C11

Maple Leaf Hotel.

On the 28th floor, in one of the eleven presidential suites, a tall figure stood gracefully by the angled floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing over the city. A black-suited bodyguard knocked and entered.

"Sir."

"Speak," Pei Chenglin said casually, swirling the red liquid in his wine glass before taking a sip.

"Miss Nian went to a convenience store and is now in a taxi with the license plate GY7789, heading this way." The bodyguard reported every detail but hesitated slightly.

Chenglin raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"

"Yes," the bodyguard paused, swallowing nervously. "Miss Nian bought a bottle of pepper spray."

Pepper spray? Was he the threat?

Chenglin chuckled, making the bodyguard break into a cold sweat.

"How much longer?" Chenglin's voice was cold, with no hint of amusement in his eyes.

"There's some traffic; she should be here in about ten minutes."

"Hmm..." Chenglin mused, squinting at the dark red liquid in his glass. His lips curled into a cold smile. "Didn't they say the bank manager Xia Ting's daughter wanted to meet me?"

What was that about?

The bodyguard looked confused, standing there awkwardly.

"Bring her over. What was her name again?" Chenglin frowned, trying to recall.

"Is it Xia Bingning?"

Pei Chenglin tilted his head back, downing his drink in one gulp, and mumbled, "Yeah, Xia Hailstorm."

The bodyguard stood silently.

"What are you standing around for?" Pei shot him a cold glance. "Waiting for me to invite you to dinner?"

"Yes, sir!"

As the door closed, Pei Chenglin gazed at the bustling city lights below, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

When Xia Bingning got the call, she was almost overwhelmed. She wanted to dress up, but the stern-faced bodyguard wouldn't wait a second longer. She hurriedly threw on a jacket and arrived, feeling a bit awkward as she sat on the couch.

Alone with him in a hotel room, how could she not entertain a few wild thoughts? She cleared her throat softly, leaning slightly closer to the man at the desk. Pei Chenglin was deep in thought, typing away on his keyboard.

"Mr. Pei, you called me here... um, is there something you need?" Xia Bingning spoke gently, with the soft, graceful tone typical of a Southern belle.

"Just sit," Pei Chenglin replied, his brow slightly furrowed. He never liked being disturbed while working.

Sit? Or... something else?

Xia Bingning blushed, feeling a warmth creeping up her ears. She was long past the age of girlish fantasies, but in the presence of a man as captivating as Pei Chenglin, she couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.

After all, this was Pei Chenglin—the man who could make or break anything in Salt City, the king of a business empire, with women flocking to him like bees to honey. Xia Bingning had been smitten from their first encounter.

Xia Bingning was captivated by Pei Chenglin's handsome profile. They say a man absorbed in his work is most attractive, and today she understood why.

"Um... would you like some wine?" Xia Bingning noticed the already opened bottle on the table, with some breathing in the elegantly shaped glasses.

"Miss Xia, are you not busy?" Pei Chenglin glanced up from behind his computer, giving her a brief look.

"Huh?" Xia Bingning was puzzled.

"You talk a lot." Pei Chenglin's lips curled slightly, his words sharp yet graceful, "Noisy."

Xia Bingning's face turned a bit pale, and she nervously fidgeted with her dress, whispering an apology, "I'm sorry."

Pei Chenglin frowned, effectively silencing any further words from her.

After a moment of quiet, Pei Chenglin checked his expensive watch and stood up gracefully. "I'm going to take a shower."

His voice was deep and magnetic, making Xia Bingning blush. She managed a soft "Okay," watching him turn away, suddenly feeling anxious.

"Then what about me?" Xia Bingning asked shyly.

Pei Chenglin raised an eyebrow and replied in a deep voice, "Sit."

Sit again? Xia Bingning's extended neck retracted, her eyes unable to hide her disappointment. What did he mean by that?

The sound of water trickled from the bathroom as Xia Bingning paced restlessly. Suddenly, there was a gentle knock at the door.

Was it room service?

Without much thought, Xia Bingning reached out to open the door. As soon as it was halfway open, a sharp "hiss" filled the air. Before she could see who was in front of her, her eyes stung, and she inhaled a sharp, irritating breath. She didn't even have time to scream before she started coughing and sneezing uncontrollably.

"You! Cough, cough! Who are you?!" Xia Bingning flailed her arms, backing away and supporting herself against the wall as she tried to escape inside.

Nian Wanwan, still clutching the pepper spray, heard the voice and quickly removed her sunglasses. But before she could see clearly, the lingering pepper spray stung her eyes.

Damn it!

She hurriedly put her sunglasses back on, but tears were already streaming down her face. Nian Wanwan leaned against the wall, wiping her eyes, only to be pulled into the room by a strong hand.

"Who is this?" A teasing voice echoed, laced with a hint of mischief. "Well, well, what happened here?"