MGG - 19

Chapter 19: That Bastard

Su Ling refused her.

Wan Baibai insisted, “Are you scared? Don’t be scared—I’ll go with you.”

“It’s not that…”

“Then why?”

Su Ling couldn’t explain. Her relationship with Qin Xiao was far too complicated, beyond anything Wan Baibai could imagine.

Wan Baibai hadn’t even eaten dinner yet but dragged Su Ling along. As a woman of action, she immediately started gathering information about what Qin Xiao liked.

With seven years in the industry and a wide network of connections, Wan Baibai was surprised to find that no one seemed to know anything.

She muttered in disbelief, “Good heavens, is there really someone who doesn’t like anything—someone so detached and uninterested?”

Su Ling stood silently by her side.

She had already changed back into her dress, and with a sigh, she said to Wan Baibai, “Let’s go back.”

“No way! I refuse to give up. Even if it’s a dead horse, we’ll treat it as alive. Let’s just go and say some nice words.” Wan Baibai had reached her current status without relying on any sponsors—she had a silver tongue that could charm anyone.

Su Ling’s emotions were tangled. This matter had nothing to do with Wan Baibai, yet here she was, willing to go out of her way for her. Su Ling felt deeply moved but also feared dragging Wan Baibai into trouble.

A pang of heartache struck her. Since her rebirth, she had deliberately avoided forming close relationships because she feared accumulating more attachments.

In her past life, her grandmother and uncle’s family had trapped her in a gilded cage for five long years.

Now, with Yun Bu to protect, and now Wan Baibai getting involved, she felt lost and unsure of what to do.

Wan Baibai turned and flashed her a grin. “Come on, don’t chicken out. Swallow this bitterness for now, bide your time, and one day, when you become the Best Actress, you can crush Ren Bingxue!”

Su Ling couldn’t help but laugh.

For some reason, her heart settled.

The public opinion issue had to be resolved—not just for herself, but for her grandmother in L City, who mustn’t suffer any harm.

One thing Wan Baibai was right about—if Qin Xiao was behind this, he wouldn’t let it die down unless he wanted to. If he wasn’t the culprit, resolving the issue would only take a word from him.

However, though Sanhu Town was nominally a town, it had streams, forests, and vast expanses of wilderness behind it.

They really had no idea where to find him.

Wan Baibai decided to first return to the hotel to gather information. Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived, they spotted a familiar face.

Guo Mingyan had just started his flashy sports car when he spotted Su Ling and Wan Baibai.

He looked pleased to see Su Ling at first, ready to greet her, but his expression darkened when he noticed Wan Baibai beside her. Without another word, he prepared to drive off.

Wan Baibai raised an eyebrow, opened the passenger door, and hopped in. She waved to Su Ling, “Get in quickly.”

Guo Mingyan exploded, “What are you doing here? This is my car!”

Wan Baibai patted his chest playfully, teasing, “Oh come on, Young Master Guo, don’t be so stingy. I’ll pay for the ride if you want.”

Guo Mingyan shuddered at her touch, hopping mad. “Do you think I care about your measly money? Get out!” He was all bark and no bite—a paper tiger. Wan Baibai dug her ears mockingly, “Huh? What did you say? The wind’s too loud; I can’t hear you.”

“…”

In the end, Guo Mingyan still drove them to Xilin in Coral Town.

It was rumored that Xilin had once been a hunting ground for emperors. Later, a businessman developed it into a horse racing track.

Guo Mingyan had come to race against Qin Xiao. This group of idle rich heirs knew how to have fun in extravagant ways.

Perhaps finding daytime races boring, they had decided to race at night.

Not only Guo Mingyan showed up. When Wan Baibai arrived, she whistled. Hey! Seven or eight people, all influential figures from high society, were there.

High-wattage floodlights illuminated the racetrack, but the area was so vast that farther away, everything was swallowed by darkness.

This group sat astride their horses, looking as if they were risking their lives.

As soon as Guo Mingyan arrived, the others jeered, “Oh, Young Master Guo is special, huh? He even brought two beauties.”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

Su Ling felt embarrassed, but Wan Baibai blew a playful kiss, making the men burst into laughter. Some recognized her—after all, she was a celebrity.

Everyone laughed, except Qin Xiao. He wore a helmet, his sharp, narrow eyes exposed, and they eventually landed on Su Ling.

His demeanor was somewhat lazy, but his black riding attire made him look exceptionally handsome.

After Guo Mingyan changed into his gear, everyone was ready.

