Chapter 21 Traditional Chinese Medicine, Are You Ineffective?
That day, in the dark corridor, Youzhen was dragged away by Jinyu. A series of overlapping figures blocked their path.
Qin Lingchuan watched her walk away, as if something had been uprooted, stained with blood and flesh.
His relationship with her began several years ago.
Aunt Xia is a director of the welfare home, and he knows that she came here to pay off her debts.
Back when Zhou Qingyue was down on his luck, somehow his son managed to rise to a high position and become a member of the elite.
This woman, born into wealth and privilege, not only shared her family's secret recipe to help the Zhou family rise again, but also gave away a significant portion of her dowry.
Unexpectedly, that poor boy rose to prominence overnight and took a liking to the younger Fan Jia. Fan Jia and the Xia family head were childhood sweethearts and together they snatched the young lady's secret recipe.
He watched his mother jump off the building and clearly remembers how he was 'exiled' overseas.
After he grew up, he went to work as a volunteer at an orphanage and that's when he met her again, so innocent and carefree.
If the older sister was truly unwell, her younger sister, Youzhen, would often substitute for her at school so she could complete her studies. Since the two sisters looked so alike, it was difficult for teachers and students to tell them apart.
The only thing that stood out was that mole. Youzhen would always get up early to cover it up with heavy concealer or put on a band-aid, carefully concealing even the slightest difference.
There are eight girls in the class, and they all get along very well. They are arranged in order of age. If she is really the seventh, everyone affectionately calls her "Little Seven".
Even though Youzhen is called that more often.
Qin Lingchuan had seen her from afar a few times back then. She loved participating in all the activities.
Horse riding, boxing, music club, Model United Nations, insect club—I don't know how she manages to schedule all that time.
He later learned how much she longed for life in the sunlight after being locked up in the dark room for so long.
This was a scheme that Zhou Yuanli had laid out long ago.
It was a great pity that the ownership of the secret recipe did not fall into Fan Jia's name and did not become part of the Zhou family back then.
Before long, Xia and Fan Jia drifted further and further apart, which is why the Zhou family resorted to this desperate measure: sending Zhou Yuan to London to find Xia Ruozhen.
Firstly, it was for the purpose of a marriage alliance; secondly, it was also to monitor the eldest grandson of the Zhou family.
For many years, Qin Lingchuan never appeared under their noses until he was admitted to a prestigious university and his name was seen on the admission list.
For Zhou Yuanli, things didn't seem to be going as smoothly as he had imagined. Xia Ruozhen was a sickly person and seemed incapable of taking on any responsibility, so he came up with the idea of 'deceiving the real thing'.
He found Xia Youzhen at the welfare home and quickly made her dependent on him.
After that, they took Youzhen out and began to mold her from head to toe to resemble Xia Ruozhen. If she did anything wrong, she would be locked in a small dark room.
During the day, Youzhen goes to school in place of her older sister; at night, only Zhou Yuanli calls her "Xiao Jiu".
That extra spot, the ninth female student who didn't originally belong to her, became a special bond between her and Zhou Yuanli.
It's funny, even though they are twin daughters, the Xia family just prefers the older sister who was born first.
It was Aunt Xia who couldn't bear to see her suffer, so she took her into her orphanage.
In terms of identity, Youzhen is not a daughter of the Xia family at all, and naturally has no right to inherit the Xia family's business.
It wasn't until she returned to China at the age of twenty-two that Youzhen met her older sister, who looked remarkably like her.
Zhou Yuanli dared not go too far, nor did she dare to let the two sisters stay together for too long.
That's why they opened a guesthouse in a small town hidden in the mountains as a cover, secretly adjusting the recipe.
Until—Qin Lingchuan appeared before them.
Qin Lingchuan pulled himself out of his thoughts and returned to the courtyard. The courtyard was still the same, but the old friends were nowhere to be seen.
The necklace still lay on the desk, as if it had never been touched.
He picked up one end, still clutching it tightly with resentment.
Tomorrow, Youzhen is going back to the Xia family home for a birthday banquet. Perhaps, this is their last chance.
Qin Lingchuan picked up his pen and poured out his deepest feelings on the paper. Then, he carefully folded the pen and put the necklace into his pocket.
The Xia family's manor is nestled amidst verdant hills and clear waters. The winding mountain road leads upwards, and beneath the shade of sycamore trees, the first thing you see is a fountain.
