MGG - 10

Chapter 10: Serious

He Qin was meticulous in her work. Before delivering the clothes and shoes, she had already removed the price tags.

When Su Ling emerged from the changing room wearing the slightly oversized outfit, Qin Xiao was waiting for her.

It was early summer, and the setting sun cast a warm glow outside the door. Gripping the straps of her backpack, Su Ling felt momentarily dazed. Qin Xiao was twenty-seven this year, his features still carrying hints of rebelliousness and roguish charm. His temper was notoriously bad. In her past life, when she first went to him, defying him had cost her dearly.

His mind was sharp, unlike her naive self.

In the end, Su Ling would always be tricked into agreeing to his tyrannical terms while in a daze.

For example, wearing anklets.

She had worn ones made of pearls, sapphires, and red agate.

It was embarrassing to recall, yet Qin Xiao’s thick skin meant he didn’t know the meaning of shame.

What she feared most was Qin Xiao at twenty-seven—brash, domineering, and utterly overwhelming. Now, standing here, just looking at him filled her with the urge to retreat.

Qin Xiao turned his head slightly, and she quickly adjusted her expression.

As a performing arts student, she had managed to calm herself after resolving the earlier crisis.

Su Ling carried her small backpack.

She wasn’t used to single-shoulder or crossbody bags; from kindergarten through university, she had always used a simple black backpack—it was practical and didn’t show dirt easily. She didn’t concern herself with aesthetics; Su Ling was accustomed to poverty and never cared about such things.

Attached to the backpack was a fluffy pink rabbit, a feature that came with the bag.

Perhaps due to her artistic training, she stood with an upright posture, exuding grace and poise.

Su Ling said, “Thank you. I’ll pay you back for the clothes and shoes.”

She wasn’t skilled at social interactions. After speaking, she looked at him expectantly, hoping he would name a figure so she could retrieve the money from her wallet. Her thoughts were simple—though she might not be able to pay it all at once, she could write an IOU and repay him later.

In this life, she couldn’t owe Qin Xiao anything. He was too domineering; owing him meant belonging to him.

Though she was inexperienced, Qin Xiao, who had grown up in the business world, naturally understood her intentions. He chuckled, his tone teasing, “Or how about you come over here, and I kiss you instead?”

Her eyes widened, forgetting all about repaying him. She immediately bolted toward the door.

Qin Xiao reached out, catching her backpack just in time. Then, leisurely stepping in front of her, he asked, “Why are you running?”

She was shorter than him by a head. When she looked up, Qin Xiao noticed her eyes were red, as if on the verge of tears.

In his entire life, Qin Xiao had never encountered such an adorably naive girl—she believed everything he said.

Amused, Qin Xiao asked, “Didn’t you want to repay me?”

Her struggling lessened slightly. “How much?”

“What about giving me this?” He pointed to the rabbit on her backpack.

Su Ling shook her head.

“So stingy?”

Her face flushed red, and she stammered, “That… it’s not worth much.”

The backpack had only cost forty-something yuan, and the plush toy was worth at most two yuan.

She heard his low chuckle. “What if I really like it?”

What kind of fetish was this?

He was too close. Su Ling stepped back, and Qin Xiao noticed her resistance. He simply extended his hand, commanding, “Give it to me.”

His tone left no room for negotiation.

Su Ling hesitated before reluctantly unfastening the rabbit and handing it to him. Then, timidly, she asked, “Can I leave now?”

She didn’t want to stay with him any longer.

Her bangs were damp, her soft hair still wet from the pool. Her straight fringe made her look both cute and innocent.

Holding the rabbit in one hand, Qin Xiao’s other hand unconsciously reached out to touch her hair.

Realizing his intent, her expression changed dramatically, startled like a frightened bird. She quickly ran off.

This time, Qin Xiao didn’t stop her. He chuckled softly. By the time he exited, she was already out of sight.

What is she afraid of? he thought. I haven’t even touched her with a single finger.

He Qin stood by the car, watching as Qin Shao emerged, holding a pink plush rabbit.

He Qin: “….”

She had also seen the flustered girl running out earlier. Clearly, this belonged to someone else. Though He Qin found it hard to comment, her years of experience as his secretary gave her impeccable tact. She forced a compliment: “This rabbit is quite cute.”

Qin Xiao smiled faintly, his gaze softening.

He Qin was taken aback. She had never seen Qin Xiao like this. “Mr. Qin, are you serious?”

Qin Xiao remained silent.

After a long pause, He Qin finally heard him ask, “Do I seem that terrifying?”

“…”

________________________________________

Su Ling washed the clothes and shoes and sold them online.

Four days later, they sold for thirteen thousand yuan. Their original price was twenty-one thousand, but since she had worn them once and the tags were removed, they fetched a lower price.

She carefully packaged the money and sent it to Qing Entertainment’s address.

If she took on roles later, she would make up the remaining eight thousand yuan. But with only a thousand yuan to her name now, she could only proceed slowly.

Though Su Ling’s personality was gentle, she always remained true to herself, regardless of her circumstances.

An ancient text said: Wealth cannot corrupt, poverty cannot sway, and power cannot subdue.

