Chapter 62: The Canary’s Self-Cultivation (27)

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Recently, Shen Handeng had become more active, so outwardly, people still greeted him. Ling Qiong, walking by his side, naturally drew attention as well. However, since no one knew her background, they dared not discuss her—at least not openly.

After Ling Qiong had accompanied Shen Handeng to meet a third person, she caught sight of Zhou Jing entering with some people. Zhou Jing began conversing with others right away and did not notice Ling Qiong.

Shen Handeng suddenly leaned toward Ling Qiong’s ear and asked in a low voice, “Want to watch something interesting?”

“What kind of show?” Ling Qiong’s previous indifference was replaced by a spark of gossip, her clear eyes brightening.

Shen Handeng gestured for her to watch.

Zhou Jing was making the rounds, speaking with various people—nothing particularly noteworthy. Just as Ling Qiong was about to look away, someone blocked Zhou Jing’s path.

Ling Qiong recognized the man who stopped her and was a little surprised. “Isn’t that her lover? What’s he doing here?”

With Pan Xiuliang’s status, he shouldn’t have been able to enter a place like this.

Ling Qiong’s gaze shifted slightly, and she turned to Shen Handeng. “Did you arrange this?”

Shen Handeng took a sip of red wine and responded coolly, “Mhm.”

Over there, Pan Xiuliang seemed to say something to Zhou Jing. Suddenly, his emotions became agitated. Zhou Jing was clearly trying to get him to talk elsewhere, but Pan Xiuliang, unstable and resistant, only made a bigger scene.

“Zhou Jing, I’m telling you, don’t go too far. Every rotten thing you’ve done, I’ve kept a record. Just you wait!”

With that, Pan Xiuliang flung off Zhou Jing’s hand and stormed out.

The onlookers were left confused, but those final words gave everyone something to ponder.

Curious, Ling Qiong poked Shen Handeng. “What did you do to Pan Xiuliang?” He’d suddenly become so irritable—it looked as if he’d had a falling out with Zhou Jing.

Shen Handeng frowned and pressed her wandering hand into his palm. “There are interests entangled between Pan Xiuliang and Zhou Jing. Driving a wedge between them isn’t difficult.”

Last time, after Zhou Jing caught Pan Xiuliang cheating, Shen Handeng just needed to manipulate things a little so Pan Xiuliang would believe Zhou Jing was targeting him. Zhou Jing’s denial didn’t matter; with what had already happened, Pan Xiuliang would fill in the blanks himself. The more Zhou Jing denied it, the more extreme Pan Xiuliang’s reactions would become. As long as Shen Handeng kept a close eye on Pan Xiuliang, denying Zhou Jing any chance to explain, eventually…

It might not have a huge impact, but it would certainly distract Zhou Jing considerably.

Ling Qiong gave her companion a thumbs-up with her other hand.

Give him a lever, and he could move the world.

Shen Handeng pressed her hand down. “Let’s go.”

“Huh? We’re leaving already?”

“It’s boring.”

“Then shall we go do something fun?”

Shen Handeng could guess what Ling Qiong meant by “fun,” but he didn’t refuse.

At this hour, the big malls were still open.

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Shen Handeng accompanied Ling Qiong to look at jewelry. The young lady’s ten fingers were loaded like a nouveau riche, adorned with rings on every one.

“Are you really this happy?”

“Of course! Buying things I like makes me happy,” Ling Qiong said, holding her hands out to him. “Do they look good?”

Shen Handeng nodded perfunctorily. “Mhm.”

Ling Qiong’s eyes lit up with stars as she called out sweetly, “Young Master…”

Shen Handeng: “…Damn.”

…

He handed his card to the waiting sales assistant with an air of extravagance. “Wrap up everything she likes.”

Ling Qiong, moved, declared, “Young Master, you truly are a good person.”

Shen Handeng: “…So I’m just a good person, am I?”

After jewelry, Ling Qiong wanted to buy clothes. Normally, Shen Handeng found such things tedious, but watching Ling Qiong try on outfits didn’t bore him at all. Especially when she emerged from the fitting room and came straight to him, asking if it looked good.

It was as if something had begun to bloom in his heart…

Carrying the shopping bags, Shen Handeng led Ling Qiong downstairs. “You buy all these things, but I never see you use them. What’s the point?”

“They’re beautiful.”

“Just because they’re beautiful?”

“Of course. Don’t you want to own beautiful things? When I’m bored, just looking at them makes me happy. It’s the same with you, hee hee…”

Shen Handeng: “…Is this a collector’s obsession? And a high-end one at that! Ordinary folks could never afford you.”

…

When they left the mall, a gentle drizzle had started outside.

Shen Handeng told Kelly to bring the car around.

Ling Qiong, wearing an off-shoulder dress, shivered as the fine rain, carried by the wind, touched her skin.

Shen Handeng took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

The oversized coat swallowed her up, making her look like a child wearing an adult’s clothes.

Ling Qiong didn’t stand on ceremony. She wrapped herself in the coat and snuggled closer to Shen Handeng.

“Young Master, I…”

Before she could finish, a beam of light suddenly blazed toward them, so bright Ling Qiong had to shut her eyes. This was followed by the screech of brakes.

Before Ling Qiong could react, someone yanked her off her feet and shoved her into a car.

A black cloth came down, cutting off all vision.

Ling Qiong: “??”

What kind of scene was this?

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How exciting!

Ling Qiong couldn’t see, so she relied on her other senses. Shen Handeng was no longer near her; it seemed there was more than one car, so they probably weren’t together.

Little one, you’ll have to fend for yourself this time. Daddy’s in trouble too.

She was held down by someone, no one spoke, and the car sped along, its destination unknown.

Her mouth still free, Ling Qiong asked curiously through the black cloth, “Where are you taking me?”

“Shut up!” someone barked.

Ling Qiong asked meekly, “You’re not going to hurt me, are you?”

“Shut up! Didn’t you hear me? Say another word and I’ll cut out your tongue!”

So, for now, they didn’t intend to harm her.

With that realization, Ling Qiong relaxed a little.

“…Alright, but can you make some space for me to sleep?” she asked quietly.

No one answered, but after a while, she heard movement. Someone seemed to shift forward, making room in the back.

Ling Qiong lay down at once. “Wake me when we get there.”

Best to rest up and see which rich fool had the guts to try this.

It was a seven-seater. Besides Ling Qiong, there were three others: a driver and two men in the front. Both turned around to look at the girl who had already lain down and was preparing to sleep.

They exchanged glances.

Confident in their control, they found Ling Qiong’s composure odd, but she was just a little girl—what trouble could she cause?

…

“Wake up!”

“Damn, she actually fell asleep?” The two kidnappers stood by the car door, utterly speechless.

She’d been kidnapped! How could she sleep through something like this?

———Mini Theater———

Shen Handeng: “If you behave, I’ll give you anything you want.”

Ling Qiong: “Really?”

“Mhm.”

“I want you, Young Master.”

“…Fine.”

Fairy Girl: “I want tickets.”