Qin Ningyi wasn't drunk, but under the influence of alcohol, amidst the shifting lights and shadows and the gentle breeze from outside the window, he watched Huo Rou. His eyes, flickering with the passing streetlights, seemed to be drunk once more.
Hearing Huo Rou speak now, he simply curved his lips towards her, smiling in a gentle and gentlemanly manner, "I apologize."
He offered no explanation for why he had been looking for so long, but Huo Rou seemed to understand, and didn't press further.
In the dim light, Qin Ningyi cautioned Huo Rou to be careful on her way back. As the car drove away, Huo Rou watched the receding black figure in the rearview mirror, a subtle emotion stirring in her heart.
She touched the "Youyou Brand" citric acid candy in the inner pocket of her clothing.
All these years, he had been involved.
"Young Master?" the butler called out from behind.
"She didn't refuse." Qin Ningyi gazed at the distant strip lights, the trees lush and verdant. He lowered his head, chuckled, and turned to walk back.
He knew he had fallen for that little stray cat, but obtaining a cat that appeared docile yet was actually vigilant was proving to be quite difficult.
Though she had barely spoken during dinner today, he could clearly sense that she was less guarded and distant towards him.
The next day, just as Qin Ningyi finished instructing Xiao Konglin to arrange several suitable positions for Huo Rou, An An's call came through.
"Daddy, Mommy's going out!"
"Hm? Where to?" Qin Ningyi had intended to ask Huo Rou out for the weekend, but An An's call disrupted his plans.
"Godmother is going to meet her online boyfriend, and she's asked Mommy to go with her." An An, without any reservations, relayed everything to Qin Ningyi. "I don't know where they're going. Ah, Mommy is calling me."
"Go ahead, send me the address when you get there." Qin Ningyi added after saying this, "Keep an eye on your mother until I arrive."
An An, having received the answer she wanted, happily hung up the phone to play her role as a little spy. wΑp.kanshu伍.net
A theme park at ten in the morning.
It was the weekend, and the theme park was already bustling with people. Huo Rou accompanied Xia Qingxue to the entrance. She had arranged to meet Ren Zhen at the entrance, and they had agreed to carry a hydrogen balloon.
While Xia Qingxue was buying balloons, Huo Rou spotted Ren Zhen not far away. Just as she was about to point her out to Xia Qingxue, her wrist was grabbed, and with considerable force, she was pulled aside.
"Hey! Rou!" Xia Qingxue cried out in alarm as soon as she turned around and saw Huo Rou being dragged away.
Her voice had only just managed to catch Qin Ningyi's eye, who was disappearing behind a statue. His gaze was somewhat cold.
She couldn't help but shiver.
"Qingxue?" a pleasant voice called her name from behind.
Xia Qingxue was familiar with this voice; it held a hint of playful mischief, but mostly a languid charm.
This was the voice that had accompanied her through every game.
Her heart began to pound uncontrollably. She hesitated to turn around, yet couldn't resist twisting her body.
The person held a cartoon-themed hydrogen balloon. His slightly curly brown hair in the sunlight brushed his forehead. He wore glasses and looked refined, yet the sleeves of his shirt were casually rolled up, revealing his strong arms.
Indeed, he was very handsome.
Xia Qingxue couldn't suppress the frantic fluttering of her heart; her eyes were fixed on the man before her.
Ren Zhen also gazed steadily at Xia Qingxue. The lively and energetic little wife from the game, in reality, was such a radiant and spirited young woman.
Dressed in a green suit, her petite figure made the outfit appear even more fresh and elegant.
Seeing the infatuation in her eyes, Ren Zhen couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems I haven't mistaken the person."
He took another step forward, extending his right hand, trying his best to make his voice sound less languid. "Hello, allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Ren Zhen."
Xia Qingxue snapped back to attention amidst his laughter, shyly extending her hand to shake his. "Hello, my name is Xia Qingxue."
Their voices matched perfectly. Holding her soft hand, Ren Zhen felt reluctant to let go for a moment.
He took the balloon from her hand and tied the strings of both balloons to her wrist. After doing so, he naturally took her hand in his.
As Ren Zhen led her forward, Xia Qingxue was momentarily lost in thought.
She stared intently at her hand and the large hand holding it.
After a while, she finally recovered, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, and pulled her hand away.
He looked so refined and gentle, how could he make such an intimate gesture right after meeting?
"What's wrong? My dear?" He turned back in the sunlight, his eyes full of laughter. Paired with his melodious voice, it made all the reproaches Xia Qingxue wanted to utter vanish.
"We've only just met, it's not appropriate." After a long pause, she managed to stammer out these few words.
"You've neglected me for so long, and you won't even let me collect a little interest?" Ren Zhen felt nothing was wrong. He intended for this meeting to confirm their relationship. From the game to reality, he was serious.
"Don't call me that..." Xia Qingxue felt an indescribable sensation looking at the bustling crowd around them.
Seeing her blushing profusely, Ren Zhen didn't push further. He said in a clear and refined tone, "There are many people here, I was just afraid you might get lost. My apologies."
His earnest apology made it difficult for Xia Qingxue to say anything more, and she followed him into the theme park.
Meanwhile, Huo Rou's wrist had suddenly been grabbed, and her body's instinct took over. She lashed out with her other hand towards the person.
Her movements were so swift that Qin Ningyi could only instinctively block. In that split second, Huo Rou freed her other wrist from Qin Ningyi's grip.
Just as she was about to strike, she met Qin Ningyi's eyes. Those eyes were calm and unwavering, showing no surprise or defensiveness, only complete acceptance.
Huo Rou retracted her move as quickly as she had initiated it, offering no explanation for her actions. "I apologize, I didn't realize it was you."
"I startled you." Qin Ningyi chuckled, looking at her nonchalantly. "Strong vigilance is a good thing."
Huo Rou pursed her lips and remained silent. Qin Ningyi stepped forward and gently took her wrist in his hand again.
Although he had let go promptly earlier, the force of Huo Rou's move had left her wrist bruised.
The guilt and heartache in his eyes were clearly reflected in Huo Rou's. The man who was decisive and ruthless in the business world was now gently massaging her wrist.
Huo Rou couldn't quite decipher her feelings. The gentleness on her wrist stirred a trace of longing. She feigned composure and looked into the distance.
Seeing that she didn't object, Qin Ningyi's movements became even softer. A glance at Xia Qingxue being led by Ren Zhen made him begin to ponder.
"It doesn't hurt. We should go." Qin Ningyi had become engrossed in rubbing her wrist, and Huo Rou had to remind him.
"Alright." Qin Ningyi agreed quickly, taking her hand with one hand and picking up An An with the other. "Let's go."
"Your hand." Huo Rou found walking like this strange and reminded him.
"Let me rub it a bit more." Qin Ningyi had no intention of doing as she said. He held her hand firmly yet gently, parting the crowds and leading her forward step by step.
"What exactly did you come here for?"