Chapter 170 - Beautiful and Scandalous

Part one of Feng Xuan's plan on taking over the world was getting back to the society and kill every rumor about her divorce with Qing Chen.

"Seriously," she said, reading an online article. "People are just looking for clout to write nowadays."

There were numerous fake articles with rumors about Qing Chen, linking him to other celebrities. Edited pictures surfaced on the internet and caused some mild uproar in social media. It was all ridiculous in Feng Xuan's eyes. People would do anything to earn just a few money making stupid news.

Qing Chen was taking his coffee and reading the morning paper. They got up early this morning—still not able to recover from the body clock they had at the training grounds. Feng Xuan was just waiting for Qing Chen to leave so she could have her turn at the treadmill. Though her legs still ached with fatigue, it was like it was looking for that burn. She was itching to use her muscles.

"Would they be so shocked if they saw us together at New Year's party?"

Qing Chen's lips quirked upwards. "Surely. I think we would grace another issue of The Society."

At that thought, Feng Xuan felt excitement coursed through her. "I think I should have a great dress if that is the case." She remembered her cousin. "Wang Yimin must be going out of her mind with it. I really should check in with her and the business."

"Let's have dinner at the hotel tonight?"

She nodded. "I am certain we would be spending the rest of the day there anyway."

Qing Chen folded the paper and drank the last of his coffee. After washing up, he was already out the door, earlier than he should be leaving for office.

**

Feng Xuan decided to walk around their house for a few times, nodding to the bodyguards—whom she doubt she would need—they were more like accessories nowadays. Besides, she still needed to act the part of being a helpless damsel for the rest of the people. 

After having the tattoo, she was not really allowed to exercise and wet it for tweny-four hours. She had wanted to soak in the tub but held herself and settled for a sponge bath.

She had decided to surprise her cousin by simply showing up in Gretel's. Wang Yimin was behind the counter, an apron tied to her waist. Her jaw fell open and she immediately rushed to hug her cousin.

"Oh, Feng Xuan, you're back," she said and shook her cousin. "I missed you. I had been so lonely."

Feng Xuan looked around the place. Everything was almost the same apart from the new poster highlighting the New Year's promo and flavors for a limited time. "I might just sell this place to you," she said, half-joking and half wishing her cousin would take it seriously. But of course, the latter did not happen.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back today?"

"That would have beaten the purpose of surprising you," she answered and they went behind the counter as a customer walked in. Feng Xuan examined the cakes on the racks, making sure they were baked and plated to perfection. She would have to check the kitchen and financial reports by tonight. 

"This may come as a first," she began. "But would you like to go shopping with me? I need a dress for the New Year party by the weekend."

Wang Yimin could've jumped up and down with joy. "Wouldn't that be great?!" she said. "I will just call a replacement for today and we can leave."

**

Feng Xuan had tried on a few dresses that Wang Yimin pointed out but none of it felt right to her. She needed something that would match this new persona that she was channeling. She twirled around the mirror and the skirt of her dress flowed down beautifully.

"Doesn't that look great?" Wang Yimin asked, running her hand against the beads on the lower part of the blue dress.

"I don't feel like wearing blue," she said.

"But that's the lucky color of the year," her cousin answered.

Feng Xuan looked around the place and saw the mannequin near the window. "Red had always meant good fortune. I think I'll have that one."

Wang Yimin whistled under her breath. "Are you sure?"

Feng Xuan bit her lip, "I'll try it on."

**

On the next few days, Qing Chen was busy supervising the New Year's event. It should've been out of his hands but he needed this party to work. Almost all the important people had been invited, but in a more urgent function: he was going to be shown to the public for the first time with his wife after months. It had to be great.

He had arranged an early party for some of the VIP goers with small snacks and light drinks in a private room. Feng Xuan and Wang Yimin were doing their magic in one of the rooms and Qing Chen couldn't wait to see his wife. She had withheld information about what she was wearing.

"Why are you so fidgety?" asked Qing Lok, they were sharing a tall table. Wuming was somewhere attacking the food.

"I don't know," he answered and anxiously waited. He downed the golden liquid in his glass and looked around.

It was as if it was right on time when his eyes landed to her. She had just entered the room and almost every pair of eyes turned to her.

The cloth tightly hugged her body and opened near her calves. The neckline deepened to her ribs, her ample b.r.e.a.s.t held together with an illusion fabric. She looked like a dangerous mermaid out for blood.

"Close your mouth, husband." She pushed his chin upwards.

"I think I may have to cancel the party."

"Do you like it that much?" she smiled.

"Yes. You look beautiful and a little bit scandalous."

She grinned. "Just what I was aiming for."