A Greek-style goddess statue holds a ceramic pot, from which spring water pours down, splashing like shattered jade in a circular marble pool.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting dappled patterns of light onto the hydrangea leaves.
Qin Lingchuan was, of course, not invited; he was an uninvited guest. To avoid causing unnecessary trouble and to prevent Youzhen from getting even angrier, he did not intend to show up.
I spotted her from afar.
She wore a light blue cheongsam with a white plum blossom on the lapel, and she even had her hair permed, making her look bright and beautiful.
A wide-brimmed hat covered the left half of her face, adding a touch of mystery, like a woman holding a pipa.
Qin Lingchuan handed the folded letter and necklace to Tao Bei, then stood on the hillside watching from a distance, instructing Tao Bei to give them to 'Youzhen'.
Looking into the distance, 'Youzhen' didn't seem unhappy at all. She put away her joy and continued chatting with the other guests with grace and poise.
Qin Lingchuan felt a little relieved, but then a voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"Brother Qin, why aren't you going down?"
Qin Lingchuan turned around and saw Boss Li looking at him mysteriously.
With his hands casually in his pockets, Qin Lingchuan gazed at the clouds on the horizon, his voice devoid of enthusiasm: "Boss Li isn't going to ask me to hand over all of the Xia family's assets today, is he?"
Boss Li chuckled twice: "What do you take me for? Today is the eldest daughter of the Xia family's birthday. I have to make sure she gets through this year."
Qin Lingchuan glared at him unfriendly. Boss Li immediately explained his purpose; he had come to act as a matchmaker: "Don't worry, this time it's not my daughter, but the Xia family's daughter."
Upon hearing that it wasn't Miss Li, Qin Lingchuan managed to maintain a polite demeanor and inquire, "How has Xiaotan been lately?"
Old Master Qin changed his mood and waved his hand: "Sigh... Don't mention her, it gives me a headache. I can't control her anymore. I thought I had you as my son-in-law to discipline her, but now it seems I'd better not drag you down."
Qin Lingchuan was confused and didn't delve into it; he was more concerned about the character 'Xia'.
That's fine, let's get engaged right away. We can explain his situation later when there's a chance. Let's keep him here for now.
Boss Li put his arm around Qin Lingchuan's shoulder, but Qin Lingchuan brushed it aside without saying a word: "The Xia family is willing. Besides, once you're married, won't all of the Xia family's assets be yours?"
Qin Lingchuan countered, "Then when will we all get together and finalize this matter?"
Looking at the pale blue cheongsam under the wide-brimmed hat in the garden below the hillside, Boss Li pondered and said, "The Xia family's idea is that there's no rush. Let's first ask some relatives and friends about this matter, and then send out invitations. What do you think?"
Qin Lingchuan didn't want to be too direct, fearing that Youzhen would resist too much.
He had previously learned that the Xia family intended to arrange a marriage.
The Zhou family also strongly supported this arrangement. The marriage of the two Xia sisters to the two Zhou brothers was indeed a beautiful story.
It's a marriage alliance anyway, and the Zhou family just wants the Xia family's support; they won't compete with him for Youzhen.
Moreover, since Youzhen has no right to inherit, the Xia family should not care about marrying their youngest daughter to the eldest grandson of the Zhou family.
After watching the two walk away, Youzhen emerged from the grove.
Although they share the same birthday, she was not worthy of celebrating her birthday on the same day as her sister.
She wore a simple white dress and a sun hat, looking more like an outsider than Qin Lingchuan.
My sister came back two days ago.
She looked much better, and the two sisters chatted until late at night.
Speaking of which, she met a new male model in London. She even invited him to shoot a promotional video for her products; I wonder if he arrived early.
It seems this refers to Qin Lingchuan.
If he really took out his phone, he could show Youzhen the video that the 'male model' had sent.
Qin Lingchuan wore a white shirt, with a black vest that cinched around his figure. His legs were slightly apart, and a silver chain of a pocket watch peeked out from his left pocket. The movement of his shoulder blades, along with his slumped waist, created a silhouette that was both forbidden and alluring.
This side of Qin Lingchuan was never shown to her.
It wasn't until today, when she saw Qin Lingchuan send the so-called 'necklace for his daughter-in-law' to her sister through someone, that she realized the object of his affections was Ruozhen.
Youzhen was mentally prepared for this. Ever since she was disciplined by her senior, she had been prepared to adjust to the fact that she could not make decisions about her marriage.
However, she thought that the person she was to marry would be Zhou Yuanli.
