C7 Something to Ask for

"Just wait—if you tick me off, you'll all regret it."

Lee Qian huffed and turned on her heel to leave.

Her eyes blazed with fury and resentment. On her way out, she disregarded the fact that she was in a hospital and forcefully slammed the ward door.

The bang reverberated through the quiet corridors.

Lee Qian's rapid footsteps echoed down the hall.

As soon as the sound faded, Su Weiwei released Soong Fei's hand.

An awkward silence fell between them.

Reflecting on the recent moment of closeness, Soong Fei said, "Thanks for that."

"Don't mention it..."

Su Weiwei's words were casual, but her eyes and demeanor told a different story—not exactly the look of someone who does good deeds anonymously.

Her mischievous gaze unsettled Soong Fei.

He quickly responded, "You say there's no need for thanks, so I won't stand on ceremony."

"No way!" Su Weiwei declared decisively. "When I say no thanks are needed, I mean I have a favor to ask. I've helped you out; now it's your turn to help me."

Soong Fei's face broke into a grin.

He wasn't one to forget a favor.

"So that's your game. Give an inch, take a mile. What do you need?"

He said, patting his chest confidently.

Despite his outward bravado, he was a bit apprehensive inside.

What if she's got some crazy idea to make me her gigolo?

I mean, with my looks, I'm sure plenty of ladies would be interested.

He quickly clarified, "But whatever it is, it can't be illegal or immoral."

"It won't be illegal, and it certainly won't breach any morals."

"And it can't involve selling my charms."

Soong Fei was vain to the core.

"That's exactly what I want you to do—sell your charms."

Su Weiwei's wicked grin and intense stare sent a clear message as she spoke.

Soong Fei, no longer concerned, feigned shock, clutching his chest as if to protect himself from Su Weiwei's mischief.

The guy was a natural at playing the fool.

He feigned shock and exclaimed, "Ah, you're really going to take me to meet your aunt!"

"Yep, that's the plan—to meet Auntie," Su Weiwei laughed, finding Soong Fei quite amusing.

Ordinary folks always treated Su Weiwei with such deference that it was tough for her to find peers for friends, particularly male ones.

So, Su Weiwei played along, as if luring Soong Fei into a trap.

"Care to join me for a drink?"

Soong Fei, sensing the jest, decided to just go with the flow.

It was his way of acknowledging his good looks, and deep down, he felt a bit smug.

His handsome face suddenly took on an expression that was nothing short of priceless.

The dialogue alone was amusing, but paired with Soong Fei's current expressions and gestures, it was downright cheeky.

"My mom doesn't drink, and my dad can drink anyone under the table. If you try to keep up with him, you'll end up in the hospital," Su Weiwei stated matter-of-factly.

Now was the time to rein in this mischievous kid.

Left unchecked, who knew what kind of mischief Soong Fei might get up to.

"I want to take you to meet my parents!" Soong Fei paused, then with a sly lift of his eyebrows, he teased, "You couldn't possibly have a crush on me."

"Cut the frivolous act. I'm trying to have a serious conversation here. Get serious," Su Weiwei chided, giving him a nudge. "You might be a catch, but we're just not compatible."

"Then why on earth are you taking me to meet your parents?"

"Because I'm constantly bombarded with my parents' pressure to marry, and I'm set up on blind dates every other day. Do you have any idea how painful that is for a high-quality woman like me?"

Soong Fei felt as if he'd been dealt a crushing blow.

Some people get to pick their partners, while others can only pick apart their flaws.

"No!"

That single word was laden with Soong Fei's lifelong singleton's sorrow.

Su Weiwei, however, seemed oblivious to his heartache.

And even if she did notice, she'd likely pretend she hadn't.

Unperturbed, Su Weiwei went on, "Once I take you there, my parents will finally let the matter rest."

"I see now."

"Okay, how much do you want? Just give me a figure."

"No need to return the favor, I've got your back this time."

"Not too shabby, you've got a sense of loyalty."

Su Weiwei couldn't help but gain newfound respect for Soong Fei.

The kid was usually all grins and jokes, but when it came down to it, he was surprisingly dependable.

"Here's my QR code. It's the same for my phone and WeChat. Go ahead and add me." Soong Fei pulled out his phone, displayed his WeChat QR code, and instructed, "Once everything's set up, just give me a call."

"Deal, it's settled then."

Su Weiwei was refreshingly candid.

At that moment, with the sun shining down, both of them laughed with a clear, hearty sound.

A gentle breeze wafted through the window, bringing a pleasant coolness to them both.

...

After leaving the hospital, Lee Qian headed straight for a mahjong parlor.

The place was thick with smoke and echoed with the clatter of mahjong tiles.

She approached a middle-aged, slick-looking man and complained, "Mr. Huo, I've been picked on."

This man was Guo Yan, another wealthy acquaintance of Lee Qian's. Despite being on the older side, his family was loaded.

His greasiness and balding scalp didn't detract from his rich second-generation status. And with a toupee, no one could even tell he was balding.

At least, that's what Lee Qian believed.

Lee Qian was aware of Guo Yan's wealth but oblivious to his balding head.

Guo Yan responded with measured calm, "Who would dare to mess with our Qianqian?"

He drew a tile and played a winning move with a flourish.

Lee Qian stomped her foot and jiggled her ample chest, saying, "That guy was awful. He saw I was pretty and got handsy. I told him I was Mr. Huo's girlfriend, but he wouldn't back off. Thankfully, I fought back hard and managed to escape his clutches..."

Lee Qian exaggerated the story, her acting skills so convincing that tears nearly spilled from her eyes.

Guo Yan remained engrossed in his card game.

Lee Qian leaned in close, pressing her chest against Guo Yan's arm as she gave it a shake, pleading, "Mr. Huo, you've got to avenge me!"

After a moment's thought, Guo Yan inquired, "Where did this happen? Where did he disrespect you?"

"At the Imperial Hotel."

"Which suite?"

"888."

Upon hearing the details, Guo Yan abruptly declared, "Done!" and his fellow card players promptly passed over their chips.

Together, they set the automatic mahjong machine to shuffle the tiles.

"You're talking about Soong Fei, the guy you want me to handle?" Guo Yan collected the chips while addressing Lee Qian.

Her response came with a momentary pause of surprise.

"Yes, that's him. Soong Fei has no respect for you, Mr. Huo."

Lee Qian kept up her persuasive efforts, clinging to Guo Yan's arm and strategically pressing against him to lend weight to her words.

Guo Yan, however, remained indifferent to the advances so eagerly offered.