Seeing her goal achieved, Qin Qingya was very happy.
She immediately broke into a smile.
“Thank you for your trust. I have truly turned over a new leaf. Don’t worry, I’ll pick you up tonight.”
“By the way, where is Ling’er? I wanted to say a few words to her. After all, we’ll all be friends from now on and should keep in touch.”
“Oh, she’s feeling a bit unwell and can’t receive visitors. She should be better by tonight.”
Zhou Xuan replied.
Qin Qingya was a little disappointed, but still said, “Alright, then it’s settled. See you tonight.”
That evening.
At the Delicious Crisp Wine House.
Qin Qingya was waiting early.
Lu Ling’er and Zhou Xuan entered the wine house together.
Just as they reached the private room door, Lu Ling’er started feeling unwell.
Seeing she wasn’t right, Zhou Xuan asked, “What’s wrong? Ling’er? If you’re not feeling well, we can go back. We don’t have to eat this meal.”
Lu Ling’er shook her head. She seemed to sense a very ill-intentioned presence.
But to avoid worrying Zhou Xuan, she chose not to say anything for the time being.
“I’m fine. Let’s go in. We shouldn’t keep Miss Qin waiting too long.”
As the two entered hand in hand, they were nearly startled by an extra person in the private room.
Zhou Xuan stood and asked, “And who is this?”
“Oh, this is another friend of mine. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Since they’re already here, how can I mind? Let’s all eat together then.”
Qin Qingya quickly said, “Allow me to introduce you. This is Xue Wenhai, young master of the Xue family.”
“Wenhai, this is Zhou Xuan and Lu Ling’er.”
“Please, have a seat.”
After Zhou Xuan and Lu Ling’er sat down.
Lu Ling’er’s face turned pale upon seeing Xue Wenhai.
For some reason, seeing this person made her tremble with fear all over.
Yet, they were strangers to each other, completely unfamiliar.
Why would she have such a reaction?
Moreover, this person’s aura was terrifying, far more powerful than the person she encountered at the Qingluan venue that day!
Could he be a cultivator?
Thinking of this, Lu Ling’er couldn’t help but swallow, her heart pounding, filled with dread.
Xue Wenhai glanced around coldly.
His gaze finally settled on Lu Ling’er.
Lu Ling’er felt as if she were being stared at by a poisonous snake, making her feel uncomfortable all over, but she forced a smile.
Seeing this, Zhou Xuan quickly held Lu Ling’er’s hand to comfort her, “It’s okay, I’m here.”
Qin Qingya also noticed Lu Ling’er’s fear of Xue Wenhai.
She then said, “Ling’er, why don’t you two chat for a bit while I ask someone to serve the dishes?”
Zhou Xuan nodded, “Alright.”
Lu Ling’er, however, kept her head down, unsure of what to do.
She felt Xue Wenhai’s gaze constantly fixed on her.
And he kept asking her questions.
She desperately wanted to escape but couldn’t find an excuse.
So, she could only endure her fear and answer him one question at a time.
Xue Wenhai, however, became more enthusiastic the more he asked, as if trying to draw out Lu Ling’er’s inner thoughts.
Zhou Xuan was very displeased. “Young Master Xue, enough is enough. She is my woman. Are you trying to bore a hole through her with your stare?”
“Shall I dig your eyes out?”
Zhou Xuan’s voice was like a frigid pool.
Only then did Xue Wenhai retract his gaze and awkwardly explain, “Miss Ling’er is too charming, that’s why I was so presumptuous. My apologies, my apologies. I’ll punish myself with three drinks!”
Zhou Xuan remained noncommittal.
Lu Ling’er finally felt a little more at ease.
“The dishes are here.”
Soon, the four of them began to eat and drink.
Zhou Xuan noticed the intimacy between Qin Qingya and Xue Wenhai during the meal.
Furthermore, Xue Wenhai gave him the feeling of a very old man.
From his way of speaking, his fondness for tea, and his habit of lecturing and advising, it felt incongruous.
It was as if he were conversing with an elder.
Taking advantage of Xue Wenhai going to the restroom.
“What is your relationship?” Zhou Xuan still probed.
Qin Qingya gritted her teeth. “I want to marry Young Master Xue, and I brought him here specifically. Zhou Xuan, Ling’er, what do you think?”
“You want to marry him?” Zhou Xuan retorted with raised eyebrows.
Qin Qingya nodded. “Yes, I want to marry him, so you must help me. As long as you help me successfully marry him, I promise to give you fifteen percent of my shares in Qin Corporation as compensation.”
Zhou Xuan chuckled. “Miss Qin, you overestimate yourself. Qin Corporation is such a colossal entity. Do you really think I can help you?”
“I believe you definitely can.” Qin Qingya said, then took out two checks from her pocket and offered them to Zhou Xuan. “I know this is impolite, but I have no other way. If you are willing to help me, all this money will be yours.”
Zhou Xuan looked at the checks in front of him, his brows furrowed slightly. He had an idea, but his expression remained impassive. “Don’t you think this is absurd?
“You are so intimate with him, and you seem to have progressed already. Why would you need my help?”
Qin Qingya curved her lips. “Take this money. As long as you can help me, I’ll agree to whatever you want. Of course, his intimacy with me doesn’t mean he will marry me. I want this man.”
Judging by her demeanor, it seemed genuine.
Zhou Xuan found it strange.
Could this man truly have some special qualities?
Qin Qingya had no idea what Zhou Xuan was thinking.
She genuinely adored Xue Wenhai’s strengths.
The more she savored them, the more she found herself addicted.
“You just need to help me make him marry me, that’s all.”
“That might be difficult,”
Zhou Xuan said.
“You are the daughter of the most prominent family in Shangjing, and he is still unmoved. It’s hard for me to say what he desires.”
“Unless he has ulterior motives regarding you, why would this person marry you? I can’t control his thoughts. You can take this money back.”
Qin Qingya frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“The Xue family is considered a prestigious clan in Jiangcheng. Although they are in decline now, they are still people of the Xue family. Why would Xue Wenhai so easily refuse your proposal? Besides, him being admired by you is his fortune. Why would you lack confidence?”
Zhou Xuan was playing the diplomat.
Qin Qingya felt he had a point.
Perhaps she was letting her emotions cloud her judgment.
“What if he genuinely doesn’t like me?”
Qin Qingya gritted her teeth. “What methods does he have? Am I going to shamelessly throw myself at him and propose?!”
“Naturally, he wouldn’t dare! But you are different! The old master of the Xue family greatly values your status. If you were to propose, I believe the old master would absolutely not refuse, after all, in his eyes, your willingness to marry is a monumental event.”
Zhou Xuan’s words did remind her.
Qin Qingya smiled. “In that case, I’ll leave this matter to you. I believe, with your charm, you will surely make that man willingly marry me very soon!”
Zhou Xuan pouted speechlessly, she really overestimated him.
“There’s no rush with this matter. First, tell me, how did you meet?”
Qin Qingya looked mysterious.
She feigned profundity. “That’s my secret!”
Lu Ling’er secretly sent a message to Zhou Xuan.
“The strange man I saw that day was Xue Wenhai.”
Zhou Xuan’s expression turned serious.