The moment Shen Mengqing spoke, my mind exploded with a deafening roar.
I stood frozen, speechless and unmoving.
Seeing this, Shen Mengqing didn't retreat but strode forward, embracing me tightly. She whispered, "Chen Xiang, do you know? Actually... I've liked you for a long time!"
"From the moment you stepped forward when I was in trouble, you've held a place in my heart."
"I know that my performance the night before last, in your eyes, was to secure as much leverage for Aunt Jin as possible. But in reality, it also contained my feelings for you!"
"It's just that I'm also very aware that those involved in the underworld rarely have good outcomes, which is why I thought of using Aunt Jin's situation to have a fleeting romance with you."
"I don't ask for forever, only for a moment of possession! Because once I've possessed it, my heart will have no regrets."
Honestly, I never imagined that Shen Mengqing's initiative the night before last had such an underlying meaning.
But alas, I was not fortunate enough to enjoy it.
Having already wronged one woman, the most I could do was to distance myself as much as possible from these gentle, seductive "traps."
So, after regaining my senses, I still didn't speak. After loosening Shen Mengqing's embrace, I turned and continued walking towards the main door.
Seeing this, Shen Mengqing immediately grabbed my hand.
"Please don't go?"
The moment she spoke, Shen Mengqing hugged me tightly from behind, burying her head in my back and remaining motionless, her breathing trembling.
Unsure of what to do, I could only say, "Don't do this!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Mengqing's entire body trembled slightly. Her shoulders heaved as she sobbed, "I'm sorry, Chen Xiang! I've suppressed these words in my heart for a long time, and I was afraid I wouldn't have another chance if I didn't say them!"
For a fleeting moment, Shen Mengqing's fragile, tear-streaked appearance made me feel as if I was about to break.
But at that very moment, Shen Mengqing suddenly released my hand.
After wiping the tears from her eyes, Shen Mengqing smiled, half embarrassed and half shy, "I'm so sorry, Chen Xiang. I lost control for a moment. You absolutely cannot laugh at me!"
"Don't worry! From now on, I... I won't do this again!"
I had no idea how to face this woman anymore.
Shen Mengqing was very smart. She actually knew that my silent refusal was a de facto answer.
So, to avoid putting either of us in an awkward situation, she decisively chose to give up, sealing these feelings back in her heart.
The moment Shen Mengqing decided to let go, a knock sounded at the door.
Opening it, I saw Han Jinlun, the busybody, with half his face pressed against the door panel, full of gossip.
When he saw me suddenly open the door, Han Jinlun recoiled as if he had been electrocuted, then awkwardly grinned foolishly, his face red.
Beneath Han Jinlun's feigned ignorance, the gossip in his eyes remained exceptionally intense, burning fiercely.
Shen Mengqing, having regained her composure, saw Han Jinlun eavesdropping and a surge of shame and anger immediately welled up in her eyes. She seized the opportunity to "kick" me out and then locked the door.
As the door closed, seeing the lingering reluctance and unwillingness in Shen Mengqing's eyes, I let out a deep sigh.
Love, from an unknown origin, deepens.
In this world, the most difficult thing to explain and understand is perhaps emotion.
Because, as the classic film "A Chinese Odyssey" famously stated, liking (loving) someone requires no reason!
If... alas, there are no "ifs"!
...
After leaving Shen Mengqing's place, I asked Han Jinlun to drive me to the Tianshan Hotel to meet up with Cheng Minglang and the others.
Since Shen Mengqing had agreed to try her best to arrange for Yun Jin to meet me in the next couple of days, allowing me to create an opportunity for an accidental encounter.
Now, all I needed to do was wait for the right moment and conserve my strength.
Arriving at the hotel and settling into our separate rooms, feeling utterly exhausted, I immediately took a shower and then fell into a deep sleep...
I slept until the afternoon.
Around a little past four in the afternoon.
While I was sleeping soundly, a phone call woke me up.
Groggily waking up, I fumbled for my phone and saw it was Shen Mengqing calling.
I figured she must have some news.
Indeed, after answering, I heard Shen Mengqing say, "I've used the excuse that there's a distinguished guest on the gambling ship tonight, and I'm worried about my inability to host them properly, so I've asked Aunt Jin to come and help."
"You can start preparing on your end. Remember, it absolutely must appear as an accidental encounter."
"Otherwise, if I'm exposed, I won't be able to help you further!"
Upon hearing this, I quickly asked, "Is anyone from Yu Shuang's side stationed on the gambling ship?"
Based on my understanding of the Queen Bee, even if something was already set in stone, she would at least send people to keep a close eye on it, if not personally oversee it.
So, I needed to understand her situation.
If Yu Shuang had people stationed on the gambling ship, I might not be able to make a public appearance.
Hearing my question, Shen Mengqing paused for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Although Yu Shuang might not be there herself, her subordinates definitely will be!"
"Her people are constantly patrolling the ship's rooms, cabins, and decks."
"If you want to bypass Yu Shuang's surveillance, you'll have to find another way!"
After receiving this crucial piece of information, the moment I hung up, I began to repeatedly brainstorm in my mind how to cleverly evade Yu Shuang's surveillance...
If I couldn't bypass Yu Shuang, everything I did would be in vain.
But the people I had available were all familiar faces. Even if I found a way to avoid surveillance, the moment they appeared in public, they would be exposed immediately.
Therefore, for this matter, I needed to find external help.
With this thought, I immediately called Xu Shiyu and asked her where she was.
Xu Shiyu replied that she was at the hospital.
I asked her why she went to the hospital. She told me that the payment I had settled for her earlier was enough to cover her master's medical expenses and surgery.
Hearing Xu Shiyu say this, I was suddenly at a loss for words on how to proceed.
As I fell into silence, I heard Xu Shiyu ask from the other end of the phone, "Are you calling because there's another job to do?"
Although I didn't want to disturb Xu Shiyu while she was caring for her master, at this juncture, I genuinely had no other suitable helpers.
So, in the end, I replied, "Yes!"
Upon hearing my answer, Xu Shiyu didn't waste any more words. She simply said, "Send me your address, and I'll be there in about an hour!"