Aunt Zhao’s most pressing need right now was money. But if she were to suddenly launch a donation drive for no apparent reason, Aunt Zhao would likely refuse. If she were the type to accept others’ donations without a second thought, she wouldn’t have fainted from hunger in the changing room. However, if they hired Aunt Zhao as a model, they could help her in a natural way!
Shen Qi immediately gave Liu Yi a thumbs-up. This was an excellent idea!
After discussing it, the two turned around and sat back down beside Aunt Zhao. Shen Qi and Liu Yi exchanged a glance, deciding that Shen Qi would do the talking. There was no other choice—Liu Yi’s appearance was too masculine, lacking the softness and warmth needed to move someone.
Shen Qi, on the other hand, was different. She was about the same age as Aunt Zhao’s daughter, with delicate, refined features that appealed most to middle-aged and elderly women. Shen Qi cleared her throat and said, “Aunt Zhao, could I trouble you with something?”
Hearing this, Aunt Zhao quickly replied, “What is it? If I can do it, I’ll definitely help! But if it’s something else…” She looked at Shen Qi with some hesitation. “You know, I don’t have much money or skill.”
“No, no, it’s not that,” Shen Qi said, waving her hands. “It’s like this: we have a competition and need a model. The model has to be a mother. But since we’re in the middle of the competition, we can’t contact our families or ask our own mothers to help! Could you please help us out? Let us use your image for a design—think of it as… your daughter in heaven asking us to take care of you for a few days! To show our sincerity, we’d like to pay you for your time. Is that okay?”
Aunt Zhao seemed surprised by this unexpected offer and hesitated for a long moment. “Are you serious? Just being a model, and you’ll pay me?”
Shen Qi smiled and nodded. “Yes, absolutely!”
Liu Yi added, “This is payment for your work. You can accept it with a clear conscience.”
With Liu Yi’s reassurance, Aunt Zhao finally said shyly, “I can do it, but I still have to work at the hotel.”
Shen Qi thought for a moment. “I’ll handle the coordination with the hotel.”
“Alright, as long as the hotel agrees, I have no problem with it!” Aunt Zhao replied immediately.
With Aunt Zhao’s agreement, Shen Qi and Liu Yi were overjoyed. After saying goodbye to Aunt Zhao, they quickly shared the good news with the rest of the team.
The team members were all excited and expressed their willingness to donate money to help Aunt Zhao find that despicable perpetrator! Now that the timing and circumstances were aligned, all that was left was to execute!
Wait! There was still one missing piece—the human element.
Shen Qi suddenly hesitated. Should she ask He Yining for help? With just one word from He Yining, the hotel would not only release Aunt Zhao but might even treat her like a revered elder. But did she really want to go to him?
By the way, at dinner, He Yining had mentioned he was staying in the presidential suite on the top floor. Should she go and ask him for help?
Shen Qi was caught in a dilemma. On one side was the victory within reach; on the other, her struggling marriage and love life. If she knocked on He Yining’s door, would it mean she was compromising with him? But if she didn’t, another team might book Aunt Zhao first, and all her team’s efforts would be wasted!
Neither outcome was what she wanted. It was truly agonizing.
Just as Shen Qi was wrestling with her thoughts, Xiao Chun knocked on the door from outside. Seeing Xiao Chun, Shen Qi was momentarily stunned. “Xiao Chun?”
Xiao Chun smiled and nodded in greeting. “Second Young Madam.”
Shen Qi sighed. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me that outside? I might not be the president’s wife of the He Group for much longer.”
Xiao Chun didn’t respond to that but instead said, “The president asked me to inform you that he’s already spoken to the hotel about the pool cleaner. He said you don’t need to worry—whether or not you come to see him, he won’t mind. He also asked me to tell you that he’ll be waiting for you at the finals.”
Shen Qi stood frozen in place. Xiao Chun’s message came like timely rain, instantly dissolving all her troubles. But it also left Shen Qi’s heart even more conflicted.
He Yining had been watching her all along. He knew everything she did. He had even anticipated her struggle and hesitation, sending Xiao Chun ahead to inform her. He Yining, why are you doing this? Why bother?
“If you have no other instructions, I’ll go report back,” Xiao Chun said with a nod.
“Wait,” Shen Qi suddenly called out. “Which room is He Yining staying in?”
Xiao Chun smiled slightly, meeting Shen Qi’s eyes. “The far right.”
Shen Qi nodded. “Thank you.”
