163: Discovered

During the next few days of the Comic Convention, Xu Ling didn't go, and neither did Shen Qian. Song Mengyuan, however, frequently sent messages to Shen Qian, sharing many things from the convention. Most of the photos the girl took were of Tokusatsu, perhaps thinking Shen Qian would be interested in it.

Regarding this proactive girl, Shen Qian couldn't figure out what she actually wanted. She was different from Xia Mengling; Xia Mengling's interest was purely like a child collecting toys, though she had changed now. But this girl, he felt, was very much like himself—approaching her prey step by step, ready to bite the moment the other party let their guard down.

Since she had delivered herself to his doorstep, there was no reason to let her go.

Shen Qian called Bai Xiu.

"Come out and see me."

"I'll book a hotel."

"Tsk, you woman. When I let you do 'good deeds,' doesn't your soul feel even a little bit purified? Doing 'it' as soon as we meet—what do you take me for?"

"If you want me to do something, this is the only condition. Which hotel do you like? Tell me, and I'll book it immediately."

Shen Qian felt slightly helpless.

"Whatever."

... "Hah... hah... hah! Speak, what is it?"

"Investigate someone."

Bai Xiu gave Shen Qian's shoulder a light bite. Shen Qian pinched her chin and gave her a harsh glare.

"You playboy, who is it this time?" Sensing Shen Qian's anger, Bai Xiu reverted to a submissive manner.

"Song Mengyuan, she should be the newly-crowned first year Campus Belle. Lately, this woman has been constantly approaching me and chatting with me out of the blue."

"I want to know her background, including her social circles and who she's been with. This shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

"I've noticed the tasks you give me are getting harder and harder. Investigating social circles..."

"Can't do it? If you can't, then let's not see each other anymore."

"No, no, no! I'll do it, okay? I really can't stand you, flipping out at the drop of a hat."

"I'll check, I'll check for you, alright?"

"If you're unwilling, then don't do it. Don't give me that attitude."

"I was wrong, I'll definitely do a good job. Don't be angry~"

"The owner of a Media Company is holding a cocktail party recently. Do you want to go and have some fun? There should be some minor celebrities and internet influencers there."

"A Media Company... what's the purpose of the cocktail party?"

"To find someone to back them up, of course. For a Media Company to grow, they need someone behind them. Otherwise, do you really think they'd have the guts to play around with those sky-high contracts or illegal operations?"

"Since you're being so sincere, I'll forgive you for now. Get the job done first. As for that Media Company, just contact me when the time comes."

"Since I'm thinking about you so much, how about... one more time?"

"You're quite resilient, but I refuse. Once you've finished the task, you'll get your reward."

"Fine."

Bai Xiu had no choice. She couldn't control this man and had to go along with everything he wanted. Yet, she simply couldn't muster any thought of resistance, feeling that whatever he said was right.

It was December. At 6:00 AM, the sky in Shanghai wasn't fully bright yet. Xie Wan and Shen Qian were embracing and kissing in a corner. Ever since the sun started rising later, the two had become even more brazen. Kissing had almost become their warm-up exercise before running.

In Shen Qian's words, it was to get the lungs moving before the run.

Whether the lungs were moving was unknown, but their mouths and hands certainly were busy. If it weren't for the freezing weather and the fact that the spot wasn't particularly hidden, god knows what they would have done under the influence of their mutual passion.

"A-Qian, it's 6:10. Just five more minutes of kissing, otherwise, Xixi will be here."

"You said the same thing five minutes ago. Clearly, you're the one who's greedy for it."

"Then I was wrong. I'll make it up to you later, okay? Xixi, Xixi is coming."

"I saw that the weather's been too cold lately, so I told her the running time changed from 6:30 to 7:00. She'll arrive at 6:40 at the earliest."

"Did you do that on purpose!"

"On purpose for what?"

"Purposely delaying the time just for... for... kissing."

"What answer do you want to hear?"

"I want the truth."

"The weather is indeed cold, and I indeed want to kiss you. I want to every day."

"Me too."

As they were whispering sweet nothings, a phone ring suddenly sounded from a corner in the darkness.

It was a bit dark. Xie Wan's heart tightened, fearing it was Du Xixi, yet she couldn't bear to push the man in front of her away, her hands unconsciously hugging him even tighter.

The moment the other person's phone rang, they immediately tried to flee.

"Xiao Wan, don't be afraid. I'll handle it."

Shen Qian had Xiao Wan let go, then he gave chase. The girl didn't run very fast, and Shen Qian caught up in just a few steps.

It wasn't Du Xixi; it was Xu Ling.

Seeing Shen Qian block her path, the girl buried her head even lower than usual.

"What did you see? What did you hear?"

"I—I won't tell anyone about this, but what you're doing is wrong. You're letting Xinxin down."

"Since you think I'm letting her down, why don't you tell her? Otherwise, aren't you letting her down too?"

"This is your own business. It's not convenient for me to interfere."

"If that's the case, then why were you running?"

"I wasn't running, I was just..."

"Tell me, when did you start eavesdropping?"

"I wasn't eavesdropping, I was just passing by."

"The Girls' Dormitory is to the east, and the corner I was in is to the west. Even if you were going to the Sports Field, I really can't imagine why someone would take such a huge detour early in the morning just to 'pass by' that spot.

Moreover, if your phone hadn't rung, it seems you would have stayed there watching and listening. This probably isn't the first time, is it?

Tell me. When did this start?"

Xu Ling kept her head down, not wanting or daring to speak. Shen Qian's guess was right; it indeed wasn't her first time watching. But she hadn't told Tan Xinxin. On one hand, she was afraid of making her friend sad; on the other hand, for some reason she didn't understand, she just wanted to help Shen Qian hide this matter.

"I didn't realize you had such a fetish—watching other people kiss."

"I don't."

She argued, but the truth was, she did like watching, especially Xie Wan and Shen Qian. Their kisses felt so intense. Normally, one was steady and refined while the other was cold as frost, but when they collided, they were so passionate.

No matter which role she projected herself into, she felt an extraordinary pleasure.

Coupled with the fact that Shen Qian had a Girlfriend, that strong sense of immorality constantly provoked Xu Ling's nerves.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. She lifted her lowered head, her speech still a bit stuttery.

"I-I-If you don't want me to tell Tan Xinxin, then... then do it with me once too."

Shen Qian raised an eyebrow slightly.

What did this mean? Before he could even start his conquest, the Boss surrendered on her own?