Chapter 3: He Seems to Know Me

Interstellar Hotel.

Lin Ting followed Shang Moting into the room.

She glanced around.

According to the information she had received, it seemed to align: Shang Moting had just arrived in Jiangcheng today.

There was only one suitcase in the hotel room, placed right by the door.

As she was observing, Shang Moting suddenly stopped, and she accidentally bumped into his back. “Ah!”

Shang Moting turned to look at her.

Lin Ting raised her hand to rub her forehead. “You stopped all of a sudden without a warning—what am I supposed to do if I get stunned from the collision?”

“Do you even have room to get stunned?” Shang Moting responded.

Lin Ting widened her eyes in disbelief. It was rare for someone to question her intelligence.

“You!” Lin Ting frowned, glaring at him.

Shang Moting chuckled. “Since you followed me all the way here, why not just tell me your true intentions?”

Lin Ting lowered her hand and looked up at him. “Didn’t I just say?”

Shang Moting kept his gaze on her eyes, voice low, “How exactly do you plan to seduce me?”

“I’ve already followed you here, what do you think?” Lin Ting met his aggressively intent gaze without flinching.

They locked eyes for several seconds before Shang Moting smirked, his eyes gleaming with even more predatory intent. He raised a hand, pinching her chin and lifting it slightly.

It wasn’t a gentle motion; Lin Ting was forced to look up at him.

“You really have guts,” Shang Moting remarked.

Lin Ting leaned her head back, neck aching, and grabbed his wrist. “You’re bullying me.”

“Is this bullying?” Shang Moting’s voice was cold and deep, yet carried a magnetic charm that was oddly pleasant.

“How else would you call it? I’m uncomfortable,” Lin Ting said.

Shang Moting looked her over, then let go and sat on the nearby sofa. “People like you either have utmost confidence in their skills, possess formidable strength—”

“Or?” Lin Ting massaged her neck and perched on the edge of the coffee table, facing him.

Shang Moting paused as he looked into her bright eyes and said, “Or you’re just foolish.”

Lin Ting’s expression stiffened. She kicked his shoe with her foot. “You’re the foolish one.”

Shang Moting observed her quietly.

Lin Ting pouted. “Yes, I’m extremely powerful. With a single move, I could knock you to the ground. Just a slight effort could end your life.”

Shang Moting’s expression didn’t change, but a flicker of interest appeared in his eyes.

“So you’re brave enough to bring me back here,” Lin Ting said, “Not afraid I might kill you while your two henchmen are outside?”

“Go ahead and try,” Shang Moting replied.

His tone was so confident it almost dared her to act.

Lin Ting raised an eyebrow, stood up, and reached for his neck.

Before she could touch him, Shang Moting caught her wrist.

Lin Ting’s reflexes were quick; she anticipated his move.

Yet, in the end, she didn’t resist.

Shang Moting gripped her wrist with one hand and grabbed the side of her waist with the other.

She was pressed down onto the sofa.

Her hand was pinned against the backrest, and Shang Moting held her neck.

He didn’t apply much force, but his narrow eyes stared at her like a predator—fierce and merciless. “If I exert just a little pressure, your life will be over.”

Lin Ting’s free hand curled around his sleeve, looking somewhat pitiful. “Would you really kill me?”

Shang Moting kneeled beside her, locking eyes with her beautifully bright gaze. His hand on her neck slid up slightly, pinching her jaw while his thumb gently stroked her chin. “You’re truly fascinating.”

“Just fascinating?” Lin Ting raised an eyebrow.

Shang Moting smiled lightly. “And very beautiful.”

Lin Ting was pleased with his answer.

“I like beautiful things, and I like interesting things,” Shang Moting said as his hand caressed her face with a bit more pressure. “So before I lose interest, you’d better finish what you came to do. Otherwise... your life really will be over.”

“What if what I want to do is kill you?” Lin Ting asked.

Shang Moting snorted, released her, and ignored her words.

Lin Ting felt his laughter was mocking her.

And it seemed he found it amusing.

She clenched her fists.

Sensing her hostility, Shang Moting looked at her again.

