Scolded by Feng Kexin, Shen Qi felt like a mouse suddenly exposed to sunlight. Her hand trembled, and the water cup slipped, crashing onto the carpet.
Shen Qi scrambled to crouch down, apologizing repeatedly: "I'm sorry, I'll get another cup..."
He Yining suddenly spoke up: "No need, come sit over here."
Shen Qi immediately glanced at Feng Kexin, a bitter taste spreading at the root of her tongue.
If she had known Feng Kexin would show up, she would never have come, no matter what!
What if she got misunderstood?
Feng Kexin's gaze toward Shen Qi grew even more terrifying. Shen Qi felt as if her feet were nailed to the carpet, unable to move.
Feng Kexin slowly straightened up, a smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes: "Miss Shen, why are you here? Wen Yibo, your new girlfriend? Or are you friends with Fan Sheng and Fan Li?"
Shen Qi wished she could find a crack in the floor to crawl into!
"Miss Feng, I'm not..." Shen Qi started to explain.
But He Yining cut in: "She's my date for today. What, Miss Feng has a problem with that?"
Feng Kexin's expression shifted slightly.
Shen Qi's heart sank.
It's over, it's over. She was probably going to offend Feng Kexin for real this time.
Offending the top socialite of H Province meant her career there was likely finished too!
If no one ever hired her for styling and design again... how would she pay off her debts, how would she cover her brother's medical expenses?
No, she had to find a way to fix this!
But before Shen Qi could explain, He Yining suddenly said: "Sorry, I just remembered I have something to take care of. I'll head back now. Xiao Qi, let's go."
Feng Kexin's eyes turned knife-like, stabbing fiercely at Shen Qi.
Shen Qi stood there helplessly, shaking her head at Feng Kexin.
Miss Feng, this really has nothing to do with me!
I truly have no intention of flirting with He Yining!
Please, you have to believe me!
Unfortunately, Feng Kexin didn't catch the meaning in Shen Qi's eyes. She stood up and said: "You're leaving just as I arrive? Ah, I just remembered I have something to discuss with Miss Shen. Does Miss Shen have time?"
Shen Qi closed her eyes briefly.
It's over, really over...
He Yining immediately looked at Shen Qi.
Shen Qi bit her lip hard and said through gritted teeth: "Sorry, President He, I just remembered I have an appointment with Miss Feng... to meet. I... I... won't be going back for now."
Seeing Shen Qi so cooperative, Feng Kexin finally revealed a confident smile.
Feng Kexin led the way inside. Shen Qi, not daring to look at He Yining, followed nervously.
He Yining's face darkened.
He was about to step forward when Wen Yibo grabbed him: "Yining! If you have no feelings for that Miss Shen, don't provoke her easily! Feng Kexin is the top socialite of H Province. With the Feng family's status and influence, it's easy for her to make trouble for that girl. You know how Feng Kexin feels about you, so why stir her up?"
He Yining's steps halted.
His feelings for Shen Qi?
What feelings could he have?
It was only because of the similar birthmark on Shen Qi's neck that he had given her a second glance.
He wasn't afraid of Feng Kexin.
But Wen Yibo had a point—he truly had no other intentions toward Shen Qi. He just found her different from other women, who all tried to cling to him, and that made him look at her a bit more.
Yet watching Shen Qi follow Feng Kexin inside, looking so lonely and helpless, it was like seeing her walking alone in the heavy rain again. Why was an uncontrollable surge of anger rising in his chest?
What was wrong with him?
As soon as Shen Qi followed Feng Kexin into the room, before she could explain, Feng Kexin raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.
Smack—Shen Qi felt a sharp, burning pain on her left cheek, and a metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
Ignoring her injury, Shen Qi explained in a low voice: "Miss Feng, you really misunderstand. Even though I came with President He, there is absolutely nothing improper between us."
Feng Kexin glared at her: "Oh, really?"
"I swear to heaven, I have no intention of clinging to President He. I owe him a lot of money and have to work it off. He promised that if I accompanied him to this event, he'd reduce my debt by two hundred thousand." Shen Qi decided to lay it all out. "I'm already married. I'll only sleep with my husband, and I would never touch another man!"
"Didn't I tell you to report to me about any developments around him? What, you look down on me? Playing me for a fool?" Feng Kexin crossed her arms and looked at Shen Qi. "Miss Shen, you're quite bold. Relying on He Yining, you think you can defy my orders?"
"No, I really didn't..." Shen Qi tried desperately to explain.
Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang, cutting off Shen Qi's words.
He Yining's gaze landed on Shen Qi's face, his eyes instantly darkening as he said coldly: "Miss Feng has quite the temper. How dare you hit someone of mine?"
Feng Kexin's face drastically changed!
What did he say? Someone of his?
He Yining had never said anything like that before!
Shen Qi felt even more despair. She had already taken a slap and was about to clear things up—why did He Yining have to show up now?
If she completely offended Feng Kexin today, her career was truly doomed!
He Yining grabbed Shen Qi's wrist and turned to leave.
"He Yining! What do you mean by this?" Feng Kexin finally couldn't hold back and shouted at him.
"I'm here to warn Miss Feng! My affairs are none of your concern. You hit someone of mine—don't you owe an explanation?" He Yining stopped coldly, turning his head with a murderous look in his phoenix eyes.
Feng Kexin had never seen He Yining so terrifying; she couldn't help but step back twice.
"For the sake of the cooperation between the He and Feng families, this is the first and last time. If Miss Feng dares to raise a hand again, I'll take it as a unilateral breach of our cooperation contract." He Yining's voice was icy. "You'd better watch yourself."
With that, He Yining pulled Shen Qi away and strode off.
Feng Kexin stared at their retreating figures, her mouth hanging open, unable to close for a long time.
He Yining had stood up for a woman for the first time.
And for the first time, he had spoken such harsh words to her over an unrelated woman!
What was this woman to him?
How could she make He Yining do so many out-of-character things?
She had loved He Yining for years—how could she let some nobody steal him away?
No, absolutely not!
He Yining could only be hers!