**Chapter 35: Kneel If You Must**

Qin Mang finally finished filming this suspense movie.

Just a week had passed, yet it felt like she’d lived through several lifetimes.

The girl’s beautiful features looked even more haggard than the sickly beauty she portrayed in *Vanity*, evoking a sense of heartbreak.

Coincidentally, there was a charity auction dinner being held in Beicheng as well.

So Qin Mang and her team didn’t rush back to Shencheng.

**Inside the styling studio.**

Qin Mang had changed into a long backless gown.

The design was themed around the quiet elegance of an orchid in a secluded valley, made with traditional embroidery techniques. Each swaying leaf and branch was hand-stitched with painstaking detail. It had taken nearly eight months to complete this haute couture strapless dress imbued with oriental charm.

Though the color was refined and ethereal, the heavy embellishments of sequins and silver thread made it dazzling and eye-catching.

Her delicate back looked like a work of art.

Beautiful indeed—

But Atong couldn’t help feeling distressed.

Mangmang had lost another two pounds!

The weight she’d finally regained during the holiday was gone again.

Especially since—

Atong thought back to when she’d called Secretary Tao, and yet Mr. He hadn’t shown up once.

Let alone visited the set.

The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt on Qin Mang’s behalf.

She knew better than anyone how Qin Mang had been suffering from insomnia night after night, only improving slightly after leaving the set.

But Qin Mang acted like nothing had happened, lazily lifting her lashes. “What are you spacing out for?”

“Bring me the jewelry.”

“I want the yellow diamond tassel set, not the blue one.”

She didn’t want to see anything blue lately.

While luxury brands often loaned her top-tier jewelry, Qin Mang preferred to wear pieces from her own collection.

“Coming, coming.”

Atong hesitated, wanting to say that Mr. He was probably just busy at year-end. But when she saw Qin Mang’s calm, indifferent side profile, she swallowed her words.

Forget it.

Mangmang doesn’t care!

Focus on the career—tonight, she must outshine everyone.

Protect the dignity of being the top-tier beauty in the entertainment world!

Though Qin Mang had lost weight, her foundation was too good. With the makeup artist’s skilled touch, her already exquisite features were accentuated to a radiant allure. Wearing heels over ten centimeters high, she resembled a stunning beauty from ancient mythology, her overwhelming beauty instantly dominating the scene.

**Year-end season.**

Awards shows and grand galas popped up one after another.

It was also the battlefield where celebrities competed in beauty.

Qin Mang’s labor-intensive dress shimmered under the lights.

It practically blinded everyone present.

“Qin Mang is so beautiful in person.”

“I heard about this dress—it’s a hidden design by top designer VV. Many actresses tried to borrow it for red carpets but were rejected. The reason? Their body proportions didn’t meet VV’s perfect golden ratio.”

“Seriously?”

“So Qin Mang has what VV considers the perfect figure!”

“Honestly, that face is breathtaking.”

Qin Mang’s face was universally admired. As for her body—

Opinions varied.

Just then, He Lingji, who arrived fashionably late, was immediately surrounded by people trying to flatter him.

Yet his gaze effortlessly found another focal point in the banquet hall.

Across the crowd.

Qin Mang glanced over briefly, lips curving into a cold smirk, not even bothering to look directly at him.

But He Lingji’s eyes lingered on the lines of her shoulder and neck. Her skin was still flawless and glowing, but clearly thinner and more fragile than before she started filming.

The man’s refined brow furrowed slightly.

Seemingly absentmindedly, he began walking through the crowd.

Lou Tingdai, holding his coat, followed quietly at a respectful distance.

Not too close, not too far.

And she didn’t let the passing waiters take the coat either.

Qin Mang, in her heels, casually chatted with Qi Rong.

That’s when she found out—

The wild, skilled, and dominant man Qi Rong had randomly hooked up with turned out to be Wu Yuan.

And they hadn’t stopped seeing each other since.

They met up frequently.

Qi Rong clutched Qin Mang’s arm, looking a little troubled. “What do I do? I think I’m getting spoiled by him. I can’t even look at other men anymore.”

That was terrifying for a playgirl like her.

How could she give up the whole ocean for one fish?

But Wu Yuan’s skills were just too good.

She still hadn’t gotten tired of him.

Other men felt boring in comparison.

Qin Mang didn’t quite understand that kind of relationship, but she *did* understand the Wu family—and Wu Yuan.

The Wu family was the most elite branch of the upper class. They strongly opposed Wu Yuxi becoming an influencer, let alone the future heir marrying a celebrity.

Qi Rong came from a modest background.

Her family and career were both beneath the Wu family’s standards.

