Chapter 86: Proposal

Return: My Hell and Heaven
Chapter 86: Proposal

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When Song Shu stepped out from the small dressing room, she instantly became the center of attention as the room fell silent and all eyes turned toward her.

She had never felt so self-conscious. Her cheeks burned red, and her unease was magnified by the contrast of her white dress against her fair skin. Every exposed inch of her—from her ankles, her slender legs, her collarbones, to her neck—seemed to glow with a delicate blush, as though she was wrapped in a thin veil of vivid pink.

—If they hadn’t heard only murmured whispers from the dressing room and nothing more, the onlookers might have suspected that Qin Lou had already gone far in claiming his girl within.

Even knowing that the two hadn’t had time for anything more, the people in the styling team still cast complex glances at Qin Lou as he emerged from the dressing room behind Song Shu, casually loosening his tie. Their looks were a mixture of envy, amusement, jealousy, and even subtle reproach.

Qin Lou didn’t care about the way they looked at him. However, when someone’s gaze lingered on Song Shu with a certain suggestiveness, his irritation surged.

He tugged his already loose tie down a little further, taking a couple of lazy steps forward to block Song Shu from view. His jet-black eyes, still holding traces of unrestrained desire, gleamed with a sharp and cold hostility that bordered on madness.

He didn’t need to say a word. With just a glance, the styling team snapped out of their daze and quickly lowered their heads or looked away, returning to their conversations and work.

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“…”

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“Ls.”

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That delicate flutter of her lashes felt like a soft stroke through the deepest part of Qin Lou’s heart, tickling him, sending ripples of warmth through his chest and spreading to every corner of his being.

The fingers of his hand, hanging loosely at his side, twitched. His thumb instinctively brushed along the edge of his index finger, tracing it slowly.

His gaze locked onto hers, unyielding. Bending slightly closer, Qin Lou murmured, his voice low and hoarse, “Little pearl, if you still want to attend that school celebration, you’d better not look at me like that again before we return to the old house tonight. I won’t be able to hold back.”

“—!”

Song Shu felt her anger rising to its peak. Yet, this was the first time she had genuinely felt a hint of trepidation toward Qin Lou. Tonight, the Qin Lou in that dressing room had, in a way, been “terrifying” to her.

She used to think she understood all his emotions, that she could predict his every choice and thought. But tonight, she realized there were times when she couldn’t keep up.

In those moments, Qin Lou made her instinctively want to retreat—as if failing to escape would lead to her clam being pried open and her being devoured whole.

Reluctantly, Song Shu tore her gaze away, turned, and bypassed Qin Lou to walk toward the exit.

Qin Lou stood in place for two seconds. Lowering his head, he chuckled softly before following after her.

The chauffeured limousine that had been sent specifically to pick them up carried them straight to the gates of Q City No. 2 High School, stopping only when they reached the auditorium.

Qin Lou stepped out first and walked around to open the door for Song Shu. When she hesitated but ultimately placed her hand in his, he led her out, where Liu Yusheng, who had been anxiously waiting for them outside, greeted them and escorted them through the main entrance of the auditorium.

The anniversary celebration hadn’t officially begun. To welcome the honored alumni who could attend, the school had organized a small alumni gathering in the exhibition hall adjacent to the auditorium.

The gathering featured a casual buffet-style reception. All attendees were alumni with official school invitations. Some, like Qin Lou and Song Shu, had been assigned school staff to personally escort them in.

Q City No. 2 Middle School had been established for decades, producing countless elite students who had gone on to excel across the country and even internationally. For this milestone anniversary, the school had made a significant effort to invite alumni back, resulting in a gathering of accomplished individuals from various industries.

Even so, someone like Qin Lou, who stood at the helm of an international investment company worth billions, was a rarity.

The moment he appeared, many eyes in the exhibition hall lit up.

Low conversations, previously scattered amid the soft piano music, began to converge toward the same topic:

“That’s Qin Lou, isn’t it? He really is as young as the rumors say.”

