Chapter 156: Su Hongmian Is Cute!
"Why do I smell... ketchup?"
Su Hongmian suddenly frowned, breaking the romantic tension that had filled the wrecked elevator car. A look of sharp suspicion appeared on her exquisite and beautiful face, replacing the tearful adoration from seconds ago.
She leaned in closer to Shen Anyu's face, her nose twitching delicately like a suspicious bunny.
Her clear, beautiful Phoenix eyes lifted, and she eyed Shen Anyu with a strange gaze—a mix of confusion and dawning realization.
Sniff. Sniff.
The metallic tang of blood was missing. Instead, there was a faint, sweet-sour aroma of vinegar and tomatoes, mingling with Shen Anyu's expensive cologne.
"Wait a minute..."
Su Hongmian reached out a trembling finger and touched the red liquid at the corner of his mouth. She rubbed it between her thumb and forefinger. It was sticky, but not in the way blood was.
She looked at Shen Anyu.
His face, which had been pale a moment ago, was now returning to its healthy, radiant color. He was full of Life Qi, masculine and valiant. His breathing was stable and rhythmic, not ragged like a dying man's.
Where was there any sign of a severe internal injury?
Shen Anyu felt a bead of cold sweat (real sweat this time) trickle down his back.
'This little girl is so sharp! Her IQ returns the moment the crisis fades. She wasn't easy to fool.'
"Brother Shen..."
Su Hongmian's voice took on a dangerous edge.
"You aren't hurt, are you? You didn't spit blood, did you? That was ketchup, wasn't it? Did you have a packet of McDonald's ketchup in your mouth this whole time?!"
As Su Hongmian pieced it together, her eyes didn't darken with rage. Instead, they brightened, revealing an excited expression. Her brows curved, and she smiled sweetly—a smile that was both relieved and accusing.
Shen Anyu showed a surprised expression. He had been quickly formulating a dozen excuses involving "Internal Energy Suppression" or "Miracle Healing," but he didn't expect Su Hongmian to react like this. She wasn't angry?
However, on second thought, he realized why.
'This little girl's overall Favorability has already reached its maximum (100). To the point of undying devotion. She sees everything I do through a filter of love.'
It's just that a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; should he admit it or continue the act?
Looking at Su Hongmian's bright and joyful beautiful eyes, Shen Anyu decided on honesty (partial honesty).
He took a deep breath, held her gaze, and said sincerely:
"Yes. You caught me. I'm not hurt. You forgot I Cultivate martial arts; I even taught you the basics before. My body is stronger than steel."
"A height of five or six floors... an elevator car falling down... it can't hurt me. I could jump from the roof and land on my feet."
He wiped the red sauce from his lips with his thumb and licked it, smirking.
"That was indeed ketchup. A special prop I prepared... just to scare you."
Shen Anyu's face showed a sincere, warm, and unapologetically rogue smile as he admitted this.
Of course, he omitted the part where he was the one who cut the cables and staged the entire accident. That was a secret he would take to his grave. A magician never reveals the trapdoor.
"Hmph! I knew it! I knew you were tricking me! Brother Shen, you big liar! You big bully!"
Su Hongmian lightly snorted, hitting his chest with her small fist. It had no force behind it.
On her beautiful and exquisite little face, there wasn't much anger. Instead, the corners of her mouth turned up uncontrollably, giving a feeling of immense pleasure and joy.
In reality, Su Hongmian was indeed not angry at the moment.
Why would she be?
First, the relief that Shen Anyu was unharmed washed over her like a tidal wave, drowning out any irritation. He was alive! He was strong!
Second, knowing that Shen Anyu was fooling her... it meant he went to great lengths just to elicit a reaction from her. He staged a drama just to see if she cared.
This was a twisted kind of romance, but to a girl in love, it was sweet.
'He wanted to know if I loved him enough to cry for him. What a childish, possessive man.'
She didn't dislike it. In fact, she loved it.
This was a case of love being blind. If anyone else—like Xu Ping'an—dared to trick her like that, Su Hongmian would have slapped him directly and sued him for emotional distress.
But looking at the handsome, affectionate, and powerful Brother Shen in front of her... Su Hongmian couldn't bring herself to be angry.
Even though she was intelligent, even though she knew Shen Anyu had been deceptive and manipulative... she could feel his "intentions." He wanted to break her walls. And he succeeded.
