Chapter 33: I Won’t Lose You Again

Qi Gaoyi watched Wen Qi remain silent for a long time.

Not only did he completely fail to grasp the situation, he even tried to comfort her.

“It’s only ten minutes. Don’t worry.”

Then he turned to Jiang Tinghao and looked at him with exaggerated understanding.

“I’ll keep an eye on things here later. You can stay with Wen Qi.”

“To find a girlfriend this clingy, Haozi, you’re really blessed.”

“She even came all the way here to accompany you.”

“I was wondering why you kept staring at your phone all night and seemed so distracted.”

“You disappeared for a while, then came back looking ridiculously happy.”

“So your girlfriend showed up, huh?”

If Wen Qi had a piece of cloth in her hand right now, she would have stuffed it into Qi Gaoyi’s mouth.

Unfortunately, all she had was a glass of cold liquor.

The liquor was cold.

She was cold.

And someone’s gaze was even colder.

“Heh-”

A very brief scoff.

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound.

With one hand in his pocket, Wei Qingxuan narrowed his eyes in Wen Qi’s direction.

Perhaps he was looking at the drink.

Perhaps he was looking at her.

Wen Qi did not even dare raise her head.

For a moment, she felt as though Wei Qingxuan was already standing beside her, his icy hand wrapped around her throat.

Her breathing seemed constricted.

Only tiny breaths escaped her lungs.

‘Damn Wei Qingxuan.’

Why did he keep staring at her?

Was he trying to make it obvious that something was wrong between them?

“She is pretty clingy.”

Wei Qingxuan suddenly spoke.

Wen Qi frowned and looked at him.

Only to find that he had no intention whatsoever of concealing anything.

With a lazy smile, he added,

“I like that very much.”

Qi Gaoyi froze.

“You like…?”

“Uh, you like that?”

His voice changed pitch.

For a moment, he genuinely thought there was something wrong with his hearing.

After all, no normal person would tell someone’s boyfriend they liked his girlfriend.

‘Right?’

Wen Qi forced a dry laugh.

“Student Wei probably just likes clingy girls.”

That sentence had nearly stopped her heart.

“Right?”

She looked at Wei Qingxuan nervously.

Praying he would act like a normal human being for once.

“Mm.”

He nodded.

Wen Qi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Thank goodness.’

Otherwise, her legendary “dating two rich men at once” drama would have started all over again.

Watching her visibly relax, Wei Qingxuan seemed to discover something amusing.

He spoke again.

“For example, this type.”

His gaze landed directly on her.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Qi Gaoyi nearly choked on his own saliva.

His eyes darted from Wei Qingxuan to Wen Qi, then to Jiang Tinghao.

If these two started fighting, who was he supposed to stop?

Should he stop Wei Qingxuan?

Or Jiang Tinghao?

Wait.

Why would he stop Jiang Tinghao?

That was Jiang Tinghao’s girlfriend.

Someone was openly eyeing his girlfriend.

But judging by Wei Qingxuan’s build, he looked like someone who trained regularly.

Could Jiang Tinghao even win?

Maybe he should help?

But what if he got beaten up too?

Wouldn’t the entire gala descend into chaos?

Qi Gaoyi’s brain entered full crisis mode.

He genuinely never imagined there would be someone bold enough to openly say, ‘I’m interested in your girlfriend,’ right in front of her boyfriend.

Jiang Tinghao glanced at Wen Qi.

She had already put down her glass and looked ready to speak.

“Student Wei really knows how to joke around.”

Jiang Tinghao interrupted first.

“My girlfriend only clings to me.”

“She doesn’t spare anyone else a second glance.”

At this moment, Jiang Tinghao was Wen Qi’s boyfriend.

His words were perfectly justified.

Wei Qingxuan’s lips curved slightly.

“Is that so?”

“What if she stopped being your girlfriend?”

“If that were going to happen, it would’ve happened already.”

“Why would it wait until now?”

Wei Qingxuan immediately understood the implication.

Jiang Tinghao was showing off.

