A path slowly opened in the crowd, and Shen Qingqing walked in. Even without makeup or elaborate attire, she was resplendent, like a femme fatale from an ancient era.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on her.
Lily asked calmly, "Who are you, and why are you helping her?"
Shen Qingqing offered a smile, which only made her appear more alluring. "It's not to help her, but merely to make your acquaintance."
"Why would you want to meet me?"
"I've heard much about you, and have come to pay my respects. Are you satisfied with this reason?"
As they exchanged words, the surface was calm, but their gazes had clashed several times. Lily suddenly laughed, "Since you're willing to pay, then you shall. You may leave now."
The last sentence was directed at Shen Yaoyao.
Shen Yaoyao glared at Shen Qingqing, "Don't pretend to be a fake compassionate person. Do you think I'm stupid? What's your motive for helping me? Do you want me to break up with Jing Shu?"
Her friends thought she had lost her mind, refusing help when it was offered.
"She's clearly ill!"
Shen Qingqing, not about to tolerate her bad temper, tilted her head slightly. Her curly hair cascaded over her shoulder, a captivating sight that held everyone's gaze.
"Then, by your words, you don't need my help anymore."
Shen Yaoyao wanted to say no, but she had no money to her name and couldn't afford to be stubborn.
Shen Qingqing sized her up. "If you don't need it, then I'll be going."
She turned to leave without hesitation.
Lily, who was usually so cool and composed, couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth, her image nearly ruined. What happened to wanting to get acquainted? She just left?
...This little liar.
"Stop!"
Shen Yaoyao panicked, disregarding her pride, and called out to her. Seeing Shen Qingqing stop but not turn around, she knew this woman was waiting for her to yield.
But she refused. To bow down to Shen Qingqing would be no different than humiliation.
When Shen Qingqing didn't receive the response she expected, she continued walking. Shen Yaoyao, unable to maintain her dignity, quickly said, "Shen Qingqing, don't go! Pay the bill for me!"
As soon as she uttered these words, she could feel the strange glances from the crowd.
But she had no choice and pretended not to notice.
Shen Qingqing turned back and said slowly, "To expect me to pay the bill with such an imperious attitude is unacceptable."
"Then what do you want me to do?"
"Kneel."
Shen Yaoyao stiffened. "What did you say?"
The crowd also doubted if they had heard correctly.
Shen Qingqing enunciated each word, "Kneel, say thank you, and I'll pay. I'll give you three seconds to consider. Once this opportunity is gone, it's gone forever."
"Three."
"Two."
She said three seconds, but she started counting abruptly. Before Shen Yaoyao could react, only one second remained. Under immense panic and pressure, Shen Yaoyao had no time to think. Her knees buckled, and she knelt down.
As she looked up at Shen Qingqing, her mind went blank, and she mechanically said, "Thank you."
Shen Qingqing sneered and looked at Lily. "The cat and mouse game is over. We can go pay the bill."
Lily gazed at her intently and suddenly said, "I like you."
Shen Qingqing remained unfazed. "So, you don't need me to pay anymore?"
"...I still do," Lily said, a little speechless.
"It seems your liking isn't worth much money," Shen Qingqing pouted. "Anyone can say they like someone. I can say I like her too, do you believe me?"
She glanced at Shen Yaoyao, her eyes filled with coldness and disdain.
Lily laughed. "You're such a blunt little girl. Let's go, come upstairs with me to pay."
As for the mess here, she left it to her assistant.
Watching the two distinctive beauties leave, the crowd felt the excitement had ended and dispersed. Shen Yaoyao was politely "escorted" out by the assistant, as expected.
She was still wet, and the cold wind made her shiver.
But everyone at the bar knew what had just happened and kept their distance from her. She couldn't even borrow a jacket, let alone rely on her friends.
Her friends were dressed even more scantily than she was.
Shen Yaoyao hugged her arms and gritted her teeth, "Shen Qingqing, this isn't over between us!"
...
As Lily led Shen Qingqing upstairs, she suddenly stopped and said, "You are the second person I've met who is so utterly devoid of charm."
"Who was the first?" Shen Qingqing seized on the detail immediately.
Lily just smiled and didn't answer.
There were many rooms in the corridor. They walked to the very end, where Lily opened a door and gestured to Shen Qingqing, "Please, come in."
Only after Shen Qingqing entered did Lily follow closely behind.
However, the moment the door closed, her hackles rose. It was an instinctive alertness to impending danger, and she moved sideways almost automatically.
A glass bead flashed past her eyes, embedding itself directly into the door.
Lily sneered, "Someone wants to kill me?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Qingqing's eyes. "It's not to the extent of killing you, just to avoid wasting money. But I didn't expect your combat skills to be so good."
"You flatter me."
As Lily finished speaking, her hand chop was already in front of Shen Qingqing.
She immediately raised her hand to block. Their hands met, and Shen Qingqing realized how strong they both were. For a moment, neither could gain the upper hand.
Masters of combat always move with measured steps. Since offense wasn't working, they retreated.
They simultaneously withdrew their hands. Lily used the momentum to twist her waist and sent out a left punch, while Shen Qingqing spun around, her slender leg whistling through the air towards Lily.
In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged several blows, only to find they were evenly matched.
Lily raised a hand, pausing the fight. "Young lady, you're quite skilled. Who is your master?"
Shen Qingqing twisted her right foot. Despite wearing high heels, she stood firmly on the ground. "I'm also curious, who did you learn from?"
Lily's martial arts were formidable, and her strength was immense. Unfortunately, she wasn't a boxer.
"Let's go again."
Shen Qingqing's interest was piqued, and she prepared to put in more effort.
Lily glared at her. "Forget it. I won't hold it against you for the sneak attack, but don't pester me. I'm not fighting you. You're a bit strange."
The girl's moves made her struggle to cope, as if all her weaknesses were being targeted, sending a chill down her spine.
Shen Qingqing reluctantly withdrew her hands. "Alright, if you don't want to fight, that's fine. Answer me one question."
"Go ahead, I'll consider it before deciding whether to answer."
"Do you know Xiao Qing?"
Lily's expression remained unchanged, but her back slowly straightened. "Yes, an old friend. But we haven't seen each other in a long time, as we fell out back then."
"Fell out?"
"Yes, some conflicts. There's nothing more to say about it." Lily turned and sat on the office chair, unbuttoning the top button of her collar. Such a casual gesture on her part felt perfectly natural. "Are you looking for her for something?"
Shen Qingqing gazed at her intently for a long time, then suddenly said, "She is my mother."
Lily shot up from her seat. "What's your name?"
"Shen Qingqing."
Lily had never met her, but she had heard the name from Xiao Qing. Her old friend often spoke of this daughter; how could she forget? "You truly are..."
"Do you want to see my ID?" Shen Qingqing casually put a hand in her pocket, as if she would produce it if Lily said yes.
Lily walked around the desk, scrutinizing her. Upon noticing the resemblance to Xiao Qing's features, she slapped her forehead in exasperation. "I'm so foolish! You look so much like Xiao Qing, how did I not see it!"