“You’re supposed to be so capable. Why didn’t you dare to act just now? Didn’t you see how arrogant and shameless those people were?”
“I’m not a savior; I have neither the obligation nor the responsibility to intervene. You’re so compassionate—why didn’t you think about taking action yourself?”
Xiao Yufan’s eyebrows slightly furrowed at Qing Luan’s interrogation. This girl actually thought he was some kind of messiah. He disliked her tone even more—what he did was his own business, and certainly not something for others to dictate.
“Quibbling! You’re clearly just cold-hearted and merciless…”
“Cold-hearted and merciless? No, you’re simply too naive. I can guarantee your safety, but have you considered what might happen if those people become desperate? It won’t just be a matter of losing money!”
Xiao Yufan didn’t feel like explaining much further. He had already been somewhat annoyed, and now his irritation flared up completely. Regardless of whether she could accept it or not, saying all that made him feel somewhat better.
“Brother Yufan, say a little less, Qing Luan didn’t mean it like that…”
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Tears welled up in Qing Luan’s beautiful eyes, and seeing this, Qin Menglu’s heart softened. She gently tugged Xiao Yufan’s arm.
“Maybe I did go a bit too far just now… please don’t take it to heart…”
Although he felt better after speaking his mind, seeing Qing Luan’s pitiful expression made Xiao Yufan’s heart twist. He had touched a nerve, and he sensed an impending storm.
“Do you really hate me that much? If you don’t want me around you, I can leave…”
Surprisingly, Qing Luan didn’t throw a tantrum. Her silence made Xiao Yufan feel a pang of guilt. He couldn’t understand why he kept avoiding her feelings—was it really just his stubborn pride?
“I’ve never hated you…”
Xiao Yufan replied stiffly, his gaze shifting slightly. It wasn’t that he feared Qing Yuanfeng, nor was it that he didn’t understand affection. It was just that, as a man, once certain words were spoken, they had to be followed through.
“Then why do you keep avoiding me? Am I really that terrible? You don’t even look at me properly anymore!”
Hearing Xiao Yufan’s apology, Qing Luan grew even more emotional. She had never loved someone so completely before, and yet, faced with love, she felt so lost.
“You’re better than anyone I know. It’s just… I’m not worthy.”
Thinking of what Qing Yuanfeng had said, Xiao Yufan gave a bitter smile. If he couldn’t give a woman happiness, wouldn’t it be better to let her go? Like water slipping through one’s fingers, perhaps it was better to return it to the sea.
“You’re such a bastard! Why are you doing this to me…” Qing Luan’s body trembled, her voice rising to a hysterical pitch, her choked sobs making it sound even more hoarse.
“Isn’t that exactly how you see me—despicable and heartless? If it makes you feel better, go ahead and hit me or curse me all you want!”
Xiao Yufan’s lips curled into a bitter smile. Looking at her beautiful face, he was momentarily at a loss for words. He didn’t even know whether what he had done was right or wrong.
Qing Luan turned her gaze away with a cold laugh. Was this truly the outcome she wanted? No matter how hard she tried, she would always be wrong in this man’s eyes.
“Alright, alright, we came out here to relax, right? If you’re still going to be upset, we might as well just stay cooped up at home…”
The awkward atmosphere left the girls helpless. Yu Yihan finally stepped in reluctantly. None of them understood why things had suddenly turned this way. She had only meant well when agreeing to Qing Luan’s request.
After rounds of comforting words from the girls, Qing Luan gradually calmed down. Still, her mood wasn’t quite right. Xiao Yufan could only shrug helplessly.
The path up the mountain was very rough, but Xiao Yufan barely felt it. After just a few steps, however, Yu Yihan and Qin Menglu began complaining bitterly. Who asked them to insist on going along for the thrill? Now they had only themselves to blame.
Although the rocks hurt her feet, Qing Luan didn’t utter a single complaint. Sweat trickled down her pretty face, yet she stubbornly kept walking forward, as if trying to vent her pent-up anger through this act.
“Brother Yufan, are you really going to let Qing Luan walk alone like that? She’s the daughter of the Qing family, after all. When has she ever endured such hardship?”
Qin Menglu felt a pang of心疼, but seeing that Xiao Yufan remained indifferent, she tried to remind him subtly. In her eyes, Xiao Yufan shouldn’t be so insensitive—he had always taken pride in being somewhat of a womanizer, so why wasn’t he making a move on such a beautiful girl now?
“Do you think she needs anything from me right now? I think she’d rather I just disappear as far away as possible. I don’t want to go near her only to be scolded off.”
“You don’t understand women. Even though she’s angry now, if you just put in a little effort to comfort her, Qing Luan will forgive you quickly. This is the perfect moment to show off your attentiveness!”
“You’re not bothered by this? You’re actually so eager to push your husband away? Should I remind you who’s in charge at home?”
Xiao Yufan had no idea what Qing Luan had done, but somehow she had managed to win over the girls, who now supported her instead. He found the situation both amusing and exasperating—their thinking had become increasingly bizarre.
“How could I not be bothered? But since you and Qing Luan clearly have feelings for each other, we can’t be the ones to separate you two!”
Smiling sweetly, Qin Menglu’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Her words sounded a bit forced, but Xiao Yufan still felt unexpectedly touched. Sometimes, the girls could be more open-minded than he was.
“Don’t talk nonsense! Am I really that kind of person?”
“Of course not! Brother Yufan is definitely not that kind of person. But when you do act like one, you’re worse than anyone!”
Grumbling, Qin Menglu rubbed the spot on her forehead where Xiao Yufan had tapped her, her lips pouting slightly.
Xiao Yufan finally gave up arguing. These girls were getting bolder and bolder, teasing him again and again. With a sudden thought, his hand reached out and landed squarely on Qin Menglu’s soft curves.
“Your cousin and Sister Tianxuan are watching…”
Qin Menglu squirmed uncomfortably, unable to withstand Xiao Yufan’s touch. Her soft moan carried a hint of intoxication, and her eyes shimmered with desire.
“Just remember this next time you try to seduce your husband. If you do it again, it won’t be this easy…”
Xiao Yufan raised his eyebrows, his smile looking particularly lecherous. If not for Qing Luan’s presence, he wouldn’t have let go so easily. Even so, Qing Luan, still somewhat distracted, caught a glimpse of what had just happened between the two.
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