MGG - 16

Chapter 16: Tenderness

Su Ling finally came to her senses, but she didn’t know what to say.

Her eyes dimmed. If her grandmother could wait, she wouldn’t have accepted Qin Xiao’s help.

In a soft voice, she said, “Qin Xiao, hold out your hand.”

Qin Xiao found this amusing. Her long lashes were black and delicate, like two small fans when lowered.

He extended his right hand.

She placed two coins into his palm, still warm from her touch, faintly radiating heat.

Qin Xiao watched the tips of her ears turn red as she spoke gently, “This is all I have.” This was literally her entire fortune.

It was both pitiful and laughable how poor she was.

Qin Xiao closed his fingers around the coins and slipped them into his pocket. “Alright, I’ll take it.”

If Director Wen had been there, he probably would’ve spat blood—Jiuli, such a precious role, reduced to being worth just two coins! Qin Xiao asked her, “Won’t you let me in?”

She shook her head, her tone resolute. “No.” Then, in a softer voice, she added, “It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

The two of them whispered quietly in the corridor, which was otherwise silent since most people weren’t in the hotel.

Qin Xiao noticed she was still wearing her bathrobe and found it unbelievable that someone would go to bed at nine o’clock.

Looking down, he saw her oversized slippers and disposable socks. He couldn’t see anything else.

He asked, “Su Ling, are you still a minor?” She was too well-behaved, almost unnaturally so for an adult.

Su Ling replied, “I’m an adult.”

“Really 19?”

“Yes.”

With that, he felt no guilt. They were both adults, even if there was a significant disparity between them.

Qin Xiao said, “Change your clothes. I’ll take you out.”

Su Ling was startled. For someone who hadn’t seen much of the world, she did want to explore. After all, in her past life, she hadn’t really gotten to explore Sanhu Town. But going out with Qin Xiao? That was something she wanted no part of.

Putting aside everything else, what if someone saw them?

“I’m not going.”

But Qin Xiao’s domineering side kicked in. “Hurry up, or I’ll carry you out.”

Su Ling was furious. “Why do you have to be like this?”

He grinned. “What do you mean by ‘like this’?”

She didn’t know how to curse him, so she could only mutter, “You’re unreasonable and disrespectful.”

He laughed uncontrollably, thinking, Does this guy need to be reasonable? But knowing how much she’d hate that, he said instead, “You think I’m running a charity here? Two coins and you’ve bought me?”

Su Ling pursed her lips. “Fine.”

As expected, she fell for it. He knew these good students, molded by socialist education, carried a sense of guilt.

He wasn’t well-read and felt awkward about it. Concepts like propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame meant little to him.

When Su Ling emerged after changing, he was still standing there with his arms crossed, waiting. He had never seen her in a dress before. His amused gaze lingered on her. “So pretty.”

Su Ling glanced up at him. “Can you stop talking to me in that tone?”

He snorted with amusement. “What tone?”

She didn’t dare answer and instead walked toward the elevator. Glancing back, she noticed the sunglasses hanging from his shirt collar—he must have forgotten to take them off earlier. After some thought, she tentatively asked, “Qin Xiao, can you put those on?”

She was genuinely afraid of being seen, so nervous she felt like a thief.

Qin Xiao smirked. “Sure, but you have to put them on for me.”

She turned her face away, refusing to speak.

Qin Xiao chuckled softly and, indulging her, put on the sunglasses.

Outside Sanhu Town, the stars sparkled like scattered jewels. This ancient town, nestled in a remote suburb, was under first-class protection, so pollution was minimal, and its location was unique.

She looked up at the sky, stunned.

Five years later, the stars wouldn’t shine this brightly—or perhaps they wouldn’t be visible at all in the city.

The night she died had been pitch black, the sky as dark as her pupils.

Her expression as she gazed at the night made Qin Xiao’s heart skip a beat. He frowned slightly.

Qin Xiao led Su Ling toward the ancient street.

He chose a relatively secluded spot, far from where the crew was gathered. Qin Xiao knew this, but Su Ling didn’t. She kept glancing around nervously, fearing she might run into someone she knew.

Qin Xiao found it endearing and decided not to tell her.

This area was quiet, and after a while, they only found an old shop selling alcohol. Naturally, Qin Xiao didn’t take her there. Instead, around the corner, there was something unusual—a place selling ice cream cones.

He glanced at Su Ling. “Wait here.”

Moments later, Su Ling saw him return with an ice cream cone, thrusting it into her hands.

She was taken aback. Watching Qin Xiao walk ahead as if nothing had happened, she noticed the cone emitting cold air. It was nearly July, and even at night, the temperature was high.

Afraid it would melt, she carefully took two small bites.

Then Qin Shao turned around, a smile in his eyes. “Su Ling.”

“Hmm?” A trace of white cream clung to the corner of her mouth.

“I told you to hold it, and you went ahead and ate it?”

Su Ling flushed with embarrassment. Hold… hold it? She looked up at him and apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t know.”

He nearly burst out laughing but managed to suppress it. “It’s fine. Just give it back to me.”

She stood frozen, her face alternating between red and pale. Clearly, she realized he had done it on purpose.

Qin Xiao approached her. “Give it to me.”

Panicking, Su Ling impulsively tossed it into a nearby trash bin.

Qin Xiao: “….”

His expression darkened.

Su Ling wanted to run, but on this empty street, outrunning Qin Xiao would have been a miracle.

Qin Xiao walked over. “Do you hate me that much?”

She fell silent again.

Her face was pale, making her look pitiful.

Qin Xiao said, “Do you think I’m that easygoing?”

She knew very well that his temper was notoriously bad.

“Which hand threw it? Hold it out!” His tone suggested he might chop off her hand.

Su Ling realized for the first time how petty Qin Xiao could be.

She knew that defying him when he was angry would only make things worse. Afraid to look at him, she reluctantly extended her left hand.

Her hand was small and pale.

He glanced down at it, raising his hand high. Su Ling reflexively closed her eyes.

But instead, he smiled faintly, gently grasping her fingers. With his thumb, he wiped away the melted ice cream from her palm.

His movements were meticulous and tender. Startled, she opened her eyes and could only see the man bending his head low.

To be honest, his features were too sharp, giving him an unapproachable and aggressive aura. Yet, in front of her, he seemed to smile more often.

The summer night was warm, just like the temperature and air on the night she died.

Suddenly, Su Ling yanked her hand back.

The surge of emotion overwhelmed her this time, and she couldn’t control herself. Her face openly displayed unmasked disgust.

Qin Xiao’s hand remained suspended in mid-air. He froze. This time, he saw it clearly—her aversion ran deep, bone-deep. Inch by inch, it gnawed away at the tenderness he had foolishly allowed himself to feel.

For a moment, he thought, Damn it, I must be sick, coming here to humiliate myself.

His thumb still bore the sticky residue of the melted ice cream.

Qin Xiao let out a cold laugh. Who the hell would keep humiliating themselves like this? Am I really so desperate for her?

He took a few steps back and shoved his hands into his pockets, accidentally brushing against the two coins.

He gripped them tightly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Miss Su, you’re quite impressive. Let’s see if you can win an award for best actress.”