Chapter 19:

Shen Qingzhou’s expression flickered with disappointment upon hearing those words, but he quickly recovered and quickened his pace forward, saying, “Your words can’t be fully trusted. You keep coming up with terrible ideas. I think it’s more practical for you to focus on cleaning up the mess you’ve made.”

Du Xinling followed closely behind him, watching the tall, upright figure ahead. Suddenly, the road ahead seemed perilous, like a brave warrior heading into an uncertain return.

“Hey, Shi Heng, after all these years of friendship, can’t you cut me a little slack?”

Shen Qingzhou didn’t even turn his head, tossing back from a distance, “I’m afraid spoiling you will make you forget who you really are.”

With Master Shen having spoken like that, how could Du Xinling dare not go to Lin Qiao to extract information?

As a result, while waiting with Qin Muyao after registering for an appointment, Lin Qiao “coincidentally” encountered Du Xinling and was “coincidentally” approached by him.

Shen Qingzhou’s expression faltered for a moment upon hearing those words, but he quickly composed himself. Walking ahead briskly, he said, “I can’t fully trust your advice—you always come up with terrible ideas. I think it’s more practical for you to figure out how to clean up the mess you’ve made.”

Du Xinling followed closely behind, watching Shen’s tall, straight-backed figure, and suddenly felt that the road ahead was fraught with difficulties, like a warrior struggling to return home.

“Hey, Shiheng, after all these years of friendship, can’t you cut me some slack?”

Without even turning his head, Shen Qingzhou tossed back a reply from afar: “I’m afraid I’d spoil you so much you’d forget your own name.”

With Master Shen saying that, how could Du Xinling dare not go and try to extract information from Lin Qiao?

And so, Lin Qiao, who had registered and was waiting with Qin Muyao, quite “coincidentally” ran into Du Xinling and was quite “coincidentally” chatted up by him.

“Miss Lin? What are you doing here?” Du Xinling enthusiastically stepped forward to shake her hand. “I was just talking about you with Shiheng, and now we run into you so soon. You and we are really fated.”

Qin Muyao couldn’t help but cough upon hearing this. Thinking he might have caught a cold, Lin Qiao immediately apologized to Du Xinling and turned to him: “Senior, are you okay? Do you have a fever?”

Qin Muyao shook his head and said softly, “I’m fine.” Then, looking at Du Xinling, he asked curiously, “And who might this be?”

Lin Qiao quickly introduced them: “This is Mr. Du Xinling, Master Shen’s partner. This is Qin Muyao, a friend of mine.”

The moment Qin Muyao heard the words “Master Shen,” the smile on his face grew somewhat complicated. He stood up and shook Du Xinling’s hand. Both of them applied considerable force—Du Xinling, determined not to embarrass Shen Qingzhou, tightened his grip, but Qin Muyao’s grip was even stronger. Not only was it strong, but he could also maintain a polite smile without flinching, leaving Du Xinling, who couldn’t help but grimace, utterly frustrated.

“Mr. Du, nice to meet you,” Qin Muyao said with a smile.

Du Xinling took a deep breath, forcefully pulling back his reddened hand, and said, “Likewise, likewise. Nice to meet you too.”

Shen Qingzhou, who had been secretly observing the scene from a corner, took one look and decisively turned to leave, heading straight for Xiao Ning’s hospital room.

By the time Du Xinling had eased the atmosphere and subtly glanced toward the corner, he found that Shen Qingzhou was already gone. He immediately felt that he was utterly done for, and couldn’t help but wear a sorrowful expression.

“Mr. Du, are you okay?” Lin Qiao asked with some concern. “What happened to your hand? Why is it so red? Are you cold?”

Du Xinling slowly slipped his hand into his pocket, glancing meaningfully at Qin Muyao, and said, “I’m fine, not cold at all—just a bit hot.”

“Hot?” Lin Qiao rubbed her arm. The chilly air conditioning around them made his statement sound utterly absurd.

With that, the three quickly fell into an awkward silence. Just then, it was Qin Muyao’s turn to see the doctor, so he went in.

Lin Qiao had originally intended to follow him in, but Du Xinling blocked her way, insisting he had something to say to her, so she had no choice but to wait outside.

“Mr. Du, what did you want to talk to me about?” Lin Qiao asked.

Du Xinling scrambled for an excuse in his mind, but after a long moment, he still couldn’t come up with a reasonable one. Just as he felt cornered, Shen Qingzhou appeared in the distance, holding Xiao Ning. After a few seconds of eye contact, Du Xinling instantly hatched a plan.

“Shiheng!” Du Xinling waved to the father and son pair over there.