Someone asked, “What’s the bet?”

“A random car.”

“How stingy.”

“Young Master Qin, what do you think we should bet?”

Qin Xiao, irritated, replied, “Whatever.”

The group argued until they finally decided to bet on a plot of land in Dongcheng worth thirty million. Such a staggering sum casually placed on a single race.

Ren Bingxue approached with small, hurried steps. “Young Master Qin, good luck!”

The men around her wolf-whistled and teased, “Give us a lucky kiss, beautiful!”

The open space they stood in was brightly lit. Ren Bingxue smiled coyly, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao sat atop his horse, his expression cold and unmoving.

Ren Bingxue grew awkward.

Wan Baibai stifled a laugh and then deliberately teased Guo Mingyan, “Young Master Guo~ Young Master Guo! Want a lucky kiss from me?”

Guo Mingyan wished he could trample this woman under his horse’s hooves!

At this moment, the referee raised his hand, signaling everyone to prepare and motioning Su Ling and the others to step back and watch.

Qin Xiao glanced at Su Ling.

She felt uneasy and instinctively took a few steps back.

Half of his face was hidden beneath the helmet. He sneered, his presence exuding a wild, almost frightening aura.

The whistle blew, and nine magnificent horses surged forward simultaneously. The pounding of hooves against the ground was awe-inspiring. Su Ling had never seen Qin Xiao race before. She knew he was skilled at many things, but after being with her, he had stopped indulging in such dangerous games to keep her safe.

Strangely enough, though she inwardly resisted him, she had to admit that among the nine riders, he stood out the most.

Qin Xiao’s horsemanship was superb, and in no time, he was ahead of everyone else.

Xilin was vast, flanked by dense woods, and the night air carried a chill. A strong wind began to blow.

Their figures disappeared in the blink of an eye.

They played rough, racing within a designated half-forest area.

The race was expected to last over twenty minutes, but at the eighth minute, just as the referee began to relax, a figure with smoldering eyes abruptly turned his horse and galloped back.

He moved swiftly, reaching them in moments.

And they were all inside the fenced area!

The referee: “….” Recognizing the man on the horse, he thought, Holy crap, has Young Master Qin gone mad?

“Quick, back off! Everyone, move back!”

Qin Xiao leaned forward slightly.

The intense surge of frustration in his heart was nearly consuming him. His lips were pressed tightly together, his gaze icy and fierce. He charged straight into the crowd on his horse, causing Ren Bingxue to scream.

Qin Xiao bent low, slowing his horse’s speed, and with a powerful motion, he lifted Su Ling onto the horse.

The sheer strength and agility of the move made the referee tremble in fear.

Su Ling, the person directly involved, was utterly stunned.

She sat in front of Qin Xiao, hearing the fierce pounding of his heartbeat in her ear. Without a word, he kicked the horse’s flank sharply.

She was seated sideways, the biting wind slicing through her world, making it feel like everything was tilting.

Unable to bear it, she cried out.

For a moment, she had the surreal feeling that Qin Xiao was taking her to their deaths together.

But she didn’t want to die. The heat of his breath against her skin was the only warmth she could feel. She clung desperately to his waist, burying herself against him.

After a long while, she managed to stammer, “Qin… Qin Xiao… please… stop…”

He chuckled coldly.

The curve of his lips was sharp, and he could feel her gripping him tightly. One hand held the reins while the other wrapped firmly around her waist.

He had an overwhelming urge to pull her into himself, as if wanting to fuse her into his very being.

Tears streamed down Su Ling’s face. “Please stop!”

His voice was torn apart by the wind, carrying a chilling edge. “Don’t you hate me so much?”

On the verge of panic, she could barely think straight. Sobbing softly, she pleaded, “I don’t hate you anymore—I’ll never hate you again.” Su Ling felt like she might fall off at any moment. The terror of death was something she never wanted to experience again.

If she really believed him, it would be a miracle.

He was certain that later on, she’d hate him even more.

Since she already disliked him, why not make her dislike him even more? With this ruthless thought in mind, he convinced himself that he truly was a pervert.

In a calm and rational voice, he commanded her, “Say you like me.”

Su Ling whimpered, “I… I like you.”

He smirked.

Well, it seemed coercion worked better than persuasion. Look how obedient she was now. How sweet it sounded.

The night breeze was slightly cold. He slowed the horse’s pace and removed his helmet, placing it gently over her head. Su Ling was so terrified that she had no strength left in her body, leaving her at his mercy.

