Chapter Seven: This Is the Second Time

“Stop!” Lu Ziyi’s gloomy voice suddenly shattered the tense atmosphere. He snatched her phone in anger. “Shen Qingli, you’re truly vicious—how could you want to send my mother to the police station?”

“That’s considered vicious?” Shen Qingli clicked her tongue softly, amused by his frantic expression. “Didn’t you feel vicious when you betrayed me and got involved with Shen Jingrong?”

Lu Ziyi’s face darkened. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Shen Jingrong chimed in weakly at just the right moment, “Sister, I know you’ve never liked me, but… but Master Lu is innocent.”

Shen Qingli scoffed, saying nothing. She turned to the onlookers, raising her eyebrows. “Weren’t you all curious why I became Xie Jinchuan’s fiancée?”

“The answer is right here.” She produced a USB drive, plugged it into the computer.

Moments later, dozens of photos played across the screen as a slideshow.

Without exception, every image showed Lu Ziyi and Shen Jingrong in intimate poses.

And at the end, a short video delivered the most explosive revelation.

The two were locked in an embrace, Shen Jingrong’s collar disheveled, Lu Ziyi’s hand already venturing inside. Their entanglement lasted five minutes.

In the upper right corner, the timestamp was clearly visible.

Gasps rippled through the crowd; strange looks settled on Lu Ziyi and Shen Jingrong.

“I really don’t like you, because you lack any sense of propriety.” Shen Qingli’s face wore a perpetual smile, but Shen Jingrong, now pale, felt that smile was nothing but cruel mockery.

She had no idea what to say.

“Shen Qingli, you wretched woman!” Lu Ziyi, unable to contain his fury, his face flushed darkly, raised his hand and slapped without hesitation.

Shen Qingli’s eyes narrowed.

“Who gave you the right to touch her?” In an instant, Xie Jinchuan appeared, gripping his wrist. “This is the second time.”

His voice was icy and remote; the surrounding guests retreated in fear.

Shen Qingli disliked being in the spotlight—if she’d seen him earlier, she wouldn’t have handled it herself; now things were different.

“Jin, I’m scared…” She tugged at his sleeve, shrinking back, her voice so soft it tugged at the heart.

Xie Jinchuan felt a sharp pain in his chest. He squeezed her hand, then released it quickly.

In front of so many people, Lu Ziyi refused to back down. He tried to pull his hand free, but couldn’t.

“I respect you as my third uncle, so I’m giving you face. But she’s tarnished the Lu family’s reputation—I must teach her a lesson!” he spat, twisting the facts.

“Who is truly tarnishing the Lu family’s name—you know the answer.” Xie Jinchuan’s grip tightened, his strength increasing, as if he might crush the bones in Lu Ziyi’s wrist.

Lu Ziyi’s features contorted in pain, his anger clouding all reason. He blurted out, “Xie Jinchuan, you’re nothing but a bastard—what are you so proud of!”

As soon as his words fell, Xie Jinchuan’s face darkened into an abyss.

The room fell silent, not a sound.

“Say another word and see what happens.” Xie Jinchuan’s expression was thunderous, chilling.

Lu Ziyi, desperate to shake free, gritted his teeth. “Your mother was a whore! If it wasn’t for the blood ties to the Lu family, do you think you’d ever hold power—”

A fist full of violence crashed into him, cutting off his words.

Lu Ziyi was knocked to the ground, blood streaming from his nose.

Li Yunlan was stunned, but dared not step forward or speak.

“Try saying one more word.” Xie Jinchuan grabbed his collar, a demon in human form.

Lu Ziyi’s eyes burned with rage. “Am I wrong?”

Another punch landed.

No one dared intervene.

Shen Qingli stood aside, a fleeting trace of amusement in her eyes.

When Lu Ziyi was beaten so badly he could barely breathe, she stepped forward and took Xie Jinchuan’s hand. “Jin…”

Some in the crowd watched in astonishment, some pitied her.

They all waited for Xie Jinchuan to scold her.

Yet the fierce aura around Xie Jinchuan dissipated instantly; his cold expression softened as soon as he turned to her.

Luo Yu’s eyelashes quivered, her jaw clenched tighter.

In the crowd, a man with a gentle, refined face glanced at her, his fingertips idly rubbing together.

“Does it hurt?” Shen Qingli’s gaze brimmed with worry and tenderness. She took the man’s hand and gently wiped the blood from it with a handkerchief.

“It doesn’t.” After a moment, he spoke, his voice roughened.

Lu Ziyi, beaten and powerless, looked as if he might die; his face was covered in blood, his nose swollen and bruised. Li Yunlan dared not confront Xie Jinchuan directly, so she quietly called emergency services.

“But it’s already broken.” Tears welled in her eyes, choking her voice. Xie Jinchuan, heedless of the audience, reached out to wipe her tears.

After the protagonists left, the banquet quickly ended. Luo Yu watched Xie Jinchuan holding Shen Qingli’s hand, her resentment growing.

“You really dislike her, don’t you?” Suddenly, a warm voice sounded beside her ear.

Luo Yu instinctively recoiled. Turning, she saw a man in a neat suit, handsome and refined. She grew wary and said nothing.

“I can help you.” An Yan smiled softly, his voice laced with temptation.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Luo Yu tossed the words and tried to leave, but he blocked her path.

“I know you want to marry Xie Jinchuan, to become the wife of a CEO. I can help you, because… we share a common enemy.”

Her brows furrowed. “You don’t like Shen Qingli?”

An Yan shook his head. “No, I want to marry her.”

Luo Yu kept her poised demeanor, unwilling to reveal anything.

“That’s your business. Sorry, I’m not interested.” She turned to leave.

“If my calculations are correct, they’ll get their marriage certificate next month. Only twenty-three days left.”

An Yan’s voice was calm and measured. “Of course, if you’re willing to watch Shen Qingli become Xie Jinchuan’s wife, then forget I said anything.”

Luo Yu halted abruptly.

…

Inside the car, silence reigned. Shen Qingli watched him with closed eyes, unsure what to say.

[Congratulations, host, task completed. Twenty face-slapping points have been credited. Please check your account.] The voice of Green Parsley was lively.

She frowned and asked, [Is there any reward that’s actually pleasant?]

Green Parsley was about to answer yes, but suddenly shook its head: [No, there isn’t.]

Shen Qingli felt uneasy in the overly quiet car. Her voice was barely audible, “Jin, are you alright?”

Lu Ziyi’s words were cruel, worthy of a beast.

The man opened his eyes, their gaze cold and clear.

She racked her brains for something to say, but suddenly she was pulled close, enveloped in a strong, warm embrace.

Startled, Shen Qingli heard Xie Jinchuan’s gentle, hoarse voice at her ear, “Let me hold you for a while.”

Her phone dangled in midair; slowly, she wrapped her arms around him.

[Host, don’t forget the main task!] Green Parsley reminded her at just the right time.

Shen Qingli: […Alright, I know.]