Chapter 62: Don’t Lie to Me

After planting the roses, life seemed no different. Qin Xiao still left early and returned late. He appeared to be very busy, sometimes not coming home until late at night.

In the past few days, Su Ling felt her memories were jumbled. She didn’t tell Qin Xiao about her unease. The calendar in her room flipped page by page, yet it was still 2013. She stared at the red “2013” for a while, then turned to look out the window.

From upstairs, she could see the vast expanse of pink roses, budding and blooming under the May sunset. Su Ling massaged her temples, sighed softly, and went downstairs to the music room.

By chance, she encountered the hourly housekeeper who had come to clean.

Su Ling thought for a moment: “Can I borrow your phone?”

The woman’s expression changed slightly, and she forced a smile: “Sorry, Madam. I didn’t bring it with me today.”

“It’s alright. I’ll ask someone else then.”

She stepped outside, and the dozen or so bodyguards immediately tensed up. Hearing that she wanted to borrow a phone, the leader’s eyes flickered: “Our job doesn’t allow us to carry phones.”

Su Ling frowned. Something felt off. If the bodyguards didn’t carry phones, they wouldn’t be able to contact anyone in emergencies, which was dangerous.

Seeing Su Ling frown, the bodyguard quickly added with a smile: “But I can have one. Madam, here you go.” He indeed took out a phone and handed it to Su Ling.

Su Ling took the phone, hesitated for a moment, and though she wasn’t dependent on phones, borrowing one was an instinctive reaction to her vague unease. She couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but she wanted to confirm something. After a pause, she dialed her uncle’s number.

However, moments later, a cold electronic female voice informed her that the number was out of service.

The lead bodyguard apologized: “Look at my forgetfulness. I’ve been so busy these days, Madam. My apologies.”

Su Ling handed the phone back to him, nodded, and said nothing further.

Su Ling returned to the music room. She placed her fingers on the piano and began playing “Autumn Whisper” from memory. The melody was clear and ethereal, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Her mind was restless, and the music wasn’t as smooth or serene as usual.

Qin Xiao happened to hear the piano when he returned.

He paused silently for a moment. Back at the swimming pool, Su Ling had claimed she knew nothing, but it turned out she had lied to him. Not only could she dance, but she could also play the piano and sing.

However, recent investigations showed that Su Ling’s family had been very poor when she was young. Despite their financial difficulties, her grandmother insisted on sending her to learn these skills. That timid and shy girl wasn’t particularly suited for the entertainment industry, but her grandmother had groomed her for it early on.

Her entire life was a setup.

All for Yu Qiao.

His steps were elegant and light. When he entered, Su Ling didn’t hear him.

He had been getting along well with her these past few days, his heart full of sweetness. He cherished these moments deeply and would return whenever he had a chance.

He leaned against the side and listened for a while. Suddenly, she stopped playing and turned to look at him. Her voice was soft and gentle: “Qin Xiao, you’re back.”

He curved his lips: “Mm.”

She blinked: “I haven’t gone out in a long time. It feels suffocating. I want to take a walk.”

Qin Xiao’s gaze darkened, and a fleeting chill passed through his eyes. But after a moment, he responded gently: “Alright.”

She was somewhat delighted, feeling that Qin Xiao wasn’t as domineering recently. She enjoyed this lighthearted atmosphere and found Qin Xiao less detestable.

Qin Xiao fetched a small white jacket for her to wear.

His brows lowered, and Su Ling couldn’t see his gaze. She was quite happy now, thinking that even if she left Qin Xiao someday, he probably wouldn’t be so obsessed anymore.

After all, he had been treating her exceptionally well recently and hadn’t touched her.

“Where do you want to go?”

Su Ling thought for a moment and chirped happily: “Can we go to Z University?”

His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and his voice came out strained, but he still calmly replied: “Alright.”

He loved how Su Ling now relied on him and didn’t dislike him. In her current memories, many terrible things hadn’t happened yet. He wasn’t a condemned prisoner awaiting execution.

However, taking her out was too risky. To preserve this moment of warmth, he couldn’t care about the consequences.

Qin Xiao drove her there. It was just past eight in the evening, and the lights in Z University’s teaching buildings were still on. Students were jogging slowly on the playground. Just as Su Ling was about to get out of the car, Qin Xiao spoke: “Wait.”

He handed her a pink mask.

“Why do I need to wear this?”

At that time, the hype around The Prisoner hadn’t subsided. Under his manipulation, even though she had “announced a temporary hiatus,” she remained a highly sought-after star.

Qin Xiao’s tone was calm: “It’s not safe lately. Going out is dangerous for us too. I’ll wear one as well, okay?”

This explanation was something Su Ling had heard before, and she understood it, so she obediently put it on.

True to his word, Qin Xiao also prepared a black mask for himself and held her hand as they walked toward Z University.

