Qin Beiting held a glass of champagne, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window on the tenth floor, looking down at everything happening at the main entrance. His face, usually filled with righteous indignation, remained impassive.
He stood for a while until he saw a figure in red alight from a car. Though small, the figure inexplicably drew his gaze.
He tilted his head back, finishing the champagne, and set the glass down. Turning, he prepared to leave.
“Brother Ting, more than half the guests have arrived. It’s almost time to begin,” Qi Xifeng said, knocking and entering to report.
“Mm,” Qin Beiting replied. As he opened the door to leave, Qi Xifeng suddenly called out, “Brother Ting.”
Qin Beiting: “Speak.”
Qi Xifeng’s lips moved, hesitating to speak.
Ever since he’d learned yesterday afternoon that Yu He was Esther, he’d thought for a long time, unsure how to deliver the news to Qin Beiting.
The main issue was that if he were to remind him, it might make their boss awkward.
The woman he fancied had been blacklisted by himself – how embarrassing.
He’d agonized over it all night, debating whether to tell his boss, and ended up not sleeping.
In the end, he decided that for his boss’s dignity, he wouldn’t say anything. Let his boss discover it himself?
After all, his "sister-in-law" would be coming today.
Once she arrived, he just had to pretend he didn't know, and his boss wouldn't feel awkward.
With this thought, Qi Xifeng added, “If life deceives you, do not be sad, do not despair!”
Qin Beiting: “Speak human.”
“Cough, I just suddenly felt that Pushkin’s poem was quite well-written,” Qi Xifeng coughed dryly.
“If you want a holiday, just say so,” Qin Beiting said coldly.
It wasn’t an easy holiday to take!
Qi Xifeng quickly said, “No, I don’t want a holiday. I love work, and work makes me happy!”
Qin Beiting found him inexplicably strange these past two days. He turned and walked out the door.
—
Yu He wore a custom-made, form-fitting red qipao with a deep V-neck and high slit today. It accentuated her graceful figure, making her appear alluring and drawing many gazes.
However, most people were surprised when they saw her face, and none dared to approach her.
Yu He paid no mind. She and Zuo Ye toured the banquet hall on the fourth floor, but not finding Qin Beiting, she turned to leave.
She exited the banquet hall and headed towards the offices. The corridor here was relatively deserted.
Suddenly, a room door in the corridor opened, and a figure emerged, grabbing Yu He’s hand.
The person’s grip was strong. Caught off guard, Yu He was dragged into the room.
In a panic, she quickly fumbled for a silver needle from her handbag, preparing to strike his neck. But the other party seemed familiar with her moves. Her hands were instantly seized.
Her back hit the door. The man’s body, carrying a faint scent of tobacco, pressed against her, pinning her legs that wanted to kick. Her hands were held tightly above her head.
At the same time, the man’s deep, magnetic voice sounded by her ear, “You were looking for me.”
Yu He’s heart pounded like a drum. Only then did she clearly see the man inches away. Wasn’t this exactly the person she was looking for?
In the man’s deep-set eyes, his gaze was sharp. Beneath his chiseled nose, his thin lips were pressed together, indicating he was very unhappy at the moment.
The same face, but the feeling was different from their previous encounters. Her small heart pounded heavily now. Before her was the man she had once loved.
This face, just like five years ago, had barely changed.
“Why didn’t you reply to my messages, and why did you hang up on me!” Qin Beiting demanded, grasping her chin.
As Yu He looked at him, he was also looking at her.
She was already fair-skinned, and this red dress made her complexion glow. The red also made her look alluring and captivating, especially the fullness revealed by the deep V-neck, which was tempting.
The man’s phoenix eyes narrowed, exuding a cold aura. He seemed to dislike her dressing like this.
For a moment, Yu He felt he was just like before, still so controlling. But yet, he seemed different.
Because he used to not hurt her, but now, he was hurting her, without any leniency.
“Miss Yu, do you still remember Brother Ting?” Qi Xifeng’s words from yesterday suddenly echoed in Yu He’s mind. “Brother Ting doesn’t remember you.”
Yu He stared intently into Qin Beiting’s eyes, as if trying to find a trace of familiarity in his gaze. But there was none.
He had truly forgotten her.
The realization sent a pang of sadness through her for a moment, but she quickly accepted the fact.
This was what she had asked Fei Luoyide to do in the first place.
However, this dog man, he had spoken so nicely back then, saying he only slept with his girlfriend. And now?
“Hiding from me?” Seeing her silence and her distant gaze, Qin Beiting tightened his grip impatiently.
Yu He cried out in pain and snapped back to attention. “No! Let go, we can talk properly. You’re hurting me.”
“You’re supposed to hurt! This is just a small punishment! Don’t make me repeat myself! I’m not someone you can mess with just because you want to!” Qin Beiting said coldly.
“…”
Yu He simply considered him a patient who didn’t know what he was saying. Once he recovered his memory, she’d settle the score!
Seeing her indifferent expression, Qin Beiting became even more displeased. “Did you hear me?”
Yu He suddenly leaned forward and kissed his lips.
Qin Beiting froze. The softness of her lips and the faint fragrance from her body instantly evoked pleasant memories.
This woman was truly intoxicating!
He took the initiative, deepening the kiss.
Yu He felt she was about to suffocate. Only when the man released her, gasping for breath, did she whisper in his ear, “Tonight, come to my place. I have a surprise for you.”
Her breath on his ear sent shivers down his spine.
Qin Beiting turned his head, looking at her hazy, alluring eyes. His throat bobbed. If not for the important matters he had to attend to, he would have taken her right here.
“A delaying tactic? Don’t think you can escape just because of this!” he said in a low voice, warning her.
“… I don’t intend to escape,” Yu He said. “I’ll be right here, until the press conference is over.”
Qin Beiting eyed her suspiciously. With the experience of her sudden departure last time, not replying to his messages, and hanging up his phone, he didn’t quite believe her.
This woman was audacious.
“Knock, knock.” At this moment, the door was knocked, and Chen Dong’s voice could be faintly heard from outside, “Seventh Master, the press conference is about to begin.”
Only then did Qin Beiting release Yu He, tossing her onto the sofa.
Yu He cried out in pain as her body bounced up from the sofa. A white suit jacket, carrying the man’s scent, was thrown over her head. “You are not allowed to go out dressed like this!”
With that, he opened the door. Chen Dong was waiting outside. Seeing him wearing only a shirt and vest, without his jacket, Chen Dong asked, “Seventh Master, your jacket…”
Qin Beiting didn’t answer. He merely uttered, “Find someone to watch her!”
Clearly, he didn’t trust Yu He’s earlier words.
Yu He: “…”