Huh?

In a daze.

Pang Jun slowly opened his eyes.

He saw Lin Mengxi sitting at the bedside, sobbing uncontrollably.

Darling, what's wrong?

Seeing her cry, Pang Jun immediately woke up, all traces of sleep vanishing.

He sat up urgently and nervously, wanting to wipe away her tears.

But what he got in return was a hard slap from Lin Mengxi.

Through sharp, heart-wrenching cries, she screamed, Get out!

Covering his burning cheek, Pang Jun's mind went blank.

Why is this happening to me? Why!

Before Pang Jun could even ask, Lin Mengxi collapsed further into her tears, crying out,

Mengxi, is there some kind of misunderstanding between us? Pang Jun asked, his mind in disarray.

Misunderstanding? You bastard, you call this a misunderstanding? You took me home and forced yourself on me while I was drunk, and you call it a misunderstanding?

Tears streaming down her face, Lin Mengxi screamed with a trembling voice, I trusted you! I gave you a chance, and this is how you repay me?

Mengxi, I... I thought you agreed... Pang Jun stammered, visibly panicking.

Agreed? In your eyes, do you think I'm that kind of person? We barely know each other! Lin Mengxi sobbed and roared.

It was only then that Pang Jun finally realized.

Lin Mengxi never agreed to go home with him.

She never consented to any of it.

He had indeed crossed the line while she was intoxicated.

Even during that moment, Lin Mengxi had shown signs of resistance—he had just misinterpreted it entirely.

Yet, even now, Pang Jun didn't consider it a setup.

That this was all a trap, laid out specifically for him.

At this moment, regret was all that remained in his mind.

Smack!

Pang Jun slapped himself hard across the face.

Mengxi, I'll take responsibility. I swear, I'll take full responsibility!

Responsibility? That's your excuse for what you did? Pang Jun, I hate you!

Through gritted teeth, Lin Mengxi cried out, her voice filled with agony.

She wrapped the blanket tightly around herself, slipped out of bed, grabbed her clothes, and rushed into the bathroom.

Moments later, sobs echoed from the bathroom.

Pang Jun's mind went completely blank, his face pale.

Why... why did it come to this? What do I do now?

Smack!

He slapped himself again.

In the bathroom, the crying stopped.

Lin Mengxi emerged, fully dressed.

Mengxi... Pang Jun, visibly distressed, called out.

She said nothing.

Her eyes were sharp as she glared at him.

After wiping away her tears, she left quickly.

Pang Jun stood there, too stunned to follow.

His mind was a chaotic mess.

Later, while brushing his teeth, he swallowed the toothpaste foam without realizing it.

He forgot to wash his face or shave his beard.

His mind could no longer recall the pleasure from the previous night.

He looked like a lost soul.

Even when he arrived at work, the gossip about their CEO responding to rumors didn't register with him.

In his office, he leaned his left elbow on the desk, palm on his forehead.

His right hand slapped his face repeatedly.

Pang Jun, you absolute fool! How could you do something so terrible?

He grabbed his hair furiously and leaned back in his chair.

Huff!

After a deep breath, he pulled out his phone.

He opened WeChat and clicked on his chat with Lin Mengxi.

Mengxi, you know I love you. I swear I'll take responsibility. Let's get married right now. Don't you know how I feel about you?

This time, Lin Mengxi responded almost immediately.

I thought I knew you, but clearly, I didn't. You took advantage of me when I was drunk after just a few days of knowing each other. Is that your idea of love?

Mengxi, I was wrong. Please give me a chance. Pang Jun replied hastily.

A chance? Do you really think I could ever trust someone like you again?

Pang Jun: Tell me... what can I do to make up for this? How can I fix it?

In her high-rise apartment, Lin Mengxi smirked coldly.

She didn't respond on WeChat.

Instead, she dialed his number.

She knew Pang Jun wasn't sharp enough to record the call. Plus, his iPhone didn't allow for call recording.

At Yiren Like Snow Company.

Pang Jun jumped as soon as he saw her call and answered immediately.

Mengxi!

Do you really want to make up for your mistake? Lin Mengxi's voice was cold, unfamiliar even.

Pang Jun didn't hesitate. Anything! I'll do anything if it means you'll forgive me.

Good. Give me the formula for the Perfect Cream.

Lin Mengxi no longer hid her intentions.

She had seen a viral video response from Ye Chen online.

Many of the comments forgave him, echoing sentiments like "To err is human" and "Everyone deserves a second chance."

Fueled by anger, she decided not to wait any longer.

But Pang Jun's reaction was instant.

He shot up from his chair.

What? What did you say?

You heard me. You want to make things right? Hand over the Perfect Cream formula.

Are you insane? Do you know what that formula is worth?

Pang Jun, now trembling, finally stood his ground.

This is your only chance. Either give me the formula or I'll report you to the police right now.

The police...

Pang Jun froze.

A chill ran down his spine.

If she reported him and the charges stuck—what then?

You know the consequences if I report this. The formula means nothing compared to that.

Pang Jun's mind raced through recent events.

When he first met Lin Mengxi, Ding Chengjun left right before she arrived.

She seemed to know everything about him.

Now she was asking for the formula.

It all clicked.

Was this a trap? A setup by you and Ding Chengjun? Pang Jun's teeth chattered.

I don't know any Ding Chengjun. You have three hours. After that, I'm calling the police.

Lin Mengxi hung up.