The hotel room was still and silent.

The curtains, which weren’t fully closed, emitted a faint ray of light. It was weak, and they could only vaguely see the outline of the room’s furnishings.

“Third… Third Brother?” Song Fengwan took a deep breath. There was a smell hovering around her nose that didn’t belong to her.

Her back was against the slightly cold wall, and his whole body was pressed against hers, imprisoning her body. The heat close to her landed on her face gently and passionately.

He moved closer, his slightly cold nose brushing against her face.

“Wanwan.”

“Huh?” Song Fengwan leaned her whole body backward, not daring to move rashly.

“Your face is so hot. You look like you have a fever.”

Song Fengwan bit her lip. “You’re too close.”

She reached out and tried to push him away. Her hands landed on his chest, and he pinned them down.

Even through the down jacket, she could feel his heart pounding.

Her palms gradually heated up.

“Did you miss me?” His nose rubbed against hers, and his skin touched hers gently, making her heart palpitate. “So? Did you miss me?”

“Let go of me first.” Song Fengwan’s voice became increasingly soft and delicate. The two’s bodies were pressed close against each other, dispelling the chilliness and inexplicably adding some warmth and ambiguity.

Under the dim light, Fu Chen looked at the lips within reach, and he gulped.

It was a little dry and hot.

“Move away a little first. You’re making me uncomfortable by pressing onto me…” Song Fengwan pushed him away in a hurry, and his body moved half an inch away…

Her heart relaxed as the pressure was removed. Just as she felt more comfortable, someone suddenly grabbed her hand, pinned it above her head, and pressed his body down on her…

“Third… Mm…”

There was silence as the sound was drowned out.

He pressed his lips against hers but did not go deeper. Just being pressed against like this was enough to make her heart hammer.

Fu Chen pecked the corner of her lips. Muack! Song Fengwan’s heart raced wildly, and her face was flushed.

Fu Chen turned his head, stuck it close to her ear, and whispered, “Wanwan, I’m sorry.”

An apology?

What is he up to now?

“I really couldn’t resist.”

Song Fenwan’s blood surged. She was fuming.

Meanwhile, a certain someone had already backed away from her. He picked up the room card on the ground and inserted it into the indentation. Accompanied by the beeping sound of the electrical power connecting, the whole room was as bright as day.

“Don’t stand at the door. Come in and sit.” Fu Chen sized up the room. It was a simple two-bedroom apartment.

He took Song Fengwan’s examination tools and placed them on the table smoothly.

Song Fengwan was exasperated. Exactly whose room is this?

“Where’s your phone?” Fu Chen suddenly reached out to her.

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you say that the battery was low? I’ll charge it for you. Go change your clothes first. I’ll take you out to dinner.”

Song Fengwan had been painting for the whole day, so she had inevitably gotten some paint on her.

Just as she took out her phone, she saw a WeChat message.

Little White Dragon in the Waves: Little Sister, I saw the news! Don’t be afraid. You can find me if you need anything. I’ll help you!

“Give me your phone?” Fu Chen raised an eyebrow.

Song Fengwan felt that something was amiss since last night. They had initially agreed that she would have barbeque with Qiao Aiyun after the examination ended today. It was fine if she had to skip their appointment, but even Fu Chen had come to Yuncheng, and there was this message from Duan Linbai.

She immediately turned on her phone. Although she had turned off all kinds of app notifications, there were still various headlines on them.

The news of Qiao Aiyun’s imminent press conference immediately popped up. There were endless links to all kinds of stories…

“Wanwan.” Seeing her expression, Fu Chen knew that he couldn’t hide it anymore.

Song Fengwan held her phone and looked at it for around five minutes before she understood the situation.

“He did it?” She looked at Fu Chen for an answer.

“Aunt Yun doesn’t want you to get involved. She’s already handling it. Someone will help her. Don’t worry about it.”

“I just want to go over and take a look. You want me to wait here?” I would go crazy.

Seeing her anxious appearance, Fu Chen reached out to touch her hair. “The press conference hasn’t started yet. Go get changed. I’ll take you there.”

Song Fengwan ran to the bedroom and changed into a coat. She didn’t even zip it up before dashing out in a hurry. “I’m done! Let’s go.”

“It hasn’t even started yet. There’s no need to be in such a hurry.” Fu Chen bent over and helped her pull up the zipper. He helped her put on the scarf considerately and reminded in a low voice, “This is an adult’s matter. No matter what happens later, don’t act rashly.”

