Chapter 63 - A Slap in the Library (2/2)

After they were done eating, Tang Qiu went off to the library. When she was out of hearing range, Qian Hongwei took out his phone and called Ning Mufan.

“She’s in the library. Take the chance to clear up your mess. I heard she got into a fight with Niu Caijie. I’m no detective, but I’m placing bets it’s because you slept with her.”

“Nothing happened between me and Niu Caijie!” came Ning Mufan’s aggrieved reply. “I was drunk out of my mind, what was I supposed to do?”

Qian Hongwei’s eyes turned hard. He had set Tang Qiu up with Ning Mufan so Jiang Shaocheng would divorce her; he hadn’t expected Ning Mufan to be stupid enough to be snared by Niu Caijie. His face smoothed over into a smile. “Hey, it’s not me you need to convince. Qiu has a soft heart, just talk to her nicely, and she’ll listen…”

When they hung up, Qian Hongwei took a moment to ponder what Tang Qiu saw in Jiang Shaocheng that Ning Mufan lacked. But he was certain he could force her to divorce her husband somehow–and snatch her from Ning Mufan. It had been no easy feat to push the woman he liked into another man’s arms, but it had been a necessary evil. And a temporary one, since one way or another, Tang Qiu would be his.

***

Tang Qiu was shocked by Ning Mufan’s unexpected appearance, and his words. Is he insane? What was he doing, hugging her in public like this?

It didn’t matter. Her hand lashed out and slapped him across the face.

Ning Mufan let out a cry of surprise. He reeled back, flabbergasted. He was the young master of the Ning family; people had fawned over him since he was a child, never daring to raise a hand to him. Even if he liked Tang Qiu, he couldn’t let this slide–it was a direct insult, a blow to his pride.

Tang Qiu shoved him away. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but listen up: I don’t like you. I never have, and I never will. If this is about Niu Caijie, we fought because she provoked me and Qingqing first, and even hit Qingqing. If you don’t believe me, you can check the security cameras. And for the last time, I’m married. Please, respect that!”

She turned and left him standing there.

A woman in the corner was recording the scene. Her mouth had been hanging open since Tang Qiu slapped Ning Mufan; now it twisted into a smirk. You’ll pay, Tang Qiu, she thought, for daring to hit the man I like.