Pressed heavily against the door, Hua Lianxi let out a muffled grunt. Her eardrums buzzed loudly, her mind swimming with dizziness. It seemed that every time, he unexpectedly managed to control her.
"Speak. Exactly how many faces do you still have that I haven't seen? People say cats have nine lives, but I think you're more like a fox—with nine unpredictable faces!" A donation in my name? Hua Lianxi, what is your real purpose?
Leaning against the door, her dizziness finally subsided and she clearly heard his accusation. Her almond-shaped eyes snapped wide open. "Kong Chengyi, I don't know what you're talking about. Let go of me! I can even file a complaint against you for assault right now!" She breathed cautiously, denying his words in a low voice, but deep inside she was terrified of provoking him again. No matter what he might do, she could not bear it.
"A donation of over ten million to the orphanage—aren't you going to explain? Why donate in my name? Do you ever feel there's too much money? Hua Lianxi, rare to see you not care about money." Clearly, she was obsessed with money. She grabbed every chance to splurge on his wealth, indulging in various top brands—whether black diamond cards or cheques, she accepted all. Yet now she's voluntarily donating such a huge sum?
After receiving Ke Jie's investigation report, he poured over it repeatedly, asking Ke Jie to confirm details again and again. From initial disbelief to strange delight, then to utter incredulity, he threw aside his work and rushed straight to her home. He had to get answers—why was she donating in his name?
"That's your money—it doesn't belong to me. Since you don't plan to take it back, the best way is obviously to donate it under your name!" Having finally understood why he was so furious, Hua Lianxi squared her shoulders without any pretense about her actions. From the day she donated under his name, she knew he would find out someday.
"Over ten million? Hua Lianxi, I remember the total I gave you was around that amount. Rarely do I see you running a business at a loss. I never knew you'd do unprofitable business. Isn't money more important than all this? Donation? I didn't expect you to donate too."
Holding her breath, Hua Lianxi silently responded within herself, "I'm accumulating blessings for your child." Swallowing that thought, she softly defended herself, "I only took the amount stipulated in our contract. The various latest dresses, bags, shoes you gave me—all were sold, which is exactly the sum donated now. Also, the jewelry you and Grandma sent you will receive in a week—I've already asked the courier company to send it to you!" All she wanted was the price set in the customization contract—that was her rightful reward. Everything extra didn't belong to her, and she wouldn't accept it. Since leaving Xiaoyue Residence, all those decadent and gorgeous accessories had nothing to do with her.
Upon hearing this, Kong Chengyi paused, relaxed his long arms that held her, and stepped back to see her more clearly.
So simple and pure, completely different from the extravagant and magnificent. Yet he had always seen only the glamorous, lavish version of her.
"Hua Lianxi, you don't love brands or expensive bags? But every time you maxed out the black diamond card. Now you tell me you sold all that? Are you playing me?" Clearly, she was trying to maintain a greedy, worldly image before him, keeping him in the dark.
"No, I simply fulfilled Mr. Kong's customization to embody the image you needed. The contract clearly states that during the customization period, I'm just a pawn acting a role, every move calculated to satisfy you—even intimate contact!" Smiling brightly, as if suddenly finding armor to cover all her actions, Hua Lianxi quickly donned it and spoke confidently.
The past was just a transaction; everything has vanished without a trace, ceased to exist. So let it all remain buried in the contract, grandly and formally.
"You mean what I, Kong Chengyi, need is a superficial woman? A woman who only knows brands and card swiping? You'd even risk yourself to fulfill the contract? Hua Lianxi, from this view, I'm the winner of this deal, a gainer!" Curling his lips in mockery, anger instantly surged in his throat. Kong Chengyi nearly reached out to choke her slender neck.
So in her eyes, he was just a shallow man who appreciated fast cars and beautiful women?
"It's just a thin veil—it's all the same who I give it to. No big deal, and it's not a loss—after all, you also gave me a cheque, remember?" Covering her mouth to laugh, Hua Lianxi seemed to mock Kong Chengyi's naivety. Thinking of that thin cheque, her heart ached deeply. From the start, she was just going along with his wishes.
"Indifferent? So Cheng Shaobai now lives here too? Has he climbed into your bed too?" Swiftly stepping up, her long legs lifted her entire body into his embrace. All his rage finally erupted. "Hua Lianxi, if I could, I'd strangle you—let you die in your smile!" Such a dazzling smile, he hated it so much he wanted it gone.