“Okay.” Song Fengwan nodded seriously and dragged Fu Chen out. This person can really dawdle.

***

Huamao Hotel…

The press conference had yet to start, but the venue was already packed full of people. The various media outlets occupied their positions, set up their equipment, and adjusted the cameras while waiting for Qiao Aiyun to appear.

Around 7:50 p.m., Qiao Aiyun and Geng Ying walked onto the stage of the press conference under the escort of two security guards.

The cameras focused, and the flashing lights lasted for about five minutes.

“Does the Jade Hall of Spring sell fake goods or not? You’ve ruined Old Master Qiao’s reputation. Don’t you have any shame?”

“That photo is real, right? You are currently divorcing your husband while living with another man. Don’t you have any shame?” Reporters were always pervasive. Somehow, they had found photos of Yan Wangchuan entering her apartment building.

“Can you keep your mouth clean? She hasn’t said anything yet. If you want to cause trouble, get out.”

There were also reporters and masses who had come to watch. They couldn’t stand hearing such vulgar words and stopped them.

“Did she invite you to help her?”

“The press conference hasn’t even started, yet you’re already stirring up trouble. I think you’re the one harboring evil intentions.”

…

At this moment, Song Jingren was on the scene, hiding in a corner.

“President Song, we should probably go.” Secretary Zhang was extremely nervous. If they were discovered, it would be over.

Even thieves felt guilty. Besides Song Jingren, he knew best what had happened.

“What’s the hurry? I want to see what else she can do now that things have gotten to this point.” Song Jingren was wearing a mask, and his eyes were sinister and ruthless. The bruises at the corners of his eyes had yet to disappear.

“But…” Secretary Zhang covered his face, afraid that he would be recognized.

“I want to see her reputation fall apart. She wanted to snatch my things and even got Yan Wangchuan to deal with me. Does she think I’m easy to bully?”

Meanwhile…

Fu Chen and Song Fengwan had already reached the second floor of the hotel. There was a main control room here that was in charge of the stage lighting for the press conference. They could clearly see everything happening below the stage.

***

At 8:00 p.m. sharp…

Geng Ying tapped the microphone. “All right, please be quiet, everyone. Our press conference is about to start.”

Everyone was silent, waiting for Qiao Aiyun to speak.

She tested the microphone. “First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming out on such a cold day for me. The main purpose of this press conference is to clarify one matter.”

“One matter? Ms. Qiao, shouldn’t there be two? Fake goods? Adultery?” The reporter couldn’t wait.

“Isn’t it rude of you to interrupt others like this?” Qiao Aiyun narrowed her eyes. She was wearing a black outfit today with a white shirt underneath, and her hair was tied up neatly, making her look smart and capable, giving off a sharp vibe.

“If this happens again, I’ll get someone to invite you out immediately.

“Since I’ve appeared in public, I’ll definitely give everyone an explanation. I respect the public. That’s why I’m holding the press conference. During this period of time, I’ll have to trouble everyone to show me some respect as well.”

Qiao Aiyun was calm and poised, and she took her time speaking.

Even the few people who had just acted like cornered dogs jumping over the wall were too embarrassed to argue with her.

“First, let’s talk about the emergence of fake goods from the Jade Hall of Spring last night. I know that no one believes whatever I say, so I invited one of the people who smashed the store.”

Everyone had thought that Qiao Aiyun would give an explanation in a tearful voice. But they had not expected her to make such a big move as soon as she arrived.

She directly jumped to the part about the people involved.

A woman in her forties walked onto the stage under the escort of two security guards. She was dressed unusually plainly. When she faced the cameras, she looked nervous and stiff. Her hands were hanging by her sides as she kept tugging at her clothes, and her eyes were flustered.

“I believe everyone recognizes this person.” Qiao Aiyun invited her to her side. “She’s one of the people who vandalized the Jade Hall of Spring.

“A total of five people were taken away by the police last night. One of them is a minor and couldn’t be detained. She is this child’s mother and also the one who went to the store to buy the jade bracelet that day.

“She didn’t lift a hand then, nor did she participate in the vandalism. After I contacted the police station, I bailed her out.”

Qiao Aiyun explained briefly.

“Now, can you tell everyone what happened?”

The woman held the microphone, her fingertips trembling. After staying in the police station for the night, she looked pale and haggard.

