Qi Huan raised her mobile phone and took a picture of the figure not far away, making sure that the person coming was really Qu Jianshen. She couldn’t help but be dissatisfied with the words he had just said, “Then you find a turtle to compete with me to see who is faster.”
Qu Jianshen was illuminated by the strong light and also narrowed his eyes. “I came to pick you up with good intentions, and this is how you treat me?”
Qi Huan put down her phone and said in a bad mood, “I think you’re here to mock me!”
Qu Jianshen laughed lightly, “I was afraid you wouldn’t dare to come in, so I came over early to wait.”
Qi Huan pursed her lips, “I’m not that timid.”
As if to prove that she really wasn’t timid, she took big steps forward. However, in her haste, she didn’t notice that the marble slab on the lawn was at a slight height, so she tripped and fell straight forward.
Qu Jianshen reached out his hand to catch her, and then Qi Huan crashed directly into his arms.
He smelt like pine, but more like early morning pine with a hint of moisture. It was introspective and fresh, yet with a sense of total security.
The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.
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“It’s just the two families having a meal together; you guys don’t need to be nervous.” Jian Heying took the lead and spoke with a smile.
Ye Songlan nodded in agreement, “Yes, although your engagement is already set, we won’t interfere too much.”
Qi Huan really wanted to make things clear in front of everyone, but she didn’t dare to, nor could she. She had to find Qu Jianshen to settle this matter first, and then bring it up to the elders.
Qu Jianshen curled his lips and smiled, “Huanhuan and I think the same way. We are still young and don’t want to get married so early.”
Qi Huan’s heart was slightly relieved. At least this way, she still had time to break the engagement.
Jian Heying was sharp-eyed and noticed the blue diamond bracelet on Qi Huan’s wrist first, and she asked with a smile, “Huanhuan, this bracelet is really pretty. Where did you buy it?”
“Qu Jianshen gave it to me.” Only after Qi Huan answered did she realise that she seemed to have been caught in a trap.
Almost everyone at the table had their eyes on the two of them, and even a little meaningfully.
Qi Huan:”…..”
It was over. She couldn’t explain it even more.
Qu Shuyuan also spoke with a smile, “I heard that you two went to a banquet together two days ago. It’s really time to attend some occasions together like this.”
“It also reached my ears, and Lao Liu even asked me if a good thing was near.” Qi Hao also said.
Ye Songlan glanced at Qi Huan’s bracelet, pursed her lips, and smiled, “I was a bit worried that your relationship wasn’t that good, but it seems that I was overthinking.”
Qu Jianyi was sitting next to Qi Huan’s left hand. She hurried over to look at Qi Huan’s bracelet. Because it was so beautiful, she couldn’t help but say, “Brother, whoever sees it gets a share. Can I have such a beautiful bracelet too?”
Qu Jianshen refused very directly, “Don’t you have a boyfriend? Get your boyfriend to give it to you.”
Qu Jianyi’s eyes immediately flicked between the two of them, coaxing, “Oh~ got it got it.”
Qi Huan, however, suddenly turned red at the tips of her ears and hurriedly lowered her head to pick up her rice.
After the meal.
Qi Huan once again got into Qu Jianshen’s car to go home.
This time she was prepared to refuse, but the four of them were almost staring at her as she got into Qu Jianshen’s car. It rather seemed like she would be pressed into the car if she refused.
When she reached the ground floor of her community, Qi Huan unbuckled her seatbelt and said thanks. After the car door was halfway open, she said, “I’ll forget about those words at the dinner table today, and my mind won’t change.”
After saying that, she got up and left.
Qu Jianshen looked at Qi Huan’s back and curled his lips helplessly, “Still really determined.”
***
After returning home, Qi Huan glanced at the bracelet on her wrist, and eventually took it off and put it in the box.
“How did it feel for the two families to have dinner together today?” Jiang Ruixia called and asked.
Qi Huan rubbed her brow and sighed, “Although it looks like we’re being left to our own devices, it’s obvious that they’re already trying to prepare for the engagement party.”
“So soon? It’s not like the engagement is followed by a wedding, is it?” Jiang Ruixia said in amazement.
Qi Huan was also a bit anxious, “Xia Xia, what do you think I should do? Isn’t there any other way to get Qu Jianshen to compromise?”
Jiang Ruixia was silent for a moment and said, “But would a rich and handsome type like Qu Jianshen have any weaknesses?”
Qi Huan:”…..”
