expression of Love.' Motherly love is the safest form of expression. So, this theme is somewhat misleading, easily leading people astray. The core of this competition is about moving people, not just expressing." He Yining still told Shen Qi the real theme. Shen Qi didn't stop. "Thank you." Watching her retreating figure, a deep sense of loss flickered in He Yining's eyes. He could command the winds and clouds, he could laugh at the world, but he couldn't carve out an exclusive place in her heart. He could strike others with thunderous force, but he couldn't hurt her even a little. Shen Qi, I know you don't believe me. I'll prove everything with my actions! After leaving the room, Shen Qi reached the elevator and saw Liu Yi waiting for her there. A warmth filled Shen Qi's heart. Even if love had betrayed her, friendship remained. People's hearts were still warm. "How did it go?" Liu Yi looked at her with concern. Shen Qi nodded. "I got it out of him, but he only gave me hints. Let's go back and discuss it." Liu Yi breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Shen Qi, "Wen Yibo also said some things to me, but I'm still a bit confused. Let's go back and study it with the team leader and the others." Shen Qi nodded, and the two entered the elevator, quickly leaving that floor. After Shen Qi and Liu Yi left, He Yining's figure slowly appeared in the hallway. Xiao Chun emerged from the corner and stood behind He Yining. "I still went soft on her," He Yining muttered to himself. "What a waste of that beautifully prepared room." Xiao Chun didn't respond, standing there as if he didn't exist. "Forget it, as long as she's happy." He Yining ran a hand through his hair, messing up his stylish short cut. "Let's go back." Xiao Chun silently followed He Yining as they turned and left. The empty room, devoid of human presence, grew cold and desolate. Perhaps it had always been that cold. It was just that people's noise had masked that chill. Once the crowd dispersed, the coldness would inevitably return. Shen Qi and Liu Yi returned to their team and reported their findings to the team leader and everyone else. The information Shen Qi had obtained was similar to Liu Yi's. It seemed He Yining and Wen Yibo had coordinated. The information was useful in a way, but also not very useful. The scope was still too broad. Just then, someone knocked on the door outside. "Excuse me, is there a Miss Shen here?" Shen Qi looked at the person. "You're looking for me?" The person carefully examined Shen Qi, then nodded. "Yes, someone sent you something." With that, they handed Shen Qi an exquisite box. Shen Qi recognized it—it was the same roses that had been delivered every day. Not a single day had been missed since that day. One bouquet a day. She had run out of space for the previous ones and had given them to the customer service girls. Another delivery today? Shen Qi was about to toss it to someone else, but for some reason, as she handed it out, a sudden intuition struck her—today's roses must be different.