Click. The light in the side room was turned on.
Xiao Shujing stared in shock at this vast space, which was like a warehouse. The cold air, combined with the bold yet understated artworks, elevated the whole atmosphere.
From the moment she stepped into the villa, she felt that it was different from the places she usually went to. It was special, unique.
"Sit down."
While she was still in a daze, Xue Xiaoqi unlocked her handcuffs.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"It's almost midnight. It's not safe for a girl to be out alone."
She slowly poured the boiling water into a ceramic teapot. Soon, the aroma of black tea filled the room.
Xiao Shujing hadn't recovered from the fear. She stood still, not daring to move a step. "Aren't you worried that I'm a bad person now?"
Xue Xiaoqi looked at her for a few seconds and then smiled.
"If anyone is a bad person, we were the ones who seemed like it just now."
She placed the steaming black tea on the coffee table. "Come and sit down."
Xiao Shujing watched as she slowly took off her mask. Her eyes sparkled even more, and her guard was lowered a bit.
She walked over slowly and sat on the sofa.
"Don't mind what happened just now. We haven't kidnapped anyone or done anything illegal." Xue Xiaoqi took a sip of her black coffee.
"Yeah, I can understand."
She stole a few glances at her, trying to keep a straight face while being overjoyed inside.
There were plenty of beautiful women in the entertainment circle, but a natural cool - toned beauty like her with an extraordinary aura was rare.
The more she looked, the more beautiful Xue Xiaoqi seemed.
Xiao Shujing suddenly understood how those men felt.
"I'll send someone to take you back to school tomorrow. Stay here for the night."
After finishing her coffee, Xue Xiaoqi said straightforwardly.
Seeing her stand up, Xiao Shujing quickly got up too.
"Aren't you afraid that I'll tell others about this?"
Xiao Shujing summoned up her courage. Her mouth spoke before her brain could think.
"No one will believe you." Xue Xiaoqi laughed boldly. "I know who you are. You gave President Shen quite a hard time in Huazhi Village, right?"
Xiao Shujing blushed and averted her eyes.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything to you. Whether you tell others about what happened today is up to you. How to handle it is my business."
Xue Xiaoqi hooked her lips and opened the door. "Have a good dream. Good night."
Click. The door closed.
"President Xue." A Ting had been waiting at the door.
She pulled a cold face. "Keep an eye on her. Without my order, she's not allowed to leave tomorrow."
"Yes."
The fragrance of roses filled the air, simple yet refreshing.
Shen Ximan woke up and stared blankly at the vase on the table. She knew where she was. If her body wasn't too weak to move, she would have gotten up to take a stroll in the villa to cheer herself up.
Xue Xiaoqi, who was lying on the edge of the bed, hadn't even taken off her night - suit.
Her curly hair was messily spread on the bedspread, and she was breathing evenly.
Shen Ximan felt a bit sad. It was because of her willful actions that so many people had been running around and couldn't get a good night's sleep.
She felt both guilty and heart - sore.
In the past, she rarely shed tears easily, nor would she lose her self - judgment due to emotional fluctuations.
"President Shen?" Xue Xiaoqi saw her red eyes and immediately asked.
"Are you feeling unwell? I'll call the family doctor right away!"
"Xiaoqi." Shen Ximan called her affectionately. "Thank you."
With a sour nose, she turned around and held her cold hand.
"This is what I should do. You don't need to thank me."
"I've left such a big business to you. You've worked hard." Shen Ximan truly regarded her as one of her own.
Xue Xiaoqi sniffed and shook her head. "It's not hard. After your injury heals, I'll bring the third young lady back."
"I will definitely bring An Ruo back, but it's not the right time yet."
It had been more than a week since she came back from Huazhi Village, and she hadn't seen that thin little girl.
She wondered if she had grown taller or gained some weight.
"Hold on for me a little longer."
Shen Ximan tightened her grip on her hand, having already made up her mind.
"Why are you still so stubborn?" Xue Xiaoqi couldn't understand.
"During the fight yesterday, that bastard Bo Jingyu didn't even help you when you fell! A man who only cares about his own interests, and you're still making excuses for him?!"
She was so angry that her voice trembled. "I, Xue Xiaoqi, can guarantee that as long as you come back and everything is in place, our power will be greater than the current Bo Group!"
Shen Ximan shook her head without hesitation. "He's not selfish. He didn't have time to help me yesterday. He was dominated by his emotions."
"I have to go back and help him. Otherwise, Grandpa and Bo Siming will torture him. He needs me, and I need him!"
"President Shen, you promised me before."
Xue Xiaoqi hung her head dejectedly. "You said you would start our own business with me. We're almost there. Why are you hitting your head against the wall for an unworthy man?"
Shen Ximan smiled gently. "Because I like him."
An hour later, the family doctor came downstairs.
"President Shen's condition is very bad at present. She seems to have had a minor concussion before, and with this scalp laceration, she must rest for half a month."
Xue Xiaoqi sighed helplessly. "Will there be any sequelae?"
"Yes. She may experience nausea and vomiting in the near future. As long as she has regular injections and takes medicine, there won't be any problems."
"Thank you."
After seeing off the family doctor, A Ting came to report.
"President Xue, should we let that woman out?"
Xue Xiaoqi thought for a while. "Let her out. Send a few people to monitor her recent actions. Report immediately if there's any abnormality."
"Yes."
In the car, Xiao Shujing looked at the thermos in her hand. Her mood couldn't calm down for a long time.
Five minutes ago -
"This is the oatmeal porridge I asked the nanny to cook. Please accept it as an apology." Xue Xiaoqi sincerely handed over the thermos.
Xiao Shujing waved her hands in surprise. "I can't accept it. I'm already very grateful that you let me stay here for the night."
"I brought you here forcefully. Don't decline."
Before getting in the car, she deliberately glanced at Xue Xiaoqi standing at the villa door. Besides smiling and waving, there were no other instructions.
Not a single word was mentioned about Shen Ximan or this villa.
Coming back to her senses, the car was already driving towards Yancheng University.
"Thank you."
Xiao Shujing got out of the car with the thermos in her arms.
"Shujing? Where have you been?" Xiao Yang happened to be walking out of the university. He looked at the car in the distance curiously.
"I had something to do. I went out for a while."
"Did you meet a new director?"
Xiao Shujing lowered her head and changed the subject. "Do you need something from me?"
"My God! Your face is scratched! What happened?"
Xiao Yang covered his mouth in shock, his eyes full of pity.