Chapter 118: A Desperate Gamble (Tenth Watch)

Initially, Chu Bai suppressed the anger coursing through her veins. She retreated behind Mu Qingcheng, wearing an air of serene composure and ease.

Yet, the moment she uttered that light, seemingly casual sentence, a heavy silence fell abruptly over everyone present. From the self-righteous netizens to the keen-eyed reporters lurking nearby, all fell unnervingly quiet.

Those who moments ago had been fervently vocal now found themselves compelled to tread cautiously. Their once eager gazes shrank back, faces marked by apprehension and dread.

Among the crowd of netizens, roughly half began to harbor doubts, a wavering desire to retreat. After all, anyone with a shred of sense wouldn’t recklessly stir trouble at such a scene.

The Mu family was not to be trifled with. Even if there was solid proof, it was far beyond the capacity of these onlookers to confront.

Regrettably, there were always those foolishly zealous “champions of justice,” who, caught in a moment of foolish fervor, stepped brazenly from behind the scenes into the spotlight—and, as fate would have it, were caught red-handed by Zheng Zhu.

At that moment, even Mu Qingcheng turned back in surprise to glance at Chu Bai, her expression brimming with confusion.

But within that glance, Chu Bai glimpsed a hidden menace—an instinctive reaction triggered by a breach of privacy. It was the fierce spirit buried deep within Mu Qingcheng’s very bones.

Chu Bai’s beautiful eyes flashed sharply, and with a hint of grievance, she blew a playful kiss toward Mu Qingcheng.

Mu Qingcheng was momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, noticing Mu Qingcheng’s unusual demeanor and fearing the situation might spiral further out of control, Ran Siya suddenly rose to her feet.

Yet she said nothing, only approaching Mu Qingcheng and gently tugging at her sleeve, lowering her voice with caution.

“Qingcheng, let’s go. It’s better to call it off.”

Her careful manner seemed to suggest she knew more than she let on.

Mu Qingcheng said nothing in return, quietly withdrawing her arm from Ran Siya’s grasp.

On the sidelines, some netizens seemed to seize upon this hesitation instantly, mounting a loud outcry.

“No, we can’t let her leave!”

“Yes, it’s obviously planned.”

“This hotel must have colluded with the Mu family—how else could they all be here coincidentally?”

“There’s something fishy. Mu Qingcheng’s scandal has to be true.”

Yet Chu Bai was utterly unperturbed.

She allowed the netizens to clamour and shout without any reaction, merely watching as if enjoying a spectacle, her expression dripping with mockery and disdain. Pure, unabashed contempt radiated from her.

The Mu family noticed the shift too, watching the changing expressions between Mu Qingcheng and Ran Siya.

In the end, no one dared to speak. Even Mu Jingchi suppressed his anger, replaced instead by a deep, unspoken weariness.

On this side of the room,

Ran Siya, sensing some response, once again grasped Mu Qingcheng’s hand, her voice tinged with urgency.

“Come on, little sister Qingcheng, let’s go. Let Boss Chu arrange some people—we’ll definitely get out of here, alright?”

At last, Mu Qingcheng turned her head. Looking at Ran Siya, who clung to her like a delicate bird, her lips curved into a sharp smile as she spoke, each word measured and clear.

“Is it me who wants to leave, or you?”

“You... what did you say?”

“To be honest, I’m tired. I want to go back and rest.”

“Fine then, we—”

But before Ran Siya could finish, Mu Qingcheng shrugged her off and strode over to Chu Bai.

“Boss Chu, please provide the room booking records for that night.”

“I’ve prepared them long ago.”

With those words, Chu Bai snapped her fingers. Immediately, someone appeared from behind, carrying a laptop, and approached the crowd.

“Project it directly.”

Without leaving any room for doubt, Chu Bai commanded with finality.

Soon, a detailed electronic bill appeared on the large screen not far from the crowd.

But on the name field for the sole presidential suite booked that night, the name displayed was not hers—it was another name, consisting of three characters entirely different.