Chapter 108 The Mute Game

Chapter 108: The Silent Treatment Game

Ling Jue racked his brains but couldn't figure out how he had managed to offend her again.

Qin Shuyi was like an unfathomable puzzle, driving him up the wall.

She existed just to torment him.

His attempt to chat her up failed, so he gloomily led Caesar, who was shooting him a disdainful look, and followed her into the apartment complex, soon arriving on the same floor as Qin Shuyi's apartment.

Ling Mufeng had fled abroad to avoid divorce and was playing the disappearing act, while Qi Manjun was also busy with business trips.

Since the old house was empty, Ling Jue simply moved out.

As for why he brought Caesar along? Because someone clearly preferred dogs over him.

If all else failed, he could just send Caesar to charm Princess.

It didn't matter if this place was a bit smaller; after all, when he went to work, the servants who had gotten familiar with Caesar during this time would take him out for walks.

He couldn't let the dog enjoy a comfortable life alone at the old mansion while he suffered.

Walking up to Qin Shuyi's door, Ling Jue initially wanted to knock but, after a moment's thought, turned back and entered the opposite apartment.

...

The apartment was one he had just bought.

Money makes the world go round, and Qin Shuyi's neighbor moved out happily.

Before long, a rich aroma of hotpot wafted from the kitchen, drifting steadily into the neighboring apartment.

Ling Jue patted Caesar, signaling him to go scratch at the door.

Qin Shuyi, who had changed into loungewear and was lying on the sofa browsing food delivery apps, was already hungry from the smell. Hearing the dog's scratching, she couldn't help but get up curiously to check.

She had stayed at her aunt's place yesterday. Could a new neighbor have adopted a dog? Or had someone's pet gotten lost?

As soon as she opened the door, she was met with an Alaskan Malamute with bright, eager eyes, wagging its tail wildly.

Qin Shuyi: "..."

The door to the opposite apartment was wide open, and the rich aroma wafted insistently into her nose.

Caesar excitedly rushed forward, barking a greeting at Princess, who had poked her head out alongside Qin Shuyi. Then, he tugged at the hem of Qin Shuyi's pants, trying to pull her toward the apartment, with Princess following closely behind.

Qin Shuyi stumbled as she was tugged along. "Caesar? What are you doing here?"

By the time the human, cat, and dog had clumsily made their way into the opposite apartment, she helplessly patted Caesar's head.

"This is someone else's home. Let's go back to ours."

"Auntie Wang..." She was about to greet the neighbor when she heard a "thud."

It was the sound of the apartment door closing.

Qin Shuyi: "..."

She turned her head and saw Ling Jue, who had been propped against the wall inside the door with his long legs, swiftly close the door with a perfectly justified expression.

"He dragged you over on his own, and I was just closing my own door."

...If you hadn't acted so promptly, I might have believed you.

Qin Shuyi crossed her arms and gave him a chilly look.

She didn't even need to ask how he ended up here. Upon closer inspection of the completely redecorated room, everything became clear.

Ling Jue was the first to break the silence. Not wanting to appear too desperate, he cleared his throat and said nonchalantly:

"It's just a housewarming meal as a courtesy to a new neighbor. You're the only person I know here, and I can't finish all this food alone."

Seeing that she still wasn't speaking, his gaze darted, and he addressed her politely, "Miss Qin, aren't you hungry? I'm a bit hungry myself."

Qin Shuyi was a decent cook but didn't enjoy doing it much. Having just returned from her aunt's place yesterday, her fridge was empty, so she was definitely planning to order takeout as a quick fix.

"It's hotpot, something we all love," he said persuasively.

Her stomach rumbled softly; the smell up close was even more enticing.

Ling Jue's cooking skills were indeed impressive.

She gave up torturing herself and gracefully took a seat at the dining table.

"You want to invite me, your neighbor, to eat here?"

Ling Jue felt hopeful and nodded reservedly.

Qin Shuyi smiled.

Ling Jue was momentarily stunned.

How long had it been since she had been this gentle with him?

