Chapter 232: Chapter 232

Being waited on , Qi Longbing had just bitten into his food when he immediately spat it out onto the ground beside him. He then stood up abruptly, his face stern. "After you finish eating, come with me to the study!"

With that, Qi Longbing quickly put one hand into his pocket and coldly made his way to the second floor.

Hua Xiaomo watched his retreating figure, her eyelids drooping slightly, a complex melancholy settling in her heart.

But, backing down now, wouldn’t that disappoint Brother Long?

Not only had she failed to obtain Qi Longbing’s nude photos, but she had also let herself...

No! Since it had come to this and the price had already been paid, she had to get something back!

Having come to this realization, Hua Xiaomo clutched her purse and went upstairs to the study.

Qi Longbing leaned back in the comfortable chair, leisurely smoking a cigarette.

The smoke twirled around him, lending his entire being a dreamlike quality.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him, a faint smile on her face. After organizing her thoughts, she spoke, "President Qi, last night I was just playing a mischievous prank on you. I didn’t realize you would take it so seriously. I apologize! I should have made it clear to you beforehand."

"A mischievous prank?" Qi Longbing’s heart suddenly tightened, his gaze carrying a hint of dark chill.

"Hua Xiaomo, can you really speak so calmly to me now, calling it a prank? Aren’t you just shameless and despicable?" Qi Longbing sneered.

Then he slammed several photos from a drawer onto the table, saying sarcastically, "It seems you and this man are quite close, even to the extent that he’s buying you lingerie?"

Hua Xiaomo glanced at the photos; they showed Zhou Xiyang taking her to his lingerie store.

"Uh... President Qi, where did you get these photos?" Hua Xiaomo frowned. Was I followed and photographed then?

"Don’t ask me where they came from. Hua Xiaomo, you truly surprise me. First Xia Shuangming, now Zhou Xiyang? You certainly have quite a few men..." Qi Longbing mocked coldly.

"My men? Heh..." Hua Xiaomo chuckled and looked at him. "I said it was a prank, but you refuse to believe me. So let me ask you, if I really intended to trap you, why would I have stuck around? And even waited for you in room 521 next door?"

"Also, about how many men I have... weren’t you still unclear about that last night? Or do I need to tell you personally that, up until now, only you, Qi Longbing, have ever been close to me, wanted me, had me?" Hua Xiaomo said with a smile, an incomprehensible sorrow etched on her beautiful and delicate face.

How much was sincere, and how much was pretense? It seemed even she couldn’t quite tell.

"..." Qi Longbing was stunned for a moment, at a loss for words. His thoughts were seriously muddled.

Could it be... could he really have wronged her?

Just as Hua Xiaomo was about to turn,

"Xiao Mo!!" Qi Longbing suddenly sprang up from his chair, rushing quickly in front of her. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅✦𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾✦𝗇𝖾𝗍

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry... I... I was blinded by anger. I was wrong. I didn’t mean to say those things. Will you forgive me? Please forgive me, okay?" Qi Longbing said, his expression severely contorted as he forced a smile.

It had to be a prank, definitely a prank!

Otherwise, there really was no reason for her to stay, let alone wait for him in the room next to his!

And she drank some of that champagne too; didn’t she also end up drugged?

Based on this logic, aside from it being a prank, no other reasonable explanation could be found.

Viewed this way, it was more than unforgettable; it was more than wonderful!

"...Do you really believe me?" Hua Xiaomo gave a sudden, bitter smile. This lie felt so heavy to weave!

Hua Xiaomo, what’s wrong with you? What on earth is happening to you? For that ulterior motive, are you even deceiving your own feelings?

No one answered her; only her increasingly tormented soul writhed within, stirring up ever more pain.

"I believe you! I really believe you! Xiao Mo, I like you, and I know you like me too!!" Qi Longbing confessed, his words tumbling out as he smiled intensely at her. Then, his hand shot out, gripping her arm forcefully and pulling her towards him until she could barely breathe.

"I..." Hua Xiaomo choked on her words, unable to say anything. Did she like him?

"Qi Longbing, I want to go shopping. Will you come with me?" Hua Xiaomo suddenly changed the subject. She really didn’t want to discuss whether she liked him or not.

Instinctively, the atmosphere felt too uncomfortable. She felt she couldn’t stay with him any longer; otherwise, her nerves would completely fray. Yes, it was better to do something else right now. Besides, she didn’t want to always be in this study; it always felt so oppressive.

Qi Longbing was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected Hua Xiaomo to suddenly suggest going shopping. Well, shopping sounded good. But more than that, he hoped she would join him for a meal. If she agreed, it would be like a small date for them.

Qi Longbing smiled, looking at Hua Xiaomo, his handsome face radiant. "Sure, Hua Xiaomo. How about after we go shopping, you join me for a meal? I know a restaurant that’s really good; it serves excellent dishes, both Chinese and Western—a fusion. I’m sure you’ll love it. Once you go, you’ll see how great it is."

"Is that so? Well, okay then. Let’s go shopping first and then get something to eat. By the way, Qi Longbing, I want to buy some clothes and shoes, but I don’t have much money," Hua Xiaomo said, a bright sparkle in her eyes. She knew he would offer to pay.

But then again, if they were dating, it was only right for the man to pay for the woman. Otherwise, if the woman had to cover even small expenses like clothes and shoes, wouldn’t that be a bit too stingy!

"Of course, no problem. But there’s one condition: you can only buy clothes that I like. The same goes for shoes. You can trust my taste, though; it’s not bad. I think I can dress you to be the most beautiful and perfect woman in this world. And you truly are the most perfect woman in this world, you know," Qi Longbing said, gazing at Hua Xiaomo. He found her features quite captivating—the kind of beauty that grew on you.

Her large eyes were very expressive, and her face held a hint of a smile. The contours of her face were clearly defined, especially her small, cherry-like mouth, which resembled rose petals. She was a very pretty girl.