Qiao Ying glanced at the others in the living room.
She said one sentence: “Let’s talk after we’re done.”
Qin Hanyue: “Okay.”
Was this to give him face?
No matter what answer he would hear later, Qin Hanyue would be happy anyway, after all things had happened, he could only accept it. While Qiao Ying would care about his feelings.
Looking at Qiao Ying chatting with Qin Hanyue while giving acupuncture, Shangguan Qingmu knew his son had no hope at all.
If it was only Qin Hanyue's one-sided affection, and there was still no result after chasing for more than half a year, it means Qiao Ying had no special feelings for Qin Hanyue.
Now it seems that the two were obviously in love with each other.
Shangguan Yu realized at this moment that telling his father earlier not to talk as it would disturb them was completely unnecessary.
Their ability to focus while chatting casually showed that their concentration and seriousness before was only for getting them to be quiet.
More than ten minutes later, Qiao Ying put away the needles.
Instructor Hou couldn't hide his joy. He got up, put on his clothes, and sincerely thanked: “Thank you, Qiao.”
Qiao Ying didn't say much, just told him the time for the next acupuncture session.
Seeing them, Shangguan Qingmu completely lost the vigor he had when he came. Even when talking to Qin Hanyue, he was dispirited.
Qiao Ying was still waiting for dinner. The little lovers were still waiting to talk and develop their feelings. It would be bad manner to overstay uninvited. Shangguan Qingmu had to get up and say goodbye.
Qin Hanyue: “Qin Yan, see the guests off.”
Qin Yan: Looking at their seating arrangement...
Shangguan Qingmu humphed: Really petty. It’s not like he did anything serious. As the elder I should at least get some basic respect. In the past, Qin Hanyue would have stood up and walked me out. Now he just lazily asks someone else to do it.
Shangguan Qingmu sighed as he walked out of the villa.
Shangguan Yu: “I always felt I was very incompetent in your eyes. Today I finally realized that I was outstanding enough in your heart to compete with Young Master Qin.”
Shangguan Qingmu: “Don’t stab me in the heart with your words.”
Shangguan Qingmu thought for a moment: “You really can’t expect too much from you, especially when it comes to pursuing a wife. Oh well, just being ordinary friends is fine too.”
Shangguan Yu: “I think we should just forget it. Seeing Qin Hanyue’s protective behavior just now, if I dare to do anything, I may end up dying on the battlefield someday.”
To be honest, Shangguan Yu quite regretted it, but the other party was Qin Hanyue. What could he compete with?
Qiao Ying came back after washing her hands. Only Qin Hanyue was left in the living room.
A car sounded outside. Qiao Ying subconsciously glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows — Qin Yan had gotten in the car and left.
Qin Hanyue took out the food from the meal boxes and served Qiao Ying a bowl of soup: “Eat first.”
Qiao Ying sat down, picked up the soup and took a sip. He had brought way too much food. So she asked: “Have you eaten?”
Qin Hanyue: “No, let’s eat together.”
Seeing him take out another set of bowls and chopsticks, Qiao Ying didn’t say anything else.
Before Qin Hanyue started eating, he used the unused chopsticks to pick out food for Qiao Ying first: “I’ve liked this crispy pork since I was young. Try it and see if you like it.”
Qiao Ying tasted it: “Mm.”
Qin Hanyue: “I went to Italy to take a look at locations a few days ago and picked a pretty good site. I plan to start construction in March. If you don’t mind, we can go take a look after it’s built?”
Qiao Ying: “Let’s talk about it later.”
Qin Hanyue: “I haven't decided on the winery's name yet. Any suggestions?”
Qiao Ying: “I'm not knowledgeable in things like this, you decide.”
Qin Hanyue: “Alright, will you accept this birthday present then?”
Qiao Ying: “It's courtesy to reciprocate gifts, why wouldn't I accept it?”
Qin Hanyue nodded slightly and smiled, then reminded: “You didn't finish your sentence earlier. Do you already have wineries?”
