Chapter 54: The Canary’s Code of Conduct (19)

“I know why you approached me.” Ling Qiong pushed aside her half-finished drink and spoke first.

Zhao Yunye’s heart gave a slight jolt. He looked up. “What?”

“Meng Nian.”

That name was like a switch. Zhao Yunye’s body tensed, his expression tightly controlled.

Ling Qiong smiled faintly. “You think I did something that drove her to suicide.”

Zhao Yunye’s pupils contracted, his gaze sharp as he looked at her.

Ling Qiong remained relaxed, her tone slow and gentle. “I don’t know where you got your information, but I can only tell you—Meng Nian’s death had nothing to do with me.”

Zhao Yunye said, “Someone saw you talking to her before she died.”

“I only asked if she could help me request leave the next day.” She had no idea what the original Ling Qiong had said to Meng Nian.

But now the heroine was gone. No one could verify what was said, so she could invent anything.

Zhao Yunye pressed on, “You two had a dispute before.”

Ling Qiong raised her brows. “You even know that?”

The original Ling Qiong had quarreled with Meng Nian, but the reason wasn’t petty rivalry—it was related to their coursework.

They were in the same group, but Meng Nian disagreed with Ling Qiong’s ideas.

“In that situation, isn’t it normal to have disagreements? Haven’t you ever had differing opinions with classmates?”

“So just because of that, you think Meng Nian’s death is related to me?”

“Zhao, Meng Nian committed suicide—it has nothing to do with me.”

“She couldn’t have killed herself.” Zhao Yunye was convinced. “Before she died, we were still making plans to hang out. How could she suddenly choose suicide?”

All the evidence pointed to suicide, but he refused to believe it.

He and Meng Nian hadn’t argued; nothing had happened in her family. She seemed fine—so why would she take her own life?

Ling Qiong: “…”

That’s a question for the eunuch himself.

What does it have to do with me?

I’m innocent!

…

Across the street, Shen Han Deng watched the two sitting together. His previously calm face darkened.

Striding over, he entered through the door.

“Ye Qing Tang.”

“Oh, Young Master?” Ling Qiong’s smile bloomed. She waved, “What are you doing here?”

Young Master Shen radiated a chill, the cold aura extending meters around.

“What, am I interrupting you?” Shen Han Deng glanced at Zhao Yunye, his expression even colder.

“Not at all.”

Shen Han Deng grabbed Ling Qiong and dragged her away.

“Wait, wait, wait a second!” Ling Qiong clung to a nearby decorative pillar. “Zhao, don’t forget to send me the money.”

Zhao Yunye: “…”

Shen Han Deng: “…” Suddenly he didn’t feel quite so angry.

Shen Han Deng hauled Ling Qiong outside, shoved her into the car. “Drive!”

Shen Han Deng was so intimidating that the driver didn’t dare look back but started the car quickly, trying to minimize his presence.

Ling Qiong: “…”

She reached out and poked Shen Han Deng’s shoulder.

No reaction.

She slid her finger lower, still poking.

Still nothing.

She kept going… until her finger reached his waist, and he slapped it away. “Do you want to lose your hand?”

“Why are you so angry?” Ling Qiong’s eyes darted around, grinning as she leaned closer. “Young Master, are you jealous?”

“What did you say?”

“You’re jealous.”

“Stop the car.”

The driver slammed on the brakes.

Shen Han Deng turned hostile in a heartbeat, kicked Ling Qiong out, and drove off.

Ling Qiong stood by the roadside, cheeks puffed, bewildered as she watched the traffic rushing past.

The little one’s illness seemed worse again. What should she do?

Being a parent is so hard!

…

Shen Han Deng looked at the girl standing by the road in the rearview mirror. For a split second, he wanted to tell the driver to stop.

But that moment was quickly suppressed.

She actually said he was jealous?

Jealous of what?

Did he need to be?

The more he thought, the angrier he became. The driver up front shook with fear, nearly mistaking the brake for the accelerator several times.

Young Master Shen seemed scarier than ever…

He returned to the villa, storming upstairs engulfed in rage.

Kelly: “…”

What happened?

Kelly hurried to follow him, listening to the sounds from the room, lowering his hand from the door.

Shen Han Deng expected Ling Qiong to return soon.

But he waited until dinner, and she still didn’t appear.

Shen Han Deng tore apart half the room. He couldn’t stand, couldn’t sit, his anger bottled up with nowhere to go.

Ling Qiong had fleeced the male lead for a sum of money and, with cash in hand, of course went off to enjoy herself.

When she finally returned, carrying bags big and small—

As soon as she entered, a cold voice greeted her: “You actually remember to come back?”

The living and dining rooms were dark.

Ling Qiong startled at the voice and hurried to turn on the lights.

Shen Han Deng sat in the dining area, his expression grim and fierce, making the atmosphere around him even more sinister.

Ling Qiong flicked on every light, feeling much safer, and replied innocently, “Young Master, wasn’t it you who left me behind?”

“…So you didn’t think to come home?”

“But I’m back now, aren’t I?” What to do when the little one is being unreasonable? Seeking advice online, urgently.

Shen Han Deng pressed his fingertips hard against the table edge. “Ye Qing Tang, do you remember your identity?”

“Hmm… I think so.” Ling Qiong nodded. “I remember—I’m your canary.”

She was trying hard to fulfill her role as a canary.

Isn’t a canary supposed to help the patron spend money?

“What were you doing today?”

“Just… chatting?” Ling Qiong blinked. “I don’t even have the right to chat with others?”

“You were chatting with a man—in that kind of place?”

“Isn’t a café for chatting? You can’t sleep there, after all!”

Shen Han Deng slammed the table in anger. “Who gave you permission to talk to him?”

Ling Qiong rolled her eyes inwardly. Permission? A parent can chat with whomever she wants.

Shen Han Deng suppressed his displeasure and asked, “What did you talk about with Zhao Yunye?”

Ling Qiong scratched her head. “Meng Nian.”

Shen Han Deng frowned. “Who?”

“My former roommate. She died. Zhao Yunye thinks her death is related to me.”

“He’s crazy?”

“Mm-hmm.” Right, exactly!

Shen Han Deng was silent for a few seconds, then asked skeptically, “It’s not really related to you, is it?”

Ling Qiong tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Young Master, do I look like a bad person to you?”

“…Can’t say for sure.”

“Did you take his money?”

“He wanted answers, I can’t give them for free. Besides, he suspects me—what’s wrong with taking a little money?” Ling Qiong patted her chest. “It’s my legal earnings!”

Righteously.jpg

Shen Han Deng: “…Legal, my foot!”

“From now on, without my permission, you’re not allowed to talk to other men. Did you hear me?”

Ling Qiong’s eyes spun. “What about Kelly?”

“He doesn’t count.”

“Why? Isn’t he a man?”

“Ye Qing Tang!” Shen Han Deng barked angrily. “You just want to go against me, don’t you?”

Ling Qiong blinked and responded perfunctorily, “I wouldn’t dare. You’re the Young Master, after all.”

Shen Han Deng could hear the sarcasm, but said nothing more. “Reflect on your actions.”

He stood and went upstairs. Ling Qiong trotted after him.

“Young Master, wait for me!”

“Young Master, are you jealous?”

Shen Han Deng ignored her, strode into his room, and slammed the door.

The gust from the closing door hit Ling Qiong square in the face.

“…”

She shadow-boxed at the door, punching and kicking the air.

Hoo!

Ling Qiong propped her face on her hands. Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. Parent must not get angry.

*

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