Chi Qingwei was utterly speechless. Looking at her meek and submissive demeanor, she ultimately couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh. With a sigh, she said, “Go back first. I have a place here, you can go there to clean up.”
After speaking, she gave Shen Zuofeng a seemingly disdainful once-over. The woman looked completely drained, and Chi Qingwei couldn’t help but wonder if it was from staying too long in the detention center even her scent wasn’t as pleasant as before.
“Oh.” Shen Zuofeng hung her head, annoyed with herself. She had been caught in such a disheveled state, completely exposed in front of her.
Cai Meilin and Yang Huai, who were standing nearby, didn’t dare make a sound. Watching the usually calm and decisive Shen Zuofeng obediently lower her head before Chi Qingwei, for some reason, the scene reminded them of a large dog trying to please its owner.
They quickly shook off that thought. Seeing Shen Zuofeng still following Chi Qingwei, they were about to call out to her when she got into Chi Qingwei’s car, seemingly having completely forgotten about the two subordinates trailing behind her.
Cai Meilin and Yang Huai: “…”
They had never felt so exasperated in a single day!
Fortunately, Shen Zuofeng still had a shred of conscience left and remembered them. She rolled down the car window and calmly said, “Just proceed with the arrangements as planned. You two should head back as well, I’m fine now.”
Yang Huai gritted her teeth, wanting to say something, but after a glance at Chi Qingwei watching from inside the car, she swallowed her words and forced a stiff, polite smile. “Alright.”
Shen Zuofeng nodded and rolled the window back up, cutting off Yang Huai’s view.
“Let’s go too. Judging by her state, she probably won’t be thinking about us anymore,” Yang Huai said through clenched teeth. Just earlier, she had claimed there was nothing between them, and now she was eagerly following the other woman to her residence was that really “nothing”?
“Mm.” Cai Meilin nodded faintly. She also wanted to return early to see Lin Wanshu, whom she had asked to go back to Huaicheng with Ning Wenjing the day before.
The two sat in the back seat, with a driver in front and Xiao Xi in the passenger seat. None of the four spoke, and the atmosphere grew heavy.
Shen Zuofeng watched the scenery flying past outside Chi Qingwei’s window, then turned to look at Chi Qingwei, who was leaning back with a calm expression. She blinked and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
Chi Qingwei glanced at her, held back for a moment, but when Shen Zuofeng continued laughing, she finally couldn’t resist asking, “What are you laughing at?”
Shen Zuofeng gazed at Chi Qingwei’s high, aquiline nose, the slight curve seemed to enchant her like a spirit. Her long, fluttering eyelashes stirred an urge in Shen Zuofeng to reach out and gently brush them.
“I was thinking whether I might be someone special to you, Miss Chi.” Shen Zuofeng’s eyes were bloodshot. Having stayed awake for two days and nights, she was utterly exhausted, but with Chi Qingwei right in front of her, she didn’t want to close her eyes and sleep just yet, she wanted to keep looking at her a little longer.
Chi Qingwei looked into her earnest, red-rimmed eyes and couldn’t help feeling a bit amused. Did this person even realize what she looked like right now?
“What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?” Shen Zuofeng asked, puzzled.
Chi Qingwei took a compact from her bag it had a small mirror inside and handed it to Shen Zuofeng. Pressing her lips together in a smile, she said, “Take a look for yourself.”
Shen Zuofeng glanced at her actions, then at her expression. After she raised her eyebrows to signal him, he hesitantly took the mirror and carefully held it up in front of himself.
Shen Zuofeng: “…”
He had guessed that his current complexion wouldn’t be great, but with his pale face, dried bloodstains, reddened eyes, and dark circles, he looked like a drug addict on a wild high.
Or like someone whose essence had been drained by a demon.
No wonder she was laughing.
Feeling somewhat dejected, Shen Zuofeng handed the mirror back to her and turned his head away, no longer facing Chi Qingwei. This version of himself was far too unflattering.
Chi Qingwei leisurely placed the mirror back in its spot. Watching the back of his dark-haired head, a flicker of amusement crossed her eyes, this person was quite thin-skinned.
“How’s your hand?” Chi Qingwei’s gaze shifted downward, landing on his right hand hanging motionless at his side.
“It’s fine. The doctor said it’s just a minor fracture. I have a strong constitution, so I’ll recover quickly.”
Chi Qingwei frowned. “How did it happen?”
Shen Zuofeng glanced down at his arm and said, “Fights always come with injuries. Zhao Haisheng hit me with a chair.”
Chi Qingwei’s expression darkened. Although he claimed it was just a minor fracture, judging by how he could barely move his arm, it was clear Zhao Haisheng had struck with vicious force.
“But I paid him back with a chair later,” Shen Zuofeng added.
Chi Qingwei shot him an exasperated look. Did he really think that made them even?
She couldn’t be bothered to engage further and turned her head to look out the car window, no longer directing her attention toward Shen Zuofeng.
The car fell silent once again. The two people in the front seats maintained serious expressions, seemingly completely oblivious to the happenings in the back, if one ignored their perked-up ears.