He pressed a soft kiss onto the cold surface of the helmet.

“Su Ling.”

She trembled, too afraid to respond.

He didn’t need her to. “Hold on tighter.”

Then, one by one, he removed his wrist guards and knee pads, using one hand to put them on her. The riding gear’s automatic buttons adjusted to fit her body snugly.

Finally, he chuckled. “Take my life if you want. I’ve already given you everything.” My heart has long been yours, but you despise it.

Su Ling couldn’t comprehend what he was saying; her mind was completely numb.

After a while, she noticed the horse’s speed had slowed slightly. Summoning all her courage, she managed to choke out, “Can… can we get down?”

He chuckled softly. “No, if we get down, you’ll run away.”

Su Ling felt like she could strangle him right then and there. She wanted nothing more than to kill this bastard.

He fell silent for a moment, his eyes glinting with an obscure light. “It’s not impossible…”

Su Ling felt his breathing quicken, growing erratic.

She knew he was about to negotiate, and she tensed up.

Under the vast night sky, the heavens stretched endlessly in deep blue hues. The cool wind tousled her hair, brushing against the back of his hand and creating an uncontrollable itch.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and then Su Ling heard him say, “Let me touch your foot.”

Wan Baibai, thinking about the earlier scene, was utterly baffled. Stammering, she blurted out, “Is Young Master Qin… insane?”

Her words echoed the thoughts of everyone present.

Ren Bingxue’s face flushed red and then turned pale. She was the most unprepared for this turn of events and was now writhing in discomfort. Clenching her teeth, she said, “Don’t talk nonsense. Young Master Qin was just trying to get revenge for me.”

Wan Baibai burst into laughter. “What a brilliant excuse! It’s like watching ten thousand peacocks fan their tails at once. Oh my, my eyes are blinded by the spectacle.”

Her sarcasm made Ren Bingxue’s face turn green.

Wan Baibai had clout, but Ren Bingxue was no unknown figure in the entertainment industry. Without hesitation, she shot back with biting words.

The two women began bickering loudly, and the referee couldn’t intervene, nor did he dare to.

A while later, the eight men returned one by one.

After waiting for some time, they looked around in confusion. “Where’s Brother Xiao?”

Guo Mingyan, who had won first place, was still basking in his triumph when he heard the question. Looking up, he realized the floodlights only illuminated a small area. Beyond that, there wasn’t a single soul in sight.

Guo Mingyan scratched his head. “Did he fall off his horse? Did something happen?”

“…” The group collectively rolled their eyes at his comment.

Guo Mingyan jumped up. “Shit, we need to find him!”

Wan Baibai felt speechless. “Young Master Guo, your mouth… you’re really good at cursing people.” Remembering that Su Ling was still with Qin Xiao, she stopped arguing with Ren Bingxue and quickly asked the staff, “Can you reach anyone?”

The staff were also sweating nervously but reassured her, “We have a robust security system in place. We’ll send people out to search immediately.”

However, before they could act, Qin Xiao returned with Su Ling.

He abandoned the horse.

The riding suit he had put on Su Ling was tossed carelessly onto the ground—it would be collected by the staff during cleanup the next morning.

He carried Su Ling leisurely back, a faint smile playing on his lips. Holding her effortlessly, he radiated an air of ease.

The onlookers couldn’t quite decipher the situation, except for Guo Mingyan, who felt defeated. Even winning first place didn’t bring him joy anymore.

Su Ling’s legs were jelly. Her entire body was drained of strength, and she was thoroughly terrified.

Her feet hurt, too. The bastard had put her socks on backward. In the dim light, he hadn’t noticed, but she felt uncomfortable wearing them that way.

She was both embarrassed and angry, tears welling up but stubbornly held back.

Qin Xiao glanced at the group of men. They parted to make way as he placed Su Ling gently on a soft seat.

Behind him, the men whistled teasingly, “This is the first time Young Master Qin has lost. What’s going on? Off your game?”

Qin Xiao’s lips curled slightly as he admitted, “Yes.”

Guo Mingyan gritted his teeth. “The Dongcheng property!”

Qin Xiao sneered. “I’ll give it to you later.”

Wan Baibai’s scalp tingled. She had dragged Su Ling here herself and was genuinely worried something might happen to her. Judging by Su Ling’s current state, she was clearly frightened. Tears clung to her lashes, and her eyes were slightly red.

Wan Baibai quickly sat beside her. “Lingling, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Afraid her voice would tremble if she spoke, Su Ling shook her head.

