Chapter 273: Can't You Invite Me Just Once?

Facing Qin Shou's questioning, Lin Qingyan gave no answer; she suddenly realized she had been a bit impulsive just now.

She shouldn't have said who helped her; if others found out, wouldn't that easily cause trouble for Lu Cheng?

"Sorry, we have no relationship—none in the past, none in the future—so I have no obligation to inform you."

Lin Qingyan left expressionlessly, while the angry and embarrassed Qin Shou did not give up.

Learning that Lin Qingyan was married felt like having a most beloved piece of porcelain in hand and suddenly having it snatched away—how could one not be angry?

Even if he didn't want it, he'd rather smash it than give it to someone else.

"Hmph, even if you don't say, I can guess; first, it's definitely not from the Grand Courtyard—I estimate there's an eighty percent chance it's not even a worker."

"You really don't need to, even if your father has trouble, there's no need to go down and marry…"

Watching Lin Qingyan ignore him and walk straight away, Qin Shou's muttering there made him look like a big fool.

The few people waiting nearby watched; Qin Shou had no chance, about to step forward to try inviting her to dance, Qin Shou got angry, stepped forward a step, and prepared to forcibly grab Lin Qingyan.

"I haven't finished speaking; you stay where you are…"

Qin Shou's voice was a bit loud; not far away, Lu Ying saw the situation, instantly frowned, was about to release the foreigner she was dancing with and step forward to intervene, when she suddenly saw someone walking quickly toward them.

When she saw clearly who it was, she averted her gaze and continued dancing peacefully with the foreigner.

As Qin Shou's outstretched hand was about to seize the snow‑white arm, his hand was suddenly grabbed first, and, like a strong clamp, the grip hurt his wrist.

The few people waiting to invite someone to dance saw that scene and instantly felt a bit deflated.

How does it never end? They had waited so long, just as they saw a chance to step forward and invite, another person cut in.

Yet those few weren't discouraged; they kept watching, because this beautiful young lady wasn't easy to invite—so many who came were directly rejected.

When Qin Shou saw his hand suddenly grabbed, he turned his head, looked, and immediately pulled down his face.

"Why is it you again?"

"What's wrong with me? You wanted to dance, right? How about we two dance."

It was Lu Cheng's voice; when Lin Qingyan heard it, her heart suddenly leapt with joy.

It seemed that whenever Lu Cheng was present, she felt especially at ease; this time was no different, and she unconsciously stood behind Lu Cheng.

Seeing this, Qin Shou felt a nameless fury rise, and he swiped Lu Cheng's hand away.

"Who wants to dance with a man? This is a Social Dance, do you understand?"

Lu Cheng patted his clothes: "Heh, who doesn't get it? It's just a Social Dance. Saying it out loud would scare you. Back then I led a group of old ladies, won first prize in the senior arts performance, and countless old ladies begged me to be their dance partner…"

Qin Shou looked utterly bewildered.

"What nonsense! I'm telling you, this is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not a skating rink; you'd better not cause trouble, or no one will be able to protect you."

Hearing the threat, Lu Cheng instantly became interested, rolled his sleeves and said: "Come on, come on, today the two of us will practice properly; whoever chickens out will be a grandson."

Qin Shou hesitated; he knew he couldn't beat Lu Cheng—this kid had skill—but thinking that this was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, making a bigger scene would be better, giving him a reason to take Lu Cheng to the Police Substation.

Even if he got a beating, it would only be temporary.

With that in mind, Qin Shou also rolled up his sleeves, and people nearby gathered to watch the spectacle.

The few waiting to invite someone to dance were stunned; how could they be fighting over a female dance partner!

But on second thought, fighting was perfect; best if both were wounded, so no one would compete with them.

Yet to their disappointment, as both sides readied to strike, at that moment Lin Qingyan, whom they hadn't noticed, suddenly arrived with people from the Security Department.

"Xiaolin, who's causing trouble?"

Lin Qingyan immediately pointed at Qin Shou: "Zhang Shu, it's him; he's harassing me."

The one called Zhang Shu was the head of the Security Department; hearing Lin Qingyan's words, he instantly set a stern face and looked at Qin Shou to question him.

"Which unit are you from? How dare you harass a comrade of our unit, acting like a hooligan! Someone, take him out."

Qin Shou instantly became anxious; why was he still being called a hooligan? It must be because of Lin Qingyan's remark; he wanted to vent his anger at her, but now wasn't the time.

He hurriedly produced his work badge to explain: "It's a misunderstanding; I'm from the Public Security Bureau's subordinate Street Police Station—our own people. This is a friend of mine; we were just messing around."

Zhang Shu leaned his head forward, squinted, and looked at the badge; it was indeed a Public Security Bureau credential.

"Xiaolin, this…"

Lin Qingyan didn't intend to actually seize Qin Shou; after all, given the Qin family's connections, it was impossible.

The reason she called the Security Department was to prevent Lu Cheng from fighting; otherwise, if things escalated, Lu Cheng would be at a disadvantage.

"Zhang Shu, I didn't want to dance earlier; he insisted on pulling me to dance."

Qin Shou, furious to the point his teeth ached, said: "It's not you, you're being shameless…"

"Who are you calling shameless?" Zhang Shu said coldly: "She doesn't want to dance; why are you clinging to her? Get out right now."

"No, I'm from the Police Substation…"

"No matter what station, it doesn't matter; this is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—going out or not? If you don't leave, I'll have someone kick you out!"

In front of so many people, Qin Shou's face flushed red and white; today he was truly humiliated, and he couldn't stay any longer. To save face, he deliberately uttered a harsh line.

"Fine, you're impressive; don't fall into my hands. We'll see."

Zhang Shu told the onlookers to disperse quickly; today is a foreign guest event, all gathered here—what's the point of staying.

"Xiaolin, there's nothing left, right?"

Lin Qingyan hurriedly said: "There's nothing else, Zhang Shu, thank you."

After the Security Department left, the few who had been waiting to invite someone to dance started to get eager again, and Lu Cheng saw this scene.

"You already have a dance partner; look how many people want to dance with you. Had I known, I wouldn't have come; I've only had half my drink."

While eating with his classmates, Lu Cheng kept thinking about having promised Lin Qingyan early in the morning to attend the ball; he couldn't settle his mind, and finally apologized to his classmates and rushed over.

Lin Qingyan stood there in a white dress; her exposed calves and arms were as pale as scallions, and beneath the long skirt was a graceful figure, a slender willow waist that could be grasped lightly.

Though she looked slender, the places that should have flesh had indeed filled out.

Facing Lu Cheng, Lin Qingyan became a bit timid: "Then, can't you invite me just once?"