CHAPTER 595: CHAPTER 512: IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO MEET NOW

The two of them settled in nearby. Bai Shasha immediately and ungracefully kicked off her high heels.

Pointing at the blisters on her heel, she complained to Li Si, "I swear, I’m not coming to these kinds of events again. Even if I do, I’m wearing low heels!"

Li Si couldn’t help but remind her, "Take a breather, but put them back on soon. There are so many people watching!"

Bai Shasha was just that kind of person, and Li Si knew it well.

As they spoke, a commotion rose at the entrance.

Someone important must have arrived on the red carpet; it was the sort of scene that had already happened several times tonight.

But no one paid much attention.

Bai Shasha, tired from her aching feet, had no energy left to chase gossip.

The venue grew increasingly crowded, and under the elegant sound of music, people gathered in groups of three or five, chatting away.

Li Si and Bai Shasha, tucked away in a corner, seemed like outliers.

Every now and then, passersby glanced curiously in their direction.

Exchanging embarrassed looks, Bai Shasha decided to bite the bullet and slip back into those heels, which felt like standing on blades.

Bai Shasha’s eyes sparkled. "Si, come with me to the restroom! I’ve come up with a brilliant idea!"

Li Si glanced at her and guessed immediately, "You’re planning to pad the back of your heels, aren’t you?"

Bai Shasha nodded eagerly and whispered, "Of course! Problems are meant to be solved, right? Otherwise, what’s the point of enduring all this pain tonight?

I still hope to come across a few A-listers and snag a quick interview!"

Li Si shook her head in disbelief, admiring Shasha’s dedication.

She hooked her arm through Shasha’s and headed toward the restroom.

Inside the restroom, Qin Xin had just washed her hands, pulled out a tissue, and began wiping dry. She unconsciously glanced at the fuming Zheng Qian beside her, arms crossed.

"Do you understand the occasion today? Behave with some restraint!"

Outside were prominent figures in Beijing, including several celebrities and big-name guests. Yet here she was, throwing a tantrum at such a time.

Zheng Qian frowned and retorted, "Sister Ling, you’d better think about what you’re doing too."

She had clearly spotted President Leng earlier. Why hadn’t Ling brought her over to say hello?

If her cousin were here, she’d surely help her seize the chance to network and get acquainted.

Wouldn’t that open the door for further interaction?

If it weren’t for Sima Ling having a man, she’d almost suspect her of being attracted to President Leng herself!

Qin Xin’s eyes flickered; she quickly understood what Zheng Qian was getting at.

Her tone was sincere, but her expression carried an edge of disdain. "There’s still three days left—why the rush?"

Mo Si’s event would start in three days. If Zheng Qian wanted to meet him there, it wasn’t impossible.

Zheng Qian choked on her words and finally huffed, "I have no idea what my cousin is thinking!"

Finishing her complaint, she strode out of the restroom without waiting for a response.

Her assistant, standing outside, noticed Zheng Qian’s dark mood and hurriedly followed her cautiously.

Qin Xin looked at her reflection in the mirror and let out a self-mocking laugh.

She, too, had no idea what she was thinking.

Why did she instinctively not want women with ulterior motives to approach him?

She had been dreaming about him more and more lately; her dreams were turning pink.

The smile on her face remained as the mirror reflected the figures of Li Si and another woman entering.

Surprised, she turned around; Li Si looked especially elegant and beautiful tonight.

A stark contrast to her own casual attire.

Li Si recognized Qin Xin instantly, but her cold gaze swept past her without any intention of speaking.

Qin Xin awkwardly withdrew her gaze, torn between finding an excuse to approach or heeding the voice in her heart telling her not to.

Still uncertain whether to leave immediately or exchange a few words, Bai Shasha charged into the restroom, rejuvenated.

She walked briskly to the tissue dispenser next to Qin Xin, grabbed a piece, ripped it in half, and planned to stuff one piece into each heel.

"Need a hand?" Qin Xin offered gently.

Bai Shasha paused, realizing only now that a woman was standing beside her. She hadn’t paid attention earlier.

