Bai Ning paused, surprised. Qin Feng was leaving? Wasn't he going to continue attending the banquet? Seeing her bewildered expression, he raised an eyebrow.
Qin Feng: "Aren't you getting in?"
Bai Ning: "Thank you."
She slid into the passenger seat, remembering their last awkward encounter and immediately fastened her seatbelt. Qin Feng subtly swallowed, his gaze falling on the woman beside him. She was stunning in her well-tailored crimson dress, the fabric clinging to her curves in a way that was both elegant and alluring. The rain had plastered the dress to her body, accentuating its sensual form.
Bai Ning: "Where are we going?"
Looking out the window, she realized this wasn't the way home. Qin Feng glanced at her.
Qin Feng: "To the hospital."
Hospital?
Bai Ning: "Why the hospital?"
Qin Feng frowned slightly.
Qin Feng: "Your hands are terribly red."
So he was taking her to the hospital for her hands.
Bai Ning smiled.
Bai Ning: "It's not necessary. It's just an allergic reaction."
Qin Feng's face darkened.
Qin Feng: "Why would you use such a harmful method?"
Bai Ning: "What else could I do? Was I supposed to let them frame me for theft?" She shifted slightly in her seat.
Qin Feng: "There were other ways." His tone was cold.
Bai Ning: "Were there better options?" She rubbed her temples. Given the circumstances—Zhang Wan'er's elaborate scheme and the damning evidence—her allergy was the quickest way to prove she hadn't touched the ring. She couldn't think of a better solution.
Qin Feng stared at her intently, his voice low and heavy.
Qin Feng: "You could have asked for my help."
Was that his alternative? Bai Ning was speechless. She offered a wry smile.
Bai Ning: "Regardless, thank you." She was grateful for his belief in her integrity.
Qin Feng remained expressionless, a cold snort escaping his nostrils. This woman was unexpected—calm, intelligent, and unlike anyone he'd imagined.
He forcefully drove Bai Ning to the hospital. The doctor examined her hands, confirming it was merely an allergic reaction and prescribed a cream.
Back home, they entered their shared room.
Qin Feng: "I'm going to shower."
He strode towards the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room. Bai Ning sat on the sofa, taking out the cream and carefully applying it to her fingers. The allergy was still itchy.
After applying the cream, she stood up and accidentally bumped into the man's chin. With a thud, a sharp pain shot through her head. Looking up, she found Qin Feng standing before her.
Bai Ning: "Wh-when did you get here?!"
He was there, tall and imposing, clad only in a white bathrobe, the top two buttons undone, revealing his sculpted eight-pack abs. His handsome features were taut from the pain of the bump; his hair was wet, droplets still clinging to the strands, making him look incredibly sensual.
Bai Ning was momentarily stunned. She had to admit, he was exceptionally handsome.
Qin Feng: "Finished admiring me?" He smirked, catching her staring.
Bai Ning: "When did you come in? How did you sneak up on me?" She rubbed her head, averting her gaze. "Get dressed."
Qin Feng's long fingers elegantly fastened the buttons, looking at her with an ambiguous smile.
Qin Feng: "I think you bumped into me."
She had bumped into him, yet she was complaining?
Bai Ning: "I—I'm going to shower." His enigmatic gaze made her uneasy. She grabbed her clothes and practically fled to the bathroom.
What was he doing? He was half-naked. It was just the two of them. Shouldn't he be more considerate?
Watching her hasty retreat, Qin Feng's gaze deepened. Was he really that frightening?
Knock knock knock
Halfway through her shower, Bai Ning heard a knock on the bathroom door.
Bai Ning: "Who is it?"
Her heart pounded. Why would someone knock on the bathroom door? Qin Feng was the only other person in the room. What did he want?
Through the door, she heard his magnetic voice.
Qin Feng: "It's me."
Alert, Bai Ning asked: "What do you want? I'm showering."
Qin Feng: "You dropped something." His voice was low and husky.
Bai Ning: "What?" She turned off the water, wrapping herself in a towel. He was definitely doing this on purpose! She didn't think she'd dropped anything. Even if she had, couldn't he have waited until she was finished showering? What was he up to? Was this impeccably dressed man…a voyeur?
Bai Ning frowned, resolving to not hesitate if his intentions were impure. She wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Qin Feng: "Check and see what you dropped." He glanced down at the item in his hand, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Bai Ning was bewildered. Looking around, she realized her underwear, which she'd been about to change into, was missing!
Oh my god! She must have dropped it in her haste. And Qin Feng had picked it up?
Her cheeks flushed. She tiptoed to the bathroom door, opening a small gap and peeking out.
Bai Ning: "Um…I accidentally dropped it. Give it back."
The soft yellow light illuminated her face, her skin still damp from the shower, glowing with a rosy hue. Qin Feng's gaze deepened. His long fingers extended the item.
Qin Feng: "Be careful. Don't drop it again."
Bai Ning: "Thanks!"
She snatched it quickly, accidentally brushing his hand. The warmth of his skin sent a blush to her cheeks. She quickly shut the door, her heart pounding wildly. This was unbelievably awkward!
Why did she agree to come to the Ma family? She was asking for trouble. She took several deep breaths to calm her nerves.
After showering, Bai Ning emerged to find Qin Feng sitting on the sofa, his long legs crossed, elegantly holding a financial magazine, his handsome brow slightly furrowed in concentration.
Bai Ning: "I'm going to bed."
As she approached him, she realized her words could be misinterpreted.
Qin Feng: "Oh?" He looked up, his magnetic voice laced with a hint of charm. "Is that an invitation?"
What?!
Bai Ning: "Don't be so narcissistic! We're just engaged by our families; it's a contract that ends in three months. Don't joke like that!"
Narcissistic? It was the first time a woman had dared to say that to him.
Qin Feng's eyes turned cold. He stood abruptly, towering over her, his lips slightly parted.
Qin Feng: "Don't worry, I'm not desperate. I wouldn't touch someone like you, who has no figure."
No figure? Bai Ning twitched her mouth. She had a perfect figure!
Bai Ning: "You have no figure! Your whole family has no figure!" She glared at him angrily.
Seeing her ruffled reaction, Qin Feng's eyes darkened.
Qin Feng: "I'm going to the study." He left for the study.
His mind was filled with Bai Ning's image: graceful, intelligent, confident, and dignified. It was a pity; she wasn't the one he was looking for.
A memory from thirteen years ago resurfaced:
Young Bai Ning: "Qin Gege, your hand is hurt. Let me bandage it." A younger Bai Ning, with pigtails, carefully bandaged his hand with a handkerchief, tying a neat bow.
Young Bai Ning: "Does it still hurt?" She looked up, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Qin Feng had hugged her tightly, his gaze resolute.
Qin Feng: "No, Tangtang, don't be afraid. Someone will come to save us."
Lost in thought, Qin Feng opened a drawer, carefully taking out a faded handkerchief. He looked at it for a long time. How was his Tangtang doing now?
…
The next morning, Bai Ning woke up to an empty room. Had he spent the night in the study? She rubbed her temples. Maybe she'd misunderstood him. Men like him, at the pinnacle of success, were pursued relentlessly. In his eyes, she was just a country bumpkin. He couldn't possibly have…those feelings for her.
That was for the best. In three months, they'd be free from this engagement. She had fulfilled her grandfather's request. Feeling relieved, Bai Ning headed to work. As soon as she arrived, Xia Xingxing called her.
Bai Ning: "What do you want?" She looked at Xia Xingxing calmly. Xia Xingxing had repeatedly caused trouble for her. What scheme did she have this time?