Chapter 27: Aura Unleashed

Qin Zihe couldn’t help but sigh at the threatening tone. As expected of someone raised by Qi Shenzhi. Su Baili usually seemed sweet and easygoing, but when something serious happened, her demeanor, her sharp gaze—it was exactly like Qi Shenzhi’s. No one would dare mess with her.

Su Baili wasn’t the type to be aggressive. Normally, she wouldn’t even care about situations like this. After all, she knew exactly what kind of person her brother was, and she had absolute confidence in his ability to handle things.

For her to actually humiliate someone today, something must have really set her off.

Qi Shenzhi’s gaze turned sharp. His expression unreadable, he asked, “What happened just now?”

“Nothing major, just someone looking down on me. If she hadn’t run off so fast, I would have—” Su Baili waved her small fists proudly, showing she wasn’t to be trifled with. Then, she smiled with crescent-moon eyes. “But since you already helped me get revenge, it’s settled.”

She glanced down at Tang Manni, who looked utterly miserable, and decided there was no point in wasting more words. The lesson had already been taught.

Tang Manni was trembling so hard she might as well have had Parkinson’s. She curled up meekly, not daring to speak.

Qi Shenzhi didn’t spare her a single extra glance. His attention remained solely on Su Baili as he said casually, “As long as I took care of it for you, that’s what matters. Let’s go eat.”

His tone was light, as if none of this was a big deal. Su Baili didn’t think much of it either and happily linked arms with him as they walked out.

But just as they were leaving, Qi Shenzhi’s gaze flicked toward Tang Manni for the briefest moment—cold, venomous, like a lurking serpent in the shadows.

Everyone in the room felt it—except for Su Baili.

Tang Manni crumpled to the floor instantly, her eyes vacant like a dried-up well.

At that moment, she knew she was done for.

Qin Zihe shook his head and quickly jogged after them. “Hey, wait for me! I haven’t eaten yet either!”

Su Baili turned her head and stared at him blankly. “Do you know why my roommate’s grandfather lived to a hundred, eating and drinking like a champ?”

The topic shift was so abrupt that Qin Zihe blinked in confusion before dumbly shaking his head.

“Because he didn’t stick his nose where it didn’t belong.”

Qin Zihe: “…”

He waggled his brows as if to say, Come on, was it really necessary to hold a grudge just because I teased your boyfriend a little?

Su Baili nodded firmly. Yes, absolutely.

What’s wrong with a “dad-like” boyfriend? He clearly didn’t understand the appeal!

She didn’t have to worry about anything—just say the word, and everything would be taken care of. She loved it.

After a moment, she added, “Also, interrupting a couple’s date is how you get kicked by a donkey.”

Qin Zihe: “…”

He shouldn’t be here. He should be six feet under.

Damn these annoying lovebirds. Fine, he wouldn’t go with them.

Like he couldn’t find someone else to eat with?

Glancing around the room, he scanned the crowd before finally pointing at someone. “You. Got time?”

The group of trainee idols had already been scared into huddling together like quails. The one he pointed at didn’t look remotely happy about being chosen. Instead, she looked like she was about to cry.

She hesitantly pointed at herself. “M-me?”

Qin Zihe nodded, “You.”

“H-have I…?” She forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

Qin Zihe: “Either you do or you don’t. What’s with the ‘have I’?”

The trainee looked helplessly toward Jin Qiong for support, but Jin Qiong was already dumbfounded by everything that had happened and had no mind to care about her.

He growled, “Do you not know if you’re free or not? Why so much fuss?”

The trainee was so frightened that tears welled up in her eyes. Sniffling, she stammered, “I-I… I’m free…”

“A little stutterer too.” Qin Zihe teased, “Alright then, come have a meal with me.”

“O-okay…” The trainee replied, trembling.

Qin Zihe felt pleased with himself. See? Finding someone to eat with wasn’t hard at all.

Did he need that annoying couple to keep him company?

Tch! When they needed him, he was their good buddy. When they didn’t, he was just a pile of dog crap.

“Let’s go.” Qin Zihe raised his chin. Just as he was about to leave, Jin Qiong stopped him.

Jin Qiong was still trying to salvage the situation. “President Qin, wait, about what happened today…”

Qin Zihe walked over and patted his shoulder regretfully, looking as if he truly sympathized. “Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. But did you even bother to find out about Shenzhi’s preferences before coming? It’s one thing to ask him for a favor based on personal ties, but you actually dared to bring these people in front of him? His indifference isn’t just for show. Even if the old master himself asked, if he didn’t want to, it wouldn’t make a difference. Originally, I could’ve given you a suggestion, but you just had to bring someone who offended him.”

Jin Qiong felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

With a trembling voice, he asked, “That person just now… was she Mr. Qi’s girlfriend?”

Qin Zihe nodded affirmatively. “Yes. And you’ve probably heard about Old Qi’s little childhood sweetheart, the one he cherishes as if she were made of sugar, afraid she’d melt in his mouth?”

Jin Qiong nodded blankly.

Qin Zihe smiled at him. “That’s her.”

Jin Qiong: “…”

Everyone in B City knew that Mr. Qi had a childhood sweetheart whom he cherished down to his bones. It was said that he had raised her since she was young, treating her as his most precious treasure—someone untouchable. Who would’ve thought she had now become his girlfriend?

This was like stacking buffs on top of buffs. Offending her was practically game over…

Qin Zihe shot him a knowing smile, as if to say, Good luck, you’ll need it.

He had no idea what awaited Jin Qiong, but for Jin Qiong, the fear of the unknown was even more terrifying.

Lifting his chin, Qin Zihe signaled, “Let’s go. Come have a meal with me.”

The young trainee glanced at the mess left behind, hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed. “Coming.”

—

Qi Shenzhi’s private dining room was on the top floor. Apart from Qin Zihe, no one else could come up without an invitation.

Earlier, Su Bailing had already been there for a while. She had even sneakily eaten an ice cream and completely destroyed the evidence.

By the time the two of them entered, the luxurious private room was spotless, with no trace left behind.

Qi Shenzhi gently squeezed the soft, delicate hand in his, chuckling as he led her inside.

Su Bailing stomped her foot in protest. “That’s old news already! If you bring it up again, that’s just rude.”

Qi Shenzhi shook his head in feigned helplessness. “Alright, but don’t forget what you promised me. Next week’s portion is already gone.”

“I know.” Su Bailing pouted. “You’re so naggy.”

“You little troublemaker,” Qi Shenzhi laughed, tapping her nose. “You’re just relying on the fact that I can’t do anything about you.”

Su Bailing blinked innocently, as if to say, Don’t slander me.

Shortly after they sat down, a knock sounded at the door, and steaming hot dishes were brought in one after another.

It seemed that from the moment Qi Shenzhi stepped into Lanting, the preparations had already begun.

The waitstaff didn’t dare to linger or even glance around unnecessarily. They knew Qi Shenzhi’s temperament all too well. The second they finished setting the table, they quickly retreated, shutting the door behind them without hesitation.