“Of course. I heard he’s not even thirty yet, and Vio has already become unrivaled in the domestic investment scene. He’s been at the top of the young tycoon rankings for years. Compared to a figure like him, we ‘honored alumni’ truly pale in comparison.”

“After all, none of us were born into a family like his. How many generations has the Qin family been a prominent household? Qin Lou was practically born as the favored child of the heavens, standing on the shoulders of giants.”

“Wow, your words are quite bitter. While the Qin Group is indeed formidable, let’s not forget how many major family enterprises have declined under their second-generation heirs over the years. Particularly after that nationally sensational case years ago, the Qin Group was severely weakened. If Qin Lou hadn’t taken over promptly, made bold reforms, and even taken drastic measures to cut ties with outdated systems, who knows what the Qin Group’s current state would be?”

“Exactly. I agree with that. Qin Lou’s reputation as a ‘genius madman’ in the financial world has been around for years. His personal abilities, especially as someone in his late twenties or early thirties, are unmatched and beyond doubt.”

“…”

Ever since Qin Lou entered the venue, discussions about his achievements and the legends surrounding him have filled the room. The previously quiet exhibition hall had started to buzz with excitement.

Many were eager to approach and strike up a conversation with this rare and influential figure, but no one dared to make the first move. Qin Lou’s peculiar temperament was well-known, and no one wanted to risk being the first to upset him without gauging his mood.

For his part, Qin Lou was happy with the peace.

From the moment they got into the chauffeured car outside the styling room, he had been trying to coax his little “clam” into forgiving him. Unfortunately, his actions earlier in the fitting room had clearly infuriated her. Despite his efforts along the way, she remained unmoved.

But when it came to Song Shu, Qin Lou had an abundance of something he lacked with anyone else: patience and a good temper.

“Want something to drink?” he asked softly, standing close enough to inhale the fragrance of her long hair.

“…” Song Shu acted as if she hadn’t heard him, avoiding even a glance in his direction.

“There’s champagne and wine over there, and I think they have a mixologist at the bar. How about a drink?”

“…”

Song Shu continued her silent treatment, her delicate face devoid of expression and her gaze calm. With her lashes slightly lowered, she looked listless and disinterested.

This unfamiliar demeanor only made her all the more captivating to Qin Lou. He grabbed a champagne flute from a passing server without paying attention to its contents and took a sip to suppress the burning itch inside him.

As he swallowed, the sharp line of his Adam’s apple shifted slightly. Then he glanced down at the glass in his hand and frowned.

“… Apple juice?” he muttered, moving closer to Song Shu. “You don’t handle alcohol well. How about trying some juice?”

“…”

Song Shu finally cast him a faint glance, her almond-shaped eyes calm but slightly annoyed. She turned to leave, only to have Qin Lou catch her arm and pull her back.

Before she could react, Qin Lou took another sip of the juice and lowered his head, aiming for her lips—already slightly red and swollen from his earlier “mischief” in the car.

This brazen move finally provoked a response.

Song Shu didn’t dodge or retreat. Instead, she raised her face to meet his gaze head-on, her eyes clean and unyielding, with a trace of defiance.

Qin Lou froze, just millimeters away from success.
After a few seconds of silent confrontation, he relented, unwilling to push her too far. Taking a step back, he drained the juice and set the glass aside.

“My fault,” he admitted, his tone softer. “Don’t be mad. Before we go home tonight, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”

Song Shu turned her face away, frustration flickering in her eyes. It wasn’t just Qin Lou she was angry at—it was herself. She was frustrated for foolishly signing that “contract” tonight.

Their back-and-forth drew quiet attention from the others in the room.

“Who’s that young girl with Qin Lou? She looks so clean and fresh, like she just came of age.”

“Right? Isn’t he famously devoted to his mysterious and legendary first love? My wife was just reading me gossip about their undying affection. Has he moved on already?”

“Come on, it’s normal. He’s a man, after all. I never believed those stories about him being so devoted. With his wealth and status, why would he settle for just one woman?”

