Volume One, Chapter 14: The Sacrifice of Beauty
Startled by the voice, Xianxian turned around, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.
“Young Master Shen!”
The man standing behind her smiled as he looked at her, his voice soft and teasing. “Miss Qin, are you up to some mischief?”
“Not at all, I’m just waiting for someone,” Xianxian muttered, her tone tinged with a hint of guilt.
Indeed, at that moment, she wasn’t much different from a thief...
“For whom are you waiting?”
“...” Why did he always have to dig so deep? Xianxian forced a smile, feigning innocence. “I’m waiting for you! Young Master Shen, what a coincidence—we seem destined to meet wherever we go.”
This man was silver-tongued, his flattering words flowing effortlessly. Had she not seen his familiar figure sneaking along an alley just moments ago, trailing behind someone suspiciously, she might have even believed her own lie.
Shen Qingli’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Miss Qin, speaking nonsense isn’t a good habit.”
“Do you like hearing it?” Xianxian teased.
“I do,” he replied gently, his tone carrying a hint of indulgent amusement.
“...” Xianxian was momentarily speechless. After a brief silence, she turned her head away.
Shen Qingli’s composed gentlemanly demeanor was remarkably convincing; he wasn’t even angry.
Just then, a man and a woman emerged from the apothecary, their footsteps heading directly toward her.
Panicked at the risk of exposure, Xianxian swiftly turned, grabbed Shen Qingli’s garment by the chest, and buried her face against him, her voice low and urgent.
“Hide me, please hide me.”
Shen Qingli was momentarily stunned, then instinctively raised his hands, leaning down slightly. One arm wrapped around her shoulders, while the other lifted his wide sleeve over her head. Half of her was concealed within the fabric.
Her plea for “covering” translated into a firm embrace.
Her forehead rested gently against his collarbone.
Tightening her grip on his clothes, Xianxian forgot her original intent. Her cheeks flushed warm as her thoughts raced:
Oh heavens! She was finally pressing against this handsome man!
His scent was intoxicatingly pleasant!
Should she dare to sneak a touch at his waist...?
The rise and fall of his chest accompanied his steady breath, warm air drifting lightly over her head, occasionally stirring the stray strands of hair on her forehead.
It tickled.
Snapping back to a sliver of reason, Xianxian mumbled from his embrace, “Have they left yet?”
“Uh—” Shen Qingli’s smile betrayed his amusement. Under the circumstances, he wasn’t quite sure how to explain.
“Maybe you should peek out and see for yourself...”
Before he finished speaking, a soft voice drifted nearby.
“Cousin, what are you two...?”
Shen Qingli felt the slight tremor in her body and the fierce grip on his clothes that seemed determined to tear the fabric.
Xianxian was so embarrassed she nearly fainted, her ears burning crimson.
What on earth...?
Isn’t this how it’s done in dramas? A little covering and no one sees anything...
Why was it different for her...?
She longed to sink through the ground. Eyes shut tight, forehead pressed firmly against him, she dared not move an inch.
Shen Qingli smiled lightly, then glanced at the man standing beside Zhao Wanwan.
“Chen Chou, why don’t you take them back inside the hall first? We’ll come in later.”
“Understood, Young Master. Miss Zhao, shall we return to Ji’an Hall?”
“Alright.” Although Zhao Wanwan still looked surprised, she glanced at her cousin once more before following the man back inside.
Xianxian took a deep breath and held it.
Fine, fine! Everyone else was normal—only she, Qin Xianxian, was the clown...
After a long pause, Shen Qingli’s gentle voice came from above her head.
“They’ve really left this time.”
“Why don’t you just knock me out with one palm? That would be easier to bear...”
From her words, Shen Qingli could already imagine her expression: one of utter mortification.
Xianxian loosened her grip. The fabric at his chest was now crumpled beyond repair, revealing a glimpse of pale skin beneath, almost as if suggesting some playful teasing had just taken place...
Her rationality had completely evaporated, leaving her as embarrassed as a drunken fool, her head buzzing, courage swelling, ready to do something utterly outrageous at any moment.
Lowering her gaze to his waist, she spoke calmly:
“Young Master Shen, could you possibly make a little sacrifice...?”
The sudden request left Shen Qingli momentarily dumbfounded.
“A sacrifice?”
No sooner had he spoken than the girl’s hand boldly reached out to touch his abdomen.
A shiver ran through his body beneath her palm. The arms around her shoulders and over her head tightened slightly, as if he were frozen in place, breath momentarily held...
There she was, nestled in his embrace, shamelessly taking liberties.
She pursed her lips, eyes suddenly widening.
Huh? Even through the clothing, she could faintly feel the contours of his abdominal muscles!
This man truly hid his strength well.
The sensation was rather pleasant...
Her hand lingered for a few seconds before withdrawing, and then she looked up at him.
His face was now undoubtedly redder than hers.
Someone else was even more flustered!
Enough. She had redeemed herself.
Xianxian smiled at him, mischief and cunning sparkling in her eyes.
“My sacrifice is a beauty’s favor.”
With that, she suddenly slipped out of his arms and turned toward Ji’an Hall.
Outside the door, Shen Qingli’s hands remained in the embrace position, his neck and face flushed a rosy hue. He stood stunned for two seconds before lowering his arms.
His gaze followed the figure entering Ji’an Hall, his eyes revealing an indescribable emotion. A faint, almost teasing smile lifted the corners of his lips.
He had been teased by this little girl?