{"id":2957,"date":"2026-04-19T00:42:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T00:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/public-entertainment-circle-33\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T02:00:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:00:21","slug":"public-entertainment-circle-33","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/chapter\/public-entertainment-circle-33\/","title":{"rendered":"Public [Entertainment Circle] 33"},"content":{"rendered":"

**Chapter 33 \u2013 Birthday Present**

Far away in Yuncheng, He Lingji was attending a science and technology symposium.

Dressed in a black formal suit with only a silver wisteria-shaped collar pin for decoration, he sat listening to the speaker on stage. His expression was indifferent, his gaze calm and distant. With an air of natural elegance and nobility, he became an unintentional focal point for many in the audience.

But He Lingji himself seemed completely unaware.

That is, until he glanced down at his vibrating phone. For a brief moment, an unusual emotion flickered in his usually tranquil eyes\u2014clear gray-blue irises glowing faintly under the dim lights.

It was a message from the butler:
A bill.
And a transaction notification.

Finally, he understood the meaning behind Qin Yan’s cryptic message.

The man absentmindedly fiddled with the wedding ring on his ring finger, twisting it around and around. His movements were casual and unhurried.

Then, the screen lit up with a call\u2014
It was his wife.

Qin Mang held a newly acquired gemstone in her hand, admiring its clarity and brilliance even under ordinary light.

Whether buying once or for a lifetime, Qin Mang knew the difference.
Naturally, she needed to please her financial backer.

The moment the call connected, her sweet voice came through, soft and extra coquettish today:
\u201cDarling hubby, I may have spent a *tiny* bit more today, but\u2014\u201d

\u201cThey were *all* essentials.\u201d

She couldn’t live without them.

Thinking of the bill from the butler, He Lingji chuckled faintly, \u201cSo?\u201d

Qin Mang giggled sweetly, \u201cI saw a sapphire I really liked. The collector doesn\u2019t want to sell, but can I spend just a *little* more to buy it?\u201d

A *little* more, or a *billion* more?

Wu Yuxi glanced at her, quietly judging her shameless \u201cmoney-grubbing.\u201d

\u201cMight need another hundred million,\u201d Qin Mang added.

\u201cI really wasn\u2019t planning to spend more, I swear. I know making money is hard for you, honey, but the sapphire is *just like your eyes*! I can\u2019t let someone else own your eyes. Absolutely not!\u201d

Qin Mang could stretch or bend however she needed. When it came to her beloved gems, sweet talk came naturally.

\u201cA hundred million?\u201d
\u201cAlright.\u201d
\u201cIf it\u2019s not enough, tell the butler.\u201d

He Lingji had no issue parting with money\u2014not this amount.

As for her sweet words? Ninety-nine percent nonsense.

Qin Mang didn\u2019t care whether he believed her or not. She just needed that *one line of permission*.

\u201cKisses, hubby! You\u2019re seriously the one and only, matchless, invincible, perfect husband in the whole wide world!\u201d

It was hard to believe she\u2019d cursed him as a \u201crefined scumbag\u201d just last time.

She hung up immediately after saying that\u2014
Without hesitation.

She had a planet-blue sapphire to secure\u2014
No one was taking it from her.

Recently, several new projects from the He Group R\\&D team had reached completion.

One of them: a lie detector.

Due to prior issues with the device, and with the overseas project lead Lou Tingdai having returned to China, she was sent to the symposium alongside He Lingji.

Sitting to his left and right were her and Cong Zhen.

Lou Tingdai wasn\u2019t the aggressive beauty type\u2014more like a gentle stream in a hot spring, warm and harmless.
Dressed in a tailored skirt suit, she exuded intelligence and grace\u2014clearly a trusted assistant.

When she heard He Lingji’s absurdly indulgent phone call, she remarked softly, as though casually chatting:
\u201cWhat did your wife buy that cost *a hundred million*?\u201d

\u201cThat amount could fund a new lie detector project.\u201d

He Lingji toyed with the edge of his phone, not even glancing at her as he responded lazily,
\u201cShe bought a sapphire.\u201d

His lips curled faintly.
\u201cA sapphire the color of my eyes.\u201d

Lou Tingdai didn\u2019t quite get it, but Secretary Cong understood perfectly.

