After Lu Qianyong's situation spread, the guests whispered and discussed endlessly. Although the woman was eventually sent away under the guise of mental illness, everyone in their circle understood what had truly happened.
Mrs. Shangguan's birthday banquet was completely ruined by this incident. Mrs. Shangguan's mood was affected, and she ended up cutting the cake hastily, ending the banquet early.
When Wen Zhaoning returned to the banquet hall, Lu Hengyu was looking for her everywhere. Seeing Wen Zhaoning, Lu Hengyu's expression was grim.
"Where did you go? Why didn't you answer so many of my calls?"
"I went to the restroom. My phone was on silent, so I didn't see it."
Lu Hengyu didn't believe her, but now wasn't the time to argue with her. "Mrs. Shangguan is a bit unhappy because of that crazy woman. She's resting in the VIP room on the second floor of the hotel. Go up and apologize and explain. You must make Mrs. Shangguan understand that our Lu family is also a victim in this matter."
Wen Zhaoning was reluctant. Seeing this, Lu Hengyu stepped forward and patted her shoulder. "Mr. Shangguan's words can decide my father's career. Making Mrs. Shangguan happy is very important. If you do this well, I'll let you see the child tonight."
"We already agreed that you would let me see the child tonight!"
"Wen Zhaoning, stop the nonsense. I'm not discussing this with you. Hurry up and go up, or I can't guarantee what will happen to the child!"
"Lu Hengyu!"
"Go!"
Wen Zhaoning endured it time and time again. "Fine, I'll go."
In the lounge on the second floor, Mrs. Shangguan, Jiang Qiu Ping, was having someone massage her due to a migraine. Seeing Wen Zhaoning come to find her, although she lacked the energy to deal with her, she still let her in.
"Ning Ning, I know what you're going to say, but what happened today has nothing to do with you. If anyone needs to apologize, it shouldn't be you," Jiang Qiu Ping beckoned Wen Zhaoning to come closer and said in a low voice, "You're a good girl. The Lu family is not a lucky door. Listen to my advice and make plans for yourself as soon as possible."
After speaking, Jiang Qiu Ping asked Wen Zhaoning to leave, saying she needed to rest quietly for a while.
Wen Zhaoning had no choice but to leave the lounge and go downstairs.
Seeing Wen Zhaoning come down so quickly, Lu Hengyu angrily accused her, "Why did you come down so soon? Did you even properly apologize and explain to Mrs. Shangguan?"
"I did, but Mrs. Shangguan had a migraine and needed to rest, so I didn't disturb her further."
Lu Hengyu was about to say something else when he was interrupted by a message notification. He looked down at the message on his phone, his brow furrowed, and he turned to leave.
Wen Zhaoning grabbed Lu Hengyu's arm. "I did what you asked. Can you give Qing Ning back to me now?"
"You can't even handle comforting one person properly. Shangguan Hong is already targeting my father. You still want to see your daughter? Dream on!"
Lu Hengyu shook off Wen Zhaoning and strode away.
"Lu Hengyu!"
Wen Zhaoning chased after him but was pushed away by Lu Hengyu's bodyguard.
"Lu Hengyu! You're a man of your word! You're a beast!"
Worried about her daughter, Wen Zhaoning didn't sleep all night again.
That night, she thought of every possible solution.
Calling the police was an option, but legally, Qing Ning was still Lu Hengyu's daughter. If Lu Hengyu took his daughter away, it wouldn't constitute any crime. Moreover, there were people from the Lu family in the police station; she couldn't do anything to him.
Exposing the matter to the public media for help would only lead to the same end as Lu Qianyong's mistress.
..
Su Yunxi was so angry when she learned that Lu Hengyu had gone back on his word that she cursed his entire ancestry.
"I knew this scumbag couldn't be trusted, that trash bastard! Serves him right that he can't get it up! I don't know where this scumbag hid Qing Ning. I sent so many people to look, but we couldn't find any clues." Su Yunxi then thought of He Huaiqin. "Ning Ning, why don't we really ask He Huaiqin for help! The longer this drags on, the more worried I am about Qing Ning! She's not his biological daughter, who knows if Lu Hengyu, that beast, will abuse Qing Ning!"
Wen Zhaoning felt the same way.
When she couldn't sleep last night, she had the impulse several times to pick up her phone and call He Huaiqin. However, as soon as she thought of the conditions He Huaiqin had set, she backed down.
Becoming He Huaiqin's hidden lover, never seeing the light of day, was no different from jumping from one cage into another. When he got tired of her, he would abandon her. What would be her end then?
"Ning Ning..."
"Xi Xi, please wait a moment. I have a call coming in. I'll call you back later."
"Okay."
