Chapter 133

"Here?" Ren Lingyu was about to turn around—

"Lingyu, come, ah!" He Lele picked up a plump crystal dumpling and stuffed it into Ren Lingyu’s mouth.

So, Ren Lingyu turned around with a mouthful of oily, fresh, and fragrant crystal dumpling—

"Ms. Ren, happy birthday." Qin Zhixiu smiled faintly and handed over the fruit cake He Lele had made herself.

"Ah mm mm mm—"

Sure enough, bringing Qin Zhixiu was the right choice.

Watching Lingyu’s surprised, happy, and exceptionally shy appearance, He Lele’s smile became even brighter. The three of them chatted, and the table full of dim sum was consumed one by one without them realizing it... Finally, after paying the bill, Ren Lingyu grabbed He Lele and ran to the restroom.

In the restroom, Ren Lingyu looked at He Lele with a mischievous smile.

"Lele, is there something you forgot to tell me?"

"...No."

"No?" Ren Lingyu looked skeptical, "Then what’s with this moist and smooth look on your face? Quick! Honestly confess, are you dating 'him'? Hm?"

"...Where did you get that idea? I really have no other relationship with him. I’m the apartment manager, and he is one of the owners. Because I took leave and he had no one to take care of him, so—"

"Lele," Ren Lingyu suddenly interrupted her, "Do you know that today is also his birthday?"

He Lele was stunned. She—of course didn't know.

Lingyu said that when she was practicing hacking techniques, she had once curiously sneaked into Muse’s artist archive system and glanced at Qin Zhixiu’s file. Because she was very nervous and a bit guilty at the time, she didn't look much, but she remembered clearly that the birthday on Qin Zhixiu’s ID card in the file was September 16th, which was different from what was announced. Later, she specifically paid attention to Qin Zhixiu’s movements every September 16th—nothing. Even during the busiest album promotion period, Qin Zhixiu would rest on September 16th. So she concluded that this day was his real birthday! This year, her lunar birthday happened to coincide with his birthday, and she was even a little happy about it, not expecting that she could actually celebrate her birthday with Qin Zhixiu in person!

"It’s his birthday, yet he hid it from you and followed you. It’s very obvious he specifically wanted to spend it with you! Hehehehehe! Looks like it’s unrequited love?"

"...Girl, you’re thinking too much." He Lele tapped Ren Lingyu’s forehead, "It should be for other reasons..."

Although she couldn't guess Qin Zhixiu’s intention, He Lele didn't intend to dwell on it much. No matter what, today was Lingyu’s birthday, and she would only treat Lingyu as the only protagonist.

"Mr. Qin, we can go." He Lele said softly.

Qin Zhixiu withdrew his deep gaze from outside the window and smiled gently at He Lele. The faint smile seemed to slow down the hurried pace of time.

"What should we do next?"

"After morning tea, of course, it’s lunch!" Ren Lingyu answered happily, "Lele... do you want to taste my master’s cooking?"

This chapter is a transition~~~ next chapter... looking at the sky~~ the two male leads with the least screen time so far finally have a confrontation?

It’s too late today, I’ll give thanks together tomorrow~~~ I’m working overtime this weekend~~ running away in tears~~~ the seven-day National Day holiday is very cool~~ but I have to go far away to celebrate a birthday for a family member~~~~ it seems like a long time since I’ve been able to squat at home and write without any burden...

Love you all~~~

☆, (9 Fresh Coins) Chapter 142: Idol, Come On

Li Yiquan?

"You... made an appointment with Lawyer Li?"

"Haha! Because I performed exceptionally well in the last case, Master said I could make one request as a reward. I’ve long heard that Master cooks a great meal, so of course I have to taste it! Such a good thing, how can I not bring you along? Am I a good friend?" Ren Lingyu said very loyally.

"Such a warm date, are you sure you want to bring us two light bulbs?" He Lele pointed to herself and Qin Zhixiu.

"The more people, the more dishes we can make! Alright! Let’s go, let’s go! My mouth is almost watering!" Ren Lingyu pushed the two of them with one hand each.

"..." He Lele glanced at the table full of steamer baskets and plates, and exchanged a knowing look with Qin Zhixiu.

Eyes kept looking at the three of them in the restaurant. It seemed someone recognized Qin Zhixiu, and the two girls saw that it was bad, so they quickly slipped away with Qin Zhixiu.

Li Yiquan lived in the southwest of the city, a drive of only a dozen minutes. Ren Lingyu drove He Lele and Qin Zhixiu. I don't know if they were all full or had their own thoughts, but the three of them didn't speak the whole way.

Looking at the car window with unfocused eyes, He Lele didn't know how to face Li Yiquan.

Lingyu didn't know. She didn't know that the master she admired most and the boss she respected most... were actually the same person!

"Don't tell Lingyu, I don't want to mix public and private." L said that to her the night before last.

"...You know, unless it’s a last resort, I don't want to hide anything from her." When she found out that L, whom she had known for three years, was actually Li Yiquan, who drafted that manager contract, she really couldn't describe the feeling in her heart.

She understood that he was just doing his job excellently according to the commission, but did he know? When she heard that the contract was drafted by him, "Li Yiquan," a bucket of ice water was poured from her head to her feet. Listening to Lingyu talk about his legends every day made her very clear that the contract he drafted was equivalent to four words—flawless. Unable to terminate the contract through legal means, and she had no money to pay the liquidated damages, and didn't dare to use the double-edged sword of "public opinion," she could only resign herself to returning to the apartment.

She told herself it didn't matter, hypnotizing herself that everything wasn't the worst... but... every day, being touched in the most private and soft parts of her body by different men, letting those terrifying things of the men enter and exit her body countless times, being forced to pose in various ways, and even... the back was used thoroughly by the men! Many times, just after escaping from one man’s terrifying desire, she was pressed down and ravaged by another man...

How could she really not care? She just tried hard, tried hard to let go—and she did it.

But L... why do you have to be Li Yiquan?

That mentor and friend who once gave her so much confidence, comfort, care, and guidance—why did it have to be Li Yiquan?

— Author's Notes —

Author's Note: