"How did you know about it?"
Qu Hui's hand clutched the edge of the table to steady her tumultuous emotions as the man's voice resonated with intimidating power.
"How I found out is unimportant. What matters is that I've never told anyone about it. Nor did I ever intend to use it against you. I just wanted you to know that I truly understand you."
Qi Mo's frown revealed his distaste. Oblivious, Qu Hui went on:
"Your current wife has no idea about the matter, right? If she knew, would she understand?"
Abruptly, Qi Mo's eyes narrowed dangerously, his jaw gradually tensing as he looked at Qu Hui, his gaze sharpening.
Qu Hui said, "She only loves your money, but I'm willing to help you raise Qi Shaobai like my own son."
"Enough." Though Qi Mo's tone was calm, it failed to conceal the impending storm.
Qu Hui instantly fell silent, her fingertips trembling as they gripped the table edge.
Seeing the somberness of the man's face, she felt a wave of icy aura envelop her, suffocating her throat and rendering her speechless.
The next moment, she heard him state in a low yet cautionary tone,
"It's not your place to judge what kind of person she is or talk about my personal affairs."
...
*
Sheng Mumu still hadn't treated Qi Shaobai to a big meal.
The reason was simple - how could she leave Qi Mo out during their three-person trip?
No sooner had they returned to the villa than a light rain began to fall outside.
Upstairs, Sheng Mumu saw Qi Mo standing silently on the balcony, seemingly lost in thought, oblivious to the rainwetting his shoulders.
Peering at him from the side, Sheng Mumu called out, "Shall we eat? Qi Shaobai said he wants hotpot."
Her gaze was limpid like waves.
Qi Mo's brow flickered subtly as he responded gently, "All right."
By the time the three finished their hotpot dinner and returned, it was almost ten o'clock.
As per their routine the last couple of days, Qi Mo tacitly left the master bedroom to give her privacy to bathe.
Sheng Mumu sank into the bathtub filled with bath bombs, and before long, dense bubbles rose to the water's surface.
She leaned back comfortably with a long exhale, reflecting on the day's gains.
From her investigation, less than half of the affluent districts in Shen City had flower shops nearby, with beauty salons, mini-marts, and boutiques being more common.
It seemed, based on today's reconnaissance, that Shen City was quite suitable as the second location for Yueji Flower Shop's expansion plans.
Next, she would need to engage professional market research firms back home to collect data on local consumer habits, preferences, etc.
Then came site selection.
She could continue using the floral suppliers previously contacted, while transportation and floral arrangement work could be assigned to one of the businesses whose cards she'd collected today.
As for interior design and promotions, she could follow the same process as the Beijing store.
Sheng Mumu absently stirred the bubbles on the water as she strategized.
The rain grew heavier outside, and inky clouds crowded the already gloomy night sky.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning illuminated the rainy night, followed by a deafening roar of thunder.
At that very instant, the lights in the room abruptly went out, plunging Sheng Mumu's surroundings into total darkness.
"Ah!"
She couldn't help crying out in surprise.
She had always feared thunder and lightning. While lights made it somewhat bearable, the current pitch blackness doubled her anxiety.
Hearing the commotion next door, Qi Mo came to the door and knocked twice, asking,
"Everything okay?"
But to his surprise, the powered door simply slid open at his light push, and her voice rang out from within,
"I'm fine, it's just...I can't see without the lights and can't find my robe."
Qi Mo fell silent for a few seconds before inquiring, "Shall I get it for you?"
Sheng Mumu hesitated.
She wasn't dressed, so if the lights suddenly came on while he was inside, it would be terribly awkward.
But it wasn't a solution to just stay in the tub either.
Her phone wasn't nearby so she couldn't use its light.
Prolonged lack of response might make it seem like she doubted Qi Mo's integrity.
After thinking it over, relying on the trust developed between them these past days, she finally responded,
"All right, please come in."
A low "okay" sounded from outside.
