{"id":2783,"date":"2026-04-03T02:46:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T02:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/public-entertainment-circle-32\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T03:21:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T03:21:55","slug":"public-entertainment-circle-32","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/chapter\/public-entertainment-circle-32\/","title":{"rendered":"Public [Entertainment Circle] 32"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

**Chapter 32: Spending Money Like Water**

When they returned to the Lakeside Estate, it was nearly five in the morning. The sky was still dark.

Qin Mang kept her face hidden beneath a small blanket in the car the entire way back.

No particular reason.

She just couldn\u2019t bear to show her face.

In the master bedroom, He Lingji had already showered. When he came out, he saw Qin Mang lying bonelessly on the sofa, her face covered by the thin blanket, motionless.

The man casually threw on a bathrobe. His short, damp hair still dripped with water.

Drop by drop.

Sliding along his Adam\u2019s apple, trailing down in winding lines.

In the darkness of the night\u2014

It felt like danger was lurking beneath the surface.

Yet he didn\u2019t seem to care, taking a few strides forward and lifting the thin blanket.
\u201cMrs. He, are you trying to suffocate yourself out of shame and anger?\u201d

Qin Mang covered her face with her delicate fingers.

She turned her back to him.

Probably because she\u2019d had her head under the blanket too long\u2014

Her usually fair cheeks were now flushed with a rather unnatural rouge, even her ears matched.

Her dainty, curvy figure curled up, making her appear vulnerable and pitiful.

He Lingji reached out and touched her neck.

The long-trapped warmth and dampness spread up his cool fingertips.

A rare trace of pity appeared in his eyes.

\u201cStill hurting?\u201d

\u201cIt hurts! It hurts like hell!\u201d

Qin Mang finally couldn\u2019t hold it in.

She smacked his hand with a loud *slap*, her watery eyes now lit with twin flames.
\u201cWho told you to skip all the proper prep work?\u201d

\u201cHow about I stab you with a red-hot iron rod for two hours and let you feel what I feel?\u201d

That metaphor\u2014

Instead of angering him, made He Lingji chuckle. He bent down and picked her up effortlessly, his tone mild.
\u201cHeld it in for months. Couldn\u2019t anymore.\u201d

\u201cSorry.\u201d

The sudden apology made all the curses Qin Mang had lined up get stuck in her throat.

And just like that, she was already being carried into the bathroom.

Wait a second?

Qin Mang suddenly processed what he said.
Held it in for months? Couldn\u2019t anymore?

So\u2026 this was somehow her fault?

Before she could come up with a sharp yet elegant comeback\u2014

Suddenly.

The shower turned on. Warm mist poured down, soaking Qin Mang and making her close her eyes.

\u201cFor the next few days, no baths. It’ll help avoid infection.\u201d

His cool voice came through the sound of the water, laced with a strange gentleness.

After a whole day of chaos\u2014

Qin Mang was exhausted.

She almost fell asleep in his arms while showering.

Luckily, He Lingji could steady her with one hand, and it didn\u2019t stop him from helping her wash up.

Qin Mang felt perfectly justified.

If he hadn\u2019t tortured her so much last night, she would\u2019ve been fast asleep by now.

She was so tired she wanted to pass out the moment she laid down\u2014but who would’ve thought\u2014

He Lingji hadn\u2019t forgotten to apply medicine for her.

The faint herbal scent filled the air, tinged with a cooling sensation.

Qin Mang ran hot by nature\u2014every inch of her was like that.

So the moment the cold ointment touched her skin\u2014

She snapped wide awake and reflexively kicked out.

Only for He Lingji to easily catch her slender ankle.

His long, cool fingers looked elegant, but carried a quiet threat as they gripped her foot and pressed her back down.

Deadly beautiful.

And dangerously commanding.

\u201cDon\u2019t move.\u201d

\u201cAlmost done.\u201d

Under the dim amber lighting\u2014

Qin Mang buried her face into the pillow, muffling her voice.
\u201cCan\u2019t you hurry up?\u201d

The slowness was driving her crazy\u2014

He Lingji remained calm.
\u201cRelax.\u201d

Qin Mang bit her lower lip, resisting the urge to kick him in the face.
\u201c\u2026You damn jerk! So annoying!\u201d

If she had to go through this twice a day, she might\u2014

Before she could finish the thought, He Lingji stood up unhurriedly.
\u201cTwice a day. I\u2019ll apply it again tomorrow morning.\u201d

Qin Mang: *Ahhh!* This torture happens **twice** a day!?

After he finished applying the medicine\u2014

He Lingji pulled off the mint-green lace nightie she had wrapped in her robe, his voice calm and firm.
\u201cDon\u2019t wear this tonight.\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019ll irritate your skin.\u201d

He even tossed her silk robe onto a rack just out of her reach.