The night was enchanting, and Z University had a strong artistic atmosphere. A boy was playing the guitar on the playground, confessing to a girl he liked. Su Ling watched from afar, a smile in her eyes.

“Do you like that?”

Su Ling didn’t know. She shyly smiled and shook her head.

Qin Xiao didn’t speak. She had forgotten the rainy night when he ran out into the rain to buy a guitar and sing for her. There are always trade-offs; what he lost was her memory of their interactions in this life.

His heart ached faintly.

As they walked out of the playground, they unexpectedly ran into Dong Xu.

Qin Xiao instantly darkened his gaze. Dong Xu approached directly, having followed them. His target was clear.

Dong Xu had indeed followed them. Recently, Su Ling suddenly announced a temporary hiatus and planned to study abroad for a while. Dong Xu had worked with her on The Prisoner and knew how hardworking and dedicated she was to acting. On the day they wrapped filming, Dong Xu asked her about her future plans, and Su Ling said she hoped to have another opportunity to act in movies to hone her skills.

Such a Su Ling made Dong Xu doubt her sudden departure from the industry.

Unable to find Su Ling, Dong Xu eventually turned his attention to Qin Xiao.

Everyone in the capital’s circle knew who Qin Xiao was. What he wanted, even if he destroyed it himself, he wouldn’t allow others to have.

If he had set his sights on Su Ling, how could he let her leave just like that?

Sure enough, today he caught them together. Su Ling was in Qin Xiao’s hands.

Dong Xu frowned, noticing their tightly clasped hands. Su Ling felt a sudden pain from Qin Xiao’s grip and looked up at the man opposite her, finding him vaguely familiar but not recognizing him.

Dong Xu looked at the masked girl: “Su Ling.”

Su Ling raised her eyes, surprised: “You know me? What do you want?”

A surreal feeling rose in Dong Xu’s heart. Before he could speak, Qin Xiao snapped his fingers. Two bodyguards who had been following them quickly approached: “Young Master Qin.”

“Take Madam back.”

His eyes fiercely suppressed his violent impulses. When he looked down at her, he perfectly concealed it. He leaned close to her ear, his voice low: “That man wants to scheme against me. Be good and go back first, okay?”

“Will you be in danger?”

“No.” A smile spread across his eyes.

Su Ling naturally wouldn’t cause trouble. She nodded and followed the two bodyguards back.

“Su Ling! I’m Dong Xu. What’s wrong with you? Why did you suddenly stop acting?”

When she heard the word “acting,” she turned back in surprise. When had she ever acted?

Storm clouds gathered in Qin Xiao’s eyes. He clenched his fists tightly and silently watched her.

Meeting Qin Xiao’s gaze, her heart trembled slightly, and she felt a bit afraid. She pursed her lips and said to Dong Xu: “Sir, I don’t know you.”

She didn’t linger and turned to leave.

However, doubts inevitably arose in her heart. This man named Dong Xu wouldn’t lie. His words were too absurd, but precisely because they were absurd, they made her suspicious.

Dong Xu’s voice calling her name gradually faded away.

Su Ling returned to the villa. She spaced out for a moment, then took a shower. The warm water flowed over her body, tracing her delicate curves.

She felt more comfortable, changed into fresh clothes, and came out.

Qin Xiao had already returned.

He narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze initially sharp but then softened: “Lingling.”

For some reason, she felt a bit afraid.

She lowered her eyes to the amethyst anklet on her foot, curling her toes slightly, unwilling to go near him.

Su Ling didn’t know what Qin Xiao and the man named Dong Xu had talked about. She just felt inexplicably uneasy, her mind muddled. Timidly, she looked at him.

Qin Xiao smiled: “What’s wrong?”

She softly asked: “That person earlier asked why I stopped acting. Why would he ask that? And he knew my name.” Her eyes were slightly confused. “I’ve never acted before.”

She didn’t want to come closer, so Qin Xiao stood up and walked over. His hand touched her cheek: “Do you trust me?”

The man was much taller than her. When he bent down, Su Ling felt a sense of pressure. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded: “Mm.”

He smiled, the previous menace completely gone, as if it had been her imagination.

Qin Xiao casually dismissed it: “That person just said those things to talk to you. Don’t take it to heart. He’s not a good person. Don’t think about it. I’ll handle these matters. Did he scare you today?”

After a while, she shook her head and tugged at his sleeve.

She wasn’t as afraid of him recently. She raised her eyes, her bright orbs looking at him: “Qin Xiao, then... don’t lie to me, okay?” She bit her lip. “I’m not very smart. If you lie to me, I probably won’t notice. But if I find out one day, I’ll be at a loss and sad.”

Her eyes were clear, reflecting his figure.

Her tone was soft, but it sent endless chills through him, seeping into his bones. A slight push would send him plummeting into an icy abyss.

His body stiffened for a moment, then he smiled: “Alright, I won’t lie to you.”