Zhang Xiaolu watched Qin Ling with triumphant satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with smugness.

“I already know everything,” she mumbled under her breath.

Qin Ling’s eyes widened in alarm. He whipped his head around to look behind him.

There stood Pang Cheng at the entrance of Yuyu Express Shop, leaning casually against the doorframe with an unreadable smirk. He was watching Qin Ling like he was waiting for the main act of a show.

“You don’t know anything, right?” Qin Ling snapped his gaze back, locking eyes with Zhang Xiaolu.

“Mmph!” She didn’t speak again. Instead, she pointed firmly at her own mouth.

Qin Ling frowned. After a hesitant pause, he released her.

But he warned sharply, “Try anything funny, and I won’t go easy on you.”

“Hmph!” Zhang Xiaolu snorted. Her heavily made-up eyes flicked over him with arrogance. “I’m not that stupid.”

“Good,” Qin Ling sighed in relief.

“But you have to promise me one thing,” Zhang Xiaolu added, making him frown again.

“What thing?” he asked.

*Money? Fine. Anything reasonable. But if it’s outrageous…*

“Simple!” Zhang Xiaolu stepped back a few paces in the courtyard. She spread her arms wide toward Qin Ling.

He stared at her, utterly bewildered.

*What is she doing? Is she crazy? Embracing heaven? Hugging nature?*

“Huh?” Zhang Xiaolu seemed shocked he didn’t understand. She just stood there, eyes wide, waiting.

“Come on,” she urged.

“Come on for what?” Qin Ling’s brow furrowed deeply.

A suspicion crept in—but he dared not name it.

“Come hug me,” Zhang Xiaolu said plainly.

“Huh!?” Qin Ling stumbled back a step.

Zhang Xiaolu’s eyes flew wide. She glared at him.

“What do you mean by that!?” she demanded.

“I don’t know what *you* mean,” Qin Ling retreated again.

Zhang Xiaolu suddenly lunged at him. Qin Ling dodged sharply.

“What are you doing?!” he snapped.

“Why are you dodging me!?” Zhang Xiaolu stared, realizing—for the first time—things were slipping from her control.

“What do *you* think?” Qin Ling shot back, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Miss Zhang, please respect yourself. We’re through.”

“You—!” Zhang Xiaolu gaped at him, stunned. He looked so sharp in that suit. *If I’d known he’d clean up this well… even without money or elixir formulas, I’d have kept him as my boyfriend.* His rejection now was utterly unexpected. *He used to treat me so well. He looked heartbroken when we broke up. What changed?*

*Hmph! But you still won’t escape my grasp!* she thought coldly. Aloud, she declared, “My request is simple… I want you to hug me. Let’s get back together.”

“???”

Qin Ling’s face froze in utter bewilderment. His gaze flicked to Zhang Xiaolu’s outstretched arms, then to Pang Cheng at the shop entrance—who was grinning like a spectator at a comedy show. Qin Ling’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

*Damn fatty. He really is enjoying this.*

“Let’s get back together,” Zhang Xiaolu repeated softly.

Qin Ling’s eyes sharpened. He looked at her seriously, then shook his head.

“I don’t want to.”

“Why!?” Zhang Xiaolu’s shock was absolute. Her arms ached from holding them out, but she refused to lower them.

“Because…”

She stared intently, desperate to hear his reason. *How could he reject me? Me! Zhang Xiaolu! I’m more than enough for him!*

“Because…”

Even Pang Cheng at the shop door watched with surprise. He hadn’t expected the man who once doted on Zhang Xiaolu to refuse her so bluntly.

*“Guess Qin-ge finally saw through this girl,”* Song Xiaoqian murmured inside the shop. *People can’t fake their true selves forever.*

Then—unexpectedly—

Qin Ling began walking toward Zhang Xiaolu.

Step by step, closing the distance.

*Hmph! Just saving face? You still fell right into my hands!* Zhang Xiaolu gloated inwardly. *A man? Child’s play.*

As he drew near, Qin Ling sidestepped her. He turned his back, leaning close to her ear. His breath was warm as he whispered:

“Because…”

“Because… I like boys.”

“What!?” Zhang Xiaolu froze as if a depth charge had detonated inside her.