\u201cYou\u2019d throw it off in the middle of the night anyway.\u201d

Qin Mang stared at the dangling mint green lace.

After all that\u2014

He Lingji was tired, too.

He sent a quick message to Secretary Cong to delay the morning meeting, then lifted the quilt and climbed into bed.

His handsome face was brushed with subtle fatigue.

The aftereffects of several strong drinks were also kicking in.

He rubbed his brow with long fingers, turning off the last light.

The huge room fell into silence and darkness.

Heavy curtains blocked the faint morning light outside.

This was the drowsiest time of day.

Qin Mang tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
\u201c\u2026This is weird.\u201d

She lay there wide awake for over ten minutes\u2014

He Lingji was almost in deep sleep.

Qin Mang turned and looked at his sleeping profile, then pressed her lips flat and reached out to poke his eyelashes.

Why did a grown man have such long lashes?

\u201cStop it.\u201d

He Lingji\u2019s voice was husky, his hand closing over her wrist.

\u201cI can\u2019t sleep.\u201d

\u201cGo get my panties.\u201d

Qin Mang didn\u2019t want to get up, so she poked him again.
\u201cI\u2019m not used to this.\u201d

\u201cI don\u2019t feel secure.\u201d

When he didn\u2019t move\u2014

She poked him again and again.

\u201cGo get them.\u201d

\u201cHoney\\~\u201d

He Lingji, annoyed beyond belief, kept his eyes closed, pulled off the robe he\u2019d just changed into after his shower, and slipped it onto her.

The movements were smooth and practiced.

Then he wrapped his long arms around her, holding her firmly in place to stop any more nonsense.

\u201cCan you sleep now?\u201d

The robe still carried his body heat.

It now hung loosely on her slim waist, empty and oversized.

Qin Mang was stunned.

\u2026Huh?

**You can do that??**

More importantly!

Qin Mang clutched at the silky robe, too afraid to look down.

This damned man!

So shameless!

\u201cHe Lingji, you\u2014\u201d

\u201cNot sleeping?\u201d

In the pitch dark, he suddenly opened his eyes. His gray-blue pupils were deep and still, like whirlpools\u2014overflowing with dominance.

Qin Mang, who was about to make more trouble, froze.

Obediently shut her eyes.

\u201cI\u2019m sleeping.\u201d

Sometimes you just had to back down.

Otherwise, she\u2019d only suffer more.

He Lingji, that damn dog, was capable of **anything** when pissed off.

—

The next morning, Qin Mang was jolted awake by a series of calls from Fu Yuan.

\u201cWhere were you last night?\u201d

\u201cDid you get photographed?\u201d

\u201cWhere are you now?\u201d

Three questions in a row left Qin Mang dazed for a solid three seconds.

She looked around.

The familiar and luxurious d\u00e9cor\u2014it was the master bedroom of the Lakeside Estate\u2019s wedding suite.

She sat up in a panic, then gasped from the painful pull.

Crap.

The paparazzi staking out her building probably knew she hadn\u2019t come home last night!

She\u2019d been too embarrassed to think of it yesterday.

Before she could respond\u2014

A veined, masculine hand reached from behind and took her phone.
\u201cShe\u2019s with me.\u201d

Fu Yuan went silent.

After a pause, she tried to be polite.
\u201cPresident He\u2026 it\u2019s not a good time for Qin Mang to be living with you.\u201d

He Lingji stood beside the bed, dressed sharply in a suit, as if he was heading straight into a boardroom.

Elegant and refined, cold and abstinent.

But the words he said were: \u201cLast night, she\u2014\u201d

Qin Mang realized what he was about to say.

Regardless of her current situation, she suddenly lunged forward to snatch the phone.

At the same time, she raised her voice to interrupt him, \u201cSister Fu, I\u2019ll head back this afternoon!\u201d

*Click.*

The call ended.

She knelt by the bed, looking up angrily at He Lingji. \u201cWho let you spout nonsense\u2026\u201d

Suddenly, she noticed something sliding down from her waist.

Qin Mang\u2019s slender body flinched.

As if in slow motion, she lowered her head, her pupils gradually widening\u2014

Only to see her fair knees covered by a layer of pitch-black fabric.

Ahhhhhh!

Qin Mang immediately grabbed the edge of it.

Above her, the man let out a low, pleasant chuckle, laced with implication: \u201cDidn\u2019t expect Mrs. He to be so fond of He\u2019s\u2014\u201d

The last two words.

Echoed in Qin Mang\u2019s ears.

Having been led by the nose all night, Qin Mang finally calmed down. She curved her red lips into a smile, stood up slowly, and loosely tied the black fabric around her waist.

Standing on the bed, she looked down at He Lingji\u2019s cold and noble face.

