Blue Mountain Café.
Shen Qianqian crossed her arms, her expression one of absolute confidence as she stared at Lin Xuan.
She wanted to see how Lin Xuan would try to wriggle out of this situation.
"Lin Xuan, if your girlfriend doesn't show up within half an hour, I'll assume you don't have one," she declared.
At that moment.
A collective gasp echoed through the café. Everyone turned their heads toward the entrance, even the waitstaff holding coffee cups froze in place as a woman walked in.
"Damn, who is that? She's stunning."
"She's not just beautiful—she has such a commanding presence. Oh my god, I think I'm falling for her. Sis, I'm yours."
"If I had a wife like that, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."
Shen Qianqian frowned at the murmurs around her.
When she had entered the café, no one had reacted like this.
Was this woman really that beautiful?
How provincial.
She had to see for herself.
No matter how pretty she was, could she possibly compare to Shen Qianqian?
Shen Qianqian glanced up, and her eyes widened in shock.
A woman in a soft lavender fitted dress walked in, draped with a beige shawl.
Her dark, slightly wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, with a few strands falling delicately over her collarbone.
Her skin was as fair as snow, her features as if meticulously carved by the gods—every detail perfect.
She was so breathtakingly beautiful that everything around her seemed to pale in comparison. The term "peerless beauty" didn't even do her justice.
It was her.
The woman Shen Qianqian had seen at the Rong Hotel.
Shen Qianqian's brow furrowed.
What was this woman doing here?
Su Hua's cool gaze swept across the café, and when it landed on Lin Xuan, her icy demeanor softened.
She walked straight toward him.
"She's here," Lin Xuan said with a smirk.
"Lin Xuan, what do you mean 'she's here'?" Shen Qianqian asked, confused.
Lin Xuan replied, "My girlfriend."
In Shen Qianqian's disbelieving eyes, Lin Xuan walked over to Su Hua.
"My darling, you're finally here," Lin Xuan said, taking Su Hua's hand and leading her to their table. He pulled out a chair for her to sit beside him.
"Lin Xuan, are you saying she's your girlfriend?" Shen Qianqian's eyes widened in shock.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Shen Qianqian, let me introduce you," he said, his voice softening as he mentioned Su Hua. "This is my girlfriend."
"No way!" Shen Qianqian exclaimed. "Lin Xuan, did you hire her to play this role? Do you think you can fool me with some random woman?"
Lin Xuan sighed in frustration.
Damn it!
This woman was really hard to shake off.
Just then, Su Hua spoke up.
"Ah Xuan."
"Yes, my darling?" Lin Xuan asked, puzzled.
Su Hua leaned in suddenly, her crimson lips pressing against Lin Xuan's. She closed her eyes, leaving her mark on him.
The entire café watched with wide eyes, their excitement palpable.
"Ahhh, they're kissing!" a girl squealed.
"They're so perfect together. Beautiful people really do belong with beautiful people. It's such a sight!"
Shen Qianqian's pupils dilated in shock.
Su Hua pulled away from Lin Xuan's lips, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Miss Shen, surely you believe now that Ah Xuan and I are together?"
"Ah—" Shen Qianqian let out a piercing scream.
She couldn't accept losing to a woman like this!
"Lin Xuan," Shen Qianqian said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You can't be with her. Do you know she had six bodyguards with her that day? She's just using men to climb the social ladder. Lin Xuan, she's not worthy of you. She's tainted!"
Only someone like Shen Qianqian deserved a man as honorable as Lin Xuan!
"Shen Qianqian," Lin Xuan's voice turned cold. "Watch your mouth. What do you mean she's using men? What do you mean she's not worthy of me?"
"Do you think you're the one who deserves me?"
Lin Xuan's icy gaze bore into Shen Qianqian. "Let me make this clear—even if I didn't have someone I loved, I would never be with you."
Shen Qianqian's heart ached at his harsh words.
She looked hurt. "Lin Xuan, what kind of spell has this woman cast on you? Why are you defending her like this?"
"Hmph—" Su Hua leisurely sipped her coffee. "Miss Shen, whether I'm worthy of Ah Xuan or not is none of your concern."
"A girl like you shouldn't be meddling in other people's relationships. Don't you think?"
There was a hint of menace in Su Hua's eyes.
If Shen Qianqian continued to cling to Lin Xuan, Su Hua wouldn't hold back.
Shen Qianqian shivered under Su Hua's commanding presence.
"Ah Xuan, let's go," Su Hua said.
She couldn't stand the way Shen Qianqian looked at Lin Xuan. If they stayed any longer, she might not be able to resist the urge to gouge out those eyes.
If it weren't for the crowd and Lin Xuan's presence, Shen Qianqian's eyes might already be gone.
Su Hua and Lin Xuan left the café together.
Shen Qianqian gripped her coffee cup tightly, her eyes fixed on their retreating figures until they disappeared from sight.
"Lin Xuan, you're mine!" Shen Qianqian muttered through gritted teeth. "I won't give up. I will marry you."
Her eyes burned with determination.
There was nothing in this world she couldn't have, and she would make Lin Xuan hers!
This woman thought she could steal her man? She wasn't even worthy!
Lin Xuan and Su Hua got into their car.
"My darling, you have to believe me. I have no connection with Shen Qianqian. I never wanted anything to do with her. I only invited her to the café today to talk things out," Lin Xuan explained nervously.
"I have no idea why she's so fixated on me."
"Hmm," Su Hua's lips curled into a faint smile. "I believe you, Ah Xuan."
Seeing the softness in Su Hua's eyes, Lin Xuan felt relieved.
It seemed his "black room" warning had been averted—for now.
"Ah Xuan," Su Hua whispered, her voice sultry as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her soft lips brushed against his brow, trailing down to his lips.
Her breathing grew heavier.
Her touch was intoxicating.
Lin Xuan felt himself drowning in the tenderness she wove around him.
The air between them grew thick with desire.
Jiang Qing quickly lowered the car's partition.
After a moment, Su Hua pulled away, her breath uneven as she looked into Lin Xuan's eyes. "Ah Xuan, this is your reward."
"Remember, you belong to me, Su Hua. Stay away from other women from now on."
Otherwise, she might lose control—her jealousy would drive her mad, and she might even lock him away.