Before, Guan Mingxu always found girls troublesome.
Timid and fragile, prone to tears, and fond of complaining.
But since meeting Song Qinian, he found girls being a little timid was cute, and a little fragile was endearing.
Crying meant they were emotional and sensitive.
As for complaining, Song Qinian didn't seem like the type to tattle.
Song Qinian held Shen Keqin's phone, recording a video for her.
Clusters of fireworks bloomed in the sky, fleeting yet leaving their beauty forever etched in people's hearts.
The people around were marveling at the fireworks, but in Guan Mingxu's eyes, only Song Qinian existed.
Song Qinian was more beautiful than fireworks.
Or rather, in his eyes, there was no one or thing in this world more beautiful than Song Qinian.
Song Qinian's skin was flawless, even the fine hairs on her nose and face were clearly visible.
Her profile was delicate and exquisite. Guan Mingxu gazed at her dreamily and, as if possessed, leaned in to kiss her face.
Lin Lanxing had been criticized for a long time after being slapped by Song Qinian.
Her mood had been terribly bad lately. Originally, she had no intention of coming to Luofu Mountain to watch the fireworks.
But someone mentioned seeing Guan Mingxu here, so she came.
She sent Guan Mingxu several WeChat messages, but he didn't reply. He didn't answer her calls either.
The fireworks show began. Everyone else took out their phones to take pictures, but she had no interest.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly saw two familiar faces in the crowd.
Guan Mingxu and Song Qinian!
And Guan Mingxu was actually lowering his head to kiss Song Qinian!
Lin Lanxing was furious. She was about to rush forward to separate them, but then she thought of something. She didn't, but instead took out her phone and, from a different angle, took a few pictures.
Looking at the photos on her phone screen, a sinister glint flashed in Lin Lanxing's eyes.
"Guan Mingxu, if you insist on being entangled with Song Qinian, don't blame me!"
Lin Lanxing sent two copies of the photos she had taken.
One was sent to Shen Chiyan, and the other to the Guan family.
Guan Mingxu, naturally, did not succeed in kissing Song Qinian.
Because Shen Keqin returned from the restroom and saw Guan Mingxu, as if bewitched, heading in to kiss Song Qinian. She was instantly terrified and yelled at him.
"Guan Mingxu!!!"
Shen Keqin's shout was as faint as a mosquito's hum amidst the noisy crowd.
But to Guan Mingxu, it was like thunder. He seemed to sober up instantly and took a step back in panic.
Song Qinian also heard Shen Keqin's voice. When she turned to look, she saw Guan Mingxu with a flushed face, looking as guilty as one could be.
And Shen Keqin strode forward, pulling Song Qinian behind her. Her beautiful peach blossom eyes glared at Guan Mingxu, as if about to spit fire.
Song Qinian didn't know what was happening. She gently tugged at Shen Keqin's clothes. When Shen Keqin looked at her, she gestured with her hands, "Qinxin, what's wrong?"
Just as Shen Keqin was about to speak, Guan Mingxu suddenly grabbed her arm.
Shen Keqin glared at Guan Mingxu ominously. Guan Mingxu knew he was in the wrong. He didn't know what had come over him earlier. He felt an unbearable itch and was so consumed by thoughts of Song Qinian that he couldn't resist wanting to kiss her.
Fortunately, Shen Keqin had interrupted him. Otherwise, if he had actually kissed her, their friendship would have likely ended there.
Guan Mingxu didn't want Song Qinian to know his sordid thoughts, so he gave Shen Keqin a pleading look.
Shen Keqin saw remorse and lingering fear in his eyes. She snorted and then smiled at Song Qinian, "There are too many people here, and you're so pretty and cute. I was afraid someone might take advantage of you, so I wanted to ask Guan Mingxu to protect you well."
Song Qinian believed Shen Keqin's words implicitly and handed Shen Keqin's phone back to her.
"My video recording skills aren't very good. See if it's okay?"
Shen Keqin had no mood to watch fireworks anymore. She smiled perfunctorily, "It's beautiful, it's beautiful. Sister-in-law, we've eaten enough. We should go back."
Song Qinian nodded. It was getting late, and she did need to go back.
"I... I drove. I'll give you a ride back."
Shen Keqin gave a fake smile, "Young Master Guan is busy with business. We won't delay your time."
The implication of her words was: you go your way, we'll go ours, now scram.
Guan Mingxu dared not say anything more.
It was past eleven o'clock when Song Qinian returned home.
Shen Chiyan was home, and since Song Qinian hadn't returned, Zhang Qiaoqiao naturally didn't dare to sleep.
Seeing Song Qinian return, Zhang Qiaoqiao breathed a sigh of relief. "Madam."
Song Qinian handed Zhang Qiaoqiao the supper she had brought. "Here, your favorites, roasted yam slices and roasted pig tendons."
Zhang Qiaoqiao was deeply touched. "Thank you, Madam."
Song Qinian smiled, changed her shoes, and headed towards her room, but Zhang Qiaoqiao called out to her, "Madam, the young master returned today."
Song Qinian froze for a moment.
Shen Chiyan had returned?
"I sent you a message. Didn't you see it?"
Song Qinian was a little speechless. "My phone was out of battery."
Then she thought about it. This was Shen Chiyan's home, so it was normal for him to be back.
Besides, she hadn't done anything wrong, so why should she be afraid of him?
So, she gestured to Zhang Qiaoqiao, "It's late. Get some supper and go to bed early. I'm going back to my room now."
Zhang Qiaoqiao thought that Shen Chiyan might have already gone to bed, so she nodded. "Okay."
After a day of work, and staying out so late, Song Qinian was indeed tired.
All she wanted now was to take a bath and then sleep soundly.
She walked into her room and, as soon as she turned on the light, she saw someone sitting on her small sofa.
She was startled immediately. Only when she saw it was Shen Chiyan did she relax a little.
Then she became a little puzzled. Why was he in her room so late at night?
Was he... waiting for her?
The next second, those cold, dark eyes looked at her chillingly, "Did you have fun?"
As he spoke, he stood up and walked towards her step by step.
His face was somber and terrifying. An aura of ferocity and anger surrounded him, making him look quite intimidating.
Song Qinian's heart trembled. When faced with danger, people instinctively retreat.
But before she could take two steps, Shen Chiyan pinned her against the door. "I asked if you had fun. Why aren't you answering?"
Fear filled Song Qinian's eyes. She knew that when Shen Chiyan was angry, it was best not to defy him. So, she nodded obediently.
Besides, she wasn't lying. She had indeed had a good time dining with Qinqin and Guan Mingxu tonight.
Her jaw was suddenly grasped with great force. Shen Chiyan leaned in and bit down fiercely on her lower lip...