Chapter 40: Scheme 2

Shen Yanming returned to the parking lot, retrieving a black dress from the storage box in his back seat. This box was merely a cover; with a subtle movement, he withdrew the dress from his space.

Meanwhile, Bi Qiao’an followed the waitress to a sixth-floor lounge. After the waitress left, Bi Qiao’an surveyed the room, finding nothing suspicious. She rose, twisted the doorknob, and as expected, found it locked. A smile played on her lips. Trouble was definitely brewing! She settled back into her seat, waiting patiently.

Upon returning to the hotel, Shen Yanming followed the waitress’s directions to the sixth floor. Assuming Bi Qiao’an was inside, he approached the designated room, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet.

“Mr. Shen, Miss Bi awaits. Would you like to enter?” the waitress asked, her eyes darting to the dress in Shen Yanming’s hand.

Shen Yanming’s senses prickled the moment his and Bi Qiao’an’s names were mentioned together. He remained outwardly calm, but his muscles tensed, ready for action. “Yes, thank you.”

The waitress opened the door, revealing a spacious suite. Shen Yanming feigned ignorance as he crossed the threshold. Just as he passed the bathroom, a figure rushed from the inside and struck his neck. He dropped to the floor, pretending to be unconscious, his body limp.

A familiar voice rang out, “Tell Wei Yun that after this, we’re even!”

“Miss Wei ordered President Shen taken to room 613,” the waitress replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Cai Chun said nothing further and laboriously dragged Shen Yanming to 613. He dumped Shen Yanming on the bed and collapsed beside him, gasping for breath, his face glistening with sweat.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Yanming rose and struck a swift blow, knocking Cai Chun out. He tucked Cai Chun under the covers and crept towards the door, carefully peering out. As anticipated, someone was keeping watch, their silhouette visible through the frosted glass.

Shen Yanming retreated and surveyed the room, his eyes scanning every corner. To his relief, he found no surveillance cameras, even in the bathroom. He located a blind spot and waited, his heart pounding in his chest. Within five minutes, the door opened again.

“Is the person inside?”

“Yes!”

“You can leave now. Remember, bring the person over in 20 minutes!”

Just as he stepped into the elevator, the attendant realized he’d forgotten to mention Cai Chun was also inside. He turned back, but the elevator doors slid shut.

He shrugged, his shoulders sagging. Since Mr. Cai and Miss Wei were in cahoots, there shouldn’t be a problem. With no further worries, the attendant kept an eye on the time, preparing for the planned spectacle.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun entered the room, oblivious to the danger lurking within. Seeing the attendant leave, she strode in with a sense of anticipation, her heels clicking on the marble floor. As she passed the bathroom, she failed to notice the figure that emerged from the shadows. Then, there was a similar scene. Wei Yun was also taken down, her body crumpling to the ground.

Shen Yanming dragged Wei Yun to the bed, placing her next to Cai Chun. A wicked thought crossed his mind, but after a moment’s hesitation, he abandoned it.

He peered out of the door once again and found the hallway clear. Slipping out quickly, he gently closed the door before leaving, giving the appearance of being locked, but easily opened with a push.

Rather than the elevator, Shen Yanming chose the seldom-used stairs. As he descended, he thought, ‘I’m too forgiving. Those two tried to harm me, and all I did was leave them together. I didn’t even strip their clothes. Tsk, tsk.’

Nearing the second floor, he paused and sent Bi Qiao’an a text message:”Are you okay? Did anything happen?”

“I’m fine. They locked me in the room for ten minutes, then sent clothes. I’m on the second floor now, surrounded by people, so I’m safe. How about you?”

“I’m fine too. Relax for about twenty minutes, then follow the crowd to watch the show!”

Bi Qiao’an smiled, relief washing over her. It seemed like Shen Yanming had escaped trouble as well.

Indeed, Bi Qiao’an had only been confined for a short time before the waitress delivered clothes taken from the “unconscious” Shen Yanming. She pretended ignorance and returned to the second-floor hall, mingling and enjoying refreshments, her eyes darting around the room, observing the other guests.

After about twenty minutes, she saw a panicked male attendant whispering to Madam Wei, his face pale, “Madam Wei, something happened to Miss Wei!”

Without a flicker of suspicion, Madam Wei exclaimed, her voice rising, “What happened?! Where is my daughter now?”

The male attendant was stunned for a moment. He had originally wanted to quietly take Madam Wei over, so he whispered in her ear, but how come this Madam Wei blurted it out without any reservation?

The attendant had no choice but to say as previously agreed upon, his voice quivering, “Miss Wei felt unwell and retired to room 613, but hasn’t come out for a while. I’m worried something happened to her.”

Madam Wei relaxed, her shoulders dropping. “I thought something serious happened! Maybe Wei Yun fell asleep. I’ll go check on her!”

Madam Wei hastily apologized to her companions. “I’m so sorry, everyone. I need to check on Xiao Yun. Please continue chatting, I’ll rejoin you shortly!”

The other ladies immediately offered, their voices overlapping, “We’re not busy anyway. Let’s all go with you and see if we can be of any help!”

Seeing their insistence, Madam Wei couldn’t refuse and led the group of influential women towards the elevator, their chatter filling the air.

The male attendant was flustered, his palms sweating. Miss Wei had only instructed him to bring Madam Wei upstairs. How should he handle this entourage of influential women? He didn’t dare stop them!

The commotion caught the attention of Madam Lin, who approached the dazed attendant, her eyes narrowing. “Where are they going?” she inquired, her voice sharp.

The attendant fidgeted, too afraid to speak. Should he make a break for it?

Madam Lin could tell at a glance that something was going on here. “Tell me what happened, or do you want me to report you to the authorities?” she demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Frightened, the attendant blurted out, his words tumbling over each other, “Madam Wei went to room 613. Miss Wei isn’t feeling well.”

Satisfied, Madam Lin turned to find Lin Yongke, her heels clicking on the polished floor. “Little Yun is unwell. We should check on her. After all, you two just got engaged; it wouldn’t look good if the groom’s side shows no concern.”

Lin Yongke nodded and followed his mother to the elevator.