Seeing Huang Qing bound head to toe, Qin Hui couldn't help but swallow, images from a certain foreign film flashing through his mind.
"Ahem."
Qin Hui coughed twice to alleviate his awkwardness.
"Mmmph..."
Huang Qing, with her mouth gagged, could only emit muffled sounds. She looked utterly pitiable.
But Qin Hui felt no pity for this woman. She had brought it all upon herself. If he didn't teach her a profound lesson this time, she'd likely come looking for trouble again.
Soon, Qin Hui brought a chair and some fresh strawberries, leisurely eating them in front of Huang Qing. His plan was to let her simmer for a while and break her spirit first.
Half an hour later, Qin Hui finished his strawberries. Huang Qing stopped struggling and just stared at Qin Hui with bloodshot eyes, as if she could devour him.
This sight, however, amused Qin Hui.
"Just resent me then. You were the one who challenged me to a one-on-one fight, but you couldn't even handle me."
After finishing the strawberries, Qin Hui wiped his hands and slung Huang Qing over his shoulder.
"Mmmph..."
Huang Qing struggled fiercely, but it was all in vain.
"Don't worry, I won't leave you here alone. I saw a few guest rooms upstairs earlier. We'll stay there tonight."
Qin Hui chuckled, carrying her away without regard for her protests.
Qin Hui knew he had to educate Huang Qing tonight, otherwise she'd cause more trouble for him tomorrow.
Huang Qing's eyes were watery, and she weakly resisted, wanting to challenge Qin Hui but not to be bullied by him.
Bang!
Qin Hui unceremoniously tossed Huang Qing onto the large bed, then closed the door. Since Huang Qing had driven everyone away earlier, only the two of them remained at the equestrian field. If Qin Hui did anything out of line, no one would know.
Seeing Huang Qing's pathetic look, Qin Hui's heart softened slightly.
"I'm willing to untie you, but you know you can't beat me, so you have to talk to me obediently. No fighting, or I can't guarantee what might happen between a man and a woman alone."
Qin Hui threatened playfully.
He had no choice but to use this method to deal with Huang Qing; otherwise, he couldn't subdue her.
*Hmph, you just wait, you girl. Just because I can't deal with you today doesn't mean I won't tomorrow.*
Huang Qing thought to herself, then quickly agreed. *This girl won't suffer in silence!*
Seeing Huang Qing's agreement, Qin Hui readily removed the gag from her mouth and then untied the ropes binding her hands and feet.
However, deep red marks were left on Huang Qing's skin, giving her a strangely alluring look.
Alas, watching too many foreign films wasn't good for him!
"Qin Hui, you are truly despicable. What is your current strength?"
Huang Qing's first words were this. She had thought her strength as a seventh-level martial artist was formidable enough, only to find she was still no match for Qin Hui, unable to even withstand one of his moves.
If Qin Hui were a towering mountain, Huang Qing felt she could never surpass it, because time progressed the same for everyone; as you improved, so did he.
"Half-step Grandmaster!"
Qin Hui hid nothing. Even if he didn't say it, Huang Qing could guess. Only someone at the half-step Grandmaster realm could handle her so effortlessly.
Huang Qing had thought Qin Hui was strong, but she never expected his strength to have reached the half-step Grandmaster realm. Why was the gap widening so much?
Huang Qing had planned to get revenge in a few days, but now she realized how naive she was, how foolishly adorable.
"By the way, there's something I need to tell you. Qin Long's wedding is in a few days. I hope your Huang family won't interfere, no matter what happens."
Since he had run into Huang Qing, Qin Hui decided to be direct. This way, the Huang family wouldn't get involved.
"Qin Hui, are you planning to stir up trouble at Qin Long's wedding? You're strong, but that's the Qin family we're talking about. Aren't you courting death?"
Huang Qing immediately became worried, the previous unpleasantness instantly forgotten.
"What? Are you worried about me?"
Qin Hui asked with a smile.
"Worried about me?"
"Hmph, I'm not worried about you at all. I just don't want you to rush to your death. If you die, who will I bully in the future?"
Huang Qing forced an excuse for herself, admitting she worried about Qin Hui was impossible!
"Hmph, still putting up a front. Don't worry, I understand your feelings. Why don't you accompany me tonight?"
Qin Hui smiled slightly, intending to use Huang Qing to consolidate his half-step Grandmaster realm. Having just broken through to this level, Qin Hui's cultivation was not yet fully stable.
The stronger one became, the slower the consolidation process, which was only natural. If Huang Qing could help him, then Qin Hui's half-step Grandmaster realm would become solid, tangible strength!
"What do you take me for? Why should I accompany you?"
Huang Qing's face flushed slightly; she had clearly misunderstood.
"Heh heh, I don't care. I already consider you my woman, and there's no denying it. Besides, your father has already agreed to our marriage."
Qin Hui said shamelessly, putting on a thick skin.
"You!"
Just as Huang Qing was about to say something, Qin Hui pulled her into his embrace.
Truthfully, Qin Hui had ulterior motives in asking Huang Qing to help consolidate his cultivation. After all, this was a critical period, and strength was paramount. Besides his selfish intentions, Qin Hui also wanted to take responsibility for Huang Qing.
Having carried out so many missions together, they already understood each other implicitly. Thus, Qin Hui was certain about Huang Qing.
"Qin Hui, no, not here."
Huang Qing's face turned red with embarrassment. She tried to resist, but Qin Hui's warm presence had a captivating effect.
"Qin Hui, please, please let me go. I really don't have those kinds of feelings for you anymore."
Huang Qing finally surrendered. If it were before, she might have been able to handle Qin Hui, but now, she saw him more as a playmate.
After all, people eventually change, and Huang Qing was no exception.
Huang Qing's words startled Qin Hui. He did like Huang Qing, but not to the point of forcing her. Such matters ultimately required mutual consent.
Qin Hui couldn't quite figure it out. Huang Qing had been quite good to him before; why had she changed now?
"Alright, I respect your decision."
Qin Hui sighed, somewhat bewildered. Women's fickleness was something Qin Hui could never comprehend.
"Don't worry, Qin Hui. Our Huang family will not interfere in the Qin family's affairs. But truly, we no longer have those kinds of feelings for each other. You understand what I mean, right?"
Huang Qing stood up, tidied her clothes, and said with some apology.
Huang Qing admitted that before, she had harbored feelings for Qin Hui, but that was in the past. People ultimately grow up.
It was like everyone growing up together from childhood, only to realize as adults that two people who once loved each other deeply couldn't end up together.
This was also a kind of inexplicable sorrow.
Qin Hui felt a pang of melancholy, but since Huang Qing had said so, he could only treat her as a sister from now on.
Some things couldn't be obtained just because you wanted them. Of course, it was impossible not to feel a sense of loss.
It was just that these emotions would take some time to recover from.