Shen Zuofeng turned his head in confusion to look at Chi Qingwei. She had suddenly gone quiet, and he couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
Seeing that she had no intention of speaking, Shen Zuofeng’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but her expression made him hesitate. In the end, he withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes to rest.
On his first night in the detention center, he had vaguely sensed someone approaching while he was asleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw a burly man walking toward him. His sudden awakening had startled the man.
Realizing Shen Zuofeng was awake, the man didn’t dare linger and immediately turned and fled. Because of this incident, Shen Zuofeng hadn’t dared to let his guard down and sleep deeply since. He could only take short, light naps, waking at the slightest disturbance.
Noticing that Shen Zuofeng had gone quiet, Chi Qingwei turned her head back to look at him and saw that he had already closed his eyes and fallen asleep. The dark circles under his eyes stood out starkly against his pale skin.
Staring at the dried bloodstain, Chi Qingwei found it particularly unsightly. Although it didn’t mar Shen Zuofeng’s appearance in fact, it gave him a rugged, battle-scarred charm she still disliked it and wished it would disappear as soon as possible.
The car continued on for a while, and Shen Zuofeng didn’t wake up during the entire journey. However, upon arriving at the residence, even if she didn’t want to wake her, she had no choice but to do so. Shen Zuofeng needed proper rest, and sleeping in the car wasn’t comfortable. It would be better for her to go inside, freshen up, and lie down comfortably in bed.
“Miss Shen, wake up,” Chi Qingwei gently patted her shoulder.
Shen Zuofeng opened her eyes, still somewhat dazed and groggy. But when she saw Chi Qingwei’s face up close, her thoughts gradually cleared, and she followed her out of the car.
Earlier, she had actually slept more soundly beside Chi Qingwei than before. The refreshing scent of mint seemed to have a calming effect.
After getting out of the car, she saw a three-story villa in front of her. Looking around, the next villa was quite far away, with each one spaced widely apart. For someone who preferred peace and quiet, this would be an ideal setting.
Chi Qingwei led her inside and brought her to a room. “Everything you need is here, and it’s regularly cleaned and replaced. You can freshen up here first. After you’re done, come out for something to eat before resting. What would you like to eat? I’ll have someone bring it over.”
“Something light will do, and preferably a vegetable soup,” Shen Zuofeng replied without hesitation, since she was asked.
Chi Qingwei nodded. “Then go ahead and freshen up. I’ll wait outside for you.”
“Alright,” Shen Zuofeng watched her leave the room before gathering what she needed and heading into the bathroom.
Soaking in a hot bath, Shen Zuofeng felt so comfortable she could almost sigh in relief. Her tired, chilled body immersed in the slightly scalding water felt as if every pore had opened up, greedily absorbing the warmth.
She would have loved to soak longer, but remembering that Chi Qingwei was waiting outside, she reluctantly got up after a short while and rinsed off, aiming to finish quickly.
Outside, after leaving the room, Chi Qingwei had Xiao Xi go and fetch some light food, especially emphasizing the vegetable soup Shen Zuofeng had mentioned.
Although this place was regularly cleaned, it was rarely occupied, so the kitchen wasn’t stocked with much food.
Xiao Xi acknowledged the request and glanced at the closed door Chi Qingwei had just exited. She thought she should also call the driver, as they would need to buy the food. Given the situation, it seemed they might be staying here for a while, so to be safe, it would be best to stock the kitchen properly.
Throughout the journey, she had observed Chi Qingwei’s behavior and couldn’t help but marvel at this Miss Shen’s methods. In such a short time, she had managed to make Chi Qingwei go to such lengths for her clearly, she had something about her.
Xiao Xi left, and now only she and Shen Zuofeng remained in the villa. Shen Zuofeng was still in the shower, so Chi Qingwei sat outside, pulling out her phone to handle some work.
After what felt like a while, Chi Qingwei heard a soft click as Shen Zuofeng’s door opened.
She looked up and was momentarily stunned. Shen Zuofeng stood there in a bathrobe, her damp hair cascading loosely, water droplets dampening the collar of her robe. Her fair skin glistened with moisture, as if it could be squeezed to release water. Her deep brown eyes were veiled with a layer of dampness, and she seemed enveloped in a faint mist, an ethereal and unreal beauty.
“Don’t look at me like that, I know exactly how much of a mess I look right now.” Shen Zuofeng sat beside her and murmured, “Anyone watching would think you’re gazing at some peerless beauty.”
Chi Qingwei’s eyes followed her movements as she chuckled softly, “But I am looking at a peerless beauty.”
Shen Zuofeng rolled her eyes ungracefully, slumping lazily against the sofa. “I might believe it if someone else said that, but coming from you? I don’t buy it at all.”
Given Chi Qingwei’s own stunning appearance, no one would dare claim to be a peerless beauty in front of her. If anyone wanted to admire true beauty, they need look no further than Chi Qingwei herself.
Chi Qingwei shook her head gently. If Shen Zuofeng didn’t believe her, so be it. Though she wanted to insist she had been telling the truth, seeing Shen Zuofeng’s skeptical expression made her realize it would be pointless to argue.
Besides, her heart had been beating a little too fast just now.