She couldn’t think of any weaknesses for Qu Jianshen to be so passive either.
Oooh, screw it.
“Don’t think about it so much for now; there’s a party tomorrow to receive Senior Xu Muqing.” Jiang Ruoxia asked, “The message should have been sent to you as well, so see if you want to go.”
Only then did Qi Huan open WeChat and find that Yu Yang had already sent her a message.
“Yu Yang and Xu Muqing have been in contact with each other, and the people invited are a group of people who are close to each other. They happened to be in Xichuan.” Jiang Ruixia said, “Anyway, there is nothing to do tomorrow, so let’s go. You can just take a break and change your mood. Besides, I want to see if Senior is still so handsome now.”
Qi Huan smiled, “The last sentence is your true heart, right?”
Jiang Ruixia laughed: “I’m definitely not the only one who thinks so. Go ahead, I promise to think of a solution for you.”
Qi Huan didn’t have to think about it for long before nodding, “Okay, I’ll go.”
***
When he saw that the address of the party was the Star Lake Hotel, Qi Huan couldn’t help but spit in her heart. Was this the only hotel in the whole of Xichuan!
The two of them went to the Star Lake Hotel together after getting in the car to pick up Jiang Ruixia.
Outside Jiang Ruixia’s neighborhood, Qi Huan waited for a while and saw a figure slowly walking out at the entrance of the neighborhood.
Jiang Yuxia was wearing a red one-shoulder dress that she bought the last time she went shopping, and her long hair, which she usually tied up casually, had been made into big wavy curls today. She had even painted on delicate makeup.
Qi Huan was stunned to see her get into the car and asked, “It’s just to meet up with Senior. There is no need to dress up so heavily, right?”
“I’ve received news that Fang Yuanhang is also coming today, and I absolutely cannot lose to him!” Jiang Yuxia gritted her teeth and said.
At that, Qi Huan also frowned, “He has the nerve to appear in front of you too. How cheeky.”
Fang Yuanhang was Jiang Ruixia’s boyfriend during her university days. He was good-looking and funny, so after two months of courting Jiang Ruixia, they got together. Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last long. Fang Yuanhang cheated on her, and he did it with a straight face.
“If this guy dares to come, I dare hit him in the face.” Jiang Ruixia said in a cold voice.
Soon, they arrived at the Star Lake Hotel.
Qi Huan entered the lobby with Jiang Ruixia on her arm, and before she could get the hotel staff to show her the way, the hotel manager came straight over.
“I’m just having dinner with friends.” Qi Huan hurriedly explained.
The hotel manager respectfully said, “What box number is it? I’ll have someone take Miss Qi Huan there.”
Qi Huan reported the name of the box, and followed the staff upstairs.
In the lift, Jiang Yuxia whispered, “It seems that everyone here knows about your relationship with Qu Jianshen?”
Qi Huan gritted her teeth, “I think it’s already spread around.”
“Wow.” Jiang Ruixia blinked, “You definitely got it.”
Qi Huan:”…..”
When they arrived at the box, the staff opened the door. Inside, there were already quite a few people coming one after another, except for the main character, who hadn’t arrived. All of them were familiar faces, and among them was Fang Yuanhang.
The people in the first box all knew about the relationship between Jiang Ruixia and Fang Yuanhang, so the atmosphere seemed a bit awkward at this time.
Jiang Ruixia, however, acted as if she hadn’t seen Fang Yuanhang and greeted the others with a smile first, “Long time no see.”
Qi Huan also nodded and greeted everyone.
Yu Yang stepped forward and smiled at Qi Huan. “Senior Xu even asked specifically if you were coming today. It’s fortunate you came.”
There were quite a few girls at the scene, and once this was said, everyone’s eyes fell on Qi Huan.
Qi Huan didn’t care, curving her eyes and saying, “I haven’t seen Senior in years. It’s rare that he still remembers me.”
Coincidentally, two of them found a seat opposite Fang Yuanhang, and the awkward atmosphere did not ease until Xu Muqing arrived.
“Am I too late?” The door of the compartment opened and the man was wearing a straight suit, with a light smile on his clear face.
A girl exclaimed in a small voice, “Senior is still so handsome.”
Yu Yang said with a smile, “No no, what’s late or not late about the protagonist.”
Xu Muqing laughed aloud and his gaze turned around, finally landing on Qi Huan’s face before walking straight up next to her and saying, “I’ll just sit here.”
