MGG - 9

Chapter 9: Utterly Enchanted

Qin Xiao leaned against the wall of the swimming hall, drawing the attention of every passing student.

He was a man who didn’t know the meaning of restraint or subtlety—his presence alone was like a glaring beacon.

After waiting for twenty minutes without seeing Su Ling emerge, his patience began to wear thin. He had heard the announcement about clearing the pool area, and by now, the last of the students had trickled out. Still, Su Ling hadn’t appeared.

His expression darkened.

However, some of the female students from the performing arts department who had exited earlier were still lingering nearby, hesitant to leave. When they noticed his sour mood, one brave soul ventured to ask with a smile, “Hey handsome, who are you waiting for?”

Qin Xiao was well-known in B City’s elite social circles, but ordinary people rarely recognized him. After all, he wasn’t a celebrity. With his sunglasses on, only those familiar with him could identify him.

Qin Xiao ignored them, lighting a cigarette instead. The weather outside was sweltering, much like his temper.

Even the way he smoked was effortlessly stylish. Combined with his expensive attire, it was no wonder the girls couldn’t tear themselves away.

After extinguishing his cigarette, Qin Xiao strode into the swimming hall without hesitation.

“Hey… isn’t that…” Someone tried to point out that he was heading toward the women’s section, but their companion quickly hushed them. “Don’t meddle.” The person didn’t look like someone with a forgiving temperament. As Chen Fan had once said, in the entertainment industry, having good judgment was crucial. The girl promptly shut her mouth.

Once inside, Qin Xiao found Su Ling without any effort.

A cleaning lady with a thick northeastern accent was loudly trying to reason with her. Su Ling looked dazed, struggling to understand the dialect. From where he stood near the door, Qin Xiao caught the gist of the conversation—the young woman needed to leave; the facility would be closed for cleaning, and if she stayed, the cleaner’s wages would be docked.

When Qin Xiao glanced over, he saw Su Ling curled up pitifully in the corner.

Compared to the cleaner’s booming voice, Su Ling’s response was impossibly soft and meek. “I’ll just stay for a little while…”

“No way!” the cleaner barked in her dialect.

Su Ling didn’t argue back. She remained huddled in the corner, wrapped tightly in an oversized bath towel. The cleaner had already locked the changing room door and was about to physically drag her out.

Tears welled up in Su Ling’s eyes as she sniffled helplessly.

Qin Xiao observed her for a long while before she even noticed him. The air-conditioned hall should have felt cool compared to the heat outside, yet watching her made him feel increasingly restless. Never in his life had he realized… that someone crying could look so damn beautiful.

Before the cleaner could lay a hand on her, Qin Xiao stepped in, slapping her hand away—with his wallet.

Much like Guo Mingyan, spending money came naturally to him.

But at least it worked. He pulled out a stack of bills, not bothering to count, and sent the cleaner on her way. The cleaner grumbled as she left but quickly realized the wad was quite thick.

Qin Xiao stood tall while Su Ling crouched low. She buried her face in her knees, clearly avoiding him. Despite speaking to the cleaner earlier, she now clammed up completely, refusing to utter a word.

Qin Xiao found this strange. By all rights, he should have been furious, but he wasn’t. Instead, he felt something akin to being gently punched in the chest.

It was maddeningly sweet.

She was so cautious, revealing only the top of her head.

“Su Ling,” he said, suppressing a laugh, his tone icy. “Didn’t you just curse at me? Hmm?”

She shifted slightly, her heart pounding like a drum. She fought hard not to instinctively apologize. She remembered the importance of not showing fear when dealing with Qin Xiao, but her pitiful demeanor betrayed her.

She blinked back tears and tucked her bare feet further under herself.

“I’m the kind of person who holds grudges,” he said, crouching down in front of her. She trembled, wondering if he might resort to violence. She’d never seen him hit a woman, but it wasn’t impossible.

“Apologize, and I’ll forgive you. Otherwise, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

“Sorr…” She stopped herself mid-word. This line felt familiar.

—Lingling, call me Brother, and I’ll let you out.

—Lingling, praise me, and I’ll let you act.

Suddenly, it clicked—they were all part of his manipulative tactics. But she had never outright refused him before. Would he really resort to violence? Having lived another lifetime, she resolved not to be so weak. If it came to it, she’d rather endure pain than apologize. After all… she was good at bearing it.

As he leaned closer, she instinctively closed her eyes.

His hand brushed against her delicate ear. Initially intending only a light touch, he couldn’t resist squeezing it twice more. Looking at her pitiful state, he finally broke into laughter—it was unbearable how cute she was.

Su Ling shrank away, lifting her head reluctantly.

Her bright, sparkling eyes shimmered under the fluorescent lights, breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing her, Qin Xiao marveled at how fate favored some more than others. Such a delicate beauty, yet so timid.

Outwardly composed, Qin Xiao’s heart raced uncontrollably.

The public often assumed he preferred flamboyant women, but deep down, he knew that wasn’t true. He simply hid his preferences well, to the point of almost forgetting what he truly liked. Revealing such things carelessly could make him vulnerable to exploitation.

But what did he like?

Seeing Su Ling gave him the answer. How could someone align so perfectly with his tastes? It was as though she had been crafted specifically for him.

It was intoxicating.