Wen Zhaoning hung up on Su Yunxi, and her phone immediately rang again. It was an unfamiliar number.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Ning Ning, it's Aunt Duan." A breathless voice came from the other end of the phone. Before Wen Zhaoning could speak, she hurriedly blurted out, "Aunt Duan and Qing Ning are being held at Qiushan Road. Lu Hengyu's people confiscated my phone. I managed to slip away from the bodyguards while buying groceries and borrowed a kind passerby's phone to call you. Hurry and save us. Qing Ning suddenly developed a high fever last night..."
Before Aunt Duan could finish speaking, the call was cut off.
"Aunt Duan! Aunt Duan!"
Wen Zhaoning quickly dialed back. The phone rang twice before someone answered.
This time, a young woman's voice answered.
"Hello, is the aunt who borrowed your phone still there?" Wen Zhaoning asked anxiously.
"No, she was taken away by two men in black."
Wen Zhaoning's heart sank. "I understand, thank you."
Aunt Duan was the Lu family's nanny. Ever since Wen Zhaoning married into the Lu family, Aunt Duan had been responsible for her daily life. They were originally in a simple employer-employee relationship. Three years ago, Aunt Duan's son, who had just graduated from college, was in a car accident, and the driver fled. The surgery required a large sum of medical expenses. When Aunt Duan had nowhere to turn for help, Wen Zhaoning stepped in and helped the mother and son overcome the difficulty. From then on, Aunt Duan and Wen Zhaoning's relationship became as close as family.
Lu Hengyu probably took Aunt Duan along to appease Qing Ning's emotions.
Fortunately, Aunt Duan was quick-witted and escaped to make this call.
Following the information Aunt Duan had provided, Wen Zhaoning immediately asked Su Yunxi to help investigate the Lu family's properties on Qiushan Road. Unfortunately, they were still one step too late.
By the time Wen Zhaoning and Su Yunxi arrived at the villa where Qing Ning and Aunt Duan were being held, Lu Hengyu's people had already moved them.
Perhaps the transfer was too hasty, as one of Qing Ning's shoes was left in the courtyard.
Wen Zhaoning picked up Qing Ning's small shoe. Thinking of Aunt Duan saying Qing Ning had a high fever, she completely lost her composure.
When Qing Ning was young, she had a history of febrile seizures due to a high fever from measles. That time, Qing Ning convulsed and foamed at the mouth in front of Wen Zhaoning, which scared her badly. Since then, every time Qing Ning had a fever, Wen Zhaoning would be very afraid, fearing that Qing Ning would have a seizure again.
"That scumbag Lu Hengyu, he ran so fast!" Su Yunxi wished she could burn down the Lu family villa. "Ning Ning, what do we do now? Aunt Duan's tip-off was unsuccessful, and Lu Hengyu definitely won't let her and Qing Ning go!"
Wen Zhaoning was silent for a moment, then handed Qing Ning's shoe to Su Yunxi. "I'm going to find He Huaiqin!"
Wen Zhaoning made three voice calls to He Huaiqin, but he didn't answer.
She had no choice but to go to his law firm to find him.
Yaohua Law Firm was located in the city's prime CBD, occupying the top eight floors of a skyscraper.
The moment the elevator doors opened, a low-key yet incredibly imposing sense of luxury washed over them.
The receptionist wore a custom-tailored suit that fit perfectly. Her makeup was exquisite and flawless, and her smile was as standard as if measured by a protractor, exuding professional politeness.
"Hello, who are you looking for?"
"I'm looking for Lawyer He."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No," Wen Zhaoning said directly. "But please tell him that Wen Zhaoning is looking for him; it's urgent."
The receptionist looked up and appraised Wen Zhaoning. "I'm very sorry, Ms. Wen. Lawyer He's schedule is fully booked for today. According to regulations, we cannot arrange meetings for visitors without appointments. Perhaps you could leave your contact information, and I will register it. If the lawyer has any free time, we will notify you immediately."
"Is Lawyer He inside now?"
"Lawyer He is in a meeting."
"Then I'll wait here for him."
Wen Zhaoning was determined to see He Huaiqin today.
Although Qing Ning had Aunt Duan with her, Aunt Duan had no experience caring for a child with a high fever. Coupled with the constant movement of being transferred, Wen Zhaoning didn't know what their current situation was.
If she wasn't afraid of angering He Huaiqin by forcing her way in, Wen Zhaoning wouldn't have been able to wait even a second longer.
"But, Madam..."
As the receptionist was hesitating, she suddenly heard someone ask, "What's going on?"
Wen Zhaoning turned her head and saw Chen Yi.
Chen Yi was wearing a gray suit and holding a tablet computer, clearly having just finished some business and passing by the front desk.
