Chapter 29: The lovelorn supporting male character rewrites the script online.

Chapter 29: The lovelorn supporting male character rewrites the script online.

Qin Qing led Zhou Linlin in a dance across the floor. His exquisite skill gave her the illusion of being a butterfly at his fingertips.

When he let go, Zhou Linlin spun away involuntarily. When he drew her in, she danced back into his embrace. It wasn't just a dance; it felt like controlled flight—graceful and joyful.

"Qin Qing, Zhou Yurou constantly badmouths you behind your back, calling you old-fashioned. I think you're a natural-born aristocrat!" Zhou Linlin whispered in awe.

Qin Qing looked down at her, smiling and said, "Tonight, I am but a flower."

"Huh?" Zhou Linlin blinked in confusion.

Qin Qing chuckled softly, his voice tender and soothing, "A flower meant to adorn your crown."

It took Zhou Linlin a while to grasp his meaning. Looking around, she indeed noticed many eyes, filled with admiration, fixed on her. Men and women, young and old, all wore a look of fascination.

Being so intimately accompanied and danced with by the enchanting Qin Qing must be a dream for many, right?

And yet, this captivating Qin Qing said he wanted to be her flower.

In a trance, it felt as if a crown of pure gold adorned her head, intertwined with blossoming ivy.

Zhou Linlin instinctively straightened her back, displaying a proud smile. The self-esteem and confidence that had been crushed by her parents' disdain seemed to be slowly restored.

However, that smile froze in an instant.

Zhou Linlin caught sight of Cang Mia. Holding two glasses of whiskey, he stood at the edge of the dance floor, his hawk-like sharp eyes staring directly at her, an immediate chill emanating.

Zhou Linlin's flushed face instantly paled. Quietly tapping Qin Qing's arm, she whispered, "Did you offend Mr. Cang? He's watching us."

Qin Qing looked over to find Cang Mia raising both glasses in a gesture.

As the piano piece concluded and the couples dispersed from the dance floor, Qin Qing, holding Zhou Linlin's hand, approached Cang Mia.

"Who's she?" Cang Mia handed one glass to Qin Qing but didn’t offer the other to the lady.

He never adhered to conventional etiquette.

"She's my sister."

A waiter passed by, and Qin Qing took a glass of champagne from the tray, handing it to Zhou Linlin. This alleviated Zhou Linlin's anxiety and awkwardness. She looked cautiously between Cang Mia and Qin Qing, sensing an unexpectedly harmonious atmosphere between the two.

"Sister? I thought you were an only child."

“Child”

Cang Mia inquired in a deep voice, entirely disregarding Qin Zishi, who was also brought up by the Qin family.

Zhou Linlin quickly looked away, chuckling with schadenfreude. It seemed that Qin Zishi was invisible in Mr. Cang's eyes! He was truly all bark and no bite, all show and no substance!

"She and Zhou Yurou are cousins. Since Zhou Yurou is my cousin, that makes her my sister as well," Qin Qing clarified.

Cang Mia nodded in understanding, his usually cold and somber eyes softening a touch.

Just then, a man in a flamboyant red suit entered the banquet hall, scanning the room. He had a delicate face, a slender physique, and slick, overly gelled hair that gleamed.

Many were drawn to his ostentatious appearance, turning to look.

Zhou Linlin noticed him too, her previously smiling face suddenly turning cold and fierce.

"My boyfriend's here," she whispered.

Qin Qing turned and asked, "Was it him who sold you that counterfeit pink dress, passing it off as genuine?"

"Not given, sold! I paid him 450,000!" Zhou Linlin gritted her teeth, "He was my stylist. All those terrible outfits I used to wear? All his doing!"

Qin Qing furrowed his brows, slowly piecing things together.

What happened next was even more unexpected. The man in the red suit, upon seeing Zhou Linlin, didn't approach her but went to Zhou Yurou. The two clinked their glasses and shared a knowing smile.

It was evident they were close acquaintances.

Zhou Yurou took a leisurely sip of her champagne, then, with a raised eyebrow, cast a mocking glance at Zhou Linlin.

Zhou Linlin clenched her fist, ready to confront them, but Qin Qing firmly held her shoulder, keeping her in place.

"Damn Zhou Yurou! So that man is hers! They teamed up to deceive me!" Zhou Linlin was on the verge of tears from frustration.

"Stay calm. Zhou Yurou is trying to provoke you on purpose," Qin Qing whispered soothingly.

As he spoke, a middle-aged, pot-bellied businessman approached and wrapped an arm around the waist of the man in the red suit. The latter reacted with a delighted smile, and, seemingly indifferent to the surrounding stares, cupped the businessman's face and kissed him passionately.

Through the crowd, Zhou Yurou lifted her glass in a mock toast to Zhou Linlin, then took out her phone to send a message.

Zhou Linlin quickly retrieved her phone from her pocket, checked the message, and went pale.

"Your boyfriend is actually just a gigolo. How's that for a surprise? By the way, I suggest you get a medical check-up, just in case he gave you any diseases."

Each word on the screen dripped with venom.

