Chapter 65: The Banquet

A few days later.

News spread of a collaboration between the Shen and Li families, and they even held a grand signing banquet, intending to announce to everyone: the Shen and Li families were joining forces.

“Tsk, Sister Lengzheng, that Shen Wangqiu is really quite foolish, actually believing the two families are going to cooperate,” Li Yichen chuckled on the other end of the phone as he looked at the contract. “There’s going to be a good show tonight.”

“What else?” Lengzheng laughed as well, leaning against Cheng Yunting. “The real drama is about to begin.”

“Oh, right, Sister Lengzheng, aren’t you revealing your identity today?” Li Yichen suddenly remembered and asked.

Lengzheng nodded. “Yes, oh! That’s right! Mm...”

Lengzheng’s words were cut off as Cheng Yunting unexpectedly fed her a piece of fruit, the resulting sound full of suggestiveness.

“Damn! It’s barely eight in the morning and you’re already starting this? I’ll hang up now and leave you two alone, but don’t forget about tonight!” Li Yichen had no desire to be subjected to their public display, so he quickly hung up.

Lengzheng had just swallowed and was about to explain when Li Yichen ended the call.

“Damn it! What goes on in that guy’s head?” Lengzheng stared at her phone in exasperation.

Li Yichen was Li Mingze’s younger brother. Since Li Mingze was currently completely devoted to Li Xin’er, Li Yichen had been put in charge.

“If that kid is so eager to see us together, why don’t we give him what he wants?” Cheng Yunting whispered into Lengzheng’s ear.

“Cheng! Yun! Ting!” Lengzheng quickly distanced herself from him, eyeing him warily. “We have things to do tonight, keep away from me.”

“Then how about when we get back tonight?” Cheng Yunting gazed at her with ill-concealed anticipation. “That works too, though it’ll probably take until this time tomorrow.”

“Just once, right now!” Lengzheng suddenly recalled what had happened a few days ago… it was terrifying.

She wrapped her arms around Cheng Yunting and kissed him first.

Cheng Yunting was briefly surprised, then reversed their roles and pressed her beneath him, turning passive into active.

...

Though she had said only once, the “once” was drawn out to two or three times, and Cheng Yunting was especially wild—Lengzheng was nearly overwhelmed by the pain.

Dazed and half-awake, Lengzheng let Cheng Yunting carry her to the bathroom to bathe her, then lay her on the bed and gently applied ointment.

“Cheng Yunting, you bastard!” Lengzheng glared at him, wishing she could hit him, but her whole body hurt unbearably.

“Be good, Xiao Zheng, I’ll be gentler next time.” Cheng Yunting kissed her and said, “Don’t be mad. I’ll help you get dressed so we can go enjoy the show tonight.”

“No need, I can dress myself,” Lengzheng refused, wary that his animal instincts would flare up again and she’d be left with nothing but aches.

“Alright, then I’ll wait outside,” Cheng Yunting agreed obediently and stepped out.

Lengzheng steadied herself against the wall and slowly stood up. Even though Cheng Yunting had applied medicine, the pain was still intense.

Damn it! Cheng Yunting’s stamina was truly astonishing, almost inexhaustible. He was the one exerting himself, yet always seemed unfazed, even more energetic afterward.

Lengzheng put on her formal dress, using foundation and concealer to cover the marks on her skin.

...

She descended the stairs, and Cheng Yunting scooped her up and carried her to the car.

“Be good, Xiao Zheng, have a nap. I’ll wake you when we arrive,” Cheng Yunting gently stroked her hair.

“You’ve got some nerve! You nearly killed me,” she shot him a glare, but still settled into his embrace and closed her eyes, falling asleep in no time.

Cheng Yunting gazed at her, smiling softly. The person in his arms was his whole world—his entire world nestled there, cherished beyond measure.

“Xiao Zheng…” he murmured. “Xiao Zheng, I hope you’ll never leave me again…”

He concealed the bloodshot in his eyes and spoke quietly.

But Lengzheng was already asleep and heard none of it...

...

“Welcome, everyone, and thank you to the media for joining us to witness the signing ceremony between the Shen and Li families,” Shen Wangqiu announced graciously. “Very soon, the two families will officially collaborate. There will be a reception afterward, and I wish you all a pleasant evening in advance.”

At that moment, two unexpected guests pushed open the doors. Lengzheng smiled, adjusting her glasses. “It will certainly be a pleasant evening, don’t you agree, Mr. Shen?”

She was wearing glasses, a brilliant custom-made scarlet dress, and a black trench coat over it—strikingly alluring and commanding.

Cheng Yunting was dressed in a black suit paired with a matching black trench coat, exuding an air of cool detachment.

Standing together, the two of them looked unmistakably like a power couple, radiating a forbidding aura that kept strangers at bay.

Shen Wangqiu’s face darkened, and he said nothing.

“Sister Xiao Zheng, you’re finally here!” Li Yichen grinned and introduced her to the crowd. “This is Qin Xinqi, head of the Qin and Su families, and also President Cheng’s wife—Lengzheng.”

From the way Li Yichen and Lengzheng spoke to each other, Shen Wangqiu instantly realized their relationship was far from ordinary, likely very close.

The media was stunned. Wasn’t this Lengzheng, who had been making waves in the entertainment industry and the subject of countless rumors online? To think she was actually the mysterious head of the Qin and Su families!

“Perhaps I’ve never appeared before the public eye, and so you may not know me well. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Qin Xinqi, head of the Qin and Su families. I look forward to working with you all.” Lengzheng stepped onto the stage, her sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd, studying every face.

Everyone looked at her with awe—this was someone not to be trifled with, a true force.

“Oh, and I must clarify one thing: today, the Li Corporation is not here to cooperate with the Shen family, but with the Cheng and Qin families,” Li Yichen declared, pulling the rug from under Shen Wangqiu. “After all, Sister Xinqi has made it clear that anyone who collaborates with the Shen family becomes her enemy. I, for one, don’t want to be her enemy.”

Shen Wangqiu’s face grew paler by the second and he nearly fainted, but forced himself to remain standing, his complexion ashen.

“In that case, let’s sign already,” Lengzheng said tersely, clearly impatient. She barely glanced at the contract before signing.

Cheng Yunting, naturally, followed her lead and signed as well.

Li Yichen eyed the pair with some disdain, but still put his signature to the agreement.

“Then let’s wish our three families a successful partnership,” Li Yichen smiled, raising his glass.

“To our partnership,” Lengzheng and Cheng Yunting echoed, raising their glasses in unison.

PS: Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival in advance~

Lately I’ve been terribly stuck, unsure of what to write, and haven’t been in the mood to type at all.

That’s all for now. See you tomorrow~