Especially when she noticed the gazes of the people around them turning their way, Shen Qi instinctively hid herself against He Yining's chest. Oh no, this is so embarrassing.
He Yining's room card was for the top floor. As soon as they entered the room, he tossed Shen Qi onto the large bed and pressed down on her. Shen Qi tried to resist, but her wrists were instantly seized and pinned firmly beside the pillow.
"He Yining, what exactly do you want?" Shen Qi was truly panicked now. "I've already backed down and endured as much as I can. What more do you want from me? From the very start of the competition, I said you could divorce me anytime you wanted. I couldn't leave during the competition, so I kept quiet. If you insist on going through with the procedures right now, I'm willing to cooperate... mmph mmph..."
Her words were once again swallowed by He Yining's domineering kiss.
Shen Qi was about to lose her mind. Why does every time she tries to speak, he cuts her off with a kiss before she can finish? Why does every disagreement have to end with a forced kiss?
"I also told you that you need to give me a chance to explain. But you wouldn't." He Yining finally reluctantly released Shen Qi and replied with authority. "During the competition, I couldn't interact with you too much. First, I was afraid it would affect your performance, and second, the timing wasn't right. But now, I can explain what happened back then!"
Back then? Was he referring to what happened in the hotel room with Cui Yuelan? Did it even need explaining? Everything was already crystal clear. The hickeys on both of them, the intimate photos together... wasn't that enough to explain everything? If it were just the hickeys, it could still be a coincidence. But the intimate photos? Without one person cooperating, they couldn't have been taken, right?
Shen Qi's stubborn gaze fell into He Yining's eyes, prompting him to sigh softly and flick her forehead hard.
"That hurts!" Shen Qi protested, glaring at him angrily.
"Just from your expression, I can tell you're overthinking again." He Yining said helplessly. "Yes, that day when you asked me those three questions, I didn't deny any of them."
Shen Qi's heart began to ache again. She turned her face away, refusing to look at him. "Then what's there to explain?"
"Precisely because those three questions missed the mark entirely, I need to explain." He Yining replied seriously. "That day, she did bite me, it did happen in her hotel room, and we did take a photo together. But nothing else happened! Shen Qi, listen to me. My bed isn't so easy to climb into. Once you're in my bed, if you want to leave, you'll have to ask my permission!"
"But..." Shen Qi tried to interrupt angrily, but she could only get those two words out before he cut her off again.
"No buts! Cui Yuelan and I were siblings in the past, we are siblings now, and we will only ever be siblings in the future! I'm not so despicable as to indulge in incest!" He Yining declared firmly. "Would I still be human if I laid a hand on my own sister?"
"But you're not blood-related, and your parents really like her. They want her to be your wife." Shen Qi's委屈 tears slowly slid down the corners of her eyes. "The He family's rule is filial piety. Would you defy your parents?"
"Yes." He Yining answered without hesitation. "Since my father gave up his inheritance rights to pursue my mother back then, why can't I follow his example?"
Shen Qi was momentarily stunned. What... what was he saying?
"The reason I didn't explain things to you earlier is that I wanted to see some things clearly for myself." He Yining said with certainty. "But there's one thing I've never been more sure of."
Shen Qi looked up at him.
He Yining stared back at her, speaking each word deliberately. "In this life, I will never betray you."
Shen Qi's eyes widened. Did he realize what he just said? Was he confessing to her?
"Xiao Qi, I know what you're worried about. I've been thinking about this too—what exactly are we to each other?" He Yining's voice was low, every word clear and piercing straight into Shen Qi's heart.
"Yes, we've had too many coincidences and misunderstandings. But none of that outweighs the arrangement of fate. You are mine, and this outcome was destined long ago." He Yining said earnestly. "Marrying you is my greatest fortune and my biggest gain. The men of the He family have a tradition: we are devoted. We only love one woman in our lives, and once we love, we never waver. My grandfather was like that, my father was like that, and I am no exception."
Shen Qi stopped struggling, lying still on the bed, looking at him. She couldn't deny that when she heard his words, a storm raged in her heart.
"Back then, my father was willing to bear the label of being unfilial, kneeling at the door for an entire day and night to pursue my mother. He gave up all his wealth and glory to go to Africa and become a mercenary leader. I won't claim I can surpass my father, but I can promise you this: I am serious about you." He Yining continued. "Now, let me explain what happened that day."
Shen Qi's eyes flickered, unsure of what to say.