The moment Lin Qiao heard those two words, her body stiffened. She looked over rigidly to see Shen Qingzhou holding Xiao Ning, standing not far away and looking at her—apparently, he had come to find Du Xinling.

“What are you doing here?” His words confirmed her suspicion: he was indeed here for Du Xinling.

Du Xinling said, “I ran into Miss Lin on the way, so we chatted for a bit.”

Shen Qingzhou nodded slightly, slowly shifting his gaze to Lin Qiao. He was very tall, and standing like this gave the impression of looking down on her, making her feel immediately diminished in presence.

Although there were seats nearby, none of the three adults and one child sat down. It was understandable—Shen Qingzhou’s aura was too overpowering. If the great master himself didn’t sit, others couldn’t either. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to; they simply didn’t dare.

After a long silence, Lin Qiao finally greeted Shen Qingzhou rather stiffly: “Master Shen, hello.”

At this unfamiliar form of address, Shen Qingzhou frowned slightly. His expression was already quite cold, and this frown made Lin Qiao feel as though winter had arrived—it was practically lethal.

“I should thank you,” Shen Qingzhou said inexplicably. Then, with a dismissive tone, he said to Du Xinling, “Let’s go, back now.”

Du Xinling was stunned, wondering why Shen would give up such a perfect opportunity. He had gone to great lengths to separate the lone man and woman, so why was Shen leaving now?

Soon, Du Xinling realized that Master Shen had a backup plan. After taking just a few steps, Xiao Ning, held in his arms, struggled and said, “Daddy, I don’t want to go! I want to play with Auntie Lin!”

Well, the term “Auntie Lin” made Lin Qiao cringe almost as much as “Master Shen” made Shen Qingzhou frown.

Du Xinling was utterly in awe of Shen Qingzhou. He silently raised his hands in a gesture of respect from where Lin Qiao couldn’t see. Shen Qingzhou shot him a sidelong glance, and Du Xinling immediately understood his intention.

“No, you need to go back and rest,” Shen Qingzhou said, stubbornly holding Xiao Ning and preparing to leave.

Seizing the moment, Du Xinling chimed in: “Don’t be so stingy, Shiheng. Xiao Ning rarely gets to see Miss Lin—it’s only natural he wants to play with her for a while.”

Shen Qingzhou frowned disapprovingly. “He’s not well. It’s not suitable for him to stay here long.”

Du Xinling quickly added, “Well, that’s easy to solve. Once Miss Lin is done here, she can come to Xiao Ning’s room for a while.” He paused, then turned to a completely bewildered Lin Qiao. “Miss Lin, you’ll agree, won’t you? It’s such a simple wish from a child.”

…With the two of them tag-teaming like this, how could she refuse? Qin Muyao emerged from the examination room and cast a calm glance at Shen Qingzhou. Receiving an even cooler look in return, he lowered his head slightly and curled his lips into a smile.

He spoke up: “Qiaoqiao.”

As soon as he said this, Du Xinling shot a meaningful look at Shen Qingzhou, as if to say, “Look at him, calling her ‘Qiaoqiao’ already, while you’re still using ‘Miss Lin’ or her full name. Your progress is way too slow.”

Shen Qingzhou raised an eyebrow, meeting Lin Qiao’s probing gaze without the slightest change in expression.

Unable to read anything from his face, Lin Qiao dismissed any thoughts of potential development and reverted to her role as a client. Turning to Qin Muyao, she asked, “Senior Qin, are you done? How are you?”

Qin Muyao said gently, “It’s nothing, just some minor abrasions. They’ve already been treated.” He lifted his hand, showing a bandage around his wrist.

Lin Qiao bit her lip guiltily. “It’s all my fault.”

Qin Muyao replied, “How could it be? I’m just glad it wasn’t you. That would have been much harder for me to bear than getting hurt myself.”

Du Xinling shot a frustrated look at Shen Qingzhou. Just listen to what Qin Muyao said—if Shen Qingzhou had even half his eloquence, what kind of girl couldn’t he win over?

Shen Qingzhou frowned impatiently, staring at the man and woman conversing. After a while, with no attention from the woman, he simply turned and walked away with Xiao Ning in his arms, leaving behind an aloof and untouchable背影—icy and noble to the extreme.

Shen Qingzhou left, cleanly and潇洒ly, but Du Xinling didn’t dare leave. If he didn’t manage to bring Lin Qiao back with him, he feared Shen Qingzhou would make him pay dearly next time he wanted to step out.

“Miss Lin, would you like to come with us?” Du Xinling mustered the courage to interrupt Qin Muyao and Lin Qiao’s harmonious conversation, hinting, “Xiao Ning hasn’t been well these past few days. Ah, such a young child suffering so much—it’s truly pitiful.”

