Savage Kiss - Chapter 90

Shen Yanzhou stood outside the door, watching her for several seconds with a hesitant expression, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to bring it up.

It seemed he had already seen the photos circulating online.

Xu Qingyi least wanted Shen Yanzhou to find out.

Now that he had suddenly shown up, already aware of the situation, she couldn’t quite describe the turmoil in her heart.

He was different to her, the feeling was like having the last piece of untouched purity in her life suddenly dug up and destroyed, leaving her no room to breathe.

She didn’t want to talk to him now, or even wished to cut ties completely, just to preserve some dignity.

“If there’s nothing else…” Seeing him remain silent, Xu Qingyi spoke first.

Shen Yanzhou braced his hand against the door, his brow slightly furrowed. “Are you sick?”

She slowly lifted her head to look at him, searching his eyes for an answer.

So, he actually didn’t know about the online rumors?

Xu Qingyi forced a faint expression. “No, I’ve just been tired these past couple of days. If there’s nothing important… could you not bother me for now? Let’s talk after I’m done with work.”

The concern in Shen Yanzhou’s eyes was almost overflowing, she had no idea how terrible her own condition looked.

“You haven’t eaten again, have you?” he asked.

How could Xu Qingyi have any appetite for food right now?

She had barely slept the night before, once again deeply feeling the powerlessness of being at the bottom of society, without influence or money.

Even though she knew it was futile, she had repeatedly reported various posts online.

Just moments ago, Xu Qingyi had been in contact with President Ke. With netizens relentlessly digging into her privacy, it was highly likely to further impact the company’s products.

Too many people viewed the adult products industry with prejudice. She had been forced to resign due to public backlash before, and President Ke’s company could easily face the same fate, unable to operate normally.

Hearing her phone ring several times in the living room, Xu Qingyi let out a soft sigh and turned to Shen Yanzhou. “I’m really busy.”

Meaning, she was asking him to leave.

Shen Yanzhou withdrew his hand. “As long as you’re not sick, that’s fine. Go ahead with your work.”

He went downstairs to buy her dinner.

Xu Qingyi had thought the messages were from President Ke, but when she picked up her phone, she realized it was Shi Qing contacting her.

They hadn’t been in touch for a while. He had sent several WeChat messages, all questions.

[What’s going on? Are you okay?]

[You’re not answering my calls, where are you?]

[Is there an issue with someone inside the company? Has Ke Yan looked into it?]

[Aren’t the photos on the platforms being taken down by Ke Yan?]

He seemed genuinely concerned.

After a moment, he sent another message: [That’s not your photo.]

After all, Shi Qing had painted her before. As an art student, he was more observant and sensitive to details than the average person.

That one short sentence instantly calmed Xu Qingyi’s heart.

Amidst the online slander, having one person so certain made her even feel like crying.

Shi Qing didn’t wait for her reply and continued on his own: [I’ll find someone to clear the photos for you. Don’t be afraid.]

Then he asked: [Should I come see you?]

It was strange, Xu Qingyi was extremely resistant to Shen Yanzhou knowing about this part of her professional life, but she didn’t mind Shi Qing knowing.

Even though, before today, Shi Qing hadn’t known what she did for a living either.

Finally calming down, Xu Qingyi replied to Shi Qing: [Thank you, I really do need help.]

She was truly at her wit’s end and hadn’t expected Shen Yuqiao to be so irresponsible, still no word from him, completely unreachable.

One moment, she was so angry she was considering going to Shen Yuqiao’s company to confront him. Why did he agree to help only to do nothing? If he had just refused outright, she could have found another solution instead of being strung along like this.

About twenty minutes later.

Xu Qingyi saw Shi Qing’s WeChat call coming in and thought there might be an update.

Instead, Shi Qing, who was driving, asked in confusion, “Have you or Ke Yan offended someone?”

Xu Qingyi was completely lost. “What do you mean?”

“They won’t take the case.” Shi Qing said, frowning.

He had recently started handling some of the company’s market operations and had even disclosed his identity, but the platform where the photos first appeared claimed they couldn’t interfere with user-generated content. Their reasoning was that the initial photos weren’t targeted and complied with regulations.

As for the subsequent backlash directed at Xu Qingyi, they argued it was spontaneous user behavior and beyond their control.

Moreover, they said reposting and editing photos were common practices, and banning users one by one would be irresponsible.

And just like that, Shi Qing was brushed off.

Xu Qingyi felt all her energy drain away. She wished she knew who she had offended!

From the moment this mess started, she had gone over it again and again, there was simply no way her information could have been leaked.

She never used that WeChat account for social interactions.

“I’ll be there soon. We’ll talk then.” Shi Qing said irritably, honking his horn twice.

Shi Qing arrived quickly. Xu Qingyi hadn’t given him her exact address, so she went downstairs to meet him.

His car was parked at the intersection near her apartment.

As Xu Qingyi stepped out, Shi Qing was already waiting by his car.

Just then, Shen Yanzhou called out to her, “Where are you going? Why aren’t you wearing a jacket?”

It was a bit chilly today. It had rained earlier, and the temperature was expected to drop even further by evening.

But she hadn’t had time to think about that.

Shen Yanzhou was about to hand her the dinner he’d brought when Shi Qing crossed the intersection and walked over, asking disapprovingly, “You haven’t eaten yet?”

It was already so late.

Shen Yanzhou turned his head at the sound.

Shi Qing spoke up for her, addressing Shen Yanzhou, “She’s busy right now. We have things to discuss.”

Xu Qingyi thought Shen Yanzhou had already left and was surprised to see him back. She glanced down at the food in his hand.

“You should eat it yourself. I have things to do.” she said.

Her tone wasn’t particularly harsh, but in the current situation, Shen Yanzhou took it differently.

“Is this what you’ve been so busy with?” he asked, his gaze fixed on her.

All those times she rushed into the city, was it to meet him?

Xu Qingyi could tell he was upset, but she really didn’t have the time or energy to explain things to him right then.

For a moment, she felt a surge of defiance. Shen Yuqiao was already ignoring her, what if she just cut ties with Shen Yanzhou too? Would that make him panic?

In the end, she made an effort to soften her tone. “We’ll talk later.”

As usual, Shen Yanzhou grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving. “Can I at least know what’s going on?”

Xu Qingyi replied clearly, “No.”

Shen Yanzhou let out what sounded like a faint laugh.

Then, trying to reason with her, he asked, “You come and go with him, discussing this and that, he gets to know everything. Why am I the exception?”

Every time, Shen Yanzhou could acutely feel the difference in how she treated him compared to others.

Xu Qingyi didn’t waste any more time on him. She crossed the intersection with Shi Qing and got into his car.

After a moment’s thought, she told him not to drive. “Let’s just talk in the car.”

Nowhere else felt appropriate, and she didn’t want to waste time. She had no energy left, every minute felt like an eternity of anxiety.

Shi Qing didn’t ask about her relationship with Shen Yanzhou. Shen Yanzhou hadn’t left either; he lit a cigarette and continued waiting.

Shi Qing looked at her. “If Ke Yan’s company is affected by the container issue, I’ll take responsibility and find a way to reserve them for you. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“The real problem now is how to get those photos taken down.”

Shi Qing also knew there was no need to prove her innocence in such matters, but if she didn’t, a bunch of people would keep making baseless accusations online. They had no time constraints, but Xu Qingyi and Ke Yan couldn’t work under these circumstances.

Shi Qing looked at her. “I used to resist joining the company and only recently started getting involved, so my influence isn’t enough. Maybe I should ask my mother for help, but… she might ask about our relationship.”

“Should I try telling her you’re my girlfriend?”