***
The atmosphere at the party was much better, and with Yu Yang as the one who could set the mood, the whole meal was more enjoyable.
Xu Muqing was pestered by a group of people at the table with a lot of questions, ranging from work-related matters to small relationship issues.
“Does senior have a girlfriend now?” A girl boldly asked.
As soon as this question was asked, everyone looked at Xu Muqing, even Qi Huan.
Xu Muqing glanced sideways at Qi Huan and then replied with a smile, “Not at the moment.”
The others were surprised, so they went on to ask, “Does not having one for the time being mean that you have someone you like?”
“Is it someone we know?”
“Can you tell us about it?”
Xu Muqing smiled calmly, “Let’s not be curious about my personal life; let’s talk about other things.”
Not hearing any gossip, everyone let out a disappointed sigh.
After the party was over, two or three of them left together.
Qi Huan walked behind as Jiang Ruixia went to the washroom and had to stay in the hall to wait for her.
After Xu Muqing had seen Yu Yang off, he turned back and walked straight up to Qi Huan, smiling, “Huanhuan, we haven’t seen each other for three years, have we? Is the camera I gave you still in use?”
Qi Huan looked up and saw Xu Muqing standing there. She hurriedly got up and replied, “I’m still using it!”
“It’s good that it’s working.” The corners of Xu Muqing’s lips lifted slightly, and then he asked, “Did you take a taxi to come here?”
Qi Huan nodded, “Well, I’m with Xia Xia.”
“It’s late. Let me take you back.” Xu Muqing suggested.
Qi Huan froze for a moment, but before she could open her mouth, an additional voice of mixed joy and anger came from behind her, “I’ll send her back.”
The man’s figure was tall and erect. It was obviously a simple white shirt, but it set off his whole person’s unrestrained aura. It was as if the focus was on wherever he stood.
Qi Huan raised her mobile phone and took a picture of the figure not far away, making sure that the person coming was really Qu Jianshen. She couldn’t help but be dissatisfied with the words he had just said, “Then you find a turtle to compete with me to see who is faster.”
Qu Jianshen was illuminated by the strong light and also narrowed his eyes. “I came to pick you up with good intentions, and this is how you treat me?”
Qi Huan put down her phone and said in a bad mood, “I think you’re here to mock me!”
Qu Jianshen laughed lightly, “I was afraid you wouldn’t dare to come in, so I came over early to wait.”
Qi Huan pursed her lips, “I’m not that timid.”
As if to prove that she really wasn’t timid, she took big steps forward. However, in her haste, she didn’t notice that the marble slab on the lawn was at a slight height, so she tripped and fell straight forward.
Qu Jianshen reached out his hand to catch her, and then Qi Huan crashed directly into his arms.
He smelt like pine, but more like early morning pine with a hint of moisture. It was introspective and fresh, yet with a sense of total security.
Qi Huan was falling so hard that almost her entire face was pressed into Qu Jianshen’s arms. His buttons were not fully buttoned, revealing a patch of skin. Qi Huan was pressed against the skin, and her heartbeat and body temperature both rose rapidly with unusual speed.
She was a little flustered. This was the first time she had ever experienced such a mental reaction, so she was a bit overwhelmed.
Qu Jianshen supported her waist with his hand and couldn’t help but laugh helplessly, “Why are you still so reckless?”
Qi Huan broke away from his hand and took a step back, muttering, “I didn’t see it.”
Qu Jian sighed, then turned sideways, “Watch the road this time, don’t fall again.”
Qi Huan touched the tip of her hot ear and silently followed.
***
It wasn’t the first time the two families had gotten together for a meal. Sometimes it was at the Qi’s house, and sometimes it was at the Qu’s house. It had always been more casual, only this time it had a bit more of a different meaning.
“It’s just the two families having a meal together; you guys don’t need to be nervous.” Jian Heying took the lead and spoke with a smile.
Ye Songlan nodded in agreement, “Yes, although your engagement is already set, we won’t interfere too much.”
Qi Huan really wanted to make things clear in front of everyone, but she didn’t dare to, nor could she. She had to find Qu Jianshen to settle this matter first, and then bring it up to the elders.
Qu Jianshen curled his lips and smiled, “Huanhuan and I think the same way. We are still young and don’t want to get married so early.”
Qi Huan’s heart was slightly relieved. At least this way, she still had time to break the engagement.
Jian Heying was sharp-eyed and noticed the blue diamond bracelet on Qi Huan’s wrist first, and she asked with a smile, “Huanhuan, this bracelet is really pretty. Where did you buy it?”
