Gu Qiaoqiaoâs eyes widened and she was about to refuse, but Qin Yize had already pulled her over. Gu Qiaoqiao exclaimed loudly, while Qin Yize smiled with delight.
Just like that, time passed between their playful banter.
Normally, Qin Yize was a very agile person, but at this moment, he seemed somewhat clumsy. Therefore, Gu Qiaoqiao, who was fighting fiercely with Qin Yize, was convinced that Qin Yize was pretending, all for the purpose of gaining advantage.
"This is the first time Iâve had such a hard time putting on an outer garment..." Gu Qiaoqiao was sweating profusely and looked at Qin Yize with a long-suffering expression.
Yet, Qin Yize still had a satisfied smile on his face.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at Qin Yize with a complex expression, her voice fluttering, "Ah Ze, do you know what I most want to do right now? Iâll tell you..."
Only by doing that could she quell her resentment.
Unexpectedly, Qin Yize acted like a rascal, taking a few steps forward to stand in front of Gu Qiaoqiao. He stretched out his arms and softly said, "I agree, come on, Qiaoqiao..."
Gu Qiaoqiao was left speechless, "Qin Yize, Iâve come to realize youâre becoming increasingly shameless. Moreover, brazenly doing whatever you want during broad daylight. If this were the past, we would be..."
Saying this, Gu Qiaoqiao paused for a moment and then closed her mouth.
Qin Yize stood in front of Gu Qiaoqiao, knowingly teasing, "In daylight, what? Why donât you finish?"
"Daydreaming!" Gu Qiaoqiao gave him a very hard glare.
Unfortunately, this glare was filled with love and laughter, as if she was unintentionally enticing Qin Yize. Qin Yize noticed that he especially liked looking into Qiaoqiaoâs eyes; they were as clear as the autumn sky, utterly pure and free of any impurities. Every glance makes his heart flutter anew.
Thus, the result of Gu Qiaoqiaoâs flirtatious gaze was being pulled into Qin Yizeâs embrace and receiving a passionate kiss before she was released.
After they separated, Qin Yize was still unsatisfied. Yet, unexpectedly, as they continued to fuss with each other, it had already reached dinnertime, and the sky outside had darkened slightly. However, it was still quiet outside, clearly, everyone hadnât returned yet.
Although all lived together, the place where the two of them stayed was practically a separate courtyard. As long as the young couple were in their room, nobody would come to bother them.
Except, of course, for Qin Xiaoyu whoâs currently staying at school and wouldnât return until Saturday.
And so, the couple headed into the kitchen together.
When Grandma Qin hurried back, the Qin Family kitchen was filled with the aroma of food and the occasional gentle laughter of her grandson and granddaughter-in-law.
Grandma Qin looked at the Qin Familyâs living room with satisfaction, never having thought that life could be so flavorful.
Thinking of an old friend complaining about her own familyâs troublesome affairs, Grandma Qin felt she was the luckiest old lady in the world.
Meanwhile, He Shan arrived at Ouyang Rongâs place. It was her first visit and had heard from Luo Er about the location. Hearing about it was one thing, but seeing it was another.
She took a deep look at the high walls of the neighboring Gu Garden and thought to herself, this Ouyang Rong was overly arrogant, brazenly obvious to this extent. The intentions of Sima Zhao are clear for all to see. Does he think everyone else is a fool?
A hint of a smile appeared on He Shanâs lips, then she concealed her emotions and slowly started to knock on the door.
In the night, only the dim yellow streetlights emitted a faint glow.
He Shan had already called before her visit. Hearing the knock, San Qi opened the door, furrowed his brows, and ushered He Shan in. By now, Ouyang Rong, exhausted from her antics, had fallen into a deep sleep.
The once arrogant young lady had indeed suffered a setback.
After leading He Shan into the reception room, San Qi suddenly spoke, "Miss He, we canât cooperate for now."
He Shan was stunned, "Why?" Then she asked in return, "Are you planning to abandon me after crossing the river? I might agree, but my grandfather may not."
She still didnât know about Gu Qiaoqiao successfully striking back, and San Qi wasnât prepared to tell her everything. Best to keep it under wraps if possible.
"Itâs not abandoning after crossing the river; itâs that the matter hasnât succeeded at all." San Qi stated calmly.
"What do you mean?"
He Shan asked, frowning.
"Itâs exactly what it sounds like, letâs leave it here for now. I need to wait for instructions from my masterâs house."
He Shan was even more puzzled, "Isnât Yubao Square already completely destroyed?"
Next was to negotiate terms with the Gu Family, take away that Hundred Miles of Mountains Map through special channels to the island, and then threaten the Old Patriarch to exchange Yubao Square with the jade mine from Xinjiang...
That was their initial plan, but now things seemed off.
San Qi looked at He Shan, a cold edge to his mouth, "Youâll see Yubao Square reopen tomorrow. I still have things to do here, so I wonât keep you any longer."
Unexpectedly, just after barely being seated, San Qi issued an order to leave. He Shanâs expression wasnât good, also confused about the situation. But soon enough, she returned to normal, stood up from the sofa, sorted her thoughts, clearly aware something had happened, suddenly asking, "Arenât you also after that painting?"
San Qi didnât immediately reply to He Shanâs question; he wasnât the owner and didnât have the right to decide for the master. Given the current situation, who would want that painting? Safely returning to the island would already be a heaven-sent grace.
But San Qi wasnât inclined to discuss this with He Shan. He solemnly stated, "Maybe weâll have the opportunity to cooperate in the future, but regrettably not this time."
Seeing San Qi evading, He Shan realized something else had gone awry, but certainly, thereâs something they couldnât tell her.
He Shan scanned San Qi, raised her legs, and headed outside. Since thatâs the case, thereâs no point in further talks.
They didnât want to cooperate anymore; she couldnât force them either.
Having barely taken a few steps, San Qi following behind suddenly said, "I donât know the grudge between you and the Gu Family, but using the Ouyang Clan to achieve your goals isnât that easy."
He Shan abruptly turned, fixing her gaze on San Qi, suddenly smiling brightly, "Uncle San Qi, what are you saying? I have no idea."
"Forget it, we have nothing to discuss. Iâll have my master contact your grandfather."
San Qi waved his hand, a bit impatient.
At this moment, San Qi actually harbored a subtle feeling that perhaps they were being used by Old Thief He.
If the Gu Familyâs items were so easy to acquire, if the Hundred Miles of Mountains Map held earth-shattering secrets, then how could Old Thief He possibly hand off such a good opportunity?