The sudden close embrace startled Hua Lianxi. Her slender body trembled uncontrollably, pores flaring, her shaky voice growling, "Kong Chengyi, let me go!" The familiar scent and handsome face could easily steal her breath even in his fury, but she absolutely could not let herself lose control again or fall back into indulgence.
Clearly sensing her slight trembling and feigned calm, Kong Chengyi, despite his anger, suddenly showed a ghostly smile. Leaning down, his heated breath brushed her smooth, flawless skin. His eyes burned bright and intense. "Hua Lianxi, what are you afraid of?" His warm palm slowly traced her slender waist, feeling the tremble through the thin fabric, as if scorched by flames, his gaze darkened slightly.
"We are strangers. I have nothing to fear. But please, let me go!" Feeling the movements of his palm, Hua Lianxi bit her lip, repeatedly denying her fear, nearly pushing him away.
Smirking easily, Kong Chengyi quickly saw through her disguise. He suddenly lowered his head and gently bit her bitten lip, chiding softly, "Lying!"
"Mm… mm… Kong…" Her wide eyes stared, lips gently held. Hua Lianxi finally struggled, pushing him desperately, but he was like a sturdy mountain—unshaken despite her thrashing.
The sunset's afterglow softly bathed the still-warm Cypress Road. Kong Chengyi had one hand in his pocket, the other holding a phone, a rare smile touching his lips as he straightly left Hua Lianxi's residence.
"Ke Jie, I want a detailed report on Hua Lianxi by 9 PM, including her background and current situation!" After today, he no longer denied he didn't truly know the real Hua Lianxi. The woman she hid carefully was so different from before that he was now deeply curious.
Leaving Hua Lianxi's place, Kong Chengyi headed straight to the hospital. It was approaching dinner time. The hospital was considerably quieter than during the day.
He quickly crossed the parking lot, took the elevator directly to the ward, and opened the door without knocking—then froze mid-step.
Supporting herself with a cane, Fang Xiufang walked slowly around the room, her heavily wrinkled forehead sweating under the air conditioning.
"Getting more outrageous—coming in without knocking!" Seeing Kong Chengyi, Fang Xiufang didn't get angry. She didn't even try to hide that she could now walk slowly.
Raising an eyebrow, carefully watching her move, Kong Chengyi smiled happily. "If I knocked, I'd probably scare you. You'd just sit down, and I might not find out you were recovered for a long time!" Watching her move, he clearly judged she'd been recuperating for a while and was probably ready to be discharged.
"Hmph, brat!" Spitting, Fang Xiufang ignored him, settled into a comfortable position, and sat on the sofa. "What brings you here? Where are your flirts?" Regarding Ding Jia, she had no favor, sensing an artificial vibe, lacking Hua Lianxi's simplicity. She outright called her one of the flirts.
"Grandma, why are you so nice to Hua Lianxi? What medicine did she give you?" From the start, she found Hua Lianxi unusually likable. Now that she no longer minded her appearing around, he once thought he would never want to see Hua Lianxi again.
Taking a sip of tea, Fang Xiufang glanced at her brilliant grandson with contempt. "She drugged me with a love potion, making me crazy about her. Oh, and I heard from Kong Huan that her boss was drugged too—now he dotes on Hua Lianxi like crazy, practically holding her in the palm of his hand!" Kong Huan told vivid stories daily about the company, much of which was about Cheng Shaobai's obvious affection, making many female colleagues jealous.
His cheeks twitched slightly, Kong Chengyi turned to leave, coldly threatening, "I'll arrange your discharge tomorrow. Don't hang around the hospital all day letting her slip medicine to you!"
"Brat!" After staying in the hospital for so long, although she planned to leave, Fang Xiufang was still resentful, quietly spitting. She slightly sighed inside—Hua Lianxi and she were ultimately destined to have no connection.
The bathroom was filled with mist. Through the thin steam, a graceful figure soaked in the bathtub was faintly visible. Beside the tub sat a glass of white wine.
Comfortably sighing, Ding Jia narrowed her eyes, enjoying supreme comfort.
Living in the mountain villa reluctantly, there was only one thing she cherished—the spacious bathtub and the wine stored in the bathroom fridge. Every night, a bath paired with a glass of fine wine brought a pleasant, tipsy pleasure that washed all her troubles away.
She reached for the wine, gently swirled it a little, then tilted her neck elegantly to sip. Ding Jia smiled with satisfaction, filled with limitless hope for her choice to return to Kong Chengyi's side once again.