Shen Qi’s pleading gaze was received by He Yining, but he gave no indication.
Shen Qi had no choice but to steel herself and say, “Sorry, I don’t know.”
“Pfft…” Wen Yibo suddenly couldn’t help laughing. “How amusing. I asked what you know, and you answer ‘I don’t know’?”
Shen Qi opened her mouth, her face flushing, and said nervously, “I’m just a small stylist. My college major was aesthetics, so I really don’t understand finance. Not knowing something means not butting in—that’s basic courtesy. Sorry, I really can’t answer your question.”
“Stylist?” Wen Yibo’s eyes lit up, and he shot a meaningful glance at He Yining.
“Yes. I’m sorry, I know this occasion isn’t the place for me…” Before Shen Qi could finish, she stood up, intending to leave.
But as soon as she straightened up, He Yining suddenly reached out and pressed down on her shoulder. “It’s fine, we’re just chatting casually. You can sit and listen. They won’t mind anyway.”
He Yining’s words made Wen Yibo, Fan Sheng, and Fan Li all widen their eyes simultaneously.
What the hell?
Fan Sheng and Fan Li both replied with smiles, “Yeah, we don’t mind.”
Only then did Shen Qi sit back down, still uneasy.
Fan Li looked at Shen Qi with bright eyes. “Your college major was aesthetics? Eastern aesthetics or Western aesthetics?”
“Uh, both, I guess.” Shen Qi said a bit sheepishly, “Actually, I took elective courses in other subjects starting my sophomore year, and later focused more on makeup and styling. There’s no way around it—a pure aesthetics major makes it hard to find a job.”
Fan Li stared at Shen Qi and said, “I actually took aesthetics as an elective too. My favorite is Imoto Yuki’s *Eastern Aesthetics*.”
Shen Qi’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if she’d found a kindred spirit. She nodded with a smile and said, “Me too. When I read *Eastern Aesthetics*, I had so many insights. Even though people in China nowadays lean more toward Western aesthetics, I really love the charm of Eastern aesthetics. Every detail is like a painting, each nuance so beautiful it’s breathtaking.”
He Yining sat beside her, his phoenix eyes fixed on Shen Qi’s face.
This was the first time He Yining had seen Shen Qi radiate such brilliance.
It was the glow of confidence and pride.
A different Shen Qi altogether.
Fan Li and Shen Qi grew more and more engrossed in their conversation. The nervousness on Shen Qi’s face gradually faded, and when she smiled and laughed, it was like spring flowers blooming—radiant and fragrant.
A person’s fake smile and a genuine smile are two completely different feelings.
Shen Qi was naturally delicate, with features like a painting, like a figure from an ancient scroll.
When she smiled, she carried a warmth that made others feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.
She was a quintessential Eastern beauty.
Seeing that Shen Qi had never smiled at him like that, yet was beaming so brightly at Fan Li, whom she’d just met, He Yining felt an inexplicable irritation stir inside him.
“Hey, you two seem to be having a great time chatting today,” He Yining cut in abruptly. So what if they talked about aesthetics? He had a master’s and doctorate in finance and management—he knew next to nothing about aesthetic theory.
Hearing this, Shen Qi instinctively stuck her tongue out at Fan Li, looking both playful and cute.
Even Wen Yibo, a seasoned playboy, couldn’t help but be drawn to Shen Qi’s gaze.
“I’m suddenly a bit thirsty. Xiao Qi, go get me a glass of water,” He Yining said, making up an excuse, and even changed how he addressed her.
Shen Qi glanced at the cup in front of He Yining—the coffee was untouched.
She knew He Yining was deliberately sending her away, so she stood up and obediently replied, “Yes.”
Watching Shen Qi leave, Wen Yibo slid over next to He Yining, his grin growing sly. “Serious?”
He Yining gave him a calm sidelong glance. “Serious about what?”
Wen Yibo wore a thoughtful expression. “Aren’t you always searching for your girl? Could it be that she’s the one?”
He Yining denied it on the spot. “No.”
“Not her…” Wen Yibo looked at He Yining with a strange expression. “Then what about Feng Kexin?”
He Yining raised an eyebrow, his phoenix eyes slanting at Wen Yibo. “What does she have to do with it?”
Wen Yibo shook his head theatrically. “Everyone in the world knows Feng Kexin is chasing you. Now that you’ve got this little beauty by your side, aren’t you afraid Feng Kexin will throw a fit?”
“It’s not what you think,” He Yining said, inexplicably unwilling to let others know the true nature of their relationship.
Just then, someone came in to report, “Young master, Miss Feng has arrived.”
Wen Yibo couldn’t help sitting up straight. “Oh, speak of the devil! Let’s see how you handle this.”
He Yining’s expression didn’t change, as if nothing could ever rattle him.
Fan Sheng and Fan Li nodded in agreement.
A moment later, Feng Kexin walked in gracefully, teetering on twelve-centimeter heels.
“Wen Yibo, you’re back from England and didn’t even tell me? Fan Sheng, Fan Li, you two are something else—if I hadn’t called, were you planning to keep this gathering a secret from me?” Feng Kexin said with a smile as she approached them.
Today, Feng Kexin wore a fiery red fitted dress that accentuated her incredibly hot figure.
Paired with her meticulously made-up face, she was a true bombshell.
Even Wen Yibo couldn’t help whistling at her, while Fan Sheng and Fan Li smiled in welcome. Only He Yining lounged on the sofa, ignoring her completely.
Feng Kexin’s gaze landed on He Yining, a flicker of resentment in her eyes.
From the first moment she’d seen this man, she’d been deeply infatuated with him.
After all these years, she’d waited long enough!
“Yining, aren’t you happy to see me?” Feng Kexin sat down in the spot Shen Qi had just vacated, leaning forward slightly to show off her stunning figure.
Wen Yibo glanced at the twins, who both made helpless gestures.
Wen Yibo’s look said, Why did you guys call Feng Kexin over?
The twins’ look replied, She called us—we couldn’t lie!
He Yining lifted his narrow phoenix eyes slightly and gave Feng Kexin a cold glance. “Why would I be? This is Fan Sheng and Fan Li’s place—how could I have the right to not welcome you?”
Feng Kexin leaned in closer, their distance shrinking. “So, does that mean you’re saying you wanted me to come?”
Just then, Shen Qi came over with her head down, carrying a glass of water. “President He, your water…”
She looked up and saw Feng Kexin practically pressed against He Yining.
Feng Kexin looked up at the sound, her gaze instantly locking onto Shen Qi’s face. Her expression turned icy, and she said harshly, “You? What are you doing here?”