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Being close, Qin Xiao could smell the sweet fragrance emanating from her.
Without showing any emotion, his heartbeat quickened. Qin Xiao thought he should see a psychologist. After meeting her, he realized that simply catching a whiff of her scent could excite him so much.
What gift? He had initially just been joking, but when she asked like this, images of the girl practicing dance earlier involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
And then there was their first meeting, where she looked at him with panic while sitting in his bathtub.
His first thought was to take her virginity. However, not long ago, he could have said it without hesitation, but now he knew saying it would only make her hate him more.
His lust wasn’t shallow, but he became increasingly cautious and restrained.
He cursed inwardly and found it amusing. In just a few months, he had somehow learned to control these impulses.
Although Su Ling was somewhat naive, she saw his eyes as soon as she raised her head.
To say she didn’t understand most people in the world, she certainly understood him. When he was extremely excited, the light in his eyes resembled that of a wolf starved on the grasslands—sharp and bright.
What devilish thoughts was he having?
“Qin Xiao!” Her face flushed, “I don’t want anything. Just stay away from me.”
He chuckled softly: “Alright.”
Her disbelief at his compliance made her uneasy. Qin Xiao changed the subject: “The crew is throwing you a birthday party. Shall I take you there?”
Su Ling was momentarily stunned: “Huh?”
How could the crew know her birthday, let alone plan a surprise party? She hadn’t heard a thing.
She then asked cautiously: “Who… who’s going to be there?”
Qin Xiao lied smoothly: “Wen Zhi, and that Bai someone, Guo Mingyan too.” These were all people aware of Qin Xiao’s existence. Su Ling felt relieved but still wondered: “How did they find out?”
“It’s written on your contract. They wanted to surprise you.”
Su Ling hesitated. She didn’t place much importance on turning twenty, but Wan Baitai and Director Wen coming?
One was a top actress, the other a renowned director, both exceptionally kind to her.
This kindness ran deep, but Qin Xiao? Could his words be trusted?
The man didn’t change his expression and smiled: “It starts at eight.”
It sounded convincing.
Su Ling didn’t trust him. She thought for a moment and called Yun Bu. Yun Bu happened to be drinking water and immediately answered: “What is it, Lingling? You left so suddenly. Is everything alright?”
Su Ling glanced at Qin Xiao and bit her lip: “The crew needs me for something. I’ll go over at eight. If I’m not back by nine-thirty, you…” She intended to say ‘call the police.’
Qin Xiao sneered coldly.
“...You tell the department head. I’m worried about safety if it gets too late.”
Yun Bu naturally agreed.
As soon as she hung up, Qin Xiao grabbed her chin: “Do you really think I’m a rapist?”
His words were extremely blunt, scaring Su Ling. She quickly shook her head: “No.”
Clearly a lie; her cheeks turned crimson.
Qin Xiao believed her fib. Although she was an awful liar, he had to pretend to believe her, or she’d be even more scared. He released his fingers, leaving a red mark on her fair skin.
He chuckled inwardly. So delicate.
However, Qin Xiao was indeed lying to her. She was rarely this smart, intending to call Wan Baitai to verify. It seemed she wasn’t as easy to fool as she appeared.
Qin Xiao’s expression remained unchanged as he pressed her hand: “Let me have Wen Zhi explain.”
With his usual dominance, he dialed Wen Zhi’s number directly.
Wen Zhi was still showering and didn’t plan to answer when he saw his phone light up. But upon seeing the contact name—Tyrant—he immediately turned off the shower: “Young Master Qin, do you need something?”
Qin Xiao: “Is the birthday party for Su Ling ready? She’s done with class. I’ll bring her to Cloud Fragrance Pavilion now.”
While he was on the phone, the girl quietly watched him.
Feeling no guilt or panic, he reached out to touch her rosy cheek. She slapped his hand away, and Qin Xiao laughed.
That laugh was pleasant. The bewildered Wen Zhi heard his low, smooth laughter on the other end, making his spine chill.
