Gao Kunlun was completely unnerved; the events of the evening had unfolded far too suddenly.
Seeing Song Qinian's face ashen, her expression etched with unbearable pain, he couldn't bear it. "Madam, it's very late. Perhaps I should take you home."
Song Qinian seemed not to hear Gao Kunlun. Her eyes were fixed on room 2308, tears streaming down her face.
"That... Fifth Master would certainly not touch Miss Lin. They might... just..."
Gao Kunlun couldn't finish the sentence. He wanted to comfort Song Qinian but didn't know what to say.
Seeing that Song Qinian wouldn't leave, he had no choice but to depart first to investigate the night's events.
Shen Qiwen also remained. Witnessing Song Qinian's distraught state, he suddenly felt a sense of shared misfortune.
If Song Qinian weren't a rival for Lin Qiutong's affections, he might have befriended her.
The two stood by the door for a long, long time. It wasn't until past four in the morning that Shen Qiwen left.
As he departed, he said to Song Qinian, "It's been so long. Whatever was meant to happen between them already has. No amount of self-deception will change that."
Song Qinian paid no heed to Shen Qiwen. She simply stood outside the door all night.
She couldn't see what was happening inside, but the mere thought of it made her chest ache as if she couldn't breathe.
Only when the sky began to show its pale dawn colors did she slowly avert her gaze and leave the hotel, feeling desolate and hopeless.
Inside the room, five hours prior, Lin Qiutong had intended to seize the opportunity to become intimate with Shen Chi Yan.
Shen Chi Yan treated her well, providing her with the best resources and always being gentle with her. However, she was unsure if his kindness stemmed from guilt over Lin Feichi or genuine affection for her.
As long as Shen Chi Yan didn't touch her, she couldn't feel at ease.
After all, she had witnessed Shen Chi Yan and Song Qinian together before.
She longed for Shen Chi Yan to treat her that way.
But to her astonishment, Shen Chi Yan showed no interest in her state and instead intended to use cold water to counteract the drug's effects.
The autumn cold water was piercing. She was burning with fever and discomfort. Immersing herself in the water did bring some relief, but it wasn't what she desired.
She deliberately tore her sheer dress, revealing her fair, beautiful shoulders. "A Yan, I'm so cold. Hold me... Will you hold me?"
At this moment, Lin Qiutong's cheeks were flushed, her eyes languid and alluring. Every part of her exuded an intoxicating aura. Any other man would have succumbed to temptation.
But Shen Chi Yan wasn't thinking about such things. He only wanted to help Lin Qiutong expel the drug's effects as quickly as possible.
In his mind, the fastest method was immersion in cold water.
Thus, he wrapped a bath towel around Lin Qiutong, then, holding the showerhead, turned on the cold water and poured it directly onto her.
Tormented by the drug and doused with cold water, Lin Qiutong felt terrible. She began to cry pitifully. "It's so cold... A Yan, what are you doing?"
"Endure it. This will help the drug's effects dissipate faster."
Lin Qiutong: "..."
Wouldn't the fastest way be for him to hold her and provide an "artificial antidote"?
"No... Don't, it hurts so much... A Yan, help me..."
Lin Qiutong reached out, trying to get Shen Chi Yan to hold her, but he pushed her into the bathtub. "Stay put, and it will be over soon."
Lin Qiutong had never expected things to unfold this way. Shen Chi Yan was willing to touch her.
What about Song Qinian?
Would he have Song Qinian soak in cold water too?
"No, I'm so hot..."
She pulled off the towel, about to embrace Shen Chi, determined not to let this rare opportunity slip away.
But in the next second, the towel was wrapped around her again, and she was once more pushed into the bathtub.
Thus, one full of scheming seduction, the other simply trying to help counteract the drug.
After tossing and turning for most of the night, Lin Qiutong's complexion finally returned to normal, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Shen Chi Yan looked at the sleeping Lin Qiutong, feeling exhausted and agitated.
His mind was filled with Song Qinian's pleading expression as she clutched his sleeve.
What was the connection between Song Qinian and the events of this night?
After dawn, Gao Kunlun arrived at the hotel with the information he had gathered.
He reported all the news to Shen Chi Yan. As Shen Chi Yan's expression grew increasingly grim, Gao Kunlun felt uneasy but still spoke up for Song Qinian.
"Fifth Master, although all the evidence points to Madam, I still believe in her. There must be some misunderstanding."
Shen Chi Yan remained silent. Just then, Lin Qiutong woke up.
As soon as Lin Qiutong awoke, she appeared shaken and threw herself into Shen Chi Yan's arms. "A Yan, I can't thank you enough for last night. If it weren't for you, I..."
Shen Chi Yan gently pushed Lin Qiutong away. "Last night, why were you dining with Song Qinian?"
Recalling last night's events, Lin Qiutong deliberately squeezed out a few tears. "I only found out yesterday afternoon that Niannian's mother didn't steal my necklace; she was framed by someone at the studio. I wanted to treat Niannian to dinner and ask her to apologize to her mother for me. I never expected..."
"Did Song Qinian drug you?"
Lin Qiutong sobbed and nodded. "My right hand was injured, so I asked her to pour me a drink... I know she hates me because her father went to prison because of me, but I didn't expect her to conspire with Shen Qiwen to scheme against me."
As she spoke, Lin Qiutong clutched Shen Chi Yan tightly. "A Yan, I was in a coma for three years. When I woke up and learned you were married, it was like a bolt from the blue. I was so pained and heartbroken."
After a few sobs, Lin Qiutong continued, "I didn't know what to do. I thought that if you and Song Qinian were happy, I would smile and bless you despite my pain. But seeing Song Qinian's current state, how could I be at ease with you being with her?"
Gao Kunlun narrowed his eyes, watching Lin Qiutong, his cheeks puffing out in anger.
Lin Qiutong was about to say more when Shen Chi Yan pushed her away. "Qiuqiu, I will give you a satisfactory explanation for last night. You were frightened; you should go back and rest."
Shen Chi Yan turned to leave, but Lin Qiutong grabbed his arm. "Are you going to do what you did last time, when Song Qinian pushed me into the lake, and just give me a gift and act like nothing happened?"
Shen Chi Yan removed Lin Qiutong's hand and gently comforted her. "Go home first. Gao Kunlun, take Qiuqiu home."
"Yes!"
Watching Shen Chi Yan leave just like that, Lin Qiutong clenched her fists. This time, she would never let it go.