Zhou Linlin looked up to meet Zhou Yurou's gaze, her eyes already filled with tears.

Zhou Yurou raised her glass again in a sardonic toast, laughing sweetly. By tearing down this bothersome woman, she could reclaim her position as the pampered princess of the Zhou family. Next, she would set her sights on Qin Qing.

996, clutching a steak, emerged from a corner, sliding over to Qin Qing's feet and exclaimed, "What in the world? Wasn't Zhou Yurou supposed to be the innocent side character? How is she more wicked than Zhou Linlin, the actual villainess?"

Qin Qing ignored 996 and whispered to Zhou Linlin, "Don't confront her now; it's exactly what she wants. If you cause a scene, she'll expose your relationship with that man, ruining your reputation. Just endure it for now; this will pass."

He extended his hand, gently patting Zhou Linlin's back.

Zhou Linlin choked back tears, growling in a low voice, "How can I just endure this? Homosexuality is so disgusting! Why don't they just disappear?"

"It's not about being gay, it's about character. I'm gay, too," Qin Qing casually revealed.

"What did you just say?" Zhou Linlin's attention was successfully diverted, and the tears threatening to spill were momentarily held back.

"I'm attracted to men," Qin Qing stated clearly.

Zhou Linlin paused for a moment, then apologized in a fluster, "Oh, I'm sorry, I misspoke. It's okay to be attracted to men or women! I meant to condemn those who deceive others' feelings!"

Cang Mia, who had been observing with indifference, now fixed his gaze on Qin Qing. The whiskey he sipped felt a bit spicier than before.

996, after gobbling down his steak, smirked and said, "Since we're on this topic, why don't you confess to Cang Mia, Qin Qing? After all, Cang Mia is also a man!"

Qin Qing: "..."

Cang Mia downed his drink, his dark eyes shimmering with an enigmatic hue.

Qin Qing quickly glanced at Cang Mia, pondering internally, "Is there a correlation between me liking men and liking Cang Mia specifically?"

As Cang Mia reached for another sip, he found his amber liquid already drained. His Adam's apple moved sensually, suppressing some unspoken desire. Handing his empty glass to a passing waiter, he intently focused on Qin Qing.

Meanwhile, Qin Qing lowered his gaze to 996.

996 gave an embarrassed grin, then excitedly proposed, "How about this? I'll teach Zhou Yurou a lesson for you, and in return, you help advance the story. You owe Zhou Linlin that much, right?"

Before Qin Qing could react, 996 darted to Zhou Yurou, leaped up, and smacked her arm with his pudgy paw.

"Ah!" Zhou Yurou, in the midst of sipping her red wine, cried out.

The wine cascaded from her head, dripping onto her pristine white dress, staining the front.

Onlookers snickered and exchanged mocking glances. "Even drinking wine becomes a clumsy act with her," they whispered.

Zhou Linlin stifled a giggle behind her hand.

Qin Qing massaged his temples, letting out a resigned sigh.

Cang Mia fetched another whiskey, sipping and waiting.

A mortified Zhou Yurou, lifting her gown, made her way to the restroom outside the hall. 996 playfully stuck out a leg, tripping her.

Zhou Yurou exclaimed in shock as she tumbled beside a long table laden with dishes, the edge of the white tablecloth falling into her line of sight.

996 reached out its claws, tugging at the tablecloth. With a sudden rustle, the tablecloth slid away, sending a cascade of dishes raining down upon Zhou Yurou.

Zhou Yurou clutched her head and screamed for help, her voice strained to its breaking point.

To onlookers, it appeared as if she had tripped and inadvertently grabbed the tablecloth, leading to the current fiasco.

"Who is that?" a guest inquired.

"Seems to be Zhou Guohua's niece," someone immediately replied.

"Oh, the one raised by Zhou Guohua as if she were his own daughter?"

"Yes, that's her."

"If she can't hold her liquor, that's one thing, but can't she even walk properly?"

"Where's Zhou Guohua? Call him over to take her away!"

"Zhou Guohua, Zhou Guohua..."

Voices repeatedly called out for Zhou Linlin's father, who at that moment approached with a livid face. He did not dare to personally help the soaked Zhou Yurou, covered in food and drinks, but instead beckoned two attendants to assist.

As the attendants helped her up, Zhou Yurou tearfully called out, "Uncle." But instead of the usual gentle consolation, she was met with a cold, exasperated reprimand: "Quiet! Leave now!"

"Songyun, come and help her!" Zhou Guohua then commanded his wife.

Mrs. Zhou had no choice but to escort the disheveled Zhou Yurou away, her face expressing deep embarrassment.

After walking a few steps, something seemed to occur to Zhou Yurou, and she hastily looked back. She had assumed Cang Miao would not be concerned with the incident, yet unexpectedly found him observing the scene with profound intensity.

This meant that all of Zhou Yurou's earlier embarrassing moments had been witnessed clearly by the person she cared about the most.

Frozen for a good three to four seconds, Zhou Yurou suddenly felt the world spin around her.

Her face turned red and then pale, and without hesitation, she shouted: "Someone pushed me earlier! That's why I fell! It was Zhou Linlin! She did it out of spite!"

