> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “What the heck—how does she know?”] Ji Fei was truly stunned.

The Qin family exchanged equally shocked glances.

Mrs. Zong’s expression almost crumbled for a moment, but she quickly lashed out, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Yu Rouyin replied calmly, “If there was truly nothing in the drink, you would be confused, not immediately furious. Mrs. Zong, you’re not an actress; without professional training, it’s difficult to fool someone with experience. The whole setup—inviting me here, ordering something on my behalf, then insisting I drink it—would have raised red flags long ago if I weren’t vigilant. Without this caution, I’d have been tricked countless times in this industry.”

Mrs. Zong was visibly struggling to maintain her composure.

Yu Rouyin placed her hand on the coffee cup. “I wanted to end things peacefully, Mrs. Zong, but since you’ve chosen this path, don’t blame me.”

With that, Yu Rouyin picked up her phone, as if to make a call.

“You’re calling the police?” Mrs. Zong’s voice sharpened instantly.

Hearing commotion from the next booth, Ji Fei sprang up, and the Qin family followed suit. Nearby waitstaff rushed over, drawn by the disturbance.

Mrs. Zong, in a near frenzy, lunged to snatch the coffee cup away.

Yu Rouyin tried to pull back, but Mrs. Zong shoved her hard from behind.

Ji Fei, closest to the scene, managed to catch the falling Yu Rouyin, but the coffee cup slipped from her hand, arcing through the air and spilling its contents in a messy splash.

Just as the Qin family emerged from their booth, they froze at the sight.

Qin Xian stood there, coffee dripping from his head, his expression frozen in a mix of disbelief and irritation.

Mrs. Zong and Yu Rouyin, both stunned, were fully aware of Qin Xian’s identity and had certainly never expected to encounter him—and the entire Qin family—here.

What an awkward scene!

Ji Fei steadied Yu Rouyin, fighting the urge to laugh at Qin Xian’s predicament but knowing it would be a bit mean-spirited.

Qin Xian shot her a look, and Ji Fei hurried forward, grabbing a napkin from the table to dab at him, treating him like a soaked puppy.

Qin Xian didn’t resist, letting her fuss over him.

Mrs. Zong, regaining her composure, sighed in relief now that the coffee was gone. She approached Qin Xian, saying, “Mr. Qin, I apologize. We had a bit of a dispute, and you got caught in the middle. I’m truly sorry.”

Yu Rouyin quickly added her own apology, conscious of her association with the Qin Group now. After apologizing, she softly thanked Ji Fei for her help.

But as soon as she finished her words, Mrs. Zong hurriedly fled.

Yu Rouyin didn’t stop her; she was calm and composed, knowing that even if she confronted Mrs. Zong, the woman would deny everything, so it wasn’t worth the trouble.

But she wasn’t entirely unprepared. She asked a staff member for a copy of the surveillance footage, intending to use it as a warning if Mrs. Zong tried to cause trouble again.

The Qin family exchanged disappointed glances at the spilled coffee. But after this, Mrs. Zong would likely think twice before provoking Yu Rouyin.

Qin Zhao, acting as the boss, reminded her, “In the future, don’t go anywhere alone. Always bring your manager for anything like this.”

Yu Rouyin nodded in agreement.

She then bade farewell to everyone and left the hotel smoothly. With her departure, anything that happened afterward wouldn’t involve her.

At that moment, the hotel manager arrived, politely offering Qin Xian a suite to freshen up.

Though they had managed to stop his hair from dripping further, he couldn’t exactly leave looking like this, so he headed upstairs to clean up.

The Qin family shared a look, immediately scheming to nudge Ji Fei to go with him.

But before they could even suggest it, Ji Fei spoke up. “I’ll go with you.”

Qin Xian paused, looking at her in surprise.

The Qin family was thrilled. Finally…

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “A presidential suite on the same floor… With Zong Chun under the effects of the drug, Mrs. Zong might go to him, and the paparazzi might try to break in. Could we catch something juicy? Haha, what a thrilling scene!”]

Qin family: … Well, that was both unexpected and yet entirely in character.

Oh well, they were curious too. They’d come here to rescue someone, but now that the crisis had been averted, they could relax and enjoy the unfolding drama.

Qin Xian sighed quietly, turned, and began walking, with Ji Fei happily trailing after him.

As soon as they left, the Qin family immediately booked a room on the same floor and headed upstairs.

Once in the suite, Qin Xian realized his clothes were also stained. Fortunately, his business car always had spare clothes, so he called his assistant to bring a fresh outfit.

He removed his outer layer and went to the bathroom for a quick wash, emerging in a bathrobe to grab his clean clothes.

When he stepped out, he found Ji Fei sitting on the plush bed, clutching his fresh clothes and staring intently at him.

The scene felt… strangely intimate. Qin Xian’s gaze darkened, his heart stirring in a way he couldn’t quite understand—maybe it was the warm lighting, or perhaps something else…

Ji Fei suddenly turned her head, her bright eyes lively and full of curiosity.

“What are you doing?” Qin Xian’s voice came out a bit husky.

Ji Fei perked up, “I just thought of something—could the stains on your clothes be tested for the drug?” She quickly explained what she’d overheard, to cover her slip.

Qin Xian: …

“I’ll have the assistant check it later.”

Ji Fei nodded, then froze, glancing at Qin Xian with a hint of suspicion.

Qin Xian asked, “What else?”

Ji Fei quickly shook her head. “Nothing… Did you finish washing up?”

Qin Xian was about to nod when he caught the tail end of her thoughts.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Oh no, I forgot—Qin Xian might have accidentally touched the coffee with his lips earlier! If even a tiny amount could trigger the drug, could it be affecting him? His face is a bit red; is it the drug, or just the hot shower?”]

Qin Xian was momentarily stunned. He had indeed opened his mouth to call someone and might have gotten splashed…

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “If he’s drugged, could he lose control and pounce on me, doing this or that?”]

Qin Xian’s face genuinely heated up. So that flutter he felt earlier—was it the drug?

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Such a gorgeous, self-restrained man—should I resist, or just… not resist?”]

Qin Xian’s ears reddened, his hands and feet suddenly stiff, as he cast a sidelong glance at Ji Fei.

Was she… hoping for something?

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “It’s not like I set this up. I’m the innocent victim here…”]

Qin Xian coughed lightly, stepping to the bed to retrieve his clothes, deciding he wouldn’t do anything rash.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Oh man, if we divorce later, where am I going to find someone this high-quality again?”]

Qin Xian’s hand stilled, an unfamiliar pang pricking his heart. Before, her casual musings only left him feeling exasperated, but now it felt like a sharp sting—unpleasant.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “No, no. Taking advantage is wrong… calm down, calm down… Time to shift focus—let’s see what’s happening with the Zongs.”]

A flash of something crossed Qin Xian’s eyes, and, driven by an inexplicable impulse, he moved to stand directly in front of her, leaning down close.