A heavy, intense aura filled the room, enveloping Ji Fei with an overpowering presence that almost made her legs weak, causing her to instinctively lean back. She stared wide-eyed, frozen in disbelief, as Qin Xian drew closer. Even her breath momentarily halted.

But as Qin Xian’s deep gaze softened, his voice became a low, magnetic whisper filled with a cold allure. “Ji Fei…”

“What are you doing?!” Ji Fei exclaimed, her instincts kicking in as she lifted her hands to block him.

Due to her open bathrobe, her hands pressed directly against Qin Xian's still-damp chest.

Qin Xian couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. It was clear—despite Ji Fei’s tough words, in moments like this, she’d immediately retreat back into her shell.

He didn’t actually intend to do anything; it was just… just that the effect of the aphrodisiac had made him want to… maybe just steal a kiss from her, to savor that startled look in her eyes and her trembling lashes.

[Wait a minute, didn’t I just see that the coffee actually wasn’t drugged? Then… Qin Xian shouldn’t be affected by it, right? What is he doing then? Has he lost his mind?]

Qin Xian: ?????!!!!

Ji Fei’s expression shifted, surprised. “Qin Xian, you…”

Qin Xian felt his tongue tie up in a panic. “You… you’re sitting on my shirt.”

Ji Fei: … 

Qin Xian: …

Looking down, they both realized that the edge of the shirt Qin Xian had just received was indeed trapped beneath Ji Fei.

Ji Fei let out an awkward chuckle. Qin Xian stood up, maintaining a calm façade as he picked up his shirt once Ji Fei moved away.

[Whew, that scared me to death. I thought… cough, such a pity. I thought I could take advantage there.]

Qin Xian: … All talk.

Ji Fei clutched her rapidly beating heart, sneaking glances at Qin Xian as he took his shirt back to the bathroom. Only after he disappeared did she feel some relief, redirecting her attention to the juicy gossip she’d overheard.

[Wait, what’s going on? Why wasn’t there any drug in Yu Rouyin’s coffee? Someone swapped the drugged coffee, and now it’s Madam Zong who’s under its effect!]

[This twist is insane… And now the person with Madam Zong is… oh my god, ew!]

[Wait, is this… no, technically they’re not related by blood, but still, this is beyond inappropriate!]

Even Qin Xian, still getting dressed, was curious about what she was talking about.

[And Zong Chun? Left alone to fend for himself in his room?]

When Qin Xian emerged, he found Ji Fei crouched by the door, peeking through a crack.

Footsteps could be heard from outside as Qin Xian came up behind her, standing in place.

Ji Fei quickly motioned for him to keep quiet.

Qin Xian scanned the area, spotting someone sneaking around with filming equipment, searching for a specific room. They seemed to zero in on a target room and began staging an ambush, pretending to catch someone in the act. The disturbance even drew a few guests from the same floor out of their rooms.

“Huh? Mom and Dad are here too?” Ji Fei said in surprise, wanting to go out, only for Qin Xian to hold her back.

“Didn’t you notice Qin Zhao isn’t out here? You’re a public figure now. If you accidentally get filmed, it could cause trouble.”

Ji Fei looked a bit dejected.

[How unfair! I was just about to get firsthand gossip, and now I have to miss it?! Heaven, why are you doing this to me?]

Seeing Ji Fei’s pitiful expression, Qin Xian’s lips twitched slightly. He then grabbed a black shirt and draped it over Ji Fei’s head. “Cover your face. I’ll take you out.”

“Won’t that make me stand out even more?”

“It’s fine. As long as they can’t see your face, it doesn’t matter. My photos don’t get released easily.”

Ji Fei’s eyes lit up as she covered herself with the black shirt, leaving only her eyes visible. She looked at Qin Xian expectantly.

Qin Xian wrapped an arm around her shoulder, shielding her completely as they stepped out of the room, blending into the scene to catch a glimpse of the commotion.

Seeing the unusual sight of Qin Xian in such a casual moment, the Qin family couldn’t help but chuckle. Qin Xian, usually so dignified, never joined in on things like this.

Meanwhile, Qin Zhao, watching from a doorway, looked resentfully at his brother and sister-in-law. Any plan he’d had was now futile—his presence would only draw more attention.

No one on their floor seemed to pay them any mind, too focused on the unfolding scandal as they moved closer to watch. Before the crowd could gather, the paparazzi barged into the room, and a sound comparable to a movie scene echoed out.

Before Ji Fei could react, someone’s hands covered her ears.

The other Qin family members quickly followed suit, covering their own ears with a mix of astonishment and confusion.

Their first thought was that Zong Chun, having taken the drug, had found his wife to deal with its effects. Two older people making such a racket… they were certainly… lively for their age.

Then, Ji Fei’s inner voice came through:

[Zong Siqi must be starving for attention if he’s willing to go that far! Not only is she twenty years older than him, but she’s his aunt, for heaven’s sake!]

Qin Family: ????

Wait, what? Every word was clear, but none of it made any sense!

Zong Siqi? His aunt?

Wasn’t it supposed to be Zong Chun and his wife in there?

[No, no, actually, technically, in this scenario, Madam Zong was drugged and probably didn’t consent. But Zong Siqi wasn’t drugged…]

Qin Family: We only let you go on one private date with Qin Xian, and now we’ve missed so much gossip?!

Since when was Madam Zong drugged? Wasn’t she the one who drugged Yu Rouyin?

The Qin family, desperate to piece things together, almost wanted to shake Ji Fei for details. This gossip was turning into a morality scandal.

As the door burst open, shocked exclamations erupted from inside.

They distinctly heard Madam Zong’s voice, mixed with that of a younger man.

Then someone shouted, “Oh my god! It’s not Yu Rouyin and Zong Chun—it’s Madam Zong and Zong Chun’s nephew!”

Ji Fei’s thoughts were instantly confirmed.

The Qin family all felt a wave of shock. Regardless of their identity, anyone would want to yell, “What the…!”

The other guests might not have recognized them, but the titles alone hinted at something taboo. Such a scandalous scene demanded a closer look, so many joined the paparazzi, entering the room.

Ji Fei wanted to go in, too, but feared the sight might be too much for her eyes, so she lingered by the door. She could hear Zong Siqi’s angry voice from inside, yelling, “Who are you people? You’re invading my privacy! Get out!”

[Such an actor! Isn’t this exactly the scene he planned? So, he’s been putting his acting skills to use here?]

The Qin family didn’t go in either, listening intently to Ji Fei’s running commentary.

Zong Siqi’s plan?! What was he after?

[My moral compass is shattered. So he’s the one who swapped the coffee! When Madam Zong reached his room, she didn’t know she’d been drugged. She asked him to cancel the paparazzi setup, but he told her it was too late. Actually, he’d secretly tipped off the media about the room switch, which is why the paparazzi targeted this room.]

While they absorbed the background of the scandal, a loud slap echoed from the room.

“What’s wrong with you?! How could you…”

“… Aunt… no, Yan-jie, you were the one who hugged me first! I just wanted to help you. I… I love you!” His voice broke into sobs.

“Siqi, you…”

The Qin family: He’s actually crying!

Judging from Madam Zong’s tone… she actually believed him?!

[With those acting skills, even his uncle would kneel in respect! To steal his uncle’s position and cut down twenty years of hard work, he’s taken his acting to the next level!]

At that moment, the neighboring door suddenly flew open, and Zong Chun, pale and staggering, pushed through the crowd, charging into the room.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”