Chapter 43: The Canary’s Self-Cultivation (8)

Even if it was because Amei couldn't stand Ling Qiong's torment these past days and requested to leave herself.

But...

"She's already gone, there's no need for you anymore. Shouldn't this money be refunded?" Ling Qiong tried to convince Shen Han Deng, "Look, I helped you drive her away, so she can't harm you now, right? And you got someone you trust in exchange. You're the winner here! I can't believe you're asking me to return the money—this isn't how business is done!"

Shen Han Deng's gaze grew dangerous. "How do you know the person who came is someone I trust?"

"The corridor," Ling Qiong pointed outside. "That witch never allows even a crack, but when I came back, I saw several cracks."

Shen Han Deng: "And you think that's enough to prove he's someone I trust?"

Ling Qiong: "Even if he's not someone you trust, at least he won't harm you."

Shen Han Deng: "…" Again, you just know!

Shen Han Deng didn't dwell on it. "Are you out of money?"

Ling Qiong: "…"

Ahem, ahem…

Ling Qiong scratched her head, glanced left and right, her dark eyes spinning rapidly.

"I'm hungry. I'll go see what's for dinner." She lifted her skirt and ran.

"…"

Shen Han Deng followed her out, but didn't go downstairs—instead, he entered Ling Qiong's room.

The things she bought were piled up, still unorganized.

He opened a few bags at random, glanced over the clothes, which he didn't quite understand, but the jewelry and accessories were easy enough.

Shen Han Deng left the room and looked out into the corridor.

Strips of light fell across the hallway, alternating between brightness and shadow.

…

Dinner was rather lavish, and unlike before, Shen Han Deng ate quite a lot.

Though not as much as the midnight snack, it was a vast improvement over what the witch had prepared.

Clearly, Kelly was more trusted by Shen Han Deng.

"Miss Ye, would you like more to drink?" Kelly, attentive as ever, noticed Ling Qiong's glass was nearly empty and immediately came to ask.

Before Ling Qiong could answer, Shen Han Deng spoke, "Don't give her any."

Ling Qiong: "???"

What on earth is your problem?

What wires are crossed in your head?

"You'll get fat," Shen Han Deng said coolly, eyes lowered. "Ugly."

Kelly obviously took his cue. As soon as he spoke, Kelly took away the drink.

Ling Qiong reached out but missed, furious enough to slap the table. "Shen Han Deng!"

He ignored her and continued eating at a leisurely pace.

Ling Qiong's eyes darted around, then she suddenly stood, trying to grab the glass near his hand.

Shen Han Deng raised his hand to hold it down.

One held the bottom, one the top, both pulling the glass toward themselves in silent contest.

Shen Han Deng met Ling Qiong's gaze and saw a flash of cunning in her eyes. Instinctively, he was about to let go, but Ling Qiong was quicker.

She released her side, so the glass was yanked back, but the force caused much of the drink to spill.

Ling Qiong gave him a sweet smile, put down her utensils, and ran straight upstairs.

Madman!

I'm not serving you anymore!

---

Shen Han Deng's face was dark, his hands and sleeves sticky with spilled drink.

Crash—

He swept everything off the table, a storm of low pressure swirling about him, as if he might explode at any moment.

Kelly stood at a distance, "Young Master…"

Shen Han Deng stood among the chaos, chest heaving, then slowly calmed, took some napkins to wipe his hands, balled them up, tossed them to the floor, and headed upstairs.

Kelly: "…"

Just a glass of juice—how did it come to this?

Thinking about it, maybe it wasn't that dramatic after all… Impossible to understand.

…

Ling Qiong wasn't really angry, just thought Shen Han Deng was a bit unwell.

But he was her child, after all, so she had to take care of him.

Pretty things with a little temperament—she could tolerate it.

Ling Qiong went back to her room, took time to look at her card collection.

The 10:00 card had changed.

Shen Han Deng sat at the dining table, resting his chin on one hand, holding a fork with a faint silvery sheen in the other, absentmindedly spearing food.

Dim light, handsome man, vintage architecture.

The scene resembled an ancient, noble vampire living in a castle.

Ling Qiong couldn't help but… No!

She could restrain herself!

She could do it!

She must not get addicted to games!

She must be a positive, upward-bound successor!

[… ] No money is no money, what's the point of saying so much.

…

Shen Han Deng forbade Ling Qiong from leaving the house, and with no money, she had no desire to go out. She spent every day idling in the villa.

Shen Han Deng still rarely left his room.

Ling Qiong hadn't seen him use a phone before, but since Kelly arrived, she'd spotted it a few times.

But mostly, he slept or stared into space.

The one constant was every night, without fail, he would wake Ling Qiong and make her prepare a midnight snack.

Ling Qiong: "…" Midnight snack my foot!

She blocked the door tight—surely he couldn't get in now.

Shen Han Deng couldn't enter, but—

How much of a scoundrel was he?

He refused to let Kelly prepare dinner, even left the kitchen bare of ingredients, which only appeared at midnight.

Scoundrel? Shameless?

What kind of lunatic is this?

Ling Qiong had to restrain herself from breading Shen Han Deng and tossing him in a deep fryer.

And he expects her to spend money on him?

---

Hah!

Not a chance!

…

One day at lunch, Shen Han Deng finished his portion and sat opposite, slowly wiping his hands.

"Do you want to go out?"

"If I want to go out, I'll go out," Ling Qiong shot him a glance.

She'd been out plenty of times; how could that stop her?

"…" Shen Han Deng tossed his napkin aside. "Come out with me tomorrow."

"Why?"

He tapped his fingers on the table. "Because I paid."

Ling Qiong, the golden canary: "…"

…

The next morning.

Ling Qiong awoke to find a white dress laid out outside her room. The style was quite nice.

She recalled Shen Han Deng saying she should go out with him, so she changed and went downstairs.

Shen Han Deng was in the living room.

The man who usually floated around in white pajamas was now dressed to perfection, making his already striking looks even more dazzling.

Ling Qiong admired him quietly, the corners of her mouth lifting, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Shen Han Deng looked up at her and frowned, "Why are you dressed like that?"

Ling Qiong was wearing a scarlet dress instead of the white one.

She shrugged, "I didn't like that one."

Shen Han Deng: "You didn't like it?"

Ling Qiong: "Mm."

He studied her for a moment, expression unreadable, then said nothing. "Get in the car."

"I haven't had breakfast yet."

He paid no attention, heading straight out the door.

Ling Qiong clicked her tongue. If he weren't so handsome, maybe she'd tolerate—oh, forget it!

She refused to follow him, heading to the dining room herself.

Because she was the player!

Kelly: "…"

"Miss Ye, the young master is waiting for you," Kelly reminded her.

Ling Qiong, chewing her spoon, tilted her head. "How can I serve him if I don't eat my fill at breakfast?"

Kelly: "…"

He was about to speak, but caught sight of someone re-entering, and bowed slightly, "Young Master."

Ling Qiong felt an oppressive presence; she turned, and found herself face-to-face with the man's magnified handsome features, their noses nearly touching.

She still had the spoon in her mouth. She blinked and leaned back a little.

*

Happy Children's Day~