Chapter 23: To Alice, Qin Ningbing Smiled!
[Location: Magic City Detention Center – Corridor]
The fluorescent lights of the detention center corridor buzzed with a low, irritating hum. Several female staff members, clipboards in hand, patrolled the walkway, their voices carrying over the clang of distant metal doors.
"Did you see the news?" one whispered excitedly, her eyes wide. "I'm so envious of Qin Ningbing; she was favored by Young Master Shen and instantly transformed into a multi-billionaire female CEO! It's like a Cinderella story, but with billions involved."
"Yes, which girl wouldn't be envious? If the rumors are true, Young Master Shen is so good! He has a prominent family background, unparalleled handsomeness, and he's domineeringly protective of his wife—he's simply my dream man!" another replied, fanning herself with a stack of papers.
"It's a pity Magic City Renxin Hall Pharmaceutical Company isn't listed," a third sighed. "Otherwise, buying its stocks would make us rich overnight. The value must have tripled."
"Hehe, Qianqian, you still only love money! Focus on the romance!"
"Of course, I'm not good-looking, so Young Master Shen wouldn't fancy me anyway. I might as well get rich!"
"…"
Their chatter drifted into Cell Block 4, reaching the ears of a man huddled in the corner. Upon hearing these words, Xia Liu, who had been cowering in the shadow of his terrifying cellmate, suddenly became agitated.
He scrambled up from the floor and grabbed the iron bars, his knuckles white. He pressed his face against the cold metal, shouting:
"What did you say?!"
"Qin Ningbing, the female CEO of Magic City Renxin Hall Pharmaceutical Company... she is with some Young Master Shen?"
Hearing the desperate shout, a female staff member stopped and looked at the disheveled, perverted-looking Xia Liu with disgust.
"Yes, what about it? Everyone knows," she sneered. "Behave yourself; practicing medicine without a license and sexual harassment mean you'll be staying a while longer! Don't worry about the outside world."
Xia Liu was struck as if by lightning upon hearing this confirmation. His face turned pale, drained of all blood. He staggered back, stammering:
"No... that can't be... Qin Ningbing is my fiancée! No, no... this is a mistake!"
"I want out! I want out!!"
Boom!
Desperation unlocked his potential. Xia Liu's [Innate] inner energy, at the initial stage of the Innate Realm, erupted with a roar. He channeled his Qi into his arms, trying to forcefully pry open the reinforced iron bars and escape his nightmare. The metal groaned under the strain.
However, at this moment, a huge shadow enveloped him from behind, blotting out the light from the corridor.
A massive hand clamped down on his shoulder like a vice.
The muscular man, Wu Gui, grabbed Xia Liu directly, lifting him slightly off the ground. He leaned close, his hot breath hitting Xia Liu's neck, and grinned sinisterly:
"Little brother, you need to obey the law. What, you're trying to escape from prison? Leaving me so soon?"
Xia Liu struggled, but his strength was nothing compared to Wu Gui's [Innate Late Stage] power. He couldn't break free. His face turned green with fear and despair.
That was the stunning CEO fiancée he had yearned for so many years. The woman his grandfather promised would change his life. Could it be that he had already been cuckolded before even meeting her?
Xia Liu cried. Tears streamed down his dirty face.
He regretted it. He regretted everything.
If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have practiced medicine without a license to show off. He shouldn't have harassed that woman in the hip-skirt on the street. He shouldn't have flirted with that long-legged beauty, Su Hongmian.
Otherwise, he would have walked straight to the Renxin Hall HQ, met his beautiful CEO fiancée Qin Ningbing long ago, and claimed his destiny. He wouldn't have ended up in this hellhole, helplessly watching his future be stolen by a man named "Young Master Shen."
But now, it was too late!
Shen Anyu, with his strong and powerful presence, gave Xia Liu a harsh lesson in legal education!
Perhaps, more than one lesson!
[Ding! Child of Destiny Xia Liu's mentality has collapsed! Plundering +9999 Destiny Points!]
[Ding! Child of Destiny Xia Liu's mentality has completely shattered! Plundering +66,666 Destiny Points!]
[Ding! Child of Destiny Xia Liu's main emotional scene has undergone a huge fluctuation! Plundering +100,000 Destiny Points!]
[Location: Qin Ningbing's Private Residence]
"Goodness, Xia Liu is truly my treasure boy; the rewards he gives are too generous…"
Shen Anyu almost couldn't hold back his laughter as the notifications chimed in his mind. It was like hitting a jackpot on a slot machine.
They hadn't even officially met yet, and Xia Liu had already given him so many Destiny Points—enough to buy several high-tier skills. This made Shen Anyu incredibly happy.
He was even reluctant to let Xia Liu out of the detention center. Such a productive "cow" should be milked slowly.
After all, when Xia Liu's anger exploded and he inevitably came to cause trouble for Shen Anyu... would Shen Anyu kill him? Or just break him further?
"Hmm, depending on my mood, we'll see then. Let's keep him locked up for a while first. Wu Gui needs a friend."
"Now is not the time for wild thoughts."
Shen Anyu cleared his mind and looked at the beautiful CEO standing in front of him with genuine appreciation.
