Qin Sheng was good in nature and had never offended Qing’er. But why was Qing’er cold to Qin Sheng and what made the distance in between? It was because when Qin Sheng came here the first time, he joked with Jiang Xianbang by saying that he had a secret lover in his house, which was heard by Qing’er by accident.
But Qin Sheng learned the truth about Qing’er after Jiang Xianbang explained to him that Qing’er was the daughter of his old friend who had passed away, and he treated her like his daughter. Qin Sheng apologized to Qing’er, but Qing’er didn’t forgive him and thought that he was dirty. She hated it the most when others made fun of their relationship. Uncle Jiang did have some lovers, but he had been treating her as his real daughter and smothered her, which was far from other people’s guess.
So ever since then, Qing’er had been detesting Qin Sheng, and their conversations had never been smooth. She knew that Uncle Jiang hoped that she and Qin Sheng would become a couple, but she would never fall in love with such a man.
So when Qin Sheng suddenly came here after disappearing one and a half years ago, Qing’er was surprised and then calmed down. She was distant to Qin Sheng like before. But she changed the moment Qin Sheng said that he could make Uncle Jiang come back. While Qin Sheng was dissatisfied with Qing’er’s attitude and was about to leave, Qing’er couldn’t help begging for his forgiveness.
For Qing’er, she could do anything for Uncle Jiang to make him come back home and end his wandering life. But Qing’er didn’t expect that Qin Sheng would make such a weird request. So she froze and didn’t know how to deal with it.
“You’re talking nonsense.” Qing’er stared at Qin Sheng angrily.
Qin Sheng shrugged. “Well, I gotta go. You just continue enjoying your tea and reading. Bye.”
Qin Sheng turned back and was about to leave. He hoped that he could seize this chance to settle their conflicts, after all, his apology was refused.
Qing’er held Qin Sheng’s arm. “Qin Sheng, if you can make Uncle Jiang come back, I will do anything, but this… Can I do something else?”
Qin Sheng squinted, eyeing Qing’er, the gorgeous beauty in every man’s dream. He made another joke. “You will do anything, huh?”
Qing’er nodded without hesitation with a sense of firmness in her eyes.
Qin Sheng said, “Good, then be my lover.”
Qing’er froze again. She didn’t imagine that Qin Sheng would say such shameful words. Feeling really disgusted, she bit her bottom lip with her eyes becoming red and shedding tears. Without Uncle Jiang’s protection, she was helpless and bullied by others a lot.
Qin Sheng was flustered and regretted telling the joke. Qing’er’s reaction made him almost believe that he had made his words come true. Qin Sheng felt kind of guilty and said, “Please, no. I’m so wrong. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just a joke. I just felt a little bit annoyed since I was coming to see you but you were so cold to me, like I had borrowed money from you and didn’t pay it back.”
Qin Sheng regretted saying that. If Uncle Jiang knew that he teased her, he might kill him with a kitchen knife.
Qing’er was still embroiled in her emotions with her fists tight and tears shedding. She recalled that Uncle Jiang made all those efforts for her, and when she met him in Hong Kong, his face was getting old; and she thought about how much he suffered over the past year. She couldn’t help crying and saying with a shaky tone, “I will, if you can make Uncle Jiang come back.”
Qing’er knew that the “smile” was a joke, whilst the “lover” was half truth, half joke.
Qin Sheng was regretting making this joke so much that he almost wanted to slap himself. Qing’er always took things seriously. He should have known that, and now, how could he deal with this?
“It was really a joke. I didn’t mean it. Anyway, I’ll find a way to make Uncle Jiang come back. After all, he had helped me,” Qin Sheng exclaimed. He was almost kneeling down to beg this woman not to cry.
Qing’er was a common person who was willing to pay as much as she could to help Uncle Jiang, even the “lover” thing. She thought that Qin Sheng didn’t believe her, and said, “If you can get him back, I swear, I can do that.”
“F*ck!” Qin Sheng was so flustered that he cursed.
He didn’t bother saying more then. He knew that Qing’er always took things seriously and further explanation made no sense. He just ignored her serious personality.
“Fine, whatever you say, I believe you, OK? Now, can you just listen to me?” Qin Sheng didn’t want to make any further comments about her swearing to do that.
Qing’er nodded. “Mmm.”
“No more crying. Wipe your tears and smile, or I’m leaving,” Qin Sheng said in a firm tone as if he was really about to go without mercy.
Qing’er wiped away her tears, took a few deep breaths, and offered a half-bitter smile to Qin Sheng. She was doing so for Uncle Jiang, rather than Qin Sheng, so this was out of her real heart.
Her teary face and smiling face were both so charming that Qin Sheng froze for a moment. It’s said that a woman’s smile and tears are the most powerful weapons against men.
“That’s right. Your smile is gorgeous.” Qin Sheng smirked.
Qing’er gave Qin Sheng an unpleasant glance, but she was not as distant as before, keeping a smile on her face. She detested Qin Sheng privately, for he was no more than one of those dirty men who desired her body.
