Chapter 6 The Reformation Game

Chapter 6: The Good Boy Act

Ling Jue had no idea that his sweetheart was already planning their separation.

They hadn't seen each other for days, and he was eager for some intimacy, only to be blocked by one of her family's rules. Frustrated, he quickly and skillfully resorted to a decisive move, pulling the rug out from under the situation.

He even managed to send away the two tag-alongs, Qian Youyou and Jiang Yuzhou.

Early in the morning, after picking her up from the Jiang residence, he pulled Qin Shuyi into a tight hug.

He held her for a while before letting go and said with a sigh, "How come I, the official boyfriend, feel like we're sneaking around?"

Qin Shuyi laughed, "Because you're my dirty little secret~"

Ling Jue reached out and pinched her cheek. "What, you think your boyfriend isn't presentable enough?"

Qin Shuyi leaned back to dodge, only for him to tickle her waist. Giggling, she said, "Alright, alright, you're the most presentable, the handsomest, the richest—the best, most outstanding guy in the whole world, okay?"

Her sweet, vivid words were charming. Ling Jue smiled and pinched her fair, tender cheek again.

He wasn't really angry.

A joke only stings when the person being teased feels it hits a sore spot.

In Master Jue's mind, it was obvious he couldn't possibly be unpresentable or looked down upon by the Jiang family.

Toward Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, being polite on the rare occasions they met and throwing them a bone in social settings was the height of respect from Young Master Ling.

Qin Shuyi's own parents hadn't yet warranted a special visit from him, let alone her aunt and uncle.

Even so, the Jiang family should be grateful they produced a Qin Shuyi who caught his eye.

The Young Master's bone-deep arrogance was a birthright from his family.

Of course, there might be another reason.

They were just dating, and both of them tacitly avoided the topic of meeting the parents.

Ling Jue found it troublesome.

…

He'd picked Qin Shuyi up early to take her out.

Xie Muchen's family had recently developed a seaside resort project and invited everyone to experience it over the weekend.

Qin Shuyi didn't see Xu Chen today; it seemed few of the people present in the private room that night were there.

Ji Xiuhang had a different woman by his side again, while Xie Muchen was still with Xu Yan, whom she had seen once before—apparently a principal dancer from a well-known dance troupe.

Seeing Ling Jue arrive hand-in-hand with Qin Shuyi, Xu Yan glanced over curiously a few more times.

She had been present when Ling Jue lost his temper last time.

She'd been seeing Xie Muchen for a few months and had seen Ling Jue on several occasions. The Young Master was rather aloof; even when others had women on their arms, his side remained quiet.

She had thought he was the exception among that circle, someone who kept himself clean.

Little did she know that voicing her guess would elicit a burst of laughter.

Xie Muchen affectionately patted her head, as if amused by her naivety. "Your Master Jue is playing the good boy act. Don't disturb him."

Xu Yan was confused.

It wasn't until later, when she became more familiar with the circle, that she learned about Qin Shuyi.

She heard she was the only girlfriend the Young Master had ever publicly acknowledged, that she came from an ordinary background but was exceptionally beautiful, and that she was remarkably shrewd, having stayed by Ling Jue's side longer than the maximum duration everyone had privately bet on.

After all, women around Master Jue were typically disposable accessories, replaced monthly.

Her name came up frequently, but that previous occasion was the first time Xu Yan had actually seen Qin Shuyi.

Ling Jue didn't like bringing her out to play with them much.

Not long ago, one night when Xie Muchen and Ji Xiuhang invited Ling Jue out for drinks, the man on the phone casually mentioned he was making a midnight snack for his girlfriend.

Ji Xiuhang grumbled in exasperation, saying this guy was really getting into the role.

Was playing boyfriend really that fun?

Xu Yan thought to herself at the time, if it had reached this point, who could still say it was just a game?

Yet, the phrase "just playing around" uttered in the private room shattered her illusion.

Men really were such liars.

He clearly acted as if he loved her so much, yet remained keenly aware of the chasm between them.

Feeling a sense of shared plight, witnessing Ling Jue's heartlessness chilled her own heart.

"What's the point of overthinking it? At least she has the status of a girlfriend. She's enjoyed everything she should have. Does it only count as having feelings if it's a life-or-death love?"

The speaker was Xia Zhiyue, who had come with Ji Xiuhang.

Unlike Xu Yan, who appeared pure and delicate with a sentimental heart, Xia Zhiyue had a sunny, bright, healthy, and lively style. Applying sunscreen to her sexy, wheat-colored skin, she casually responded to Xu Yan's musings.

When playing with these wealthy men, her goals were clear from the start: money and resources.

Ji Xiuhang was even quite handsome; she felt she had already hit the jackpot.

Talking about love with these playboys, in her opinion, was just having too much time on one's hands.

These people might not even have feelings for their future, properly married wives.

Xu Yan had no retort.

From her observations, Qin Shuyi really hadn't suffered any grievances.

She expressed her temper directly, dared to lay hands on Master Jue, never bottled up her thoughts, made requests openly and boldly, and even…

She glanced over at the handsome man carrying the woman on his back for a stroll along the beach, occasionally being ordered to bend down and pick up seashells.

Most of the time, it was Master Jue who served her.

Xu Yan pursed her lips, hesitantly saying, "But… people aren't made of wood or grass."

Xia Zhiyue rolled her eyes dramatically. "I think that Miss Qin is more clear-headed than you are."

She didn't fret over whether there was love or how much love there was. However much affection Ling Jue showed on the surface, she simply accepted it all.

Who cares if it hurts later? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Xia Zhiyue secretly speculated that she was in it for the money, while Miss Qin seemed more like she was just in it for fun.

The only one being foolish here was the dancer herself.

She patted Xu Yan's shoulder. "The smart thing to do is to cash in while you can."

After saying that, she tossed her hair and went to join Ji Xiuhang's beach volleyball team.

Xu Yan pursed her lips.

Being rational is one thing, but how could you not be moved when facing a man who's incredibly good to you?

...

As for Qin Shuyi, whose love life Xu Yan was worried about, she was indeed feeling the thrill.

Ling Jue gave her a piggyback ride for a while before reaching the surfing area.

Surfing was a piece of cake for an extreme sports enthusiast like Ling Jue. The man's tall figure stood firmly on the surfboard. As huge waves rolled, he sliced into the wave like a blade, the spray exploding into a beautiful mist, skimming over his well-defined chest or streaming down the taut lines of his abdomen.

He rode the wind up one moment and glided down with the waves the next. The vast blue sea seemed like a toy he played with at will.

No wonder people loved challenging the limits of nature. At this moment, Qin Shuyi totally got Ling Jue's charm.

She shouted for him to come back.

Hearing her voice, Ling Jue quickly headed back.

As soon as he stood on solid ground, he was immediately wrapped up by a 'koala'.

Qin Shuyi wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, giving him a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek.

"Ling Jue, you're so hot!"

For Qin Shuyi, who wasn't usually very demonstrative, this was absolutely the highest level of sincere praise.

The corners of Ling Jue's lips lifted. He lowered his head to kiss her lips, looking into her shining eyes, his expression a blend of satisfaction and wistfulness.

"Qin Shuyi, do you like me that much?"

Qin Shuyi kissed him again.

"Teach me!"

she demanded, her tone a mix of fierceness and coquettish sweetness.

A coach this good? She had to have him.

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