"Oh, really? You haven't lied to me?" Su Chen asked seriously, feigning disbelief.

"Of course not. How could I deceive Mr. Su?" Qi Meng breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes softening. "Actually, I could wish for nothing more than your affections."

"Oh, is that so? That's unfortunate," Su Chen said, rising. "It seems we must wait until next time."

Qi Meng quickly slid from the table to a wicker chair. "Mr. Su, I apologize for the mishap."

Shen Lin entered, his eyes widening at the shattered tea set. He mused, Only a few minutes, and this happened?

"Young Master Shen, my apologies. I was clumsy and knocked over the table," Su Chen explained, smiling.

"It's merely a tea set," Shen Lin dismissed, waving a hand. But he wondered how a solid wood table could be overturned so easily.

"I must be going. Thank you for the tea, Young Master Shen," Su Chen said, preparing to leave.

"You're welcome." Shen Lin glanced at Qi Meng. "Miss Qi Meng, would you see Mr. Su out for me?"

"Certainly," Qi Meng replied, following Su Chen.

After she walked him to his car, she turned to leave.

"Wait," Su Chen said.

"Mr. Su?" Qi Meng asked, puzzled.

He moved closer, whispering in her ear, "Miss Qi Meng, how have you slept these past few days? Have you missed me?"

Qi Meng's heart trembled; her face flushed crimson. She had indeed dreamt of him, restless and sleepless. Her first impulse was to deny it, but remembering her mission, she said, captivated, "Of course, I missed you terribly."

"I felt the same," Su Chen replied. "All I could think of was you."

Unsettled, Qi Meng hastily excused herself, fleeing back to the teahouse.

Her situation was precarious. To win the King of Netherworld, she could only offer herself, but this was not what she desired. Her first attempt had failed; could she succeed now? Failure meant worse than death. She had to play this dangerous game, even though she knew the risks.

Su Chen watched her go, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He recognized her conflicted emotions—her desire and reluctance. He was also increasingly curious about her true identity. While she presented herself as Shen Lin's associate, Su Chen doubted this for two reasons: her strength—a high-level Qi Refinement Peak expert, far beyond someone who would serve a young master like Shen Lin—and her past attempt to assassinate him. Shen Lin was unlikely to have ordered that.

Someone else was clearly behind Qi Meng, orchestrating both the assassination attempt and this sudden change of heart. Their motives remained a mystery, but Su Chen had his breakthrough point: Qi Meng.

Later, Su Chen returned home, cooked dinner with Lin Ruoxue, and discussed hiring a maid. After their conversation, Lin Ruoxue returned to work and Su Chen to his cultivation.

The next day, he went to the manor, intending to complete a formation to aid his imminent breakthrough to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement. Lone Wolf had delivered the necessary materials. The formation was completed by early afternoon. The manor's proximity to the lake provided denser Yuan Qi, invigorating Su Chen. He planned to replicate the formation at the Nether Temple and the Shadow Guard base in the Amazon.

Su Chen began cultivating, continuing until late into the evening.