Stop Messing Around, Mr Bo! Chapter 2127 - Wen Yuan (21)

It looked like Shang Qingmo had guessed her thoughts. Before she could say a word, he pulled her straight up the stairs.

How could Shang Qiqi abandon Han Jichi and just walk away? She struggled hard to resist, her body arching back against Shang Qingmo’s hold. His face stayed unchanged as he dragged her onward relentlessly.

“Let go of me!” Furious, she snarled at Shang Qingmo.

Shang Qingmo stayed silent, his expression stern as he guided her upstairs.

Shang Qiqi seized the nearby railing, making Shang Qingmo halt in his tracks.

Breathing heavily from the exertion, she still demanded, “Why did you do that?”

Shang Qingmo met her gaze with darkened eyes. “Shang Qiqi, make this clear. He provoked me first.”

“I know it perfectly!” Shang Qiqi replied at once. “I’m his female companion tonight. You… you clearly didn’t leave him any face!”

“Why should I give him face?”

“Have you considered the fallout from what you did tonight?!” Shang Qiqi’s knuckles whitened on the railing, her voice shaking.

“Look at those stares from the people downstairs. Do you know what they’re thinking right now? Aren’t you scared of the rumors flying?”

At her words, Shang Qingmo tilted his head a bit and looked down.

The grand banquet hall blazed with lights, guests attired in sharp suits.

Everyone down there was watching them with shock, suspicion, or curiosity.

His eyes narrowed, and a sudden low chuckle rumbled from him.

He turned back to her. The grin on his face sent shivers racing down Shang Qiqi’s back.

The arm at her waist tightened further, pulling her in closer.

Shang Qiqi’s eyes widened as her body instinctively pressed toward the railing.

At this closeness between them, no excuse would work even from a hundred meters away.

“What… are you doing?”

“I’m suddenly wondering…” Shang Qingmo fixed on her panicked face, his voice low, “Why not fulfill their hopes and deliver the drama they’re eager for?”

Shang Qiqi stared at him in shock. “Are you crazy?”

Whispers had already started downstairs, probing their relationship.

Instinctively, she glanced toward Han Jichi.

If Shang Qingmo actually went ahead, where would that leave Han Jichi’s dignity?

Her move ignited Shang Qingmo’s anger.

Her first instinct was concern for Han Jichi.

Abruptly, he gripped her chin, yanking her head up.

Gasps echoed softly from below.

Shang Qiqi’s heart clenched tight. She shoved Shang Qingmo away in panic and bolted upstairs.

Right then, she had no idea what to do—only that escaping Shang Qingmo mattered most.

She couldn’t figure out why he’d suddenly pull something like this.

Four years back, she might’ve had fewer qualms, even embracing it with joy.

But now everything differed.

He had a fiancée, and she had a boyfriend.

Crucially, she felt nothing for him anymore.

She wouldn’t throw away the gains from her four years apart.

“Sister Yaoyao!”

She couldn’t quell the crowd’s buzz anymore. Brushing off Shang Qingmo’s response, she hurried upstairs.

Chi Yaoyao, disappointed at missing the drama, still pulled Shang Qiqi into a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you so much all these years! You’re really amazing. There’s no news of you at all!”

Shang Qiqi apologized swiftly, “I’m sorry…”

Chi Yaoyao huffed. “You can’t just apologize. You don’t know that after you left, we were tortured by your uncle…”

“Huh?”

Chi Yaoyao smacked her forehead. “Isn’t it because I’m looking for you?”

Shang Qiqi looked stunned.

“Grandpa Shang has already informed us in advance, but he’s really petty…”

Shang Qingmo approached then, face frosty. “Don’t you know how to avoid me when you badmouth others?”

Chi Yaoyao gripped Shang Qiqi’s arm. “Since you know that I’m talking bad about you, why don’t you take the initiative to avoid me?”

Shang Qiqi admired Chi Yaoyao. After all these years, she remained unchanged.

Shang Qingmo shot her a cold glance. Chi Yaoyao ignored him entirely, dragging Qiqi to the open VIP lounge.

“Come, tell us about your life for the past few years…”

Ye Qingqiu straightened up, scanning the banquet hall still abuzz with talk. Her lips curved faintly, eyes brushing Shang Qingmo before settling on Shang Qiqi.

“Your male companion… looks quite pitiful.”

Shang Qiqi paused, checking those nearby before asking uncertainly, “Can I call him up?”

“Of course you can!”

“Of course…”

“Sure…”

“I can’t.”

Amidst the approvals, a icy voice rang out.

It was clearly him.

Shang Qiqi brushed off the voice and left the VIP area.

Shang Qingmo’s face turned stormy, fury blazing in his eyes.

Everyone watched his face with keen curiosity.

Next, she witnessed the quiet man rising suddenly to his feet.

*

Shang Qiqi gathered her skirt and descended the stairs. “Ji Chi!”

Right before she could step further down, Shang Qiqi called out gently to Han Jichi.

She figured the shoot for tonight was wrapping up. To her surprise, the leading lady who'd just hurried upstairs came rushing back down.

Han Jichi was encircled by folks in conversation when the voice reached him.

