{"id":811,"date":"2025-10-09T19:54:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T19:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sakuratranslation.com\/?p=811"},"modified":"2025-10-23T20:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:14:21","slug":"public-entertainment-circle-19","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/chapter\/public-entertainment-circle-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Public [Entertainment Circle] 19"},"content":{"rendered":"

**Chapter 19: Furnace Physique**

The lights in the master bedroom were bright.

He Lingji grabbed his bathrobe and was about to head to the bathroom.

Thinking of what had just happened in the living room, he glanced sideways at Qin Mang, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa reading a script. \u201cDon\u2019t fall asleep in public places again.\u201d

Qin Mang was still annoyed. Hearing that, she lifted her long lashes and looked at him coolly, \u201cYou want to control everything? Even where people sleep now?\u201d

\u201cI *want* to sleep!\u201d

Her beautiful face practically shouted *rebellious teen*.

He Lingji pushed open the frosted glass door, his thin lips letting out a single syllable, \u201cOkay.\u201d

Okay?

Qin Mang blinked, stunned. He gave in that easily?

He wasn\u2019t going to say more?

That didn\u2019t fit his usual uptight personality.

Sure enough, the next second, He Lingji added in a breezy tone, \u201cIf Mrs. He wants to make it into the tabloid oddities section, I won\u2019t stop her.\u201d

Tabloid *oddities*?

Qin Mang instantly understood what he meant. \u201cCan\u2019t you just talk like a normal person?!\u201d

Before He Lingji entered the bathroom, she quietly asked, \u201cWas it really me who did it?\u201d

\u201cYou helped me put it on?\u201d

His loosely rolled-up shirt sleeves gave him a lazy, homey look, lacking his usual aloofness.

He rarely rolled up his sleeves\u2014he was always proper and serious.

Qin Mang recalled the used disinfectant wipes on the coffee table and the faint scent of alcohol on his fingertips. She figured he probably rolled up his sleeves to help her put on that tiny piece of sheer fabric.

Tsk.

At least he\u2019s hygienic.

That\u2019s… progress.

She leaned back on the sofa, looking up at his silhouette outlined by the light\u2014more imposing than usual.

He Lingji\u2019s lips curled slightly.

\u201cI did it,\u201d he said with a faint smile.

\u201cI couldn\u2019t resist Miss Qin\u2019s beauty.\u201d

Qin Mang: \u201c\u2026\u201d

She grabbed the throw pillow beside her and hurled it at him.

*Petty jerk!*

*Thud.*

The pillow slid down the glass door.

She\u2019d originally planned to ask him about that video from the business forum, but now she figured she\u2019d just embarrass herself.

There\u2019s no way He Lingji did that for *her*.

Probably just a convenient excuse.

Taking it seriously would be a mistake!

Qin Mang tapped the script with her delicate fingers.

Tap, tap.

The scenes marked in red pen were all interaction scenes.

From subtle eye contact, to ambiguous tension, to intense breakup scenes\u2014the difficulty level only increased.

She sighed lightly: Forget it, stop overthinking. She had limited time, a tough task, and He Lingji was busy\u2014who knows when he\u2019d fly off on another business trip?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt she had to act fast.

Her gaze fell on the neatly folded warlord costume that the housekeeper had set aside. Qin Mang rested her chin on her hand and let out a long sigh.

When He Lingji came out of the bathroom, what he saw was a little head sighing dramatically.

His blow-dried hair was left natural, slightly tousled over his forehead. The contrast between his jet-black hair and pale skin was sharp. His tall, lean frame was wrapped in a blue robe, very similar in color to Qin Mang\u2019s light blue lace one.

But the effect was completely different.

Qin Mang looked playful and innocent in that color.

He Lingji, with no pattern on his robe, gave off a cold, ascetic vibe.

As he moved, the lines of his muscles became faintly visible\u2014eight perfectly sculpted abs, drops of water still sliding down his neck.

A wild, dangerous body.

Completely contrasting with his cool, handsome face.

Qin Mang felt like his personality was the same\u2014like he had split identities.

But if he treated her the way he treated everyone else, she probably wouldn\u2019t dare be this casual around him.

She\u2019d have kept her distance long ago.

He Lingji didn\u2019t leave right away. Instead, he stood there generously, letting Qin Mang take her fill of the view. \u201cLike what you see?\u201d

Qin Mang didn\u2019t even blink. \u201cNot bad. What, gonna charge me?\u201d

\u201cNo. I\u2019m shy.\u201d

He Lingji said calmly, \u201cYou\u2019ve made me blush.\u201d

Under the bright lights, his skin looked like a porcelain sculpture\u2014no trace of blushing.

