Chapter 141 - You Are My Woman! (Part II)

Upon hearing my words, everyone present stood up and nodded immediately. Who would be foolish enough to turn down a free meal and ten thousand dollars falling from the sky? Within less than a minute, the VIP section was empty, save for Chu Qitong, myself, and Wang Liang, whose face had turned a ghastly shade of green.

Wang Liang had heard of my reputation from his friends previously, so he had remained seated, seemingly afraid to show his anger. But as things reached this point, he finally snapped. "Xiao Qiang, I know you have money and influence, but you cannot just ignore my existence! What do you take me for? Air? Hmph, don't think you can treat me like I'm useless just because you're powerful."

"I apologize. My personal affairs with my woman have dragged you into this, and for that, I am sorry," I said, shrugging helplessly. I looked toward Chu Qitong and added, "If you leave like the others, you can receive compensation. How about I give you an extra fifty thousand?"

"Bah! I've never seen someone as shameless as you! Qitong, let's go. And let me tell you, kid, don't think you can flaunt your filthy money; I don't want any of it!" Wang Liang stood up from his chair and reached for Chu Qitong's hand, but she shook her head and pulled away. "Wang Liang, you go back first. I have something to discuss with Xiao Qiang."

"You..." Wang Liang, clearly not expecting this response, grew colder. "So, you really are having an affair with this man? Fine! Does that mean you were just using me as a fake girlfriend?"

"Please, don't put it so crudely. Xiao Qiang and I are just friends..." Before Chu Qitong could finish her rebuttal, she felt her body lighten as a pair of powerful arms swept her into a firm embrace. She looked up, startled, to find herself held tightly against me. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she let out a soft cry, "Xiao Qiang, what are you..."

Before she could finish, I pressed my lips firmly against her delicate mouth, kissing her with unrestrained greed. One arm wrapped around her waist, and through the thin fabric of her evening gown, I pressed my palm firmly against the soft, smooth curve of her hip. Chu Qitong, caught completely off guard by such a display in front of Wang Liang, struggled at first. But as my tongue breached her lips to entwine with hers, her eyes grew hazy, and her slender, fair hands slowly rose to lock around my neck.

"You... you two..." Wang Liang looked as if he might choke on his own fury. Watching us kiss right in front of him, he finally understood: this arrogant, beautiful young heiress had never had any interest in him. The one she loved was me—a man who already had a girlfriend. He finally understood why she hadn't dated anyone else; the only man in her heart had always been me, Xiao Qiang.

As we kissed, I felt the sweetness of her breath with a clarity I had never known. For so long, I had been running away, keeping my distance from this beautiful girl I had once shared a first time with because of Su Xin. Only now did I realize that I loved her; she had long since carved a place in my heart. Even if doing this meant betraying Su Xin...

After our passionate embrace, I reluctantly pulled away. Looking at her flushed, panting face, the deep affection and shimmering tears in her eyes, I pulled her back into my arms and said softly, "Chu Qitong, from this day on, remember: you are my woman. I will never allow you to leave my side, do you hear me?"

"Wuwu..." Hearing my words, her body trembled, and she burst into happy tears. "I love you... Xiao Qiang, I love you so much... Wuwu... I feel so happy right now. Why didn't you say this to me sooner? You're so mean... so mean..." She sobbed, gently hitting my shoulder to vent the pent-up feelings in her heart.

The entire VIP section was now our private world, leaving only a furious, pale-faced spectator behind. Wang Liang suddenly let out a cold laugh. Pointing at us, he spat, "Xiao Qiang, Chu Qitong, you two wretched people! I will not let this go, I promise you! Hahaha..." With a bitter, hollow laugh, he turned and walked away, his steps heavy and broken. I started to step forward to teach him a lesson, but Chu Qitong stopped me, shaking her head slightly. "Don't, Xiao Qiang. To be honest, I really am the one who wronged him. I was the one who used him."

"Used him? Heh, so you were deliberately using him to provoke me?" I stroked her cheek, feigning a stern look. "You're quite something. Weren't you afraid I'd be heartbroken?"

"Giggle... If you were heartbroken, it would be your own fault. Who told you to stay away from me for so long? I... I missed you, but I couldn't be by your side, so I could only use this trick to see if you, you bad guy, really liked me and if you really had me in your heart..." She nestled into my arms, the picture of a girl in the throes of first love; the "little witch" persona had vanished entirely.

"Smack!" I gave her hip a firm pat, and as she let out a playful cry, I grinned. "Who told you to try and test me? You deserve that."

"Xiao Qiang, you're so mean..." She blushed, rubbing against me like a spoiled kitten. Gradually, she leaned into my ear, her hot breath teasing me as she whispered, "But... if you like it, Tongtong is willing to be punished by you like this every day..."

This woman, she was dangerously intoxicating. Listening to her bewitching voice, I felt an immediate, undeniable physical reaction. Damn it, if we weren't in a western restaurant, I would have had the urge to take her right there. Everything she did today was just too captivating.

The barriers of paper-thin pretense had been shattered by this farce, and I finally understood the weight of Chu Qitong in my life. As for Su Xin... well, what must come will come. I only hope she can understand and forgive me.

I gently stroked her back and smiled. "Come now, you couldn't have eaten much. Let's have dinner together, just the two of us, shall we?"

"Mm..." She nodded obediently, leaving my arms to sit at the crown-shaped table. The table had only two seats, positioned on opposite ends, meaning the distance between us was the full length of the table. I clapped my hands, and the waitstaff, who had been waiting nearby, immediately brought over our western meal and the bottle of 1982 Lafite. After they opened and poured the wine, I raised my glass and smiled at her. "Qitong, cheers to our future."

"Mm, cheers!" Her face was radiant with a sweet smile. I had never seen her look so beautiful; it was the glow of a woman nurtured by love.

The wine, with its faint, fragrant aroma, danced on my palate, its rich, smooth flavor intoxicating me. It was truly a fine wine; even after swallowing, a lingering hint of fruit remained. It was well worth the price.

As we savored the wine and the meal, we chatted and laughed. We seemed to share a tacit understanding to avoid mentioning Su Xin, as if we feared that bringing her up would cause our happy dinner to vanish into thin air. I didn't want to, and Chu Qitong wanted to even less.

After nearly half an hour, we were both full. We sat in silence, sipping our wine. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Baldy; he had finished the task I assigned him. I told him to line up the cars in front of the restaurant and hung up. Tonight, I was going to give Chu Qitong a romantic night like no other.