Qin Shi’s brows furrowed instantly. “How does he have your WeChat?”
“I gave it to him.”
“When?”
He’d had this girl right under his nose the whole time—when could she have had a chance to exchange contact info with Xue Yuan?
Sheng Qing said frankly, “Just now when I returned his riding crop, I asked for his WeChat on the side.”
Qin Shi: “…”
In that brief moment when he wasn’t watching, she’d gone and asked for another man’s number?
“You like that kid?”
Sheng Qing thought for a moment. “He seems alright, pretty honest.”
Qin Shi felt a strange irritation rise in him. “What would a kid know? There’s no such thing as an honest man.”
Sheng Qing found it amusing. “Second Brother, you’re a man too—you’re insulting yourself.”
Qin Shi raised his hand and smacked her.
Sheng Qing clutched her head and yelped, “What are you doing? You can even hit me while driving—your arms are that long? Are you part monkey, a gibbon or something?”
“…”
Qin Shi was so annoyed he laughed. This damn kid—besides being a little bear, she had a sharp tongue too.
His phone beeped. Someone had sent a message, and Sheng Qing went back to playing with her phone.
But she was still muttering about him under her breath.
Qin Shi glanced sideways, but couldn’t see anything.
He grew more and more irritated, tugging at his tie with impatience. “Really fallen for him at first sight?”
“Not at all—this is only the first time we’ve met. I just think he’s honest, and since he’s someone you and the others brought along, his character should be fine.”
Sheng Qing said, glancing at him, “I think I could try dating him.”
Since he wanted to set her up with a boyfriend, she shouldn’t let his kindness go to waste.
She’d be good, she’d listen to him, and anything he wanted her to do, she’d try.
Qin Shi had no idea what she was really thinking. He only assumed she’d taken an interest in that Xue kid.
Kids were kids, after all. One day she was throwing a hunger strike over a breakup, and the next she was cheerfully ready to fall in love again.
It should have been a good thing—helping her move past the shadow of that breakup and forget that scumbag Lu Yunan.
But why did he feel so damn annoyed about it?
Especially the way she was holding her phone, chatting away with delight—the more he looked, the more it grated on him. “Don’t play with your phone in the car. Behave.”
Sheng Qing was confused. “It’s the driver who shouldn’t play with his phone, right? I’m not the driver.”
“According to traffic laws, a passenger who distracts the driver can face criminal charges in serious cases. You playing with your phone is affecting me.”
Sheng Qing was stunned. “…”
It wasn’t like she was playing with a bomber—how could it distract him?
“Not listening?”
The rising tone at the end carried a hint of danger.
“Listening, I’ll do whatever you say.” Sheng Qing put her phone away, still grumbling under her breath.
If you listened closely, you could hear her say: “Old men sure are safety-conscious. I’ll give him some face, or his fragile heart will shatter all over the floor.”
“…” Qin Shi’s molars ached with irritation. This little thing really needed a good spanking.
**
When the two returned, Qin Zhen was in the living room reading the newspaper.
Sheng Qing greeted him, “Brother-in-law.”
“Mm. How was it?”
“Second Brother took me horseback riding. It was a lot of fun. Are you interested, Brother-in-law? We could go try it together sometime.”
Qin Zhen mused that a young girl was much more endearing when she was lively and animated like this—far better than the wilted version from yesterday.
It seemed Qin Shi was right. To help her recover, she needed to stay far away from trash.
“Next time, bring your sister along. We can go have some fun together.”
“Sure, where’s my sister?”
“She’s upstairs. Go check on her.”
Sheng Qing nodded and headed upstairs.
She happened to spot Butler Zhong and quietly pulled the old man aside. “Uncle Zhong, did anyone come by the house today?”
Butler Zhong thought for a moment. “Yes, several groups came.”
Sheng Qing’s heart tightened.
Butler Zhong continued, “They all came to ask the General for favors. They were stopped at the gate—didn’t even set foot inside.”
Sheng Qing: “…”
The way he paused mid-sentence nearly scared her to death.
“Did any police come by?”
“Police? No, none. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Nothing, just curious.”
Sheng Qing was puzzled.
After Lu Yunan was pushed into the water by her, did he not call the police?
…
Downstairs in the living room.
Qin Shi had delivered the person and was about to leave.
Qin Zhen called out to him, pointing at the sofa. “Have a seat.”
“Something on your mind?”
“I noticed that girl seems to be in a good mood. You said you’d help her find a boyfriend—have you made any progress?”
Qin Shi leaned back into the sofa, casually humming an “mm.”
“You actually found someone she likes? What’s his character like? Which family’s son?” Qin Zhen grew interested.
Qin Shi frowned. “She has a bit of a liking for him, that’s all. Nothing serious.”
“How is a liking not serious? Maybe they’ll hit it off well, and he could end up as the Qin family’s son-in-law.”
Qin Shi stared steadily at his older brother. “Absolutely impossible.”
“Why?”