Her porcelain-like fingertips lifted the man\u2019s chin.

Leaning in slightly.

A soft, seductive voice slowly spilled out, \u201cI *do* like it\u2014\u201d

Since she was injured anyway, she might as well tease this dog man to death!

Her eyes glimmered with a smile. She glanced to the side and, seeing his reaction, smirked even more. \u201cOh my, seems like President He likes it too.\u201d

Thinking of her weak and wilted state last night.

And now this dazzling, bold demeanor.

He Lingji\u2019s eyes darkened; his pale gray-blue pupils were devoid of emotion.

In the end, he simply picked up the ointment they used last night from the bedside, scooped out a bit with his finger, and slowly said, \u201cHe prefers applying medicine to Mrs. He.\u201d

Qin Mang: \u201c!\u201d

What a refined scoundrel!

\u2026

Right after He Lingji went to the company, Qin Mang returned to their pre-marital residence in the city center.

Separate living!

They must live apart!

Floor-to-ceiling windows covered an entire wall. The ultra-luxurious flat offered a sweeping view of the city\u2019s most prosperous district\u2014every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

It was also known as the most traffic-congested area.

At the moment, she was lazily leaning on a lounge chair by the window.

In the natural light.

Fu Yuan clearly saw the marks imprinted on the girl’s snow-white neck.

Even the little red mole on her nose seemed over-saturated with decadent allure.

Fu Yuan couldn’t help but get a headache.

\u201cCan\u2019t you ask President He to restrain himself a bit?\u201d

If President Ruan hadn\u2019t sent all the paparazzi to the police for a verbal warning last night…

They would’ve been caught!

Qin Mang fluttered her lashes and let out a cold laugh. \u201cWho knows what kind of fit he was throwing yesterday.\u201d

Like he took some kind of potion or something.

Didn\u2019t he know they weren\u2019t well-matched in size?

Suddenly, Qin Mang seemed to realize something.

They hadn\u2019t been this mismatched before.

What happened yesterday?

Could it be that he had never gone all the way before?

Frowning, Qin Mang couldn\u2019t figure it out.

Fu Yuan, exasperated, could only think: only Mrs. He would dare talk about President He this way.

She didn\u2019t dare chime in.

So she changed the topic: \u201cI\u2019ve cleared all your schedules for the next half month. As long as you\u2019re not caught alone with another man, do whatever you like.\u201d

Consider it a vacation.

Just in case this little ancestor decided to quit without warning again.

Hearing this, Qin Mang\u2019s lips slowly curled upward.

\u201cNow that\u2019s more like it.\u201d

She picked up a high-end gemstone exhibition brochure from the nearby rack, occasionally circling items with a red marker.

Planning to check them out in person.

Meng Ting glanced over casually.

Then gasped.

\u201cHoly crap\u2014\u201d

It was the first time he truly felt the financial power of a wealthy heiress.

Looking at her wildly marked-up brochure, he cautiously asked, \u201cThe ones you circled\u2026 are those what you\u2019re planning to buy?\u201d

Qin Mang lifted her lashes and glanced at him.

\u201cWhat kind of taste is that?\u201d

Meng Ting: \u201c\u2026\u201d

What did she mean?

Qin Mang pointed her fair finger at the centerpiece sapphire shaped like a planet. \u201cThe ones I didn\u2019t circle\u2014those are the ones I actually want.\u201d

Meng Ting\u2019s eyes widened.

Just that one sapphire…

Would cost over a hundred million!

These filthy rich people!

Initially, Qin Mang was worried He Lingji would follow her to the city center.

After all, he had strongly refused to live separately.

Who knew he\u2019d leave on a business trip the very same day.

He only sent the housekeeper to deliver ointment.

And\u2014

His daily necessities.

Qin Mang leaned against the doorframe, eyeing the servants behind the housekeeper who looked like they were moving in. \u201cWhat\u2019s this now?\u201d

The housekeeper respectfully said, \u201cPresident He was worried you wouldn\u2019t take care of yourself.\u201d

\u201cHe sent us over on purpose.\u201d

\u201cAnd his things?\u201d

The housekeeper\u2019s expression was perfectly composed. \u201cPresident He will also move in once his business trip ends.\u201d

Qin Mang: ?

Before she could voice her refusal\u2014

The housekeeper added, \u201cPresident He said this is shared marital property. He\u2019s entitled to live here.\u201d

What the hell?!

That dog man actually covets her pre-marital assets!

She moved here to avoid the paparazzi.

After all, this mysterious location would make them lower their guard.

Now He Lingji was making a high-profile move to follow her here too?

Was he afraid no one would link them together?

The housekeeper presented a card with both hands.