She was only stubborn with her words, but in reality, her body was very honest. She leaned into his embrace, enjoying the warmth.
Shen Anyu chuckled inwardly, looking at the adorable Young Miss with upturned lips in front of him.
'Young Miss, you've fallen in love completely. There is no escape now.'
"Brother Shen! Sister Su! We're here! We've found people to rescue you!"
"Hold on! You must hold on!"
At this moment, the chaotic sounds of the outside world pierced their bubble.
Liu Mi and Jiang Linlin's anxious shouts came from outside the elevator shaft doors, echoing down the shaft. There was the sound of metal being pried, the grinding of gears, and chaotic footsteps of security guards rushing in.
Clearly, Liu Mi and Jiang Linlin had run down the stairs faster than Olympic sprinters, found the building staff, and were now preparing to rescue Shen Anyu and Su Hongmian.
Upon hearing this, Su Hongmian's face immediately brightened. She straightened her dress and wiped her tears.
She called out, her voice strong and clear:
"We are here! Brother Shen and I are fine! Hurry and pry open the elevator shaft to get us out! It's dusty in here!"
As she said this, listening to the joyful, relieved voices outside, Su Hongmian also looked relaxed. She tilted her small face up to look at Shen Anyu and giggled mischievously:
"Bad guy. Your show is over. The rescuers are here. You won't have a chance to take advantage of me anymore in this dark box!"
Shen Anyu raised an eyebrow. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a quick, stealing kiss before she could react.
"That's not necessarily true~ The night is still young, Mianmian."
Su Hongmian blushed crimson, pushing him away gently but smiling.
...
At this moment, outside the elevator shaft on the first floor lobby.
The scene was chaotic. Security guards were using crowbars to force the dented doors open.
"Aunt Xiao! Hurry up! Please!"
Jiang Linlin, who had previously been timid like a quail, was now gripping the arm of the Head of Security (Aunt Xiao), anxiously urging her.
"Brother Shen and Sister Su are trapped inside! They fell from the sixth floor! The impact must have been terrible! They might be seriously injured! Hurry up!"
At this moment, Jiang Linlin was so anxious that tears were flowing freely. Her face was pale, her hands shaking.
Watching the elevator car fall had traumatized her. Her mind went blank at the time.
She couldn't imagine if Brother Shen had died from the fall. If he died... she felt she would die of heartbreak right there. Her world would end.
At this moment, Jiang Linlin had no intention of hiding anything. She didn't care about keeping secrets in front of her best friend Liu Mi anymore.
She had only one thought, one sole thought: Brother Shen must live well. He must be safe and sound. Even if she had to trade her life for his.
Liu Mi was also burning with anxiety next to her.
She was pacing back and forth, her high heels clicking rapidly. She was on the phone, shouting orders.
"Hurry and open the elevator shaft! Break it down if you have to! I'll pay for the damage!"
"I've already called Shanghai First People's Hospital to send an ambulance! It will be here in five minutes! We must seize the time! Every second counts!"
How could Liu Mi's love for Shen Anyu be any less?
Although she had various little schemes to become the Main Wife, although she was calculating and smart... the premise of all her plans was that Shen Anyu was alive.
Without him, her ambitions meant nothing. Without him, her heart was empty.
Her intelligent and charming fox eyes were filled with genuine worry and anxiety, stripped of all pretense.
"Young Miss Jiang, Young Miss Liu... please, calm down. Don't worry."
Aunt Xiao stood by the door, directing the guards with calm precision.
She was a Grandmaster Peak expert and the captain of Shen Anyu's hidden guard. She had sensed Shen Anyu's aura inside the shaft. It was stable, strong, and completely uninjured.
At this moment, Aunt Xiao had a strange expression on her face. She was suppressing a laugh as she comforted the hysterical Jiang Linlin and Liu Mi.
"Young Lord will be fine. Trust me. He has... nine lives."
She knew her Young Lord's strength. He was a monster who could tear mech suits with his mind. How could a mere elevator fall hurt him?
'This must have been premeditated by the Young Lord. Another one of his "Training Exercises" for the ladies.'
Aunt Xiao shook her head internally, admiring his methods.
'Scaring them to death to win their hearts... Young Lord is truly wicked. But effective.'
As a loyal subordinate, seeing through but not exposing the truth, and cooperating with the performance... was all that was needed~
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