“Qu Jianshen gave it to me.” Only after Qi Huan answered did she realise that she seemed to have been caught in a trap.
Almost everyone at the table had their eyes on the two of them, and even a little meaningfully.
Qi Huan:”…..”
It was over. She couldn’t explain it even more.
Qu Shuyuan also spoke with a smile, “I heard that you two went to a banquet together two days ago. It’s really time to attend some occasions together like this.”
“It also reached my ears, and Lao Liu even asked me if a good thing was near.” Qi Hao also said.
Ye Songlan glanced at Qi Huan’s bracelet, pursed her lips, and smiled, “I was a bit worried that your relationship wasn’t that good, but it seems that I was overthinking.”
Qu Jianyi was sitting next to Qi Huan’s left hand. She hurried over to look at Qi Huan’s bracelet. Because it was so beautiful, she couldn’t help but say, “Brother, whoever sees it gets a share. Can I have such a beautiful bracelet too?”
Qu Jianshen refused very directly, “Don’t you have a boyfriend? Get your boyfriend to give it to you.”
Qu Jianyi’s eyes immediately flicked between the two of them, coaxing, “Oh~ got it got it.”
Qi Huan, however, suddenly turned red at the tips of her ears and hurriedly lowered her head to pick up her rice.
After the meal.
Qi Huan once again got into Qu Jianshen’s car to go home.
This time she was prepared to refuse, but the four of them were almost staring at her as she got into Qu Jianshen’s car. It rather seemed like she would be pressed into the car if she refused.
When she reached the ground floor of her community, Qi Huan unbuckled her seatbelt and said thanks. After the car door was halfway open, she said, “I’ll forget about those words at the dinner table today, and my mind won’t change.”
After saying that, she got up and left.
Qu Jianshen looked at Qi Huan’s back and curled his lips helplessly, “Still really determined.”
***
After returning home, Qi Huan glanced at the bracelet on her wrist, and eventually took it off and put it in the box.
“How did it feel for the two families to have dinner together today?” Jiang Ruixia called and asked.
Qi Huan rubbed her brow and sighed, “Although it looks like we’re being left to our own devices, it’s obvious that they’re already trying to prepare for the engagement party.”
“So soon? It’s not like the engagement is followed by a wedding, is it?” Jiang Ruixia said in amazement.
Qi Huan was also a bit anxious, “Xia Xia, what do you think I should do? Isn’t there any other way to get Qu Jianshen to compromise?”
Jiang Ruixia was silent for a moment and said, “But would a rich and handsome type like Qu Jianshen have any weaknesses?”
Qi Huan:”…..”
She couldn’t think of any weaknesses for Qu Jianshen to be so passive either.
Oooh, screw it.
“Don’t think about it so much for now; there’s a party tomorrow to receive Senior Xu Muqing.” Jiang Ruoxia asked, “The message should have been sent to you as well, so see if you want to go.”
Only then did Qi Huan open WeChat and find that Yu Yang had already sent her a message.
“Yu Yang and Xu Muqing have been in contact with each other, and the people invited are a group of people who are close to each other. They happened to be in Xichuan.” Jiang Ruixia said, “Anyway, there is nothing to do tomorrow, so let’s go. You can just take a break and change your mood. Besides, I want to see if Senior is still so handsome now.”
Qi Huan smiled, “The last sentence is your true heart, right?”
Jiang Ruixia laughed: “I’m definitely not the only one who thinks so. Go ahead, I promise to think of a solution for you.”
Qi Huan didn’t have to think about it for long before nodding, “Okay, I’ll go.”
***
When he saw that the address of the party was the Star Lake Hotel, Qi Huan couldn’t help but spit in her heart. Was this the only hotel in the whole of Xichuan!
The two of them went to the Star Lake Hotel together after getting in the car to pick up Jiang Ruixia.
Outside Jiang Ruixia’s neighborhood, Qi Huan waited for a while and saw a figure slowly walking out at the entrance of the neighborhood.
Jiang Yuxia was wearing a red one-shoulder dress that she bought the last time she went shopping, and her long hair, which she usually tied up casually, had been made into big wavy curls today. She had even painted on delicate makeup.
Qi Huan was stunned to see her get into the car and asked, “It’s just to meet up with Senior. There is no need to dress up so heavily, right?”