Showing off that no matter whose side Wen Qi stood on, her heart was still with him.

‘Damn dog.’

Showing off right in front of him.

He suddenly felt like punching someone.

“Of course.”

“Now and in the future, that won’t happen.”

Wen Qi quietly shrank into a corner.

She sincerely hoped everyone would forget she existed so she could slip away unnoticed.

Unfortunately, the positioning of the group completely trapped her.

No matter which direction she moved, she would attract attention.

All she could do was remain still.

‘Don’t look at me.’

‘Please don’t look at me.’

Suddenly, Qi Gaoyi turned toward her.

“Wen Qi, do you know President Wei?”

Qi Gaoyi had never seen the Huai Academy forum posts.

Those posts had caused some commotion within Huai Academy and Huai University, but they had been suppressed quickly.

He knew absolutely nothing about their relationship.

Only that everyone was behaving strangely.

Throughout the evening, he had introduced Wei Qingxuan to many people.

Wei Qingxuan had remained indifferent every time.

Most of the time, he could barely be bothered to say more than a sentence or two.

Yet here, he was behaving completely differently.

And Jiang Tinghao as well.

Normally he was gentle and polite toward everyone.

But now his tone had hardened considerably.

Then again, that was understandable.

Someone was openly interested in his girlfriend.

“President Wei seems to have a thing for you.”

“And Jiang Tinghao noticed it.”

“No.”

Wen Qi denied it immediately.

“How could that be?”

“We… aren’t familiar.”

The instant the words left her mouth, a chill crept down her spine.

Only then did she realize that at some point, Wei Qingxuan had already moved closer.

‘Oh no.’

Her brain spun frantically.

Then she heard him say,

“We’re not familiar.”

“It’s just that my wife looks a lot like Wen Qi.”

“But she got abducted by a damn dog.”

‘Who?’

‘A damn dog?’

Qi Gaoyi blinked repeatedly.

His brain completely stopped working.

How had the situation changed so dramatically in the span of two sentences?

So it wasn’t Jiang Tinghao’s girlfriend being targeted?

It was Wei Qingxuan’s wife who had run away?

Jiang Tinghao stepped beside Wen Qi and blocked Wei Qingxuan’s line of sight.

“In that case, President Wei should be careful not to mistake people in the future.”

“Your wife is your wife.”

“My girlfriend is my girlfriend.”

At last, Qi Gaoyi thought he understood.

So Wei Qingxuan had mistaken someone for his wife.

And here he had been preparing to help Jiang Tinghao beat him up.

Immediately, his gaze became sympathetic.

“My condolences, President Wei.”

“I didn’t realize you were divorced.”

Though the ages seemed a little off.

Then again, wealthy people often got married overseas.

Qi Gaoyi sighed deeply.

So young, yet already divorced.

How tragic.

Wen Qi pressed her lips together.

Given the serious atmosphere, she really should not laugh.

Unfortunately, it was becoming increasingly difficult.

“President Wei.”

“Please accept my condolences.”

Qi Gaoyi shook his head solemnly.

Condolences for what?

His departed love?

Wen Qi finally lost the battle.

“Pfft-”

She burst out laughing.

Who would have guessed that someone who seemed so dense could say something so funny?

“…”

“Student Wen seems very happy.”

“Sorry.”

Wen Qi immediately straightened her face.

“I was about to sneeze.”

“My apologies.”

“If possible, I’d like to comfort you too.”

Wei Qingxuan stared at her suspiciously.

“Really?”

“Perfect!”

Qi Gaoyi’s helpful nature immediately reactivated.

And because he wanted to strengthen ties with Wei Qingxuan, he seized the opportunity.

“In a few days, we’re all going camping.”

“You should come too.”

“President Wei-”

Wei Qingxuan smiled.

“You can call me Wei Qingxuan.”

Qi Gaoyi instantly climbed the ladder he had been offered.

“Great.”

“Let’s be friends.”

“You can’t stay trapped in the emotions of your wife running away forever.”

