C5 Lih Qingcheng Was Puzzled.

"Huh?" Zhao Wan'er was completely taken aback. It had never crossed her mind that Lin Feng would outright betray her like this!

Zhou Yingxue's brows knitted in concern. "Wan'er, what happened? How did I end up at that hotel, and drugged, no less?"

"Just be honest with me, I won't hold it against you."

Zhao Wan'er's lips quivered, but words failed her.

How could she explain herself? She was utterly unprepared!

Was she expected to admit she had plotted against Zhou Yingxue?

Zhao Wan'er was consumed by both regret and resentment.

She regretted heeding the words of a stranger to Zhou Yingxue's detriment.

And she despised herself for being so blind as to fall for Lin Feng!

He had sold her out so effortlessly, without a second thought for her feelings!

Even Qin Xiaoliu wouldn't have done that, despite his rough edges...

"I, I..."

At a loss, Zhao Wan'er bit the bullet and spilled the entire story.

Whether Zhou Yingxue would forgive her was uncertain, but she had to come clean.

Otherwise, she'd never be at peace with herself!

Zhou Yingxue had always been so kind to her; she owed it to their friendship to be honest!

By the end, tears welled up in Zhao Wan'er's eyes.

"Yingxue, I'm so sorry, it was all my fault. I was foolish to listen to a stranger..."

Seeing Zhao Wan'er's tear-streaked face, Zhou Yingxue couldn't help but feel compassion.

She understood her best friend well.

Her nature wasn't malicious, just overly naive and susceptible to influence.

And with her modest background, the lure of money was strong.

Even if money was the motive, it didn't matter to Zhou Yingxue; she couldn't bear to lose Zhao Wan'er as a friend.

Zhou Yingxue embraced Zhao Wan'er, offering gentle reassurance.

"There, there, no more tears. I don't blame you."

"I'm alright, too. Just promise there won't be a next time."

"As long as we've cleared the air, that's what counts. We're still best friends."

Zhao Wan'er nodded, returning Zhou Yingxue's embrace with equal fervor.

Lin Feng chimed in, trying to defuse the tension, "Hehe, it was all just a big misunderstanding. The important thing is that everyone's okay."

"Wan'er, next time you're in a bind, come straight to me. I'll be there to help you out!"

Zhao Wan'er cast a disdainful glance at Lin Feng and promptly dismissed him.

She had him pegged now!

Preferring him was worse than enduring a scolding from Qin Xiaoliu!

Noticing Zhao Wan'er's cold shoulder, Lin Feng awkwardly scratched his head and turned to Zhou Yingxue, "Yingxue, let me drive you home."

Zhou Yingxue responded coolly, "There's no need. We can manage on our own."

"Don't forget you have work tomorrow. Try not to be late."

Truth be told, Zhou Yingxue harbored suspicions that Lin Feng was the enigmatic figure who had struck a deal with Lih Qingcheng.

Something about him was just off!

With that, she took Zhao Wan'er and they both left, leaving Lin Feng alone in his awkwardness.

Watching the two women walk away, Lin Feng let out an expletive.

He was at a loss.

Why was nothing going right tonight?

He had come to rescue Zhou Yingxue.

How had it turned out that he seemed to be the one in the wrong?

The image of Qin Xiaoliu flashed in Lin Feng's mind, and with a spit, he growled menacingly.

"That damn bit player. If I see him again, I'll tear him limb from limb!"

Unaware of Lin Feng's murderous intent, Qin Xiaoliu arrived at a private boxing gym by taxi.

The bouncers at the door gave him a heads-up as he entered.

"Xiaoliu, the boss is in a foul mood. Watch yourself."

Qin Xiaoliu offered a wry smile, acknowledging the warning, and stepped inside.

In the ring, Lih Qingcheng sported a sleek ponytail and a boxing outfit that revealed her toned abs, glistening with sweat as she relentlessly pummeled one of her underlings.

Despite his battered and bruised face, the underling bore it without complaint, standing ramrod straight.

A mistake meant owning up to it, and taking a beating meant standing tall!

Catching sight of Qin Xiaoliu, Lih Qingcheng exhaled sharply and barked at the underling, "Go patch yourself up, especially that face. Make it presentable! Your mug infuriates me!"

The younger brother bowed deeply with gratitude, "Thank you, boss!"

He was relieved, knowing that even if he made such a mistake, he wouldn't utter a peep, even if the boss decided to break his arms and legs.

Despite her tough exterior, the boss was genuinely good to her subordinates.

"Scram!" Lih Qingcheng dismissed him with an impatient wave of her hand and then fixed Qin Xiaoliu with a glare. "You've got the nerve to come back?"

Qin Xiaoliu, puzzled, "???"

Wasn't it you who told me to return?

"Get up here and take your beating!"

Without a word, Qin Xiaoliu ascended the stage, resigned to the inevitable punishment.

Lih Qingcheng tossed a boxing glove at Qin Xiaoliu as a mere formality.

She was about to launch a punch when she suddenly froze.

Lih Qingcheng noticed something different about Qin Xiaoliu... had he gotten more handsome?

She had always known Qin Xiaoliu was somewhat attractive, but now his looks were stunning enough to turn heads.

It wasn't just his looks; his aura seemed to have transformed as well.

Qin Xiaoliu gave her an inexplicable feeling, and for a moment, Lih Qingcheng found herself mesmerized...

"Boss?" Qin Xiaoliu gave Lih Qingcheng a bewildered look, thinking to himself that she was indeed eccentric.

A hint of red colored Lih Qingcheng's pale cheeks as she swung her fist.

Qin Xiaoliu braced himself for the impact.

But Lih Qingcheng's punch halted right before his face, and she scolded him.

"Are you an idiot? Don't you know to block a punch?"

Qin Xiaoliu stared at Lih Qingcheng, stunned, wondering if he had heard her wrong.

The bodyguards watching from below were equally astounded.

Was the boss actually allowing Qin Xiaoliu to block her?

Lih Qingcheng had always maintained that stepping into the ring meant facing her fists.

Anyone who dared to block her was disrespecting her!

What was happening with Qin Xiaoliu?

Could it be that the boss couldn't bear to strike him?

Why?

Was it simply because he was handsome?

No way!

A woman like the boss wouldn't spare someone just for being good-looking, would she?

Then what was the reason...

To the bodyguards' surprise, this time, they were spot on...

Lih Qingcheng had indeed taken pity on him.

The thought of turning Qin Xiaoliu's handsome face into a swollen mess made her heart wince!

But Lih Qingcheng seemed to catch herself, her words coming across as if she was giving Qin Xiaoliu preferential treatment.

Annoyed, she stripped off her gloves.

"Forget it, I'm done. You look like a gentle breeze could knock you over. I doubt you could take even a couple of punches from me. Go wait outside!"

Qin Xiaoliu, "..."

You're the boss, your word is law...