His lips curled into a pleased smile, but before it could fully form, he heard the woman's leisurely voice, "Then let's play a housewarming game."

Ling Jue raised an eyebrow.

If they were playing a game, wouldn't that mean he could set the penalty?

Kissing on the lips was out of the question, but what about a kiss on the cheek?

Thinking of the dream he had last night, he swallowed hard.

"Go ahead," he said, his voice hoarse, eyes burning with intensity.

Before she could speak, he quickly added, "Since you're setting the game, I get to set the penalty."

A kiss on the cheek would definitely earn him a slap. Holding hands would be better, or maybe a hug.

Qin Shuyi didn't shy away from his intense gaze, her red lips curving slightly. "Fine."

Ling Jue looked at her suspiciously.

Was she being this agreeable?

He knew there was a catch, but the temptation of kisses and hugs was too great. He nodded slowly.

Qin Shuyi's face bloomed like spring flowers, beautiful and mesmerizing.

Under Ling Jue's expectant gaze, her cherry lips, full and plump, uttered four words that crushed his hopes.

"The Silent Game."

As Ling Jue's expression suddenly stiffened, she quickly explained the rules, "Starting now, we can't say a word. Whoever speaks loses. If you lose more than twice, you must move out of this apartment building from now on."

She even cut off his backup plan for getting what he wanted.

Ling Jue...

He looked at Qin Shuyi with a resentful gaze as she immediately said "start" and picked up her chopsticks cheerfully.

No matter how resentful he was, the hungry Qin Shuyi remained unbothered.

On the table were the sauce dishes he had already prepared, all to her taste.

Qin Shuyi ate happily, not even glancing at him, focused on tending to the hotpot, as if she were enjoying a solo meal at a hotpot restaurant.

Seeing that the game was not up for debate, Ling Jue let out a resigned sigh and stood up under Qin Shuyi's curious gaze.

He took out two matching couple bowls—one large, one small—from the cabinet, placed them on the floor, filled them with cat and dog food respectively, and set them before Caesar and Princess.

Caesar was eyeing the meat from the hotpot, while Princess obediently started eating and even gave a soft meow toward Ling Jue.

Ling Jue, in a good mood, gently stroked the beautiful Chinchilla cat's fur.

Even though it was chosen for Qin Shuyi by another man, it didn't matter—he would strive to become its one and only dad.

Catching a glance from her direction, Ling Jue paused, shifted slightly, and turned his best angle toward the dining table.

Sure enough, that gaze lingered a few moments longer.

Ling Jue allowed a faint smile to curl his lips.

...

After feeding the cat and dog, he washed his hands and returned to the dining table.

Now, he felt the game was frustrating again.

If he couldn't speak, how could he flirt with her? Even subtly undermining the doctor would be difficult. He clenched his jaw.

Qin Shuyi was definitely doing this on purpose!

"This..." He put some food in her bowl, about to speak, but the two words got stuck in his throat.

He'd forgotten the rule.

He had just moved in and didn't want to move out immediately.

Qin Shuyi arched a brow at him.

Ling Jue silently turned away and continued putting more food in the hotpot.

After a moment's thought, he smugly slid his chair from across the table to right beside her, giving her a challenging look.

If she wouldn't let him talk, at least she couldn't stop him from sitting close to her, right?

After all, she couldn't speak either.

Qin Shuyi, having her space invaded, rolled her eyes.

Ling Jue pushed his luck, moving even closer. If he weren't worried about her burning her mouth, he would have loved to hold her in his arms.

Qin Shuyi made a quick exit after finishing her meal, taking Princess, who was batting at a ball of yarn, with her.

Ling Jue followed her out closely.

As soon as he stepped out the door, Qin Shuyi had already swiftly entered her own apartment.

With a polite smile, she said, "Thank you for the housewarming meal," and promptly closed the door.

All of Ling Jue's smooth lines were left unspoken.

Ling Jue was stunned for a moment.

He stood outside the door, staring at the closed door in speechless silence for a while before finally lowering his head and chuckling softly.

"Little tormentor."

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