Supporting Wang Yuqiong as they strolled leisurely back to the hotel, Shen An said softly in the lobby, “Want me to walk you to your room?”
Wang Yuqiong heard this and was about to nod in agreement.
But suddenly she changed her mind, shaking her head instead. “Are you going to get your stuff?”
“Mm-hmm. My things are still with Senior Sister.”
Shen An nodded.
“Then…” Wang Yuqiong tilted her head. “I’ll go with you to pick them up.”
Shen An: ?
He said in bewilderment, “How did it turn into you coming with me? Is that convenient for you?”
Wang Yuqiong pouted. “What’s inconvenient about it? I’ll go with you to get them, and then you can walk me back to my room. It’s just a matter of hitting the elevator button.”
“What? Don’t tell me you and Senior Sister have some shady relationship going on?”
She raised her little hand, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “If that’s the case, then I really shouldn’t tag along.”
Shen An arched a brow. “What nonsense.”
“Then why are you hesitating?”
“I’m just worried about your foot. What if you hurt yourself again on the way…”
Heh~
Wang Yuqiong rolled her eyes. From the way Shen An had massaged her leg back in the private room, it was clear he already knew she hadn’t actually sprained it!
Yet here he was using it as an excuse. Did this guy really have something going on with Zhao Qingyu?
“It’s fine. You’ve got me, and we’ll take it slow. How could anything happen?”
Wang Yuqiong dug in her heels, determined not to let Shen An slip out of her sight.
After what had happened last night, she was on high alert around Zhao Qingyu.
Who knew what new tricks that woman might try to pull?
“Fine, then.”
Shen An couldn’t come up with a better excuse, so he nodded and helped her toward the alcove by the elevators.
Just then, Song Rui emerged from the alcove, running straight into the two of them.
She carried a small medical kit in her hand, stocked with essentials like gauze and ice packs for emergency care.
“Hey, Yuqiong!”
Song Rui spotted Wang Yuqiong and hurried over.
Wang Yuqiong frowned slightly to herself. “What a coincidence?”
“What’s this?” Shen An glanced at the medical kit, asking even though he had a pretty good idea.
Song Rui quickly explained that she’d just borrowed it from the hotel staff and was getting it ready for Yuqiong.
“I was planning to wait here in the lobby a bit, but you two got back quick.”
Song Rui gave a sheepish grin.
“Haha, she’s fine—nothing major. We headed back early so we wouldn’t hold things up.”
Shen An reached out to take the medical kit from Song Rui’s hand.
But she beat him to it with a question. “Aren’t you supposed to go grab your stuff from Senior Sister?”
Shen An paused. “Yeah.”
“Then go ahead. I’ll help Yuqiong. I’ll take her back to her room first.” Song Rui volunteered eagerly.
Wang Yuqiong watched the two of them, the corner of her mouth twitching.
“That okay with you? Yuqiong?”
Song Rui turned her gaze, her eyes full of earnest concern as she looked at Wang Yuqiong.
Under that sincere, worried stare, Wang Yuqiong had no idea how to turn her down…
After all, it was just Song Rui being nice…
“Alright then. You take her back. I’ll go get my things from Senior Sister first.” Shen An thought it over and made up his mind.
He patted the top of Wang Yuqiong’s head and murmured, “I’ll come check on you once I’ve got everything.”
Heh…
As if you might even make it back…
The smile slowly drained from Wang Yuqiong’s face.
But with Song Rui standing right there, she couldn’t reject the girl’s good intentions without making it look suspicious.
Reluctantly, she let go of Shen An’s hand and leaned into Song Rui’s support. “No rush. Handle your stuff first, then come by.”
And so Song Rui clutched the medical kit in one hand and Wang Yuqiong’s little hand in the other.
Shen An stood there, watching as Song Rui helped Wang Yuqiong around the corner until they vanished from view.
He rubbed his chin, a bit puzzled.
Song Rui’s timing was too perfect—almost like someone had orchestrated it.
But knowing Song Rui, she didn’t seem clever enough to pull off a move like luring the tiger from the mountain.
Unless…
Shen An’s mind raced, and a playful smirk curved his lips.
He didn’t linger long in the lobby before heading up to Zhao Qingyu’s room on the 18th floor.
The elevator dinged as it reached the 18th floor, the doors sliding open slowly.
Shen An headed straight for Zhao Qingyu’s door like he owned the place, giving it a few polite knocks first.
Click.
The door swung open to reveal Zhao Qingyu, her cool, aloof features framed perfectly.
She had changed into something new.
Not quite clothes, really—a sheer gauze nightgown draped over her, its satin sash tied in a neat bow that hugged her slender waist to perfection.
Her toenails gleamed with fresh polish as her bare feet padded across the smooth floor, every bit the picture of a lazy fox lounging in the afternoon sun.
One hand propped against the other, she tilted her chin up slightly, a ladies’ cigarette pinched between her fingertips.
