Chapter 126: Sudden Happiness

By mid-January, with the school break approaching, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong decided to head home for the Lunar New Year. After all, it had been a long time since they had visited, and if they stayed away any longer, their parents might forget they even had sons.

Over the past two weeks, Hu Yingqi had successfully streamlined all of Hu Yinghe’s former companies and business operations. The managers who previously took orders from Hu Yinghe were now quite obedient toward Hu Yingqi, though she had shut down all illicit venues and legalized everything.

Hu Ying had never held Hu Yingqi in high regard, always dismissing her as a mere woman who would never be entrusted with significant responsibility by Old Master Hu. He remained convinced that the old man’s generous support for her was simply a test for him.

"This is a disaster! If I fail these exams, I’ll have to retake them! If it’s serious enough, I could get expelled! What am I going to do?" Xiao Jia complained, clutching his textbooks.

Liu Sheng, just waking up, looked at the pacing Xiao Jia and remarked, "Instead of wasting time complaining, you’d be better off studying. Who knows, you might actually pass."

Ever since Liu Sheng had Ren Xiadong buy an air conditioner, their dorm was as warm as summer. While students in other rooms were too cold to even crawl out from under their quilts, the residents of Liu Sheng’s dorm could walk around shirtless, eating popsicles.

Ren Xiadong sat on his bed, staring at Liu Sheng, and said, "Look into my eyes. My heart is speaking to you."

Liu Sheng quickly activated his heart-connection ability, tapping into Ren Xiadong’s mind. Ren Xiadong’s inner voice was saying, "Do me a favor during the exam—use your time-stoppage ability and fill in the answers for me, how about that?"

Liu Sheng rolled his eyes and severed the connection. Ren Xiadong, knowing his request had been heard, chirped, "It’s a deal, then!"

Lao Jiu, who was clipping his nails nearby, watched their exchange with a look of disgust. "That is so damn gross. Two grown men, and you’re playing at having a psychic connection!"

Ignoring Lao Jiu, Liu Sheng turned to Xiao Jia. "Money makes the mare go, haven't you heard of buying your way through?"

"What do you mean?" Xiao Jia asked, confused. Lao Jiu also turned to look at Liu Sheng, hoping for some sage advice—bad students feared exams above all else; it was a universal truth.

"Find your instructor, give them some money and a few gifts, and everything will be fine." As soon as Liu Sheng finished speaking, Xiao Jia and Lao Jiu bolted from the dorm to find their instructors, since the exams were the very next day.

Liu Sheng looked at the indifferent Ren Xiadong and asked, "Why aren't you going?"

Ren Xiadong toyed with his phone and replied, "With you around, I don’t need to go to that much trouble."

Liu Sheng felt that keeping Ren Xiadong by his side had been a mistake. Had he known it would be like this, he would have preferred to keep his plans to himself and fight his own battles.

Suddenly, Liu Sheng received a call from Hu Yingqi. She wanted to see him—no specific agenda, just a meeting—and she was already in Chong City.

That evening, Liu Sheng left Ren Xiadong behind and went to meet Hu Yingqi alone.

"Over here!"

In a Western restaurant, Hu Yingqi spotted him approaching and waved.

Liu Sheng sat across from her, ordered a pepper steak, and asked, "Are you visiting so suddenly because you want to sleep in my arms again?"

"Can you be serious for once? I’m not busy lately. Everything has been handed over, so I came specifically to see you. How’s your studying? Exams are coming up, right? Any plans for the break?"

Faced with her barrage of questions, Liu Sheng didn't know where to start, so he went straight to the point: "Hu Ying’s businesses are all legitimate now. His managers haven't been running any illegal dens on the side. If I were to make a move on his business without cause, it would violate our peace treaty. That’s a capital offense!"

Hu Yingqi paused, then said, "Nothing gets past you. That is exactly why I came. I wanted to ask when you plan to act; dragging this out indefinitely isn't a solution."

"Whether an opportunity arises depends entirely on you," Liu Sheng said, looking at her.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

Hu Yingqi was puzzled as to what she could possibly do. Liu Sheng needed her to remain oblivious—only then would there be a place for him in the future of Yonghua—but he would never betray her.

Liu Sheng continued, "Hu Yinghe’s businesses are easier to manage and more profitable than Hu Ying’s. As long as you run them well and keep your managers in check, within six months, you’ll have left Hu Ying in the dust. When he tries to catch up in a hurry, he’ll be forced to take shortcuts, and that will give me my chance to strike."

"And what if he doesn't take shortcuts?" Hu Yingqi asked.

Liu Sheng watched as his steak was served, took a bite, and smiled. "Then you win. Because the resources you hold are stronger and have far more explosive potential than his."

During the meal, Hu Yingqi suddenly said, "Come watch a movie with me."

Liu Sheng was surprised; a wealthy heiress was asking him to do something so trivial. Before he could answer, she added, "My ex-boyfriend and I lived far apart. We rarely saw each other and never had a normal, romantic life. I’ve always wanted to just eat, see a movie, and go shopping with someone."

