It's unclear who the true origin of the scam is.
"Compared to you, Mr. Rong, I'm nothing," she mocked. "No one's as skilled as you at playing tricks. I'm sure you've spent a lot of time studying those kinds of tactics."
When it came to verbal sparring, she was more than capable of holding her own, even with someone like Su Yuyan. What did Rong Zhaonan count for?
The dance had reached its midpoint. In the center of the ballroom, under the gazes of everyone present, Shen Ming reached behind Rong Zhaonan, pulling them closer together.
The sudden proximity unsettled him, and the hand he had resting on her waist tightened, but he instinctively pulled back, as if his breath had caught for a moment.
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Rong," she teased, leaning in closer. "I heard from your assistant that after the dance tonight, you'll be leaving my welcome banquet. In such a rush to leave? Don't you want to stay and spend a little more time with me?"
Rong Zhaonan turned his face away, clearly uncomfortable with the closeness, and a cold snort escaped his lips.
"Miss Su, haven't you stolen the spotlight enough for one evening? There are plenty of wealthy heirs in this circle who would love to get close to you. With your beauty alone, they'd flock to you. So, tell me, does it really matter whether I stay or not?"
Shen Ming smiled knowingly.
"Mr. Rong, are you… jealous?"
Rong Zhaonan shot her a look, his eyes full of coldness.
She laughed lightly. "You sound just like my brother, always so stubborn. Don't be upset, though. I did my makeup especially for you tonight. Do you think it's beautiful? No wonder you can't stop talking about my looks. But you know, sometimes, being this beautiful can be a real hassle."
Rong Zhaonan raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. This was a side of her he hadn't noticed before. So self-absorbed.
"Shen Ming, be careful. Your ego might get so big, it'll be impossible to get it back under control."
She was just talking about her own beauty, and he already thought she was boasting.
"Mr. Rong," she continued, "since the dance is almost over, how about I buy you a drink afterward? Just one drink, and then I'll leave you alone."
She moved to touch his back again, but he swiftly grasped her wrist, turning her with a swift motion, pushing her away and creating some distance.
The dance ended, but Shen Ming's intentions hadn't. She sent a manager to find out what was going on, and learned that five minutes ago, Gu Feng, the daughter of the Su family, had already left and was waiting outside. Judging by the situation, it seemed Rong Zhaonan would take her with him after the banquet.
After the dance, Su Ning led Shen Ming to meet some of the Su family's old friends. Shen Ming excused herself, saying her shoes were hurting, and made her way to the restroom. In fact, she was following Rong Zhaonan to his private lounge.
But as soon as she reached the door, she was grabbed by a strong hand and shoved against the wall. The sudden force took her by surprise.
She looked up to see Ning Zhiqian standing in front of her, his eyes gleaming with a strange kind of delight. He had been waiting for her all night.
Shen Ming immediately pushed him away, her tone cold. "Get off me."
Ning Zhiqian wasn't angry. Instead, a malicious smirk appeared on his face as he looked her up and down.
"Shen Ming, no wonder I'm so fond of you. You really do have quite a few tricks up your sleeve."
He was almost sickening to her now. Shen Ming pushed him again, making him stagger back. "This isn't the past, Ning Zhiqian. Don't think I'm the same person you used to push around. And you and Cheng Anyi—you two deserve each other. Don't worry. I have plenty of ways to deal with both of you."
Ning Zhiqian had waited for her all evening, and when he found out that the Su family's new daughter was her, he'd been excited enough to lose sleep over it.
"You and Anyi were always close. You were the one who personally sent her to jail. Only you could do something like that. Now that your status has changed, you're willing to talk back to me like this? When are you going to grow up?"
His words were confusing.
"Don't talk to me like you're some kind of expert. Who do you think you are?"
Ning Zhiqian loosened his tie and stared at her with an expression full of possessiveness.
"You didn't say that back then when I was teaching you things. How quickly you've forgotten. It hasn't been that long, and now you're turning your back on me? Shen Ming, it's just like you."
Shen Ming remembered those days. When she had just entered the workforce, Ning Zhiqian had helped her a lot. He'd even invested in her company. If it hadn't been for his sudden withdrawal of funds, he might have been an ideal mentor.
"Ning Zhiqian, stop pretending. We're done. If you really want someone to teach you, maybe you should go get Cheng Anyi out of prison. She'll do anything you ask. You two—perfect for each other."
Just then, a cough broke the tension.
It was Rong Zhaonan's secretary, standing with Rong Zhaonan behind him.
It seemed that Rong Zhaonan hadn't yet entered the room.
Chang Wen, the secretary, didn't want to interrupt, but the two of them were blocking the door.
"Excuse me, Mr. Rong needs the lounge."
Ning Zhiqian stepped aside, letting them pass into the room. He watched Rong Zhaonan's retreating figure, a thoughtful expression on his face.
In that brief moment of distraction, Shen Ming kicked him in the shin, crossed her arms, and marched toward the door.
Chang Wen tried to stop her.
"I just need to speak with Mr. Rong for two minutes. I'll be out right after."
Chang Wen hesitated but ultimately stepped aside to let her in.
Inside, Rong Zhaonan was changing clothes. He was partially undressed, with his shirt halfway undone, showing a bit of his toned skin. Shen Ming walked right in. He only glanced up at her briefly before continuing to button his shirt.
Shen Ming, with long legs, moved to his side and poured herself a glass of wine from the decanter on the table. She poured another for him and handed it to him.
"I told you, I'd buy you a drink. Drink this, and then I'll leave you alone."
Rong Zhaonan's cold eyes met hers, his expression unreadable.
This woman was like poison. Once she attached herself, she was impossible to shake off.
"Shen Ming, there's no one else here. Don't push your luck. The Su family's threshold is too high. A woman like you is someone I'd never look twice at. Don't you have any self-respect?"
His disdain for her was clear. He was the one who had ruined her company, driven her to this point where she had no choice but to lean on the Su family. She would pay him back for that humiliation—one day.
Her eyes narrowed with coldness, and she spoke through clenched teeth.
"What are you talking about? I'm just offering you one drink. You know me—when I set my mind on something, I get it done. I heard from the manager that Gu Feng's waiting for you outside. You're in such a rush to leave? Are you really going to make her wait for you? Drink this, and I'll let you go."
Rong Zhaonan wasn't afraid of threats, but with her, it was different.
He took the glass from her, his eyes still dark with disdain.
"Go ahead. You drink first."