“But the one he’s with tonight is quite something. She must be a top student or something. She has this pure and aloof vibe that’s really captivating.”

“Um, you might want to keep your voice down. I’ve seen pictures of his first love before—this might actually be her.”

“???”

“Seriously?!”

“No way! Isn’t his first love supposed to be his age? This girl looks like a college student.”

“If that’s true, you’d better not badmouth her. It’s said Qin Lou protects her more fiercely than anything. His temper might be notorious, but insult her, and he’d probably tear your head off himself.”

The news of Song Shu’s identity spread quickly throughout the room, making the atmosphere even more complicated.

Amidst the growing tension, no one dared approach the pair, not even when the school announced that the celebration had officially begun and invited everyone to take their seats.

The anniversary celebration was as long and dull as Qin Lou had anticipated, just like the school events he remembered from his own student days.

Seated in the front row center, alongside school leaders, he found little interest in the proceedings. Instead, he entertained himself by playing with Song Shu’s hand, tracing the lines of her palm with his fingertips.

This private amusement made the hours pass a little more bearable.

Eventually, the performances ended, and Liu Yusheng approached, crouching beside Qin Lou’s seat to inform him it was time for his speech.

Qin Lou, glad for an excuse to move, got up eagerly, taking his little “clam” along with him.

By now, Liu Yusheng was accustomed to Qin Lou’s inseparability from Song Shu, so he simply led them both backstage without question.

As the faint sound of speeches came from the stage, Song Shu hesitated before breaking her silence. “Did they prepare a speech for you?”

“No,” Qin Lou replied, ruffling his hair lazily. “They told me to wing it.”

“Do you have any idea what you’ll say?”

“Not really. I’ve been too busy thinking about 365 ways to eat a clam tonight. How can I have time to think about other things?”

“…” Song Shu glared at him, resisting the urge to kick him, “Then what are you going to say when you get up there?”

Qin Lou thought for a moment, “Happy New Year?”

Song Shu: “… As a member of the assistant secretary team of the President of Vio Capital, I respectfully inform you that I checked before I came in and there are several cameras from municipal or provincial TV stations below the stage – If you’re not serious, maybe skip it to avoid embarassment. It’s not easy for us to maintain the image of the company. Okay, President Qin?

Qin Lou chuckled. “In finance, survival depends on this,” he said, tapping his temple.

Song Shu rolled her eyes. “I thought it was full of yellow waste there tonight.”

“You’re not wrong,” he admitted shamelessly.

“…”

Before long, the host’s voice echoed from the stage:

“Now, let’s welcome our honored alumnus, the Chairman and CEO of Vio Capital, Mr. Qin Lou, to share his experiences and insights!”

Liu Yusheng turned to him excitedly. “Mr. Qin, it’s your turn!”

“Mm.” Qin Lou nodded nonchalantly, holding Song Shu’s hand as they began walking toward the stage.

Liu Yusheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly stopped them. “Mr. Qin, um, Miss Song doesn’t need to accompany you on stage, right?”

Qin Lou furrowed his brow and turned back. “Why not?”

“Well, it’s… not very convenient…”

“Then let her walk to the stage, but not show herself—she can stand behind the curtain. That should be fine, right?”

“…”

Under Qin Lou’s gaze, Liu Yusheng didn’t dare to refuse. Who knew if this madman would change his mind and just leave? He relented and led them to the stage, where Qin Lou was satisfied holding Song Shu’s hand.

Just as they were about to step out from behind the curtain, Qin Lou reluctantly released her hand, whispering, “Don’t run away, little clam. You need to stay within my sight tonight, so I can be at ease.”

Song Shu glanced at him helplessly.

Only then did Qin Lou step out onto the stage.

The auditorium was large, but the student body of the school was even larger. Every class had sent a student representative to sit in the audience.

