Chapter 238 Unconcealed Madness

Chen Qing smoothed his chest and felt the sudden drop in air pressure. He glanced at Jiang Jingyan out of the corner of his eye.

"By the way, I'm talking about the gift." Yan Baiqing took advantage of the situation and put his elbow behind her, half hugging her, half leaning against her. "What did you give me?"

Jiang Jingyan didn't say anything, but the storm brewing in his eyes was very complicated.

It's not that he didn't make preparations. What if Chen Qingzhen became a hostage in Yan Baiqing's hands? He just found that all his rationality was gone at this moment.

"Brother, what else do you need?" He glanced at him indifferently and drank his tea. "Control the Yan family and get whatever you want. My annual salary is not high, so I won't show off my little tricks."

Yan Baiqing laughed and raised his hand to fiddle with the beads on Chen Qing's hairpin. "Since you took the trouble to send it to me, how did you know I would dislike it?"

She didn't have time to remove her makeup and change into her performance clothes. Her waist-length hair was tied behind her head, and she wore a green bamboo sleeveless cheongsam. Her round chest was filled out, showing off her charm, and she looked like a charming little woman.

Jiang Jingyan turned slightly to the side, his face half bright and half dark. The stage lights were cold, and he was also cold all over.

Chen Qing lowered his head and did not see Yan Baiqing's eyes.

It was the unique aggression, possession, and unconcealed madness that came from men.

The etiquette lady came to pour tea, blocking Jiang Jingyan's sight. He stared at Chen Qing's jade-like arm and said in a deep voice, "I forgot that people in the Yan family are very interested in things that don't belong to them."

Chen Qing bit her lower lip, didn't participate, didn't look up, and counted the time waiting for the party to end.

Yan Baiqing didn't care much about Jiang Jingyan's words. He pulled out the cheap hairpin from her head and put his thumb on the tip. "Today I have a jade and gold hairpin. It's in good condition. I'll give it to you."

Chen Qing shook his head, "Jade makes you look old."

"Those who can't match it look old, and those who can match it look noble. Qing'er is the latter."

As soon as he finished speaking, the auction item came on stage with a starting price of one million.

Chen Qing's pupils suddenly widened, and he smacked his lips as he watched Yan Baiqing raise his sign, "Two million."

Someone followed it for a while, one call after another, and finally caught up to five million.

Chen Qing tugged at his clothes and signaled with his eyes.

Yan Baiqing deliberately leaned down and put his ear close to her lips, "What?"

The surrounding lights were dimming, and Chen Qing's sight was limited to his hazy profile. The woody scent mixed with the fragrance of tea was just a few inches away from her.

She pulled back and leaned against the back of the chair, "I don't want it."

Yan Baiqing kept this posture and added, "Eight million" during the second countdown reminder.

This was the first time he raised his hand tonight, and most of the guests gave him face and stopped betting.

Jiang Jingyan didn't pay attention to the hairpin and nodded slightly to the man who came to greet him.

He didn't talk much and declined all the toasts. Chen Qing vaguely heard him coughing faintly and looked quietly to the left.

They looked at each other.

Jiang Jingyan's eyes were dark and deep. She felt like something hit her heart and was instantly sucked into a bottomless vortex. A voice reminded her that she should not interact with Yan Baiqing, but she could not break free.

Until the etiquette lady came and brought new refreshments.

Chen Qing rubbed his palms, and suddenly, his stomach churned.

"What's wrong?" Yan Baiqing held her shoulders. "Are you feeling unwell?"

The corners of her lips were tense, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and she pushed away the plate of black tea cake in front of her.

The sweet fragrance is so strong that it won’t dissipate for a while.

Yan Baiqing waved his hand and asked someone to remove it. "Don't you like it?"

"I can't get used to this smell." Chen Qing used tea to suppress the sour water at the root of his tongue, his face as pale as a piece of paper.

Jiang Jingyan didn't take any pictures the whole night, but he was particularly serious when showing the Nanhong bracelet on the big screen.

Yan Baiqing said in a moderate voice, "This bracelet is the authentic one."