Liar.

Qin Mang suddenly remembered that scene in the club that day.

Her fingers pinched his chin as she smirked, eyes trailing down his abs, drawing out her voice: \u201cOh?\u201d

\u201cSure it\u2019s not just you getting ha\u2015\u201d

\u201cHuman physiological reaction.\u201d

He Lingji, despite the teasing, didn\u2019t seem the least bit shy. In fact, he was completely unbothered.

\u201cShameless.\u201d

Qin Mang choked a little and muttered.

\u2026

So He Lingji, shameless as ever, lay on the bed fully relaxed, clearly planning to sleep.

No wonder he was so successful. Look at that self-discipline. It made Qin Mang start to doubt her own charm.

\u201cIt\u2019s only 11 PM. Why are you sleeping already, you some kind of senior citizen?\u201d

\u201cAn adult male should get no less than 6.49 hours of sleep. Mrs. He, I\u2019m waking up at 6 a.m.\u201d

Down to the minute.

His self-control was terrifying.

Qin Mang might have a temper, but she wasn\u2019t unreasonable. Given he had a valid reason, and considering she usually slept till 11 for her beauty rest, she felt too embarrassed to keep him up.

As she moved about with soft rustling noises, He Lingji rubbed his brow and suddenly said:

\u201cCome to bed.\u201d

\u201cIf I have time tomorrow, I\u2019ll rehearse with you.\u201d

Qin Mang had just started tiptoeing toward the study for an all-nighter when she heard his deep, slightly raspy voice.

She turned around in delight.

Three quick steps and she jumped into bed, leaning close to his calm, seemingly sleeping face, asking again and again, \u201cReally? Really? *Really*?\u201d

He Lingji was getting a headache from her noise. \u201cQuiet.\u201d

Qin Mang, not sure if he could see, made a zipping-lips gesture. \u201cSleeping now!\u201d

Before sleeping, she pressed her hands to her cheeks, curled on her side, eyes adjusting to the dark as she admired the man\u2019s sculpted profile.

She whispered sincerely, \u201cHubby, you\u2019re insanely hot tonight.\u201d

He Lingji: \u201c\u2026\u201d

The always composed and gentlemanly man finally cracked, covering her babbling mouth with his hand. \u201cSleep.\u201d

Nestled in his cool embrace, Qin Mang let out a long breath.

Wow.

His body was heaven for someone who overheated easily.

But for He Lingji, Qin Mang\u2019s little furnace-like body was nothing new\u2014it was her habit of stripping in her sleep that was the real hell.

Woken again by the body-heat furnace in his arms.

He Lingji managed to stay composed.

With a practiced hand, he reached for the robe hanging by the bed and wrapped it around her, tying a double knot.

After all the effort, he was wide awake.

The clock on the wall read 1 a.m.

After a cold shower, he came out to see Qin Mang half-asleep, sitting up and tugging helplessly at the tight knot.

When she saw him, she held the tied sash toward him pitifully. \u201cI can\u2019t undo it.\u201d

He Lingji, finally calm again, couldn\u2019t help but laugh softly:

\u201cYou\u2019re messing with me on purpose tonight, aren\u2019t you?\u201d

Something about that laugh made Qin Mang feel danger.

By the time she fully woke up\u2014

It was half an hour later. She was still dazed.

\u201cWhy did you agree to that reporter interview?\u201d

Still fuzzy, Qin Mang asked the same question the reporter had asked earlier\u2014one she hadn\u2019t dared bring up during the day.

He Lingji closed his eyes. Why did his wife always want to have heart-to-hearts at *these* times?

If not for how she melted into a puddle in five minutes, he\u2019d seriously question his sanity.

His gray-blue eyes scanned her lovely face. His reply was vague: \u201cI like doing good deeds.\u201d

*You? A cold-blooded capitalist? Doing good deeds?*

Qin Mang almost said something snarky, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. Her eyes sparkled.

\u201cSince Mr. He loves good deeds so much, and we\u2019re the closest people in the world, let me give you a chance to earn some instant karma.\u201d

Seeing her excitedly reach for the script again, He Lingji knew\u2014if this kept up, she\u2019d kill him eventually.

He yanked her back and sighed, \u201cTonight\u2026 I don\u2019t feel like doing good deeds.\u201d

\u201cWhat do you *feel* like doing then?\u201d

Qin Mang tilted her head up\u2014and found herself staring into those deep, familiar eyes.