"Ah, thanks! But no need!"

Li Si’s lips curled into a mocking smile. What was Qin Xin up to?

Was she trying to use them to strike up some connection for later gains?

Bai Shasha, too, found the woman suspicious, particularly that face—which didn’t seem entirely natural. Her discerning eye detected significant signs of cosmetic work.

"Si, hold onto me!"

Li Si steadied Shasha while she busied herself with her task.

Standing awkwardly nearby, Qin Xin adjusted her gown and tried again, "Hey there, beauty! Don’t you remember? We ran into each other in a restroom once before!"

Bai Shasha glanced at Li Si and thought she hadn’t seen this woman before—meaning it must be Li Si she was referring to.

Li Si’s tone turned icy. "Did we? Sorry, I don’t remember."

Qin Xin clenched her fist but maintained a gracious smile. "That’s fine! It’s never too late to get acquainted now! I know you’re President Leng’s wife. Our company is collaborating with Mo Si for a project!"

She decided to be direct; after all, if she befriended Li Si, President Leng would recognize her immediately the next time they met.

"Oh, really!" Li Si remained aloof.

Just then, Bai Shasha finished padding her heels. She held Li Si’s hand and asked, "How does it look now?"

Li Si glanced at the barely visible padding at the back. At least her heels wouldn’t dig directly into her skin. "Looks great! Let’s head back!"

A shadow crossed Qin Xin’s eyes. She hadn’t expected Li Si to be so proud, so indifferent to others.

Bai Shasha, though curious why the generally warm Li Si greeted this woman with the chill of winter winds, wisely chose not to ask.

The two walked out of the restroom, still feeling Qin Xin’s gaze lingering behind them.

Lowering her voice, Bai Shasha asked, "Si, who was that woman earlier?"

Li Si brushed off the question with a vague reply, saying she wasn’t sure.

But deep inside, she knew—Qin Xin wasn’t someone meaningless to Leng Mochen.

Her identity was complex. In her past life, she was Lu Zhenghang’s ex-girlfriend. In this life, she started as Lu Zhengming’s girlfriend. After Lu Zhengming’s incident, she transformed herself and became Nie Xiuwei’s woman.

And now, everything she was doing seemed intertwined with the reborn Leng Mochen.

Returning to the hall, Leng Mochen and Xu Er stood chatting, their eyes occasionally darting toward the restroom.

When they spotted Li Si and Bai Shasha, their conversation came to an end.

As Li Si and Shasha drew closer, Xu Er noticed Shasha’s awkward gait and asked with concern, "Shasha, are you okay?"

Bai Shasha playfully glared at him. "It’s your fault! What kind of shoes did you buy? They’re killing my feet!"

Xu Er froze, remorse flooding his expression as he quickly grabbed Shasha’s hand. "I’m sorry! Totally my fault! I should’ve picked the lower ones!"

Leng Mochen and Li Si exchanged a glance, amusement flickering in their eyes.

"Your shoes okay?"

Li Si leaned close, pinching the firm muscle of his arm. "Fine now, but..."

"But what?" Leng Mochen sensed she had something to say.

She hesitated and whispered in his ear, "Shasha and I ran into Qin Xin in the restroom just now. She tried to get to know me oddly. What kind of collaboration does Mo Si have with her company?"

Leng Mochen’s gaze darkened; he was considering more than Li Si realized.

He feigned nonchalance outwardly. "Ignore her! Trust that I’ll handle it!"

Li Si smiled softly. "Of course, I trust you! Okay, let’s find seats and settle in. After we’re done, we can head home. Buding might be waiting impatiently already!"

Yet a strange feeling quietly stirred in her heart.

"Alright!" Leng Mochen held Li Si’s hand and joined Xu Er and Bai Shasha at their table.

Already seated among the crowd, Li Si caught sight of Yin Xuan and Yin Xian. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this story, please visit Qidian.com to support the author with votes and subscriptions! Mobile users may access the site at m.qidian.com for reading.)