As a highly emotionally intelligent director, Wen Zhi immediately understood what to say when Qin Xiao said: “Talk to Su Ling yourself.”
Wen Zhi promptly got it: “Hello, Su Ling. Long time no see. How have you been recently?”
The girl smiled gently and respectfully: “Director Wen, hello. I’ve been well.”
“Happy Birthday! Come to Cloud Fragrance Pavilion. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“Okay.” She handed the phone back to Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao went to the basement to retrieve the car, and she waited for him at the exit.
As soon as Qin Xiao went down, his smile disappeared. He called Guo Mingyan: “Bring your old flame, go to Cloud Fragrance Pavilion. No matter what, within an hour, you and Wen Zhi organize a birthday party for Su Ling.”
Guo Mingyan exclaimed: “What old flame! Young Master Qin, clarify. When did I have an old flame?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. That Bai someone. Hurry up. If you mess this up...” His voice turned cold, “Mr. Guo will come to escort you home.”
Guo Mingyan was almost driven to tears by this despicable and domineering man: “Young Master Qin... I’m broke.”
All his money had been drained by that blood-sucking woman, Wan Baitai.
Qin Xiao: “Use your reputation for now. I’ll settle the bill once I get there.”
He started the car with one hand and drove out of the basement after finishing the call.
The girl was still waiting for him.
He acted convincingly. Those dark emotions almost immediately dissipated upon seeing her.
She wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, her hair lightly blown by the warm breeze.
Even without speaking, she appeared both obedient and gentle.
Qin Xiao took her on a longer route.
The girl in the backseat didn’t use her phone and thus didn’t notice anything amiss. She only sent Yun Bu the address “Cloud Fragrance Pavilion” before getting into the car.
A twenty-eight-minute drive took Qin Xiao an hour.
Su Ling: “...” This Cloud Fragrance Pavilion is quite far.
Qin Xiao was captivated by her naive obedience.
Indeed, she was still easy to deceive.
As for Su Ling’s precautions—the mention of Yun Bu and nine-thirty—he paid no heed. Such childish tricks were beneath his notice.
Su Ling rarely celebrated birthdays. She felt a bit nervous in the car.
In previous years on her birthday, her grandmother would cook her a bowl of longevity noodles with an egg.
At those times, she felt very happy. Sweetly, she would tell her grandmother about the funny things at school, and her grandmother would listen with a smile.
Now, she had lost them.
Sadly, she thought that perhaps her arrival had been a disaster for her grandmother—a reminder of the loss of her daughter.
In her past life, Qin Xiao also celebrated her birthday. He loved that day immensely.
For Qin Xiao, it was the most merciful day heaven had bestowed upon humanity, sending the most precious treasure.
But what she wanted, he would get angry hearing. What she didn’t want, he gave her plenty of.
Over five years, with his extravagant spending sprees, if she were truly greedy, she could have bankrupted him. He appeared rational, his capitalist methods incredibly effective, yet sometimes he was a madman.
On the way, Su Ling felt nervous. No friends had ever celebrated her birthday before.
They were so good to her; she didn’t know how to repay them.
When the car stopped at Cloud Fragrance Pavilion, it was exactly seven-thirty in the evening.
The sky hadn’t yet darkened, but the colorful lights of Cloud Fragrance Pavilion were already lit. One of the largest entertainment venues in City B, compared to the lavish dens frequented by the elite, “Cloud Fragrance Pavilion” was incomparably clean and elegant.
Su Ling had never been here in either of her lifetimes. Curiosity piqued, she felt both apprehensive and expectant.
Guo Mingyan had set the location on the third floor.
The third floor was called Cloud Starry Sky.
When Qin Xiao led Su Ling inside, she was amazed by the design of the place.
Above her was a deep blue sky dotted with stars and a bright moon.
The 3D projection effect was extraordinarily realistic.
Underfoot was a light-screen floor with drifting clouds.
