Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Qingque: Watch Me Crush You Flat
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"Wahhh, look at what you've done!" Qingque stomped her feet in anger, clenching her fists and chasing after him to retaliate, forcing Su Jinyan to flee frantically.
"Stop hitting me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Cornered, Su Jinyan swiftly grabbed a broom from the ground, brandishing it fiercely. "What the f*ck did I do wrong?!"
Qingque blinked, taken aback.
The tables turned, with Qingque now on the run as Su Jinyan chased her relentlessly.
Regardless of the outcome, his actions had successfully drawn the attention of Luofu's two prominent figures.
He was confident that both Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan would form favorable impressions of him.
As a spy infiltrating for the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, he should have avoided such high-profile behavior. Drawing attention increased the risk of exposing his true identity. Yet, Su Jinyan deliberately chose to defy convention.
His reasoning was simple: If Fu Xuan could perceive his presence while divining the future, he would realize that Su Jinyan posed no threat. Instead, he had come with the intention to help Luofu overcome its challenges. And if Fu Xuan's divinations were not as formidable as imagined, there was even less cause for concern.
After all, aside from the black-robed figure and their leader, nobody else could know his undercover status.
Wait.
It seemed there might be another person aware of his undercover status.
Su Jinyan's expression turned grave, and he abruptly halted his pursuit.
Perfect opportunity!
"Qingque, holy sh*t—"
A spark flashed in Qingque's eyes as her petite frame suddenly collided with him, snatching away his broom.
Thud—
Caught off guard, Su Jinyan found himself knocked to the ground by Qingque.
At such close proximity, he could even feel the sweet breath emanating from Qingque's lips.
Qingque scratched her head in surprise. "Eh, although I fell, it didn't hurt at all."
Su Jinyan retorted irritably, "Of course not, you used me as a cushion. If it had hurt, that would be absurd."
Looking utterly innocent, Qingque replied, "I couldn't help it; I just couldn't stop, no matter how hard I tried."
Unable to resist, Su Jinyan started pushing at Qingque, who was still straddling him. "Hurry up and get off! You're so heavy, you're going to crush me."
Upon hearing this, Qingque, initially willing to move, now stubbornly clung to him. "Hey, do you think I'll just get up because you say so? Don't I have any dignity?"
"And you call me heavy? Well then, I'm not moving today—I'll squash you instead."
Su Jinyan felt a mix of sorrow and indignation. What kind of world was this where a virtuous, beautiful young man like him could be pinned down and bullied in broad daylight? Was there no justice or law anymore?
Could it be that this virtuous and handsome youth was truly being pinned down and bullied by a shameless girl in broad daylight? Is there no justice? No law?
However, someone once said: "Life is like being raped; if you can't resist, better close your eyes and enjoy it quietly."
Finding wisdom in these words, Su Jinyan tilted his face to one side and silently closed his eyes.
"G-go easy on me, okay? It's my first time."
Qingque's expression suddenly turned menacing—what nonsense was he spouting now?
"A-Yan."
"Hmm?"
"I want to beat you up." Qingque clenched her small fists tightly.
"If you insist on doing so, I'll let you vent your frustration."
"But before that, could you promise me something?" Su Jinyan gazed steadily into Qingque's beautiful eyes.
Softly, Qingque replied, "Yes, I promise. Go ahead."
Su Jinyan's demeanor remained composed. "Let me go."
Qingque blinked, realizing she had fallen for another of his tricks. But fear not, it didn't mean she couldn't handle him yet.
After some thoughtful consideration, Qingque firmly declined, "No."
Su Jinyan looked utterly dejected. "Didn't you say it was fine?"
Qingque pouted discontentedly. "Aiya, can't I change my mind?"
Sighing, Su Jinyan said, "Going back on your word is unbecoming of a gentleman."
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Qingque rubbed her delicate hands together. "But don't worry, since we're colleagues, I'll be gentler with you."
"May I please make some noise?" Su Jinyan politely asked.
Qingque nodded. "Of course, that's your freedom."
Taking a deep breath, Su Jinyan shouted, "Murder! Help me! Mmph—"
Hey, I said you could make noise, not call for help!
Qingque hastily covered Su Jinyan's mouth and began pondering aloud, "Hmm, let me think... Shouldn't I say now...
"'Go ahead and scream, scream all you want; even if you tear your throat out, no one will come to save you'?"
To Qingque's surprise, his shout did indeed attract attention.
A soft, charming laugh echoed from behind them.
The lovely foxfolk maiden waved her fan gently, giggling, "Upon hearing someone cry for help, curiosity brought me here.
"I didn't expect it to be Miss Qingque herself. How peculiar? As an official of the Divination Commission, would you dare harass innocent people in broad daylight?"
Qingque hastily rose from Su Jinyan's body, her cheeks flushed as she explained, "Miss Tingyun, you've misunderstood—it was just playful banter between us, not what you might think."
Tingyun gently waved her fan, teasingly saying, "Oh, Benefactor, forgive me for arriving late to your rescue. I hope you won't hold it against me?"
Su Jinyan let out a snort. "Hmph, perhaps death is spared, but punishment remains. Tonight, your tail shall warm my bed as penance."
Tingyun couldn't suppress a giggle. "Benefactor, you always have such a delightful sense of humor."
Qingque looked astonished. "Eh? You two know each other?"
Su Jinyan nodded lightly. "Mm, sort of. Miss Tingyun and I are friends."
Tingyun bit her lip, feigning discontent. "Benefactor, how could you say that? Our relationship is far from ordinary; 'friends' hardly captures its depth."
With an ambiguous expression, Qingque scrutinized both Tingyun and Su Jinyan back and forth.
"Miss Tingyun," she said, "from what you're implying, it seems you share quite a close bond with A-Yan?"
Tingyun's eyes sparkled. "Indeed, without my dear Benefactor, my humble life would have long been forfeit in Yaoqing."
Su Jinyan cleared his throat. "Miss Tingyun, why don't we skip straight to the point?" he suggested. "From now on, there's no need to call me 'Benefactor.' Just address me as 'Beloved Husband.'"
Tingyun covered her mouth with a delicate hand, giggling uncontrollably as her slender shoulders shook like fluttering blossoms.
"Benefactor, don't tease me; I might just take you seriously."
Su Jinyan muttered to himself, "True enough, my dream is yet unfulfilled. How could I be so fickle?"
"Lady Fu Xuan, I am truly determined to strive for it."
A puzzled expression crossed Tingyun's lovely eyes. "Eh, dream? Does it involve Lady Fu Xuan somehow?"
Qingque's small face contorted, unsure how to explain. "Well, you might not believe me when I say..."
"His actual dream," she continued hesitantly, "is to become Lady Fu Xuan's dog."
Tingyun's fox ears twitched, doubting her own hearing. "What did you say?"
With a serious expression, Su Jinyan affirmed, "Being Lady Fu Xuan's dog would indeed be my greatest honor."
Tingyun was rendered speechless.
Qingque looked nonchalant. "Surprised? Unexpected, isn't it?"
"Oh, ayaiya, even I was astonished upon first hearing it!"
"A-Yan might be completely sincere about this, considering he's meticulously researched Lady Fu Xuan's preferences in private."
Tingyun's gaze grew complex as she pursed her lips and softly asked, "Benefactor, do you truly wish to be Lady Fu Xuan's dog? May I ask why?"
Smiling, Su Jinyan replied, "Do you really want to know?"