SDS: Chapter 21

 "Did Your Heart Just Skip a Beat?"

Han Qiuqiu was instantly furious upon hearing the story.

"So President Qin already dealt with him, but we haven't had our turn yet!" he fumed. 

"That disgusting creep dared to lay a hand on you—who knows how many others he's harassed! We have to teach him a lesson!"

"First, we stuff him in a sack and beat him up, then strip him naked and dump him in the middle of the street!"

"Perfect! And let’s take photos to print as flyers—hand them out at his company so he’s humiliated beyond repair!" 

The two troublemakers were instantly in sync.

Tang Keyi raised a brow at Qiuqiu. 

"This operation will be in your hands, Young Master Han."

As partners-in-crime, Keyi and Qiuqiu had plenty of experience with revenge schemes. 

Since Keyi didn’t want his family involved, Qiuqiu was the obvious choice.

Naturally, Qiuqiu didn’t mind. 

He immediately pulled out his phone to have someone track down Chen Zhudong.

But to their surprise, after dinner, 

they received news that Chen Zhudong had disappeared from the hospital.

"Looks like someone beat us to it," 

Qiuqiu mused, eyeing Keyi. 

"Are you sure your family doesn’t know about this?"

"Pretty sure…" Keyi pondered. 

"Could it have been Qin Zhiyan?"

"Well, saves us the trouble." 

Qiuqiu shrugged, then smirked. 

"Gotta say, President Qin seems really invested in you."

"Pfft—" Keyi rolled his eyes. 

"Weren’t you the one who said he was practically a monk, completely uninterested in romance? Just because he helped me deal with a pervert, suddenly he’s head over heels for me?"

"For anyone else, he never would’ve gone this far." 

Qiuqiu leaned across the table, eyes glinting. 

"Be honest—when he stepped in for you, did your heart skip a beat?"

Keyi’s lashes fluttered wildly as he shoved Qiuqiu’s face away. 

"Skip what? No! I’m a proud single-for-lifer! And even if I weren’t, I’m not into guys!"

Qiuqiu leaned back, studying him skeptically. 

"Better remember those words. I’d hate for you to eat them too soon."

Keyi lifted his chin. 

"Not happening!"

---

Monday morning.

Qin Zhiyan noticed something odd—Tang Keyi kept avoiding his gaze today.

But in front of Zhiyan, Keyi had no secrets.

[Should I thank him?]

[It’d be so awkward to just say it outright…]

[Maybe I should just drop it.]

Zhiyan’s lips twitched. 

Oh no, you don’t.

He summoned Keyi into his office and cut straight to the chase. 

"Don’t you have something to say to me?"

[How did he know?!]

"Y-Yeah…" Keyi took a deep breath. 

"I just… wanted to thank you."

"For what?" 

Watching Keyi’s flushed, flustered face was deeply satisfying.

"For believing me that day… and standing up for me…" 

Keyi had never been this earnest in his gratitude before, his voice trailing off.

Zhiyan nodded approvingly, eyes glinting with mischief. 

"Does this mean you like me even more now?"

"What?" 

Keyi was thrown completely off-balance.

"You once said you’d stay single forever if you couldn’t marry me." 

Zhiyan tapped his knuckle thoughtfully, enjoying the show. 

"So now? Do you like me so much that you’d insist on having me in your next life too?"

Keyi’s right eyelid twitched. 

His mouth floundered, but his thoughts were loud.

[Qin Zhiyan’s shameless! Now he wants my next two lifetimes?!]

[I don’t like you!]

[...But I can’t say that out loud.]

"Cat got your tongue?" 

Zhiyan’s expression darkened. 

"Were your previous vows just lies?"

Keyi forced a grimace of a smile. 

"You’re right… I… like you even more now…"

[This is torture. Meeting Qin Zhiyan was the worst luck of eight lifetimes.]

Watching Keyi’s suffering, Zhiyan felt refreshed. 

"Come with me tonight to meet someone."

Keyi nodded meekly.

That evening, at an upscale private club.

When Keyi followed Zhiyan into the reserved room, 

a young stranger was already waiting inside.

The man stood hastily at their entrance. 

"President Qin."

Zhiyan acknowledged him with a slight nod.

"And this is…?" 

The stranger eyed Keyi.

"My assistant."

The man’s attention snapped back to Zhiyan, 

ushering him to sit, pouring tea, offering sanitizing towels—

every gesture dripping with deference.

Keyi watched, bemused.

[Who is this guy? He’s laying it on thick.]

Zhiyan accepted the treatment as his due, regal as an emperor.

[Tch. Acting like he’s on a throne.]

Keyi sat quietly, serving himself.

Soon, the dishes arrived—luxurious, exquisitely plated, the club’s most renowned offerings. 

Even the wine was a vintage red, rich and mellow.

Clearly, this man had something to ask of Zhiyan.

Only after the meal did the stranger broach his real agenda.

"Thank you so much for honoring me with your presence today." 

His tone was practically worshipful.

[He paid for this meal, yet he’s the one groveling? Pathetic.]

[‘Simps get nothing’—that’s for you, buddy.]

Zhiyan shot Keyi a sidelong glance before speaking. 

"Young Master Wang, state your business."

[Wang? Which Wang?]

"I… hoped you might advise me on where my proposal fell short compared to my elder brother’s."

Keyi’s eyes widened. 

So this is Wang Luosheng!

[Zhiyan already chose Wang Dahu’s proposal and finalized terms. Why meet Wang Luosheng now?]

Something smelled fishy.

"Have you not reflected on this yourself?"

Zhiyan sipped his wine, tossing the question back.

---

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