Chapter 5: Maximizing Profit

Without waiting for Qin Yu’s response, Lu Qiqi stepped forward and linked her arm through his, earnestly suggesting, “Since it’s so serious, I definitely have to go along. I understand some things about the company and might be able to help.”

Lu Qiqi’s decisive tone cut off Qin Yu’s protest. If he insisted that something important awaited at the company, it was clear that Lu Qiqi would follow him without hesitation.

His phone vibrated constantly in his pocket. At this moment, Qin Yu still felt a fresh tenderness toward her. Not wanting her to be out in the rain and cold, he could only silently signal his mother with his eyes to handle the situation.

Although Fang Lehong did not know what had happened, she was pleased to see her son shake off Lu Qiqi. She quickly stepped in to smooth things over, “Oh, Qiqi, men always prioritize their careers. The two of us can just go to the hospital. Let Qin Yu go to the company on his own.”

“That won’t do, Mom. Your health is the most important. Qin Yu has always told me to take good care of you. How could he just leave you alone?” Lu Qiqi frowned in disapproval, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Qin Yu. “Qin Yu, right?”

Now Qin Yu was truly caught in a bind. A flicker of irritation and cold calculation flashed through his eyes but was quickly masked by tender affection. Had Lu Qiqi not been so perceptive, she wouldn’t have noticed.

Naturally, he did not want to go to the hospital. He gave his mother a dissatisfied glance. Seeing her son’s displeasure, Fang Lehong hesitated and inwardly cursed her daughter-in-law for her lack of tact.

But despite her grumbling, she had to meet her son’s wishes. Suddenly, she raised her voice, pretending to just remember, “Ah, Qiqi, I’m feeling much better now. Besides, I just recalled I have a beauty appointment. Why don’t we all go together?”

“Okay, but my membership card expired… I won’t go then. I’ll stay with Qin Yu…” Knowing this was just an excuse from Fang Lehong, Lu Qiqi pretended not to understand. As expected, Qin Yu grew anxious.

He pulled out his phone and tapped quickly. “Honey, I transferred you some pocket money. You go out with Mom. I really have something to deal with. I’ll leave first.”

Without waiting for Lu Qiqi’s refusal, he kissed her cheek lightly, a trace of longing and reluctance in his voice. “Wait for me to come back, okay?”

Lu Qiqi feigned being touched as she touched her cheek, but inside she was trying to wipe off his touch. Watching Qin Yu’s retreating figure, her eyes brimmed with mockery.

After her son left, Fang Lehong was about to think of another way to trouble her daughter-in-law but saw Lu Qiqi staring at the door, murmuring as if lost in thought, “Ah, Qin Yu is really so busy.”

Satisfied with Lu Qiqi’s infatuation with her son, Fang Lehong forgot to give her a hard time. By the time she realized, Lu Qiqi had already gone back to rest. Fang Lehong decided not to make a scene and went out herself.

---

When Qin Yu arrived by Shen Manli’s side, she was already soaked to the skin, looking utterly miserable.

Seeing him, Shen Manli threw herself into his arms as if he were her savior, clutching him tightly and sobbing softly.

“Mr. Qin, you finally came! I’ve been waiting so long! I’m so cold... so cold.”

“How did you get soaked like this? I remember you went out with Lu Qiqi. Why didn’t you come back together?” Qin Yu asked as he helped her into the car.

Knowing Qin Yu disliked complaints and accusations, Shen Manli trembled, her voice quivering, “No, no, it’s nothing. It’s my fault. I missed the timing. It has nothing to do with Sister Qiqi.”

“And besides, I’m really touched you came… sniff sniff…”

Qin Yu knew this must have been Lu Qiqi’s doing, but Shen Manli didn’t take the opportunity to complain. Coupled with her pitiful appearance, his heart softened toward her instead.

At the same time, he felt displeasure toward Lu Qiqi. He never expected the woman who had always been gentle and tender in front of him to be so dark-hearted, willing to use such underhanded tactics to make things difficult for her own friend.

Meanwhile, Shen Manli didn’t forget to show her feelings for Qin Yu. Her burning gaze and the way her drenched clothes clung to her delicate curves stirred a fire within him.

“Mr. Qin, I’m so cold and my clothes are wet. Could you take me to a hotel to change?” Sensing the heat in his eyes, Shen Manli smiled inwardly, smoothly offering an excuse and a hint.

With a press on the accelerator, they sped toward the hotel.

In the bathroom, the two embraced as hot water poured over them, drenching them completely. Shen Manli looked up at the falling water with a triumphant smile.

“Lu Qiqi, you must be quite pleased to have left me out in the rain. Too bad you don’t know that the man you love is now spending a passionate night with me.”

Her resentment from being abandoned melted into the sweet satisfaction of revenge. Shen Manli pressed closer to Qin Yu, their bodies entwined.

---

In another room, Lu Qiqi swiped through her phone, seeing the recent deposit of a hundred thousand yuan. She sneered disdainfully. To get her out of the way for some heroics, Qin Yu casually tossed ten thousand yuan her way—how generous.

But money from a scoundrel was not to be wasted. Lu Qiqi was no hypocrite. Once she confirmed Fang Lehong had left and the house was empty, she opened the chat with her best friend Bai Yu and transferred all the money over.

The next moment, Bai Yu’s video call popped up.

“Qiqi, did you get hacked? Why would you randomly transfer me so much money?”

“Are you crazy? Hackers only borrow money, they don’t send you transfers,” Lu Qiqi covered her mouth, chuckling. “Just take it. This is my lawyer consultation fee.”

“You need a lawyer? Your company has an entire legal team. What’s going on?” Bai Yu half-joked but was soon electrified by Lu Qiqi’s next words.

With a serious face, Lu Qiqi looked into the camera. “Xiaoyu, I want a divorce. You have to help me fight for the biggest settlement possible.”

“Divorce?! You just got married! What happened? Did Qin Yu mistreat you? Is he cheating? No way...” Bai Yu fired questions rapidly, stunned by the news. Her friend had seemed so blissfully in love, now suddenly severing ties. Who could believe it?

Moreover, Qin Yu was known as a model boyfriend, undeniably good to Lu Qiqi. What could have happened for her to consider divorce so soon after their wedding?

At that moment, Bai Yu resembled a frantic squirrel in a melon patch, pacing anxiously, wishing she could burrow inside Lu Qiqi to learn the real story between the two.