Chapter 19: The Ex-Girlfriend's Bewitching Array

Lin Dongfan and Chu Lingxi's wedding was finally put on the agenda.

It was an auspicious day personally selected by his mother-in-law, set for November 30, 09.

According to the Chu family's request, the wedding couldn't be extravagant, nor could it be used to make money. Everything was to be simple, inviting only close relatives from both families and some friends they usually got along with.

The night before the wedding.

Lin Dongfan received a text from an unknown number: "I'm waiting for you at the old place. Come get the money—188,000. No delays."

188,000!

Without a doubt, this was a message from his ex-girlfriend, Fang Xiaoqian.

He had long since blocked Fang Xiaoqian's phone number; to reach him, she had gone to great lengths, even deliberately changing to a new number.

That heartless bitch, how could she suddenly be so generous?

Not understanding what she was selling in her gourd, Lin Dongfan also couldn't be bothered to dwell on it; 188,000 was no small sum, enough for a down payment on a house.

Following the principle that he could avoid anyone but not money, Lin Dongfan drove to the hotel.

"Thump thump."

Lin Dongfan knocked twice on the hotel room door.

From inside came Fang Xiaoqian's reply: "Come in, the door isn't locked."

Lin Dongfan pushed the door open and entered.

The room was lit with phantasmagoric and romantic ambient lighting, the bathroom echoed with splashing water. Through the semi-transparent frosted glass, a curvy, exquisite figure could be seen, faintly visible.

"Where's the money?"

Lin Dongfan's eyes began scanning the room, seeing only Fang Xiaoqian's clothes and bag, no sign of the 188,000 in cash.

Just as Lin Dongfan was about to rummage through Fang Xiaoqian's bag,

the sound of the door being locked from behind rang out.

Lin Dongfan didn't mind, he simply dumped the contents of Fang Xiaoqian's bag onto the bed—damn! Cosmetics, tissues, scented sugar, condoms, everything but the money.

"Where's the money?"

Lin Dongfan turned and demanded.

With no guard at all, Fang Xiaoqian, wearing only a white towel, suddenly lunged forward to kiss him; her fiery enthusiasm instantly threw off Lin Dongfan's rhythm.

They had dated for two years before, and she had never been this passionate before.

Lin Dongfan instinctively pushed her away: "I'm here for the money, not for you—don't underestimate my bottom line!"

"It's not like we haven't slept together."

Fang Xiaoqian flung herself into Lin Dongfan's arms again, clinging desperately.

The soft skin-to-skin contact, plus her faint fragrance, almost made Lin Dongfan lose control.

Thinking that this bitch loved to play tricks, the room might have hidden pinhole cameras, Lin Dongfan decisively pushed her away.

"I never hit women—don't force me to whip you!"

"Don't be mad at me, okay? I was always in the wrong before; from now on, you can do whatever you want. We were together for two years—even if there's no blood relation, we still have some feelings."

No matter how grim Lin Dongfan's face, Fang Xiaoqian wasn't angry at all, always smiling.

She sat on the bed's edge, holding Lin Dongfan's hand.

She rocked it back and forth.

Although they'd been together for two years, it was the first time Lin Dongfan had seen her act coquettish—damn, what a joke; those two years were pure waste.

Lin Dongfan angrily shook off her hand: "You don't think Li Hengbo is awesome? Go find him—I, Lin Dongfan, am not worthy of your high regard!"

"I've already cut ties with him for real; this time I'm not lying to you. Believe me just once, okay? From now on I belong only to you. Except you, I guarantee I won't let any other man touch me."

Fang Xiaoqian tried to pull Lin Dongfan's hand again.

Lin Dongfan flicked his hand angrily and laughed: "To climb up, you're truly willing to go all out. As long as I don't fall, I absolutely believe you'll stay pure for me in the future. Too bad it's a shame—I don't need your loyalty now."

"What exactly do you want me to do to earn your forgiveness?"

Fang Xiaoqian blinked, squeezing out two pools of pitiful tears, gazing pleadingly at Lin Dongfan.

Lin Dongfan lit a cigarette unhurriedly: "My wedding is tomorrow—don't give me trouble! Hurry up and return that 188,000."

"I'm not interfering with your marriage to Chu Lingxi—how am I causing trouble?"

Fang Xiaoqian stood up, casually pulling her towel off, letting it fall to the floor.

Stark naked before Lin Dongfan, she said: "I'm all yours—are you still worried I won't repay the debt? When I have money, I'll definitely pay you back, principal plus interest."

"Cut the crap!" Lin Dongfan turned his back to her: "Since you have no money, why did you summon me? You're really asking for a beating!"

"I miss you."

Saying that, Fang Xiaoqian tightly embraced Lin Dongfan from behind.

Like a tame little bird, she pressed her face tightly against Lin Dongfan's back, wishing to merge with him instantly, afraid that letting go would bring lifelong regret.

Lin Dongfan tried to pry open the arms wrapped around his waist; pulling twice didn't work.

He also couldn't be bothered to struggle.

He immediately pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed 110:

"Hello, 110? There's a woman here defying a man's will, trying to throw me down to do... whatever. Are you actually going to handle this? I'm not joking—I'm an upstanding citizen, I'm..."

Before he could finish, Fang Xiaoqian snatched the phone and hung up directly.

Fang Xiaoqian looked aggrieved: "You've changed—you never used to treat me like this. I just wanted to make up for my past shortcomings toward you, and you called the police."

"Give me back my phone."

Lin Dongfan reached out, and Fang Xiaoqian promptly handed the phone over.

Fang Xiaoqian pouted, acting cute: "I've cleaned up and been waiting here for you—what did I do wrong? It's just a few minutes; it won't affect you going home to be with your wife."

"You're just a few minutes—your whole family is a few minutes!"

Lin Dongfan gave a sideways glance, then turned and walked away.

Fang Xiaoqian let out a puff of laughter and shouted, "Old flame, whenever you want me to keep you company, remember to give me a call—I'll come running."

Act like a person, will you!

Lin Dongfan walked out of the hotel room without looking back.

Just after Lin Dongfan left, Fang Xiaoqian dug out the pinhole camera installed in the socket hole and put it back into her bag.

Although she hadn't captured anything, she felt no regret.

Instead, she laughed confidently:

"No wonder you're my ex, Fang Xiaoqian—your counter-surveillance skills are strong. In this lifetime, I'm yours in life and your ghost in death. You'll never get rid of me..."

The phone resting on the bedside table suddenly rang, the caller ID showing Li Hengbo.

Fang Xiaoqian didn't even think, just hung up.

The phone rang again.

Fang Xiaoqian impatiently answered the phone and immediately snapped, "Li, are you sick? Don't ever call me again!"

"Fang Xiaoqian, your ex is getting married tomorrow—you don't plan to go and make a scene?" Li Hengbo's teasing voice came over the line.

Fang Xiaoqian laughed and scolded, "You meddling busybody, stay in the countryside and farm!"

"Don't rush to turn against me—I lost the first half, but isn't there still a second half?" Li Hengbo said with a confident light laugh, "Just wait and see how I'll take care of him."

"If you're sick, go get treatment!"

Fang Xiaoqian hung up directly and added Li Hengbo's contact to her blacklist.

Crash the wedding?

She's not that stupid.

Never mind what would happen if she offended the Chu family; ruining Lin Dongfan's prospects would do her no good either.

Lin Dongfan still resents her, even now.

But she firmly believes that Lin Dongfan has feelings for her; once he rises to prominence, even if she can't eat meat, just having some broth will be fine.