Most of them didn’t understand the adult world, nor had they heard of the Vio Capital CEO in the finance industry. They didn’t know the wealth that name represented, but they had all heard of Qin Lou, the legendary troublemaker who had made history as a student.

As they watched the man under the spotlight slowly walk out, the auditorium fell silent for a few seconds, before being drowned in the applause that started with the female students.

In the corners of the auditorium, occasional comments like “So handsome,” “Too handsome,” and “Ah, I regret not being in the same class as him” could be heard.

Qin Lou didn’t mind. He walked to the center of the stage, took the wireless microphone from the small podium, testing the sound as he made his way to the middle.

Once the applause died down, his deep, magnetic voice, tinged with a hint of laziness, spread through the microphone and reached everyone’s ears.

“I’ve been waiting down there for half the night, almost falling asleep. Most of you should be in the same boat. The good news is, I heard I’m the last speaker, so I’ll keep it short. You should be liberated soon.”

This unexpected opening line immediately ignited an enthusiastic cheer from the students, and the excitement could not be suppressed.

The few school leaders in the first row had complex expressions, but they were not entirely unprepared. Most of them were veterans who had worked in the school since Qin Lou was a student, and they were familiar with his temperament. Before inviting him, they had mentally prepared for this.

Though some held out hope that he might act more mature now that he had built such a large company, the truth was: old habits die hard.

And Qin Lou, not stirring up trouble, wouldn’t be Qin Lou.

Perhaps, the uniqueness that allowed students to truly admire, love, and even learn from him was exactly what the anniversary ceremony needed.

Qin Lou seemed a bit surprised by the students’ enthusiasm, but his surprise was only apparent in a brief glance around the auditorium before his eyes dropped back down again.

“Since I’m keeping it simple, let’s not beat around the bush. To be honest, I didn’t prepare anything for this speech, and I don’t have any notes or a drafted speech—I originally planned to come up and say ‘Happy New Year’ and just leave, but my girlfriend said that would be too embarrassing.”

“So, I have to say something. What others say doesn’t matter, but when your girlfriend says something, you have to listen. That might be the most reasonable thing I say tonight; everything else is just nonsense. Just remember that one line.”

The students burst into laughter.

The school leaders in the front row, who were barely holding it together, pulled out their handkerchiefs to wipe away sweat. They weren’t sure whether they were relieved Qin Lou had been stopped from just saying “Happy New Year,” or if they were worried about the most reasonable thing he had said.

Meanwhile, Qin Lou was unaffected by the laughter from the students. Once the laughter died down, he returned to his nonchalant tone.

“So you see, in the adult world, there are so many rules to follow—what to say, how to act, the extent to which you should control things, how to manage emotions—there are so many tedious tasks to handle every day, and every single one has to consider timing, location, and people. It’s exhausting. But you guys are different.”

Qin Lou paused.

“So, the one piece of advice I’ll give tonight is to cherish the present. Whether it’s the people around you or the things in your hands, they’re here in the simplest, least harmful form. And if you miss them, it’s hard to get them back… Of course, it’s not entirely impossible, but it comes at a price.”

Qin Lou’s voice paused.

This time, no students laughed. They could vaguely sense the weight hidden under his nonchalant tone, even a trace of painful sorrow.

Then, they heard Qin Lou on stage chuckle.

“If I could be your age again, I’d give up everything I have now.”

For the students, this kind of sentiment was often heard from older, disheartened people, so some of them didn’t believe that someone with Qin Lou’s current status would make such a choice.

A student in the audience called out, “Is that for real?”

Some teachers frowned and were about to stop him, but then they saw Qin Lou lift the microphone, his tone unusually serious: “It’s real.”

The students in the audience became bolder, and someone asked, “Like what?”

“Like…” Qin Lou slightly raised his eyes, and the man, still overly handsome under the spotlight, slowly smiled.

The moment they saw that smile, the students couldn’t help but think of his nickname “the madman.”

Then they heard him say:

“Anything… break my arms or legs, it doesn’t matter if they’re completely broken. But my neck, that’s a no-go—being alive is the only way to go back.”

