Chapter 758: Zhang Yaqian's Great Assist, An Uninvited Guest!
The world seemed to spin as Zhang Yaqian's words struck Ling Qingcheng, throwing her thoughts into utter disarray. She was about to offer a frantic explanation, but Zhang Yaqian simply smiled sweetly.
"Of course, I believe you, President Ling. You and Brother Shen are completely innocent, aren't you?"
Ling Qingcheng found herself staring into Zhang Yaqian's large, starry eyes. Her long eyelashes fluttered, her expression a perfect picture of trust and dependence. A wave of guilt, sharp and overwhelming, washed over Ling Qingcheng.
"I…" Her red lips parted, but the words caught in her throat.
"Actually, even if you and Brother Shen were together, I wouldn't object…"
At that moment, Zhang Yaqian's charming smile returned, and she uttered a sentence that left Ling Qingcheng utterly stunned, her mind reeling in disbelief.
Zhang Yaqian didn't object?
Ling Qingcheng was floored. She had braced herself for fierce opposition, for tears and heartbreak. She never expected to hear something like this. Was it a test?
"Yaqian, don't worry. There is absolutely nothing between Shen Anyu and me. What happened at the Yu family banquet was just him helping me out of consideration for you, truly!" Ling Qingcheng's voice was so earnest it was practically a vow to the heavens.
"Mhm, I believe you, President Ling, but—" Here, Zhang Yaqian's tone shifted. A sly, knowing glint entered her eyes as she looked at Ling Qingcheng. "What if you and Brother Shen do get together in the future?"
"If Shen Anyu and I ever get together, then… then you can do whatever you want with me!" Ling Qingcheng swore, her heart pounding.
"Hehe, it doesn't have to be so serious. You can just call me 'Jiejie' from now on," Zhang Yaqian giggled. "Alright, I won't disturb your work any longer. I'll say goodbye now."
With a little wave of her hand, Zhang Yaqian turned and left, leaving the thermal container of wild ginseng and black chicken soup sitting on the desk.
Ling Qingcheng watched her go, her gaze fixed on the door until it clicked shut. Only then did she let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief, feeling as though a mountain had been lifted from her shoulders. Still paranoid that Zhang Yaqian might return, she quickly walked to the office door, peeked down the empty corridor, and then firmly locked it.
The moment the lock clicked, the warmth vanished from Ling Qingcheng's jade-like face. It became a mask of frost, her phoenix eyes turning icy cold as she lowered her voice to a furious hiss.
"Shen Anyu, come out now!"
Shen Anyu leisurely crawled out from under the mahogany desk, stretching as he took a deep, exaggerated breath. "Phew, finally. I was about to suffocate under there," he laughed.
Ling Qingcheng was already seething, but his words sent a fresh wave of heat rushing to her cheeks. Just moments ago, when Zhang Yaqian had approached the desk, Ling Qingcheng had been terrified she would discover him. In a panic, she had leaned forward, desperately using her body to block the view, her tailored suit skirt practically burying Shen Anyu's head.
"Our dear Qingcheng seems to keep up with her exercise; your legs are very strong," Shen Anyu remarked, a playful smile curving his lips.
"Scoundrel!" Ling Qingcheng's gaze dropped to her legs, and her anger flared anew at the sight of her torn black stockings.
"Shen Anyu, get out!" She pointed a trembling, jade-like finger toward the door, her expression fierce, her conscience screaming.
"This nourishing soup Yaqian brought smells good." Ignoring her command, Shen Anyu's attention landed on the thermal container. He casually opened it and began to drink, using the very bowl and spoon Ling Qingcheng had used earlier.
A flicker of shyness crossed Ling Qingcheng's beautiful eyes. Wasn't this… wasn't this an indirect kiss? But then she remembered that far more intimate things had already happened between them, and she pushed the thought aside.
"Shen Anyu, finish drinking and leave. And seriously, don't hurt Yaqian. She's a pure and kind girl!"
"A pure and kind girl?" Shen Anyu repeated, sipping the chicken soup. His expression was a little strange, as if he had just discovered something intriguing.
"Yes. I've watched her grow up since she was a little girl. I practically treat her like my own younger sister. I would never, ever do anything to betray her!" Ling Qingcheng declared with conviction.