Qin Xiao looked down at her reaction. The girl’s eyes sparkled, her little face slightly red, clearly delighted. He clicked his tongue, thinking Guo Mingyan and Director Wen had some taste after all.
Wan Baitai immediately spotted Su Ling and turned on the lights: “Little Jiu Li! You’re here!”
As the lights came on, Qin Xiao squinted his eyes.
Guo Mingyan felt like crying...
The seven or eight young masters present all greeted cheerfully: “Young Master Qin!” Who would miss such a spectacle?
Guo Mingyan thought, what could he do? He was desperate too. When Young Master Qin called, they were playing mahjong. That bastard Zhan Lei had just spread word about Sichuan Mahjong Bloody Battle Rain.
They were having a blast with eight people split into two tables, casually discussing business.
A call was all it took for everyone to show up.
Su Ling looked up at Qin Xiao. The man showed no change in expression: “They’re just here for fun. Ignore them.”
Seeing so many familiar yet strange faces made her feel intimidated.
Wan Baitai inwardly sneered. That bastard Qin was shameless. His expression didn’t even change while lying. She pulled Su Ling to her side and took out a bottle of perfume from her bag: “Happy Birthday, Little Jiu Li.”
Su Ling shyly said: “Thank you, Baitai.”
Knowing this girl wouldn’t accept anything too extravagant, Wan Baitai gave her this perfume she endorsed—it was excellent and practical.
Qin Xiao glanced at the group of men: “Birthday gifts, everyone send me red envelopes.”
Everyone: “...”
Damn it! They hadn’t brought any gifts.
Su Ling heard too. Already feeling embarrassed, she hurriedly waved her hands: “No need, thank you all.” She managed a smile, “Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday.”
The girl’s smile was genuine and pure, making even Wan Baitai feel awkward. Though she liked Su Ling, she only knew about the birthday from Guo Mingyan’s call.
Little Jiu Li was innocent, giving her whole heart to everyone. Their group of cunning individuals felt utterly ashamed beside her earnestness.
Wan Baitai felt a bit helpless. Once upon a time, she was like Su Ling too.
She gently touched Su Ling’s hair, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Wen Zhi coughed and beckoned Su Ling: “Little Su, I don’t have much to give. I’ll recommend two auditions for you. Take advantage of them.” Director Wen smiled, “Don’t refuse. You’re an actor I admire. I offer this out of appreciation for talent—it’s not extravagant.”
Su Ling stood up and bowed deeply.
Zhan Lei and Guo Mingyan were terrified. Shit... they hadn’t prepared anything... what to give?
Qin Xiao curved his lips and recited a card number: “Deposit red envelope money into this account.”
“...”
Qin Xiao looked at the soft girl, so cute, and decided to buy her candy.
Wan Baitai had brought an assistant, and Director Wen was very clever to bring his wife.
Thus, the group became even livelier.
Cloud Starry Sky was beautiful, with a seven-tiered cake prepared in the center. Beside it were racks of wine, and in the middle was a large dance floor.
This place was expensive but worth it, clearly designed for grand parties.
There were snacks, hot dishes, beverages, and more.
Zhan Lei said: “This feels weird. There’s a dance floor, but we’re all men... who are we dancing with?”
Qin Xiao sipped his drink, looking at Su Ling as she talked with Wan Baitai.
She hadn’t even glanced at him.
Zhan Lei persisted: “Can we invite our dates? It’ll be livelier, and we can dance.”
Qin Xiao put down his glass, unsure of his own thoughts: “Hmm.”
Soon after, a group of dazzling women with various charms arrived.
Su Ling ate a small snack.
She was a bit bewildered...
What was going on?
Wan Baitai frowned and asked Su Ling: “Can you handle alcohol?”
Su Ling shook her head: “My alcohol tolerance isn’t good.”
“Then don’t drink later.” Wan Baitai glanced at Qin Xiao, “I’ll have my assistant take you back to school later, okay?”
She obediently replied: “Okay, thank you, Baitai. I won’t drink.”
These newly arrived women weren’t shy. They turned on the music and started dancing with their partners.