The Xia family's manor was much larger than the Zhou family's old residence. She felt it was even larger than the orphanage and high school combined.
On the day of the engagement banquet, Xia Youzhen sat in front of the dressing mirror in the hotel room, her eyes flashing with a striking, almost murderous glint.
The floor-to-ceiling windows are bright and airy, offering an excellent view of a pond and woods at the foot of the mountain. Back in the small town, her window only revealed the stone path and courtyard walls.
This brand of hotel originally belonged to the Xia family, but she knew it would soon become Qin Lingchuan's. The room was white—white walls, white sheets, white duvet covers—no other colors, as cold and sterile as a hospital ward.
The older sister didn't like him and had no interest in marriage, but she had to marry for the sake of the family's interests, so she had no choice but to let her younger sister take her place in the marriage.
Today was just an engagement, and she wore a pale yellow cheongsam with a novel design. The openwork knitwear accentuated her slender figure, and only a few bright red embellishments added a touch of festivity.
The groom hadn't arrived yet, and she was drinking by herself. She wasn't much of a drinker, nor did she know how to appreciate fine wine.
Zhou Yuanli taught her when they were both sixteen years old, and they were learning to act like adults.
Zhou Yuanli was already very adept at social interactions, but she only dabbled in them.
This time, she had somehow drunk a bit too much, and a horrifying smile crept onto her lips. She cupped her face in the mirror, and the eerie blue light reflected off the curtains swaying in the wind, creating a rather chilling effect.
She was horrified by this absurd engagement. She had once thought that she and Qin Lingchuan were lovers who understood each other perfectly, and she looked forward to marrying him, but she never expected it to happen like this.
After Qin Lingchuan finished entertaining the guests, she was already slightly drunk.
Qin Lingchuan took off his suit jacket as he walked. He always knew how to dress himself well; the pattern and color of his tie complemented his jacket perfectly, and the tip of the tie just touched his belt—a very standard way of wearing it. A brooch on his left breast added a touch of eye-catching style.
He's really handsome, not just today, but especially handsome today.
"Waiting for me?"
Her eyes were bright and sparkling, filled with anticipation and excitement.
He wasn't surprised at all when he saw that it wasn't his sister sitting there?
"You didn't expect it to be me, did you?" Youzhen said.
Qin Lingchuan had already heard the gist of it during the banquet. Moreover, he had originally said that there would be more than enough invitations. When welcoming the guests, each guest was holding an invitation, and Xia Ruozhen's name was clearly on it.
He wasn't sure if this was Youzhen's prank: "You don't want to marry me?"
"Mr. Qin is mistaken. It's just an engagement, a formality. After that, we'll part ways. There's no such thing as marriage."
"Do you have to call me that so formally?" Qin Lingchuan smelled the alcohol on her. Youzhen had to provoke him at this moment, and he was a little annoyed.
She couldn't see through him; his feelings for her began with the acquisition and ended with the acquisition.
Alcohol emboldens the timid, and Youzhen, with her slender waist swaying in the breeze, walked around the long table and sat on his lap.
He casually lowered his long legs that were draped over the table, then placed one hand on her waist and stretched out his other arm, supporting himself on the table. He looked at her with a cold eye and a look of utter disdain, as if he wanted to see what tricks this woman was up to.
Youzhen listlessly brushed away the wine glass, and the sound of the glass shattering against the tile made the suppressed flames in Qin Lingchuan's heart rise a few inches higher.
She was being stubborn, using her body to spite herself.
Qin Lingchuan found it both childish and incomprehensible.
Youzhen suddenly hooked Qin Lingchuan's chin with her index finger, unreasonably forcing him to look directly at her. Her index finger traced his Adam's apple along his jawline, and then she suddenly grabbed his collar: "Mr. Qin, you're very unwilling to be engaged to your 'sister,' aren't you?"
Qin Lingchuan slightly clenched his fingers as he rested his hand on the table, swallowed as she did so, and said with a half-smile, "You've been raised in the Xia family for a few years, you're worthy of me."
Qin Lingchuan suddenly stood up, forcing her back onto the table, and braced himself on his arms on either side.
"Having married Mr. Qin, I don't have to regret it for the rest of my life," Youzhen said casually, though her heart was already shattered into pieces.
Whether it was the effects of the alcohol or the dazzling halo of the overhead light, Qin Lingchuan, standing against the light, became increasingly blurry, as if none of this was real.
His long, slender fingers traced her lips and collarbone before he suddenly pulled her hands behind her back. His gaze was deep and cold as he slowly spoke, "If the person I wanted to marry was originally you."
