C16 Call Him Qingli!

Despite not being able to fully unleash his anger on Fu Yunyi, the man's mood didn't plummet. On the contrary, there was a slight uptick in his spirits.

He mulled over Fu Yunyi's recent words with great interest. Had she really just called him Qingli?

Though it hinted at a closeness that might be developing between them, hearing such an intimate name from her lips was as thrilling as a caress.

"In that case, Yiyun and I will take our leave," Shen Qingli said, rising with a subtle smile and a proud lift of his eyebrows. "Enjoy your meal, we won't impose any further."

Enjoy the meal?

Chen Xueli's well-preserved face turned a shade of livid. How were they supposed to continue eating?

Fu Guoyi was seething as he watched the retreating figures of his son-in-law and daughter, furiously tossing his fork onto the table.

"They've all turned against us!"

"What's the point of saying that now?" Chen Xueli snapped bitterly. "It's all because you didn't let Jianing marry Qingli. If she were Mrs. Shen now, none of this would have happened!"

"This... This was Old Master Shen's choice. I would have liked Jianing to marry him, but was it really up to me?"

Meanwhile, Fu Yunyi, who usually seemed so reserved, turned out to be the proverbial silent dog that bites. Now she had the audacity to bite back at them!

The more she thought about it, the angrier Chen Xueli got. Her eyes landed on the crystal necklace still around her daughter's neck and she hissed, "Why are you still wearing that counterfeit? Take it off this instant!"

"Just be quiet—"

Veins throbbed on Fu Guoyi's forehead as he collapsed into his chair, fuming. "Now that Qingli is our son-in-law, there will be no end to the grievances!"

He had come to a realization: peaceful days were going to be few and far between from now on.

After Shen Qingli's earlier spectacle, the guests had dispersed, leaving behind only the champagne tower and the deserted dessert station. Silence enveloped the area.

As Fu Yunyi walked on the soft, manicured lawn, her heart was fermenting with words she longed to express. Yet every time she was about to speak, the man's suggestive look made her swallow her words once again.

Fu Yunyi was usually irked by Shen Qingli's all-knowing gaze, but now she found herself halting with a sense of guilt.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

The man cocked his head, clearly amused. "Because I get the feeling, Mrs. Shen, that you have something you want to tell me."

Her words stuck in her throat as Fu Yunyi's eyes widened, unable to utter a single word.

'Damn it, can this man read minds?'

"Yunyi, I understand you very well." Shen Qingli effortlessly deciphered her thoughts, his eyes shimmering with untamed glee. "It's like I can picture you undressed without you having to take anything off..."

A few servants were still tidying up nearby. Shen Qingli's voice was measured, but it caused them to turn around with odd looks and blush furiously.

"Shen Qingli, shut your mouth!"

Images of their wedding night flashed through her mind—the man's sensual form with his robe hanging open, his sculpted, alabaster chest as if it were still tangible before her.

Annoyed with herself, she bit her lip. Damn it, what am I even thinking about?

Shaking off those impractical daydreams, her cheeks turned a fiery red. Fu Yunyi clenched her teeth and covered his lips, desperate to prevent any more indecent words from escaping him.

"Shen Qingli, could you please be mindful of our surroundings?"

No sooner had she spoken than something soft and damp seemed to caress her palm, startling Fu Yunyi into pulling her hand back as if she'd been shocked.

She glared at him furiously, catching Shen Qingli's mischievous smile as he licked his lips.

"Shen Qingli, how did I never notice before that you're an utter deviant?"

"Even though you sound quite delightful when you call me a deviant, don't you think you should seize the opportunity to thank me for playing the hero?"

Fu Yunyi tightened her grip on her wrist, her brow furrowed with hesitation. "You want me to show my gratitude?"

She was aware that Shen Qingli's actions today were indeed a gesture of respect towards her.

Even though she was also aiming to help him secure the shares, the last thing she wanted was to be indebted to him.

"Really, there's no need for grand gestures. I'm not fussy. A physical repayment would be perfectly acceptable to me."

The woman's eyes, a stark contrast of black and white, flickered before she playfully raised her red lips. "Since you're seeking repayment, how about I treat you to dinner tonight at nine? My treat. What do you say?"

Fu Yunyi's expression carried a hint of sly charm, unnoticed by the man.

Shen Qingli seemed somewhat regretful. "I'd prefer a more... personal form of repayment over dinner."

"Shen Qingli, I'm going to say this one last time," the woman's smile vanished, her face turning cold. "Our relationship is strictly professional and superficial."