"That day, I went to Cui Yuelan's room because my mother ordered me to. I was originally looking for you, but I went to her first—that was my mistake. Xiao Qi, I apologize." He Yining said sincerely. "But when I got there, I only sat for a while. She insisted on taking a photo together to show my mother, to prove I had been there. I didn't think much of it, since we used to take photos together often. Her biting me caught me off guard."
"She used to do that when we were kids, so I overlooked the fact that we've both grown up. That's also my fault, and I'm willing to apologize again." He Yining went on. "But aside from that, nothing else happened. I don't know how she hinted at things to make you so heartbroken. But Xiao Qi, do you know? Your lack of trust that day cut into my heart like a knife."
Shen Qi muttered, "Who told you to be with her..."
"But you didn't even give me a chance to explain. You just left. Xiao Qi, what exactly am I to you?" He Yining's question left Shen Qi stunned.
Yeah, what was he to her? And what were her feelings for him?
Shen Qi fell into silence. First and foremost, he was her husband. Secondly, she loved him. He Yining said he would never remarry in this life, and she didn't want to either. Wasn't she being forced into this?
He Yining reached out and stroked Shen Qi's hair gently. "Xiao Qi, what do I have to do for you to understand the place you hold in my heart?"
Shen Qi's eyes welled up, and the emotions she had suppressed for nearly a month burst forth. "Do you even need to ask? In my heart, you're irreplaceable."
He Yining's phoenix eyes lit up. "Really?"
Shen Qi nodded softly.
"How important?" He Yining pressed, his gaze fixed on her.
"Besides my brother, you're the most important." Shen Qi's ears reddened, and she shyly looked away.
But He Yining leaned in closer, meeting her eyes directly. "I believe you."
Those three words shattered every last defense in Shen Qi's heart. She was moved, unsure of what to say.
"Xiao Qi, I want you..." He Yining lowered his head and kissed her lips. He had been holding back for too long. He was going crazy from the restraint.
Shen Qi passively accepted this kiss, filled with boundless longing, her mind going blank for a moment. She still had a few questions she hadn't asked. For instance, was she as important to He Yining as he was to her? And compared to Cui Yuelan, who mattered more? And compared to the childhood memories he had been searching for, which was more significant?
Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance to ask. Because the bed was already in disarray.
While He Yining and Shen Qi were explaining things in the room, Wen Yibo and Liu Yi stood in the hotel lobby like two flagpoles, drawing attention. People passing by couldn't help but glance at them.
Wen Yibo finally couldn't take it anymore. "How about we wait for them in the lounge area?"
Liu Yi, also tired of being stared at, silently nodded. They dragged their suitcases over to the lounge, picking a distant sofa to sit on. They shot each other disdainful looks, sitting far apart, ignoring one another.
Wen Yibo was waiting for He Yining, and Liu Yi was waiting for Shen Qi. But after waiting for a long time, neither of them came down.
Just then, a foreign couple came in. Seeing no other seats available and noticing the big gap between Wen Yibo and Liu Yi, they sat down without hesitation. As soon as they sat, the couple started showing off their affection. The man kissed the woman—her fingers, her arms, her cheeks. Sure, they were in the throes of passionate love, and that was understandable! But did they have to force-feed this dog food to everyone?
Wen Yibo and Liu Yi both stood up abruptly, turning to leave in perfect sync.
"Hey, why are you following me?" Liu Yi raised an eyebrow at Wen Yibo.
"Who's following you? I'm just going out for some air!" Wen Yibo insisted.
"Hmph." Liu Yi looked at him contemptuously. "Aren't you into internet celebrities?"
"Oh, you've got some nerve!" Wen Yibo stepped closer. "You dare mock me?"
"What, you got a problem?" Liu Yi lifted her chin defiantly.
"If I back down, I'll take your last name..." Before Wen Yibo could finish, Liu Yi spun around, grabbed his arm, and with a twist of her waist—
*Thump!*
Wen Yibo was thrown over her shoulder again!
He lay on the ground, staring at the ceiling in disbelief, feeling utterly hopeless. He had been publicly thrown over Liu Yi's shoulder again!
"Liu Yi." Wen Yibo spoke calmly from the floor.
"Yeah." Liu Yi stretched her arm. Ah, it felt so good to hit someone!
"Aren't you a boxer? Why do you love shoulder throws so much?" Wen Yibo asked, resigned.
"Oh, that's simple. Before I took up boxing, I studied judo." Liu Yi answered matter-of-factly.