Lin Qiao immediately frowned. “I’ll go see him. Let’s go now.” She turned to Qin Muyao apologetically. “I’m sorry, Senior Qin. I have something to attend to today. I’ll treat you to a meal another time to make up for it.”

Qin Muyao was very magnanimous. Waving his hand, he said, “It’s fine. Go ahead. Just remember you owe me a meal.”

Du Xinling sighed inwardly, silently lighting a candle for Shen Qingzhou. This guy had met his match.

Lin Qiao nodded in agreement, assuring him, “I definitely won’t forget.” Then, to Du Xinling, she said, “Let’s go.”

Du Xinling quickly said, “Alright. Goodbye, Mr. Qin. We’ll be going now.” He bid a polite farewell to Qin Muyao and led Lin Qiao toward Xiao Ning’s private room. Neither of them looked back, so they naturally didn’t see Qin Muyao’s instantly darkening expression.

Some words can’t be spoken to anyone but oneself. When too many such words accumulate in the heart, they make a person seem moody and unpredictable—a description that fit Qin Muyao perfectly.

Fortunately, some people would never see this side of him in their entire lives.

Upon hearing this, Qin Muyao couldn’t help but cough. Thinking he had caught a cold, Lin Qiao immediately apologized to Du Xinling and turned to him, asking, “Senior, are you okay? Do you have a fever?”

Qin Muyao shook his head and softly replied, “I’m fine.” After speaking, he looked toward Du Xinling and asked with a hint of confusion, “May I ask who this is?”

Lin Qiao hurriedly introduced them, “This is Mr. Du Xinling, a partner of Master Shen. This is Qin Muyao, my friend.”

Upon hearing the name “Master Shen,” Qin Muyao’s smile became somewhat complicated. He stood up to shake hands with Du Xinling. Both applied considerable force. Du Xinling, determined not to shame Shen Qingzhou, exerted even more strength, but Qin Muyao’s grip was even stronger. Despite maintaining a polite smile on his face, Du Xinling couldn’t help but wince inwardly.

“Mr. Du, nice to meet you,” Qin Muyao smiled.

Du Xinling inhaled deeply and pulled his reddened hand back, saying, “The pleasure is all mine. You’re doing great too.”

Shen Qingzhou, quietly observing from a corner, witnessed this scene and decisively turned and left, heading straight to Xiao Ning’s ward.

When Du Xinling, having lightened the atmosphere, glanced toward the corner, he found it already empty. The realization that he was now completely doomed made him wear a look of despair.

“Mr. Du, are you alright?” Lin Qiao asked with concern. “Why is your hand so red? Is it very cold?”

Du Xinling slowly stuffed his hand into his pocket, giving Qin Muyao a meaningful glance before replying, “I’m perfectly fine. It’s not cold at all, actually—it’s quite warm.”

“Warm?” Lin Qiao rubbed her arms. The air conditioning was set quite low, making his statement seem rather absurd.

With that sentence, an awkward silence quickly fell among the three. Just then, it was Qin Muyao’s turn for the appointment, so he went inside.

Actually, Lin Qiao had intended to follow him in, but Du Xinling blocked her path, insisting he had something to discuss with her, leaving her no choice but to wait outside.

“Mr. Du, what did you want to talk to me about?” Lin Qiao asked.

Du Xinling quickly searched his mind for an excuse but failed to come up with a reasonable reason. Just as he was at his wit’s end, he spotted Shen Qingzhou approaching with Xiao Ning in his arms from a distance. After exchanging glances, a plan quickly formed in his mind.

“Shi Heng!” Du Xinling waved at the approaching father and son.

Upon hearing those two words, Lin Qiao’s body stiffened. She turned her head rigidly to see Shen Qingzhou holding Xiao Ning, standing not far away, seemingly looking for Du Xinling.

“What are you doing here?” His words confirmed her guess—he had indeed come looking for Du Xinling.

Du Xinling replied, “We just happened to meet Miss Lin halfway and chatted for a while.”

Shen Qingzhou nodded slightly, slowly shifting his gaze to Lin Qiao. Standing tall, he looked down at her slightly, making her feel immediately overpowered.

There were seats nearby, but the three adults and one child remained standing. Understandably so—Master Shen’s presence was simply too imposing. If he didn’t sit, no one else dared to either—not because they didn’t want to, but because they were too intimidated.

Lin Qiao remained silent for a long time before awkwardly greeting Shen Qingzhou, “Master Shen, hello.”

At this unfamiliar address, Shen Qingzhou slightly furrowed his brow. His expression was already quite cold, and with this frown, Lin Qiao felt as if winter had arrived, nearly taking her life.