“How come you’re down here already?”

Shang Qiqi grinned and approached him. “Come on with me. Everyone’s waiting for me to introduce you!”

Yet, Han Jichi’s expression abruptly turned stormy. Puzzled, Shang Qiqi saw him extend his hand toward her. She moved closer, only for her wrist to be seized firmly.

Stunned, she whipped her head around to face an enraged Shang Qingmo.

Her heart jolted.

“Qiqi…” Han Jichi murmured softly. But Shang Qingmo had already encircled Shang Qiqi’s waist and yanked her away with force.

He radiated a deadly menace.

The banquet hall erupted into disorder.

One incident after another unfolded just like this. Even unwilling, suspicions arose inevitably.

It was no secret that Shang Qingmo had sought out his niece.

Years back, whispers had swirled about this uncle and niece pair.

Though Shang Qingmo’s abrupt engagement seemed odd and quieted some tongues, her exit stirred fresh doubts.

Still, as time wore on, the gossip about the uncle and niece faded away.

Tonight made it clear the issue lingered, simmering once more.

Ping Cheng City, freshly settled, now buzzed with a fresh tale.

*

Shang Qingmo dragged Shang Qiqi from the banquet hall. Inside the elevator, shock and fury still gripped her.

She fought desperately to break free.

Exhausted as she was, escape from Shang Qingmo’s hold proved impossible.

Remembering the spectacle before all those eyes, Shang Qiqi felt a wave of helplessness, her eyes growing misty.

“What are you trying to do?!” she snarled. Her scalp prickled with tension. A dreadful suspicion formed in her mind, too horrifying to entertain.

Setting that aside, a heavy weight clogged her chest like sodden cotton.

“Why… won’t you let me be with Han Jichi?”

Knowing he was set to gain key connections tonight, Shang Qiqi’s heart twisted painfully. The humiliation he endured was all on her account.

Shang Qiqi missed the bulging veins on Shang Qingmo’s forehead at the mention of Han Jichi. Tears brimmed as she whispered brokenly, “What did he do to offend you? Why humiliate him like that…”

Bang! Shang Qiqi slammed against the elevator wall.

She yelped in pain as the man’s imposing frame crushed down on her.

Fury widened her eyes while he claimed her lips aggressively.

Shang Qiqi froze, breath caught, eyes bulging.

Dim lighting hid his face, yet his rage blazed through the savage kiss.

Her teeth parted under assault, his tongue invading dominantly…

His body pinned hers rigidly, powerful arms locking her waist, thwarting any escape.

Shang Qingmo’s kiss raged like a storm. He nipped her lips repeatedly, ravaging them.

Fury consumed him, yet memories flooded of her impulsive airport kiss four years prior.

That fleeting contact had haunted his sleepless nights ever since.

She’d vanished without a care, taking it all…

Selfish creature.

Only when the elevator halted did Shang Qingmo release her.

Without pause, he hauled her out and shoved her into his car.

Shang Qiqi snapped back as the car sped from the underground lot.

Habitually, she clicked her seatbelt secure. The recent chaos replayed, forcing her eyes shut tight.

Panic surged, no anchor in sight.

Finally, she drew a shaky breath, clutching the belt hard. Her voice aimed for steady, but trembled nonetheless.

“Uncle, what’s this all about?”

“What do you figure?”

“No idea!” Shang Qiqi raged at his wild actions. “Why? With your fiancée waiting, how should I face Han Jichi…”

“Shut it!” Han Jichi’s name exploded like a triggerless bomb. “Don’t utter his name again!”

Shang Qingmo’s retort ground out as if chewed a thousand times. “You won’t face him anymore! Abandon that notion!”

Silence smothered the car.

Moments later, the vehicle braked sharply.

Shang Qiqi glanced at the familiar villa silhouette outside. Rage boiled within.

She refused to move.

Ultimately, Shang Qingmo scooped her from the car and strode inside.

“Put me down! I won’t go in!”

She fought back fiercely, despite having been trapped in his iron grip countless times already this night.

Yet apart from writhing and pushing against him, she simply couldn't stay unaffected.

The man bore her firmly into the villa. Amid the servants' stunned stares, he ascended the stairs with her to her old bedroom.

The space inside was spotless, unchanged from the day she departed.

She figured the walk would cool his rage, but as he set her down on the bed and leaned in for yet another kiss, her terror surged to new heights.

Even more alarming than the elevator was their current spot, plus his hand already delving beneath her blouse. His hot palm flattened against her waist's bare skin, clenching harder.

“Uncle…” Fear choked her voice.

“Okay.” Shang Qingmo answered her, though his fingertips and tongue pressed on relentlessly, igniting sparks.

Shang Qiqi clutched his hand in panic, yet he pinned it firmly at her side.

At last, he paused his advances and dropped his gaze to lock onto hers. The raw intensity swirling in his eyes chilled her to the bone.

“Don’t you like me? Isn’t it good for us to be together?”

“No…” Shang Qiqi shook her head. “No! Let go of me!”

Shang Qingmo brushed off her pleas and slipped his hand behind her back to tug the zipper of her dress.

