Chapter 277: You’re Not Looking When I’m Naked
“What’s happening?” Sheng Minglan asked, staring at the number in genuine shock.
Who could have forked out such a huge amount of money apart from Sheng Xiao? Certainly, it was a small amount for Huang Yao, but such an ample amount of capital hurts Sheng Minglan personally, scorching her hand even as she held it.
“I’ve put the money under a third person account and not under my own name so that the old man won’t find out. Or are you intending to let others know that we have an agreement?”
“But, just now… you really looked like you don’t know who Zhao Lin was.”
“Fourth Sister, you know what your kid brother is like. I only remember those who are important, although I would still have to react a little when it’s someone so frivolous.” Sheng Xiao replied smoothly. “But if you think my head’s not in the game, I could switch to my gold card.”
“No need. My lawyer only intends to make sure where the money is coming from since that is their duty.”
Since Sheng Xiao had provided the funds and offered an explanation, Sheng Minglan knew that she had nothing to suspect and promptly turned to her lawyer. “There’s no issue with the money.”
“Very well, Miss Sheng.”
Hanging up and with the money in hand, Sheng Minglan was supposed to feel at ease.
But for some reason, she had the vague feeling that something wasn’t right.
Meanwhile, back at Huang Yao, Jing Yun was beside Sheng Xiao when he received the call.
He quickly thanked his young master when he saw him lower his mobile phone. “Thank you, Young Master.”
“The money used is your own and it ended up becoming my stocks. Why are you thanking me?” Sheng Xiao mockingly asked in return.
Jing Yun said nothing, but his intention was simple: to increase the betting chips Sheng Minglan had against Old Man Shen.
“Silly…”
Sheng Xiao seemed to remember what someone had once said: the hearts of those who appear cold on the outside is always fiery-hot.
Jing Yun was a real example of that.
***
Soon, night has arrived.
Returning home from school, Mu Qiqi had dinner with Sheng Xiao, before taking her materials with her to his study.
Sheng Xiao turned away from his computer to eye her. “Don’t you need to prepare for your semester finals?”
“I’m ready.” Mu Qiqi put down her materials, resting her head on her palm as she ogled at the man beside her—that dark blue collared sweater made him look devastatingly handsome.
“You’re not looking when I’m naked, and now you look like you want to go the distance.” Sheng Xiao sneered as he turned off his computer, settling beside her and putting his arm over her shoulder.
“Tell me, then. What do you want to do?” He asked.
“Why would unpleasant things happen every year on Huang Yao’s VVIP night? I want to know the cause to solve it.”
Sheng Xiao was never one who spent any effort in reading the planning department’s reports since it was his opinion that the department itself was unnecessary—their proposals only ever stayed within their comfort zone and had no creativity to speak of.
“On that, we’ll have to start with a pair of our top clients. They are both daughters-in-law of the Liu family but also each other’s fiercest rivals, and they both the most loyal customers we have and our greatest problem. On our VVIP Nights for every past year, they would come to show off as much as they could.”
“I don’t get it.” Mu Qiqi leaned onto him, carefully listening as he spoke.
“The top fifty Huang Yao clients are invited to the VVIP gala every year, and those two rich wives have been at odds as they tried to claim the number one spot for the past few years.”
“Are they fighting for their own husbands?”
“Nope. The eldest Madam Liu was formerly the wife of the second son of the family, but it turned out that her ex-husband had been having an affair with another woman. After they divorced, the second son married his current wife while his ex-wife married his eldest brother.
“So such a thing is possible.” Mu Qiqi felt amazed at the story.
Still, it was understandable why those two women were at each other’s necks every day.
However, Huang Yao’s VVIP gala was a tradition that couldn’t be called off over their dispute. And yet, they insist on staging their battle at the gala—no wonder the planning department was so nervous.
They must be burning their incense every day, hoping that the night would pa.s.s in peace.
“It’s basically a dead end. Everyone in Huang Yao racked their brains but still couldn’t find a solution, and the planning department would always be overwrought when this season comes each year. Still, they are celebrating with fireworks this year since the old man found a new target.”
“Can’t blame them, but Grandpa is really being toxic here.” Mu Qiqi couldn’t help pursing her lips. “Putting such a dilemma on my head.”
“Why else did you think he did it?” Sheng Xiao pinched the tip of her nose.
“Well… are the Liu brothers at odds with each other as well?”
“Not quite. The family simply watched as those two fight away over the years without much reaction.” Sheng Xiao explained and smiled at Mu Qiqi as she became silent. “So? Are you confident you can solve this?”
“Such a deep grudge… it’s not going to be easy.” Mu Qiqi held her chin, deliberately making a thoughtful look.
“You still have time to slowly think about it, little one.”
Mu Qiqi nodded, although she had the feeling that a lot of important things had been happening recently.
“By the way, is Huang Yao not organizing any events for Christmas?”
“It’s just the usual event. So I’ll be accompanying you this Christmas.”
With those words, Sheng Xiao turned Mu Qiqi towards him, and kissed her lips.
It felt soft, sticky, and sensational.
Naturally, Mu Qiqi was not in a hurry to resolve the present issue either.
She was not a G.o.d—if the planning department with their many staff couldn’t solve it, she certainly couldn’t do it immediately either.
Still, as Sheng Xiao was about to go deeper with his kiss, she suddenly put her fingers on his lips, stopping him. “I want information on the Liu brothers.”
“You’ll get it when you come home tomorrow.”
Satisfied, only then did Mu Qiqi throw off the materials she had and kissed him back. She remembered how she still had to compete for affection against Mu Tangxue last year, but even though she still wasn’t getting any concern from the Mu family now, she had a fiancé.
Even if she knew that her happiness did not come easy, she could only hope that time could move slower.
And… slower…
Soon, the study became a gym for the couple.
***
The cold wasn’t especially bleak in Jianchuan, but the winds cut into the bone.
Late at night, Jing Yun watched from the balcony as the Englishman brought Sheng Minglan home. He tried to evade her by reflex, only to find her at the door of his room just a moment later.
“Can I come in? I want to talk.”
Jing Yun paused for a moment but nodded. “We shouldn’t do this again. You are the fourth sister of the Sheng family and I am a mere a.s.sistant.”
“You know I’ve never once belittled you, Jing Yun.”
“I know, Fourth Sister. But rumors can hurt.”
Sheng Minglan was about to retort when Sheng Minghui suddenly appeared at Jing Yun’s door as well.
“And here I was thinking why I didn’t see you even though your car is back, Sister. I didn’t expect to find you in Jing Yun’s room.” She told the both of them.