“I’ve already told the police that it has nothing to do with our family. Someone gave us money to cause trouble there. He said that after this was done, we’d only be locked up for a few days at most, and he would give us a million yuan.”

A reporter asked, “Who said that?”

“Song Jingren!” she said exceptionally firmly.

The audience was in an uproar.

Song Jingren, hiding in the corner, was fuming with rage. What nonsense.

“President Song, calm down.” Secretary Zhang pulled him back. If he rushed out now, he would be finished.

The reporter asked, “How can you be sure that it’s Mr. Song?”

The woman licked her slightly dry lips from nervousness. “When he wanted to acknowledge his illegitimate daughter previously, there was news everywhere. Who in Yuncheng doesn’t recognize him? Although he was wearing sunglasses that day, I still recognized him immediately.”

Song Jingren nearly fainted from anger.

It was indeed his idea to promote the filiation banquet vigorously. On the day they had met, he had been wearing sunglasses. Who would have thought that this woman had such sharp eyes?

The reporter asked, “So what you’re saying is that Mr. Song hired your family at a high price to wreck the Jade Hall of Spring maliciously?”

“I don’t even know what the Jade Hall of Spring is. He sent someone to take us there and told us to do as he said.”

The reporter asked, “Then why are you coming out now to bite him back? Did you discover your conscience, or did Ms. Qiao give you a higher price?”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Aiyun didn’t say a word.

“He lied to us first. He said that as long as we compensated for the losses, our whole family would be fine. Now, they want to sue us. They even said they want me to go to jail and to send my son to a juvenile detention center. This is completely different from what he said!”

When the woman mentioned this, she was extremely agitated.

The reporter said, “Words alone are not proof. You have to provide evidence. Otherwise, who will believe you?”

“Evidence?” The woman’s eyes darted around as though she was flustered.

“If there’s no evidence, this accusation can’t be used as a criminal charge at all. Everyone knows that the couple are in the middle of a divorce and splitting their assets. Who knows whether it’s true or not?” The reporter made a reasonable conjecture.

“They left me a number. I’ve been trying to contact them since I came out, but I haven’t been able to find anyone.” The woman took out her phone from her pocket with trembling hands.

As though she was anxious to prove that she wasn’t lying, she dialed the number directly.

The venue was very quiet as everyone waited for the call to be answered.

But no one expected a ringtone from the back of the venue.

Everyone turned around and saw a man holding a phone in a panic. When he tried to turn it off, it was already too late.

“Isn’t this President Song?!” A reporter immediately recognized the man holding the phone. He was beside Song Jingren.

“That’s Secretary Zhang, right? Why are they here?” Secretary Zhang was in charge of helping Song Jingren arrange many of his matters, and he often dealt with the media, so most of the reporters knew him.

Song Jingren never expected to be exposed in such a manner. He was seething. This stupid thing should have at least muted his phone.

“It’s them!” The woman pointed at Song Jingren excitedly.

Qiao Aiyun smiled lightly. “President Song, since you are here, why are you hiding there? Please come up here.”

Song Jingren was already in a difficult position, and it was impossible for him to get out now. If this matter wasn’t resolved, these reporters wouldn’t let him off. He could only bite the bullet and walk onto the stage.

…

Geng Ying passed microphones to Song Jingren and Secretary Zhang.

“It’s him! He ordered me to do it. It really has nothing to do with me. Don’t sue me and my son.” The woman tugged at Qiao Aiyun’s clothes and started pushing the blame away.

“Stop spouting nonsense. When did I send you to smash someone’s store?”

Seeing that he was refusing to admit it, the woman got a little anxious. She raised her hand and pointed at Secretary Zhang. “He gave me the number.”

Secretary Zhang was dazed from fright and didn’t know what to say.

On the other hand, Song Jingren was especially calm. “Nonsense. Qiao Aiyun, I think you’re crazy. You were the one who gave Little Zhang’s number to her and deliberately framed me, right?

“Did you find out that you couldn’t wash this matter clean, so you got me to take the blame and slandered me?

“We’re husband and wife after all. You’re really unscrupulous in order to win the divorce lawsuit!”

Song Fengwan was standing in the control room. When she heard this, her eyes reddened with anger.

How despicable!

How utterly shameless.

“So, why did you appear here today?” Qiao Aiyun was not anxious.

“After all, we’ve been husband and wife for more than twenty years. You’re heartless to me, but I can’t do the same to you. I wanted to see if you needed any help. Who would have thought…” Song Jingren looked deeply pained.

