Guan Ming Xu used to dismiss girls as nothing but trouble. Their tears, their constant need for attention, their fragility – it all seemed exhausting. But Song Qi Nian changed everything.
Now he found himself charmed by the very things he once avoided. The way she showed vulnerability made his heart skip. Her tears weren't signs of weakness, but proof of how deeply she felt everything around her. Unlike others, she never complained or spread gossip about people behind their backs.
There she stood, holding Shen Ke Qin's phone to capture the fireworks display. Brilliant bursts of light painted the night sky, each flash lasting only seconds before fading into darkness. Though fleeting, their beauty would linger in memory.
While everyone else gazed upward, transfixed by the spectacle, Guan Ming Xu couldn't take his eyes off Song Qi Nian. To him, she outshone even the dazzling display above. In fact, nothing in his world could compare to her.
The soft glow illuminated her features – her flawless skin so clear he could see the fine, delicate hairs along her face. Her profile was petite yet perfectly formed, every feature precisely where it should be. As if drawn by an invisible force, Guan Ming Xu found himself leaning closer to her face.
Meanwhile, Lin Lanxing seethed with resentment. Ever since Song Qi Nian had humiliated her, she'd endured endless mockery and criticism from others. Her mood had grown darker with each passing day.
Despite receiving an invitation to watch the fireworks at Luo Fu Mountain, Lin Lanxing had almost declined. Her wounded pride made her want to hide away. But learning that Guan Ming Xu would be there changed everything.
She'd tried reaching him multiple times through WeChat, then resorted to calling, but he never responded. When the fireworks began, she couldn't bring herself to join in as others snapped photos and videos. She was about to leave when she spotted them in the crowd.
Her heart stopped. There was Guan Ming Xu, leaning down toward Song Qi Nian's face.
Rage coursed through her veins. Her first impulse was to storm over and tear them apart. But then a darker thought crossed her mind. Instead of confronting them, she pulled out her phone and carefully captured several photos of the intimate moment.
Looking at the images on her screen, her lips curved into a cold smile. "Guan Ming Xu, if you're so determined to be with Song Qi Nian..." she muttered under her breath. "You'll have to deal with the consequences."
Without hesitation, she sent the photos to two recipients: Shen Chi Yan and the Guan family.
Meanwhile, on Guan Ming Xu's side—
Of course, the kiss never happened.
Shen Ke Qin had just returned from the restroom when she saw Guan Ming Xu, looking almost entranced, leaning toward Song Qi Nian. Her heart jolted, and she cried out his name in alarm.
"GUAN Ming Xu!"
The crowd and fireworks nearly drowned out her voice, but to Guan Ming Xu, it hit him like a physical blow. He jerked back to reality and stumbled backward.
Song Qi Nian heard Shen Ke Qin too. When she turned, she found Guan Ming Xu's face flushed red, his expression a mix of guilt and discomfort.
Within seconds, Shen Ke Qin was there, pulling Song Qi Nian behind her protectively. Her usually gentle eyes blazed with fury as she stared down Guan Ming Xu.
Song Qi Nian stood confused by the sudden tension. She tugged lightly at Shen Ke Qin's sleeve and signed with her hands, [Ke Qin, what's wrong?]
Before Shen Ke Qin could answer, Guan Ming Xu grabbed her arm. She whirled to face him, her gaze ice-cold.
Guan Ming Xu knew he'd crossed a line. He looked utterly ashamed, unable to explain himself. Just moments ago, his mind had been completely consumed by Song Qi Nian, an inexplicable yearning taking over his senses.
He'd been overwhelmed by the urge to kiss her. If Shen Ke Qin hadn't stopped him – if that kiss had happened – he would have destroyed their friendship in an instant.
Desperate to keep Song Qi Nian from discovering his intentions, Guan Ming Xu shot Shen Ke Qin a silent, pleading look. She caught his expression, noting both the remorse and panic in his eyes.
With a quiet scoff, she turned to Song Qi Nian, her face softening into a smile. "It's pretty crowded here, and you're so beautiful tonight. I was just telling Guan Ming Xu to keep an eye out for you."
Song Qi Nian accepted this without question. She handed Shen Ke Qin's phone back. [I'm not great at recording videos. Could you check if it turned out okay?]
But Shen Ke Qin had lost all interest in fireworks. She forced a smile. "It's perfect, really. Sister-in-law, we should probably head home now. It's getting late."
Song Qi Nian agreed – it was time to leave.
"I drove here," Guan Ming Xu offered quickly. "I can give you both a ride."
Shen Ke Qin's smile remained polite but cold. "Young Master Guan, I'm sure you have other matters to attend to. We wouldn't want to impose." Her meaning was clear: Leave. Now.
Guan Ming Xu knew better than to argue.
By the time Song Qi Nian arrived home, it was past eleven. Zhang Qiaoqiao was still up – she wouldn't have dared go to sleep with Shen Chi Yan home and Song Qi Nian still out.
Zhang Qiaoqiao's face flooded with relief when Song Qi Nian walked in. "Young Madam."
Song Qi Nian handed her a package. [I brought your favorites – grilled sweet potato sheets and grilled tendon skewers.]
"Thank you, Young Madam!" Zhang Qiaoqiao's voice was thick with gratitude.
Song Qi Nian smiled, slipped off her shoes, and turned toward her room, but Zhang Qiaoqiao called after her.
"Young Madam, Young Master came back today."
Song Qi Nian stopped short. Shen Chi Yan was home?
"I sent you a message. Did you not see it?"
[My phone died,] Song Qi Nian replied, then caught herself. Why was she making excuses? This was Shen Chi Yan's house – of course he'd come home. Besides, she had nothing to feel guilty about.
She signed to Zhang Qiaoqiao, [It's late. Enjoy your snacks and get some rest. I'm heading to my room]
Zhang Qiaoqiao, assuming Shen Chi Yan must be asleep by now, nodded. "Alright."
After such a long day, Song Qi Nian was dead on her feet. All she wanted was a hot shower and her bed. She pushed open her door and flicked on the lights –
Someone was sitting on her small sofa.
Her heart nearly stopped. Then she recognized who it was, and the tension drained from her body.
Shen Chi Yan.
Relief turned quickly to confusion. Why was he in her room at this hour? Had he been... waiting for her?
His dark eyes fixed on her, cold as ice. "Did you have fun?"
He rose from the sofa and moved toward her, each step deliberate. The hostility rolled off him in waves, his anger palpable in the air between them. Something in his expression made her blood run cold.
Song Qi Nian's heart hammered against her ribs. Pure instinct made her back away, but she'd barely taken two steps when Shen Chi Yan trapped her against the door.
"I asked if you had fun. Why aren't you answering?"
Fear flickered in Song Qi Nian's eyes. She knew better than to provoke him when he was like this. She nodded – and it wasn't a lie. Dinner with Ke Qin and Guan Ming Xu had been pleasant.
His hand shot out, gripping her chin. Shen Chi Yan leaned in close, and then –
He bit down hard on her lower lip...
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