Chapter 70: The Show Begins

Before Liang Jinshang could even realize what was happening, her arms, as if possessed by their own will, had already wrapped around Shang Yucheng’s neck. The man’s vigorous, intoxicating masculinity surged over her like an unstoppable tide, threatening to overwhelm her senses. Yet soon, a metallic taste spread in her mouth, accompanied by a sharp, self-inflicted pain on her tongue, bringing her back to a semblance of clarity.

“Chao… Chao Jingyu…” Clutching at Shang Yucheng’s open collar, Jinshang anxiously tried to inquire about his condition.

As soon as Shang Yucheng heard her voice, his feverish, reckless movements abruptly halted. He raised his hand and with a sharp snap, turned off the shower, half-squinting as he gazed at her.

He couldn’t discern which was more of a mood-killer: hearing her laugh and call for Liang Xizhou in her sleep that night, or now, at the brink of desire, hearing her call out for Chao Jingyu. Either way, the pride of young master Shang could not be challenged—he wouldn’t indulge her any longer!

His shirt, drenched and clinging to his body, was tossed aside at Jinshang’s feet as he strode out.

Jinshang, left behind like a drenched puppy cast off by its master, her nose and eyes tinged with red, lingered in confusion and grievance before chasing after him.

Shang Yucheng was already on the phone, his other hand pouring cold water down his throat from a bottle. The water trickled down his sculpted torso, accentuating the sensuality of his body.

Jinshang, still dripping wet, felt a burning thirst. Seeing Shang Yucheng set the half-finished bottle aside, she took it without a second thought, sipping the icy water until she felt marginally better.

But only marginally.

Her voice hoarse, she asked, “Shang Yucheng… who are you calling?”

He was, of course, calling his subordinates to have someone bring him clothes. Yet, looking at her flushed cheeks, he replied with a mocking smile, his tone cold, “Do you want me to call Chao Jingyu? Let him come and satisfy you?”

Jinshang’s first reaction: “Are you insane?”

Her instinctive rejection did not escape Shang Yucheng’s notice, but she quickly realized, “No… his phone is off!”

She knew Chao Jingyu must be in trouble too—otherwise, he wouldn’t have left her alone here.

Jinshang hurriedly voiced the question she hadn’t managed to ask in the bathroom, “Go check on Chao Jingyu! He drank Bu Qingqing’s wine too!”

Shang Yucheng’s tone was laced with derision, “In matters like this, men are either happy to take advantage or forced to. You’re barely keeping yourself together; he might be enjoying himself more than you think.”

Jinshang nearly hurled the bottle at his face. “Shang Yucheng, don’t assume everyone is as shameless as you!”

“Chao Jingyu is a man too,” Shang Yucheng scoffed, “Men are all the same. Even if he’s your idol, he has desires.”

From Shang Yucheng’s calm response, Jinshang deduced that Chao Jingyu was unharmed.

She almost forgot that not long ago, Shang Yucheng had brazenly mocked her—“Did you really think I’d come to save you first?”

Jinshang slumped onto the sofa, the surge of emotion making her blood rush wildly. The cold water seemed to evaporate instantly from her body. Shang Yucheng had been right—she was in no state to help herself now.

“Shang Yucheng…” Her voice was damp with longing as her fingers clung to the hem of his suit trousers, her pale knuckles gripping tightly.

Shang Yucheng’s “kindness” in coming to her aid tonight was, as he himself admitted, proof that men are all alike. Yet he still maintained his aloof composure, asking slowly, “Do you want me to help you find Chao Jingyu? Or… do you want me to stay?”

Jinshang lifted her head from the sofa, her delicate face flushed scarlet. If she had to speak any plainer, she felt her cheeks would catch fire.

She raised a hand and slowly touched her lips…

The room was dim, the main light switched off, making it impossible to tell how much time had passed. Amber light wrapped the space in a haze of sensual whispers and gasps. Jinshang vaguely heard the doorbell ring several times in her daze, but no one paid any attention.

By the time she was carried to the bathroom and cleaned up, nearly three hours had passed. Shang Yucheng, wrapped in a bath towel, laid her on the bed, then went out to open the door and brought in two garment bags.

Jinshang’s lazy mind worked slowly. “Where did the clothes come from?” She only realized after asking—they couldn’t have arrived by coincidence just as their passion had subsided.

Most likely, the doorbell had rung several times two hours ago because Shang Yucheng’s people had been waiting outside all along…

Jinshang felt her skin wasn’t thick enough to ignore this, and seeing Shang Yucheng looking refreshed as he dressed, she kicked weakly at his thigh, hurling one last insult, “Shameless!”

Shang Yucheng adjusted his watch, lowering his gaze indifferently. “I spent money and effort, and you’re discarding me once you’ve crossed the river. Who’s really the shameless one?”

Jinshang ignored his retort, pulling out the new dress with hesitation. Disappearing together for hours, changing clothes together—“What will others think?”

Shang Yucheng answered coolly, “If you don’t change, people won’t think? Just the fact that you drank spiked wine—more than five people already know.”

Besides Bu Qingqing, there were others…

“Huo Zhi, Nangong Xueyuan!” Jinshang suddenly recalled Bu Qingqing and Nangong Xueyuan conspiring before the banquet, and Huo Zhi barging in soon after.

It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence—these people must have plotted together!

A pack of scoundrels!

“What did you do with Huo Zhi?” She hoped Shang Yucheng had quietly “dealt” with him, but she knew she didn’t hold that much sway.

Jinshang decided to save herself, searching for her phone. “I’m calling the police!”

Shang Yucheng lazily asked, “When the police arrive, what will you accuse them of? Your evidence was just ‘erased’ by me moments ago.”

Jinshang punched the blanket, unwilling. “Are we just going to let it go?”

“Let it go? Ha.” Shang Yucheng tossed the white dress onto her, a casual smile on his lips, his tone cool and slow, “Dress up nicely—the real show is about to begin.”

Jinshang followed Shang Yucheng downstairs.

Before they even approached, she was stunned by the crowd of reporters gathered outside the door.

Recalling her unpleasant experience being chased by reporters days ago, she froze.

“I don’t want to see. I want to find Chao Jingyu.”

Shang Yucheng replied, “How do you know Chao Jingyu isn’t in there?”

They were close enough now for Jinshang to hear the reporters’ conversations.

“I heard Bu’s granddaughter and the eldest son of the Chao family are inside…”

“Apparently, Miss Bu has been pursuing him for a while, but to behave so outrageously at her grandfather’s birthday banquet…”

“That’s what makes it newsworthy! If you disapprove, why are you here filming?”

“Both families are prominent—this won’t blow over easily, tsk tsk!”

Jinshang’s heart sank, anxiously searching Shang Yucheng’s face for clues.

But he only wore a cryptic smile, as if this was of little consequence.