Chapter Thirty-Six

Today, she was determined to see just how long Fu Chen could hide inside. After all, those with nothing to lose fear nothing. Shen Huaiqing tapped the manager’s shoulder again and again, her eyes narrowed and her voice low and steady.

“I know you went to tip someone off. I’ll give you one minute to take me there. Otherwise, do you believe I won’t make such a scene here that not even the dogs and chickens will find peace?” It was her final ultimatum.

With that, she leaned lazily against the wall, glanced at her phone for the time, then shifted her gaze to the manager, her eyes full of warning.

The manager had encountered situations like this before. In this circle, who didn’t have a few clandestine affairs? It was an open secret, something everyone tacitly agreed to ignore. Most “legitimate wives” preferred not to make a scene, fearing disgrace or the taint of scandal on the company; they’d rather turn a blind eye and settle things at home.

But Shen Huaiqing was the first such “legitimate wife” the manager had seen to make such a bold, open fuss, utterly indifferent to the gaze of others.

Still, he kept his composure, turning aside to whisper into his walkie-talkie, “Are you ready over there? There’s trouble brewing here!”

The young receptionist’s voice came back, flustered and stumbling, “Manager... um... President Fu... President Fu locked the door, and no one’s answering when I knock. The room’s soundproof... I—I don’t know what to do.”

The manager gritted his teeth. “There’s a master key! Go get it!”

“But... manager, there isn’t a master key for President Fu’s room!” the girl replied, drenched in sweat.

The manager closed his eyes, resigning himself, and said calmly, “Fine, leave from your side. I’ll take Mrs. Fu there.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Shen Huaiqing strolled over, waving her phone’s screen. “Time’s up. Lead the way.”

He started ahead, but suddenly the walkie-talkie crackled with static. Pressing his ear to it, he could make nothing out; looking back, he found Shen Huaiqing fixing him with her icy stare.

He could only turn the walkie-talkie’s volume to the lowest and plaster on a smile, leading her onward.

Lin Yiqing happened to step out of the room just then, catching sight of the receptionist, who was sweating profusely. Concerned, she asked, “Are you alright?”

Hearing Lin Yiqing’s voice behind her, the receptionist looked as if she’d seen her savior. She rushed over, grabbing Lin Yiqing’s hand in panic. “Miss Lin! Hurry and get President Fu out—his wife is here!”

She spoke into the walkie-talkie as well, still hoping to salvage the situation.

But fate seemed to have other plans. At that very moment, the walkie-talkie picked up nothing but static.

Lin Yiqing was equally shocked. How could Shen Huaiqing have known she and Fu Chen were here? She didn’t want all of Fu Chen’s efforts to go to waste. Giving the young girl a reassuring look, she said, “You contact the manager. I’ll go get Fu Chen,” and turned into the private room.

When Shen Huaiqing reached the door, she saw the same young receptionist from earlier pacing anxiously outside. Upon seeing Shen Huaiqing approach, the girl pressed herself to the door, knocking quickly and whispering, “President Fu, Miss Lin, hurry! Madam is coming.”

But it was too late. Shen Huaiqing arrived just as Fu Chen and Lin Yiqing stepped out from within.

Fu Chen wore a black overcoat that accentuated his tall, imposing figure. His dark eyes were as deep and fathomless as ink, a hint of leisure flickering within them.

The sight of Fu Chen instantly brought to mind the look in Mu Jinghuai’s eyes that morning—so desolate, so sorrowful. Yet here was Fu Chen, the man she held responsible for it all, dining with another woman in a place as opulent as a palace.

He could send someone to heaven or hell with a single word.

All that tenderness he’d shown her that morning, his gentle touch—they had all been nothing but a prelude to the matter of Mu Jinghuai.

Her heart felt as if it had been doused in oil, igniting a sudden, furious blaze. A strange smile curled her lips.

A sharp slap echoed through the empty corridor.

Shen Huaiqing’s hand landed squarely on Lin Yiqing’s face, leaving a vivid red mark on her delicate, pale skin.

The air seemed to freeze. The manager and the receptionist hardly dared to breathe. They hadn’t expected such an explosive scene and now feared they might lose their jobs because of it.

Seizing the moment, the two of them slipped away as quietly as they could.

Fu Chen saw Lin Yiqing’s eyes turn red as a rabbit’s, tears threatening to spill as she clutched her stinging cheek. A fierce pain stabbed through his heart—he hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from Shen Huaiqing.

Choking with sobs, Lin Yiqing said, “Ah Chen... it’s all my fault.”

Hearing that only made Fu Chen’s heart ache more, and anger surged through him. His hand shot up and swung down toward Shen Huaiqing’s face.

Shen Huaiqing showed not a trace of fear. Proudly tilting her chin, she closed her eyes and leaned into the path of his hand.

Yet the blow never landed. After a long moment, Shen Huaiqing slowly opened her eyes to see Fu Chen’s hand frozen in midair.

He didn’t know what came over him—he simply could not strike her, not even after seeing Lin Yiqing like this.

“Yiqing, you should go. The driver’s waiting outside.”

A wave of unspeakable grievance and heartbreak swept over Lin Yiqing. Tears gushed from her eyes like a breached dam. In despair, she cried out, “Ah Chen!?”

Shen Huaiqing’s pupils contracted as she stared hard at Lin Yiqing. “That was the first time. The second won’t be so simple.”

“Enough!” Fu Chen’s gaze was cold as midnight, his eyes fathomless.

Lin Yiqing, unwilling to suffer any further humiliation, looked at Fu Chen with hope. Receiving no answer, she lowered her eyes and left quietly.

Once she was gone, Fu Chen seized Shen Huaiqing, yanking her into the private room and slamming her hard against the door.

He trapped her with his arms, and Shen Huaiqing’s back throbbed with pain, as if splitting open, her face contorted in agony.

Fu Chen’s icy eyes glowered at her, sinister as a viper’s, exuding a chilling, menacing air that sent a shiver down her spine.

“You’re truly fearless, Shen Huaiqing. I underestimated you,” Fu Chen bit out through clenched teeth.

Shen Huaiqing glared back with equal ferocity. “Fu Chen, you’re the one who humiliated me first! I always repay a grudge—I thought you knew that.”

Fu Chen sneered, a mocking curl at his lips. “Are you losing your mind because I embarrassed you, or because of Mu Jinghuai?”