And it seems more than one.
He stopped and waited for her to speak.
Qiao Ying looked at him and hesitated for two seconds.
“Ye Si gave me many wineries - Chile, South Africa, France, Spain, Argentina... I remember there's also one in Italy. Cheng Jinyan gave me two red wine companies in Germany that he helps me manage, so I have no lack of wine to drink.” Just last week, Cheng Jinyan had sent her over a dozen bottles of new wines from his company.
After she finished speaking, she continued eating.
But Qin Hanyue couldn't eat anymore.
After a long pause, he said, “Should have guessed.”
Qiao Ying lacks nothing. He had been thinking about her birthday present since last year. It really had him stumped.
After thinking it over and over, he finally thought of building a winery for her since she likes drinking wine, hoping that whether or not it sold well, it would at least cater to her taste.
But Ye Si had already gifted her many all over the world.
If he had known, it would have been better to just give Blackwater weapons.
Qiao Ying: “I don't lack these things, so no matter what you give me, it's the same. I appreciate the thought.”
Qin Hanyue: “Even so, not being able to give you a gift you like is quite regrettable.”
After all, this was the first birthday he spent with her.
Qiao Ying: “Did I say I didn't like it?”
Qin Hanyue looked up at her.
Before he could ask anything, the food bowl in his hand sank slightly the next second. Qin Hanyue looked down — Qiao Ying had put a chopstick of food into his bowl with the same cold tone as always: “Eat.”
Qin Hanyue’s mood cleared up instantly.
“So this afternoon when you suddenly texted me that the chicken soup I brought last time was pretty good, was it because Shangguan Yu would come tonight?”
Did she really want to drink chicken soup, or was using him to shield herself, or... trying to silently tell the Shangguans something?
Ever since that day by the creek in Arkenlinn, the distance between them had shortened by a lot, and their relationship had even become somewhat subtle.
He seldom called her “Miss Qiao” now.
She also rarely called him “Mr. Qin”.
Qiao Ying replied: “It’s good as long as you’re happy.”
Qin Hanyue smiled. He also didn't expect to hear any sweet words. He was a contented man, especially with what Qiao Ying gave.
~
Ever since Shadow had fainted Qiao Yi and Qiao Ying destroyed JOKER’s security system, both sides had stopped taking action.
It was as if they were both waiting for the other side to strike.
And it seemed they were both preparing something.
The weather showed no signs of warming up.
Qiao Yi put on another jacket outside his school uniform to brave the cold wind out the school gate to go to the bookstore for workbooks.
On the way back, he passed by a shopping mall. Qiao Yi saw a black Netz coat on the second floor display model.
Qiao Yi stood watching for a while, then crossed the road into the mall.
The coat was nice with a simple yet non-monotonous style.
It would be a good fit for Qiao Ying’s height and show off her figure. He imagined it would definitely look good on Qiao Ying.
After paying, Qiao Yi went to the menswear section to buy a thick coat for his dad, planning to mail it out soon after.
Carrying the clothes, he then headed to the restroom. But he didn't come back out for a long time...
The sky had already darkened.
Qiao Ying had just driven out of the gas station. While waiting for the red light, she casually glanced out the car window. The next second, Qiao Ying froze.
Qiao Ying did not stare blankly and quickly looked back.
Across the road, a young man about 1.8 meters tall, thin figure, wearing a black tactical vest came out of a shop carrying his purchases.
The man had very pale skin, a morbid paleness that gave off an gloomy and eccentric vibe. He turned carrying his things into an alley.
Watching that seemingly familiar face, Qiao Ying was a little stunned.
The traffic light turned green.
Qiao Ying stepped on the gas pedal and drove out, then turned in front to park on the side of the road outside the store.
She got out of the car, looked down the alley. The figure had already disappeared from sight.
Qiao Ying quickened her pace chasing after.
And just as she got out of the car to chase, her phone left in the car rang. An incoming call from Bai Xiao...