Everyone looked at Qiao Aiyun again. After all, it was lacking in credibility based on merely a woman’s words alone.

“I have already reported this incident, and the police are already investigating it. The high-quality imitation jade bracelet that this family brought to the store has already been sent for testing.

“When the bracelet was taken into the store, this family felt guilty and didn’t dare to let my employees touch it. Besides their fingerprints, there seems to be something else on it. If you don’t know each other at all, I don’t think they will be able to collect any information about you, right?”

The surface of the bracelet was smooth and glossy. If it wasn’t cleaned properly, it would easily leave behind some sebum.

“According to her testimony, the police are already checking the various surveillance cameras at the place where you met. Now that the CCTVs are so advanced, there should be good news soon.

“If you two have a clear conscience, why don’t you give me the microphones in your hands now? I think there should be fingerprints on them. I’ll give them to the police station to check right now.”

Before Song Jingren could do anything, he heard a loud bang. An ear-piercing screech of electric current resounded throughout the venue.

It turned out that when Secretary Zhang heard that the microphone in his hand would become prime evidence, in his panic, his fingers loosened, and the microphone fell to the ground.

Standing at the side, Geng Ying was about to bend down to pick up the microphone when Secretary Zhang pushed her away.

“Little Zhang, you’re different from Song Jingren. You’re just an ordinary salaried employee. If anything happens, you’ll be dragged out to take the blame by him. You’ll be thrown into jail for a few years, and your life will be over.”

Qiao Aiyun laughed lightly.

“President Song—” Secretary Zhang’s lips trembled. “I don’t want… I…”

Song Jingren turned around and slapped him.

Secretary Zhang staggered and fell to the ground.

“She’s just scaring you. Can’t you tell? You moron, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Secretary Zhang’s mind was blank. When he saw all the cameras and flashes aimed at him, he panicked even more.

The reporters weren’t stupid. If he didn’t do anything wrong, he wouldn’t be afraid of ghosts knocking on his door. Qiao Aiyun’s words were indeed a little exaggerated, but if he wasn’t a thief, there was no need to be afraid.

“Qiao Aiyun, show us the evidence if you have the ability. Stop pretending!” Song Jingren was so angry that his face was ashen with anger. He clenched his fingers tightly, itching to step forward and strangle her to death.

Qiao Aiyun took out a USB flash drive from her pocket and walked in front of him. “This contains information from the investigation of a private detective I found a few hours ago. It included the video surveillance footage of your meeting with this family in a small restaurant in the south of the city.

“If I only had this one witness, would I have dared to hold a press conference?

“Song Jingren, you’re about to die, yet you’re still being stubborn. You’re unrelated to this family in any way, yet you met them in private. Do you really want me to publicize this video so that you can explain yourself?!”

Song Jingren chuckled lightly. “Nonsense. When did I meet this family in the south of the city?”

“Where then?”

“In the city…” Qiao Aiyun asked too pressingly, not giving him time to think. Song Jingren almost blurted it out before he swallowed it back.

The reporters gasped. Shit, he’s completely exposed.

Qiao Aiyun threw the USB drive straight at his face. “How f*cking shameless.”

“You—” In anger, Song Jingren reached out to hit her.

She had deliberately provoked him, tricking him into revealing information.

“Try touching me today. There are so many reporters around. If you don’t have a guilty conscience, hit me!”

Song Jingren was so angry that his entire body was trembling. His hand was raised in midair, but he didn’t dare let it fall.

On the other hand, Qiao Aiyun raised her hand and struck his face hard.

Smack! The slap was crisp and loud.

“I know you too well. I knew you would come. I really don’t have any evidence of you meeting. So what?”

The incident had happened too quickly, and Qiao Aiyun didn’t have time to look for evidence. Even if she wanted to seek help from the police, it also needed time. This move had indeed been very dangerous.

But she still won.

“You said it yourself. We’ve been husband and wife for many years. You know better than me whether your hands are clean or not all these years. Do you really think I am completely unaware of some of the dirty things you’ve done?

“If I want you to never be able to turn your life around, it’s not difficult.”

***

Fu Chen was standing in the control room, his tongue pressed against his cheek.

He had thought that Qiao Aiyun had a lot of chips in her hand. It turned out that she had come empty-handed. But if she didn’t know Song Jingren well enough, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Song Jingren was still too conceited.

Women really can’t be offended, lest they become ruthless.