Chapter 6: What to Do When a Dog Bites? Bite Back!

Wang Min stiffly straightened her neck, feigning bravado. “Mo Qi, there’s nothing of the sort. Don’t twist words and sow discord.”

“Sow discord?” Mo Qi’s lips curled slowly into a low chuckle. “Is there anything between you and King Shen worth my interference? Does King Shen even know you?”

Wang Min’s face flushed red, then green, then darkened, her eyes glaring viciously at Mo Qi as if she wished she could slap her twice.

“Pfft.” Someone in the room couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

The laughter was abrupt, drawing everyone’s gaze. The person who laughed froze awkwardly, glancing at Wang Min and then at Mo Qi, quickly lowering their head.

“What bad luck!” Wang Min cursed loudly, plopping down on the nearby sofa. She crossed her arms and sulked with a gloomy face.

Xie An, somewhat uneasy, said, “We’ll have to compete together from now on. With this atmosphere, I’m afraid getting along will be difficult.”

“She’s that sort of person—thinks that having a bit of family money means everyone should flatter her. Wishful thinking.” Lin Zheng snorted coldly.

Mo Qi added, “There are countless people in the world who can’t get along.”

Xie An, hearing this, finally managed a smile. “Mo Qi, I never imagined you could be so sharp-tongued.” From her appearance, Mo Qi should have been someone easy to get along with.

“If a dog bites you, what do you do?” Mo Qi grinned mischievously. “Of course you bite back. Can’t let her run wild.”

“Well said.” Lin Zheng clapped Mo Qi’s shoulder, her smile broad and hearty.

Others nearby, seeing the cordial atmosphere among the three, felt tempted to join the conversation, but hesitated for Wang Min’s sake.

“Mo Qi, we’ll see about this!” Wang Min muttered a curse, storming toward the door in anger.

“Min’er, where are you going?” A girl familiar with Wang Min stood up anxiously and rushed after her.

“The restroom.” Wang Min threw the words behind her, yanking the door open forcefully.

Xiao Zhang’s hand, raised to knock, paused midair.

Wang Min’s expression changed, her anger evaporating instantly, replaced by a smile. “Brother Zhang, were you looking for me? Wait, my mother asked me to bring you something. I’ll get it now.”

As she spoke, Wang Min deliberately glanced back at the room, her pride barely concealed.

“Look at how smug she is.” Lin Zheng turned away disdainfully. “Her mother and King Shen’s assistant are old acquaintances, and she acts as if she herself knows King Shen.”

“Miss Wang Min, there’s no need to rush. I’m here to see Miss Mo Qi.” Xiao Zhang politely brushed past Wang Min at the door, entered, and smiled at Mo Qi. “Miss Mo Qi, after the meeting, I’ll be waiting for you in the underground parking lot to drive you home.”

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?” Mo Qi walked forward.

“It’s my duty.”

With that, Xiao Zhang nodded and left the room. From start to finish, he looked at no one but Mo Qi.

Even as an assistant, he was King Shen’s assistant, a position more valuable than many small celebrities. His presence represented King Shen himself.

Wang Min, furious, stomped her feet—she could no longer bear to remain in the room and rushed out in her heels.

As soon as she left, the awkward tension finally eased.

Someone tentatively stepped forward to introduce themselves and chat with Mo Qi.

Xie An fell silent, while Lin Zheng laughed, “Just now it was only rumors, but now it’s confirmed—Mo Qi has a connection to King Shen. I wonder how many will now rush to curry favor.”

“People always seek advantage and avoid harm.”

Lin Zheng tilted her head in mild surprise at Xie An. “What’s wrong?”

Xie An forced a smile. “Nothing.” Mo Qi’s connection to King Shen could only benefit her future path. He ought to be happy for her.

Soon after, the preliminary audition concluded.

Staff came to inform everyone to gather in a spacious rehearsal room.

Only twenty contestants passed the “Let Dreams Take Flight” audition—like crossing a single bridge among thousands.

Aside from the strict requirements, the panel of judges, with King Shen’s presence, guaranteed the show’s popularity.

“First, congratulations on passing the initial selection and officially becoming contestants of ‘Let Dreams Take Flight.’”