Seeing a familiar face, Wen Zhaoning quickly stood up and walked briskly towards Chen Yi. The receptionist, perhaps afraid Wen Zhaoning would do something, quickly ran over to stop her.
"Madam, what are you doing?" the receptionist asked, blocking Wen Zhaoning while respectfully explaining to Chen Yi, "Special Assistant Chen, this lady wants to see Lawyer He, but she doesn't have an appointment."
"It's alright, it's alright," Chen Yi gave the receptionist a look, signaling her to step aside. "Miss Wen is a friend of Lawyer He."
Others might not know Wen Zhaoning's relationship with He Huaiqin, but Chen Yi certainly did.
She was the woman the boss loved but couldn't have, the one he was even willing to be a kept man for.
If she wanted to see the boss, why would she need an appointment!
"Special Assistant Chen, I have an urgent matter to discuss with Lawyer He. Could you please trouble you to take me in to see him?" Wen Zhaoning said.
Seeing Wen Zhaoning's pale face and the anxiety in her beautiful eyes, Chen Yi immediately nodded. "Miss Wen, please come with me. Lawyer He's meeting will be over soon."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, this way please."
Wen Zhaoning followed Chen Yi into He Huaiqin's office.
He Huaiqin's office was exceptionally grand. A floor-to-ceiling glass window offered a panoramic view of the magnificent city skyline. Standing by the window, it felt as if one could look down upon the entire world.
"Miss Wen, please have some tea," Chen Yi poured Wen Zhaoning a cup of tea.
"Thank you."
Just as Wen Zhaoning picked up her teacup, He Huaiqin pushed the door open and entered.
He Huaiqin had just finished a lengthy international video conference. He wasn't wearing a coat, only a shirt and a waistcoat. The sleeves of his shirt were casually rolled up, revealing his firm forearms, exuding a detached coolness beneath his relaxed demeanor.
Upon entering and seeing Wen Zhaoning uninvited on the sofa, he frowned.
"Who let her in?"
"I did!" Chen Yi said, seeking credit. "Miss Wen came to see you, but she was stopped by the receptionist because she didn't have an appointment. I happened to be passing by and brought her in."
"No appointments, no meetings. That's the rule. If you don't understand the rules, get out together."
What?
Chen Yi was startled.
Didn't the boss like Miss Wen? Had he misunderstood?
"Lawyer He, it's not Special Assistant Chen's fault. I forced my way in."
"Then have security escort her out," He Huaiqin said mercilessly.
Chen Yi was dumbfounded.
How could this be?
Wen Zhaoning, however, was not surprised. After all, she hadn't forgotten what she had said at Mrs. Shangguan's birthday banquet.
"Small, fast, and no stamina."
Any man would hold a grudge after hearing something like that.
"Special Assistant Chen, you can go out first. I need to talk to Lawyer He for a few minutes," Wen Zhaoning said to Chen Yi.
"Okay."
Seeing that the situation was not good, Chen Yi quickly slipped away. After leaving the office, he thought for a moment, then returned and thoughtfully closed the office door.
The spacious office was suddenly left with only Wen Zhaoning and He Huaiqin.
"Lawyer He..."
"Miss Wen, before you speak, let me remind you that my time is billed by the minute, and it's very expensive." His voice was steady, but every word was like a knife. "First, think if you can afford it."
"I can't afford it."
"Then get out."
He Huaiqin's gaze only lingered on her face for a brief moment before shifting away, as if looking at her any longer would be a waste of his energy.
"He Huaiqin," Wen Zhaoning walked up to him and looked up at him. "The transaction you mentioned that day, I agree to it."
"What transaction?" He Huaiqin seemed to have forgotten.
Those two words were difficult to utter.
Wen Zhaoning mustered all her strength and trembled as she spoke, "Lover... I agree to be your lover."
After she finished speaking, her cheeks burned, and the sense of shame almost drowned her.
He Huaiqin looked at her. "Who told you I would wait for your agreement right here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that transaction has expired and is void."
Wen Zhaoning felt like she had been struck by lightning. "You're playing me?"
"So what if I'm playing you?" He Huaiqin's expression was cold, and he scrutinized her from above. "How did Miss Wen play me back then, have you forgotten? What? You're allowed to toy with me, but I'm not allowed to treat you the same way?"
Wen Zhaoning stood frozen, as if all her strength had been drained, her fingertips growing cold.
She took a deep breath. "He Huaiqin, I was wrong back then. I apologize. I beg you..."
"Beg me for what?"
"I beg you to help me."
"I said I don't help for free."
"Then I beg you to make a deal with me."
"Alright," He Huaiqin's eyes flickered slightly, showing a hint of interest. But when he spoke, he plunged Wen Zhaoning into hell again. "Then show me your sincerity. Kneel down and beg me."
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