Chen Qing couldn't tell the difference between it and the one Mr. Xu had given her. She looked puzzled and asked, "Did you find the original one?"

"Well, it took some effort, but thanks to the task force, we were able to get the truth out of Mr. Feng."

Jiang Jingyan lowered his eyes and stroked his cufflinks.

Chen Qing's tone suddenly became clear. "Then Mr. Xu has been arrested as well, right? Do I still need to cooperate with the investigation?"

Yan Baiqing didn't reply directly. He looked past her and smiled faintly, "Jingyan."

Jiang Jingyan raised his eyelids.

"Is there nothing to your liking? Your annual salary is low, so I'll make the decision. I'll give you whatever you like." Yan Baiqing pinched the hairpin that Chen Qing originally had on her head, and intentionally or unintentionally ran the tip of the hairpin across the knotted button at the back of her neck. "Since you're here, it's not appropriate to let you leave empty-handed."

A cold light flashed, and Jiang Jingyan's face gradually became gloomy. He stared for a long time and slowly exhaled, "I'm afraid I will really return empty-handed."

Yan Baiqing took back the hairpin with his backhand, and his quick and decisive action was full of pride.

Chen Qing was completely unaware. He scratched his neck and stared at the stage in a daze.

Jiang Jingyan's annual salary wasn't low, but he wasn't as lavish as Yan Boqing. After all, their families came from different backgrounds and positions. If someone were the Yan family, others would be envious of them if they bid a high price at an auction. But if they were the Jiang family, a report would be sent to the higher authorities the next day, and the media would hound them.

Not to mention that Jiang Zhongyi is now embroiled in controversy.

Chen Qing drank tea one cup after another. Several ladies passed by, looked at him for a few seconds, whispered to each other and left.

Her chest felt choked up. Jiang Jingyan didn't have to show up tonight. Yan invited him out of courtesy. No one would blame him even if he refused. He didn't need to be the subject of other people's gossip here.

He came here simply because he was worried that something might happen to her.

The party lasted until half past ten, and only a small number of guests left due to official business. The rest were as steady as a rock, supporting the Yan family.

It seems that Yan Baiqing has gained a lot of support because of this new identity.

Near the end, Chen Qing went backstage to change his clothes. The bodyguard was guarding the door of the lounge and bowed, "Mr. Yan is entertaining guests. Please get in the car first."

"Mr. Yan said he would take me to see Li Xiangli." She frowned. "It's already very late. Does he want me to wait?"

The bodyguard answered irrelevantly, "It's cold outside, please get in the car first."

Chen Qing had no choice but to follow them away.

When passing through the VIP channel, she subconsciously looked over and saw Jiang Jingyan standing against the light with a suit jacket in his hand, his fist against his lips and his shoulders shaking.

Chen Qing paused and raised his foot again.

"Chen Qing."

She froze.

The bodyguard didn't dare to stop him, but urged him in a low voice.

The man looked at them with a sinister and arrogant aura, and they took two steps back and made way.

"Don't stay with him tonight." Jiang Jingyan looked at the top of her head. She had sprayed her hair with hairspray before going on stage, and it was shiny and sleek.

His voice was very low and hoarse. Chen Qing guessed that he was still ill and clenched his fists. "I need him to take me to see Li Xiangli."

Jiang Jingyan said nothing, took out a cigarette, and put it back, "He lied to you, Li Xiangli hasn't been found yet."

Chen Qing was stunned.

His eyes were filled with unspeakable emotions as he looked at her. "Also, if someone approaches you like tonight, be careful to see if they're wiretapped."

"Do you still want to continue?"

Jiang Jingyan laughed, "No matter."

"You are the one who lied to me." Chen Qing couldn't help but look resentful.

He smiled and hummed, "Sister Qin and the others are in the Yu Mansion, taking care of your daily life."

She was about to refuse when she heard him say, "I'm not going."

Chen Qing rubbed his nose and said in a muffled voice, "I have to be closer to him."

"You don't have to be this close so late at night."

Her lips moved, and when she saw a figure turning into the corridor, she hurriedly lowered her head.