“I should thank you,” Shen Qingzhou unexpectedly said, then immediately turned his face toward Du Xinling and ordered, “Let’s go back.”

Du Xinling was stunned. Why would he give up such a great opportunity? He had just managed to separate that pair of “lonely man and woman,” so why would he want to leave now?

Soon, Du Xinling realized Shen Qingzhou had a hidden plan. After walking just a few steps, Xiao Ning, held in his arms, began to struggle.

“Dad, I don’t want to go. I want to play with Auntie Lin!”

This “Auntie Lin” address made Lin Qiao cringe slightly, just as Shen Qingzhou had cringed at “Master Shen.”

Du Xinling was practically bowing in admiration toward Shen Qingzhou from where Lin Qiao couldn’t see. Shen Qingzhou gave him a sidelong glance, and Du Xinling immediately understood his intention.

“No, you need to go back and rest,” Shen Qingzhou said firmly while holding onto Xiao Ning.

Du Xinling timely chimed in, “Don’t be so stingy, Shi Heng. Xiao Ning rarely sees Miss Lin. It’s understandable that he wants to play with her for a bit.”

Shen Qingzhou frowned and disagreed, “His health isn’t good enough to stay here for long.”

Du Xinling quickly added, “Then why don’t we just wait until Miss Lin finishes what she’s doing here and have her come to Xiao Ning’s room for a bit?” He paused, then looked at the completely bewildered Lin Qiao, saying, “Miss Lin would surely agree, right? Fulfilling such a simple wish of a child.”

… With the two of them working in tandem like that, how could she possibly refuse?

Qin Muyao exited the consultation room and cast a calm glance at Shen Qingzhou. In response, he received an even colder gaze. Then, lowering his head slightly, he curled his lips into a faint smile.

He spoke, “Qiao Qiao.”

As soon as Qin Muyao spoke, Du Xinling shot Shen Qingzhou a meaningful look, as if to say, see how he calls her Qiao Qiao? You’re still using “Miss Lin” and her given name directly. Your progress is really too slow.

Shen Qingzhou raised an eyebrow, meeting Lin Qiao’s probing gaze. His expression remained completely unchanged.

Lin Qiao, seeing nothing from his face, quietly abandoned her earlier thoughts of pursuing anything further and returned to her role as a client, turning to Qin Muyao and asking, “Senior Qin, are you done? How was it?”

Qin Muyao gently replied, “It’s nothing serious, just some scratches. I’ve already had ointment applied.” He lifted his hand, revealing a bandage on his wrist.

Lin Qiao pursed her lips guiltily, saying, “It’s all my fault.”

Qin Muyao said, “How could it be? I’m actually relieved it wasn’t you who got hurt. That would have been much harder for me to bear.”

Du Xinling looked at Shen Qingzhou with frustration. Listen to how Qin Muyao spoke! If Shen Qingzhou had even a bit of that eloquence, what girl couldn’t he win over?

Shen Qingzhou impatiently frowned at the pair talking, watching for a while but receiving no attention from the woman. Eventually, he simply turned and walked away, holding Xiao Ning tightly, leaving behind a cold, distant, and dignified back view—so cold and refined, so noble and aloof.

Shen Qingzhou left cleanly and elegantly, but Du Xinling dared not follow. Without coaxing Lin Qiao to go back with him, he feared he’d suffer a severe scolding from Shen Qingzhou the next time he came out.

“Miss Lin, would you like to come with me?” Du Xinling reluctantly interrupted the harmonious conversation between Qin Muyao and Lin Qiao, hinting, “Xiao Ning’s health has been quite poor these days. Ah, such a young child suffering so much—it’s really pitiful.”

Lin Qiao immediately frowned, saying, “I’ll go see him. Let’s go now.” She turned to Qin Muyao apologetically, saying, “I’m sorry, Senior Qin. I have something to do today. I’ll treat you to a meal another time to apologize.”

Qin Muyao was very gracious, waving his hand and saying, “No problem, you go ahead. Just remember that you owe me a meal.”

In his heart, Du Xinling sighed, lighting an imaginary candle for Shen Qingzhou. This guy had truly met his match.

Lin Qiao nodded in agreement, promising, “I definitely won’t forget.” Then, turning to Du Xinling, she said, “Let’s go.”

Du Xinling hurriedly replied, “Alright, then goodbye, Mr. Qin. We’ll be leaving first.” He politely bid farewell to Qin Muyao and led Lin Qiao toward Xiao Ning’s private ward. Neither of them looked back, naturally missing the sudden darkening of Qin Muyao’s expression.

Some things can only be said to oneself. When too many words are bottled up inside, it makes a person’s mood seem unpredictable. This description fit Qin Muyao perfectly.

Fortunately, there are some people who will never witness this side of him.