Her red lips pursed around the filter before parting to exhale a plume of smoke right at Shen An. Her foxlike eyes narrowed in amusement, laced with faint mockery.
“Cough cough~”
Shen An coughed lightly and rubbed his hands together. “Senior Sister, ease up on the smokes.”
Zhao Qingyu arched a brow, blew out another puff, and turned away languidly. “None of your damn business.”
Whoa, getting bold.
Shen An glanced down the empty hallway—no one around.
He slipped in behind her, shutting the door with a soft click.
The instant it latched, he closed the distance in a few quick strides, pressing flush against the slender curve of her waist and the firm roundness of her hips.
As their bodies molded together seamlessly, he caught her cigarette-holding wrist and murmured, “Cut back a little.”
The abrupt intimacy caught Zhao Qingyu off guard for a split second.
But she quickly composed herself, meeting his concern with unflappable calm. “Oh? Finally got around to worrying about me?”
Her sarcasm laid bare her grudge against Shen An!
He’d spent the entire morning doting on someone else!
Shen An grinned as he plucked the ladies’ cigarette from her fingers. “Not worrying, exactly. Just a friendly reminder.”
Zhao Qingyu rolled her eyes, brushing off the sly bastard.
She ignored the cigarette he’d swiped and swayed her hips as she ambled over to the sofa, sinking down slowly.
Out of habit, she crossed her legs, baring her pale calves to the air beneath the hem of her nightgown.
She grabbed the cigarette pack from the side table and fished out a fresh ladies’ cigarette.
Shen An settled into the seat across from her, lifting her discarded ladies’ cigarette to his lips for a deep drag.
His mouth landed right on the spot still marked by her lipstick, and the sight alone sent Zhao Qingyu’s heartbeat into overdrive.
Puff~
He exhaled a cloud of smoke and shifted into a more relaxed sprawl. “Feels different from last time.”
“Hm?”
Zhao Qingyu glanced down, her hand trembling as she flicked her lighter twice before it caught.
“Your mouth must be off. It’s the exact same as before.”
She murmured softly.
“Oh?” Shen An picked up her cigarette pack and eyed it thoughtfully. “Looks like the same brand, but my mouth’s perfectly fine.”
“So what’s changed?”
He mulled it over, then it hit him. “Oh, right—Senior Sister’s lipstick.”
Her hand shook on the cigarette at his words, but all she could do was shoot him a coquettish glare, willing him to shut up with her eyes alone.
Haha~
Shen An didn’t bother hiding his glee; his grin stretched ear to ear.
Compared to their last encounter in a hotel room, things between them had turned upside down.
Even he hadn’t anticipated such lightning-fast progress in under a month.
He finished the cigarette and stood, plopping down boldly beside Zhao Qingyu.
She scooted over with a look of disdain but didn’t push him away.
Once seated, he slung an arm around her shoulders as if it were the most natural thing. “Something else eating at you?”
Zhao Qingyu slid him a sidelong glance.
“Don’t look at me like that. How else did you end up smoking again, Senior Sister?”
Shen An narrowed his eyes. “Smoking’s either a habit or a stress reliever.”
“You don’t seem like the chain-smoking type.”
Zhao Qingyu stubbed out her half-smoked cigarette and said coolly, “Yeah, I’ve got something on my mind. I organized this whole event, and one of my members got hurt. How could I not worry?”
“Oh? Who? Who got hurt?”
“Who else? Didn’t you just finish rubbing down her leg?” Zhao Qingyu said, her voice thick with sarcasm.
“Huh?” Shen An pursed his lips. “Yuqiong? You’re being way too sensitive. That wasn’t even a real injury—she’ll be good as new after some rest.”
“Is that right? Our Doctor Shen must be one hell of a physician, then.”
The resentment swirling in Zhao Qingyu’s eyes only grew thicker.
But hearing “Doctor Shen” from her lips sent a jolt through Shen An—he wondered if she’d uncovered his side gig.
He studied her face carefully; it held only jealous pique, no fury at being duped…
Shen An let out a quiet breath of relief…
“Me, a doctor? Nah. Kids like me grew up tearing through the hills and woods, getting banged up left and right. Injuries were just part of the deal.”
“After enough of them, you pick up a few tricks for patching yourself up, that’s all.”
“But I’ve got some real know-how when it comes to this stuff. I’m not bragging or anything, but forget a twisted ankle—even if it were a dislocated shoulder, I could pop it right back in with a few quick twists.”
Shen An boasted shamelessly, leaving Zhao Qingyu gritting her teeth in annoyance!
Was she supposed to be impressed?
What kind of nonsense was that about a dislocated shoulder!
She pursed her little lips and said softly, “So, is Wang Yuqiong okay?”
“She’s fine, don’t worry about it.” Shen An patted his chest in assurance.
“Did you walk her back to her room, then?”
“Uh, that was the plan, but I ran into Song Rui on the way, and she took her back instead.”
