Shen Qi felt a small flutter of excitement in her heart.
The Koenigsegg was the ghost of sports cars—its acceleration was simply unbeatable. In the past, a multimillion-dollar car like this was something neither she nor even Shen Yinyin had ever had a chance to touch. Now, with the opportunity right in front of her, Shen Qi couldn't resist. She slid into the driver's seat, adjusted it, and started the engine quickly.
At first, Shen Qi drove cautiously, holding back. Once they passed through the main gate, He Yining said lazily, "There aren't many cars on this road. You can speed up as much as you want."
Encouraged by He Yining, Shen Qi floored the accelerator. The next second, the push from the car seat nearly made her scream with excitement. The Koenigsegg's acceleration was indeed lightning-fast—in an instant, she had already hit over 200 kilometers per hour. Gripping the steering wheel with exhilaration, Shen Qi raced freely along the road.
He Yining sat in the passenger seat, shaking his head with a faint smile. Just this little speed made her this happy. "Want to take a few more laps on this road?" he suggested lazily.
Shen Qi almost blurted out "yes," but her reason kicked in at the last second. She remembered she was accompanying He Yining for dinner, not a test drive. "Let's eat first," she said reluctantly, spotting the main road ahead and slowing down to merge into traffic.
"Any cravings?" He Yining had no objections.
"Uh, anything's fine." Shen Qi stole a glance at him. "I'm here with you."
He Yining lowered his head and opened his phone, searching for nearby restaurants. From this angle, he was truly a profile of a god. "Oh, how about this one?" He settled on a spot and handed his phone directly to Shen Qi. "I heard this restaurant just opened. Want to give it a try?"
Shen Qi nodded and followed the map's directions, soon arriving at the restaurant's entrance. The moment the Koenigsegg stopped, it drew countless stares. This was a custom edition, incomparable to anything on the market. Its sleek, carbon-gray exterior was the ultimate weapon to outshine surrounding cars. As people began to snap photos, Xiao Chun and the bodyguards got out to cordon them off.
When He Yining stepped out of the car, the crowd gasped, and the women stirred, some even screaming. Shen Qi didn't want to be gawked at for long, so she quickly got out and stayed close to He Yining.
The restaurant manager, having been notified in advance, was waiting at the entrance with several staff members, smiling obsequiously. "Mr. He, the third floor is ready for you."
He Yining nodded and strode inside. Shen Qi followed behind him, basking in the manager's flattery, feeling an odd sense of borrowed authority.
A waiter quickly pulled out seats for He Yining and Shen Qi, sliding the chair in gently after she sat down. "Bring out a few of your signature dishes," He Yining said, glancing at Shen Qi. He had heard her stomach growling in the car. "And make it fast."
Shen Qi's face flushed with embarrassment. How humiliating. She had slept all day and eaten nothing—of course she was hungry.
It was an Italian restaurant, so the food came quickly. Shen Qi was genuinely famished, so she didn't stand on ceremony with He Yining and dug in. She had barely taken two bites when a familiar voice sounded from behind. "No wonder the manager wouldn't let me up. So you're here."
Shen Qi's fork paused, and the delicious food in her mouth lost its flavor. He Yining shot her a quick glance before looking up. "Miss Feng also has an interest in dining here?"
Feng Kexin walked over in her high heels, like a proud peacock, her gaze locking onto Shen Qi. Shen Qi instinctively wanted to stand, but before she could move, He Yining's fingers pressed down on the back of her hand. Startled, she looked up at him. His phoenix eyes were lowered, his smile purely formal—clearly, he had no intention of sparing Feng Kexin's feelings.
Shen Qi's heart pounded. What did He Yining mean by this? She had already offended Feng Kexin before and wasn't afraid to do it again, but with He Yining present, she lacked confidence.
Feng Kexin's eyes fixed on He Yining's fingers pressing against Shen Qi's hand. She was smiling on the surface, but her words came through gritted teeth. "I heard this restaurant just opened, so I wanted to try it. The third floor is usually off-limits to the public and the quietest. I came for some peace, but you're already here, Yining. Isn't this fate?" She maintained her poised, ladylike expression, but her murderous glare was impossible to ignore.
Standing directly in front of Shen Qi, Feng Kexin said arrogantly, "Miss Shen, this doesn't seem like the place for you. Could you move?"
Shen Qi tried to rise again, but the pressure on her hand increased. He Yining held her steady, looking lazily at Feng Kexin. "Sorry, but I only want to dine with Xiao Qi tonight."
Xiao Qi? So intimate? It had only been a few days. That little wretch! She had actually made He Yining take notice of her. Feng Kexin, her pride wounded, couldn't hold back any longer. Her voice rose, tinged with emotion. "Yining, what do you mean by this? Are you challenging me over a mere stylist?"
"Miss Feng, while the He family cooperates with the Feng family, you're not our only partner." He Yining's voice was calm but carried undeniable authority. "If you insist on damaging that cooperation, I'll be very sorry."
"Are you threatening me?" Feng Kexin's eyes widened.
"Yes." He Yining raised his phoenix eyes, releasing his full pressure. "I won't dwell on the past. But from this moment on, Shen Qi is under my protection. Her comings and goings are my decision."
"You—" Feng Kexin trembled with rage. Unable to confront He Yining, she turned to Shen Qi, her facial muscles twitching. "Fine, fine. Shen Qi, you hear me? As long as He Yining has your back, I can't touch you. But the moment you leave his side—"
"Can you leave now, Miss Feng? Sorry, but the third floor is reserved for me tonight." He Yining dismissed her bluntly. "Xiao Chun, see her out."
Xiao Chun stepped forward, bowed slightly to Feng Kexin, and gestured for her to leave. "Miss Feng, please."
Trembling all over, Feng Kexin shot Shen Qi a venomous glare, then spun around and stomped away in her heels, the sound echoing her fury.