Chapter Eight: Simply Unstoppable

"Actually, it's nothing, really." Her voice was soft, and suddenly she remembered her true form. "You still have a mother. I never did." If she hadn't absorbed the essence of sun and moon, she wouldn't even have a human shape.

It was a strange thing to say, but Xie Jinchuan found his mood inexplicably lighter. He knew what she was.

"I'm actually quite capable, you know. If you hadn't shown up in time today, I could have handled him myself." Shen Qingli realized she'd said the wrong thing and awkwardly changed the subject.

"Leave matters like this to me." He released her, his gaze lingering on her with a gentle warmth.

Just as Shen Qingli was about to pat his shoulder and offer a few words of comfort, his handsome face suddenly drew closer. Her heart skipped wildly, but at the crucial moment, an unexpected hiccup burst out.

"Sorry... I think I drank a bit much," Shen Qingli stammered, her ears burning.

Xie Jinchuan reached out to ruffle her hair, his eyes soft.

After a brief night of peace, news of the banquet's events spread everywhere the next day.

Shen Qingli had barely woken when she received a call from an unfamiliar number.

"Miss Shen, let's meet," came a deep, commanding voice, leaving no room for refusal.

An hour later, in an upscale restaurant.

Facing the elderly man across the table, Shen Qingli asked politely, "If you have something to say, please say it outright."

Old Master Lu wasted no time. "Miss Shen, you and Jinchuan are not suitable for each other."

She seemed to consider this. "But we're already engaged. Ah Jin has even paid the betrothal gifts."

The old man grew a bit irritated. "Miss Shen, you seem like a smart woman. Consider the betrothal gifts compensation; you needn't return them."

"And if I don't agree?" She still had to return to the demon realm. If she left now, how could she win over Xie Jinchuan and complete her task?

Old Master Lu snorted, clearly prepared for this. "Jinchuan is of the Lu family. Whom he marries is not his to decide."

Shen Qingli pressed her lips together, her voice clear. "In that case, there's nothing more to discuss. Goodbye."

Efficient as ever, she stood to leave rather than waste time. But as she rose, several burly bodyguards blocked her path.

She gave the old man a look, saying nothing.

Old Master Lu had been seething since last night, and now his patience was nearly exhausted. "This is your last chance, Miss Shen. Have you made up your mind?"

Immediately, Shen Qingli called out in her mind to Green Parsley, "Quick, give me an escape item!"

"On it!" In an instant, a round object appeared in her palm.

"Mist Powder. Hold your breath when you use it," Green Parsley reminded her.

Shen Qingli curved her lips in a faint smile. "Even if you ask me a hundred times, my answer will not change."

Old Master Lu's face fell completely. "Take her away!" he barked.

At his command, the bodyguards closed in. Shen Qingli deftly triggered the hidden clasp, held her breath, and flung her arm.

A thick white mist erupted, shrouding her in a barrier.

By the time the mist dissipated, Shen Qingli was gone.

Old Master Lu slammed the table in fury, about to order his men, when a sneeze caught him off guard.

One after another, the bodyguards began sneezing uncontrollably.

Escaping the restaurant, Shen Qingli thought for a moment before deciding to find Xie Jinchuan at his company.

Crossing the street, she caught a faint, odd scent—something familiar.

She glanced around, but saw nothing. Perhaps it was just her imagination. Without thinking further, she hailed a cab to Lu Group.

When she pushed open the CEO's office door, Xie Jinchuan was bent over paperwork. "Sit and wait for me a moment," he said without looking up.

Shen Qingli obediently settled on the sofa. Moments later, the door opened again and Luo Yu entered, a file in hand and an employee badge around her neck.

Shen Qingli frowned slightly as Luo Yu approached. "President Xie, please sign the project proposal."

He glanced through the file, then signed his name in a bold, fluid hand.

"Isn't a focused man just so attractive?" Green Parsley chimed in suddenly.

Shen Qingli raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be such a hopeless romantic."

"I'm just telling the truth," Green Parsley retorted.

She watched him seriously. He was, indeed, captivating.

When Luo Yu left, Shen Qingli stared absently at the door.

She couldn't help noticing that Luo Yu carried the same faint, odd scent.

Once Xie Jinchuan finished his last document and came over, he explained, "She wanted to experience the life of a secretary, so I arranged it for her."

Shen Qingli snapped out of her thoughts and recounted everything that had happened today.

"If your grandfather doesn't approve, Ah Jin, then we..." Her voice was soft, like a feather brushing the heart.

"I'll handle it, all right?" He took her hand.

Shen Qingli was still unused to such intimacy, her lashes lowering. "Okay," she murmured.

She had thought he would merely explain things to Old Master Lu. She hadn't expected Xie Jinchuan to take her straight to the civil affairs bureau.

"Register... for marriage?" Shen Qingli was dazed.

"Yes." His gaze was deep. "It's the quickest and best way."

"Of course, if you don't want to, I'll take you home."

Green Parsley spoke up in time: "Registering will earn you a generous reward!"

Shen Qingli blinked, then nodded firmly. "I do."

When they emerged, he was still holding her hand.

Warmth blossomed in Xie Jinchuan's heart. He turned to look at her. Once everything was settled, he would give her a grand wedding.

"Congratulations, host! You've received a special gift pack."

"So soon?" Shen Qingli raised her eyebrows. "Open it for me."

"Right away, host." Green Parsley tapped a few times, and the gift pack was quickly unwrapped.

Her warehouse panel, once empty, now brimmed with items: twenty strategy points, a fake-death pill, an anti-assault vest, a strength enhancer, a pain-numbing elixir, and a soft-bone powder.

Excitement rushed through Shen Qingli's eyes, and she couldn't help herself. "Getting this certificate was so worth it!"

"Hmm?" Xie Jinchuan drew closer at her words.

Realizing what she'd just blurted, Shen Qingli's cheeks flushed.

"So, what should we do now that we're married?" she asked, flustered, trying to change the subject.

He pulled her closer, his fingers tracing the curve of her neck, his voice low and husky. "Are you ready?"

The magnetic timbre sent a shiver through her, and her mind went blank.

Softness filled Xie Jinchuan's heart. He bent to kiss her ear. "Mrs. Xie."

It was an exquisitely sensitive spot. Shen Qingli froze, her body tingling.

"Come home with me, all right?" Xie Jinchuan took her hand again, and she followed him to the car in a daze.

They returned to the old Lu family residence as dusk settled. Because Xie Jinchuan had notified them in advance, many people were present.

Old Master Lu, Mr. Lu Hao, Mrs. Li Yunlan, young master Lu Ziyi, and unexpectedly Luo Yu, whom he hadn't informed.

Shen Qingli had a feeling tonight would be an unforgettable scene.