The twenty contestants applauded in unison.

“Next, everyone will spend seven days together. Our production team will provide systematic training to prepare for the twenty-to-fifteen elimination round in seven days. We hope you all give your best effort.”

With a round of elimination looming in seven days, nerves and anticipation grew.

After seven days, they would step onto the stage of their dreams, facing a nationwide audience, fighting for their aspirations!

“All right. For today, please go home and prepare. Tomorrow morning at nine, report at the designated location. I’ll send the address to your phones by text, so keep an eye out. Best of luck to you all.”

With the group dismissed, familiar contestants left together.

Lin Zheng said to Mo Qi, “Are you heading to the underground parking lot?”

Mo Qi nodded.

“Good. My place and Xie An’s are in the same direction, we’ll take the subway together.”

“Okay. Take care on the way.” Mo Qi waved to them.

Xie An hesitated, the words at his throat never quite spoken. Instead, he said, “See you tomorrow.”

After they left, Mo Qi herself took the elevator to the underground parking lot.

It was still the silver-gray business Audi.

“Miss Mo Qi, please get in.” Xiao Zhang opened the car door for her.

Mo Qi immediately noticed Shen Yijue sitting inside, his face utterly expressionless.

Mo Qi glanced at Xiao Zhang, who smiled and gestured for her to enter.

King Shen himself was driving her home—what an honor.

Mo Qi smiled, bent down, and got into the car.

Xiao Zhang closed the door and circled to the driver’s seat. The car pulled out slowly toward the exit.

Mo Qi noticed a black Volkswagen following behind them—it must be Shen Yijue’s bodyguard.

The car interior was quiet; Mo Qi had no intention of speaking first.

Shen Yijue removed his sunglasses. “Where do you live?”

“Where do I live?” Mo Qi was momentarily stunned, then suddenly laughed. “Yes, where do I live?”

Shen Yijue turned to look at her, his handsome face still devoid of emotion. Anyone less immune would be chilled to the bone.

Mo Qi had rushed out this morning and hadn’t paid attention to the route, let alone the name of the neighborhood.

She took out her phone. “Let me make a call first.”

She intended to call Sister Xiaoling to indirectly ask, but unexpectedly stumbled upon Mo Xiaobao’s number.

Mo Xiaobao had a phone?

Mo Qi tried calling. After four rings, the line picked up. “Hello, Mama.”

It was indeed Mo Xiaobao!

The man sitting beside her was in a low mood, but instead of marveling at a five-year-old using a phone, Mo Qi asked, “Baby, are you out of school yet?”

“I’m in the fourth period, lunchtime is coming soon.” Mo Xiaobao held the phone with both hands, standing in the corridor, whispering, “Mama, are you feeling unwell again? I’ll ask the teacher for leave soon and come home to take care of you. Don’t move around too much.”

“No, I’m fine.” Mo Qi’s eyes rolled, “Baby, let me ask you a question. Do you remember our address?”

Mo Xiaobao took the phone away, frowning in confusion.

Mama seemed a bit odd today.

“Happiness Road, Happiness Garden Residential Complex.”

“Such a smart baby, you get a reward.” Mo Qi kissed the phone.

Mo Xiaobao’s face flushed, glancing around before whispering, “Mama, I’m already grown up. Don’t kiss me in public.”

How adorable her little son was.

“All right, go back to class now. Bye-bye.”

She hung up, her smile undiminished.

“Brother Zhang, to Happiness Garden Residential Complex on Happiness Road.”

Xiao Zhang glanced at Mo Qi in the rearview mirror. “All right.”

Shen Yijue stayed silent for a while before asking, “You don’t know your own address?”

“Just moved in.” Mo Qi brushed it off and changed the subject. “Thank you, King Shen, for taking time out of your busy schedule to drive me home.”

“No need.” Shen Yijue handed her a paper bag. “Sign here.”

“Sign?” Mo Qi raised an eyebrow, opened the bag, and found a contract inside.

The contract detailed all the benefits; she only needed to do one thing.

Mo Qi turned to Shen Yijue, speechless. “A contract for selling myself? Only one obligation—sleeping with you?”