From an outsider's perspective, blame fell from the sky. Zhou Linlin muttered, "Bloody hell..."

Zhou Linlin, with clenched fists, eager to rush over, was restrained by Qin Qing. He gently patted her back, looked at Zhou Yurou with a resigned expression and said, "If it makes you feel better to say so, fine, let's assume Zhou Linlin did it. You're all dirty now, you should go clean up."

Zhou Linlin quickly realized something and feigned anger, shouting, "Qin Qing, why are you taking her side? All of you saw it! I never pushed her! Why is it every time she causes trouble, she throws the blame on me and you all believe her? I might be blunt, but I'm not as scheming as she is! You're all so unfair to me!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a wave of sorrow engulfed her. Zhou Linlin's eyes reddened, and tears rolled down uncontrollably. The injustice was overwhelming.

Qin Qing semi-embraced her, patting her back, "Calm down. Can't you see she's already distressed?"

"Fine, I admit it! I pushed her! Are you happy now?" Zhou Linlin yelled, burying her face into the nape of Qin Qing's neck, sobbing softly.

Everyone present was watching the drama unfold. Whether Zhou Linlin had pushed Zhou Yurou was evident to all. Despite the distance, Zhou Yurou still managed to pin the blame on Zhou Linlin. From Zhou Linlin's reactions, this wasn't the first time.

Didn't the two have a brawl at a banquet before? Back then, everyone saw Zhou Linlin as brutish and domineering, but now the situation seemed more intriguing.

Many cast meaningful glances at Mr. and Mrs. Zhou.

The couple stood rigidly to the side, stunned. They couldn't believe that their niece, who they treated like a daughter, would spread such a vile lie about their own child!

Detecting the general skepticism, Zhou Yurou, far from backing down, screamed even louder, "What do you mean you admit it? If it wasn't you, then you must've bribed the staff to push me! I demand to see the CCTV footage! I need to prove my innocence!"

What footage? No one had even approached Zhou Yurou. She had simply fallen! Was she blatantly lying in front of everyone?

Whispers filled the room, ending in derisive laughter.

Just then, Cang Miao raised his arm, drawing everyone's attention, including Zhou Yurou's.

"Take her away, she's too loud." His voice, cool and indifferent, held a hint of annoyance.

The organizer hurriedly came forward to apologize and, despite a seemingly gentle approach, forcibly escorted Zhou Yurou out.

Having been humiliated in front of someone she admired and then dismissed, Zhou Yurou couldn't help but wail.

Struggling, she looked back at Cang Miao, shouting, "Mr. Cang, someone really pushed me! Check the cameras! Zhou Linlin set me up! Please..."

The door slammed shut, cutting off her piercing cries. The organizer, wiping his soup-stained hands, awkwardly said, "Please, let's continue. The interruption has passed."

Still, the guests stood rooted in place, their faces showing clear displeasure.

The organizer's apologetic smile grew strained as he repeatedly bowed, apologizing to all present.

The original instigator of the entire episode, Mr. Zhou, wished the floor would swallow him up. He had always been concerned about appearances, which was why he felt his countryside-raised daughter wasn't presentable.

After today, however, his perspective was likely to change.

An awkward silence still pervaded the hall, and sweat beaded on the organizer's forehead. At that moment, Cang Miao signaled a nearby waiter with a slight gesture.

The waiter promptly approached, offering him a glass of whiskey.

He took a modest sip, saying softly, "Carry on."

Those simple words, though few, carried an undeniable authority. The once-tense banquet hall suddenly sprang to life. The melodic tune of a piano filled the air, guests donned gracious smiles, the chatter, the clinking of glasses, the sounds of dancing — all melded together, painting the ambiance.

Such was the influence of Cang Miao. He remained silent for the most part, but when he chose to, he could effortlessly command everything around him.

The organizer quickly approached Cang Miao to express his gratitude but was stopped by a mere glance from him.

Mr. Zhou also stepped forward.

Cang Miao, gazing at Zhou Linlin nestled in Qin Qing's arms, said with a cold undertone, "Your father is approaching."

Zhou Linlin, leaning against Qin Qing's shoulder, immediately looked up and then hid behind Cang Miao.

Seeing this, Mr. Zhou hesitated, his expression a mix of embarrassment and remorse. He sighed softly and retreated without another word.

996 slid back to Qin Qing's side, puffing up its chest and asking, "How did I do? Impressive, right?"

Qin Qing took a deep breath, "...Impressive."

Zhou Linlin, hiding her mouth behind her hands, giggled uncontrollably behind Cang Miao. Gosh, that was thrilling! What was up with Zhou Yurou? Had she gone mad?

996 clung to Qin Qing's leg, urging, "I helped you, now it's your turn. Tell Cang Miao 'I like you'!"

Qin Qing's eyes met Cang Miao's.

Cang Miao drained his glass of whiskey and handed it back to the waiter. His deep eyes unwaveringly returned Qin Qing's gaze.

The fiery warmth of the alcohol mirrored the fervor of his racing heart...