His tone was like that of a negotiator, calm, witty, and quick-witted, as if they were at a conference table rather than backstage at an engagement party.
This engagement was probably negotiated between them. Whose bargaining chip was she, and whose pawn was she?
Zhou Yuanli stood with his hands behind his back at the end of the corridor, with the butler, Lao Liu, standing a step behind him.
"Second Young Master, if you do this, I'm afraid there will be no possibility of peaceful negotiations with Qin Lingchuan anymore."
Zhou Yuanli looked at the pattern on the carpet. The vines seemed to be intertwined and chaotic, but in fact they were interconnected, and moving one would affect the whole thing.
He gave a slight smile: "This is exactly what I wanted."
Only in this way can she be married off as a daughter of the Xia family.
Offending Qin Lingchuan is not a big deal; the most important thing is that, given Youzhen's personality, she absolutely cannot accept marrying him under the guise of her sister.
Once she insists that Qin Lingchuan loves her sister, the two of them are completely finished.
My sister has always been in poor health and is recuperating abroad. How could we have known that she would come back the day before her birthday, and that she would cover half of her face, causing Tao Bei to mistake her for someone else?
The two changed their clothes and went to the banquet.
The main event has only just begun.
The porcelain wine cups slid crisply on the turntable as relatives from both families took turns pushing the wine towards the newlyweds, pressing the bottom of the cup against the glass.
The phone flashes were twinkling, and Youzhen hated this kind of situation.
However, just as she had practiced many times before, she smiled and took Qin Lingchuan's arm, agreeing to everything.
"Since Xiao Qi drank someone else's wine, she can't refuse mine." A full glass was handed to her from somewhere. Youzhen looked up and saw Zhou Yuanli's sour smile.
Just as Youzhen's fingertips touched the rim of the cup, Qin Lingchuan suddenly stood between the two of them.
"I'll drink this cup for her." Before Zhou Yuanli could react, Qin Lingchuan snatched the cup and downed it in one gulp.
If it's true, I don't know if she's feeling unwell again or what, but she hasn't shown up.
Qin Lingchuan is looking for her. She didn't even show up at her younger sister's engagement party, and the invitation still had her older sister's name on it.
He didn't believe that he truly didn't know all of this.
Qin Lingchuan suddenly felt unbearably hot, his steps became unsteady, and a surge of impulse rose up to his head.
He had a bad feeling; there must have been something poisoned in that glass of wine.
He was always vigilant, and in situations like this, he would never touch anything that was out of his sight. There must have been something wrong with the drink he'd taken for Youzhen earlier.
That glass of wine was handed to him by Zhou Yuanli. If he hadn't blocked it, it would have been Youzhen who was affected.
He was then somewhat relieved, but he was still feeling extremely uncomfortable. He forced himself to politely say goodbye to everyone and quickly went upstairs to his room.
Qin Lingchuan immediately turned on the shower, ripped open his shirt buttons, and stood facing the cold water, his mind not quite clear.
Qin Lingchuan was instantly awakened when his already burning shoulders and back were stimulated by another hand.
Upon seeing the person before him, he felt a fleeting moment of surprise and longing, but immediately reverted to his cold and indifferent demeanor: "How did you get in?"
He nestled against her warm, soft body: "She's your fiancée now, isn't it natural for her to ask for a room key?"
"You're not, get out of here," Qin Lingchuan said, panting heavily.
"Mr. Qin, who is always so gentle and refined, actually told someone to 'get lost'? You have no chivalry towards women, could you have mistaken me for your sister?"
Qin Lingchuan sneered: "You are Ruozhen."
Xia Ruozhen turned his hand and placed it against her eyebrows and eyes: "Look carefully! The one with a small red birthmark under her eye is your sister!"
Qin Lingchuan rubbed the mole vigorously without any mercy: "Don't think that you can impersonate Youzhen just because you put this mole on. The person I love will never mistake you."
Qin Lingchuan's thick eyebrows were furrowed, and his face was misty with sweat, making it even harder for him to see clearly.
Their faces overlapped, and Qin Lingchuan suddenly cupped her face in his hands, calling out emotionally, "Youzhen, Youzhen..."
She kissed him back, but at the crucial moment, Qin Lingchuan suddenly took a step back, shaking his head in anguish: "You're not her, you're not her, get out!"
"If you want to be the son-in-law of the Xia family, it doesn't matter who you marry. Anyway, Youzhen and I look exactly alike."