Wu Yuan’s cold nature ran deep. He didn’t believe in love—only in himself.

So—

Qin Mang offered a practical suggestion: “Even the richest meals get nauseating after ten days straight.”

“How about you sleep with him for ten days straight? Get so sick of it that you’re over it.”

That idea lit up Qi Rong’s eyes.

“You really are my soul sister!”

As it happened, Wu Yuan was present tonight as well. Qi Rong grinned sweetly and whispered in Qin Mang’s ear, “I’m off to bed, then.”

“Good night.”

Qin Mang glanced at the time.

7 p.m.

“The charity auction hasn’t even started and you’re already going to ‘bed’?”

“Just a nap\~ I’ll be back when the auction starts.” Qi Rong held up her pinky finger.

She wore a white puff dress today, looking like a doll.

But her words were pure wickedness: “I’ve never tried it outdoors before.”

“Hehehe.”

“I saw a little greenhouse on the way in.”

“It’ll be super exciting.”

With that, she lifted her skirt, put on her sweet loli face, and headed toward Wu Yuan.

Qin Mang was just about to remind her there might be security cameras.

But Qi Rong was already gone.

So she just lowered her eyes and messaged Wu Yuan.

Told him to make sure someone turned the cameras off.

Suddenly, a shadow blocked her light. Qin Mang assumed it was someone handing her a business card again. Without looking up, she lazily said, “Friend, you’re blocking the light.”

The next second—

The person moved slightly but didn’t leave.

Qin Mang remembered Fu Yuan and Meng Tingqian’s repeated warnings not to let her expression slip at an event like this, because there were always reporters and people taking pictures.

She pushed down her irritation, gave a faint smile, and looked up. “I—”

She met a familiar pair of eyes.

In that moment, Qin Mang forgot all about managing her expression.

The curve of her lips abruptly flattened.

It was He Lingji.

Lou Tingdai stood behind him, not too close nor too far.

Sensing Qin Mang’s gaze, Lou Tingdai politely greeted her, “Miss Qin.”

Qin Mang barely glanced at her—

Didn’t respond.

Instead, she gave He Lingji a cold, assessing look.

Beneath the dazzling chandelier, the girl looked languid and aloof, her eyes haughty and dismissive.

As if no one mattered to her—not even this man at the pinnacle of power and fame.

Qin Mang walked gracefully in her heels, drew closer, and then—

Before He Lingji could speak, she brushed past him and said:

“You’re in my way.”

Word by word.

Clear and powerful.

The crowd: “?”

“!”

Qin Mang?

Is she insane?!

Isn’t she afraid of being blacklisted by the big shot?

Whispers spread all around.

Qin Mang heard every word clearly but paid them no mind.

She walked straight toward the outer area.


She also wanted to get some fresh air.

At first, everyone was just admiring Qin Mang’s beauty, but now they were starting to admire her courage.

This scene was captured and shared on Weibo—

“Oh my god, I’m screaming—Queen is here! With that look in her eyes, I feel like kneeling before Qin Mang!”

“I’m crying. She’s facing the mysterious Ice Glacier! Wake up, my dear girl—this boss could blacklist you with just a wave of his hand!”

“Big胆!” (Big courage—mixing English and Chinese)

“Wait, did you guys notice? It looked like the Glacier actually smiled?”

“Upstairs… you’re shipping *that*?!”

“Where’s the smile? Still the same cold gaze, treating everyone like ants.”

“Hahaha, I’m dying. I remember someone was shipping these two before—there’s even a photo! Can you guys still ship them now?”

“Even if it’s a CP, they’re a mortal enemies CP! Can’t coexist under the same sky!”

“I’ll just say, Qin Mang is the most unpretentious actress I’ve seen. Even dared to roll her eyes at *that* legendary figure…”

“For real.”

“+ ID number”

Normally, any photos of He Lingji posted online would be immediately taken down.

But this time—

He Group’s PR department didn’t make a move.

Qin Mang left in a hurry.

She didn’t see Secretary Cong approaching from the other direction, taking the coat from Lou Tingdai’s hands.

Secretary Cong had gone to the car to fetch something that was left behind.

“Director Lou, thank you.”

Lou Tingdai shook her head—how could standing behind him ever be considered trouble?

Unfortunately—

She looked down at her own simple business dress.

Then looked inside at the elegant attire and fine wine. She had walked all this way to get here, yet she still didn’t fit in.

Secretary Cong glanced around. “Where’s President He?”

Lou Tingdai softly replied, “He went to find his wife.”

The word *wife*—

Was spoken so softly it was nearly inaudible.

…

This charity auction was the largest in the country, full of celebrities and industry heavyweights.

Divided into an inner and outer area.

