After chatting with Shao Mei'er for over half an hour, they returned to the villa together.

As they parted ways, Shao Mei'er smiled. "Madam, don't overthink things. Get some rest. Your best days are still ahead of you."

That one sentence left Su Qingning stunned.

Good days? Do I still have good days ahead of me?

She immediately thought of Su Qingfeng's upcoming wedding. Once her cousin was married, who knew how she would torment her? She might lose her bar completely.

But Su Qingning still nodded. After all, Shao Mei'er was only showing concern.

Just as Su Qingning was about to say thank you, Shao Mei'er spoke again with a light laugh. "Madam, I know you might be doubting yourself right now, thinking you've achieved nothing all these years. But trust me, you're just trapped in that little bar. Once a new opportunity comes along, you will definitely achieve something spectacular!"

It had to be said that Shao Mei'er was an exceptionally astute woman. After just a brief chat, she had seen right through Su Qingning's dejection and despair. Her words felt like a warm current flowing through Su Qingning's heart, and honestly, she was deeply moved.

Looking at Shao Mei'er's bewitching face—a face so lovely that even other women found it captivating—Su Qingning said sincerely, "Thank you!"

Shao Mei'er smiled. "Good night."

Su Qingning returned a quiet acknowledgment, and they went to their separate rooms.

Yet, Su Qingning had no desire to sleep.

I really want to call Lin Xiao and ask what he's doing right now. But should I?

Yes, Su Qingning was filled with regret.

I should have gone with him when he took Chu Xiangxue to Jinhai City. If I were by his side, maybe I wouldn't find it so hard to sleep now.

After thinking about Lin Xiao for a while, Su Qingning's thoughts drifted back to what Shao Mei'er had told her. She knew the words were meant as comfort, but the thought of her bar plunged her back into gloom. For three years, she had dedicated herself to making the bar a success so she could take back the Su Corporation. She'd thought it would all go smoothly, but now she knew she had failed.

Even though there were still six months left in the competition, Su Qingkun had already earned two hundred million. There was no way she could ever catch up. At this thought, a huge wave of bitter resentment surged through her. But what use was resentment?

After what felt like an eternity of tossing and turning, sleep finally claimed her.

In a daze, Su Qingning began to dream. She dreamed of Lin Xiao, whose status was so extraordinary it defied the heavens. With him leading the way, she not only reclaimed the Su Corporation but guided it to unprecedented glory. In the end, they held a magnificent wedding, and she even bore him many children.

Just as she reached that part of the dream, Su Qingning suddenly jolted awake. The room was cold and empty. As the dream faded, an overwhelming sense of loss washed over her.

"Having a nightmare?" a deep voice suddenly asked from within the room.

The unexpected sound startled Su Qingning, and she shot upright in bed.

"Don't be afraid. It's me." Lin Xiao's gentle voice reached her ears.

All her panic vanished the instant she heard his voice. In its place, a feeling of being wronged surfaced. Yes, that was it—a sense of grievance. Without a second thought, she scrambled out of bed and threw herself into Lin Xiao's arms, hugging him tightly.

Lin Xiao shuddered. In all this time, this was the first time Su Qingning had ever hugged him of her own accord.

Lin Xiao returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around her and asking again in a soft voice, "Did you have a nightmare?"

Su Qingning didn't answer. She just held him tighter. Breathing in Lin Xiao's distinct, masculine scent, Su Qingning's heart finally calmed completely. At that moment, she was suddenly afraid of nothing. Her mind grew perfectly serene, as if it had never known a moment of turmoil.

After some time, Su Qingning finally released him.

"Wh-when did you get back?" she asked, her voice tinged with shyness.

"Not long ago," Lin Xiao replied, asking again, "Are you sure it wasn't a nightmare?"

Su Qingning shook her head. "No, it was just a dream."

Lin Xiao smiled. "Your reaction says otherwise. What, did you miss me?"

"Hmph! As if," Su Qingning retorted playfully.

"Alright, alright," Lin Xiao chuckled. "Don't be afraid. I'm back now. You can sleep soundly."

Su Qingning nodded and obediently lay back down on the bed.

"I'll go get some rest too, then."

Su Qingning mumbled in agreement. Lin Xiao smiled, turned, and headed for the door.

"Wait..."

The word escaped her lips, but she fell silent before she could say more.

I wanted him to stay. I clearly lost our last bet. According to the wager, he's supposed to sleep in this bed. But just the thought of sharing a bed with him... even though nothing's happened, my heart is already pounding out of my chest.

"Wait for what?" Lin Xiao asked, turning back curiously.

"N-nothing!" Su Qingning said, feeling flustered.

"Goodnight," Lin Xiao said with a knowing smile.

Su Qingning managed a small sound in reply.

Lin Xiao left, gently closing the door behind him. Staring at the ceiling, Su Qingning sighed.

Why didn't I just go through with the bet last night? Then it wouldn't be so awkward today.

Lin Xiao didn't go straight back to his room. Instead, he turned and went downstairs, stopping in front of Shen Jingzhe's door. He knocked. He was here to administer her detoxification treatment. He was supposed to do it that afternoon, but she had insisted on waiting until night.

The door soon opened to reveal a pitch-black room. Shen Jingzhe stood in the doorway, dressed in her sleepwear. She was still wearing her veil, but it no longer mattered to Lin Xiao. He had already seen her true face that afternoon, and her devastatingly beautiful features were now etched into his memory.

Shen Jingzhe gave him a cold look. "What took you so long?"

"Obviously, something held me up," Lin Xiao retorted.

With that, he strolled into her room and reached for the light switch.

"Don't," Shen Jingzhe said suddenly.

"Why not?"

"You're here for the detoxification, right?"

"Of course. Why else would I come this late?"

"Then leave the light off," she insisted, her voice cold.

Lin Xiao chuckled. "What, are you shy?"

Shen Jingzhe just snorted coldly in response.

"Fine, have it your way. Get ready so I can start the treatment."

Shen Jingzhe went to the bed without another word. After a moment of soft rustling in the darkness, she said coldly, "Okay. You can begin now."

Lin Xiao got up and walked to the bedside, ready to begin.

But the moment he was in position, he froze in utter shock.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.