While everyone was busy celebrating the victory of Oriental Bliss, Lei Peng tried to slip out of the crowd, hoping that neither Lu Xinyi nor Shen Yi would notice his sudden disappearance. He pushed into the crowd, aware that if he stayed for another minute, the devil would hunt him down.
He knew it would be impossible to hide for too long from the devil he had taunted, but he wasn’t prepared to lose everything at that moment. He and his people hurried along the silent alley as though driven by shuddering fear.
However, his attempt was futile as Shen Yi had already anticipated his plans to escape. The Shen family’s elite guard had secured the area, leaving him with no choice but to step back when he was caught red-handed.
“Mr. Lei? You’re leaving already? Are you planning to run away? Ah, but you still owe me some money, don’t you?” Lu Xinyi appeared behind him, her voice had a hint of amusement in it. The corners of her mouth turned upwards. Had she already known from the start that he wasn’t willing to fulfill their deal?
She strode towards him with both hands clasped on her back. With her shorter hair tied on her back, the shadow from her left side gave him an ominous feeling. Following her trail was Zhang Qing and Fu Rui with indifference plastered on their faces.
This wasn’t new to them anyway. Their young madam had the tendency to extort money from those who offended her. This old bald man should be thankful that the little devil wasn’t forcing him to cough more money like what she did to Chu Ting’s father.
Lei Peng shook his head in panic. Behind him, his right-hand man wasn’t sure how to save his boss. He weighed his options, but in the end, he realized that there was no escaping this time. If he dared to physically assault Lu Xinyi, it would be the death of him and his boss.
“No, no, no. Miss Lu must be joking. I’m not planning to run…” His voice betrayed his emotions, Lu Xinyi laughed for the obvious reason that he was lying through his teeth.
He was dreaded with anxiety and fear. Lei Peng could feel a pit in his stomach and heaviness on his limbs. He felt like a trapped prey. If he had known Lu Xinyi’s identity, he wouldn’t dare to make a bet with her.
“Not running? Then, does this mean Mr. Lei is willing to pay me now? Aside from the compensation for repeatedly ruining my property, I expect that you’ll also hand me the money you owe me on our bet.” This was the main reason why she agreed to this bet anyway. If she couldn’t get revenge for Oriental Bliss and earn extra bucks by doing it, her efforts would be wasted.
“This…” Lei Peng hesitated. Half a million dollars was a lot of money that even if he had such an amount, it would leave a huge hole in his pocket. Wasn’t this daylight robbery? He didn’t think Lu Xinyi was serious about asking for money in return.
“Are you paying or not? You only have to say if you’re willing or not, Mr. Lei.” Lu Xinyi shook her head disapprovingly and then turned to face Zhang Qing. Zhang Qing inclined her head indicating that she was listening.
“You may call Kang Wei now.” Lu Xinyi sighed dejectedly. “I should’ve believed my husband when he said Mr. Lei wouldn’t be willing upfront.”
Lei Peng and his men lose the colors on their faces upon hearing Lu Xinyi mentioning her husband. If this wasn’t a direct threat and extortion, then they must be really blind and stupid to believe this was just a mere bet between two persons.
“Willing! I’m willing!” Lei Peng exclaimed; he wasn’t able to face her mocking gaze. He would rather choose to face Lu Xinyi than Shen Yi’s wrath. “It is just I’m not prepared; I need time to collect the money we owe you.” He reasoned out.
Lu Xinyi shook her head in dismay. How dare this man try to deceive her? He wasn’t planning to pay her at all! ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Is that so? Then if Mr. Lei doesn’t have the money by the end of this week, I’ll ask my lawyer to take your existing properties as collateral for your debt.” She smiled smoothly, betraying nothing of her annoyance.
His properties?! The man suddenly felt dizziness. If the authorities came and intervened in their problem, his hidden wealth and underhanded ways would be revealed in public.
“I-I…” Lei Peng was at loss. For the first time in his life, he regretted bullying someone. That day, he shouldn’t have come and knocked on the devil’s door, inviting trouble.
“Still not willing, I see.” She frowned with a cold fury. “Then don’t blame me after this.”
Lu Xinyi turned away, not waiting for his answer. She left Zhang Qing and Fu Rui to deal with them. As she walked away from the scene, cries of agony and pain could be heard from the deserted alley. It was time for Lei Peng to get a taste of his own medicine.
When she came back to the plaza, she found the festival staff clearing the area and the spectators leaving to do the other activities for the festival. Her brother and Huang Shenghao were busy celebrating with the Ji family while Shen Xue and the twins were nowhere to be found.
A pair of strong arms encircled her waist. Lu Xinyi gasped and felt her back hit a muscular broad chest. A familiar scent reached her nose.
“Looking for me?” Shen Yi’s teasing voice whispered against her ear. His lips parted in a dazzling display of straight, white teeth. He had an innately captivating presence that was hard for his wife to ignore. His features were so perfect, so symmetrical… that any more delicacy would have made him too beautiful for a man.
“You scared me.” Lu Xinyi sighed and leaned lightly into him, tilting her face towards his. She reached out a hand and smoothed his hair and loved him with her eyes. As soon as her reaching fingers touched the warmth of his face, she felt safe. “Where are the twins?” She was quite sure she heard their voices earlier as well as Shen Xue’s.
Shen Yi released her, a hand resting on her hips, and stood by her side. He gave Tian Lingyu a nod when the latter saw them together. Then, they saw their little boy running towards them gleefully with a candied apple on one hand.
“Mommy!” His round eyes lit up upon seeing his parents. Lu Xinyi patted his head gently.
“Yuyan fell asleep and went home with Xue. Wanna see the festival with us?” Shen Yi grinned as he pulled his wife along with their son. His fingers were warm and strong as he grasped hers.
“Since when did you learn to be romantic?” She laughed and lightly smacked his arm.
“Wife, you’re leaving soon. Shouldn’t we use this rare chance? Also, I don’t need to seduce you on my bed to be romantic,” her husband said softly as he smiled suggestively.
“But…” Lu Xinyi hesitated. She was initially planning to talk with the Ji family regarding Oriental Bliss.
“Please, Mommy?” Shen Zichen begged at her, with his eyes making her laugh awkwardly. How could she say ‘no’ to her son if he was begging her like this? Then again, with her impending departure for the World Patisserie Challenge, she wouldn’t be able to see her family for a month.
