Liu Qing knew she was pretty—no denying that—but “pretty” and “cute” were entirely different things. That made it impossible to compare herself to Situ Changxi in the photo, to judge who was better.
“Xiao Feng actually has such a cute girl adding him on WeChat? There’s gotta be a story. I’ll ask him later!”
She turned off the screen, set the phone back on the coffee table, and pretended to watch TV. But her mind had already drifted far from the show, fixated entirely on that WeChat friend request for Xiao Feng.
After calming down, Xiao Feng opened his door. Seeing Liu Qing still there, he sighed helplessly. “Sister Qing, why haven’t you gone home yet?”
Startled from her thoughts—wondering why such an adorable girl would add Xiao Feng, and seem so familiar with him—Liu Qing forced a calm smile. “Xiao Feng, your phone just rang. Someone sent you a WeChat friend request!”
Xiao Feng had no idea her words were a subtle probe into his connection with Situ Changxi.
“Oh, got it. Ignore it. Probably just a ‘People Nearby’ request. Pointless to add.”
In truth, he already guessed it was Situ Changxi. But he’d decided: no entanglement with that rich loli. None whatsoever.
Liu Qing feigned casualness. “Won’t you even check? What if it’s someone you know?”
If he refused now, wouldn’t that look suspicious? Why “suspicious”? He wasn’t sure himself.
So Xiao Feng picked up the phone with practiced indifference, unlocked it—and seeing Situ Changxi’s message and her pouting, cute profile picture, a faint, fleeting smile touched his lips.
Gone in a blink. He kept his tone flat. “Just a ‘People Nearby’ request. Not worth worrying about.” He slipped the phone into his pocket.
Liu Qing had watched every detail—from the moment he picked up the phone to that barely-there smile. She saw it all.
A restless itch stirred in her chest. What was this ambiguous relationship making Xiao Feng hide things from her? The more she dwelled on it, the more certain she felt something was off.
She couldn’t just ask outright. Their bond was close, but not *that* close—and she was hiding things too, even her full name.
“Xiao Feng, big sister’s sleepy. Time for beauty sleep~ Don’t you dare miss me tonight, okay?” She shot him a playful wink, then dashed out the door, her long, porcelain-smooth legs carrying her home.
Watching her go, Xiao Feng muttered inwardly, “Such a seductive little fox spirit. If I ever catch you… you’ll regret it.”
Back in her own apartment—right across the hall—Liu Qing’s thoughts spiraled. Why was he hiding that girl from her? She almost stormed back to ask… but reason held her back.
For Liu Qing, that night promised only restless tossing and turning.
Inside Situ Changxi’s room—
“Why hasn’t he added me? Still upset about this afternoon?”
Staring at Xiao Feng’s unresponsive profile, she wondered: was it because of the bodyguards’ actions earlier?
Convinced, she jumped out of bed, marched to the door, and addressed the two stiff-backed, sharply suited guards outside. Her voice was sharp. “I’m going to Tianjing Water Park again tomorrow!”
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. “Young Miss… that’s not possible. The boss has you scheduled for an important banquet tomorrow. Tianjing Water Park isn’t an option.”
Situ Changxi shook her head stubbornly. “No. I’m going to Tianjing Water Park!”
“This… Young Miss, you’re putting us in a very difficult position,” one pleaded, face strained.
Seeing their distress—and remembering her father’s strictness—she softened. “Fine. I won’t trouble you. I’ll talk to Dad myself.”
She shut the door, grabbed her phone, and called Situ Ming.
*Beep… beep… beep…* Answered in seconds.
“Changxi? What’s up, sweetie?”
Hearing his warm voice, a smile bloomed on her face—pure, noble, and radiant as a snow lotus unfurling on an iceberg.
“Dad… are you busy?”
“Not at all. Spit it out, you little rascal.”
She pursed her lips. “About tomorrow’s banquet… can I skip it?”
Situ Ming sounded puzzled. “What? I arranged it *for* you. If the guest of honor skips out, what about your old man’s face?”
His ever-doting tone gave her courage. “I want to go to Tianjing Water Park tomorrow!”
“Didn’t you just go today? Why again? It’s just crowds…”
Clenching her tiny fists, she blurted, “I made a new friend! Tomorrow I—"
“Boy or girl?” Situ Ming cut in, voice suddenly sharp.
Startled, she answered without thinking: “My boyfriend!”
Silence. Heavy. Absolute. From the other end of the line.