“Maybe if you get out more and improve your mood, you’ll stop mistaking other people for your wife.”

“…”

“Wen Qi and Jiang Tinghao, you two have to come too.”

“It won’t be fun otherwise.”

“My girlfriend loves lively gatherings.”

Wen Qi wanted to refuse.

Ideally, she should avoid appearing in public with Wei Qingxuan whenever possible.

“That’s right.”

“Student Wen should come too.”

“Aren’t you supposed to comfort me?”

He lifted his chin slightly toward her.

Quietly considering exactly how she should comfort him.

Maybe with that beautiful face of hers.

When she cried while comforting him…

That would be quite something.

“My girlfriend doesn’t have time.”

Jiang Tinghao spoke.

“How could she not?”

“We’re going on the weekend.”

“Jiang Tinghao, don’t think I don’t know your department’s schedule.”

“I happen to know someone from your major.”

“Exactly.”

Wei Qingxuan casually probed.

“How could she not have time?”

“What has Student Wen been busy with lately?”

What was she doing behind his back?

Important enough that even Jiang Tinghao said she had no time?

Wen Qi’s alarm bells immediately rang.

“Nothing.”

“I’m just spending time with Jiang Tinghao.”

“If he goes, I have no objections.”

Qi Gaoyi immediately looked jealous again.

“When will my girlfriend become this clingy?”

“Anyway, enough about that.”

“We haven’t even discussed the main matter yet.”

“Wen Qi, you-”

“You all carry on.”

She smiled at the two men and pointed toward Qian Jinghao, who was standing nearby.

“I’m going to find my friend.”

Without waiting for a response, she swiftly escaped the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Jiang Tinghao quietly observed Wei Qingxuan.

Watching him stare at Wen Qi’s retreating figure with an expression caught somewhere between amusement and anger.

Once again, Jiang Tinghao remembered that kiss beneath the umbrella.

Provocative.

Possessive.

A blatant declaration of ownership.

It seemed that Wei Qingxuan’s eyes contained no one but Wen Qi.

Only after she disappeared into the distance did he quietly withdraw his gaze.

Then he recalled her smile just now.

A smile not directed at him.

With Wen Qi gone, both men suddenly fell silent.

The atmosphere turned strangely awkward.

Qi Gaoyi replayed everything in his head.

Yet he still failed to identify anything unusual.

“It’s too noisy here.”

“Let’s go discuss things in a private room.”

Wen Qi did not interrupt Qian Jinghao, who was happily chatting away.

Instead, she remained hidden in a dark corner.

Only after the group left the hall did she emerge.

Honestly.

Even attending a gala resulted in running into Wei Qingxuan.

Her luck was truly awful.

She had eaten beforehand and was not hungry.

What she could not let go of was the drink she never got to finish.

Fortunately, there was more than one beverage station.

She found another secluded corner and, out of sheer spite, filled her glass with ice.

Suddenly, a hand tapped her shoulder.

Wen Qi spun around.

No one was there.

When she turned back, Qian Jinghao suddenly popped into view.

“Why are you only drinking?”

“There are so many activities over there.”

“I checked them out.”

“The prizes are amazing.”

Startled by the ambush, Wen Qi lost her grip.

The drink and ice cubes spilled directly onto her clothes.

She was wearing a fitted inner top underneath.

It was not waterproof.

The icy liquid soaked through instantly, clinging to her skin.

She shivered.

Qian Jinghao immediately snapped out of her excitement.

“Oh no!”

“Qiqi, I’m sorry!”

“I didn’t mean to!”

“I’ll go get my jacket for you!”

Both her inner top and outer coat were wet.

Simply throwing on Qian Jinghao’s jacket would not solve anything.

She would still be cold.

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll go deal with it in one of the rooms.”

“Just send me a clean top.”

Wen Qi was beginning to suspect she was cursed by alcohol tonight.

In such a short amount of time, she had failed to drink twice.

Instead, she had been startled twice.

And now her clothes were soaked.

