Chapter 56: Waiting for Him

Su Ling was silent for a moment. She switched to another dry towel.

The apartment environment was serene, and the night was very quiet. There really wasn’t much of a choice, nor should it be her decision to make. Su Ling felt his subtle dominance.

She finally called him.

“Qin Xiao, this doesn't depend on me. Just answer according to what you think.” How could Su Ling not understand? How could Qin Xiao possibly answer the netizens’ questions? He just wanted an attitude.

Feeling each other’s breath over the phone, Qin Xiao smiled: “Alright, don’t be angry.”

If he had to choose, he would definitely pick truth.

Doesn’t this mean that Su Ling actually cares about him somewhat?

Letting go is also her concession.

That night, Su Ling fell asleep with some unease. She didn’t really understand her feelings for Qin Xiao. Ever since Qin Xiao appeared in her life, everything had fallen out of rhythm. His aggression and presence were so strong that it was as if she only had memories of this one man.

In fact, being reborn had its downsides. Her knowledge of the future interfered with her emotions and judgment. Su Ling vaguely knew that some things were bound to happen regardless—like her grandmother’s death, her uncle’s gambling debts, and Yun Bu falling from the cliff. However, maybe the best outcome would be minor changes leading to much better results than before.

Thinking too much before bed made her mind cluttered and restless, bringing up old memories.

It was about Zheng Xiaoya.

In her past life, it was probably more than three years later when she saw a piece of news in a magazine—the fiancée of President Qin was none other than the Best Actress, Zheng Xiaoya!

The TV in the villa was on low volume. Aunt Ding was chopping vegetables in the kitchen, smiling as she told Su Ling that the young master would return late tonight.

Looking at the picture in the magazine, Su Ling’s feelings were complex.

At times, she felt happy. If Qin Xiao had a fiancée, he might give her a way out, right? After all, if he didn’t care, surely his fiancée wouldn’t either.

At other times, she pitied herself. Back then, she envied Zheng Xiaoya. Zheng Xiaoya could freely act, and her acting skills were excellent.

Su Ling didn’t harbor any hostility towards this woman. If Zheng Xiaoya could grant her freedom, she would even be grateful to her.

With faint hope, Su Ling waited for Qin Xiao to come home.

However, Qin Xiao returned at two o’clock in the morning. Su Ling had her thoughts; she woke up as soon as he came back. In the darkness, she quietly listened to his movements—he carefully removed his shoes and went to take a shower. Not long after, she felt Qin Xiao approach.

Su Ling turned on the light. The warm yellow bedside lamp wasn’t glaring.

Qin Xiao touched her hair, his expression unclear: “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” Even if Su Ling was waiting for him, he wouldn’t believe it.

Su Ling propped herself up and looked up at him with a hint of testing, her voice soft: “I saw the news in the magazine today.”

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow: “What news?”

“Your fiancée is Miss Zheng.”

His smile faded instantly, and his dark eyes became somber. Looking at the excitement and anticipation on her face, it felt like needles piercing his heart.

He sat down beside her, his tone calm: “And? What do you want to say?”

Su Ling was a little afraid of his demeanor, but her inner expectations compelled her to voice her wish: “Can I leave now? Miss Zheng is great. She’s beautiful and capable, unlike me who’s so clumsy, always making you unhappy.”

Su Ling had prepared her speech. She started by self-criticism, hoping not to upset him, then reiterated her request: “If I continue to stay here, Miss Zheng will be unhappy, and it’ll affect your relationship.”

Qin Xiao listened coldly and after a long while, slowly spoke: “Finished?”

Su Ling couldn’t help but clutch the blanket tighter, not daring to nod. But her big, clear eyes were wet and bright under the light, unblinking as they stared at him.

Qin Xiao sneered and pulled her tightly into his arms, his hands slipping under her clothes to grope.

He didn't know what madness overtook him; his touch showed no mercy. The tender parts of her body throbbed painfully under his grasp. Su Ling pushed at him: “It hurts, let go.”

Qin Xiao turned off the light, hiding his expression from her view: “I hurt more, deep inside.”

“But I think this is the best... I’ve been with you for three years. I…” Her voice began to waver, tears welling up, “I can’t study anymore, can’t act. Since you have a fiancée, let me go… Ow… It hurts, stop touching there.”

“Fiancée?” He sneered, “Just a title. That means nothing. Be good, within a year, she won’t be anything that can stand between us.”

