Chapter 148: His Silhouette Seems Somewhat Familiar

“Who are you?” Shen Chutang’s face held a wary expression as she fixed her gaze on him, one hand subtly reaching toward her belt where she kept some small self-defense pills and silver needles. When those people had attacked her while she was unconscious, they hadn’t searched her, so her belongings remained intact.

The man standing with his back to her clasped his hands behind him, his voice cold and calm. “Don’t be nervous. It’s me.”

That voice—it was the Five Million!

Shen Chutang frowned at the man before her. “Five Million, why did you bring me here?”

He never turned around, still facing away. “I didn’t bring you here. This room is where I hold meetings with others. When I came in, you were already here. Don’t you remember how you got here?”

Right, it shouldn’t be the Five Million.

She had come looking for Qin Xiaoling. After entering, a kind cleaning lady had offered to help, but once inside the room, she was ambushed.

Who exactly were these people, and why had they brought her here?

Shen Chutang looked up at the Five Million, inexplicably feeling that his silhouette seemed somewhat familiar.

“Five Million, you—”

Before she could finish, the man spoke first. “Don’t worry. I’ve already had someone investigate, and I’ll inform you if anything comes up. By the way, your phone rang just now—someone called you several times.”

Shen Chutang was momentarily stunned, then took out her phone to check. Not long ago, Lu Beiqin had called twice in a row, but she had been unconscious and hadn’t heard them.

At this hour, she should have already gone home. No wonder Lu Beiqin was calling.

She quickly threw off the covers and got up. “Thank you for what happened today. Consider it a favor I owe you. If you ever need anything, just say the word.”

With that, she opened the door and swiftly walked out.

---

Earlier, she had thought Lu Beiqin’s figure resembled the Five Million’s, but now she realized it was just her imagination.

Lu Beiqin was tall, with a build similar to the Five Million’s. It was natural for them to look somewhat alike.

But the Five Million was a prince, while Lu Beiqin was merely a taxi driver who took on extra jobs at night. There was no way they were the same person.

As she pressed the elevator button, Lu Beiqin’s call came through again.

“Hello?”

“Where are you? Why aren’t you back yet? Should I come pick you up?”

Shen Chutang quickly made up an excuse. “Sorry, I have to tutor the kids tonight. I’ll be home late, so don’t wait up.”

Lu Beiqin sighed in relief. “Glad you’re okay. I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Shen Chutang knew she couldn’t leave yet—she was here to find Qin Xiaoling.

But the class chat group was abuzz, some students even tagging her.

She opened it and saw that Qin Xiaoling had just posted as well.

After going through the entire chat, Shen Chutang realized that Qin Xiaoling’s presence at the hotel was true—but she had come with her father, and it wasn’t this hotel. The photos had been doctored.

Qin Xiaoling’s father was the hotel manager. He had been busy with business trips this year and rarely came home. When he learned Qin Xiaoling was making progress in her studies, he took her to this hotel to deliver a gift, but someone with malicious intent had captured photos and spread rumors.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoling’s father went straight to the principal’s office during the evening study session, accompanied by a lawyer. He insisted that since it concerned his daughter’s reputation, the matter must be thoroughly investigated.

Now, the forum had been cleared up. The student who posted the false information was found and forced to apologize, and was placed under school observation.

---

Only then did Shen Chutang understand she had jumped to conclusions.

Qin Xiaoling had taken leave today, and with the forum incident, it was natural for her to assume Qin Xiaoling had come to this hotel.

But it was all a setup.

Someone had deliberately used Qin Xiaoling to lure her into a trap.

The classmates in the group chat were all discussing the matter, even tagging Shen Chutang to come join the excitement.

“Strange, why hasn’t the boss come out yet?”

“Boss, are you in the restroom? Boss!”

“Maybe the forum incident scared the boss? Someone just said they saw the boss rush out in a hurry.”

Shen Chutang sent a large red envelope in the group chat. “Quiet down, I’m busy. Go study.”

In an instant, the red envelope was snapped up. One after another, messages of thanks popped up, and the students obediently returned to their studies.

She asked the front desk about the cleaning lady, describing her appearance and inquiring about her information. To her surprise, they did have something: the woman had submitted her resignation and today was her last day.

Shen Chutang took out a device, inserted her phone, transforming it into a portable computer. She hacked into the hotel’s surveillance system.

The person behind all this was clever, knowing she would show up because of Qin Xiaoling, and had set traps layer upon layer.

But this time, Shen Chutang was furious—and she was not someone to be trifled with!