Shen Qi smirked. “We aren’t as rich as you are. We spent our money on this meal, so of course we should finish it. Does that have anything to do with you?”
Furthermore, Shen Qi was sure that if something bad did happen downstairs—resulting in the people shooting her dirty looks—she was confident that those people who were downstairs now would still be there even after she was done with her meal; she was positive that the commotion would last the whole day. Since those people downstairs wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon, why shouldn’t I finish my lunch before checking things out?
Yan was rather distressed while having her lunch, and she asked Shen Qi in hushed tones, “Aren’t you anxious at all? I’m so curious about whatever is happening downstairs now that I barely have an appetite right now!”
“You have to eat even without an appetite. Who knows whether we might need our strength later,” Shen Qi countered with a hidden meaning in between her words.
Yan understood immediately and responded with a nod. “You are absolutely right. We might even get involved in a fight! I haven’t had a fight in ages. I’m so excited now!”
Shen Qi was rendered speechless by Yan’s reaction, and she almost choked on her rice. She then glanced at Yan before making a remark. “Well aren’t you naughty?”
Yan stuck her tongue out at Shen Qi.
Nevertheless, Shen Qi did not expect that finishing her meal was the right move indeed, because she would need some physical strength once she arrived downstairs.
Qiang Wei’s goal was to cause trouble, but she didn’t expect the two of them to be so calm. Hence, she felt embarrassed all of a sudden while standing beside them. She then glared at Shen Qi pointedly before snapping at her, “I would love to see if you can remain calm when you see what’s waiting for you downstairs!” With that, she turned around and left in a fury.
Once she left, Yan stuck her tongue at Qiang Wei’s back; she clearly had no respect for her.
Shen Qi lowered her eyes helplessly and continued with her lunch.
The two of them took their time with their lunch, making those around them anxious. However, the both of them seemed unfazed, and they looked calmer than everyone else.
Ten minutes had passed by the time they were done with their lunch, and Yan put away their dishes before asking, “Well, shall we head downstairs now?”
Shen Qi wiped her mouth with a paper towel and nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”
The two of them went downstairs after putting their dishes away. Those who were having their meals while waiting for the two women finished their food hastily when they saw Shen Qi and Yan heading downstairs. They packed their things in a hurry before following them, as if ready to watch a show. There was no denying that some people simply lived for gossip.
Yan accompanied Shen Qi, and they both headed downstairs. After glancing at the group of people following them from behind, Yan asked Shen Qi quietly, “Are you sure it’ll be fine? They are still following us, and we aren’t sure what’s going on downstairs. Why don’t I go ahead first and check it out for you?”
“There’s no need to go through such trouble. Let’s head downstairs and have a look at what’s going on.” Shen Qi was rather curious as well; she wondered what could possibly get everybody to regard her as a mistress.
The word ‘mistress’ has nothing to do with me. Besides… When it involves mistresses, I was the one who was cheated on.
Jiang Lin’s name suddenly came to her mind. Shen Qi stopped dead in her tracks when she thought of that. She recalled the previous incident, when Lin Jiang came begging her to stop targeting him. I have no idea what happened at that time, but now, it seems like the only ones who would take revenge on me are Lin Jiang and the mistress-turned-legal-wife, Shi Qinbao.
“What is it?” Yan sensed something was wrong and asked promptly.
Shen Qi regained her composure when she heard that. “Nothing. I think I’ve just figured out who is causing a ruckus downstairs.”
“Who could it be?” Yan asked curiously.
Shen Qi flashed a faint smile. “If my guess is right, there is only one person on earth who would make such a horrible mistake.”
Yan was puzzled by Shen Qi’s reply. “What are you saying? That is rather vague. I have no idea who you are referring to.”
“Be patient; you’ll know once we are there.”
“Let’s hurry, then.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The two of them entered the elevator, and a crowd of people came pouring in as well.
The elevator started flashing its overcapacity indicator since the crowd packed into the elevator like sardines. Yan tried her best to shield Shen Qi in the corner while commenting incredulously, “You guys are truly busybodies. Has this got anything to do with any of you? Why did you all follow us?”
Someone replied, “Why not? Everyone loves a good gossip. Aren’t you going downstairs as well? This has nothing to do with you too! If you can go downstairs, why can’t we?”
“That’s right, Yan. You can’t be stopping us from joining the fun since you’re tagging along as well!”
“Tsk! How am I the same as you all? I am her close friend! Who do you think you are? Has anyone noticed that the elevator has exceeded its capacity? Why is no one leaving? In that case, I suppose everyone in the elevator shall remain here, and no one will get to go down!”
“That’s true. Hey, you guys in front! Get out of the elevator!”
Someone replied hesitantly, “Why should we be the ones to leave?”
“You won’t miss much even if you arrive later. Taking the stairs down wouldn’t slow you down anyway! You aren’t climbing up the stairs after all!”
No one in the elevator would budge, and so the elevator remained motionless. After some time, several people had no choice but to exit the elevator, and soon, the elevator descended smoothly.
Shen Qi, who was squashed against the corner of the elevator, had to press her palms against the elevator’s inner walls. Nevertheless, her lips curled into a smirk; she had underestimated the power of gossip over these people. This is really my personal matter, but others seem to be even more concerned than I am.
Ding! The elevator came to a halt, and everyone poured out of the elevator once the doors opened.
Shen Qi and Yan were the last two to exit the elevator, and by then, they were both almost deformed from all the squeezing in the elevator.
“These people are truly horrifying.”
“Look over there! There’s a pregnant lady.”
“That’s her; she has been here causing a ruckus for the entire day. She’s claiming that Shen Qi snatched her husband from her.”
The crowd made way for Shen Qi when they heard the mention of her name. Shen Qi looked toward the source of the commotion, and true enough, a very pregnant Shi Qinbao was standing right in the middle of the crowd. Shen Qi last saw her several months ago, and Shi Qinbao’s belly was massive now. At this moment, she had both her hands behind her waist for support while crying her eyes out. “I have been through so much while being pregnant, but that woman has the audacity to seduce my husband shamelessly! She even said that… I’d be ugly after giving birth, and that I wouldn’t be as pretty as she is. How could such a hateful woman exist? Sob, sob. My husband—”
Someone in the crowd announced that Shen Qi had finally arrived. Then, Shi Qinbao turned around and caught sight of Shen Qi. True enough, Shi Qinbao marched toward Shen Qi the moment she saw her. “Shen Qi, you wench!”
As she marched toward Shen Qi while roiling in anger, the latter realized that Shi Qinbao was not alone; there were several well-built women behind her, and they seemed to be sturdy, strong, married women. She had already predicted that Shi Qinbao was the one causing trouble, but she frowned in disdain when she saw her leading a throng of women. What is she planning to do?
“Aunty, she is the one who tried to seduce Lin Jiang. You guys should capture her now!”
The crowd who were surrounding Shen Qi earlier for gossip evacuated and made space immediately. They put a safe distance between themselves and Shen Qi while observing the situation unfold from afar. In that instant, Yan and Shen Qi were the only ones left standing in the middle of the crowd.
“Hey, what are you doing? This is Ye Group, not a market! Where’s security?!” Yan bellowed loudly.
