Chapter 9: My Hand Slipped Too

“Oh!” Su Xiao exclaimed softly as she stood up, glancing at the damp area below Mo Qi’s waist. She hastily grabbed some tissues and said, “Here, wipe it off quickly.”

Mo Qi took the tissues, dabbed at herself, and replied, “It’s fine. I’ll just go to the restroom.” With impeccable manners, Mo Qi nodded to Shen Yijue and Zhang Fan before rising to leave, guided by a server.

Shen Yijue stood up as well.

“King Shen.” Zhang Fan looked up at him.

“Please, stay seated,” Shen Yijue said, beckoning a server over. “Bring the menu for the three of you. For Miss Mo and myself, serve our usual.”

“Of course, Shen.”

With a nod, Shen Yijue left the private room, went to the car, retrieved a set of clothes for Mo Qi, and brought them to the restroom.

“Change,” Shen Yijue said, stepping into the private restroom and closing the door behind him.

Mo Qi paused to take the clothes, smiling as she said, “Thank you.”

“Wu Jin targeted you deliberately. Do you want to let it go, or do you want to get back at her?”

“Can you handle Wu Jin smoothly? Or rather, who holds more sway in the industry, you or Wu Jin?” Mo Qi replied with a question of her own.

Shen Yijue regarded Mo Qi in silence for a few seconds, then pulled out his phone and dialed, “Director Wu, it’s me. If I recall, there’s a dance competition you’re funding that airs the day after tomorrow. Wu Jin is on the judging panel, yes?”

Mo Qi couldn’t hear the reply, nor could she read anything from Shen Yijue’s expression.

Suddenly, Shen Yijue looked up at Mo Qi and said, “Replace her.”

With that, he hung up.

Mo Qi’s lips twitched. King Shen had made it abundantly clear, through decisive action, who was more powerful in the industry.

Shen Yijue put away his phone and asked, “So, what do you want to do?”

“No matter what I choose, will King Shen back me up?” Mo Qi raised an eyebrow, countering again.

“You belong to me.”

“It feels pretty good to have someone powerful to rely on,” Mo Qi nodded. “Since I have backing, there’s no need to swallow my pride. Just watch, King Shen.”

Mo Qi changed into clean clothes in the stall, tossing her soiled dress into the trash. She looked far more at ease in casual attire than she did in a dress.

Shen Yijue glanced at her but said nothing, turning to open the restroom door and step out.

Mo Qi followed, and together they returned to the private room.

Upon their return, the server promptly called for the dishes to be served.

At this Jiangnan Private Kitchen, the custom was for each person to eat the dishes in front of them.

Seeing that Mo Qi had changed outfits, Wu Jin’s smile vanished instantly.

The two sat down again, and the food was brought in.

Mo Qi’s dishes were identical to Shen Yijue’s.

Su Xiao lowered her head, a faint smile on her lips as she quietly ate her meal.

Zhang Fan, satisfied with the spectacle, refrained from stirring the pot further.

After the appetizers, Mo Qi summoned the server and said softly, “Please bring me the wine.”

“Certainly,” the server replied, fetching the bottle for her.

Mo Qi held the bottle at the base with one hand and the neck with the other. “I spoiled the mood earlier. Let me make it up to everyone.”

She began pouring, starting with Shen Yijue, then Zhang Fan, Su Xiao, and finally Wu Jin.

Zhang Fan twirled his glass, watching Mo Qi with keen interest. If he recalled correctly, her approach to Wu Jin now was a perfect mirror of how Wu Jin had walked over to pour her wine earlier.

How intriguing.

Wu Jin noticed as well. Her brow furrowed for a split second, and she realized what Mo Qi intended. Instinctively, she tried to stand and evade.

But Mo Qi suddenly twisted her foot, lunging forward and crashing directly into Wu Jin.

The chair skidded away with a thud, and Wu Jin toppled flat onto her back, with Mo Qi pinning her down firmly.

The wine in Mo Qi’s hand splashed out, dousing Wu Jin’s meticulously made-up face.

Leaning in close to Wu Jin’s ear, Mo Qi murmured, “My apologies. I lost my grip as well.”

“Get off!” Wu Jin cursed, shoving Mo Qi away with all her strength and getting to her feet.

Just moments ago, Wu Jin had looked immaculate, her hair elegantly styled, every detail flawless.

Now, drenched in red wine, her hair hung in sticky strands, makeup smeared in red and black splotches, she looked utterly disheveled.

“Wu Jin, are you alright?”

Wu Jin angrily brushed aside the tissues Su Xiao handed her, grabbed her purse, and stormed out of the room.

Zhang Fan set down his glass and said, “Waiter, please come in and clean up.”

Shen Yijue wiped his mouth, pulled off his napkin, and asked Mo Qi, “Have you eaten?”

In moments like this, whether she had or not was beside the point.

Mo Qi set down the wine bottle and, with genuine regret, said to Zhang Fan and Su Xiao, “This is my first time at a place like this. Sorry for being clumsy and spoiling everyone’s mood.”

Zhang Fan, thoroughly entertained, replied cheerfully, “Don’t mention it. Training starts tomorrow. You should go back and get ready.”

“I will. I’ll do my best.”

Once Mo Qi had finished, Shen Yijue stood up and said, “I have business to attend to. Put everything on my tab. Feel free to stay as long as you wish.”

With that, he left first.

The server at the door bowed respectfully. “Take care, Shen.”

Mo Qi followed Shen Yijue out.

Zhang Fan drummed his fingers lightly on the table. “Looks like this competition season won’t be dull. How interesting.”

Su Xiao smiled faintly. “You’d better take it easy. King Shen’s attitude toward Mo Qi is a bit unusual.”

With that, Su Xiao picked up her bag, saying, “I have a script to read. I’ll be off.”

She left with a lingering smile, but as she stepped out of the private room, it faded from her face.

Mo Qi, huh?

Seeing Shen Yijue and Mo Qi emerge, Xiao Zhang promptly opened the car door.

“Shen.”

“To the apartment on Xie Nan Avenue,” Shen Yijue instructed, bending to get in first.

Mo Qi nodded at Xiao Zhang in greeting before following him into the car.

They left Jiangnan Private Kitchen and headed down the avenue.

Once inside, Shen Yijue said nothing. Mo Qi sat beside him in silence, gazing out the window at the scenery.

Xie Nan Avenue was a renowned affluent district in City B. It was no surprise to Mo Qi that Shen Yijue owned property there.

Although they had only spent a day together, Mo Qi couldn’t shake a curious sensation.

Shen Yijue seemed to be far more than just an actor.

Why she felt that way, she couldn’t quite say. Perhaps it was because his presence was so commanding, like someone who had long occupied a high position.

The car slowed to a stop at Number 67 Xie Nan Avenue—a two-story house that looked like a small villa.

“Shen, about this afternoon’s schedule…”

“Cancel everything,” Shen Yijue replied. “Just come pick us up tomorrow morning.”

“Understood.” Shen was a man whose word was law, and Xiao Zhang immediately closed his planner.

Shen Yijue got out first, opened the wrought-iron gate, and Mo Qi followed.

As they reached the front door, Shen Yijue paused for a moment, and the door swung open automatically.

Mo Qi’s eyes widened in surprise.

They entered. The house was furnished in a simple, elegant style.

Apart from a sofa, the living room was bare.

“You’ll be living here from now on,” Shen Yijue said, then went upstairs on his own.

Mo Qi stood in the empty living room, clutching her bag, and felt as if a million wild horses were thundering through her mind.