Qin Shi said flatly, “It’s still up in the air. Don’t worry about all this nonsense.”
“What do you mean nonsense? Do you still have a prejudice against her?”
Ever since the two sisters entered the Qin family, Qin Shi had never liked either of them.
Over the years, Sheng Qing caused trouble, rebelled, and refused to be disciplined, and Qin Shi grew more and more displeased with her.
Qin Zhen set down his newspaper. “She may not carry the Qin surname, but her sister will stay in the Qin family for life, and I intend to treat her as my own sister.”
“Your own sister?” Qin Shi folded his hands behind his head, lounging lazily. “If she were your real sister, and you slept with Sheng Xue, wouldn’t that be incest?”
Qin Zhen hurled his newspaper at him.
Qin Shi tilted his head, dodging it. The newspaper landed on his shoulder.
He clicked his tongue lightly. “Old men are so fragile.”
Qin Zhen: “…”
Old man?
Bullshit. At his age, he was in the prime of a man’s life!
Prime!
Qin Shi stood up, casually tossing the newspaper onto the coffee table, and strode out on his long legs.
“Did you hear what I said?”
This kid had always had a mind of his own. If he didn’t take Sheng Qing under his wing, there was no way he’d treat her well.
…
A few days later, Sheng Qing received a message from Xue Yuan.
He asked if she was free, wanting to invite her out.
Sheng Qing thought it over and replied with a yes, accepting his invitation.
After breakfast, Sheng Qing said to Qin Zhen, “Brother-in-law, I have a date tonight.”
“A date?”
“His name is Xue Yuan. I met him at the equestrian grounds a few days ago. Second Brother knows him too. I might be back a little late tonight.”
Qin Zhen remembered. “A date is great! Young people—especially girls—should date a lot. The more men you see, the broader your horizons, and you won’t be foolishly tricked by some scumbag.”
“If this Xue Yuan doesn’t work out, just kick him to the curb. Don’t be upset. Your brother-in-law and your Second Brother have plenty of men here for you to choose from.”
Sheng Qing was truly at a loss between laughter and tears.
He made it sound like she was picking out a harem.
…
After school, Xue Yuan came to pick her up.
As soon as she walked out of the school gate, she saw him in a suit and tie, standing in front of a black BMW, looking especially formal—like he was about to propose—with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
Sheng Qing turned around and walked away.
“Huh?” Xue Yuan was stunned for a moment, thinking she hadn’t seen him, and chased after her. “Sheng Qing, I’m right here.”
Sheng Qing covered her face. “Don’t talk to me, keep your distance, and pretend you don’t know me.”
Xue Yuan grew nervous. “What’s wrong? Did you run into some enemy?”
This imagination of his was scarier than a black hole.
Sheng Qing walked quickly. “No, I’m embarrassed by you.”
Xue Yuan: “…?”
After leaving the campus area, Sheng Qing slowed down. “First date with a girl, and you dress up like a groom. Are you going to propose on the second date?”
Xue Yuan realized what she meant, his face flushing with embarrassment as he hurriedly explained, “No, no, I just wanted to be serious about this… If you don’t like it, I’ll be more casual next time.”
As he spoke, he moved to toss the flowers into the trash can.
Sheng Qing took them instead and sniffed them. “How much did these cost?”
Xue Yuan scratched his head. “Not much, 1199. It’s a well-known brand, very popular right now. I thought you might like them.”
The shop assistant had said the flowers symbolized a long-lasting love, and Xue Yuan had paid on the spot. He hoped his relationship with Sheng Qing would last just as long.
Sheng Qing hugged the bouquet to her chest. “You gave them to me, so they’re mine now. Does that mean I can do whatever I want with them?”
Xue Yuan was curious. “What do you plan to do?”
“I don’t like flowers, and carrying them around is awkward. Throwing them away would waste your thoughtful gesture, so instead, I’ll sell them—recycling, you know.”
Xue Yuan: “…You’re the first girl I’ve ever met who says she doesn’t like flowers.”
“I think I’m pretty special too. No wonder I’m so likable.”
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness hidden in her eyes.
Xue Yuan felt his fondness for her grow just a little more.
“But selling flowers on the street won’t fetch much. A bouquet that costs 1199—probably no one will buy it.”
Sheng Qing let out a light laugh. “Is that so?”
The street was lined with commercial buildings, full of bosses and white-collar workers.
She spotted a wealthy-looking couple and walked over with the flowers. “Big brother, fresh flowers for a beauty—buy a bouquet for your lady?”
“Not 999, not 888, just 99. You can’t lose money, you can’t get scammed. Buy my flowers, and you and your lady will be together forever, long and lasting.”
Her smile was radiant, her words sweet, and the flowers were from a famous brand—only a fool would pass up such a bargain.
Sheng Qing held up the hundred-yuan bill she’d earned, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips as she waved it at Xue Yuan. “Couldn’t sell them, huh?”
Xue Yuan’s eyes tightened.
The smile on her face was about to sway right into his heart.