Su Ling didn’t understand what he meant, but she was afraid of this scheming Qin Xiao.

It made her feel like a villain too.

Her eyes brimmed with tears, but the man was deeply moved. Su Ling was both sad and angry, biting down hard on his shoulder. Instead, he laughed heartily, trembling slightly in excitement.

Pervert! Psycho!

Su Ling dared not bite him anymore, but she felt the sadness, which Qin Xiao could sense.

He took his hand out and touched her face. Sure enough, his fingertips were damp with her tears.

“You don’t like Zheng Xiaoya? Are you bothered that I have a fiancée?” His tone carried a hint of expectancy, slightly rising.

Su Ling honestly answered: “Miss Zheng seems nice. Her TV dramas are enjoyable. It’s good that you have a fiancée.” It would be even better if he would let her live her own life.

The man laughed bitterly. He must be crazy to still expect her jealousy.

Qin Xiao held her in his arms. Her body was delicate and soft, radiating an intoxicating warmth. Qin Xiao took a deep breath: “I don’t like her, and I won’t marry her. Give me some time…”

Su Ling thought he was terrible: “Why keep her waiting if you don’t like her?”

Qin Xiao was so angry he wanted to bite her, but the precious gem on his heart’s tip, causing trouble on his head, left him with no option but indulgence. Besides, he didn’t dare tell her why.

He feared that once she knew, she’d risk her life to leave him.

He commanded: “Don’t ask. Sleep now.”

Then came Su Ling’s nightmare. Zheng Xiaoya bullied her everywhere. Initially, Su Ling was excited to see her idol, but later, disheartened, she began to dislike this woman.

Knowing Su Ling couldn’t be touched, Zheng Xiaoya mostly resorted to verbal insults.

Most of what Zheng Xiaoya said involved the misdeeds of Su Ling’s uncle, aunt, and Ni Jianan. At first, Su Ling would counter, but eventually, she let it be.

Su Ling had her plans. She didn’t know Qin Xiao’s feelings for Zheng Xiaoya, but to become Qin Xiao’s fiancée, Zheng Xiaoya must hold some trump cards. If Qin Xiao refused to let her go, perhaps Zheng Xiaoya could achieve it.

After several attempts, Su Ling calmly said: “Yes, I’m not worthy of the limelight. If you’re so powerful, make Qin Xiao drive me away.”

Su Ling expected Zheng Xiaoya to mockingly refute and set some flags. However, Zheng Xiaoya suddenly changed her expression, glaring at Su Ling with suppressed anger and saying, “Don’t get cocky,” before leaving with her bag.

Su Ling realized she couldn’t rely on Zheng Xiaoya.

Qin Xiao’s status was too high. Zheng Xiaoya could only secretly maneuver behind the scenes. She was afraid of Qin Xiao and even feared him.

Su Ling didn’t quite understand how these people in high society thought. Qin Xiao didn’t like Zheng Xiaoya but still plotted against her while giving her the title of fiancée.

And Zheng Xiaoya, who feared Qin Xiao, insisted on boasting about her love for him and recklessly throwing herself at him.

What maintained such a balance?

Until her death, Su Ling never found out. Qin Xiao concealed it well, seemingly very afraid for her to know.

But Qin Xiao feared nothing and no one. His domineering and cold demeanor always suppressed others. What exactly became his weakness?

Thinking about the past, Su Ling didn’t sleep well that night and woke up late the next day.

Instinctively, she wanted to see Qin Xiao’s reply and the ensuing public reaction.

However, the internet was calm. This time, Qin Xiao didn’t respond to the person’s question. He neither confirmed his proposed falsehood nor chose the truth.

Su Ling was momentarily stunned, then calmly got up to wash her face.

A few days passed like this. Tang Zi was extremely worried: “Lingling, this ambiguous situation isn’t a solution. People will start guessing negatively. The company hopes to issue a statement. Is there no problem on Qin Shao’s side?”

Lin Qing, Su Ling’s agent, analyzed and then calmly suggested: “Su Ling, we should handle PR and start dispelling rumors. The heat has been enough. If it goes further, it’ll be unbearable for you. What do you think?”

Su Ling pursed her lips. If she clarified that she had no relation with Qin Xiao, then there could be none in the future.

After all, if they announced something later, fans would feel deceived.

More importantly, she understood Qin Xiao’s unease.

This life, he was so good, and she knew he tried hard. When she was on his back, she thought she should treat him better.

