Chapter Twenty-Two: Shouldn't There Be a Reward?

Lu Ziyi was still unwilling to give in and wanted to say something more, but Old Master Lu shot him a glare that immediately silenced him. All he could do was swallow his frustration, waiting angrily for the two across from him. However, when he met Xie Jinchuan’s gaze, he instantly shrank back, not daring to utter another word.

The meal was a study in contrasts: for some, every bite was hard to swallow, while others ate cheerfully, their appetites undisturbed. Shen Qingli, for her part, paid no mind to Shen Jingrong’s murderous glare. The dinner passed hurriedly; Shen Jingrong left with reddened eyes as soon as it ended, looking as though she had suffered some terrible injustice from the Lu family.

With the family banquet over, everyone departed in haste, leaving only Shen Qingli, Xie Jinchuan, and the Lu family. “It’s getting late—why not stay the night?” Old Master Lu had intended it as a polite suggestion, but to his surprise, the man nodded. “That sounds good,” Xie Jinchuan replied.

Shen Qingli glanced at Old Master Lu’s expression and nearly burst out laughing. “Prepare a room for Jinchuan to stay in,” Old Master Lu said, his smile forced, and immediately ordered the butler to ready a guest room.

Back in her room, Shen Qingli heard the familiar sound of the cilantro system’s notification. [Host has completed the task perfectly. With Xie Jinchuan’s bonus, you have gained forty face-slapping points.] Shen Qingli was delighted; earning forty points without any effort was simply exhilarating!

“Xie Jinchuan, you’re wonderful!” she exclaimed, and as the man turned toward her, she threw herself into his arms.

Suddenly enveloped by her soft form, Xie Jinchuan stiffened, lowered his gaze, and met her sparkling eyes. Looking at the adorable Shen Qingli in his embrace, his expression darkened slightly. “Since I’m so good, shouldn’t I get a reward?” he murmured.

Shen Qingli paused, uncertain, but before she could ask what kind of reward he wanted, his face was suddenly close, his lips cool as they pressed against hers. Shen Qingli’s eyes widened in shock. Xie Jinchuan let out a low chuckle and pulled back a little. “Be good. Close your eyes,” he whispered.

Instinctively, Shen Qingli shut her eyes, and his lips returned, lingering and gentle. The air in the room grew steadily warmer, the atmosphere humming with intimacy between the two.

Shen Qingli responded shyly to his kiss, deepening the emotion in Xie Jinchuan’s eyes. He lifted her up in his arms and carried her toward the bed. The softness beneath her made Shen Qingli blush furiously as she looked at the man before her, breathing heavily.

Seeing her embarrassment, Xie Jinchuan’s gaze flickered, and he leaned down. The sensation at her neck made Shen Qingli shiver, her heart tingling. “Mm…” She couldn’t help but murmur softly, which only intensified the man’s desire.

His kisses trailed downward, exploring new territory. Shen Qingli’s face was flushed, the unfamiliar sensations coursing through her body brought a hint of fear, and her voice trembled. “Jinchuan, wait…”

But Shen Qingli didn’t realize just how alluring her voice had become. Xie Jinchuan’s throat tightened as he gazed down at the flushed, emotional girl beneath him. He took a deep breath. “I’ll take a shower first. Wait for me.”

Noticing his suppressed expression, Shen Qingli was stunned. When she realized, her cheeks reddened further. She rolled herself up in the quilt, hiding her blush.

In the bathroom, Xie Jinchuan took three or four cold showers before the heat in his body finally dissipated. When he came out, he saw Shen Qingli had already fallen asleep.

Perhaps it was the cold water, but Xie Jinchuan felt slightly dizzy. Still, he hadn’t forgotten his purpose. He reached out and placed his hand on Shen Qingli’s forehead, calling softly, “System.”

Sensing the fluctuation in his spiritual consciousness, his palm began to glow faintly, spiritual energy pouring into the system.

[Mr. Lu, that’s enough. You’re still suffering backlash right now.] The system tried to cut off the transfer, but Xie Jinchuan blocked it, his voice cold. “I’m giving you this spiritual power so you can store it and protect her next time! If something like this happens again, I won’t hesitate to replace you!”

His icy words sent the system into a shiver of fear. The discomfort in his body grew, but Xie Jinchuan still didn’t withdraw his hand until blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. Only then did he quickly pull away.

He coughed lightly, realizing he had pushed his spiritual power too far, and now the backlash was even harder to suppress.

Xie Jinchuan’s head felt heavy, his body burning with discomfort. He looked at the peacefully sleeping Shen Qingli, his gaze tender. He got into bed, wrapped her in his arms, enduring the pain brought by the backlash in silence.

Shen Qingli, meanwhile, dreamed of a warm current enveloping her funds, and she instinctively moved closer. But soon, that warmth grew hotter and hotter, prompting her to open her eyes.

The moment she did, she saw Xie Jinchuan’s exquisitely handsome face. She was momentarily dazed, but sensed something was wrong.

“Xie Jinchuan?” she called, shaking him, but he didn’t wake, only radiating heat.

Her gaze fell on his flushed cheeks, and she quickly reached out, but the moment her palm touched his forehead, she snatched it back as if shocked. “He’s so hot! Is he running a fever?” she exclaimed.

She shook him again, but he remained unresponsive, his breathing heavy and labored. Shen Qingli frowned in concern.

She got up immediately, found a cloth, soaked it in cool water, and placed it on his forehead. “Xie Jinchuan, wake up,” she pleaded, but he was still unconscious, showing no reaction.

Shen Qingli grew anxious, jumping up and rushing out. “Isn’t there a medicine cabinet in this room?”

After searching, she glanced at Xie Jinchuan’s flushed face, then hurried outside.

“Miss Shen, is something wrong?” Butler Zhang, seeing her in a hurry, approached at once.

Shen Qingli’s eyes lit up upon seeing him. “Xie Jinchuan seems to have a fever. Butler Zhang, your family should have a doctor, right?”

Hearing that Xie Jinchuan was ill, Butler Zhang’s face revealed a hint of concern. But now, Xie Jinchuan was not someone to cross.

“I’ll call Dr. Liu right away and have him come over.”