n

n

nQi Shan was the first to banter back. “Stop! Fei Bai, are you that overly piss-bored lately? Why can’t you stop talking about murdering people all day? Kill, kill, kill, kill! You can’t talk about anything else, can you? As a hitman, can you at least have some self-awareness?”

n“Cough!”

nHuo Beichen let out a fake cough, pulling everyone’s attention back to the discussion.

n

n

nThus, the brainstorm continued.

nQi Shan eagerly suggested again, “How about this? We gather loads of money and then crash them all onto the girl! Capture her while she’s dazed by all that money!”

nSu Ye shook his head. “Qi Shan, stop being such a dope! Boss, look… all 3 of us aren’t really experts in this area. Perhaps you could give us some time to think about it or research it? We’ll let you know whenever we’ve got a good idea. Would this do?”

n“Sure. Write those ideas into a proposal and e-mail them to me later.”

n

n

n“…”

n–

nMeanwhile, in Ning Meng’s room…

nNing Meng was covering her face with a pillow on her bed while perking up her ears, paying attention to any sound from outside.

n

n

nShe had locked her door, however, she was still worried that someone could get in.

nWhenever she recalled that hug, Ning Meng could feel her ears burning red.

n‘Just what is wrong with Huo Beichen today?’

nShe could feel a string of chills running down her back… Huo Beichen had been… so gentle and warm… this had to be a mistake! Something must have gone wrong!

nNing Meng rubbed her face to regain her composure before picking up her phone. Hmm? There were some activities in the “Is Boss Angry Today?” WeChat Group.

nQi Shan: LMAO @Ning Meng

n

n

nIt was that asshole with his jerkish attitude. Hmm, what was going on?

nJust as Ning Meng was about to inquire about it, Su Ye sent a message: What are you trying to say? Hmm? Do you want Mr. Fei Bai to open his business? ~^o^~

nSystem: Qi Shan has deleted a message

nSystem: Su Ye has deleted a message

nNing Meng: ??

nQi Shan: Oh no, it’s nothing. I just feel like I want to LMAO every time I see you.

nNing Meng: Oh, I see. Teehee. Well, whenever I see you eat pork for dinner, it always reminds me of a poem.

nQi Shan: What poem?

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n

nNing Meng: The Quatrain of Seven Steps.1

nQi Shan: …

nNing Meng pouted as she threw her phone aside, not intending to banter further with the Retardicus Maximus anymore.

nAfter staring at the ceiling for a long time, Ning Meng, who still could not figure out just what Huo Beichen was thinking, let out a long sigh before crawling under her blanket to hit the sack.

nThe next morning came.

nNing Meng quietly slipped out of her room and took a peek at Huo Beichen’s bedroom. Ning Meng let out a sigh of relief after seeing that there was no movement in there.

nYeah… this should be expected. Huo Beichen would have gone to work by now.

nStretching her body lazily, Ning Meng walked toward the stairs and descended down to the living room. Suddenly, her phone rang.

nOh, it was from Zhen Shanmei.

n“Hello? Hey, how’s that thing about you and Li Haojie?”

n“He’s pissed. He said that I am too picky over trivial matters… he said perhaps I’ve misunderstood him or something.”

nThe corner of Ning Meng’s mouth twitched after hearing this. “Then you should ask him. Ask him if he dares to say that he doesn’t like Su Tiantian for even the tiniest bit.”

nZhen Shanmei started to breathe heavily over the phone.

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n

nNing Meng rolled an eye before continuing. “I don’t get it. Just how do you find Li Haojie attractive? His talent? Well, I’m sure you’ve seen just how much more talented Lin Qingbei is compared to him!”

nNing Meng reached the door to change into her shoes while she continued on with her argument. “How about his looks, then? Lin Qingbei is 800 times more handsome than him! What about temperament? Lin Qingbei is like the perfect Tsundere! What’s not to love?!”

nZhan Shanmei stuttered, “Sure… that employee of yours is really good…but… but you don’t understand…”

nNing Meng interrupted her. “What do I not understand? You have money. You have power. Can’t you find another little fresh meat? Believe me, I’ve played in the pond for many, many years. You can’t find another guy who’s better than Lin Qingbei in the entertainment industry! Come on, let’s be Lin Qingbei’s fans together!”

nThen she pushed the door open, stepping out of the house.

nUnfortunately, she did not see that… Huo Beichen had been sitting at the dining table with a full table of breakfast, and his face was now as dark as the clouds in a brewing storm.

n1 A poem, originated from Three Kingdoms Era in Ancient China, is a highly allegorical poem that is usually attributed to the poet Cao Zhi. The poem’s first appeared in the classic text Shishuo Xinyu, published in 430. The famed scene (79th hui) describes Cao Pi’s suspicions of his brother Cao Zhi trying to usurp his rule (Cao Pi was also jealous of his brother’s talents, particularly his masterful command of imagery). Consequently, Cao Zhi is summoned to the court and is issued an ultimatum in which he must produce a poem within seven strides such that Cao Pi is convinced of his innocence. Cao Zhi does so, and Cao Pi becomes so flustered with emotion that he spares his brother. In this context, Ning Meng was teasing that Qi Shan and the pig were brothers — like Cao Pi and Cao Zhi.

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