Chapter 36: An Unexpected Turn

The room was lit only by a bedside lamp.

It felt somewhat dim, yet warm.

As Shang Moting retied his robe, Lin Ting kept her eyes fixed on him. While she watched, she sighed inwardly. Despite having such a magnificent physique, the man was simply useless in that department.

*Sigh.*

Every family has its own secret struggles, but Shang Moting’s seemed particularly difficult.

Shang Moting retied his bathrobe and looked up, catching the expression of pity on Lin Ting’s face. He frowned, wondering what strange thoughts were swirling in her head.

"When did you arrive in the capital?" Shang Moting asked.

Lin Ting snapped back to reality. She instinctively glanced at his body first; seeing him wrapped up tightly, a flash of dissatisfaction crossed her eyes, though it vanished the moment she looked at his face.

"Huh? What did you say?" Lin Ting asked.

Shang Moting took in every flicker of her emotions. He sighed silently to himself and said, "I asked... when would be the best time to file a lawsuit against Starry Sky."

"There is no good time," Lin Ting replied. "Trust me. If you don't sue them, your future will be smooth sailing, full of prosperity and good fortune."

"And if I do sue them?" Shang Moting asked.

"Then you shall have an unfortunate future," Lin Ting said.

"The man-made kind?" Shang Moting inquired.

"Exactly," Lin Ting said, lifting her chin with an air of complete conviction.

Shang Moting chuckled. "When did you arrive in the capital?"

"Three days ago? Maybe four?" Lin Ting said, patting Shang Moting’s bed; it was quite comfortable.

"So you were already in the capital when you sent those things over?" Shang Moting asked.

Lin Ting nodded.

Shang Moting watched her without speaking.

Lin Ting looked around his room. It was enormous. The distance from the window where she had entered to the display shelf she had just visited was quite long.

"Those items were all brought from Wangyue, weren't they?" Shang Moting asked.

Lin Ting nodded again, continuing to survey the room.

"Taking so much, didn't Qi Youfan cry?" Shang Moting asked.

Lin Ting looked at him. "How did you know? When I took those things out, Qi Youfan’s eyes went red. I thought it was because I was leaving for the capital and he couldn't bear to part with me, but it turns out he was just upset about the items."

"Any one of them is worth nine figures," Shang Moting said. "And there were ten of them in total."

"A few of them were pieces I won at auction a few nights ago; they weren't all from Wangyue," Lin Ting clarified.

Shang Moting stared at her.

Lin Ting added, "Don't be embarrassed. This is a return gift. You gave me a beautiful bracelet, after all."

"You return a gift with so much?" Shang Moting asked.

"The rest is a bribe for you," Lin Ting said. She stood up, walked over to him, and sat down. With her hands neatly on her knees, she sat properly. "Don't sue Starry Sky Hotel. Treat these as a bribe, and we can discuss compensation later, how about that?"

Lin Ting tilted her head, looking at Shang Moting.

Shang Moting looked into her bright eyes, paused, then reached out and poked her forehead. "I'll think about it."

"That’s fine, that’s fine," Lin Ting said, reaching out to massage his shoulders. "Take your time. No rush. Don't feel pressured to make a decision."

Shang Moting took her hands and placed them back on her lap.

After sitting for a while, Lin Ting said, "Alright, I’ve bothered you enough. I’m leaving."

Shang Moting watched her rise and head toward the window. "Lin Ting."

"Yeah?" Lin Ting stopped.

"Use the door," Shang Moting said.

Lin Ting looked toward the door and asked, "Are you sure? There are so many people in your mansion; if they see me, it won't look good for your reputation."

Shang Moting: "............"

"I’d better stick to the window—come quietly, leave quietly," Lin Ting said.

"Come back here." Shang Moting stood up, walked over to her, and took her hand, leading her toward the door.

He opened it.

The chandelier in the hallway was glowing. It could only be described as opulent.

As Lin Ting followed Shang Moting, she noticed the glittering stones on the banister—they were diamonds.

What a vile capitalist.

Lin Ting followed him to the staircase and descended the spiral stairs. The entire railing was encrusted with diamonds, each one quite large. Lin Ting was so busy admiring the diamonds that she arrived on the first floor without realizing it.

Shang Moting said nothing and walked toward the main entrance.

They reached the door.

Lin Ting was looking around, and when Shang Moting stopped, she bumped into his back. "Oops."

Shang Moting turned to look at her.

Lin Ting clutched her forehead. "Oh, no, I'm dizzy. I can't walk anymore."

Shang Moting raised an eyebrow slightly. "That's fine. I'll have the driver take you."

Lin Ting held her head and groaned, "No, I'm too dizzy. I can't sit in a car."

Shang Moting watched her.

Lin Ting kept her hand on her forehead, eyes closed, pretending to be in distress.

After a moment, Shang Moting asked, "What question did you pull during your art school audition that made the teachers suggest you change your career path?"

Lin Ting froze for a few seconds. Then, she dropped her hand and gave him a cold look. "I'm leaving."

Shang Moting watched her walk to the door. He watched her prepare to step down the stairs. Then, he watched her come back.

"It’s so late, aren't you going to ask me to stay?" Lin Ting asked.

"It’s too late. If you stay here, I’ll worry about my own reputation," Shang Moting said.

"It’s so late, and I’m just a young girl walking home. What if I run into a thug, or a kidnapper, or a murderer..." Before Lin Ting could finish her sentence, Shang Moting interrupted.

"None of them could beat you in a fight."

Lin Ting’s words were cut short. She opened her mouth, but couldn't find a rebuttal.

She locked eyes with Shang Moting for a moment, seeing a hint of a smile in his narrow, long eyes.

"Fine, I’m going," Lin Ting said.

Shang Moting said nothing, watching her turn and head down the steps.

She had only gone down two steps when Shang Moting, deciding to stop teasing her, prepared to call her back. Suddenly, a black shadow lunged from the right.

Lin Ting reacted with lightning speed, dodging to the side.

Because the shadow was large and moving fast, she vaulted over the railing and tumbled down the steps.

Below the steps was a small garden enclosed by a fence. Unfamiliar with the layout, Lin Ting scraped her lower leg on the sharp edge of the small fence as she landed.

Shang Moting was right behind her almost the moment she vaulted over.

The shadow lunged at the railing, preparing to jump down after Lin Ting.

Shang Moting barked a command: "Back!"

The massive figure froze, then turned around obediently and walked away.

Shang Moting held Lin Ting’s arm. "Where are you hurt?"

Lin Ting shook her head, stunned. "Was that a wolf just now?"

Shang Moting looked down at her legs, feeling she must have hit something when she flipped over. "It’s a Blue Bay Shepherd."

Lin Ting was surprised. "That’s a huge dog."

Shang Moting helped her out of the garden.

Looking at her, she seemed to be walking fine, but he noticed her pants were torn. "Are you injured on your leg?"

Lin Ting looked at her torn pants, then back at Shang Moting, noticing his dark expression. "It’s nothing."