Cen Zhi’ning had long known that Qi Yanheng was the type to stop at nothing—but she hadn’t expected him to use his schemes on her best friend.
Qi Yanheng’s voice was gentle. He extended his hand—not as an invitation, but as an order that brooked no refusal.
“Ningning, have you had enough fun? It’s time to come home.”
The moment she saw him, alarm bells rang in her heart. This venomous snake was no good person.
Not only did he harbor improper thoughts toward her, he also wanted to compete with her for the family inheritance.
Who knew—just like in the original novel—after falling in love with Bai Xiaorou, he might even kill her to please Bai Xiaorou.
She abruptly stood up. The table and chairs scraped harshly against the floor.
“Home? Qi Yanheng, what right do you have to take me home?”
The curve of Qi Yanheng’s lips didn’t change. Seeing her bristling hostility, he finally softened his tone.
“Uncle Cen’s health isn’t very good. You shouldn’t make him angry. If you have any grievances, you can take them out on me.”
Qi Yanheng always wore that calm, detached mask.
Like a chameleon skilled at disguise, he pretended to be harmless—only to sink his venomous fangs in when the time was right.
“Take it out on you?”
Cen Zhi’ning suddenly laughed. She picked up the cup of sour plum soup on the table and, without hesitation, splashed it across Qi Yanheng’s handsome face.
“Ah!”
Qin Pengpeng jumped back in fright, trying to pull the emotionally charged Cen Zhi’ning, but failed.
Qi Yanheng clearly hadn’t expected her to actually throw something. Caught off guard, he was drenched in the icy brown liquid as it dripped from his face onto his clothes.
His emotions were astonishingly stable. He didn’t even wipe his face immediately. Instead, he slowly lifted a finger and brushed away the sour plum soup sliding down his jaw.
He had dressed carefully just to see her.
It seemed she didn’t care at all.
Cen Zhi’ning set the cup down.
“Feeling humiliated? It doesn’t compare to the humiliation you all gave me back then.”
Qin Pengpeng handed him a tissue, secretly marveling at his composure—he hadn’t even frowned.
Qi Yanheng didn’t take the tissue. Instead, the corner of his lips lifted slightly. A low chuckle escaped him as he reached for Cen Zhi’ning’s hand.
His voice remained gentle, even carrying a hint of indulgence.
“Good girl. You’ve vented your anger. Now come home with me.”
Cen Zhi’ning gritted her teeth. It was always like this—like punching cotton, utterly powerless. She slapped his hand away, her stomach churning with nausea.
“Stop pretending. It’s disgusting.”
Qi Yanheng grabbed her wrist. No matter how she struggled, he didn’t loosen his grip. The force was enough to make her frown.
Beneath his refined exterior lay nothing but obsession and stubbornness. He leaned slightly closer.
“Stop making a scene, Ningning. Come home with me. I’ll handle the arranged marriage.”
“Arranged marriage?”
Cen Zhi’ning was bewildered when the system spoke.
【For your convenience in攻略ing, I arranged Mu Chenchuan to be your marriage partner. But Qi Yanheng’s possessiveness is skyrocketing—he’s determined to stop the marriage.】
【Be careful. Right now, he sees you as his private possession. He doesn’t want you marrying and leaving his control. He has to keep you firmly in his grasp.】
【Host, just go against him. He still has physical desire for you. Once he reunites with Bai Xiaorou and falls in love with her, he won’t cling to you anymore.】
Cen Zhi’ning’s eyes widened.
Physical desire… Beast. So he still hadn’t given up.
The surrounding diners had already begun staring, some whispering and pointing.
She struggled again but couldn’t break free. Confronting him head-on would only put her at a disadvantage.
She definitely had to go home—but not with Qi Yanheng. And she absolutely couldn’t let him ruin the arranged marriage.
She needed the old man to see her stance clearly—she and Qi Yanheng were irreconcilable.
“Let go!”
Qi Yanheng was unwavering.
“I’ll let go when we’re home.”
“You forced my hand!”
Her eyes darted around before she suddenly raised her voice, filling it with terror and fury.
“What are you doing? I don’t know you! Let go of me! In broad daylight—are you trying to kidnap someone?”
Her shout was explosive, instantly drawing every gaze.
Qi Yanheng clearly hadn’t expected this move. His hand paused slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Cen Zhi’ning seized the moment, wrenching her hand free. Tears came instantly, her acting flawless.
“Everyone, please call the police! He’s a human trafficker! He’s been following me, insisting I’m his sister!”
Her performance was vivid and emotional. Combined with her striking looks, it instantly ignited the crowd.
“I saw the two girls come in for hotpot. This guy showed up later!”
“What’s going on?”
“Snatching someone in broad daylight?”
“He looks so well-dressed—he’s a trafficker?”
“Stop him! I’ll call the police. Don’t let him run!”
The diners surrounded him, pointing and murmuring. Some had already taken out their phones to record.
Waiters and the manager rushed over, and the scene descended into chaos.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Cen Zhi’ning grabbed the stunned Qin Pengpeng and slipped out through a gap in the crowd.
Qi Yanheng tried to chase after them but was blocked by a waiter.
“Don’t chase! Sir, this is a society ruled by law. I advise you to behave—”
For the first time, Qi Yanheng’s gentle expression cracked completely. His face darkened as he shoved the waiter aside and strode after them.
By the time he rushed out, Cen Zhi’ning had already climbed onto the back seat of Qin Pengpeng’s motorcycle. The two sped off right before his eyes.
Watching their figures disappear down the street, Qi Yanheng let out a silent laugh.
Tsk. The little girl was still the same—vivid, stubborn, never willing to yield easily.
Qin Pengpeng roared the motorcycle around before circling near the Cen family home.
Cen Zhi’ning removed her helmet and handed it back.
“Sorry for dragging you into this.”
Qin Pengpeng looked miserable.
“As long as you’re not mad at me. I had no choice.”
Cen Zhi’ning found it strange.
“You’re usually fearless. How did Qi Yanheng manage to control you?”
Qin Pengpeng sighed deeply, dejected.
“You have no idea how terrifying Qi Yanheng is now. If I don’t obey him, I won’t survive at school.”
After saying that, she added nervously,
“And I have to warn you—after you’ve been gone for three years, your family is basically under Qi Yanheng’s control now.”
Cen Zhi’ning frowned. Just like in the original story, Qi Yanheng had begun to bare his fangs.
“Him? He joined my family’s company?”
“Yeah. Not long ago, your company faced a major business crisis. He solved it. After that, he started gaining decision-making power.”
That had indeed happened in the plot. After his biological father died, Qi Yanheng—an illegitimate son—had inherited part of the estate. He used it to resolve the Cen family’s crisis and successfully secured a foothold within the company.
Speaking of it, Qin Pengpeng couldn’t help sighing.
“He’s got a sharp business mind. Your dad values him a lot. He started participating in company operations before even graduating. At this rate, your family’s company might end up entirely in his hands.”