Suddenly, her slender hands cupped his face, forcing eye contact.

Eye contact scene. Eye contact scene. Eye contact scene!

That still counts as rehearsing, right?

**She really is a little clever fox.**

Qin Mang’s palms were always warmer than the average person\u2019s\u2014this time was no different.

He Lingji’s long fingers pressed against the center of her forehead.

Qin Mang was forced to fall back onto the sofa. The leather cushions bounced her up slightly, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded.

Just as she was about to get upset\u2014

The next second.

She heard He Lingji’s concise words by her ear: \u201cI want to\u2014\u201d

The sentence paused for a beat.

The last word, \u201csleep,\u201d sounded out slowly and clearly next to her ear.

The night was ink-dark. Even the sound of the heavy rain outside seemed to come to a halt.

The next day was bright and sunny again, as if the thunderstorm from the night before had never happened. The sky was clean and fresh, as if it had been washed.

—

**He Group CEO’s Office.**

9 a.m. He Lingji had just finished a meeting. He leaned back in his leather office chair, his aloof and noble features tinged with a cold fatigue.

For once during work hours, he was thinking about personal matters.

If he accidentally fell asleep, he would lose control and start radiating heat.

It was fine at home, but if it happened outside…

Qin Mang was often outside.

His long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk\u2014tap, tap\u2014each sound tense and ominous.

He Lingji raised his intense eyes calmly and looked at the only female secretary in the team, Tao Qin. \u201cFind the top sleep specialist, doesn\u2019t matter if they\u2019re domestic or international.\u201d

Tao Qin\u2019s position was below Cong Zhen\u2019s, but her professional ability was on par\u2014just in different areas.

However, He Lingji usually preferred using Cong Zhen.

So it was rare for him to assign her such an important task.

Tao Qin soon understood why.

It was for Mrs. He.

As it happened, there was currently a very skilled sleep specialist in Shen City\u2014someone who had once worked with retired military officers and was highly regarded in the field.

She had retired in Shen City and lived in the old wealthy district on Wisteria Lane, not far from the He family\u2019s old mansion. She had recently been rehired by the Shen City First Hospital\u2019s psychiatric department.

—

Qin Mang slept all the way until noon. It wasn\u2019t until the butler knocked on the door that she lazily opened it. \u201cI don\u2019t want to\u2026\u201d

Eat lunch.

Before she could finish, she saw Tao Qin, hair neatly combed, dressed in formal workwear.

Qin Mang recognized her.

She was He Lingji\u2019s secretary.

\u201cSecretary Tao? What\u2019s the matter?\u201d

Tao Qin respectfully greeted, \u201cGood afternoon, Madam.\u201d

\u201cMr. He asked me to take you somewhere.\u201d

Qin Mang initially thought He Lingji finally had time to act with her. Her eyes lit up, and she changed into a beautiful, elegant qipao. She also grabbed the paper bag with the warlord outfit in it, and after some thought, added the wedding ring she forgot last night into her purse.

\u201cNo time to waste, let\u2019s go!\u201d

Tao Qin was momentarily stunned.

Didn\u2019t Secretary Cong say Madam hated going to hospitals?

Why did she seem so eager?

That was until the private car from Lakeside Manor stopped at the entrance of Shen City First Hospital.

Qin Mang\u2019s excited, beautiful face instantly stiffened. \u201cHe\u2019s sick?\u201d

\u201cOr injured?\u201d

\u201cA car accident?\u201d

A flurry of questions.

Tao Qin was caught off guard, but as a professional secretary, she quickly realized Madam was asking about Mr. He, and respectfully replied, \u201cYou\u2019re here to see the doctor.\u201d

…?

…!

Qin Mang immediately called He Lingji, not caring where he was. She raised her voice: \u201cHe Lingji!\u201d

**\u201cYou\u2019re the one who\u2019s sick!\u201d**

The man replied simply, \u201cDon\u2019t avoid treatment. See the doctor, then I\u2019ll act with you.\u201d

Qin Mang, full of pride, snapped back:

**\u201cMy foot!\u201d**

**\u201cI\u2019m perfectly healthy!\u201d**

**\u201cI\u2019ll live long enough to inherit all your assets one day!\u201d**

**\u201cIf you won\u2019t act with me, I\u2019ll go find some fresh-faced, handsome little boy instead\u2014bet he\u2019ll be way more into character than your stiff, old-fashioned self!\u201d**




<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-811","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=811"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/811\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}