He clicked his tongue softly, his tone unconsciously softening several degrees. “Stand up. Why are you squatting there?”

Su Ling tightened the towel around herself, saying nothing. She truly had no idea how to deal with him.

But Qin Xiao wasn’t like Guo Mingyan—he was sharp. Observing her dejected appearance, he quickly deduced, “Someone took your clothes?”

How naive of her. No wonder she got bullied.

Qin Xiao didn’t understand campus bullying. Back in school, he’d been the one throwing punches, and no one dared cross him. Remembering how this little beauty usually ignored him, he teased, “Su Ling, do you want your clothes back?”

Of course she did. But she knew Qin Xiao too well—there was always a catch.

“Say my name,” he leaned closer, his smile mischievous. “No ‘Brother Zhao Gou’ this time. Do you know who I am? My name is Qin Xiao. Call me Qin Xiao.”

Who else had such a peculiar obsession with hearing their name called? And with such persistence?

But she didn’t want to waste any more time here. Qin Xiao did have one redeeming quality—if he promised something, he delivered.

So she whispered, “Qin Xiao.”

Such obedience.

Qin Xiao averted his gaze, pretending to remain calm. Standing up, he pulled out his phone and dialed. “He Qin, buy a set of women’s clothes and bring them to Z University. Hurry.”

The other side asked for her size.

Qin Xiao glanced at Su Ling, who was attempting to turn herself into a mushroom.

If he asked for her measurements, she’d likely die of embarrassment.

“Make it loose-fitting,” he instructed.

Su Ling took a deep breath and lifted her head. “Qin Xiao…”

Hearing his name, Qin Xiao paused mid-call and lowered his head. Oh dear, she was initiating contact now. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, he felt as though he might go bankrupt.

Perhaps whatever she asked for, he’d impulsively give it to her. But she only blushed furiously, her ears turning red. “Can you also bring a pair of canvas shoes? I’ll pay you back.”

Ah, so she wasn’t wearing shoes.

But she guarded herself like a thief, ensuring he saw nothing.

“What size?”

“35.” She hesitated nervously.

Qin Xiao relayed the information, then involuntarily imagined what size 35 looked like… His feet were large, matching his height—size 44.

Size 35… barely longer than his palm. Leaning against the wall beside her, he curved his lips in amusement.

The cleaning lady diligently swept the floor, paying no mind to the two of them.

Watching Su Ling, Qin Xiao couldn’t resist teasing her. “You’re studying performing arts—you must know how to sing and dance, right? While we wait for the clothes, sing a song for me. How about it?”

Su Ling shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Everyone else can. Why can’t you?”

She murmured softly, “I’m dumb.”

Damn… utterly adorable.

Qin Xiao turned his face away, hiding his laughter. Since meeting her, he’d laughed more in these few moments than he had in an entire year.

Su Ling lied. Her cheeks flushed pink. She ranked first in her major courses. Her voice was sweet, capable of melting hearts when singing love songs. Her dancing was equally mesmerizing, thanks to her graceful figure.

Most art students were multi-talented. Though her family was poor, her grandmother had ensured her education was thorough. However, she refused to reveal the truth. The more disdainful Qin Xiao acted toward her, the better. Ideally, after meeting talented beauties like Tang Weiwei or Zheng Xiaoya, he’d see her as nothing but a clumsy fool.

He Qin was efficient. Within ten minutes, the clothes arrived.

Su Ling’s legs were numb from squatting, but she didn’t dare stand. After a moment’s thought, she extended her arm to take the bag.

Qin Xiao’s gaze lingered on her exposed limb—pale, delicate, and exquisitely fragile. Uncontrollably, his eyes wandered further.

But Su Ling quickly covered herself, leaving him with nothing to see.

“…”

He Qin tilted her head, glancing at Qin Xiao. “Shall I bring the car around?”

“Yes,” Qin Xiao replied. He Qin nodded and left.

Su Ling remained rooted in place. She had requested shoes precisely to avoid his gaze, but with him still here, she couldn’t change.

“Auntie! Auntie!” she called softly.

The cleaning lady hummed a tune, oblivious. Qin Xiao heard her but merely smirked, choosing not to intervene.

He listened as she called louder, her voice soft yet firm. The cleaning lady finally turned around. “What is it?”

“Can you unlock the changing room for me?” The key was in the auntie’s pocket.

The cleaning lady glanced at Qin Xiao. She understood—he was the one calling the shots. Could she possibly refuse?

Su Ling “….” She wanted to die of mortification.

Wherever Qin Xiao went, everyone deferred to him—it was practically a law.

But this man was no saint. “Su Ling, am I a pervert, hmm?” He still remembered her indignant insult.

Her face flushed crimson. “No, you’re not.”

This time, she was obedient to a fault. He chuckled softly, nodding toward the cleaning lady. The door opened.

She looked at him, her eyes dry but appearing wet in his mind. In that instant, Qin Xiao’s heart softened uncontrollably. Turning away, he said, “Go ahead.”

Only then did Su Ling rise and enter the changing room.

For once, she felt a rare sense of relief. Her modesty had been preserved.

Leaning against the doorframe, Qin Xiao listened to the rustling sounds inside. He felt utterly enchanted.

Why, he wondered obsessively, did she dislike him so much?