Shen Qi's gaze landed on He Yining's long, straight legs, and she found it hard to look away.
She had to admit that He Yining was truly favored by the heavens.
He possessed everything any man in the world could ever want.
Looks, physique, health, wealth, status, power—the list went on and on.
But no matter how perfect a man like that was, he had nothing to do with her.
Though she regretted her rash actions, she didn't back down. Looking He Yining straight in the eye, she said, "I'll write you an IOU right now. I'll pay back every cent, with interest."
He Yining suddenly leaned in, slowly pressing toward her.
Caught off guard, Shen Qi stumbled back onto the sofa, watching helplessly as he closed in on her, yet she didn't dare push him away.
She knew that the moment she reached out, she'd touch his smooth, firm chest.
All she could do was awkwardly keep shrinking back.
By now, she was half-lying on the sofa, with no room to retreat.
Fortunately, He Yining stopped his downward motion, maintaining a fist's distance as he looked down at her from above.
Because of the rain, Shen Qi's clothes clung tightly to her body, revealing her delicate, curving silhouette.
He Yining's gaze swept over Shen Qi several times before settling on her collarbone.
Suppressing the urge to touch that birthmark, his phoenix eyes lifted slightly, a hint of unreadable emotion hidden within them.
The light cast a shadow across He Yining's face, yet it only made his narrow phoenix eyes more captivating.
The upward curve of his distinct lashes matched the angle of his lips in a strangely harmonious unity.
He Yining looked at Shen Qi with a faint, ambiguous smile. "Oh?"
Shen Qi crossed her arms over her chest, unsure whether to push or not, her whole body stiff as a statue from nervous tension.
She turned her head away as much as possible, closing her eyes to avoid looking at He Yining.
As if, by not looking, she could pretend the pressure wasn't real.
Watching her ostrich-like posture, He Yining let out a soft laugh, slowly straightened up, and turned to sit on the single sofa beside him.
Servants immediately approached—one swapped out a towel and bent down to dry He Yining's hair, while another knelt to tidy his nails.
Shen Qi waited a long time, but nothing terrible happened. Trembling, she slowly opened her eyes.
She tried to sit up, only to find her legs had gone numb from the tension.
Once she was seated properly, He Yining suddenly spoke. "Why were you crying so bitterly?"
Shen Qi's whole body stiffened, the wariness she'd just mustered instantly swallowed by sorrow.
She shook her head gently, unwilling to explain, and slowly stood up, bowing to He Yining. "Thank you. I'll pay back the money I owe you."
She wanted to confide in someone, but it couldn't be this dangerous man in front of her.
She must have lost her mind earlier, crying so bitterly in front of him.
After a brief thank-you, Shen Qi took her leave. Watching her retreating figure, He Yining's eyes flickered, but he still had someone escort her home.
The rain outside was too heavy.
Shen Qi returned home, and the moment she stepped through the door, several pairs of eyes fixed on her.
She said only, "I'm going to rest now."
"Stop right there!" A stern voice rang out from behind, halting Shen Qi in her tracks.
She turned slowly, looking at the well-maintained middle-aged man before her. "Father, do you have further instructions?"
Shen Gang's face darkened. "Do you even see me as your father? Where have you been so late? Look at the state you're in!"
Shen Qi's lips moved, but she said nothing.
With Shen Gang's connections, how could he not know that Zhan Bo had already met with trouble? Was he asking knowingly?
The woman sitting beside Shen Gang chimed in, scolding Shen Qi as well. "Xiao Qi, why do you always make your father angry? Apologize to him now!"
Shen Qi stayed silent, the word "Mom" stuck in her throat, unable to come out.
Shen Gang pointed at Shen Qi, trembling with rage. "See? This is your daughter!"
Madam Shen quickly tried to calm him down, then turned to Shen Qi. "Xiao Qi, sit down. We have something to tell you."
Shen Qi thought for a moment, then didn't bother changing out of her wet clothes. She sat down across from them, dripping, waiting for the lecture.
No matter what she did, it was wrong. She might as well hear what they had to say tonight.
Madam Shen exchanged a glance with Shen Gang before speaking. "Xiao Qi, do you remember how the Shen family got started?"
Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "The He family gave us a sum of money, which saved the Shen family and brought us to where we are today. The He family thought highly of us and offered a chance: if we could give them a child, the debt would be forgiven."
Shen Qi knew about this and frowned. "Wasn't it already decided that Shen Yinyin would marry into the family as the young mistress?"
Madam Shen forced a smile. "Yes, it was always planned for Yinyin to go. But... Xiao Qi, Yinyin has run into some trouble now. She can't marry into the He family."
Shen Qi said nothing.
"Yinyin... her health won't allow it..." Madam Shen's hesitant tone sent a bad feeling creeping into Shen Qi's heart.
"Just what do you want?" Shen Qi cut her off bluntly. "Say it straight."
Shen Gang, sitting to the side, didn't want to drag it out any longer. "You'll marry into the He family in Yinyin's place!"
Shen Qi's face went pale, her body snapping taut. "Father, what do you mean by that?"
Shen Gang's expression darkened. "Shen Qi, the Shen family has raised you for eighteen years. Even if it were a pet, it should repay its master!"
Seeing Shen Gang's anger, Madam Shen immediately turned to Shen Qi, pleading. "Xiao Qi, if no one from the Shen family marries into the He family, they'll take back the money they lent us. The Shen family will be finished. This villa, the cars, the jewelry, the stocks—all of it will be gone! If the Shen family collapses, who will pay for Xiao Liu's treatment?"
Shen Qi felt as if she'd been struck by lightning.
Yes, if the Shen family fell, what about her brother?
If there was one person in this world she could call family, it wasn't the mother trying to push her into the fire—it was her brother, Shen Lu.
But how could she marry someone else?
She was meant to be with Zhan Bo for life!
Shen Qi left the living room in a daze. As soon as she was gone, a gaudily dressed young girl slowly descended the stairs and wrapped her arms around Madam Shen's neck. "Mom, I don't want to marry that man from the He family. He's just an adopted son. Now that he's lost his inheritance rights, he's nothing but a waste!"