In the first row, some of the school leaders started pulling out handkerchiefs to wipe away sweat.

The students were clearly startled by his words, and it took a few seconds before a timid girl asked, “So, what do you want to change… if you go back?”

Qin Lou paused.

A few seconds later, he tilted his head slightly and glanced behind the curtain.

In truth, under the spotlight, he couldn’t see clearly. He didn’t know that behind the dimly lit curtain, the girl in the white dress, who had already reddened eyes, had guessed all his thoughts.

That thought was: I would trade my life’s worth to ensure you never suffer a single wound.

Qin Lou still glanced, then turned his gaze back. “That’s a secret.” He lowered his eyes, smiling as he continued, “Everyone’s is different. Mine won’t become yours. You only need to cherish the people and things you care about—that’s enough.”

“How do we cherish them?” Another student asked.

“How to cherish them?” Qin Lou smiled. “Don’t be arrogant or impetuous.”

“…?” The students below were confused.

Qin Lou said, “Don’t think you’re the best in the world. Don’t think that what’s yours will always be yours. Don’t be blindly confident. Always cherish and protect the people and things you care about, the ones you don’t want to lose, like you’re walking on thin ice. Don’t test their strength. Precious things never hold up well under tests, and it’s not just human nature.”

Qin Lou’s tone was casual, almost like a joke.

But once he finished speaking, no one laughed. Instead, they couldn’t help but think, subconsciously reflecting on what they valued.

After all, Qin Lou was still Qin Lou. His presence and level of involvement tonight were already “good deeds” that he would only do when he was in a good mood.

By this point, he had mostly said what he wanted. He picked up the microphone again and began walking to the side of the stage.

“My nonsense is done. I’ve kept my promise and set you free early—”

Before Qin Lou could finish his sentence, a student suddenly stood up and asked, “Senior Qin, is your secret related to your first love?”

Gossip was definitely one of the students’ favorites, and this question quickly captured everyone’s attention.

Qin Lou paused.

After a few seconds of silence, he raised the microphone. “Mm.”

“—!”

“Then is she the girlfriend you mentioned earlier? You said you’d pay the price to get her back—has she come back to you?”

Qin Lou laughed silently, and just as the school leaders in the first row were starting to lose composure, his deep, pleasant laugh came through the microphone.

“Are you all planning to become paparazzi in the future?”

The students burst into laughter and shouted in unison, “Yes!”

“…Alright, I’ll satisfy you.”

A gleam sparked in Qin Lou’s eyes.

If someone familiar with him had seen that look, they would know that the “madman” was about to go crazy again.

Unfortunately, the school leaders in the audience weren’t familiar with him and didn’t know, so no one had time to stop him.

Qin Lou turned toward the darkness behind the curtain.

Like performing a magic trick, he pulled a box from his suit pocket, opened it with one hand, and inside the box, a ring sparkled under the light.

Qin Lou then knelt on one knee, kissed the ring gently, and looked toward the shadowy figure behind the curtain.

“Will you marry your madman, doll?”

The school leaders in the front row “went crazy.”

The students also “went crazy.”

The whole auditorium erupted in cheers.

Song Shu stood behind the curtain, her eyes still slightly red. Her heart was moved, but she also felt a sense of helplessness at this madman who didn’t consider any consequences.

Liu Yusheng, the host, and others backstage were nearly panicking, not knowing what to do.

Song Shu slowly took a deep breath.

Only she could calm the madman, so there was no one else to step in.

Amid the students’ surprised shouts, Song Shu walked out from behind the curtain and stood under the spotlight, finally stopping in front of Qin Lou.

But she didn’t take the ring, nor did she pull him up from his kneeling position. Instead, she took the microphone from his hand.

Her calm voice echoed through the auditorium, like the sound of ice crystals, cooling the entire room.

“He’s wrong. I’m the last speaker. What I have to say is even simpler than his.”