At this moment, Qin Ningbing had already brought Shen Anyu to her private home. It was a penthouse apartment overlooking the city skyline.
The decor was simple and elegant, dominated by white and cream tones. It was tasteful, but without much luxury or personal touch, appearing somewhat cold—much like its owner.
However, in the center of the living room stood a masterpiece.
A custom-made Chappell Crystal Piano. It looked quite magnificent and exquisite, gleaming under the soft lighting.
Seeing Shen Anyu looking at the Chappell crystal piano, a hint of nostalgia and profound sadness flickered in Qin Ningbing's beautiful eyes. She walked over and touched the lid gently.
"My mother was a musician," she said softly. "I studied piano for a long time when I was little. This Chappell crystal piano was a token of love my father custom-ordered for her, costing over three million US dollars. It was their bond."
"My mother loved it very much. She even said she would leave it to me... and my future son-in-law."
"Unfortunately, later, my mother passed away from illness. I haven't touched the piano since that day."
"I was afraid my father would be sad hearing the piano music. It reminded him too much of her."
"But then, a few years ago, my father also passed away unexpectedly in a car accident. I had just graduated from university and had no choice but to shoulder the company. I was constantly engaging in schemes, fighting off vultures like Wang Hai, and being incredibly busy."
She sighed, withdrawing her hand.
"Never mind, let's not talk about these things! It's depressing."
Qin Ningbing shook her head, losing interest and not wanting to bring up the painful past again. She turned to lead him to the dining room.
No matter how strong, calm, and intelligent a businesswoman she was, had she never yearned for love in her heart? Had she never wanted a normal life?
Unfortunately, it seemed she was fated to be without it in this life. She was destined to be alone at the top.
However, Shen Anyu did not react as Qin Ningbing expected. He didn't offer empty platitudes or move to the dining table.
Instead, he slowly walked towards the Chappell crystal piano.
Under Qin Ningbing's puzzled gaze, Shen Anyu sat down on the bench. He adjusted his posture, his back straight, his hands hovering over the keys. He opened the key cover of the Chappell crystal piano with a gentle reverence.
The next moment.
Ping.
His fingers danced.
Pleasant melodies, slow tunes, and lingering notes leaped out from the intertwined black and white keys of the piano. The sound was crystal clear, resonating in the large, empty room.
It was "Für Elise."
It was like the spirit of love appearing in the human world, bringing endless tender affection. The melody was simple, yet profoundly moving.
It was also like lovers whispering softly, exchanging a smile across a crowded room.
Qin Ningbing froze. She involuntarily lowered her head and closed her beautiful eyes, savoring the joyful, beautiful, and loving piano melody. She felt the purity and beauty of love that the song conveyed.
A tired heart, unknowingly, was cleansed and purified. The ice encasing her soul began to crack.
It had been a very, very long time since she had felt so relaxed. Since before her mother died. Since before she became "CEO Qin."
The sorrow of her parents leaving her one after another...
Having to shoulder the family business right after graduating from university, forced to scheme against people like Wang Hai, and engage in deception in the business world...
How much helplessness? How much anxiety? How many times had she secretly cried under the covers in the middle of the night, wishing for someone to rely on?
In the eyes of countless people, she was an envied and jealous beauty CEO, a woman who had it all. But in reality, her heart was extremely weary. She was just a lonely girl.
In this beautiful and moving, familiar piano melody, she seemed to be intoxicated. She leaned against the wall, letting the music wash over her.
It wasn't until the piano music ended with a soft, lingering chord that Qin Ningbing slowly opened her beautiful eyes. They seemed to sparkle with unshed tears.
She looked at the man before her, sitting at the piano like a prince.
"Is it Beethoven's Für Elise?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Shen Anyu smiled slightly, turning to face her.
"Yes, it's that world-renowned classic piano piece!"
Qin Ningbing tilted her head, a hint of an inexplicable smile appearing on her exquisitely cold face as she looked at Shen Anyu.
"You investigated? This is my mother's favorite piano piece! And it's also the song that marked my parents' love!"
Shen Anyu smiled and said without concealment, his eyes locking onto hers:
"Yes, I investigated! I wanted to know everything about you."
Qin Ningbing kicked off her high heels. She stepped onto the floor with her bare feet and walked over to the piano.
Her beautiful eyes looked at Shen Anyu, who was close at hand. She parted her red lips, her breath smelling like orchids.
"How long did you practice?" she whispered. "To play it with such emotion... it takes years."
Shen Anyu held up one finger.
"A month?"
"No," Shen Anyu said with a smile. "I spent one minute looking at the sheet music!"
With his [Top-tier Musical Skills], reaching the Peak of Mortal ability, he had already reached mastery by simply glancing at the sheet music for a minute. He could play anything.
Qin Ningbing suddenly smiled. It was a genuine, radiant smile that lit up the room.
The man before her indeed possessed a charm that made her heart stir. He was full of surprises.
His handsome face, unimaginable talent, incredible medical skills, and martial arts… Everything about him was so outstanding. He was the complete package.
If so... why not?
Why fight destiny when it looked like him?
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