Fortunately, she had chosen both warmth and style tonight instead of wearing a dress.

Otherwise, considering how much liquid had spilled, she would be drenched from head to toe.

About ten minutes later, someone knocked on the door.

Wen Qi tossed the towel in her hand onto the table.

Her coat was waterproof and only slightly damp.

The inner layer was no longer dripping.

But it still clung unpleasantly to her skin.

She got up and opened the door.

Instead of receiving clean clothes, she was pushed aside as someone slipped into the room.

“Why are you here?”

Wen Qi tugged at her clothes self-consciously.

Wei Qingxuan laughed at her guarded reaction.

They had already done far more intimate things than this.

If anything, seeing her tug down her collar only made him want to pull it aside.

He thought it.

And immediately acted on it.

Yet the moment his fingers touched the damp fabric, he frowned.

“Was it hot liquor or cold liquor? Did it burn you?”

“Cold liquor.”

She slapped his hand away.

“Let go. I’m freezing.”

Instead of withdrawing, Wei Qingxuan pressed his warm palm against her.

His hands were hot.

Warm enough to chase away the chill lingering on her skin.

Then he handed her a set of clothes.

“Change into these.”

“How did the clothes end up with you?”

There was no way Qian Jinghao knew Wei Qingxuan.

The truth was simple.

After finding a clean shirt, Qian Jinghao had planned to deliver it herself.

Unfortunately, she was unfamiliar with the hotel layout.

After getting lost several times, she realized she had left her phone behind at the drinks table during the rush.

Luckily, she ran into Wei Qingxuan and the others just after they finished their meeting.

The moment she spotted Jiang Tinghao, she shoved the clothes into his hands to save time and asked him to deliver them.

As for how they ended up with Wei Qingxuan…

There was really only one possibility.

He had snatched them away.

“What?”

“You wanted Jiang Tinghao to come help you change?”

His tone immediately became vigilant.

“What do you mean ‘help me change’?”

“All I needed was someone to bring me clothes.”

Wei Qingxuan nodded.

“Mm, so only I can help you change.”

“…”

She gave up trying to correct him.

“Get out. I need to change.”

There was a bathroom in the room, and she could change there. But for Wei Qingxuan, it made no difference whether there was a bathroom or not. He came and went as he pleased.

To be safe, it was best to get him out first.

“Qiqi, I think the second half of that sentence sounded more like an invitation.”

Wen Qi said, “What about the first half? I told you to get out. Can’t you understand that?”

Wei Qingxuan laughed and spread his arms, effortlessly pulling Wen Qi into the bathroom.

“I know. You meant to let me come in.”

Right now, Wen Qi’s priority was changing clothes. She ignored him and forcefully pushed him away, creating enough space for herself.

Otherwise, with him sticking so close, he really would end up helping her change. After spending so much time with Wei Qingxuan, Wen Qi had begun to understand some of his little schemes.

She placed her coat on the bathroom counter and swiftly removed her damp inner shirt.

The clammy feeling immediately eased.

But before she could put on the dry one, the man she had pushed away wrapped his arms around her again.

It was a complete embrace.

His slightly cool coat had already been removed and placed beside hers.

“Let go. Do you even know where we are?”

“I know. At the banquet. Your boyfriend is outside. Maybe even right outside the door. Qiqi, he wanted very badly to bring your clothes over himself just now.”

“Well, obviously. He’s my boyfriend. Shouldn’t he be eager to help?”

At the very least, Qian Jinghao was still around. Since they had already agreed on the act, he had to keep up appearances.

“It’s not about appearances.”

Wei Qingxuan nuzzled and bit lightly at her neck.

“Qiqi, you won’t really turn me into a divorced man, will you?”

“…”

“When exactly did I marry you?”

Wei Qingxuan’s heart gave a heavy thump.

That was precisely the problem.

Because they weren’t married yet, that dead dog had dared to flaunt things right in front of him.

“In my heart.”

“How long do you think before we get married?”

Quietly, he pulled over a nearby coat and laid it beneath her before lifting her onto the counter.