“There’s nothing bad about it. There’s nothing important about us being together all the time.”

He still refused to dwell on the agony of her fleeing from him.

Panic, helplessness, frustration, and regret gnawed at him relentlessly.

He had never imagined she would abandon him.

He'd always assumed she would stay loyally by his side.

Their uncle-niece bond was their one and only tie.

That made him explode in fury when she tried to shatter it with her actions.

She aimed to snap their sole connection.

But he wouldn't let her off that lightly.

She had no choice but to remain at his side.

She clung to that uncle-niece link, but he rejected it outright.

It couldn't bind them eternally. She planned to bolt, wed Han Jichi, bear another man's children, and build a life with him.

How could he allow that?

“Uncle… Uncle, we can’t…”

Shang Qiqi stood no chance against this dominant man.

Tears poured down her cheeks.

“Why?” Shang Qingmo kissed away the tears at her eyes' corners, murmuring softly, “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?”

“I don’t want it now.”

Shang Qingmo was set on treating her tenderly. Though veins bulged on his forehead from suppressed rage, he spoke gently, “That won’t do. I want it.”

“Little Uncle, we can’t… Can you let me off?”

Shang Qingmo trailed kisses along her cheek, chin, and neck. “No.”

Shang Qiqi shut her eyes in utter despair. “Have you ever thought about what I’m doing? Don’t forget that you have a fiancée now. What are you doing to me?”

This remark hit home.

Sure enough, Shang Qingmo halted.

Shang Qiqi peeled her eyes open bit by bit and scrambled backward across the bed, her dress in disarray. Tears kept falling.

Shang Qingmo pushed himself up on the bed, one leg bent. His profound gaze drifted toward the window.

Shang Qiqi watched him anxiously, praying Shang Qingmo would reclaim his senses.

He'd been far too reckless moments ago. If only he would cool off…

“I can…” After a heavy silence, Shang Qiqi whispered, “I can pretend that nothing happened tonight…”

The silent Shang Qingmo whipped his head toward her abruptly. His dark eyes gleamed with icy menace.

After what felt like ages, he rose slowly from the bed, appearing fully composed now.

Yet his next words failed to ease Shang Qiqi's tension.

“I’ll handle this matter.”

Then he departed.

As the door clicked shut, Shang Qiqi sat there stunned.

So what exactly did he intend?

How would he deal with it?

She pondered endlessly, concluding it was hopeless.

Soon, a knock echoed, followed by the servant's voice.

“Miss.”

Noticing her disheveled state, Shang Qiqi rushed to the closet, grabbed an old nightgown left behind years ago, slipped it on, then answered the door.

The servant kept her eyes down at first. Only after glimpsing from the side that she'd changed did she lift her head and offer the tray.

“This is the supper Master instructed me to prepare for you.”

Shang Qiqi had skipped dinner that evening.

A steaming bowl of beef noodles sat on the tray, topped with two eggs and heaps of side dishes.

This was her absolute favorite.

The noodle stalls near school always loaded up on ingredients—little meat, but tons of varied veggies that she always craved.

One time, caught sneaking a taste, she threw a fit demanding it. He cooked it for her himself.

Years ago, while she directed him on the items to include at the noodle shop, he showed clear impatience but still added every single one for her sake.

Her eyes misted over, as memories appeared etched deep into her very genes. No matter how many years slipped by, they would resurface in her thoughts without warning.

“Thank you.”

The servant smiled as Shang Qiqi took the tray. “Mr. Shang prepared it personally.”

Shang Qiqi felt no astonishment.

Only he understood her tastes perfectly.

Once dinner ended, Shang Qiqi aimed to carry the tray downstairs. Yet, the instant she pulled open the door, a servant stood vigil right there.

“I’ll take care of it.” The servant swiftly grabbed the tray. “Miss, the Master hopes you’ll complete your meal and retire early.”

Shang Qiqi hesitated. “…Could I borrow your phone? I need to switch it on.”

The servant bowed her head at once. “Sorry, Miss. I don’t have one.”

Shang Qiqi’s brows knitted together. “Then please get my uncle’s for me.”

“Mr. Shang… is out.”

Suspicion stirred in Shang Qiqi. She spun back inside, slipped into casual attire, and when she yanked the door open again, a guard lingered outside.

It had shifted from one servant to two bodyguards clad in black.

Upon spotting her, he thrust out a hand to halt her.

Shang Qiqi’s face turned stormy. “I want to go home.”

The bodyguard replied flatly, “The Master declared this is your home.”

At this point, even if Shang Qiqi were utterly oblivious, she grasped the situation.

Shang Qingmo had imprisoned her.

“Where’s my uncle?”

“The Master is tied up. He wants you to rest early.”

With the bodyguard’s rigid demeanor, Shang Qiqi realized arguing was pointless.

Moreover, the night’s ordeals had already drained her.

She retreated to her room, bereft of a phone or any devices for contact or browsing. Unease gripped her as she sprawled on the bed, unable to predict the moves of the normally poised and reliable Shang Qingmo.

It wasn’t until the next day that the clamor from outside reached her ears.