Qin Xiao wanted to laugh but restrained himself. He poured a cup of warm water and brought it to her lips, but she turned her head away, glaring at him with undisguised hostility.

He clicked his tongue and handed the cup to a bewildered Wan Baibai. “Feed her.”

Wan Baibai’s lips twitched. She felt like she no longer understood the world. What was going on?

She held the cup to Su Ling’s lips, but Su Ling took it herself. After drinking the warm water, her racing heart gradually calmed, and a blush spread across her cheeks. By then, Qin Xiao had already left with the group of men.

Wan Baibai blinked, finding the whole situation curious. She asked Su Ling, “What happened? What was that all about with Young Master Qin earlier?”

Then she noticed Su Ling’s ears turning bright red. The young girl, with a tone full of shame and fury, muttered, “I’ll kill him someday!”

Wan Baibai: “….” Impressive, impressive. But maybe wait until you can stand up first.

The scene at Xilin Horse Ranch lingered in both Wan Baibai and Ren Bingxue’s minds.

Neither woman was foolish. To say Qin Xiao didn’t know Su Ling would be a lie.

Most of the idle heirs left the next day, each with their own affairs to attend to. Guo Mingyan, looking like wilted cabbage, finally got up at noon. Wan Baibai, dressed in a wine-red cheongsam, leaned against the doorframe, smiling seductively.

Guo Mingyan shuddered. “What… what do you want?”

Wan Baibai teased, “Why are you so scared?”

Guo Mingyan’s hairs stood on end.

“Did Young Master Qin know Lingling before?”

Guo Mingyan clammed up, shooting her a look that screamed, You can ask all you want, but I’m not saying a word.

Wan Baibai giggled. “Even if you don’t tell me, I already know. I’m not blind. I just want you to pass along a message—tell Young Master Qin to check Weibo and see how peacocks fan their tails.”

Guo Mingyan, whose IQ was subpar, couldn’t grasp what she meant. “Huh? Peacocks?”

But Wan Baibai said no more. Humming a tune, she strolled off under her umbrella.

Meanwhile, Su Ling was still at the set, memorizing her lines.

The rumors from yesterday afternoon’s “assault incident” had spread like wildfire, making her the center of criticism. Even those in the crew who liked her didn’t dare approach her.

Wan Baibai, however, was in high spirits. She felt triumphant, believing Su Ling had secured a powerful benefactor. Especially after seeing Ren Bingxue flub her lines over ten times during today’s shoot, her mood soared even higher.

She walked over and ruffled Su Ling’s adorable hairstyle. “My little Jiuli is so capable.”

Su Ling looked up. She still looked pale from last night’s scare, but luckily, makeup would cover it during filming.

She was always gentle and indulgent toward those she cared about. If Wan Baibai wanted to pinch and pat her, she let her do as she pleased.

Wan Baibai’s heart melted. She felt like she had discovered a hidden gem.

As Su Ling memorized her lines, Wan Baibai scrolled through Weibo.

Remembering she had scenes later in the afternoon, Su Ling asked, “Baibai, aren’t you going to memorize your lines for the afternoon?”

Wan Baibai smiled. “I have a good memory. I usually remember after reading it twice.”

Admiration and envy flickered in Su Ling’s eyes. She considered herself slow and needed much more time to memorize.

Wan Baibai chuckled. Su Ling didn’t realize how talented she was. Her portrayal of Jiuli exuded charm and spirit. Just wait—when this drama aired, everyone would see.

Wan Baibai scrolled further and found that yesterday’s online uproar had disappeared.

Qingyu Entertainment’s official account had issued a statement—

[@QingyuEntertainment] : After investigation, yesterday’s incident involving Twelve Years of Dust was entirely fabricated. It was merely two actors rehearsing normally. The perpetrators of the rumors have been identified, and legal action will be pursued.

Ren Bingxue soon reposted the statement.

Wan Baibai had suspected last night that Qin Xiao wasn’t behind it, but she hadn’t expected the issue to be resolved so swiftly. Truly, the power of influential figures was unmatched.

Unable to resist her curiosity, she asked, “Lingling.”

The girl responded, “Hmm?”

“What happened between you and Young Master Qin last night at Xilin? Why was he in such a good mood?”

Su Ling clenched her fists, her blush spreading to her ears. No matter how patient she usually was, she was now fuming. She hated that bastard with every fiber of her being! And no one was allowed to mention Xilin again!