Why keep her if she was ugly?
Shen Qingqing traced her own image on the photograph and then looked up at her reflection in the glass. She was now stunningly beautiful, a far cry from the person in the picture.
"I asked you to send a file, why is it taking so long?"
King's voice came from the doorway. He noticed the photograph in Shen Qingqing's hand, his posture instantly straightening. But in the next moment, he leaned back against the doorframe lazily, his gaze lingering on her.
"Didn't you say I was ugly back then?" Shen Qingqing turned the photograph to face him.
"When did I ever say that?" King blinked, feigning innocence. "Did I? You must be mistaken. I don't recall saying anything like that."
"Playing amnesia."
Shen Qingqing walked over, photograph in hand, and shoved it directly in his face.
She didn't believe he wouldn't remember.
King cleared his throat and snatched the photograph away, hiding it behind his back. Then, he immediately brought it out again. "What's wrong? This is a nice picture. Can't I keep it?"
"You can," she conceded. "If you think it's nice, then why did you call me ugly back then?"
No woman could be indifferent to being called ugly.
At that time, she was simply exhausted, worn out from her demanding days, and lacked the energy to argue with him.
King's lips twitched. "I didn't expect you to be so resentful."
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "You're only finding that out now?"
"I know now!" King grumbled. He lowered his gaze, and as his eyes landed on the photograph, they softened. "Honestly speaking, you were incredibly ugly back then."
She was so thin, skin and bones, and no amount of beauty can compensate for being emaciated.
"So, why did you take me as your disciple?"
This had always been a question in her heart. King was a man who acted on impulse, unbound by rules, but he had a penchant for beautiful things, both people and objects.
Yet, back then, he had derided her while also accepting her as a disciple and teaching her his skills.
King's fingertip traced over the photograph as he looked up at her refined and beautiful features. "I just wanted to. I saw your potential."
"Potential?" Shen Qingqing doubted the sincerity, remembering how he had barely even glanced at her back then.
King turned and walked towards the bookshelf, placing the photograph among the books. He turned back, a relaxed smile on his face. "My judgment is sharp. What others can't see, I can. Besides, you didn't disappoint me back then."
He had taken on other disciples before, but they never lasted more than a few days. Either they couldn't endure the hardship, or he found them too foolish.
She was different.
He dropped the flippant smile, a touch of seriousness entering his expression. "The way you lived your life with such determination was beautiful."
Shen Qingqing, having followed him for so long, heard praise from his lips for the first time. She felt a surge of pleasant surprise. "So, you can compliment people too."
King chuckled. "I'm not a beast, of course I can."
"Then why didn't you ever praise me before? You only knew how to be sarcastic."
"What's the point of praising you? Would it make your head swell?" King believed that strict teachers produced excellent students, and since he couldn't be strict, he resorted to sarcasm. "See? My method worked. Look how outstanding you are now."
Shen Qingqing rolled her eyes. "That's because I'm smart and learned quickly. It has nothing to do with your sharp tongue."
Anyone else with a more fragile heart would have been driven away by his words.
It wasn't just his words; this man was too intelligent. He possessed so many skills, and to this day, she still didn't know how much of his true capabilities he had yet to reveal.
He was a versatile prodigy!
King propped his chin on his hand, pondered for a moment, and said, "If you put it that way, then your excellence has nothing to do with me. You don't appreciate any of the good I've done for you."
His face was full of mock sorrow, but Shen Qingqing could see the lingering amusement in his eyes, knowing he was joking. Yet, some things needed to be said.
She straightened up slightly, her back rigid.
"Teacher, thank you."
King also straightened his back. "What are you doing?"
Shen Qingqing smiled slightly. "Nothing, I just want to thank you. You've helped me so much over the years, and now you've followed me all the way back here. I know your intentions."
King was not one for eloquent expressions, but he always preferred to let his actions speak for themselves.
King seemed uncomfortable with her demeanor, his lips involuntarily curling upwards. "Alright, you saying this to me is giving me goosebumps."
Seeing his look of feigned disgust, Shen Qingqing couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay, I won't say it then."
King smiled. "Shen Qingqing, you need to keep working hard. Don't waste all the skills I've taught you. And don't forget, you still have a few children to raise."
"I know."
Shen Qingqing glanced at the photograph. The woman in it, though thin, looked full of spirit, her eyes brimming with unwavering determination.
Unlike herself, who seemed to have grown complacent due to recent successes, forgetting how she had achieved everything.
She had become unlike herself, caught up in anxieties over a man.
"What are you thinking about?"
King's voice brought her back to reality. She shook her head. "Nothing, I just feel that some things might not be as difficult as I thought."
King didn't quite understand what she meant, but he noticed her demeanor had become more composed. "That's better. That worried look doesn't suit you."
"Me? Worried?"
"Yes," King had seen it immediately. "Now you look like yourself!"
Shen Qingqing thought she had hidden her feelings well and gave a wry smile. "It seems my disguise was quite a failure."
King disliked her bitter smile. He strode over to her in two quick steps and placed a hand decisively on her shoulder. "Shen Qingqing, you need to remember who you are. Never become one of those pathetic women."
Shen Qingqing, unused to him being so close, took a step back. "Don't worry, I know what I need to do."
King was relieved. "It's good that you've figured it out."
Shen Qingqing then inquired about Shen Jinxi. King reported that the doctor had seen the child and found no serious issues. It was likely due to drinking too many cold beverages.
The doctor had prescribed some medicine and advised for more rest and plenty of water.
He added, with a hint of exasperation, "Regardless, you shouldn't scold the child."
Shen Qingqing understood immediately. But feeling cheerful at the moment, she had no intention of dwelling on it. Just then, a faint sound came from outside the door.
Both of them stiffened and walked towards the entrance.
Shen Qingqing reached for the doorknob and pressed it down. With a click, the handle fell off. She stared at the knob in her hand, momentarily stunned.
King couldn't help but laugh. Her expression was so endearingly bewildered. "It seems we're not getting out today."
Shen Qingqing took a deep breath, tossed the handle aside, and said, "Who said that?"
She had learned another skill from King: picking locks. But before she could even touch the lock, King's resigned voice sounded from behind her.
"My lock, do you think it would be opened by my own methods?"
Shen Qingqing froze. If that was the case, they were trapped.