Qin Xiao holding an umbrella for her in the rain, shielding her from countless falling rocks and holding her close, carrying her on his back along the beach… He had walked alone for too long.

She knew he might have problems, and his personality was flawed.

But at some point, when facing him, her heart softened slightly. When he was exceptionally kind, she couldn’t help but smile at him.

She wanted to try moving closer to him. Maybe she wasn’t so brave or fast, but she would slowly strive.

Su Ling didn’t want to shatter his heart.

He might have been bad once, and still somewhat bad now, but he would become better. Even if he wasn’t perfect, she wanted to try understanding him slowly.

Thus, Su Ling didn’t agree with Lin Qing. She wanted to hear what Qin Xiao thought.

However, the other end of the line remained silent for a long time.

He used to pick up her calls almost instantly, but this time, he couldn’t be reached, as if he had vanished from the face of the earth.

Su Ling didn’t care about public opinion anymore. She was afraid something had happened to Qin Xiao.

Su Ling decided to look for him.

Making this decision required immense courage.

Su Ling took a taxi to the villa where she lived for five years in her previous life.

It was afternoon, but because it was spring, the sun bathed people in warmth without feeling hot.

The villa in front of her was different from her memory since she hadn’t lived here. Therefore, the garden lacked the roses and climbing roses Qin Xiao had personally planted.

Su Ling knocked on the door.

Aunt Ding opened the door and was surprised to see Su Ling, her expression turning strange.

Before Aunt Ding could speak, Madam Wen’s voice rang out: “Ding Qiong, who’s here?”

Aunt Ding quickly responded: “Madam, it’s Miss Su.”

Su Ling sensed something was off: “Aunt Ding, if it’s inconvenient, I’ll leave first.”

Su Ling didn’t have time to leave because Madam Wen descended the stairs upon hearing her name. The sound of high heels clicking on the floor was rhythmic. She walked downstairs, turned the corner, and looked down at Su Ling.

Madam Wen’s gaze was familiar to Su Ling.

Sharp with disgust, even tinged with faint resentment and hatred.

Su Ling suddenly had an absurd feeling. She hadn’t offended Madam Wen in either of her lives, yet Madam Wen seemed to regard her as a thorn in her flesh.

Unfortunately, Qin Xiao was too dominant. Even Madam Wen, as Qin Xiao’s mother, was overshadowed.

Madam Wen was also a woman who craved power. But in the last six months when Su Ling followed Qin Xiao, Madam Wen no longer held shares in Qin Corporation. Everything was seized by Qin Xiao. By then, Madam Wen looked like she had aged ten years, far from the arrogance she displayed now.

Thus lay the terror of Qin Xiao. He truly didn’t care about those familial ties.

He could target anyone.

“Su Ling.” Madam Wen scrutinized her, then sneered after a long while: “Truly impressive.”

Su Ling frowned and politely greeted Madam Wen before leaving.

As Su Ling walked out of the villa grounds, Aunt Ding chased after her: “Miss Su!”

“Aunt Ding, may I ask what’s the matter?”

Aunt Ding smiled: “Nothing much. Just thought if the young master knew Miss Su visited, he would be very pleased. The young master went to L City a couple of days ago, looking unwell. If he returns in a couple of days, I’ll notify Miss Su.”

Su Ling didn’t know why Qin Xiao would go to L City—it was her hometown.

However, the premiere of The Prisoner was approaching, and Su Ling was busy promoting it, hoping the movie would be a hit.

The Prisoner was scheduled to premiere at the end of April.

Lin Qing urged Su Ling: “Lingling, what about that rumor…”

Su Ling smiled, her eyes shimmering with gentle warmth: “Let’s wait a bit longer.” I need to wait for him to return.

However, a few days before the premiere, Tang Zi hesitated to speak to Su Ling: “Have you seen the online rumor?”

Su Ling shook her head.

“Zheng Xiaoya posted on Weibo, asking everyone not to spread rumors about Qin Shao and you because Qin Shao and she are about to get engaged.”

Tang Zi was almost in tears. What kind of situation was this?

President Qin clearly liked Lingling so much; even a blind person could feel it.

How could such news suddenly surface? Watching soap operas was entertaining, but experiencing it firsthand wasn’t pleasant.

Tang Zi went to see Su Ling, fearing she would be sad.

However, there was no sadness on Su Ling’s face.

The April breeze was gentle, and her eyes were clean and clear: “I’ll wait for him to return.”

She never believed in rumors.