Mr. He was\u2014
**Showing off.**

As for the lie detector…

He Lingji\u2019s voice turned cold:
\u201cA mere lie detector\u2014how much money has already gone into it?\u201d

\u201cIf there’s still no result, cancel the project.\u201d

Lou Tingdai hadn\u2019t expected that.

Suppressing her reaction, she quickly said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry. Now that I\u2019m back in the country, I\u2019ll personally oversee it.\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019d better.\u201d

His tone was icy and detached\u2014
Gone was the warmth and amusement he’d shown on the phone.

—

Qin Mang knew none of this.

After successfully securing the sapphire, she was down to less than 100,000 yuan.

In the presidential suite of the hotel, neon lights painted a stunning cityscape outside, calming both body and soul.

Especially\u2014

She had laid out the exquisite little boxes she\u2019d brought back.

Under the lights, the gemstones sparkled, each vying for attention.
Every one of them could be the centerpiece of a luxury brand’s collection.

Now, they were all *hers*.

If the venue hadn\u2019t been ultra-private, she would\u2019ve already made headlines.

Still, word had leaked:
Some woman from China had spent billions over two days, buying more than 50% of the best gems at the top-tier jewelry exhibition.

As for the remaining 50%, rumor had it\u2014
She just didn\u2019t like them.

Seeing Qin Mang lost in her gemstone paradise, Wu Yuxi casually scrolled through Weibo and suddenly said,
\u201cNot buying a gift for your sugar daddy?\u201d

\u201cMr. He\u2019s birthday is next week.\u201d

\u201cWho\u2019s birthday?\u201d Qin Mang finally looked up from her treasures.
\u201cHe Lingji?\u201d

Wu Yuxi recalled the dramatic phone call she\u2019d witnessed earlier and said teasingly,
\u201cIsn\u2019t he your one-and-only, matchless, invincible perfect hubby?\u201d

\u201cAnd you don\u2019t even remember his birthday?\u201d

Qin Mang hesitated for a second\u2014then answered boldly,
\u201cI\u2019ve just been really busy lately!\u201d

\u201cTotally normal to forget!\u201d

Then she asked more seriously,
\u201cWhat day next week?\u201d

Wu Yuxi: \u201c\u2026\u201d

\u201cNovember 18th. Wednesday.\u201d

Under Mr. He\u2019s latest Weibo post, his fans had all changed their profile pictures to celebrate\u2014and as his *wife*, she knew *nothing*?

Well, maybe that aloof, icy, mysterious man liked clueless little lionesses.

Feeling the guilt of spending his money, Qin Mang eyed her remaining 100,000 yuan.
What kind of birthday gift could she get him?

She thought for days without finding a good idea.

Cufflinks, shirts, ties\u2014
All too perfunctory.

Eventually, Wu Yuxi couldn\u2019t take it anymore and offered a *very* practical suggestion:
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just give *yourself* to him?\u201d

\u201c100K can buy a *lot* of sexy lingerie. Mr. He would *love* that gift.\u201d

\u201cNo no no no no\u2014!\u201d

Just moments ago Qin Mang had been lazing around admiring her gems, now she reacted with a string of \u201cno\u201ds like she was traumatized.

Wu Yuxi\u2019s eyes lit up.
Her gossip senses tingled.

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d

\u201c\u2026\u201d

\u201cNo gossip. Just trauma.\u201d

Qin Mang had finally managed to forget *that night\u2019s incident*, but Wu Yuxi, who had grown up with her, was a master at coaxing out secrets.

In the end, Qin Mang spilled the truth.

Wu Yuxi\u2019s face turned bright red:
\u201cAhhh! Should I even be hearing this?!\u201d

Qin Mang reached out to pinch her cheek.
\u201cStop pretending to be innocent, you little perv!\u201d

The two friends ended up wrestling on the bed in a giggling heap.