Lin Ting immediately put on a smile as if nothing had happened. “What’s wrong?”

Shang Moting turned away and headed toward the bedroom, removing his watch as he walked. “Stay here and sleep on the sofa, or don’t sleep on the sofa and go back to your place.”

Lin Ting watched him enter the bedroom, the smile fading from her face, restoring her serene beauty.

She sat on the sofa, pondering for a moment before rising and leaving the room.

Outside, Shang Moting’s two henchmen stood by the door.

One leaned against the wall with arms crossed; the other stood rigidly.

As she stepped out, both men looked at her.

Lin Ting closed the door and stood still, returning their gaze.

The three stared at each other for a full minute, neither speaking nor moving.

Lin Ting broke the silence. “What’s wrong? Surprised I came out unscathed?”

They said nothing, just watched her.

She continued to watch them, then raised an eyebrow. “Your boss didn’t listen to me. I already took care of him. You two have some charm yourselves; from now on, come with me.”

Before they could reply, the door behind them suddenly opened.

Startled, Lin Ting instinctively stepped aside. She turned to see Shang Moting standing in the doorway, his gaze fixed on her.

He looked at her and asked, “What are you doing?”

“She said we’re quite attractive,” said the one leaning against the wall.

The one standing straight added, “She wants to seduce us too.”

Lin Ting’s eyes widened.

Is that really what she meant?

The man leaning against the wall hugged himself tighter. “She’s after our looks!”

Lin Ting’s eyes grew even wider.

Shang Moting looked at her wide-eyed expression and coldly remarked, “You have a big heart, accommodating many.”

Lin Ting looked at him. “I, I...”

Looking into Shang Moting’s fierce eyes, Lin Ting suddenly felt her mind go blank.

This man... is truly intimidating.

She glanced between Shang Moting and the two men beside him, realizing as an outsider she couldn’t argue with those close to him.

So... flight was the best option.

She pulled out her phone, held it to her ear, and made her way toward the elevator, speaking as she walked: “What? The cat at your second uncle’s cousin’s grandson’s house is about to give birth? Okay, okay, I got it. I’m on my way.”

Lin Ting quickly disappeared down the corridor as she continued the call.

Left behind were three men.

“Boss, should we bring her back?” the man leaning against the wall asked.

The straight-standing man made a throat-slitting gesture. “Kill her?”

Shang Moting glanced at them without replying and turned back into the room.

“What does that mean?” the straight-standing man asked.

“It means we’re going back to sleep,” the leaning man said, walking a few steps toward his room and asking, “Who is the second uncle’s cousin’s grandson?”

“You are,” replied the straight-standing man.

“You’re the grandson!” retorted the other.

...

Lin Ting hadn’t gone far; she stood by the elevator hall.

She didn’t want to return home and hadn’t brought her ID.

So she sent a message: [Who’s responsible for the Jiangcheng Interstellar Hotel? Contact me. Book a room on the top floor.]

The message sent, and soon someone came up to escort her to a room.

Lin Ting declined the escort, took the key card, and went to the room herself.

Her room was just one door away from Shang Moting’s.

Once inside, she sat on the sofa and called Shen Anyu.

As soon as the call connected, Shen Anyu spoke first. “So? Is the Big Devil easy to deal with?”

“Not at all,” Lin Ting replied honestly. “He’s fierce. The powerful figure in the Beijing business world isn’t just a rumor.”

“So why did you think about staying by his side?” Shen Anyu asked.

“He... is easy on the eyes, very handsome, and full of sexual tension,” Lin Ting said.

Shen Anyu was silent for a moment. “Be honest!”

Lin Ting was so startled by the shout she moved the phone away a bit, then said, “I feel like he knows me. Or... he has his own agenda.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Anyu asked.

Lin Ting recalled the corridor in the Mirage City, how she pushed past one person to reach Shang Moting, and how he used his hand to gesture another to step aside.

“Could it be that he’s after your beauty?” Shen Anyu suggested.

“Not a chance,” Lin Ting replied. “I’m not just about my looks.”

Shen Anyu: “......”

...