The fountain’s location was central, and though few usually paid it any attention, the slightest disturbance there would instantly draw everyone’s eyes.
Like now.
The poise and radiance Qin Qing had displayed moments ago were gone, replaced by utter disarray. Her original plan had been a simple act of framing and shifting blame—a deliberate stumble into the fountain’s shallow water, just enough to dampen the hem of her dress without causing much fuss. That was why she had chosen to wear a white tulle dress.
But now…
Her dress was almost completely soaked. The once-flowing tulle clung to her body, and her neatly styled hair had come loose, drenched and messy. Her overall appearance was truly…
“What happened? How did you suddenly fall into the water?” Qin’s Father looked startled. Seeing Qin Qing’s embarrassed state in the water, he frowned. As a member of the Qin Family, causing such a scene in front of so many people was a disgrace to the family’s reputation.
All eyes around were fixed on her. Qin Qing covered her chest with her hands, pursed her lips, her face flushed red with a mix of shame and anger. Everything she had planned for Su Meng had now backfired onto herself.
“Sister, do you need help?” Su Meng bent down, extending a hand toward Qin Qing. Her eyes were clear and seemingly friendly, curved into a faint, innocent smile that almost made one believe she had done nothing wrong—though the warmth didn’t reach her eyes.
Qin Qing, meeting Su Meng’s gaze, felt a surge of fear and withdrew her hand slightly. She scrambled up awkwardly, lifting her soaked dress as she climbed out of the fountain pool. In an instant, she composed herself, her eyes quickly tinged with a faint red, tears welling up—this time not acted, but genuine.
“I… I don’t know. I just felt there’s always been a misunderstanding between me and Mengmeng. I wanted to clear it up with her just now, but…” Qin Qing spoke, biting her lip and casting her eyes over the crowd, perfectly portraying a pitiable figure.
Had she still been her earlier elegant and refined self, this expression might have truly evoked sympathy and touched hearts—after all, people can be visual creatures at times. But now…
Seeing Qin Qing with her smeared makeup, her dress clinging wetly and messily to her body, and her disheveled hair as she put on this act, everyone instinctively frowned, though most refrained from showing it overtly.
“It’s nothing, really. Maybe I overthought it. I probably just slipped into the pool by accident—it has nothing to do with Mengmeng.” After a pause, Qin Qing added this line as if holding back, sparking endless speculation and easily directing suspicion toward Su Meng.
Sure enough, as soon as Qin Qing finished speaking, whispers began to circulate among the crowd.
“It seems Qin Meng, the Qin Family’s daughter, is just as selfish and vicious as the rumors say. She can’t tolerate anyone else and resorts to underhanded tricks. I’ve long heard she’s always targeting Qin Qing,” one person remarked.
“Exactly. I heard Qin Qing always forgives her, but that only makes Qin Meng escalate her cruelty. What a malicious woman,” another nodded in agreement.Qin’s Father grew furious upon hearing these words, his gaze falling on Su Meng, clearly angered.
Qin Qing breathed a sigh of relief, then turned her gaze to Qin Ye not far away.
Watching Qin Ye approach step by step.
The onlookers who had been gossiping earlier resumed their chatter.
“It seems the Qin Family’s young master is going to stand up for Qin Qing. As the only son of the Qin Family, he’s always been particularly fond and protective of Qin Qing—even more so than his own sister.”
Hearing this, Qin Qing felt a flicker of pride. The vague unease she had felt finally subsided, replaced by certainty. Qin Ye had always shielded her, and besides, though others hadn’t seen what happened earlier, Qin Ye had just entered and his gaze had fallen directly on the fountain area. Based on past experience…
“Xiao Ye, I’m sorry to worry you. Please don’t blame Mengmeng—she probably didn’t mean it. I don’t want to worsen the relationship between you because of me…” Qin Qing said to the approaching Qin Ye, extending her hand expecting his supportive grasp.
The surrounding spectators shared similar thoughts, as they were somewhat familiar with the Qin Family’s dynamics.
They knew how strained the relationship was between Qin Ye and his sister Qin Meng.
But before she could finish speaking, Qin Ye walked right past Qin Qing and headed toward Su Meng. Qin Qing’s hand hung empty in the air, her face pale as she stared blankly at Qin Ye’s retreating back.
…
By the fountain pool, Su Meng felt a warm hand grasp her index finger. Looking down, she saw it was Ji Weichen, who had somehow made his way over without her noticing.
Bending down, Su Meng looked at the young boy before her.
Ji Weichen took a step closer, closing the distance between them. He reached out and gently stroked Su Meng’s head with tender care, his fingers brushing through her soft hair.
“What are you doing?” Su Meng instinctively avoided the intimate contact, but had only moved back slightly when
Ji Weichen gently caught the hem of her clothes. His light-colored eyes fixed on her as he spoke in a soft, milky voice.
“Reward. You taught me this… did I learn wrong?” Then he subtly closed the distance between them again, his eyes filled with confusion, apprehension, and caution.
He resembled a small animal unsure if it had done wrong, making it hard for anyone to scold him.
Hearing Ji Weichen’s words, Su Meng vaguely recalled that she had indeed taught him such things before, and found herself convinced by his explanation.
Tilting her head, she took Ji Weichen’s hand and placed it back on her head.
Then she gently rested her own hands on Ji Weichen’s shoulders, gradually closing the distance until he could lean directly against her shoulder—exactly replicating the posture Ji Weichen had taught her that night about how to comfort him.
“Sister…” Ji Weichen’s eyes widened into perfect circles.
“Reward…” Su Meng spoke, glancing down at Ji Weichen where she could only see his soft black hair. She casually ruffled it, like smoothing an animal’s fur, her voice light and gentle.
“Or perhaps… bribery? Little Sir, please cover for me.” Su Meng’s voice was clear and sweet.Ji Weichen felt as if the tip of his heart had been gently brushed by a feather, his ears and cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Half of his face was buried in Su Meng’s shoulder, soft and clingy like a small animal seeking affection, emitting only faint, whimpering sounds. His eyelashes, like tiny fans, fluttered tremulously.
His hands clutched Su Meng’s clothes until they were crumpled, and he gently nuzzled his small head against her cheek. Then, Ji Weichen lifted his gaze and looked ahead.
Qin Ye’s footsteps halted three steps away from Su Meng. As his eyes met Ji Weichen’s, he clearly saw the pair of light brownish-green pupils filled with malice toward him.
Or rather, malice toward anyone who dared approach or harm Su Meng. The pupils were deep and dark, like a Monster that had crawled out from the abyss.
Brimming with malice, even disregarding good and evil, it would take only the slightest provocation to unleash the madness buried in his bones, tearing everything to shreds.
Disguised as harmless and innocent, he only retracted his ferocity and claws in front of a specific person, coiling protectively around his one and only treasure.
Mine.
She is mine.