Eventually, Wu Yuxi grinned and said, \u201cYou got hurt that night, right? What if\u2014hear me out\u2014what if Mr. He is, like, *naturally gifted*?\u201d

Qin Mang raised an eyebrow.
She sensed no good could come of this.

Sure enough, Wu Yuxi whispered sneakily in her ear:
\u201cMaybe he\u2019s been holding back all this time.\u201d

\u201cA man like that? Scary.\u201d

Qin Mang clicked her tongue.
True\u2014
**Terrifying.**

His self-control was insane.

Despite having a gorgeous, delicate, fair-skinned wife in his arms, He Lingji *always* stopped before going too far, ending things quickly only after making sure *she* was comfortable.

Sometimes, he didn\u2019t even finish\u2014just quietly headed to the bathroom to deal with it himself.

Qin Mang finally understood\u2014

Why He Lingji had chosen to use her little lace back then…

“Your situation, hmm…”

“You’ll need to…”

Wu Yuxi, who had no practical experience but loads of theoretical knowledge, leaned in close and whispered a barrage of information into Qin Mang’s ear.

He Lingji had been on a business trip for a full week.

He arrived at the airport a little after 9 p.m.

Shencheng was already deep into the night. The wind was biting cold, and a thin layer of frost had even begun to form in some places.

Luo Tingdai looked out at the dark night through the airport window and hesitated. \u201cPresident He, would it be too much trouble to ask the driver to drop me off?\u201d

Compared to his elegant and refined demeanor at the seminar, He Lingji\u2014just off the plane\u2014now wore a colder, more impatient expression.

Secretary Cong, who was skilled at reading the room, immediately stepped forward. \u201cDirector Luo, the driver needs to take President He. He doesn’t have time. I\u2019ll take you instead.\u201d

Luo Tingdai smiled and nodded. \u201cThen I\u2019ll trouble you, Secretary Cong.\u201d

She pursed her lips and didn\u2019t say more. Throughout, she had maintained a proper distance from He Lingji\u2014never once crossing the line.

\u2026

Penthouse in the city center.

Qin Mang wasn\u2019t asleep yet.

Over the break, her schedule had flipped\u2014sleeping by day, gaming all night with Gu Qiyang and Wu Yuxi.

The moment He Lingji walked in\u2014

He saw Mrs. He sitting energetically on the living room carpet.

Both hands clutching her phone.

Completely focused.

\u201cLittle lion, quick, lick\u2014the loot bag!\u201d

A young man\u2019s voice came from the phone.

In the dim light.

The girl parted her red lips slightly. \u201cLicked it.\u201d

\u201cLicked what?\u201d

A low, cold voice suddenly sounded by her ear.

*Plop\u2014*

Her phone slipped from her fingers and fell onto the carpet.

Qin Mang spun around and grabbed onto He Lingji\u2019s sleeve to pull herself up:

\u201cAhhh!\u201d

\u201cYou scared me to death!\u201d

Not only her\u2014her gaming buddies also heard He Lingji\u2019s cold, emotionless voice.

Knowing his usual temperament, they were afraid of getting caught in the crossfire and quickly logged off without a trace of camaraderie.

As for winning the game?

Who cares.

Continuing would be suicide!

He Lingji wore a well-tailored black coat that highlighted his outstanding physique\u2014tall, long-legged, with a sexy waistline.

Still carrying the chill of the winter air.

He scooped up the girl in her soft, fragrant nightdress.

Qin Mang, with her warm-body constitution, loved the icy sensation.

Her panicked heart slowly settled down.

He Lingji looked down, his gaze falling on the enticing little red mole on her nose. His voice was as calm and steady as ever.

His cool-white fingertips brushed over her moist lips, his voice trailing off at the end, \u201cHm?\u201d

\u201cWhat?\u201d

The proper gaming term\u2014

Sounded strangely improper from his mouth.

Qin Mang clutched his sleeve.