"But she just said she wouldn't object, didn't she?" Shen Anyu countered, tilting his head as he savored the delicious soup.
"It's impossible for her not to care." Ling Qingcheng dismissed the comment, certain Zhang Yaqian was just being polite.
A playful arc formed on Shen Anyu's lips, his gaze fixed on her. Ling Qingcheng stood by the door, her graceful, slender figure on full display. The cold beauty of her face, combined with her hands-on-hips stance, gave her a domineering, imperious air. Any of her subordinates would likely tremble under that sharp gaze from her phoenix eyes.
But Shen Anyu wasn't afraid in the slightest. Instead, his eyes roamed with interest over her long legs, which were well over a meter in length. They looked a bit disheveled now, the expensive Valentino stockings riddled with runs and holes, revealing glimpses of the fair, tender skin beneath.
Ling Qingcheng noticed his wandering gaze, and her pretty face grew even frostier.
But then, a strange sensation pricked at her awareness. Something was not right.
It was hot. A little too hot.
'Did the air conditioner's temperature get turned up?' she wondered.
But this heat felt wrong. It wasn't coming from the air around her; it was blooming from within, spreading outward from the core of her body. Ling Qingcheng gently rubbed her legs, a deep, unsettling discomfort crawling over her skin.
Even when she imagined turning down the air conditioner, picturing cold air blasting her, the feeling only intensified. She touched her cheeks; they were burning. In that instant, Ling Qingcheng's expression changed dramatically.
She had been drugged.
Wait… the wild ginseng and black chicken soup?
The realization struck her like a physical blow. Her best friend, the girl she regarded as a sister, had actually put something in her food?
Ling Qingcheng could never have imagined it. She had successfully evaded the schemes of a dissolute predator like Yu Guanxiong, the Second Young Master of the Yu family, only to be ambushed by the one person she had never guarded against.
'No… Yaqian is so good to me. She would never harm me. She must not have known. Maybe the soup was just too potent… it must be something like that!'Ling Qingcheng's brow furrowed in denial. She couldn't bring herself to believe Zhang Yaqian would hurt her. It had to be an accident. She vaguely recalled Yaqian mentioning she had found a special prescription to help nourish her body. Perhaps there was a problem with the prescription itself.'Yaqian, even if it was an accident, you've caused me so much trouble!' she lamented inwardly. Suddenly, another thought struck her, and the color drained from her face. Her head snapped up, her beautiful eyes wide with panic as she looked at Shen Anyu, who was still leisurely finishing the soup.
"Shen Anyu, do you feel… uncomfortable?" she asked urgently.
"I feel great. As expected of Yaqian, this soup is delicious and quite effective," Shen Anyu praised, fully aware of what was happening.
He was a man who possessed the Divine Medical Skill, further enhanced by the medical knowledge of two Sons of Destiny. In the mortal world, there was effectively no one with more deep medical expertise. He knew exactly what medicinal ingredients were in the soup down to the last herb. Even he was a little surprised that Zhang Yaqian would pull such a stunt.
He was, however, quite happy to see it unfold.
By now, Ling Qingcheng's sharp, commanding phoenix eyes were clouded with a shimmering mist. A deep flush stained her cheeks, as if she were drunk, and her delicate body swayed unsteadily. A single thread of rationality remained, and she used it to fight against the wicked thoughts rising within her. She could no longer stand on her own and had to lean against the wall for support.
"Qingcheng, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" Shen Anyu asked, his voice laced with false concern as he put down the bowl and walked over.
The moment his large hand touched her wrist to support her, Ling Qingcheng felt a raging fire consume the last of her reason. Her lotus-like arm instinctively snaked around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Qingcheng baby, you're being so active?" Shen Anyu's eyes widened in feigned surprise.
Ling Qingcheng bit her lower lip, tears welling in her eyes. Her skin felt like it was on fire. She didn't dare to meet his gaze as she whispered, her voice trembling, "You… help me into the lounge~"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city.
"Brother Shen, you must be very pleased right now!" Zhang Yaqian puffed out her cheeks. A trace of resentment colored her tone. Even though she had orchestrated the entire affair, she couldn't stop the small, sharp sting of jealousy.
The next moment, her starry eyes widened in shock as she stared at the uninvited guest who had just appeared before her.
"You are?!"
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