The students quieted down in preparation, waiting for Qin Lou’s response. Then, they heard the girl, who didn’t look much older than them, calmly advise:

“Premature love don’t end well.”

The students waited eagerly for the next line, but saw her put the microphone down.

They were stunned, exchanging incredulous glances.

“That’s it?”

“Is that all?”

“Just one sentence? So, did she accept or not?”

Probably because the students were so eager, Song Shu whispered a few words to Qin Lou that they couldn’t hear, then picked up the microphone again.

“Ah, one more thing,” she said, “I hope you all come back to the school for the honorary alumni speech in the future, but don’t be like Qin Lou—give the teachers a break.”

The students laughed knowingly.

“And most importantly,” Song Shu said, “don’t propose after the school anniversary speech.”

“Why?” A student laughed, asking.

Song Shu blinked, her expression and tone just as calm as before.

“Because you’ll be cruelly rejected.”

After saying that, Song Shu turned and walked off the stage with a clean, decisive step.

In the midst of the laughter, Qin Lou, who had probably expected this outcome when he knelt, packed away the ring box and stood up, calmly following her.

Under the gaze of the school leaders, who looked like they’d seen a disaster, Qin Lou’s car drove away from the Q City No. 2 High School campus.

In the backseat of the car, Song Shu rubbed her forehead.

“I think tomorrow, they’ll probably hang a sign at the school gate saying, ‘No Qin Lou or dogs allowed.’”

“…” Qin Lou said nothing.

“Just think about how you’re going to explain it at the company tomorrow.”

“…” Qin Lou still didn’t speak.

Song Shu finally noticed something and looked back at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“You rejected my proposal,” Qin Lou lowered his eyes, his voice weak, looking a bit pitiful.

Song Shu clenched her teeth slightly. “How could I agree? Proposing at a high school anniversary ceremony, what were you thinking?”

Qin Lou pretended not to hear. “And you also said early relationships don’t end well.”

Song Shu frowned. “Isn’t that the truth?”

Qin Lou raised his eyes with a hint of grievance, “So we don’t have a good ending?”

“…” A suspicious blush passed across Song Shu’s cheek, and she turned her gaze away. “We don’t count as early lovers.”

“Why don’t we count?”

“I remember we’ve never admitted to being in a relationship.”

“…”

Qin Lou’s gaze grew even more forlorn.

At that moment, Song Shu’s phone chimed with a “ding dong” sound. She took it out and saw a message from Luan Qiaoqing. After a row of grinning faces with mischievous smiles, there was a link to a gossip news article:

“Shocking! Vio Capital’s General Manager Proposes to a Mysterious Female College Student at the School Anniversary!”

Luan Qiaoqing: “Hahahaha, female college student! I thought the headline meant Qin Lou was cheating! But when I clicked it and saw that high-definition photo—Sis, you’re too photogenic! Seriously, you look like a real college student! I saw several people discussing which university’s campus beauty you are, hahaha…”

Song Shu: “…”

Song Shu stared blankly at the phone, then held it up in front of Qin Lou. “Look at the mess you’ve caused.”

Without Song Shu enjoying his performance, Qin Lou lazily leaned back against his chair. He glanced down at the phone and casually scrolled to the comments section at the bottom of the article.

The latest comment floated at the top:

“This female student looks so pure, with long and fair legs. It’s making me excited. No wonder this big boss likes her, he must be having a great time every night.”

Song Shu held the phone up for a few seconds, and suddenly, she felt the air around Qin Lou grow tense.

She turned to look back at him, only to see that the smile on his face had completely faded, and his eyes were dark and brooding, staring at her phone screen.

Song Shu froze for a moment and instinctively glanced at the comment. She quickly understood.

Before Qin Lou could say anything, she pressed the phone’s screen, turning it off, and pulled it back.

Qin Lou regained his focus, turned his head, and said in a sharp tone, “Let me see it.”

“No need.” Song Shu calmly replied, “It’s normal for websites like these to attract low-quality people, creating buzz and fabricating news.”