She inhaled lightly, just about to respond\u2014

When her face suddenly stiffened.

Inhaling his scent, she picked up on a faint trace of women\u2019s perfume mingled with his usual icy, elegant fragrance.

She had showered.

It definitely wasn\u2019t her scent.

Besides collecting gemstones, Qin Mang was quite the perfume connoisseur.

She was absolutely certain\u2014that scent came from another woman.

Her playful mood instantly vanished.

She shoved He Lingji away.

\u201cYou reek of some woman.\u201d

\u201cGross!\u201d

He Lingji, tugging at his tie, was caught off guard by her sudden outburst. He barely managed to grab her wrist in time. \u201cTrying to flip the blame again?\u201d

What woman? He hadn\u2019t touched anyone else.

\u201cOh?\u201d

\u201cThen where did the perfume come from?\u201d

Qin Mang had always been hot-tempered and never bottled things up. She wore her emotions on her face. Only recently, mingling in the entertainment industry, had she started learning a bit about restraint.

But if her bottom line was crossed, it didn\u2019t matter who you were\u2014she\u2019d confront you head-on.

\u201cHe Lingji, don\u2019t think\u2014\u201d

Just because he spent a little money on her, he had the right to test her limits however he pleased.

Cheating was absolutely not okay!

Seeing her icy little face, He Lingji suddenly chuckled. He grabbed her lips and kissed her.

\u201cHe\u2014\u201d

\u201cStop it.\u201d

\u201cI can barely afford you.\u201d

\u201cAnd that perfume\u2026 smells awful.\u201d

He Lingji picked her up bridal-style. It was his first time here, but he went straight to the master bedroom and entered the bathroom. \u201cThen wash it off for me.\u201d

\u201cYou wish.\u201d

Go flirt outside and come back expecting the main wife to clean him up?

Is that something a human being would say?

\u201cThere were no flings. Everything is reserved for you.\u201d

Qin Mang: \u201c\u2026\u201d

That\u2019s *not* what she meant!

Soon, Qin Mang forgot all about the perfume.

Temporarily, at least.

Thanks to her messed-up sleep schedule, she still couldn\u2019t fall asleep. Her phone was left in the living room, and she didn\u2019t feel like getting it.

Her bright eyes were wide open in the dark, totally alert.

That unfamiliar perfume scent kept swirling in her mind.

It wasn\u2019t that she didn\u2019t trust He Lingji\u2014

But\u2014

Anything that belonged to her should *only* have her scent.

She had been hesitating about giving He Lingji his birthday present.

But now\u2014

All hesitation vanished!

Qin Mang quietly opened the bedside drawer.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a dim light on her hand holding the gift.

A finely crafted stainless steel cage\u2014an artistic piece in form, but with unmistakably suggestive implications.

Seeing that He Lingji was asleep\u2014

Qin Mang\u2019s lips curved up slowly. She sat upright and studied the mechanism, determined to get it right the first time. If he woke up, things would get complicated!

This was a custom-made birthday gift just for He Lingji\u2014

A **chastity lock**.

A proper man *must* wear one of these.

Once she got familiar with how it worked\u2014

Qin Mang carefully pried it open.

Then locked it on perfectly.

He Lingji felt a chill.

His brows furrowed as he slowly opened his deep, dark eyes. \u201cMrs. He\u2026\u201d

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d

The faint clicking of the lock echoed, followed by Qin Mang\u2019s soft, sweet voice, \u201cGiving you your birthday gift\\~\u201d

\u201cTa-da, hubby.\u201d

\u201cHappy birthday!\u201d

\u201cSurprised? Unexpected?\u201d

He Lingji looked down\u2014and even in the dark, he clearly saw the metal cage nestled in her robe, glinting silver.

His light-colored lips slowly curved into a dangerous smile.

\u201cWell then\u2014\u201d

\u201cThis is definitely the biggest surprise I\u2019ve ever received in my life.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-2957","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2957"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2992,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2957\/revisions\/2992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=2957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}