Chapter 756: Zhang Yaqian's Suspicion Throws Ling Qingcheng into a Panic!
Shen Anyu had Ling Qingcheng's hands pinned behind her back, pressing her against the cool, solid surface of the mahogany office desk.
He held her phone up, his lips parting, poised to speak to Zhang Yaqian.
The world seemed to slow, Ling Qingcheng's mind going utterly blank. A single, frantic thought screamed through the static: Stop him!
Stop Shen Anyu from speaking!
She couldn't let Yaqian know about her and Shen Anyu. She couldn't. Zhang Yaqian, so pure, so bright, so fragile—the truth would shatter her.
But her hands were trapped in his grip, and she couldn't wrench them free no matter how she struggled.
In a final, desperate surge, Ling Qingcheng rose onto her tiptoes and sealed Shen Anyu's open mouth with her own crimson lips.
Shen Anyu's eyes widened in what looked like genuine surprise.
Ling Qingcheng's own beautiful eyes were wide with panic, but in the next instant, her pupils trembled. A silent gasp caught in her throat.
Shen Anyu, you… you don't play fair! You're taking a mile for every inch!
A teasing glint danced in Shen Anyu's peach-blossom eyes, a silent message passing between them. 'You're the one who ambushed me. Don't blame me for the consequences.'
"Qingcheng? Ling Qingcheng, why aren't you talking? Did something happen?"
On the other end of the line, Zhang Yaqian—the pristine and noble first daughter of Hangzhou, the girl who seemed like a princess from an elven tale—was growing audibly worried, her voice tightening with anxiety.
"No! Nothing! I… I was just drinking water. Yes, drinking water." Ling Qingcheng finally broke free, her cheeks burning with a mixture of shame and fury. She snatched the phone back, forcing her voice into a semblance of calm, praying Zhang Yaqian hadn't noticed anything amiss.
Even as the words left her mouth, a wave of guilt so potent it felt like nausea washed over her. Zhang Yaqian was so good to her, so genuinely concerned, and here she was… with Yaqian's man.
It cast her best friend in the role of a tragic, wronged woman.
Shameless. Utterly shameless. Ling Qingcheng, you cannot let this mistake continue!
A new resolve hardened in Ling Qingcheng's gaze. When a thing needed to be cut, it had to be cut cleanly. Today. She would end things with Shen Anyu today.
"Phew! That's good. You had me worried for a second," Zhang Yaqian's relieved voice chirped, followed by a playful giggle. "Hehe, Qingcheng, guess where I am right now?"
"?" Ling Qingcheng was still reeling, her mind a confused jumble.
Before she could form a question, Zhang Yaqian's cheerful voice announced: "Ding, ding, ding! Your ever-thoughtful Yaqian is here with some wild ginseng and black chicken nourishing soup! I know you're buried in work, so you have to take care of yourself and replenish your energy. Open the door and drink it while it's hot! I stewed it all night just for you!"
At that exact moment, a gentle rap sounded on the CEO's office door.
Hearing Zhang Yaqian's words and the knock in tandem didn't move Ling Qingcheng to gratitude. It terrified her.
Given their relationship, Zhang Yaqian could waltz into the Ling Group headquarters without an appointment or announcement. She even had a key card for Ling Qingcheng's private elevator. But for her to arrive at this exact, catastrophic moment…
If Zhang Yaqian walked in and saw her and Shen Anyu together in the office… this wouldn't be a heartwarming reunion between best friends. It would be a battlefield. Ling Qingcheng couldn't bear to imagine the look on her friend's face—the shock, the heartbreak, the utter disappointment, the tears.
"Shen Anyu, you… quickly, hide inside," Ling Qingcheng hissed, her voice a frantic whisper as she shoved him with one small hand.
As CEO, her office was massive, complete with a private lounge and bathroom for her to rest in when she was tired. Her plan was to shove Shen Anyu into the lounge, preferably under the bed.
But in a flash, Shen Anyu had already executed a nimble dive, disappearing under the heavy mahogany desk. He even had the audacity to wave at her, signaling for her to get in position and cover for him.
Ling Qingcheng was momentarily stunned.
She desperately wanted to ask, 'Shen Anyu, why are you so damn skilled at this?'
But there was no time. From outside the door, Zhang Yaqian's sweet voice called out, "The door isn't locked, Qingcheng. I'm coming in…"
Ling Qingcheng scrambled into her executive chair, leaning forward instinctively to better conceal the space—and the man—beneath her desk.
The instant she was seated, the door swung open, and Zhang Yaqian entered.
She wore a simple black dress, not a Chanel or a Dior, but a bespoke piece from a master artisan. The dark fabric made her fair skin seem to glow, so luminous it looked as though water could be squeezed from it. Her smile was disarmingly sweet. With no jewelry or accessories to speak of, her charm was one of exceptional purity.
In her delicate hands, she carried a thermal container, which undoubtedly held the wild ginseng and black chicken soup she had so proudly announced.
"Qingcheng, is the air conditioning too high in here? Your forehead is all sweaty." Zhang Yaqian's voice was as sweet and endearing as ever as she took in the sight of Ling Qingcheng sitting ramrod straight in her chair.
"Yes, yes, it's a bit hot," Ling Qingcheng replied, her heart hammering against her ribs. Outwardly, however, she managed a strained smile.
Ling Qingcheng, you're lying.
A flicker of something unreadable crossed Zhang Yaqian's pure, starry eyes. As best friends for over a decade, Zhang Yaqian knew one of Ling Qingcheng's tells: she repeated words when she was lying. In the past, Ling Qingcheng had rarely lied to her—there was never a need. But over the last few days, the lies had become frequent.
Zhang Yaqian's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though the sweet, elegant smile never left her beautiful face.
"Well, eat this while it's hot. I found this recipe for wild ginseng and black chicken soup specifically for you; it's supposed to be very good for your health. You look a little pale. Maybe you've been working too hard…"
As she spoke, Zhang Yaqian opened the thermal container, pouring the fragrant chicken soup into a small bowl she'd brought along with a spoon. The rich, savory aroma filled the office.
"Yaqian, you came all this way just to bring me soup… you really shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."
Watching her friend bustle about, Ling Qingcheng felt a fresh wave of guilt and unease wash over the initial pang of affection. Her pale complexion had nothing to do with overwork; it was clearly because…
Zhang Yaqian was too good. She was such a kind, thoughtful girl. She absolutely could not be the one to hurt her.
Ling Qingcheng's resolve solidified. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much she might still care for him, she had to cut ties cleanly. Otherwise, the person who would suffer most would be Zhang Yaqian.
"Ah—!" The next second, a small cry escaped Ling Qingcheng's lips.
"What's wrong, Qingcheng? Is the soup too hot?" Zhang Yaqian asked, her face a mask of concern.
"Yes, yes, the soup is a bit hot…" Ling Qingcheng replied quickly, while under the desk, her beautiful foot, clad in a fine Valentino black stocking, kicked out sharply.
She was trying to send a clear message to Shen Anyu: behave.
Just a moment ago, bored under the desk, Shen Anyu had run a fingernail lightly up her leg, the nail catching for a fraction of a second on the delicate fabric of her stocking.
He seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
It was, in its own way, quite amusing.
Men were such simple creatures; give them a Valentino stocking and they could entertain themselves for an entire day.
At first, Ling Qingcheng could tolerate it. But as Shen Anyu grew bolder, his hand venturing ever higher, she couldn't bear it any longer. The kick was meant as a final warning.
Unfortunately for her, Shen Anyu was not a man who was inclined to behave.
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