If he really did reach down, he would say, "Tsk, Mr. Qin's physique, no wonder he was able to impersonate a male model and fool my sister so completely."
Qin Lingchuan gripped her hand tightly, preventing her from touching it, and tossed her toward the trash can by the door like a piece of waste paper.
He emerged from the shower shirtless, grabbed a fruit knife from the cutting board, and held it to Ruozhen's cheek: "Get out!"
If she really got impatient, she'd say, "Are you crazy?! Are you impotent? You won't even take what's offered to you?"
Qin Lingchuan could hardly resist the effects of the drug. With the person in front of him still teasing him, he suddenly grabbed the knife handle and slashed his forearm.
Fresh blood flowed out, mixed with the water stains all over his body, and the color was much lighter.
Qin Lingchuan regained a sliver of his senses, grabbed Ruozhen's arm without a word, threw her outside, and fastened the chain.
Almost simultaneously, the sound of the elevator doors opening rang out, and Youzhen stepped out.
She was just a step away from bumping into her husband and sister.
Qin Lingchuan regretted that he had underestimated his opponent.
When Youzhen saw him, his clothes were disheveled, she didn't come over, but turned and walked towards her room.
The more lucid she became, the more cruel it felt.
Sometimes she even wished she were a morally corrupt person. After all, she and her sister had the same face, so she could use that face to possess him. As long as she had that face, he wouldn't fall in love with other women.
But she was immediately startled by the thought.
She couldn't accept being a stand-in.
Qin Lingchuan once said he would paint a picture for her, and she sat obediently, but after he finished the painting, he wouldn't let her see it.
Qin Lingchuan, when you're painting, whose shadow are you looking at through my face?
Although blood was drawn, the pain from the wound combined with the effects of the alcohol caused me to become numb.
It's unclear how much of a dose Zhou Yuanli administered, but he still couldn't control himself and staggered forward to grab Youzhen.
Youzhen was startled and almost couldn't support him: "What's wrong? Do you have a fever?"
The water on his skin was icy cold, but underneath it was scalding hot.
Qin Lingchuan remained silent and hurriedly went to hug her.
The overwhelming male hormones enveloped her completely. Although he was her beloved lover, his raging, intense, and urgent possessiveness made her instinctively push him away.
The hand that was placed on his chest was forcefully grabbed and pressed aside.
He wanted her, he wanted only her.
Youzhen was willing, but the sadness outweighed the attraction; he only saw her as an older sister.
Qin Lingchuan, when you look at this face, do you ever think of Youzhen for a moment, or do you ever feel lost?
Qin Lingchuan leaned down and kissed her fragrant neck. Her delicate, sorrowful eyebrows and beautiful eyes passed over his shoulder. An indescribable emotion was stirring her mind, making even the ceiling sway.
"who I am?"
Youzhen was very clear-headed, even though she knew that as long as she didn't speak, she could get him, even in such a despicable way.
But she asked anyway.
Qin Lingchuan stopped what he was doing, pinched her face, and suddenly his eyes sharpened.
He swayed as he straightened up, slapped his forehead hard, and after a long while, whispered three words: "I'm sorry."
He felt utterly ashamed. He cherished her so much and valued her so much. How could he take his anger out on her because of Zhou Yuanli's mistake?
He spoke again, "I'm sorry," and then staggered away.
Youzhen touched the cinnabar mark under her eye. If it weren't for this mole, would he like her a little more?
Since the shower hadn't worked, Qin Lingchuan simply filled the entire bathtub with cold water and stepped in.
My whole body was submerged, water splashed everywhere, and the floor was covered in water.
Youzhen was worried, so she followed them in.
"The water is too cold; it will upset your body."
Qin Lingchuan shook his head, not daring to touch her: "Get out."
"Is there any medicine that can relieve this? I'll go buy some for you."
Qin Lingchuan laughed. Luckily, he hadn't done anything to her earlier. She was too young and naive; he would have terrified her.
He splashed around in the water a few times, then knelt down underwater, his expression one of barely suppressed suffering: "Use a towel to tie me up."
"quick!"
His tone left no room for argument, and Youzhen did as he said. Qin Lingchuan had his hands tied behind his back, and when Youzhen's bound hands inadvertently touched his skin, he trembled.
The water behind him slowly turned red, and Youzhen then noticed a rather deep wound on his arm.
Qin Lingchuan wouldn't let her touch him at all: "Go! Don't worry about me!"