After seeing Xiao Chun off, Shen Qi took a deep breath. Forget it, she might as well go. Even if it was just to say thank you.
She had always been someone who distinguished between kindness and resentment. If she received a favor, she should express gratitude.
Shen Qi left the room and took the elevator to the top floor. Standing at the door of the suite, she hesitated for a long time before raising her hand to knock.
The door opened quickly. Shen Qi looked up and saw He Yining, wrapped in a towel and drying his hair. His tousled short hair, under his vigorous movements, looked even more unruly and alluring.
“Xiao Qi?” He Yining was slightly surprised, then stepped aside. “Come in and talk.”
Shen Qi followed him inside, watching the water droplets roll down his firm, toned back. It was unbearably sexy.
“Wait for me a moment. I’ll put on some clothes,” He Yining explained. “I just took a shower.”
Shen Qi was about to say it didn’t matter, that he didn’t need to change, but then she remembered that He Yining had already done something with Cui Yuelan in the hotel room. He no longer belonged to her.
The thought flashed through her mind, and a sharp pain stabbed at her heart. Yes, he no longer belonged to her. The gentle, caring, attentive him was no longer hers.
Today, she was only here to thank him. Nothing more.
Shen Qi silently turned and stood by the window, gazing at the night outside through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass. It was so serene and beautiful.
Looking up, she saw He Yining’s reflection in the glass. Even just a shadow was enough to drive the world’s women wild.
“Would you like something to drink?” He Yining also watched Shen Qi’s reflection in the window, speaking softly. His phoenix eyes held a deep affection, along with a trace of helplessness.
Shen Qi looked at his reflection and gave a bitter smile. “No need. I came to say thank you. It’s late, you should rest early…”
“I have a bottle of excellent fruit wine here. It’s low in alcohol and won’t affect your sleep. Want to try it?” He Yining suddenly interrupted her.
Shen Qi looked at his eager gaze and, damn it, her heart softened. She nodded unconsciously.
When she saw the joy in He Yining’s eyes, she realized what she had just done. Shen Qi turned away in slight panic, but He Yining had already looked away.
Her heart relaxed a little. At least he hadn’t noticed her fluster.
He Yining quickly opened a bottle, poured two glasses, and walked over to her. By then, Shen Qi had regained her composure.
She took the glass he offered and took a sip. “Mm, it’s really good.”
“I guessed you’d like it, so I saved it for you,” He Yining said softly.
Shen Qi’s fingers tightened around the glass. She was afraid that hearing too much of this would make her weak.
How many women in the world could resist He Yining’s tenderness? His gentleness was too beautiful, always making people lose themselves in it. His thoughtfulness was like poison—once you got a taste, it was hard to quit.
Shen Qi’s eyes trembled, but she didn’t respond.
He Yining turned and walked toward the window, saying to Shen Qi, “Xiao Qi, I’m really glad you came. Even if it was for someone else.”
Shen Qi bit her lip and stayed silent.
“But even so, seeing you here makes me very happy,” He Yining sighed. “Am I asking for less and less?”
Shen Qi looked at his tall, straight back, unsure of what to say.
“Actually, I should thank you too,” He Yining continued. “Thank you for giving me a reason to see you again, to get close to you.”
A ripple passed through Shen Qi’s eyes. She said softly, “Since you still care about me, why did you abandon me? Why did you do that thing with Cui Yuelan in the hotel?”
“That thing?” He Yining was taken aback. “What thing?”
Shen Qi grew annoyed. Did she have to spell out their affair? How could she say such things out loud?
A flash of insight crossed He Yining’s phoenix eyes. He seemed to grasp something. Xiao Qi wasn’t angry about his sibling-like relationship with Cui Yuelan—she had misunderstood that he and Cui Yuelan had…
He Yining was about to explain when his phone suddenly rang. This was an emergency line, only used for the most important matters.
He Yining made a “wait” gesture to Shen Qi and answered the call. “Hello? This is He Yining.”
The voice of Xiao Xia came through quickly. “President, we’ve been keeping an eye on Juli Electric. They’ve finally cracked.”
He Yining immediately smiled. “Good. Keep watching. Feng Manlun will soon come to me seeking cooperation.”
After hanging up, He Yining immediately dialed Wen Yibo and Fan Sheng Fanli. They weren’t far away, and upon receiving He Yining’s call, they rushed over in a flurry.
As soon as they entered, they saw Shen Qi and were momentarily stunned before naturally greeting her.