Chapter 37

Qin Xiaomeng looked up pitifully at Wu Peng, her delicate appearance truly stirring sympathy. Seeing her like this, Wu Peng's anger faded considerably, though he still had no intention of helping.

“Well, well, isn’t this the second young lady of the Qin family?” came a mocking voice.

“What’s this? You just plaster on a smile and come begging our Mr. Wu? You think you can ask for help whenever you want? Who do you think our Mr. Wu is? Why should he help you?”

At that moment, Li Ruofei pushed open the door to the VIP lounge and strode in, her gaze sweeping over Qin Xiaomeng with utter disdain. Her eyes brimmed with contempt as she sneered, “They say the Qin sisters are shameless, and I didn’t believe it before, but now I see it for myself!”

“So? Your sister seduced a man, had an illegitimate child, and was kicked out of the Qin family—everyone knows. Now you want to seduce our Mr. Wu here? Disgusting! The women of your Qin family really have no shame!”

Li Ruofei had long lost her patience. Having overheard the conversation and realizing Qin Xiaomeng had angered Wu Peng, she barged in to add fuel to the fire.

Qin Xiaomeng’s expression darkened, her brows knitting as her beautiful eyes fixed coldly on Li Ruofei. “Who are you calling a thief? Who are you calling illegitimate?”

“Your sister’s the one who seduced a man, so her child is illegitimate!” Li Ruofei retorted without a hint of fear. She even added maliciously, “And you’re no better—following in her footsteps!”

In Li Ruofei’s eyes, Qin Xiaomeng coming to Wu Peng was nothing short of trying to steal her man.

With a loud smack, Wu Peng suddenly raised his hand and slapped Li Ruofei across the face.

“Who said you could speak here?”

The blow left Li Ruofei stunned, rooted to the spot. She hadn’t imagined Wu Peng would slap her for Qin Xiaomeng’s sake. Tears welled in her eyes instantly, and her hatred for Qin Xiaomeng deepened.

“Xiaomeng, I can help you,” Wu Peng said, his brow furrowed, his face dark, as he looked her over with unabashed scrutiny. “There’s a charity gala tonight—it starts in two hours. My father will be there, and so will Director General Liu from the Patrol and Security Bureau.”

“Do you understand what I mean?”

Qin Xiaomeng’s face turned grim. “You want me to be your date for the gala?”

At that, Li Ruofei’s gaze, burning with jealousy and rage, shot toward Qin Xiaomeng. The gala was a rare networking opportunity, a gathering of powerful figures. Wu Peng had originally promised to take her, but now Qin Xiaomeng had snatched the chance away.

At this point, Li Ruofei could have killed her.

“Of course, you can refuse,” Wu Peng said with a faint smile, turning his gaze to Li Ruofei. “It’s not as if I can’t find another date.”

“But then, your brother-in-law might spend his life in prison.”

With that, Wu Peng arched his brow at Qin Xiaomeng. “You know what our family can do. One call from me, and I could get your brother-in-law out of trouble—or ensure he never sees daylight again.”

“The choice is yours,” Wu Peng spoke plainly.

Qin Xiaomeng’s expression grew icy, her eyes glinting with contempt as she looked at Wu Peng. She hadn’t expected him to be so despicable, seizing the chance to kick her while she was down and threaten her.

“Wu Peng, you make me sick.”

“Is that so?” Wu Peng replied coldly. “That’s fine. I’m not forcing you.”