“Tomorrow? Or should we do it overnight?”

“Not happening. Why are you carrying me again? Wei Qingxuan, calm down.”

People were constantly coming and going at this banquet. The soundproofing probably wasn’t even good.

Wen Qi had no desire to become the subject of some scandalous gossip.

She kicked Wei Qingxuan once.

At the same time, he caught her leg.

“Qiqi, this part got wet too. Let me help you change it.”

He was truly awful.

Absolutely infuriating.

He covered her lips with his hand.

And covered her.

Wen Qi closed her eyes.

She felt something glide through waves, inching forward little by little.

It brushed against her skin.

Like nibbling.

A faint sting mixed with an unbearable itch.

Only muffled sounds escaped her lips.

While the sounds from him were far less restrained.

He seemed determined to vent all of the dissatisfaction he had bottled up earlier.

Not married.

Not familiar.

Then why did she make those soft sounds?

Why did her voice tremble?

Why?

Because of him?

Or because of what he was doing?

It didn’t matter.

In the end, it was all him.

And he still had so much more.

Enough to make her remember him forever.

Enough that even standing beside another man, she would never forget.

One of Wen Qi’s wet garments was replaced.

The other disappeared into Wei Qingxuan’s pocket.

Watching him tuck it away so naturally, Wen Qi felt heat rise through her body.

“You bastard. Didn’t you say you were going to replace it?”

“Qiqi, you’ve been naughty today. There has to be a punishment.”

Lowering his head, he carefully dampened a towel with warm water and gently cleaned her up.

Wen Qi glanced down once before hurriedly looking away.

“Wipe your mouth.”

It looked far too damp.

As though coated with expensive balm.

Wei Qingxuan lowered the towel and pressed a light kiss against her.

Just a fleeting touch.

Yet Wen Qi’s legs trembled.

Wei Qingxuan chuckled softly and resumed wiping.

“Qiqi-baby has such a strong reaction.”

“That’s because of you.”

His hand paused.

“Because of me what? Why’d you stop talking?”

“You know perfectly well.”

“If you don’t say it, then I don’t know.”

“Because you’re a bastard. A dog.”

Wei Qingxuan rinsed the towel again in warm water and continued.

“Mm. A bastard. A dog. And that bastard dog is cleaning you up.”

“Qiqi, be good. A little more.”

“Stop looking. One day I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

“Sure. If I go blind, I won’t be able to see your reddened eyes.”

“Then I won’t soften my heart. I’ll become even more reckless.”

“Baby, I’m looking forward to it.”

“…”

Ahhh.

She wanted to kick him to death.

Bite him to death.

Punch him to death.

Wei Qingxuan’s movements were gentle.

But unbearably slow.

Wen Qi felt as though she had been trapped there for an entire century.

“Hurry up.”

“In a rush to see Jiang Tinghao?”

Wen Qi deliberately replied,

“Yes. I miss him. I can’t wait to see him.”

Wei Qingxuan answered calmly,

“Sure.”

But he didn’t speed up at all.

If anything, he became even slower.

By the time the two of them left the room, two hours had passed.

The banquet was nearly over.

Students from the same universities had gathered together to play Ludo.

Jiang Tinghao had barely participated.

Every now and then, his gaze drifted toward a certain direction.

Until his eyes met Wen Qi’s.

A smile curved his lips.

Wen Qi immediately looked away.

Her feet rooted to the floor, unable to take another step.

Wei Qingxuan silently approached her side.

His voice was exceptionally gentle.

“Go on. Go find him.”

“Qiqi, your underwear is still in the pocket of a complete stranger.”

His breath brushed against her ear.

“So what should I do? Take it home with me? Or handle it some other way?”

“Go find him.”

“Didn’t you say you missed him? Didn’t you say you couldn’t wait to see him?”

Wen Qi bit her lip.

Her legs gradually pressed together.

Seeing this, Wei Qingxuan smiled warmly.

“Don’t like what I left there?”

“Hmm?”

“Wife?”

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