As she spoke, she looked at Liu Sheng, who was busy eating. Her hopeful expression faded as she realized he wouldn't bother with such "boring" things. She knew he only cared about grand schemes and had long since put matters of the heart aside.

Just as she was losing heart, Liu Sheng said, "Eat up. The night market will close if we’re too late. We’ll go shopping first, then catch a movie."

Hu Yingqi’s disappointment vanished instantly. She beamed, abandoning all pretense of decorum, and began eating rapidly.

"You’re the young lady of Huayong, can’t you mind your manners a little?"

"It’s fine, nobody knows who I am anyway."

Liu Sheng smiled, thinking to himself, *That’s good. I was worried you’d think the night market was dirty. I guess I overthought it.*

After dinner, Liu Sheng took her to the night market. The weather was freezing, and their breath formed clouds of steam, but Hu Yingqi didn't feel the cold at all. As the princess of Huayong, she could have anything she wanted with a single word, but she had never once wandered through a public street like this.

"It’s beautiful! I want to buy this whole street!" she shouted. Passersby stared at them as if they were lunatics.

Liu Sheng quickly pulled her aside. "Keep it down. And besides, I’m paying for whatever we buy. If you pay, people will say I’m a gigolo."

Hu Yingqi ran ahead, curious about everything. Liu Sheng watched her from behind, muttering to himself, "When I first met Xiao Ya, she was your age. Even then, she already felt like someone who had seen the wear and tear of the world. Yet you... you’re still like a child. Being rich really is nice—so carefree."

"What did you say?" Hu Yingqi turned back to ask.

"Nothing." Liu Sheng noticed her face was flushed red from the cold. He led her to a roadside stall, where he bought her a red hat, a blue scarf, a black mask, and a pair of gloves.

Hu Yingqi picked out a blue scarf for him and insisted on putting it on him herself.

"What a happy young couple! That’ll be 120, please." Urged by the stall owner, Liu Sheng quickly handed over 150 and said, "Keep the change."

As they continued to walk, Hu Yingqi edged closer and slipped her hand into his. Liu Sheng felt a jolt in his heart—a long-lost sense of happiness, just like when he was with Xiao Ya.

But he knew Hu Yingqi didn't belong to him. Theirs was a relationship of mutual benefit, a partnership that must not be clouded by romance. Yet, he couldn't deny the familiar warmth.

"Liu Sheng!"

Someone called his name from behind. Liu Sheng slapped his forehead and muttered, "Damn it, you just can't get rid of some people."

He turned around and said irritably, "Why are you everywhere?"

Then, spotting the person beside him, he added, "Oh, Tian Yun is here too."

The person he least wanted to see was standing there: Ren Xiadong.

"Sneaking off for a date behind my back? Whose girl is this, hidden away so well?" Because Hu Yingqi was bundled up, Ren Xiadong hadn't recognized her at first.

Hu Yingqi took off her mask and said, "It’s been half a month, and you don’t recognize me anymore?" She looked at Tian Yun and asked, "Is this your girlfriend?"

"Ms. Hu Yingqi, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Tian Yun." Ren Xiadong then turned to Tian Yun and said, "This is Hu Yingqi, the princess of the Huayong Group."

Ren Xiadong looked at Liu Sheng with an incredulous expression. "What’s going on? Did something really happen that night?"

"Shut your mouth! We’re perfectly innocent!" This was exactly what Liu Sheng feared—rumors spiraling out of control before they could be explained, especially since Ren Xiadong knew nothing of the true nature of his relationship with Hu Yingqi.

"Sure, 'innocent' people holding hands in the middle of the street," Ren Xiadong teased.

Liu Sheng realized he was still holding Hu Yingqi’s hand and quickly let go.

Tian Yun added, "A princess? I never thought I’d have the honor of meeting one in my lifetime."

They soon learned that Ren Xiadong had decided to take Tian Yun out for a stroll since he had free time, only to stumble upon Liu Sheng’s secret "date."

"Do you want to come see a movie with us?" Hu Yingqi invited them warmly. She had taken an immediate liking to Tian Yun.

"A movie? It’s late, and instead of taking her home, you’re dragging her to a film? Liu Sheng, you’re quite the operator. Did you bring your IDs? If not, just head home—staying out is so uncomfortable." Ren Xiadong’s misunderstanding only deepened, but Liu Sheng stopped trying to explain. The four of them walked into the cinema and watched a comedy together.

When they emerged after the movie, a Rolls-Royce was waiting at the entrance. Hu Yingqi waved at the people inside to leave, but the car didn't budge until she stomped her foot in frustration, at which point it slowly pulled away.

It was the car sent to pick her up. She had sent them away because she wanted to experience a normal life with Liu Sheng, feeling that only then did life seem truly real.

"What’s wrong? Why are you stomping your feet?" Tian Yun asked.

"My feet are asleep," Hu Yingqi lied.

Liu Sheng had seen the car and knew it was for her. He also knew she didn't want to leave, so he acted as if he hadn't noticed anything. After all, with him around, he wouldn't let anything happen to her.