Chapter 26: "She Will Regret It"

Sensing the disdain in the other’s attitude, Qin Yichi’s smile vanished instantly from his lips.

His voice grew ruthless and cold, laced with a heavy warning:

“Yu Wenjian, are you itching for trouble?!”

Inside the KTV private room, the phone was on speaker, and Qin Yichi’s voice rang in everyone’s ears with overwhelming pressure.

The group stood frozen.

Especially Yu Wenjian, whose face turned pale with fear. Remembering the feeling of being pinned to the ground and beaten, he stammered, unable to utter a word.

How could it be Qin Yichi?

Why was Qin Yichi answering Qiao Zhen’s call?

Ji Xian’s expression was icy. He snatched the phone, his voice sharp as frost:

“Give the phone to Qiao Zhen.”

For a brief two seconds, silent tension filled the air, as if a new storm was about to erupt.

The man on the other end seemed not to hear clearly and let out a soft laugh, “Oh? What did you say?”

Ji Xian repeated, face dark, enunciating each word: “Give the phone to Qiao Zhen!”

But the next moment, Qin Yichi decisively hung up.

“Beep—”

Inside the room, no one dared breathe. Heads bowed in silence.

Ji Xian’s face hardened; he slammed the phone onto Yu Wenjian, his gaze chillingly indifferent.

Qiao Zhen blocked him, then turned around and got so close to another man?

Fine, very fine.

Yu Wenjian clutched the phone, mind racing, “From how noisy it sounded, they must be outside. Should I go find out what they’re up to?”

Ji Xian, face twisted with anger, squeezed out a single word between his teeth, “Go.”

Five minutes later.

Yu Wenjian exclaimed in surprise, “Damn, I found out! They’re at the newly built amusement park, not alone—there’s a bunch of people with them.”

Noticing Ji Xian’s mood had plummeted, Yu Wenjian’s eyes darted and he quickly added:

“I think Qiao Zhen’s doing it on purpose, pretending she doesn’t care. Besides, tomorrow is your real birthday—she’ll definitely lose her composure and come deliver a gift.”

She’s already finished knitting a scarf, why would she hide it?

Ji Xian lowered his gaze, eyelids trembling, a sudden anxiety rising inside as if he’d lost something precious.

No, why was he worried?

The beloved need never fear.

Qiao Zhen was inexplicably angry with him, deliberately playing games with her childhood friend to test him?

Ji Xian regained his composure, expressionless, his voice certain: “She’ll regret it.”

Everyone laughed and drank, resuming their singing, echoing, “Haha, for sure! She’ll regret it so much her guts will turn green!”

Yu Wenjian slipped away to the restroom, scoffing silently in his heart.

He knew all too well—Ji Xian’s actions would only push Qiao Zhen further away.

That icy man, relying on his impressive family background, always wore a cold face—who was he trying to impress?

He admitted Ji Xian was capable in every way, clever in everything, but in matters of the heart, he was utterly foolish.

As if suffering from some emotional disorder or twisted psychology—he needed others to chase after him, coddle him, coax him.

Wasn’t that just pathetic?

Yu Wenjian sneered, opened his phone, and scrolled through his private photo album.

There were pictures of the girl sleeping on her side, studying, running laps, drinking water…

And one from the high school sports meet: Qiao Zhen in a personalized class shirt and a pleated skirt.

Taken from a sly angle, the photo captured beneath her skirt. Though she wore white shorts underneath, the smooth pale skin of her thighs was visible, as if a touch would leave a mark, stirring wild thoughts.

Yu Wenjian swallowed, eyes filled with deep infatuation.

…

Qiao Zhen finished washing her hands and returned to Qin Yichi’s side.

Suddenly, he gently raised her hand and tied a pretty balloon string around her wrist.

A perfect bow was tied tenderly around her fair wrist.

Qin Yichi pointed to a few kids playing with balloons nearby, half-joking, “Look, all the little ones play this way.”

Qiao Zhen blinked in surprise, softly objecting, “But I’m not a child anymore…”

Childish!

She shook her wrist; the balloon bobbed with her movements, the shiny bits inside scattering light.

Qiao Zhen gradually surrendered.

Fine.

It was…actually quite fun.

Qin Yichi glanced at her, voice casual, “By the way, Ji Xian and the others called you just now.”

Qiao Zhen looked up calmly.

She didn’t know what they wanted, but it couldn’t be anything good.

Besides, she didn’t want any lingering ties.

Qiao Zhen quietly took the phone, unhesitatingly blocked the number, then looked up and continued playing with the balloon.

No hint of emotion crossed her face.

Watching her reactions, Qin Yichi couldn’t help but smile, “Let’s go, time to head back.”

As they got out of the car, the sky was darkening.

The sunset’s afterglow bathed the clouds, painting them like blazing flames—autumn’s beauty was endless.

There was still some distance to walk to the school.

Qiao Zhen’s right ankle was sprained; even with Qin Yichi supporting her, she was tired and a bit sore.

She’d twisted it recently, and Niu Yifeng had kicked her so hard—ugh…

But she endured, thinking: almost there, school was just ahead.

“Qiao Zhen,” a deep, magnetic voice sounded softly beside her, “let me carry you.”

Qin Yichi looked at her directly, his eyes shining like obsidian.

He wasn’t joking—his face was all seriousness.

Qiao Zhen instinctively shook her head, “No need, we’ll be there in ten minutes.”

But Qin Yichi suddenly crouched in front of her, a bit like a sulky child refusing to leave without a toy.

Qiao Zhen couldn’t help but smile, leaned down and poked his forehead, her voice gentle, “Come on, let’s go.”

Qin Yichi remained crouched, looked up at her, voice blunt, “Then let me carry you.”

There was even a hint of pride in his tone.

Qiao Zhen paused, startled.

Was it just her imagination?

Qin Yichi seemed to remember something, his brows arching slightly, “You used to ride on my back every day. Or…would you prefer a princess carry?”

…A princess carry?

Qiao Zhen recalled that stretch after leaving the haunted house; her ears grew hot, her legs weak.

In the end, she surrendered, resigned, “…Better just carry me.”

After all, she’d ridden his back daily before—Qin Yichi had always been her exclusive mount, so why be embarrassed now?

Once she made up her mind, Qiao Zhen took a deep breath, climbed onto his back, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Pressed close.

Qin Yichi stiffened, stood up, weighing her, “You’re so light.”

Far too light.

He’d have to feed her more in the future.

His voice was low and husky, tinged with an inexplicable tenderness.

Through their thin layers of clothing, Qiao Zhen could feel the heat radiating from him, seeping into every inch of her skin.

It was scorching, truly scorching.

Qiao Zhen’s heart was seared as well.

The air around them seemed to change, their breaths intertwining, inseparable.

With every step, they drew closer, as if countless feathers brushed against her, leaving her tingling and restless.

Help…

Qiao Zhen pressed against his broad, solid back, dazed, unable to resist whispering by his ear:

“You’re so hard.”

Qin Yichi abruptly stopped, questioning, almost doubting he’d heard right, “What did you say?”