\u201cThis is your pocket money from during the filming period.\u201d

The He family had deep roots and had preserved many traditions.

For example, a fixed monthly allowance.

This fixed amount could be spent however one liked.

To prevent surprises, extra discretionary funds would be prepared, and the rest would go into various investments.

Qin Mang lowered her curled lashes. She recalled how, ever since she entered the entertainment industry, her uncle had cut off her allowance, claiming it was time for her to show filial piety.

But it was really just to force her to quit the industry.

So currently, most of the money she had at her disposal came from what she earned as an actress!

Money was *really* hard to earn.

She\u2019d worked her butt off for two years and still didn\u2019t make as much as one month\u2019s allowance used to give her!

On one hand, the gemstone brochure she wanted to buy from.

On the other, letting He Lingji move in.

Three seconds later.

Qin Mang decisively stepped aside, card pinched between her fingers, eyes curving with a smile: \u201cHurry and bring in my dear husband\u2019s luggage.\u201d

\u201cHow can a married couple live apart!\u201d

Once the housekeeper came inside\u2014

Qin Mang changed the tone, \u201cI can spend the money however I want, right?\u201d

The housekeeper smiled slightly. \u201cOf course.\u201d

But what she never expected\u2014

Was that someone could actually max out an eight-figure limit.

In just a few days.

Qin Mang was thrilled.

She kissed her gemstone exhibition booklet.

Her precious babies!

You\u2019re all coming home with me.

Lately, Qin Mang had been busy filming, studying, and taking on various jobs. It had been a *long, long* time since she lived in such a lavish, luxurious way.

There just wasn\u2019t time before.

Now that she was on break\u2014

She called up her bestie who had just returned from Antarctica and flew abroad.

After a wild shopping spree\u2014

They attended a gemstone exhibition.

This one was beautiful.

That one was gorgeous.

Sapphire\u2014elegant.

Ruby\u2014vibrant.

Yellow diamond\u2014graceful.

Emerald\u2014mysterious\u2014

She wanted them *all*!

As expected of the world\u2019s largest gemstone exhibition.

Even the rarest of gems could be found here.

Some were display-only and not for sale. Qin Mang simply threw money at them.

She had grown up in luxury. As long as she liked something, she *had* to get it\u2014no matter the price!

Even Yu Yuxi, who was standing beside her like a little assistant carrying her bag, was stunned.

She had made such a fuss before, saying she didn\u2019t want a business marriage and wanted to pursue love.

She was wrong.

Looking at how extravagantly Qin Mang was spending money, who the hell would still want love?

Even when the little lioness was at her maiden home, she never spent money so freely!

After smoothly signing another order, Qin Mang, still feeling unsatisfied, sent a message to her little uncle:

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** \\[Little Uncle, your niece sincerely thanks you.]

**Qin Yan:** \\[?]

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** \\[For picking such an excellent and generous husband for me!]

**Qin Yan:** \\[?]

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** \\[Love you to death!]

Qin Yan finally caught on:
**Qin Yan:** \\[How much of his money did you spend?]

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** \\[What do you mean by \u201chis\u201d money? We’re all one family!]

**Qin Yan:** \\[……]

When Qin Yan found out how much Qin Mang had spent at this gem exhibition, he fell silent for a few seconds.

Suddenly, he felt relieved.

Good thing he married this money-wasting creature off.

Otherwise, she\u2019d be squandering the Qin family\u2019s ancestral fortune.

Qin Yan looked out the window and chuckled lightly.

Let her waste the He family\u2019s money instead.

He was getting old.

No match for He Lingji, who was young and good at making money.

After thinking for a few seconds, Qin Yan sent a kind message to his niece’s husband:
**Qin Yan:** \\[A married daughter is like water thrown out\u2014don\u2019t pour her back in.]

Far away in Shencheng, the butler looked at the series of bills coming in. At first, he was gratified that Madam was finally willing to spend the He family\u2019s money\u2014she was truly integrating into the family.

Then came shock. Wasn\u2019t she treating it *too* much like her own home?

In the end, his face went blank from numbness.

Did Madam go abroad to buy an entire country?

When Qin Mang learned she had maxed out the card, she stared at the final gem, the crowning piece\u2014a blue planet sapphire.

It was so blue, transparent, and mysterious.

When she saw it in the exhibition booklet, it had reminded her of He Lingji\u2019s blue eyes in the dark.

Mysterious like the deep sea, pure and elegant.

If she missed it this time, who knew when she\u2019d get another chance?

Thinking of what the butler had said\u2014spend as much as she wanted\u2014Qin Mang naturally told him to transfer the money.

The butler: \u201c\u2026Yes.\u201d

He was already contacting the bank to transfer funds.

Since it was an eight-figure transaction, He Lingji would be notified when the reserve funds were mobilized.





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