"No relation? Then why did I wake up last night naked in your bed? Hua Lianxi, what have you done?" Smiling devilishly, Kong Chengyi leaned in close to her, breathing seductively against her earlobe.
The overly close proximity made Hua Lianxi tense up, instinctively taking a step back to press her spine against the wall. "Kong Chengyi, you bastard!" She grit her teeth and glared furiously, on the verge of tears. It was clearly his fault — he was the scoundrel, the rogue — yet now he was accusing her.
Squinting slightly, Kong Chengyi became captivated by the flush on her cheeks caused by anger. A strange sense of satisfaction welled up within his chest.
"We're nothing but strangers. Please, Mr. Kong, mind your own business!" Hua Lianxi raised her head, almost reaching out to wipe the mocking smile from his lips. She loathed his roguish arrogance beyond words.
"Strangers?" He murmured lowly and took a step forward, his bright eyes fixed unwaveringly on her delicate features. "Are you sure? I remember last night you were both passionate and merciless. You stole the blanket, leaving me cold all night!" What had originally angered him now served as strong proof in his accusation, replayed repeatedly.
"Kong Chengyi, you're shameless!" His heated breath grazed her skin, causing her to tremble slightly. Her hands clenched tightly into fists against the wall.
Suddenly, his long legs stepped between hers, dominatingly pinning her between them. One hand encircled her waist firmly, the pads of his long fingers brushing her cheek. Kong Chengyi lowered his head, his lips barely touching the tip of her nose. "Hua Lianxi, you haven't even seen what a real rogue is yet!"
Pulled into his embrace, she faintly felt the strength of his long legs and was engulfed by the dense aroma of tobacco—a scent both familiar and strange, nearly intoxicating her.
Trembling, she took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Mr. Kong, are you also going to play the rogue? I remember you once said I was dirty—who would have thought such a filthy, loathsome woman could still gain your favor?" She paused, then gave a bleak laugh. "I also recall you were just hugging your first love moments ago. How come you've forgotten so quickly? Were those media reports false? That Mr. Kong isn't so sentimental after all?"
The sharp, accusatory tone momentarily infuriated Kong Chengyi. His previously gentle grip suddenly tightened, clutching her chin hard. "Hua Lianxi, so you admit you're dirty? If not, why would the media stalk Ding Jia every day? Why would she be driven to hospital out of distress? Hmph!" His fingers pressed on mercilessly, as if unable to release all the anger and resentment bottled up inside him.
"So, I'm that dirty… and Mr. Kong isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty now?" Defiantly, Hua Lianxi lifted her chin slightly and smiled at the enraged, handsome man before her. "Mr. Kong, from start to finish, we've only ever been strangers. Why bother getting your hands dirty?" Since he so adamantly branded her as filthy, she refused to fear bearing that label herself.
Her chest ached sharply, but Hua Lianxi let the pain flood her, spreading relentlessly. Only when it reached its peak would she decisively refuse to look back. She wasn't willing to give herself any chance to turn around.
Every word pierced his heart. Kong Chengyi tightened his face, his fingers clenching and unclenching—almost crushing her proud chin—before finally loosening helplessly. Without a word, he turned and walked away.
The security door slammed shut behind him. Through the heavy glass, Hua Lianxi watched his proud silhouette stride off.
Only when his confident figure disappeared from sight did she slump slowly down the wall, tears she had fiercely held back finally cascading freely.
After that day, Kong Chengyi never harassed Hua Lianxi again. He vanished completely from her life as though nothing had ever happened.
"Yi, today's the first time I'm meeting Grandma. Is this outfit okay?" Ding Jia twirled happily, the pink skirt swirling in the air creating a beautiful arc.
With elegant fingers holding a cigarette and the other hand grasping his suit jacket, Kong Chengyi rose from his office chair, frowning slightly as his deep voice came out somewhat cold. "It's fine."
Holding her skirt, Ding Jia hurried to him, pouting as if offended. "You're just brushing me off. You didn't even look. You don't know if Grandma likes this style or not!" She had finally persuaded him to visit Fang Xiufang in the hospital, determined to make a perfect impression and win her favor—becoming a pawn on her side to make marrying Kong Chengyi easier.