Like a starting pistol, Youzhen only walked out without looking back.
She was indeed frightened and immediately ran back to her room.
There was no clock in the room, and he didn't know how much time had passed, but his fluctuating heartbeat gradually calmed down.
She couldn't help but worry. His arm wound hadn't been treated and it had been soaking in cold water the whole time. How could this be allowed?
The effects of the medication have probably worn off by now, haven't they?
Youzhen washed her face, changed into non-slip slippers, and also got a pair for Qin Lingchuan before knocking on the bathroom door.
There was no response.
Youzhen knocked three more times, forcefully: "Lingchuan? Are you alright?"
Perhaps he's fallen asleep, or maybe he's passed out?
No, the wound on his arm needs to be treated.
Youzhen pushed the door open and rushed inside.
Qin Lingchuan was completely submerged in the water, his soaked white shirt highlighting his well-defined muscles. His abs were faintly visible beneath the surface, and his high-quality black suit trousers clung tightly to his long, powerful legs.
Qin Lingchuan's eyes were glazed over: "Why are you back?"
"I'm afraid something will happen to you."
Qin Lingchuan gasped, "I'm fine, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Youzhen went around to the back and pulled his bound arms out of the water. The wounds were swollen. Did this man not feel pain?
Youzhen wiped away the water around him, applied medicine, and bandaged him.
Qin Lingchuan was completely frozen, with only the warmth from Youzhen's palm providing any comfort.
Like a spark, it has ignited a prairie fire.
He pulled his arm away from Youzhen's palm and turned his head away.
Youzhen suddenly grabbed him tightly, hugged him close, and took his upper lip into her mouth.
Her heart was trembling; she was insanely jealous.
She's always given everything to her older sister since she was little; this time, she'll let her have her turn.
Why should she give way to everything? If she's so capable, she should come and take it from her.
She couldn't bear to part with him, even just once, so that she could have this man completely.
Once, he was her brother-in-law, and they would be strangers.
Although what I said during the day was said out of spite, it was absolutely sincere:
Having married Mr. Qin, she wouldn't have to live with lifelong regret...
His words brought tears to her eyes, making her feel wronged.
You were raised in the Xia family for a few years, you're good enough for me...
Qin Lingchuan could no longer restrain himself. He exerted force with both arms, and the newly bandaged wound reopened, but he managed to break free of the towel.
He grasped Youzhen's slender waist and pulled her into the bathtub as well.
He gazed intently at her: "Youzhen, are you sure?"
Zhou Yuanli had taught her that at this time, a woman should take the initiative to be tender, but if her sister came today, his affection would be directed at someone else.
Youzhen replied nonchalantly, "Absolutely certain."
Qin Lingchuan gradually approached, and just before his thin lips were about to touch hers, he looked up at her. Youzhen closed her eyes and waited for him to get closer.
She was willing.
Well, even though a lot happened today, they're engaged after all, and she's his now.
It wasn't a good place, nor was it a good time, but he was happy that Youzhen was back in his arms.
Having confirmed her feelings, Qin Lingchuan tentatively and restrainedly kissed her a few times with utmost tenderness.
The smell of alcohol lingered on his lips and teeth. He said somewhat unhappily, "You're not allowed to drink anymore."
Youzhen opened her eyes, cupped his face in her hands, and smiled, "Okay."
Qin Lingchuan pinched her fingertips and placed them on his lower back. He spoke calmly, carefully considering his words, and cautiously: "Youzhen, I was quite angry with you during the day, and I said some things without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."
Youzhen smiled indifferently. Anyway, they would go their separate ways after tonight, and there was no need for him to explain anything to her in the future, given their inevitable encounters.
Seeing her silence, Qin Lingchuan's heart sank. Unexpectedly, she took the initiative to come closer again, so he could no longer hold back and kissed her deeply.
He initially placed her beneath him, but the water was too cold and not good for her, so he turned her over, rested his head on the edge of the bathtub, and turned the faucet to the warm water setting, continuing to run the water.
He hugged her legs, stroked along her waistline and neck, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.
Youzhen nestled against his firm chest muscles, hearing Qin Lingchuan call her softly and affectionately, "Xiao Qi..."
The last shred of desperate struggle in my heart was completely torn apart.
Xiao Qi?
Xiao Qi!
Ha! He ultimately mistook her for his older sister, a nickname she utterly loathed and avoided at all costs. To have the man she loved most call her that in such a way made Youzhen shamelessly belittle herself.
As if in revenge, they clung to each other desperately.
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