Shi Ning, intent on her deception, enthusiastically agreed with Shen Xizhou’s grand vision. With a theatrical flourish, she tore up the East City contract. “Yes, you absolutely must develop it well!” she declared, her voice laced with mock sincerity. “Invest your utmost money and energy! I have complete faith in your ability; you will build a new business empire!” Her words, a cascade of false praise, were designed to inflate his ego and lead him to financial ruin. The more he poured into the cursed West City land, the deeper his eventual loss.
Shi Qingyin, who had been meticulously observing Qin Heye’s expressions, inwardly rejoiced as his face grew progressively colder. She knew it! Shi Ning still harbored feelings for Shen Xizhou; this was nothing short of courting disaster!
Shen Xizhou’s gloomy mood, however, had suddenly cleared like a summer sky. He believed Shi Ning’s earlier rejection of the East City land was merely a ruse. Now, hearing that she had secured him the even better West City plot because of his impending engagement to Shi Qingyin, he swelled with pride. Shi Ning still loved him desperately, just as always!
Suddenly, an icy, unnerving gaze pierced him. It was Qin Heye, his eyes radiating a chilling, almost murderous intent, permeated with an unmistakable, potent jealousy. Shen Xizhou felt a thrill of panic, excitement, and pride all at once. So what if Qin Heye was a business emperor? His wife preferred him, making him Qin Heye’s equal!
Puffed with newfound confidence, Shen Xizhou’s demeanor softened towards Shi Ning. “Aning has always had impeccable taste,” he murmured. He even poured a glass of wine and extended it to Qin Heye, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “I toast you, Master Qin. In the future, for Aning’s sake, please oversee the development of the West City land.” His words dripped with triumphant implication of Shi Ning’s preference for him.
Qin Heye didn’t even acknowledge the offered glass. His gaze sharpened on Shen Xizhou. “Did I say the West City land would be given to you?”
The smile on Shen Xizhou’s face froze. “President Qin…” He faltered, unnerved by Qin Heye’s overwhelming aura, and turned desperately to Shi Ning. “Aning said so!”
Shi Ning, however, was dumbfounded. The West City land wouldn’t be given to Shen Xizhou? But how then would he face ruin and bankruptcy, as the barrages had predicted? She grabbed Qin Heye’s arm, shaking it playfully, her voice laced with a desperate plea. “Just give the West City land to Shen Xizhou,” she cajoled. “The West City land is really suitable for him.” Seeing Qin Heye remain silent, Shi Ning unleashed her secret weapon: a saccharine, high-pitched whine. “Husband~ Just listen to your wife for once~ Give the West City to Shen Xizhou~ Husband~ Husband~”
Shen Xizhou frowned, an unfamiliar discomfort stirring within him. Shi Ning had never acted so childishly with him. Mu Tiantian grinned, looking as if she’d seen a mythical creature. She knew Shi Ning had a sweet voice, but this was a new level of cloying sweetness—and to witness her so naturally doting on the formidable Qin Heye was shocking. Yet, the more Shi Ning simpered, the colder Qin Heye’s expression became, the deeper the shade of green on his face.
Shi Qingyin, secretly delighted, quickly seized the opportunity to appear virtuous and win Qin Heye’s favor. “The West City land is worth more than the East City land, and the Qin Group has already won the bid and paid 10 billion!” She turned to Shi Ning, her eyes welling with feigned tears. “Sister, to ask your brother-in-law to give up the West City land for Brother Xizhou, isn’t that wrong? Is Brother Xizhou more important than your brother-in-law in your heart?”
Shi Ning ignored her, still focused on Qin Heye, pleading, “Husband, listen to me just this once, okay?”
Qin Heye remained unmoved by her entreaties. He coldly pushed her hand away. “I can listen to you on everything else, but not about this piece of land in the West City.”
Shi Ning still tried to protest, “Husband…”
Qin Heye stood abruptly. “I have other matters to attend to. I’m leaving first. You can enjoy yourselves.” As he walked away, Shi Ning stomped her foot in frustration. “Qin Heye! Can’t you listen to me just once?!”
Qin Heye paused, glanced back at Shi Ning, and then strode out. That single glance plunged the box into a suffocating, icy silence. No one dared to breathe; several male models bowed their heads, desperate to appear invisible and escape Qin Heye’s wrath. It wasn’t until he was gone that they collectively exhaled.
Shi Qingyin, gloating at the apparent rift between the couple, chuckled to herself before turning and leaving. Mu Tiantian, feeling as though she’d narrowly escaped death, hurried to Shi Ning’s side.
“I wondered how you suddenly seemed to snap out of your love-struck daze. Turns out you were planning something big!” Mu Tiantian exclaimed. “How dare you demand Qin Heye give the West City land to Shen Xizhou? In front of so many people, it was like putting a giant green hat on him—no, more like opening up a whole green pasture! You publicly slapped him, and he still managed to keep his composure!” She’d genuinely thought Qin Heye was about to lash out, yet he’d simply left, telling Shi Ning to “take her time.”
Shi Ning, unable to explain the spoiler barrages, found Mu Tiantian’s words unsettlingly accurate. Qin Heye had clearly misunderstood her intentions. “I’ll tell you later. I need to find Qin Heye first .” She hated misunderstandings and felt an urgent need to explain. A misunderstanding between a couple couldn’t possibly last overnight!
Shi Ning quickly exited the box. Shen Xizhou, seeing her leave, hurriedly followed. Mu Tiantian, left with the male models who resembled Shen Xizhou, snorted in disgust and waved them away. “Ningning, you idiot, your eyes are covered with dog shit again. Shen Xizhou is nowhere near as good as Qin Heye.”
Outside the box, Shi Ning searched frantically but couldn’t find Qin Heye. She called his phone, but it went straight to voicemail, indicating it was off. “Qin Heye wouldn’t just get angry and block me, would he?” she worried, her anxiety mounting.
Just as she was about to leave, she felt an arm seize hers, pulling her swiftly into an empty private room.
“Qin Heye?” she began, but before she could finish, she was swept into his arms, her back pressed firmly against the wall in a forceful “wall slam .” He lowered his head, his lips nearing hers…