Idly stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and pulling the pouting girl into his arms, Kong Chengyi's previously furrowed brows softened somewhat. "You look good in anything; Grandma will like you. No need to worry." Fang Xiufang had been hospitalized for a long time. Though she could be discharged, she chose to stay, but today he didn't plan to let her continue this stubbornness. Ding Jia's visit wasn't a big deal—not worth so much fuss.
"Really? Grandma will like me? Yi, I want Grandma to like me. I want us to care for her together from now on!" Smiling brightly with narrowed eyes, Ding Jia regained confidence, believing Fang Xiufang wouldn't be as difficult as Lin Xiao.
"Yi, how about we go have lunch with Grandma? It's always Kong Huan with her; she must be bored!" Though they agreed to visit after lunch, her cheerful mood made her eager to see her sooner. Having lunch together would surely please Kong Chengyi and show how considerate she was.
As he led her out of his office, Kong Chengyi gave a low "hm," agreeing. He took out his phone to ask the hotel manager to prepare their meal and deliver it to the hospital.
Before lunchtime, Hua Lianxi appeared at the hospital carrying soup. Efficiently, she poured it from the thermos and respectfully handed it to Fang Xiufang.
"Grandma, try this soup. I learned to cook it from that cooking app. It's my first time making it today!" Dressed simply in a pullover sweater and sky-blue sweatpants, her long hair tied back in a neat ponytail, Hua Lianxi looked like a fresh young woman fresh out of college, her gentle smile comforting.
"Child, your soup is getting better and better! This tastes better than the hotel's. From now on, I won't drink theirs—I'll wait for your soup." Fang Xiufang praised warmly after a sip.
"If my legs get better, it'll be thanks to your soup!" She moved her leg slightly and rolled her eyes playfully. "Kong Huan said you've been absent from work lately. What have you been busy with? Don't neglect your job just to bring soup to Grandma!" Now living alone, she had to support herself through work. How could she just skip work so easily?
Hua Lianxi paused unconsciously while twisting the thermos handle, then put on a bright smile. "Don't listen to her nonsense. I haven't stopped working—I just brought my work home. I'm currently helping the boss design his home. He said he wanted me to focus at home for more creativity."
"Enough with the lies, girl!" Fang Xiufang pretended to be annoyed, watching Hua Lianxi closely, her sharp mind sensing something off.
A knock came at the door. Hua Lianxi smiled at Fang Xiufang. "That must be Kong Huan. She's rushing over to eat!"
"Hello Grandma, I'm Ding Jia, Yi's..." With a sweet smile and a brightly colored fruit basket in one hand, Ding Jia entered enthusiastically behind Kong Chengyi, but her voice abruptly stopped when she saw who was in the ward.
Kong Chengyi was equally surprised but immediately fixated on Hua Lianxi's fresh appearance, as if unable to get enough of looking at her.
"Grandma, I'm leaving now!" Caught off guard by seeing Kong Chengyi and Ding Jia together, Hua Lianxi froze momentarily before quickly regaining composure. She hastily packed the thermos in her bag and turned to leave.
"Child!" Fang Xiufang hurriedly called out, wanting to keep her.
Just as Hua Lianxi nearly passed him, Kong Chengyi reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Yi..." Staring at Hua Lianxi, Ding Jia's almond-shaped eyes widened in alarm, almost pulling Kong Chengyi's grasping hand away.
Pain shot through Hua Lianxi's wrist. She turned her face and, as before, called out clearly, "Mr. Kong!"
"Hmph!" Kong Chengyi snorted mockingly, turning to glare fiercely at her. "If you're such strangers with no connection, why are you here? Are you trying to get something from Grandma?"
Suspicion rising, Kong Chengyi blocked her path. "Isn't the money I gave you not enough? Now you want to get something from Grandma too? Name your price!" From start to finish, he believed she only wanted money. If that was the case, he might as well be generous.
"Yi, what nonsense are you talking about? She's staying here because of me, and it's my request to bring her soup!" Unable to tolerate his slander, Fang Xiufang firmly clarified, "Bastard, accusing people without cause the moment you arrive!"
"Mr. Kong, please let go. I'm leaving now!" Unable to ignore Ding Jia and suffocate in the same confined space, Hua Lianxi felt she was about to choke and needed to escape immediately.