Chapter 91: Falling into the Trap

Mo Qi wanted to pick up the thread of the conversation, but Lin Zheng had no such intention.

“Mo Qi, I don’t know what happened to you in the past, but I still want to say this.” Lin Zheng grabbed Mo Qi’s arm and spoke earnestly, “We’re friends. Don’t just help me without letting me help you. I think Xie An probably feels the same way.”

Mo Qi was momentarily stunned, then suddenly smiled, “Don’t worry, when I need your help I won’t be shy about it.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid you’ll be too polite. I’m afraid you won’t even think of asking us for help.” Lin Zheng sighed. “Sometimes I really wonder—are you really just in your twenties? You’re so calm and composed, nothing like a young person.”

“I’m sorry for looking so mature.”

“You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant. Stop joking around.” Lin Zheng grew anxious. Mo Qi treated her as a friend and always cared for her sincerely, but there was one thing—she seemed shrouded in mist, no matter how wide Lin Zheng opened her eyes, she could never see through.

“I know.” Mo Qi soothed the bristling Lin Zheng. “Some things are tied to experience, and can’t be changed even if you want to. Come on, let’s go inside.”

By the time they finished speaking, they were already outside the private room. Lin Zheng had to temporarily drop the subject.

The two pushed open the door and entered. The quiet of the room had been replaced by boisterous laughter and noise.

Under the dim lights, Zhao Jianglin was singing an energetic song, while Zhou Tingzi and the others were dancing to the music in the open space in front of the table.

Mo Qi and Lin Zheng returned to their seats; their drinks sat untouched. Brother Ma had been dragged into the crowd and was dancing along.

Lin Zheng leaned in and whispered to Mo Qi, “It’s a madhouse.”

Mo Qi smiled. These people were just here for the atmosphere, who cared if their dance moves looked good or not?

“Oh, right! Put the contract Tianyu gave you in my bag. I’ll take it to let Master Shen look it over for you. If everything checks out, you can call Brother Ma tomorrow.”

With Master Shen reviewing the contract, there was no fear of Tianyu playing tricks with the wording—it couldn’t be better.

Lin Zheng pulled out the contract and slipped it into Mo Qi’s purse, grinning mischievously, “Mo Qi, are you and Master Shen dating?”

“Master Shen is way out of our league. What nonsense are you talking about?” Mo Qi shot Lin Zheng an unceremonious glare.

“If not, then why does Master Shen—” Lin Zheng didn’t finish her sentence, as Zhou Tingzi had already run over, laughing, and grabbed both her and Mo Qi.

The music was loud; to talk, you had to shout. Zhou Tingzi yelled, “You two need to join in, don’t be so aloof! Come on, let’s dance!”

She was small, but surprisingly strong. In a blink, she pulled Mo Qi and Lin Zheng out of their seats.

Mo Qi felt a headache coming on. She couldn’t understand how these people had so much energy. Were they made of iron? Didn’t they ever get tired?

Mo Qi and Lin Zheng were dragged by Zhou Tingzi into the crowd, joining the wild dance.

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Zhao Jianglin switched to an even more upbeat Western song and joined the dance frenzy.

Mo Qi honestly disliked these manic gatherings, but she had no choice but to play along.

Everyone’s dancing was chaotic, and watching them gave Mo Qi a headache.

“Eat one, it’ll help.” Lin Zheng handed her a small, paper-wrapped fruit, and popped one in her own mouth.

Since it was from Lin Zheng, Mo Qi didn’t think twice. She peeled it and tossed it into her mouth.

The fruit had a sweet, fragrant coating. Mo Qi bit down, and after the sweetness came a hint of powdery interference.

Mo Qi frowned, pushed her way out of the crowd, and spat the contents into the trash.

Damn it, it turned out to be wrapped around a party pill.

She’d long known that these people liked to use these little things to liven up their dances. But since Lin Zheng had handed it to her, she hadn’t considered it.

Mo Qi picked up her wineglass, took a couple of gulps to rinse her mouth, and finally felt a bit better.

She finished the remaining red wine and looked for Lin Zheng, only to see she’d already thrown herself into the dance.

Most likely, she’d swallowed the pill.

Mo Qi sighed. There was no point in pulling her away now. She’d just wait until Lin Zheng finished dancing.

Mo Qi leaned back on the sofa, watching the wild crowd. Aside from boredom, everything seemed fine at first. But gradually, she felt herself growing hotter.

At first, Mo Qi thought the stuffy air in the room was making her feverish and paid it little mind. But soon, she felt as if her heart was being scratched by a cat.

Her head grew dizzy and heavy, and pink clouds seemed to float before her eyes.

Mo Qi realized something was wrong and clenched her fists. The pain of her nails digging into her palm helped her keep a shred of clarity.

“Damn!” Mo Qi cursed under her breath. She’d only thought to spit out the pill and had let her guard down when seeing her untouched wineglass—she hadn’t expected to be caught anyway.

Mo Qi gritted her teeth, grabbed her purse, and staggered out of the room.

If she stayed, something would definitely happen tonight.

“Miss, are you all right?” A passing waiter saw the unnatural flush on Mo Qi’s face and reached out to steady her, concern in his voice.

“Mo Qi!” Xie An hurried over, taking Mo Qi from the waiter’s hands. “I’m her friend, thank you.”

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“Not at all.” The waiter glanced at Mo Qi and Xie An, uncertain, and stepped aside.

“Wait.” Mo Qi grabbed the waiter’s wrist. “I have a bad cold. Please open a quiet private room for me.”

“Of course, this way.” The waiter was well accustomed to such scenes. Even if he guessed the truth, he said nothing, and led Mo Qi and Xie An to a small room.

Before leaving, the waiter said, “If you need anything, just press the service bell.”

“Thank you.”

After the waiter left, Mo Qi leaned back on the sofa, breathing heavily.

“Mo Qi, you’re burning up. You need to go to the hospital right away,” Xie An said anxiously.

Mo Qi shook her head. “Xie An, I’m not running a fever. Don’t worry about it.”

“You’re so hot, how is that not a fever?” Xie An grew frantic. “Get up, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Xie An was a genuine music fanatic, wholly absorbed in his own compositions, oblivious to the darker side of things.

“I’m fine. I’ll be better soon.” Mo Qi took a breath and shook her head. “Go check on Lin Zheng. Don’t let her come to any harm. And don’t tell the others I’m here. If anyone asks, just say I got a call from Master Shen and left early.”

“You’re like this, how can I leave?”

“No, Xie An. I’m begging you—go, and don’t come back.” Mo Qi’s head was spinning, but her gaze was uncannily resolute.

“Why?” Mo Qi’s condition was obviously bad—why did she want him gone? Xie An couldn’t understand.

“Treat me as a friend. Right now, please go, and don’t come back.” Mo Qi was already suffering as if being clawed alive, and any moment she might lose control.

(You know what will happen next.)

“You’re like this, how can I leave?”

“No, Xie An. I’m begging you—go, and don’t come back.” Mo Qi’s head was spinning, but her gaze was uncannily resolute.

“Why?” Mo Qi’s condition was obviously bad—why did she want him gone? Xie An couldn’t understand.