Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Let’s Go on a Date

Qin Shu’s appearance was flamboyant, but her office was surprisingly understated. Its black-and-white color scheme felt mature and stable.

She sat before a wide desk in a long black dress, propping her chin on one hand as she apathetically reviewed documents.

Hearing the door open, Qin Shu looked up.

When she saw the girl clearly, a smile graced her red lips, and she rose to walk toward Jiang Qingli.

"Qingli, long time no see." Qin Shu walked right over and hugged the girl, her tone lilting. "Have you missed me?"

Perhaps because of her superior royal genes, Qin Shu was taller than the average female.

As they embraced, Jiang Qingli felt her collarbone press against something soft. Heat crept up the back of her ears as she said softly, "I have."

Qin Shu, very satisfied with her answer, smiled and pinched her cheek before pulling her down onto the sofa.

There was fruit tea on the coffee table. Qin Shu had just reached out to hand a cup to Jiang Qingli when the younger woman picked it up first.

Qin Shu hummed in confusion. "Am I so weak in your eyes that I can’t even lift a cup?"

"I was worried your arm hadn’t fully recovered." Jiang Qingli still remembered the gruesome wound she had seen at the hospital, and her eyes filled with concern. "You were just discharged."

Qin Shu blinked in surprise, then let out a laugh.

"It was just a minor injury from a mission." Qin Shu waved her hand dismissively. "We females don’t get weaker just because of a severed arm. Besides, it’s been reattached."

After speaking, she leaned back against the sofa and frowned in frustration. "However... the favor I need to ask is related to this."

Qin Shu was warm and very caring, and had previously taught her a great deal about spiritual power.

Even though the world said it was all because of Jiang Youchen, Jiang Qingli couldn’t bring herself to refuse Qin Shu’s request.

Jiang Qingli’s expression turned serious. "Sister Shu, just tell me. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do everything I can to help."

"Don’t look like you’re heading off to war." Seeing her so serious, Qin Shu laughed again. "I’m the one going to the battlefield."

Taking a sip of her fruit tea, Qin Shu began her explanation. "According to the security system’s forecast, a Mutant Beast tide is about to erupt on the outskirts of the Twelve Cities. I’ve been dispatched by His Majesty to leave for the Lower District in ten days and assist them in fending it off. The mission will take two months, minimum."

"Normally, I’m not that involved in the association’s day-to-day affairs, so my absence wouldn’t matter much. But for this year’s Moon Festival, the Melt Star Association and the Student Council are jointly hosting the festival celebration..."

The topic suddenly jumped from the beast tide to the festival.

The worry Jiang Qingli was feeling for Qin Shu hadn’t even faded when Qin Shu gripped her hand. "So... Qingli, I want to ask you to serve as the acting president while I’m away."

’Oh, so it’s an acting role... Wait, acting president?!’

Jiang Qingli’s eyes widened, and she pointed a finger at herself. "Acting president? Me?"

"Yes, you." Qin Shu nodded, her gaze intense.

"But I haven’t joined the Melt Star Association..."

"Who says the acting president has to be a member?" Qin Shu raised an eyebrow. "I’m the president. If I say you can do it, who would dare to object?"

That may be so, but Jiang Qingli was hesitant.

’She had no idea what a president was even supposed to do!’

’But she had just confidently promised Qin Shu that she’d help with anything she could...’

As if reading her mind, Qin Shu patted her shoulder. "Don’t worry. Qiao Lan and the vice president, Tang Ran, will help you. You won’t have to do much—just communicate with the Student Council in meetings and sign documents on my behalf."

It sounded like her role was basically that of a mascot.

Jiang Qingli breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Okay!"

The two chatted about other things and got along splendidly.

As it was getting late, Qin Shu walked Jiang Qingli to the door.

Just as the door opened a crack, Qin Shu suddenly asked, "Oh, right. I’ll be working with your brother this time. Is there anything you want me to give him or tell him?"

Jiang Qingli’s fingers tightened, but her tone remained normal. "Thank you for offering, but no."

Qin Muye, waiting outside, could no longer contain himself. "Enough with the reunion. She has plans."

The silver-haired young man was so antsy he looked like he wanted to squeeze through the crack in the door.

Qin Shu asked, "What plans?"

Qin Muye replied, "I’m taking her for a drive by the sea."

Jiang Qingli had been very interested after driving a sports car last time, so Qin Muye had his favorite car repainted in a color she would like.

Today was his turn, so of course he had to make a good impression.

That stretch of coast was the Shen Family’s private sea.

He had already cleared everyone else out. He was thinking that after they had their fill of the sea breeze on the coastal highway, they could do... something else... out in the open by the shore.