“Fine, can we just sit down and talk about it?” Qin Sheng sighed, tired of dealing with women.
Qing’er nodded. After Qin Sheng took a seat, she poured a cup of tea for him, watching him with a sense of expectation in her eyes and waiting for his answer.
Qin Sheng picked up the teacup. “Uncle Jiang asked me to take care of you when he left, but I failed to do so and I’m sorry. I got into some trouble those days, and had to escape Shanghai. I got hurt, very seriously, almost died, and I was hospitalized for a couple of months. I hope you can forgive me. I was helpless in those days.”
Qin Sheng’s explanation made Qing’er’s face freeze with a sense of complexity in her eyes. She didn’t imagine that Qin Sheng experienced that much. She used to get really angry when she got into trouble and failed to get in touch with Qin Sheng.
Qing’er said with a calm voice, “Mmm. I get it. That was not your fault.”
“I experienced a lot over the past year, a lot of ups and downs. I just arrived in Shanghai today, and now I have some power. Uncle Jiang’s business was always on my mind, but I could do nothing before. I also felt sad that he led a wandering life at such an age. Now I have the ability to solve that problem, so I wanna try. It’s not absolute, but I’m trying my best,” Qin Sheng said in a quite serious tone.
Though Qin Sheng was serious this time, Qing’er understood, but she was still frustrated with him. Since Uncle Jiang was in such big trouble, how much could Qin Sheng do after only one year?
“Can I help you?” Qing’er asked softly. Whether they would succeed or not, they had to try.
Qin Sheng thought for a while then said, “Call Uncle Jiang, first I need to know his situation, then I’ll make a plan for it.”
“OK.” Qing’er nodded. She dialed a number in Sydney, where Uncle Jiang actually was.
Qin Sheng didn’t follow her, giving her time to explain to Uncle Jiang. He just enjoyed the tea and waited.
Qing’er stood by the French window with her face sometimes serious, sometimes crying, or smiling. She seemed to have endless things to chat with him about, but the most important thing now was to tell him about Qin Sheng.
A few minutes later, Qing’er walked back to Qin Sheng and gave him her phone. “Here you are. Just talk to him.”
Qin Sheng picked up the cell phone and teased with a smile. “Uncle Jiang, any romantic affairs in Australia?”
Jiang Xianbang hummed. “You’re still alive? I was wishing that you rest in peace in Australia. I heard about your trouble in Hangzhou. You’re really strong. How could you survive after offending so many people, good boy?”
This was typical of their conversation, no courteous sayings. But Jiang Xianbang was really surprised that Qin Sheng should go back to Shanghai and to his house. He was even able to make him come back. Who knows what he experienced over the past few months?
“Nice guys finish first. I’m not a nice guy, so I’ll naturally live longer.” Qin Sheng smirked.
Jiang Xianbang spoke no nonsense then, and asked directly, “Where were you during these months? How did you deal with those people in Hangzhou? Or how do you dare come back to Shanghai? You offended the Yan Family, you should have been killed.”
Qin Sheng cursed, “F*ck off, can’t you say something good?”
“Hahaha, well, well, well, then please say something about yourself.” Jiang Xianbang burst out laughing. He had been believing that Qin Sheng would become a somebody, not because of Qin Sheng himself, but out of his trust in the Old Master.
Qin Sheng explained, “I haven’t settled down things in Hangzhou. I’ve stayed in Beijing recently. I don’t wanna explain why I came back, I must have my own reasons. I won’t die, absolutely. You just need to know that they don’t dare to get me any trouble, but I can do anything I want to them.”
Jiang Xianbang was shocked by Qin Sheng’s words. Was he bragging or telling the truth?
Qin Sheng knew that Jiang Xianbang didn’t fully believe him, but he didn’t bother to explain and went on, “Anyway, you’ll know the whole story later. Let’s get to the point. Qing’er has told you, right?”
“Yes, but you don’t know what kind of trouble I’ve gotten into. No matter who’s behind you, I dare say they don’t want to join in.” Jiang Xianbang squinted. He had so much power in the past, and had no choice but to escape to a foreign country. What could Qin Sheng do?
Qin Sheng said in a veiled tone, “Talk about your situation first, and then I can weight it.”
“Fine. Then I’m going to tell you in detail.” Jiang Xianbang sighed deeply and took it seriously. He should try anyway.
Over the next half hour, Jiang Xianbang told Qin Sheng every detail about the incident he was involved in, including all the people, the troubles, the key points, and so on. Qin Sheng just listened, and sometimes asked if he was unsure. Qing’er was making the tea beside him, eyeing Qin Sheng’s serious face, thinking that maybe he was not that bad.
When Jiang Xianbang finished his statements, Qin Sheng’s face froze. This incident was extremely complicated, and a lot of big shots were involved. Qin Sheng understood why Jiang Xianbang could reach his level.
He didn’t have the ability to solve this and needed to ask Qin Changan about it. When Jiang Xianbang asked for his ideas, Qin Sheng just said, “Wait for my news.”