Su Ling found it interesting. Qin Xiao didn’t bother her. She had always been well-behaved and hadn’t seen such scenes before. Watching the novelty was quite nice.
Su Ling knew how to dance; she had learned ballroom dancing. However, she had never danced with anyone.
Qin Xiao stayed calm, legs crossed, sitting on the sofa, barely glancing at her.
The music was lively, and Su Ling gradually relaxed. The party was indeed lively, and the starry sky was beautiful.
When the incandescent lights were turned off, the entire venue transformed into a mesmerizing, dark hue, breathtakingly beautiful.
Guo Mingyan gritted his teeth, approached Su Ling, greeted her, then extended his hand to Wan Baitai: “Photos!”
Wan Baitai smiled: “What? She doesn’t understand.”
Guo Mingyan’s goosebumps rose: “Wan Baitai! Act normal, don’t be like a crazy woman.”
Su Ling didn’t understand what they were talking about but guessed that Wan Baitai and Guo Mingyan must be acquaintances with a less-than-friendly relationship.
Wan Baitai sipped her orange juice: “Alright, Mr. Guo invites me for a dance, I’ll give you the photos, return your pocket money.” She licked her lips, “And that other thing too.”
Guo Mingyan thought of his underpants, his face turning green.
Dance? Isn’t it just dancing? Let’s go!
He directly pulled her up and headed to the dance floor. Wan Baitai turned back, laughing: “Be good, Little Jiu Li. I’ll be back soon.”
Su Ling nodded.
She turned on her phone; it was nine o’clock.
Half an hour left. Su Ling sighed slightly in relief.
A woman came over from the dance floor. She looked gentle, dressed in emerald green, and immediately handed Su Ling a pen: “You’re Su Ling, right? I really love your makeup test photo as Jiu Li. Can you sign this for me?”
Su Ling felt a bit flustered. The woman smiled lightly, not pressing her, and politely said: “Thank you.”
So Su Ling signed for her.
After a while, the woman returned with two glasses: “Happy Birthday. Want to have a drink? It’s juice.”
She opened the bottle, and the packaging indeed said juice.
She poured herself a glass, took a small sip. Su Ling’s phone lit up with a message from Yun Bu—I’ll come pick you up.
Su Ling wasn’t good at handling strangers’ advances. This woman was gentle and very well-mannered, making it hard to refuse her from the bottom of her heart.
Su Ling checked the English label again—it was indeed juice.
She took a sip from her previous glass. The woman smiled, curiously asking her many questions about the crew.
Zhan Lei whistled. The woman told Su Ling: “Excuse me.”
Su Ling nodded. The juice was slightly sweet, with a faint alcohol smell. She turned to look at Wan Baitai teasing Guo Mingyan on the dance floor. Perhaps due to the dancers spinning around, Su Ling felt a bit dizzy.
Qin Xiao had been watching the entire scene. He coldly asked Zhan Lei: “What did you do?”
Zhan Lei burst out laughing: “What are you pretending for, Young Master Qin? Your little treasure can’t recognize what kind of drink that is, but can’t you? You didn’t stop it earlier, and now you ask me. That’s my gift. I won’t transfer the red envelope money. I’ll save it to buy Nuan Nuan a necklace. By the way, no need to thank me.”
The woman who had previously poured juice for Su Ling, named Nuan Nuan, nodded gently.
Qin Xiao chuckled.
He didn’t pretend anymore. By the time he walked over, Su Ling was already too dizzy to be coherent, her cheeks flushed.
Qin Xiao touched her cheek. She blinked: “Qin Xiao?”
She still recognized people.
He hadn’t been this close to her in a long time—twenty-four days, five hundred seventy-six hours.
He couldn’t touch her, couldn’t approach her. The moment he did, she became extremely alert.
But now, she didn’t dodge. Her thoughts slowed down greatly, completely drunk. That beverage wasn’t harmful, merely a playful item. One sip equaled a bottle of liquor’s effect.
Expensive and effective.