Catching Qin Muye’s predatory gaze, Qin Shu scoffed, "Don’t you go corrupting the poor girl."

Qin Muye wanted to snap back at her, but with Jiang Qingli still there, he just gave an impatient grunt and left, pulling his female master away by the hand.

Not long after they left, Qiao Lan knocked on the office door.

Standing before the desk, Qiao Lan frowned. "President, are you sure about making Jiang Qingli the acting president? She rejected your invitation last time..."

"I like her a lot." Qin Shu folded her hands, her posture utterly commanding as she leaned back in her chair. "Besides, she’s going to be the next president sooner or later. It’s not a bad idea to let her get a taste of it now."

Qiao Lan pursed her lips. "I can accept it, but I’m not sure the others will."

"Never mind all her past simping that brought shame to all females, she also used to chase after Yuan Shiyao from the Student Council. What if the Student Council sends Yuan Shiyao to turn her against us..."

Clearly, Qiao Lan saw Jiang Qingli as a lecherous female who couldn’t resist a handsome face.

Qin Shu was completely unconcerned. "It’s fine. Yuan Shiyao is a friend at best. My dense little brother is her Beast Husband, and he’s the one she’s doting on right now."

Qiao Lan pursed her lips. "But..."

Qin Shu said, "Qiao Lan, you were in the Second District before, so you’ve never seen the footage of her entrance exam from a few years ago. The potential she displayed made even me envious. Back then, the military academy and the regular academy nearly came to blows over her."

"I used to think she was a lost cause, too. But after interacting with her recently, I’ve realized she’s still the same as she always was."

"She’s like a diamond. Even if she’s been neglected for a few years, she won’t lose her brilliance."

Seeing Qiao Lan’s bewildered expression, Qin Shu just smiled. "Don’t worry. You’ll understand soon enough." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

-

「The Jiang Family’s Living Room.」

Gu Nian sat on the sofa, knitting with a ball of yarn.

Even though it was still early summer, he knew she would need a scarf when winter came. If he knitted two now, he could be the first to give them to his sister.

As he knitted, the young man’s gaze kept drifting toward the door, his lips pressed into a tight line.

’Logically, his sister didn’t have classes this afternoon. She should have been back long ago.’

’But she and Qin Muye still weren’t back...’

’They couldn’t possibly be out there... doing...’

His mind filled with romantic fantasies, but the fact that he wasn’t the leading man in them made him anxious. His knitting speed increased, his fingers moving so fast they were nearly a blur.

Just then, Yuan Shimo drifted into his line of sight, holding a teacup.

Gu Nian glanced at him and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

’That sickly cat. He’s pretending not to care, but he’s been down here several times this afternoon, using that teacup as a flimsy excuse to get more tea.’

’If you like reading so much, go back to your room and read. Stay cooped up all day like you usually do. Stop blocking my view.’

’I have to make sure I’m the first person Sister sees when she walks through that door!’

Just as he was thinking this, the door suddenly opened.

The girl’s slender figure appeared in his line of sight.

"Sister!"

Gu Nian rushed over, only realizing when he got close that she looked a little tired.

He took Jiang Qingli’s hand, looking her up and down with a worried expression. "Sister, you look so tired... Did something happen?"

As he spoke, he shot a questioning glare at Qin Muye.

Strangely, Qin Muye, who usually started shouting the moment he saw him, was completely silent.

His face was a mask of pure frustration.

Jiang Qingli smiled and patted the rabbit’s hand. "It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. I’m going to go take a bath."

Qin Muye trailed after her silently, letting out a heavy sigh.

They were supposed to do something... heated. But right after their race, the heavens opened up in a downpour.

Even with the pulse rain-deflector, doing anything out in the open was out of the question. They had no choice but to head home...

The plan had failed, and Qin Muye was crushed.

That evening, he didn’t dare to push things too far, contenting himself with just kissing her until he’d had his fill.

「Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye.」

First thing in the morning, Qin Muye’s eyes snapped open.

After washing up, Qin Muye dove headfirst into his walk-in closet.

The Prince opened a wardrobe; the entire room was filled with his clothes.

He grabbed a few casual outfits, held them up to the mirror, and tossed them aside in dissatisfaction. He picked up another, was still unsatisfied, tossed it aside, and looked for something else...

Just as he was agonizing over his choices, there was a knock on the door.

Qin Muye took a deep breath, went to open the door, and was met with the girl’s bright, clear eyes.

The tips of his ears grew warm. "What is it?" Qin Muye asked, a little self-consciously.

’Such a silly puppy, always playing dumb.’

’But as his generous master, Jiang Qingli wouldn’t hold it against him.’

She took Qin Muye’s hand, her eyes curving into crescents as she extended an invitation:

"Qin Muye, let’s go on a date."