Chapter 20 Qin Shuyi, I Spoiled You

Chapter 20: Qin Shuyi, I’ve Spoiled You

Only after the cigar had burned out did Ling Jue return to the bedroom.

His hand closed around that slender, graceful neck. The woman was still asleep, as beautiful and fragile as their empty pretense.

She seemed restless in her sleep, her delicate features drawn into a frown, her rosy lips slightly parted.

Ling Jue released his grip, leaned down, and gently tasted her lips, then impatiently claimed her mouth, rousing her again.

He knew this woman was heartless.

She appeared docile and pitiful, yet in truth, she was more aloof and callous than anyone.

She didn’t love him, but she didn’t love anyone else either, did she?

The game had begun with him, so naturally it would end with him.

Qin Shuyi, how could you think of withdrawing so easily, unscathed?

…

She felt as if she’d been through a war. Qin Shuyi’s mind was still in a daze the next day.

Ling Jue’s lingering intensity was stronger than any hangover.

She slept until the afternoon, listlessly picking at her dinner, when she heard Ling Jue say, “The driver will take you home later.”

Qin Shuyi shot him a suspicious glance.

Given the reckless, almost desperate way he had acted, she hadn’t expected him to let her go home today so easily.

He wiped his hands, his gaze carrying a coldness unlike before.

“Having outsiders stay over would displease the future lady of this house.”

The air froze.

Qin Shuyi set down her chopsticks.

“Wouldn’t it be simpler to just not let anyone in? Also, my suggestion is that you just sell the place.”

“Sharp tongue,” he sneered. “Why aren’t you playing the good girl anymore?”

Qin Shuyi let out a cold laugh. “Have you lost your mind?”

Crazy in bed, crazy out of bed?

Ling Jue pressed his lips into a tight line, his gaze boring into her.

Qin Shuyi didn’t back down an inch.

They were in a relationship; she wasn’t some kept woman taking a patron’s money just to endure his temper.

A peaceful breakup would be best, but if it came to it, she wasn’t afraid to cause a scene.

The two faced off for a long while before Ling Jue was the first to drop his icy aura.

“Quite the temper,” he said, tweaking her nose.

Qin Shuyi slapped his hand away, leaving it red.

Ling Jue looked at the red mark on the back of his hand, his expression unreadable.

“Qin Shuyi, I’ve spoiled you.”

Where did this habit of hitting him come from?

“Hah, you asked for it.”

Ling Jue took in her heaving chest and angry little face but said nothing.

He was the one who couldn’t resist provoking her.

“Eat,” he said stiffly, pushing the chicken soup he had simmered all afternoon toward her.

“No.” Qin Shuyi stood up, grabbed her bag, and left.

Ling Jue watched her walk out, instinctively starting to follow, but in the end, his gaze flickered uncertainly as he restrained himself and didn’t move.

A long time later, he abruptly reached out and sent the bowl of soup flying.

…

The driver was waiting downstairs. It wasn’t until Qin Shuyi got into the car that she suddenly realized this was the first time Ling Jue hadn’t driven her home himself.

But then, this was also their first real argument.

After all, Ling Jue had always indulged Qin Shuyi, coaxing her like a well-behaved house cat, so doting that he had almost fooled himself into believing his own three parts of affection.

And Qin Shuyi, aware that she was no true love meant to reform a playboy, was pampered but not spoiled, never making demands that crossed the line.

They had maintained a facade of perfect harmony, without any real conflict.

Long eyelashes cast shadows beneath her eyes.

So, his future arranged marriage prospect was returning to the country, and now he was starting to pave the way, couldn’t even keep up the act anymore?

Ling Jue’s nitpicking made no sense to her. Someone without sincerity had no right to demand sincerity from others.

Besides, if he was so concerned about his future partner’s feelings, he should start by restraining himself and behaving himself.

The driver started the car but didn’t drive off, instead looking out the window expectantly.

In the back seat, Qin Shuyi leaned against the seatback, exhausted, and said lazily, “Let’s go. He’s not coming.”

The driver glanced at her in surprise.

But then he thought about it—Master Jue had indeed only instructed him to take Miss Qin home, not said he would come along.

Still, wasn’t it just habit?

He muttered to himself and slowly set the car in motion.

…

Ling Jue didn’t stay in that oppressively silent penthouse after she left.

He returned to the Ling family home.

At nine in the evening, the Ling family estate was still ablaze with light.

In the living room, by the window, Madame Ling, Qi Manjun, dressed in an elegant purple silk dress, was trimming flower stems.

Time had not diminished her beauty; instead, she had matured gracefully, exuding the beauty befitting her age. Ling Jue’s good looks largely inherited the fine genes of his parents.

Yet, such a beauty was not as gentle and serene as her appearance might suggest. She had always been driven and exacting in her ways.

Seeing her son, whose calm expression concealed simmering anger, she did not put down the scissors but remarked calmly, “Care to talk?”

Ling Jue sat down on the sofa.

Between mother and son, there was little warmth, only the detachment of a business negotiation.

“Tao Wangxi is back in the country. Have you seen her already?”

Ling Jue neither confirmed nor denied it.

“Are your matters with her ready to be moved forward?”

“What matters?” Ling Jue’s tone was sarcastic.

Qi Manjun remained unruffled. “The marriage. Among all the candidates we proposed, she is the only one you did not explicitly oppose.”

Qi Manjun knew why he chose Tao Wangxi.

Because she caused little trouble, knew her place, and was easy to control.

Qi Manjun regretted that he, like his father, approached marriage and women like a game, yet rationally, she approved of his choice.

Those without affection or love would always wield their blades faster than others.

Ling Jue drummed his fingers on the sofa arm. “I never said I would marry her.”

Qi Manjun’s expression remained unchanged. “If not her, then someone else. Both the Ling and Qi families need a rightful heir. It’s time for you to give it formal consideration.”

Ling Jue sneered. “Am I your breeding tool? If you want one so badly, you and Dad can have another.”

Qi Manjun shook her head. “We promised that you would be our only child in this lifetime.”

She stared at his features, so similar to that person’s. “You’re so angry today. Why?”

Ling Jue said nothing.

Qi Manjun did not expect an answer and continued on her own. “Nothing in the business world could trouble you, so is it a matter of the heart?”

Seeing he did not refute, she went on, “Is it because of that girl? Her name is Qin Shuyi, isn’t it?”

Ling Jue suddenly looked up. “You investigated her?”

Qi Manjun paused her trimming. “No, Jue. You’ve made it too obvious. Not just me, I believe your father has also heard her name.”

Ling Jue’s face darkened, carrying a warning. “Stay out of my relationship with her. And don't try anything.”

Qi Manjun sighed. “Jue, have you fallen in love with her?”

“No.” Ling Jue’s expression tightened.

Qi Manjun gazed at the fallen peony on the floor, lost in thought for a moment. “If not, and if you’re not prepared to fight all odds for her, then let go of that good girl from a decent family when the time comes.”

Ling Jue pressed his lips tightly together.

Qi Manjun looked at his stubborn look.

“You’ve always been clever, striving to be first in everything. Because you love freedom and dislike being restrained, you demand to control power and everything in return. And you’ve done it well.

But Jue, cockiness and overconfidence are not good in matters of the heart. One can keep winning, but one must not refuse to admit defeat in love.”

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