Qin Lou furrowed his brows. “Then let me see the person’s account information.”

“…” Song Shu looked back helplessly. “What are you planning to do? Track them down and get revenge in real life through their username?”

“A legal society means they should pay for their words,” Qin Lou said coldly.

Song Shu sighed. “Are you worried that the negative impact on you won’t be big enough? There are always haters who despise the rich among people like this.”

Recalling the comment, Qin Lou’s eyes grew colder. “Then I’ll settle it, one by one.”

“…Crazy.” Song Shu muttered quietly. She returned to the phone page and deleted the link and browsing history.

By the time Qin Lou realized and tried to stop her, it was too late.

He watched helplessly as the browsing history disappeared from the screen, and a trace of irritation began to show in his eyes.

The two fell into a stalemate.

Until the car drove into the Qin family’s old mansion and stopped.

The car door on Qin Lou’s side opened, and when he got out without looking back, Song Shu initially thought that Qin Lou was still upset over the news comments and was sulking.

It was rare to see him so upset, which made Song Shu find it a bit amusing. Before she could push open her side of the door, Qin Lou suddenly pulled it open and appeared in her line of sight.

“Qin…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Song Shu gasped in surprise as Qin Lou swept her into his arms.

She was stunned for a few seconds, then looked up in confusion.

From her slightly swaying perspective, the man’s features were sharp, from his neck to his jawline, and his gaze was deep, as if suppressing some complex emotions.

At that moment, Song Shu suddenly remembered the verbal agreement—what they had called the “contract” earlier, which she had forgotten in the chaos of the evening’s ceremony.

Her face quickly flushed with embarrassment. She nervously reached out to grip Qin Lou’s sleeve. “Put me down first. I’ll walk on my own…”

Qin Lou ignored her.

With the surprised gazes of the servants lowering their heads, he strode across the hallway and towards the stairs.

As he was about to step onto the stairs, the butler, who had rushed over after hearing the news, anxiously called out, “Young master, what are you doing—?”

Qin Lou didn’t respond to the butler’s question. Instead, he walked past him without a word and went straight up the stairs.

Song Shu could feel the intensity of the situation, and as they passed the servants’ shocked and lowered gazes, she felt an increasing sense of unease. Her mind raced, but before she could process it all, Qin Lou, carrying her in his arms, reached the top of the stairs.

At the top, Qin Lou turned toward the butler and stated, “I’m sleeping in the master bedroom on the third floor tonight. No one is allowed to come up without my permission, no matter what happens.”

The butler stood still, looking baffled, while Song Shu, still in Qin Lou’s arms, could feel her face flush with embarrassment. She was acutely aware of the butler’s complex expression, which only added to her discomfort.

As they moved toward the master bedroom, just before entering, Song Shu could feel her frustration rising. The tension in her chest was palpable, but before she could say anything, she heard a low, raspy voice near her ear.

“Don’t tell me… are you going to break your promise?”

Song Shu froze in his arms. Her body stiffened in response to the weight of his words.

Before she could react further, Qin Lou moved quickly, crossing the threshold into the master bedroom, his hold tightening around her.

In the soft, dimly lit room, Qin Lou paused before the large, plush bed. Song Shu’s balance faltered as he gently placed her on the bed, leaving her momentarily dazed.

Before she could fully regain her senses, a shadow loomed over her. Qin Lou’s presence seemed to fill the space, and his voice, now mixed with intensity and restraint, spoke again.

“I can’t even imagine how much pleasure I could get from this. It’s truly a shame that I’ve had to wait so long.”

He lowered himself closer, his eyes dark and unreadable.

“But that’s fine. I have plenty of time to learn.”

Song Shu instinctively tried to move away, but Qin Lou anticipated her move and quickly seized both her wrists, pinning them above her head.

His gaze was intense as he leaned down, his lips near hers. The air seemed to thicken with tension, the quiet of the room only broken by his low, raspy voice.

“Little clam, it’s time to eat.”

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