In the dark, she heard the door gently slide open, followed by the soft scuffing of slippers on the wool carpet.
Though unable to see Qi Mo, Sheng Mumu could roughly gauge his position by the sounds.
Soon he found her robe and handed it over.
Stepping out of the tub, Sheng Mumu took the clean robe, splashing loudly.
With his back to the tub, the man instinctively tilted his head away upon hearing the sounds.
Sheng Mumu hurriedly put on the robe.
Outside, thunder rumbled heavily amidst the worsening downpour.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, its brilliant flash illuminating the room.
Instantly, a deafening roar ensued, as if cleaving the heavens.
She couldn't help letting out a soft cry, reflexively moving to cover her ears.
In that moment of panic, a voice rang out,
"I'm here, don't be afraid."
The man's clear, gentle voice cut through the air, standing out distinctly in the sudden stillness. She could even hear his barely audible cough at the end.
Next, her wrist was grasped by a large palm, its callused fingertips gently stroking her hand back, as if to soothe her.
When the lightning lit up the sky outside, she vaguely made out the man's rugged, well-defined silhouette.
His faint, crisp scent lingered in her nostrils - his scent.
Senses magnified in the dark, she wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but Sheng Mumu felt the hands holding her wrists grow increasingly warm.
It was as if a vine had crept up her arm to envelope her entire body, surrounding her with a sense of security.
"Why the sudden blackout?"
She abruptly spoke to avoid awkwardness.
Qi Mo's voice was right next to her ear. "The high voltage from lightning can potentially damage electrical and ground facilities, causing power outages."
Before she could say anything more, Sheng Mumu heard Qi Mo add, "Does thunder frighten you?"
With her wrist still clasped in his heated grip, she found herself speaking slightly faster than normal.
"I wouldn't say frightened, just a bit rattled by the sudden loud noises."
"Seeing you so cheery every day, I assumed nothing could faze you." Qi Mo's low tone seemed to contain a smile.
Jokingly, Sheng Mumu responded, "Of course not, I do get scared too. But compared to having no money, everything else, thunder and lightning included, is a small problem."
At her words, she heard Qi Mo give a low, muffled laugh, deep and pleasing to the ear.
Just then, the room lights came back on.
Their gazes inadvertently met in the glare.
The man happened to be standing under a warm, soft spotlight, the alluring smile still lingering at his lips as he looked down at her slightly.
The tailored shirt accentuated his tall, well-proportioned physique. She noticed his shirt unusually had three undone buttons.
The restrained sensuality and subtle indecency made his handsome, ethereal face even more beguiling and eye-catching.
Dazzled by the sudden brightness and the striking handsomeness right before her eyes, Sheng Mumu blinked blankly.
The man's gaze was unlike his usual coolness, containing an unvarnished aggressiveness as he stared straight at her.
The room was still cloaked in wisps of misty vapor.
She was clad in a white robe, her damp hair trailing down her back, revealing a slender, graceful neckline.
Fresh from her bath, her face glowed with a faint pink flush, and her clear eyes were tinged with moisture.
Simply standing there silently, she exuded a unique charm.
The rosy scent of rose bath oil lingered teasingly between them, subtle yet unignorable.
Scorched by his scalding gaze, Sheng Mumu belatedly retracted her hand.
"The power's back on."
"Mm," Qi Mo's throat rumbled lightly as he clearly felt a soft spot in his heart tighten fleetingly. His clear, mellow voice grew somewhat husky as he abruptly asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"
Sheng Mumu: "Hm?"
"If you're not busy tomorrow, come with me somewhere."
...
At that time,
Qi Shaobai was sleeping soundly with his earphones in, completely unaffected by the sudden storm, unaware that there had even been a blackout.
He never could have imagined that when he woke up the next day, only he would remain in the luxurious villa.
"Anyone here?"
Standing in the spacious, opulent first floor living room, he called out hoarsely.
The only response was silence.