“I’ve received news that Fang Yuanhang is also coming today, and I absolutely cannot lose to him!” Jiang Yuxia gritted her teeth and said.
At that, Qi Huan also frowned, “He has the nerve to appear in front of you too. How cheeky.”
Fang Yuanhang was Jiang Ruixia’s boyfriend during her university days. He was good-looking and funny, so after two months of courting Jiang Ruixia, they got together. Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last long. Fang Yuanhang cheated on her, and he did it with a straight face.
“If this guy dares to come, I dare hit him in the face.” Jiang Ruixia said in a cold voice.
Soon, they arrived at the Star Lake Hotel.
Qi Huan entered the lobby with Jiang Ruixia on her arm, and before she could get the hotel staff to show her the way, the hotel manager came straight over.
“I’m just having dinner with friends.” Qi Huan hurriedly explained.
The hotel manager respectfully said, “What box number is it? I’ll have someone take Miss Qi Huan there.”
Qi Huan reported the name of the box, and followed the staff upstairs.
In the lift, Jiang Yuxia whispered, “It seems that everyone here knows about your relationship with Qu Jianshen?”
Qi Huan gritted her teeth, “I think it’s already spread around.”
“Wow.” Jiang Ruixia blinked, “You definitely got it.”
Qi Huan:”…..”
When they arrived at the box, the staff opened the door. Inside, there were already quite a few people coming one after another, except for the main character, who hadn’t arrived. All of them were familiar faces, and among them was Fang Yuanhang.
The people in the first box all knew about the relationship between Jiang Ruixia and Fang Yuanhang, so the atmosphere seemed a bit awkward at this time.
Jiang Ruixia, however, acted as if she hadn’t seen Fang Yuanhang and greeted the others with a smile first, “Long time no see.”
Qi Huan also nodded and greeted everyone.
Yu Yang stepped forward and smiled at Qi Huan. “Senior Xu even asked specifically if you were coming today. It’s fortunate you came.”
There were quite a few girls at the scene, and once this was said, everyone’s eyes fell on Qi Huan.
Qi Huan didn’t care, curving her eyes and saying, “I haven’t seen Senior in years. It’s rare that he still remembers me.”
Coincidentally, two of them found a seat opposite Fang Yuanhang, and the awkward atmosphere did not ease until Xu Muqing arrived.
“Am I too late?” The door of the compartment opened and the man was wearing a straight suit, with a light smile on his clear face.
A girl exclaimed in a small voice, “Senior is still so handsome.”
Yu Yang said with a smile, “No no, what’s late or not late about the protagonist.”
Xu Muqing laughed aloud and his gaze turned around, finally landing on Qi Huan’s face before walking straight up next to her and saying, “I’ll just sit here.”
***
The atmosphere at the party was much better, and with Yu Yang as the one who could set the mood, the whole meal was more enjoyable.
Xu Muqing was pestered by a group of people at the table with a lot of questions, ranging from work-related matters to small relationship issues.
“Does senior have a girlfriend now?” A girl boldly asked.
As soon as this question was asked, everyone looked at Xu Muqing, even Qi Huan.
Xu Muqing glanced sideways at Qi Huan and then replied with a smile, “Not at the moment.”
The others were surprised, so they went on to ask, “Does not having one for the time being mean that you have someone you like?”
“Is it someone we know?”
“Can you tell us about it?”
Xu Muqing smiled calmly, “Let’s not be curious about my personal life; let’s talk about other things.”
Not hearing any gossip, everyone let out a disappointed sigh.
After the party was over, two or three of them left together.
Qi Huan walked behind as Jiang Ruixia went to the washroom and had to stay in the hall to wait for her.
After Xu Muqing had seen Yu Yang off, he turned back and walked straight up to Qi Huan, smiling, “Huanhuan, we haven’t seen each other for three years, have we? Is the camera I gave you still in use?”
Qi Huan looked up and saw Xu Muqing standing there. She hurriedly got up and replied, “I’m still using it!”
“It’s good that it’s working.” The corners of Xu Muqing’s lips lifted slightly, and then he asked, “Did you take a taxi to come here?”
Qi Huan nodded, “Well, I’m with Xia Xia.”
“It’s late. Let me take you back.” Xu Muqing suggested.
Qi Huan froze for a moment, but before she could open her mouth, an additional voice of mixed joy and anger came from behind her, “I’ll send her back.”
Uhhh a portion of the beginning of this chapter was repeated in the middle.
Ah, I’m not sure why that happened. Thank you. Will check.