Chapter 22: Handsome, Come Quickly

Her relentless, unforgiving attitude left Si Qinyu speechless, a lump forming in his throat. Yet, the mere thought of spending that much money made his heart ache as if it were being sliced by a blade.

Shen Manli looked at him with pleading eyes.

Si Qinyu sighed, then pulled a card from his person and tossed it in front of Lu Qiqi. "Fine, how could Shen Manli possibly afford such a sum? Be a good girl, stop making a scene; I’ll pay for it, alright?"

Shen Manli stared at him in feigned surprise, her voice dripping with affectation. "Thank you, Young Master Si, but I can't possibly accept so much money..."

A flicker of cold light crossed her eyes. She feigned reluctance, biting her lower lip gently.

Si Qinyu looked at her with softened eyes. "Not to mention that you are Qiqi’s good friend, we’ve known each other for so many years; we can be considered friends too. Between friends, there’s no need to be so calculating."

"Then—then I will pay you back slowly with my salary. Thank you, Young Master Si!" Shen Manli took the bank card, tears instantly welling up and falling, drop by drop, into Si Qinyu’s heart. Any lingering feelings of regret or heartache were instantly swept away, replaced only by the desire to champion this beauty.

Lu Qiqi silently took the card from the side, cursing the adulterous pair in her heart. During the term of their marriage, wasn't half of Si Qinyu’s money essentially hers? He was certainly quick to play the good guy with her money.

They had spent all the cash while she slaved away working. A dark glint flashed in her eyes.

However, Lu Qiqi didn't truly care that much. After all, she had no intention of letting Si Qinyu spend a single cent of her own money. Getting even a little bit out of him was a win, just for the sake of satisfaction. She smiled and said, "Fine, I won't ask where you got your money, Manli. Since the bill is paid, I won't pursue this any further. I’m in a bad mood and I’m going out to clear my head."

With that, she didn't want to stay and watch them perform their display of affection, and immediately drove away.

She felt disgusted staying there; it made her feel completely uneasy.

After she left, Si Qinyu looked at Shen Manli, clearly displeased, and scolded, "Why on earth did you steal her things! Is there anything else? Get it back and return it as soon as possible. Don't make me look like a fool again."

"There really isn't anything else... I was truly desperate at the time... Young Master Si, don't be angry, I will definitely make it up to you~" As she spoke, Shen Manli pressed herself against him.

Under her deliberate seduction, Si Qinyu could no longer hold back. He scooped her up in his arms, carried her into the study, skillfully locked the door behind them, and kissed her.

Feeling agitated, Lu Qiqi decided to go find Bai Yu for a drink and vent about everything that had happened that day.

Lu Qiqi sent a text message to Bai Yu.

Unlike her usual instant replies, it took a long time for Bai Yu to respond, and when she did, she only sent an address.

"Baby, second-floor private room, six-foot-one, handsome guy, abs, sweet-talker—get over here fast!"

Lu Qiqi’s eyes lit up instantly. She slammed her foot on the gas, and the car shot forward like a shooting star, arriving at a bustling downtown area before long.

It was dusk, and the lights on both sides of the street were already lit. The crowds were surging, making the place incredibly lively.

Lu Qiqi parked the car and followed the map to a lavishly decorated entertainment venue. Upon entering, she found many young people, all dressed in trendy attire, with a thick scent of alcohol hitting her senses.

Lu Qiqi frowned and followed the directions on the map, but while the place looked inconspicuous from the outside, the layout inside was incredibly complex.

She could even hear the roar of the crowd from within the hallway. She inexplicably felt that something was wrong.

She looked around specifically, her brows knitted tightly together.

Lu Qiqi wanted to ask a cleaning lady for directions, but after circling the area, she didn't see a single staff member. Lu Qiqi looked down at the simplified map on her phone, muttering curses under her breath. What kind of dump was this? The signal was terrible, too.

Her messages wouldn't even send. Who on earth would come here to hang out?

She felt helpless and let out a sigh.

A moment later, the view in front of Lu Qiqi suddenly opened up. She saw a closed door ahead, labeled "Business Room 09."

Lu Qiqi’s eyes lit up instantly. This had to be it.

Without hesitation, Lu Qiqi stepped forward and pushed the door open with force.

The moment the door swung open, everyone inside stopped what they were doing and turned in unison to look at her.

What she saw was a massive conference hall. Men in high-end tailored suits lined both sides, holding notebooks, looking meticulous.

At the head of the table sat a man in a deep gray suit. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs, and features so handsome they were extraordinary. He exuded an oppressive aura, and when he looked at someone, his eyes seemed to hold a layer of inscrutable mist. At that moment, he was holding a mouse, clicking on the large screen in front of him.

Chu Linchen hadn't expected anyone to barge in, let alone that the intruder would be Lu Qiqi. He narrowed his fox-like eyes, staring straight at her as if he wanted to see right through her.

Being watched by so many people, Lu Qiqi felt her scalp tingle. She hadn't expected that she had gone to the wrong place and stumbled right into Chu Linchen’s meeting!

What was wrong with these people? Holding a meeting in a bustling tavern like this?

This didn't seem like Chu Linchen’s style at all!

Lu Qiqi thought to herself.

However, she didn't know that on the sixth floor of this small tavern, there was a long connecting corridor that linked to the sixth floor of a neighboring office building, and even the elevators were shared.

Feeling nervous, just as Lu Qiqi was about to back out and apologize, a thick, disdainful, and mocking voice rang out from the side.

"Oh, and here I thought who it was; it’s Miss Lu. You’re already married, yet you’re still so restless. Dressed up so flamboyantly—did you know there was a 'golden turtle' in here and come specifically to seduce him? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I wonder what your husband would think if he knew you were cheating on him behind his back? Hahaha!"

The speaker was a middle-aged man with a potbelly and squinty eyes that looked extremely sinister.

As he spoke, the rolls of fat on his face wobbled, looking utterly repulsive.

Lu Qiqi was so humiliated that she trembled with rage. She looked down at herself; she was only wearing a simple, form-fitting blue dress. How could that be considered "flamboyant" or "seductive"? What were these disgusting middle-aged men thinking about? Was their entire brain filled with adult films?

"My apologies, but I’m afraid you might have a 'cuckold phobia.' You really should see a doctor. I merely walked into the wrong room, and you’ve come up with such a long speech—it’s a waste of talent that you aren't a screenwriter."

Lu Qiqi spread her hands, looking innocent.

The middle-aged fat man was instantly triggered. "Who are you calling a cuckold phobia!"

"Whoever is shouting the loudest, that’s who. Seeing a woman and immediately thinking about green hats—if you haven't been wearing one yourself, how could you have so much experience?" Lu Qiqi retorted sharply.

"You bitch, you..." The middle-aged fat man stood up in a rage, intent on rushing over.