“And get this—Song Rui even borrowed a medical kit from somewhere, just waiting to patch up Yuqiong.”
“Oh, so Song Rui’s pretty nice after all,” Zhao Qingyu murmured.
“Sure is. That girl might be a bit dim sometimes, but she’s got a heart of gold.”
Shen An chuckled lightly. “Senior Sister, you shouldn’t keep ignoring her. She’s got her own shining qualities worth noticing.”
Zhao Qingyu flashed a smile, her tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning. “Hmm, maybe.”
“Hey, Senior Sister, have you taken a shower yet? That was fast.”
Shen An turned to ask her.
“No shower, just changed clothes.” Zhao Qingyu leaned back. “We were out playing all morning, worked up a sweat.”
Yeah, cold sweat, more like.
Shen An snickered to himself.
“What are you doing here?”
Zhao Qingyu glanced at him casually, her voice flat.
Shen An’s mouth twitched. “Didn’t you tell me to come find you at the hotel after I got back, Senior Sister?”
“Oh~” Zhao Qingyu blinked. “Did I?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
She chuckled lightly. “Almost forgot.”
“Great people have short memories, after all.” Shen An rubbed his hands together. “So, Senior Sister…”
“Where’s my phone?”
“You want it?” A sly glint flashed in Zhao Qingyu’s eyes.
“What do you mean ‘want it’? That’s my phone.” Shen An huffed.
“This attitude of yours is making me not want to give it back.”
Zhao Qingyu shot him a glare.
Shen An: …
He knew it wouldn’t be that easy.
Plus, from the moment he walked in, Zhao Qingyu had been holding the high ground, clearly still stewing over that morning’s fiasco.
She just hadn’t blown up yet.
Shen An proceeded with a bit more caution. “So… what would it take for you to give it back, Senior Sister?”
“Hmm~” Zhao Qingyu propped her chin up, smiling brightly. “That sounds awfully suggestive. Give you what, exactly?”
“My phone…”
“Just the phone?” Zhao Qingyu arched a brow seductively. “Not aiming a little higher?”
“How about you just beat me up instead, Senior Sister.”
Shen An raised his hands. “You’re scaring me like this.”
Zhao Qingyu scooted closer, pressing right up against him. “Scared of what?”
She reached out, her fingers brushing his chin, her beautiful eyes locked onto his.
“I… I should’ve given you more attention, Senior Sister.”
“Attention? I never said anything about that.”
Zhao Qingyu laughed lightly. “Besides, I’m not some kid who needs coddling.”
“Then… I was wrong?”
“Mm, wrong how?”
“Go ahead and beat me up, Senior Sister.” Shen An went limp, surrendering.
The smile vanished from Zhao Qingyu’s face. She pinched his chin hard. “Shen An, do you remember what I told you?”
“You… you’ve said a lot…”
“You’re mine!”
She said coldly.
“Uh… I am yours.” Shen An put on a pitiful expression. “I mean, I haven’t quit the Art Troupe or anything.”
“There’s no second sun in the sky—Senior Sister, you’re the only one in my heart.”
“Then why didn’t you help me with my seatbelt?” Zhao Qingyu said coolly.
Shen An: ?
“Look, I’m yours, Senior Sister, but I’m not exactly your personal nanny, right?” Shen An muttered.
“Still making excuses?”
Zhao Qingyu got even angrier.
Shen An scratched his head. “Actually, the phone isn’t that big a deal to me. Maybe I should just head out.”
“Leaving already?”
A sly, foxlike smile crept back onto Zhao Qingyu’s face.
“Sigh…”
Shen An let out a breath. “Just put me out of my misery, Senior Sister. This is torture.”
“You want mercy, huh?”
Zhao Qingyu shot to her feet and turned away.
Shen An’s heart skipped. Oh man, she wasn’t serious, was she?
He watched her closely, half-expecting her to grab a knife from the kitchen.
A moment later, Zhao Qingyu returned.
Shen An eyed her hand warily.
Phew, no knife. All good.
He relaxed, staying seated.
Thud.
Zhao Qingyu slapped his phone down on the table. In her other hand, she held a white object that looked like a pill—a white pill.
A pill?
Shen An raised a brow.
“Eat it, and you can take your phone and go,” Zhao Qingyu said flatly.
“Poison?”
Shen An probed.
Zhao Qingyu beamed. “What do you think?”
“Come on, Senior Sister, I haven’t done anything that bad…”
“No!”
Zhao Qingyu’s face hardened.
She had to teach him a lesson. She just had to.
Otherwise, with him closing in step by step, she’d end up a figurehead.
Keep this up, and she’d lose all control, turning into his puppet plaything.
If she couldn’t tie him down, he’d be the one slipping a collar around her neck.
A collar…
Out of nowhere, Zhao Qingyu recalled the crude, filthy things he’d said last night…
Damn it…
What was she thinking!
Zhao Qingyu quickly shoved the thought aside.