The first two phrases suited her well.

She didn’t realize how charming such qualities truly were.

She was indifferent to poverty, unspoiled by wealth, resilient under public criticism, never spoke ill of others, and always gave more than she promised.

Through the trials of life, no matter how many times she lived, she remained honest and pure.

The day she mailed the package was June 9th.

The college entrance exams had ended.

News outlets were covering the aftermath:

Someone leaving the exam hall claimed math was easy. Others wailed in despair. Some forgot their admission tickets and cried on the spot. Others, feeling hopeless after finishing, declared they couldn’t go on. Still others planned to retake the exam together.

All sorts of stories unfolded nationwide, and Su Ling felt tense for several days.

She waited a day before calling home. She thought, after all, Ni Haoyan didn’t particularly like her—he only considered Ni Jianan as his sister.

She feared being a nuisance.

The phone rang once before he picked up. Before she could speak, Ni Haoyan said, “You have time to care about someone else’s brother, but you’ve never shown this concern for me?”

When had she ever cared about someone else’s brother?

Then she remembered—last time, she mentioned asking about situations where someone might perform poorly on the exam.

Unable to explain, she simply agreed, “My mistake.”

Ni Haoyan: “….” He hadn’t wanted this response, but he didn’t know what he did want.

He recalled last night’s class reunion. After tearing up textbooks, confetti-like papers flew everywhere. Several classmates vowed to confess their feelings before graduation, trying to catch the last train of puppy love.

Someone asked him, “Do you have a crush? So many people pursued you in high school. Why didn’t you date anyone?”

After drinking a bit, he replied coldly, “I don’t like anyone.”

“Then what kind of girl do you like? Maybe only a fairy can meet your standards, haha!”

At the mention of “fairy,” he froze, recalling his cousin. He pushed away the drunken crowd, saying, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Such thoughts weren’t allowed.

Su Ling asked, “Ni Haoyan, how did you perform?”

The young man punched the wall in frustration, answering casually, “Fine.”

The loud thud echoed through the phone, startling Su Ling. “What happened there?”

Ni Haoyan stuffed his hand into his pocket, touching the lucky charm. Calming down, he said, “They’re renovating upstairs.”

“Oh.” Relieved, she trusted his word. Ni Haoyan was a true academic genius—if he said it was fine, then it was.

Su Ling was glad. At least her rebirth had brought about a change in one person’s fate.

Though she didn’t fully understand how, she had always marveled at the butterfly effect’s power.

Only such wonders could fill one with hope for the future.

“You…” Ni Haoyan hesitated.

“Hmm? What is it?” Su Ling asked curiously.

“Never mind.”

And so, Su Ling ended the call. She had promised Yun Bu she would visit after her cousin finished the exams.

The filming location was far—three and a half hours by car, almost crossing city lines.

Su Ling and Yun Bu had arranged the timing beforehand. Coincidentally, Yun Bu didn’t have any scenes to shoot that day and came to pick her up.

From afar, Yun Bu squealed and rushed toward Su Ling, completely lacking the composure expected of an adult. She missed Su Ling so much!

Su Ling laughed. Glancing ahead, she noticed a man standing behind Yun Bu.

She froze. She recognized him—none other than Ji Chong, the future megastar who would dominate screens across the nation in a few years.

Why was Ji Chong here?

Yun Bu had bragged endlessly about her best friend Su Ling, describing her as having “peerless beauty” and “the best acting talent.”

Though Yun Bu’s eloquence was impressive, Ji Chong, driven by curiosity, decided to take a look.

Just one glance, and he found himself agreeing with the first two descriptors—her beauty was undeniable. As for her acting skills, that remained to be seen.

Ji Chong extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Ji Chong.”

In her past life, Su Ling had only seen him on TV. Every time she watched him, she admired his skill and success, while she was confined to mediocrity.

Now, meeting her idol in person, she shook his hand nervously. “Hello, I’m Su Ling.”

Ji Chong was currently just a rising actor, but his amiable personality made him well-liked.

Yun Bu winked at him. “So, what do you think?”

Ji Chong nodded.

Yun Bu beamed. “See? Could you help her get that vacant role?”

Ji Chong got along well with the director. Glancing at Su Ling, he thought—with her looks, even without acting talent, she could become a popular starlet.

He nodded. “I’ll try.”

Su Ling listened in confusion. After Ji Chong left, she hurriedly asked Yun Bu, “What’s going on?”

“One of the actresses had a severe allergic reaction, leaving a role vacant. So I recommended you to Ji Chong!” Yun Bu puffed out her chest proudly, expecting praise.

Su Ling: “…”

She wasn’t ready. This production was funded by Qing Entertainment—essentially Qin Xiao’s domain.

She had worked so hard to avoid Twelve Years of Dust. What was this now?

Looking up, she spotted an unexpected familiar face among the bustling crowd.

“Her?”

Yun Bu glanced at the woman surrounded by admirers and pursed her lips. “Zheng Xiaoya, the lead actress.”

Su Ling pressed her lips together, her expression darkening.

Zheng Xiaoya—the one who had pushed her off the building. The future fiancée of Qin Xiao.