The outer area surrounded a large swimming pool, with luxury everywhere, stunning and extravagant.

Qin Mang walked alongside the pool.

Finally escaping the noisy crowd.

Only after getting outside did she feel cold. But having already walked out with such poise, going back in to fetch a shawl would make her look like she’d lost.

All she could think was—

Bastard!

So unlucky!

He’d come all the way to Beicheng, had time to bring his female secretary to a charity gala, but no time to visit her on set.

A cold wind swept by.

She wrapped her thin shoulders, gazing at the shimmering pool under the moonlight.

The next moment—

A man’s cool, faintly scented suit jacket draped over her shoulders.

Instantly, the chill vanished.

He Lingji’s deep, magnetic voice sounded: “Mrs. He, enjoying the moonlight?”

“In the cold wind.”

Qin Mang was freezing.

She had planned to throw the coat back.

She didn’t need a “pity garment”!

In the dim light, her sharp black-and-white eyes lifted, and her red lips curled in sarcasm: “Unlike President He.”

“Who has time to attend galas with his beauty.”

“But no time to visit his humble wife.”

Beauty?

Since when was Secretary Cong a beauty?

He Lingji looked down at her bright, emotional eyes—now covered in frost.

Suddenly remembering the scene in the ballroom just now, he calmly pulled the coat tighter around her shoulders, blocking the wind.

“Qin Mang, what are you mad about?”

Qin Mang’s exhaustion and bottled-up grievance burst forth.

“Yes, I *am* mad!”

She never hid her temper, especially not in front of He Lingji.

“You don’t even know *why* I’m mad!”

She’d barely said a few words before a large hand covered her mouth.

Then she was pushed against a nearby tree trunk.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

This bastard really—

Covers her mouth when he can’t win an argument?!

Then—

His lips brushed against her ear. “Someone’s coming.”

Liar!

There was no one within a hundred meters!

How could anyone be nearby?

The next second—

There were rustling sounds in the nearby bamboo grove.

Qin Mang’s body tensed up, her heart pounding as she curled into He Lingji’s arms, breathing in his clean, cool scent.

She clutched the edge of the jacket, her soft white fingers resting against the stiff fabric, appearing delicate and radiant.

She was distracted for a moment.

There didn’t seem to be any perfume on him.

Through the layers of clothing, He Lingji could still feel the slim softness of her waist.

His jacket looked oversized on her, making her appear even more fragile and slender.

He recalled the sight of her thin back earlier and touched it lightly. His elegant brow furrowed, his always indifferent voice laced with emotion: “Why have you lost so much weight?”

Qin Mang: “?”

She was still mad!

Where the hell do you think you’re touching?

If it weren’t for someone being nearby, she would’ve slapped him.

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to calm down. Can’t curse in public.

Not elegant.

More importantly, she’d blow her cover.

She pinched the back of his hand hard. “Pervert!”

Unexpectedly—

He Lingji let out a low, warm hum. “Still mad?”

“I came with Secretary Cong.”

As if she’d buy that!

Did he think she was blind?

Qin Mang’s already beautiful face lit up with a dazzling smile, so radiant it could outshine the sun and moon.

Finally, the sounds in the bamboo grove disappeared.

Qin Mang took several steps back, staring at the man shivering in just a shirt under the cold wind. She had planned to throw the jacket back at him, but instead—

She twisted her wrist—

And flung it into the swimming pool.

She wasn’t wearing it.

He Lingji wouldn’t wear it either!

And definitely not let any other woman wear it!

After her dramatic move, Qin Mang stomped hard on his foot before walking away, spitting out two words through red lips: “Liar.”

Then her graceful silhouette swayed off like a proud flame in the dark.

Under the moonlight—

The luxurious suit floated in the center of the pool.

He Lingji didn’t care.

Instead, he stared at Qin Mang’s retreating back, something thoughtful flickering in his gray-blue eyes.

She was—*really* angry.

In his mind, he recalled the “marriage survival guide” that his friend Rong Huaiyan, a seasoned husband, had sent him.

Rule number one:

No matter what your wife is angry about, coax her first.

If coaxing doesn’t work—kneel.

So, that night at the charity auction—

All the jewelry items were bought by a single person.

No one else even got the chance to raise their paddles.

They were all crushed by sky-high bids.

When leaving, reporters swarmed him.

“President He, why did you only bid on jewelry tonight?”

It rarely snowed in Deep City’s winter.

Yet tonight, a few snowflakes quietly landed on the man’s shoulders.

He Lingji calmly brushed them off. When he looked up, his gray-blue eyes narrowed under the camera flashes, more dazzling than the night’s most expensive gem.

He spoke lightly: “Because my wife only likes jewelry.”