Song Qinian only then realized that the lie detector was specifically prepared for her by Shen Chi'an.
In truth, Song Qinian had asked herself this question countless times: did she still love Shen Chi'an?
The answer was self-evident: she loved him!
Even after hearing from Li Junchen that Shen Chi'an had already obtained evidence of Lin Qiutong framing Song Guanliang, even knowing that Shen Chi'an had harbored Lin Qiutong, and even witnessing him choose Lin Qiutong over her, her heart ached. Yet, her love for him had not wavered in the slightest. Of course, resentment lingered.
But in the current situation, if she answered that she loved him, she wouldn't be able to explain why she left him back then and followed Li Junchen.
Too many things stood between them, not something a simple "I love you" could easily resolve.
With this thought, Song Qinian took a deep breath and then, with a smile, said, "No."
"Beep beep beep…"
As soon as Song Qinian finished speaking, the lie detector's red light flashed, accompanied by a piercing alarm.
Shen Chi'an's dark eyes fixed on the red light, a smug smile curling his lips. "Song Qinian, you're lying!"
Song Qinian showed no panic. She calmly removed the device from her finger and offered Shen Chi'an a faint smile. "I'm not lying. This machine is broken."
Shen Chi'an's handsome face instantly clouded over, turning grim and unpleasant.
"If you don't believe me, you can test it yourself."
Saying this, Song Qinian clipped the device onto Shen Chi'an's finger and then asked him, "Shen Chi'an, in these past two years, have you hated me?"
Shen Chi'an's expression became even more unsightly. Did he hate Song Qinian?
Of course, he did!
She had given him all the best, yet with Li Junchen's arrival, she had abandoned him without hesitation or regret.
But compared to that trivial hatred, the overwhelming love and longing for her consumed his every cell. He wanted to keep himself busy every day, because only then could he escape the unbearable pain of missing her. However, even a moment of idleness would plunge him into the agony of longing.
Seeing Shen Chi'an remain silent, Song Qinian smiled slightly. "Why aren't you answering? Is this question difficult to answer?"
Shen Chi'an let out a cold laugh, his posture remarkably relaxed. "You've asked a pointless question!"
Song Qinian: "I'm asking you to answer. Do you hate me or not!"
Shen Chi'an gritted his teeth. "Yes!"
"Beep beep beep…"
The lie detector emitted another piercing sound, the red alarm blaring incessantly.
Their eyes met, each staring intently at the other, as if trying to discern something from the other's face.
The next second, Shen Chi'an, somewhat exasperated, yanked the device off his finger and snorted at Song Qinian, "It's definitely broken!"
"Hmm, broken? Let me try it!"
Everyone had drunk a fair amount and was getting bolder. Someone asked the person being tested, "Go on, tell us, how many rich benefactresses have kept you?"
"Get lost! You're the one who's been kept by rich women. How could someone as upright as me do such a thing?"
"Beep beep beep…"
Hearing the alarm, the crowd started to jeer.
The man, annoyed, said, "Alright, alright. I'll tell you the truth. I've slept with three rich benefactresses."
This time, the alarm light turned green, indicating he wasn't lying.
The man looked somewhat speechless, then said to Shen Chi'an as if presenting a treasure, "Mr. Shen, I just checked it for you. This lie detector isn't broken, it's working perfectly!"
Shen Chi'an's face turned green. Then he let out a cold laugh. "It's just a toy. You're all taking it too seriously. Do you all really think you've slept with so many people and been kept by rich benefactresses?"
Everyone present exchanged glances and immediately chimed in.
"Yes, yes, it's just a toy for fun, not to be taken seriously."
"Right, right, right. Come on, let's keep drinking and singing."
Shen Chi'an sat on the sofa, his expression unusually grim.
This lie detector was a precision instrument he had obtained from a friend, more precise than the equipment used by police to interrogate criminals. It was hardly a casual toy.
Therefore, Song Qinian's claim that she didn't love him was false. She clearly loved him, so why lie?
Yuan Sinian, who had witnessed everything, patted Shen Chi'an on the shoulder. "Sometimes, the more you try to confirm something, the less likely you are to get an answer. Why not relax your mindset? Perhaps you'll have a pleasant surprise."
Shen Chi'an glanced at Song Qinian, who was chatting with Gong Yuqi. His dark eyes flickered slightly.
On the way back, they sat in the back seat. Shen Chi'an looked out the left window, Song Qinian looked out the right. They were both lost in their own thoughts, not speaking.
Gao Kunlun glanced at the two of them in the rearview mirror and muttered to himself.
What was going on?
Weren't they fine earlier? Had they quarreled again?
Upon arriving at the villa, Song Qinian, smelling of smoke and alcohol, headed straight for the bathroom to shower.
As soon as she had drawn the bath and undressed, Shen Chi'an barged in.
Song Qinian was startled, quickly wrapping herself in a towel. "What are you doing!"
She had clearly locked the door. How had this guy gotten in!
Seeing the key in Shen Chi'an's hand, Song Qinian felt utterly dismayed.
Shen Chi'an tossed the key onto the vanity, scoffing at Song Qinian's attempt to lock the door. "Don't forget, this is my house!"
"But I'm showering. Bursting in like this is incredibly rude!"
Shen Chi'an pouted and nodded. "It is quite rude, so… I've come to apologize!"
Lord Shen Fifth's way of apologizing was to strip naked and present himself before Song Qinian.
Song Qinian's face flushed crimson as she looked at his firm, attractive body.
Did this man even know what shame meant!
Song Qinian clutched her towel tightly, looking as though she was determined to defend her purity. Primarily, she had been too exhausted lately. If this continued, Shen Chi'an might not be anything, but she would be worn out.
They say only tired bulls die, never ruined fields.
But even the most robust field would be ruined if a bull plowed it day and night.
"If you want to shower, there are other bathrooms outside."
Shen Chi'an raised an eyebrow. "I'll shower in this one!"
Song Qinian took a deep breath. "Then shower. I'll go shower somewhere else."
Song Qinian started to leave. As she passed Shen Chi'an, he grabbed her and pressed her against the wall. The warmth of his skin against the cold wall sent a shiver down Song Qinian's spine. The next second, Shen Chi'an lunged forward, parted her legs with his knee, and lifted her chin with his slender fingers. "We've showered together before, haven't we? What are you shy about? Or are you deliberately playing coy in front of me, wanting me to think that everything you're doing now is against your will, that you're not willing at all, and that you've been secretly waiting for Li Junchen to rescue you?"