She was originally obedient, now even more so.
She murmured: “Don’t touch my face.”
His thumb slid to the corner of her lips. Hearing her, his eyes and brows curved into a smile, and he softly responded: “Alright.”
Yet his fingers didn’t withdraw.
She sat in the light. Qin Xiao picked her up and moved to a corner sofa, the darkest spot in the entire Cloud Starry Sky.
He sat her on his lap.
Qin Xiao wasn’t a moral person, nor a gentleman.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen for her at first sight last life, disregarding whether she was conscious or not. As long as she was in his bed, she was his.
He lifted her small hand and placed it on his chest, smiling: “Do you hear it? It’s going crazy because of you.”
She was dizzy, feeling like there was a small drum under her hand, beating powerfully.
She sat unsteadily, quietly, not causing trouble.
Afraid of dropping her, Qin Xiao held her waist. That slender waist fit perfectly in his palm. He curved his eyebrows and asked her: “Why do you hate me?”
Through the silent darkness, she looked at this man.
For a moment, she couldn’t tell which year it was.
“Why do you hate me?” The man asked her again in a low, hoarse voice.
She thought she had died.
After thinking for a long time, she remembered she indeed had.
Su Ling’s eyes were hazy: “Because you’re so bad.”
He chuckled softly: “Still cursing at a time like this? Hmm?”
She seemed somewhat aggrieved: “You always lie.”
Qin Xiao touched her cheek: “What did I lie to you about?”
“You promised not to touch me, to ask my opinion, and forgot the next day.” She teared up, “You didn’t let me see Yun Bu, didn’t let me leave the villa.”
Qin Xiao’s smile faded. Calmly, he asked: “Anything else? What else did I lie to you about?”
She thought for a moment, feeling even more wronged: “You said your cooking was good, but it was actually terrible.”
The sweet and sour pork ribs were too sweet and burnt.
He forced her to eat several pieces.
Promising to let her go home didn’t count either. He chased after her shortly after.
Qin Xiao listened calmly. The tenderness in his heart froze into ice, the shards piercing his heart.
Originally as sweet as honey, now chilling to the bone.
He gripped her chin. Her eyes were watery. Not far away were the starry sky and the bright moon. He felt those clean eyes were the cruelest thing, slowly torturing him to death.
Qin Xiao’s tone was icy: “Who are you talking about?”
These things, he had never done to her.
Jealousy and anger like an invisible force squeezed his heart painfully, nearly killing him, making him want to strangle her alive.
“Who are you talking about? Who touched you?” His eyes turned red, “Who is he?”
The drink’s aftereffects were strong. Her senses were sharper than her thoughts.
His arm around her waist was tight, as if wanting to crush her. Her chin hurt. Tears welled up in her eyes: “It hurts.”
Qin Xiao sneered: “It won’t hurt as much as me.”
So what kind of enchantress had he fallen for? Life and death at her disposal, able to take his life with a breath.
Su Ling felt dazed. The pain amplified her senses, jumbling her memories—sometimes her leg was broken, hiding from the rain on a rock, other times being pushed off the villa, bleeding everywhere.
Su Ling suddenly realized this was the man who had spent five years with her, deceived her countless times, and wanted to entangle her to death.
She cried, slapping him across the face.
It didn’t hurt, but it crushed his pathetic pride, trampling it on the ground. Qin Xiao laughed: “Good hit.”
His eyes turned red, almost hating her to death.
Yet he loved her to death.
Whoever it was, whoever that man was. His reaction was almost insane, destined to kill him sooner or later.
Su Ling destroyed all his tender affections. He had merely wanted to hold her, yearning so much it ached to the bone. He didn’t dare touch her, so fragile. Last time, just scaring her made her cry like that.
He just wanted to know why she hated him.
Could he change?
But she was too cruel.
Not giving him a shred of mercy was one thing, but how could there be someone else?
He let go, chuckling coldly: “Su Ling, you brought this upon yourself.”
Without support and strength, she collapsed limply into his arms.
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