Chapter 55: The Canary’s Self-Cultivation (20)

The next morning.

When Ling Qiong got up, she found a massive cage in the living room. It was quite beautiful.

But...

"What... what's it for?" she asked, suddenly uneasy.

"The young master had it bought," Kelly replied with a smile. "He said he wants to keep birds."

What kind of bird does your family raise that needs such a huge cage?

Ling Qiong circled around, keeping her distance from the cage.

Shen Han Deng didn't come down for breakfast; Kelly asked Ling Qiong to help bring it up.

She wasn't exactly eager.

Her eyes darted around. While Kelly was distracted, she slipped into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of white vinegar.

Ling Qiong carried the breakfast tray upstairs and pushed open the door.

Shen Han Deng was sitting on the edge of the bed, barefoot, rolling a vase back and forth on the carpet with his feet.

That’s quite the morning exercise—must be tough on the vase.

Ling Qiong set down the breakfast and called sweetly, "Young master, breakfast is ready."

Shen Han Deng kicked the vase aside and got up, the silk cuff of his pants sliding down to cover his feet.

The vase rolled into a corner and knocked softly against the wall.

He sat down and began to eat his congee with a spoon.

Ling Qiong stood by and watched. When she saw him eating without any change in expression, she struggled to keep her own composure.

What’s going on?

Why is he not reacting at all?

After two bites, Shen Han Deng dropped his spoon. "I’m done. Take it away."

Ling Qiong muttered to herself as she cleared up. When his back was turned, she nearly tasted it herself—then thought better of it and put the spoon down.

Carrying the tray out, she bumped into Kelly and immediately held out the tray. "The young master said it tastes wrong. You try it."

Kelly asked, "What’s wrong with it?"

"How should I know?" Ling Qiong replied, looking utterly innocent. "Just try it and you’ll see."

Suspicious, Kelly took a spare spoon from the tray and tasted a bite.

"Pfft—ptooey, ptooey!" The sourness made him spit. "What the hell is this!"

Ling Qiong just watched.

Ha!

Kid thought he could outsmart his old man!

Kelly frowned. "I didn’t put anything weird in it. Why is there so much vinegar? Strange..."

Later that afternoon, Ling Qiong saw several birds in the cage—real golden canaries.

The cage had been placed near the living room balcony, and now the curtains could finally be drawn open.

A few birds darted about inside, their calls crisp and melodious.

Kids really do know how to play.

Did he think this would scare her?

Ha!

Was she raised to be frightened by such things?

Naive! Childish! Ridiculous!

Ling Qiong amused herself with the birds for a while before slowly heading upstairs.

With new life in the villa, the once cold and quiet house seemed to gain a touch of vitality.

Ling Qiong came across a photo of herself and Zhao Yun Ye, taken at the end of the last class that morning.

Someone had snapped a picture of her and Zhao Yun Ye talking in a café and posted it on the forum. There was also a scene where Shen Han Deng appeared behind them and pulled her away.

Both Shen Han Deng and Zhao Yun Ye were popular figures.

Two men vying for one woman—now that was something to gossip about.

"How is she so skilled at this?"

"After what happened before, I’m starting to question the truth. If she can have two heartthrobs circling around her, she must be something special..."

"Wasn't Zhao Yun Ye's ex-girlfriend..."

"It's only been a short while—surely she hasn't already moved on?"

"I don’t think so; it must be Ye Qing Tang..."

Maybe last time’s incident left a psychological shadow—no one dared to discuss this openly on the forum, only in private.

Some even speculated about who she would end up with.

"When you’re famous, there’s always more gossip," Ling Qiong sighed at dinner with Shen Han Deng, propping her chin as she tossed the food she didn’t like onto his plate.

He said nothing, perhaps used to it by now.

But the things she was picky about seemed to change every day—what did that mean?

What she avoided yesterday she might eat today, and vice versa.

Kelly had told him Miss Ye was even harder to please than he was.

Shen Han Deng had thought Kelly was exaggerating—after all, she didn’t seem that difficult around him.

But now he was starting to believe it.

Lowering his gaze, Shen Han Deng asked casually, "Who would you choose?"

"Choose who?"

"Between me and Zhao Yun Ye—who would you choose?"

A small head, a big question mark.

What on earth did she have to do with Zhao Yun Ye? Why should she have to choose?

But since the kid asked...

Ling Qiong declared her position at once. "Isn’t it obvious? Of course I’d choose you, young master."

Shen Han Deng stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly leaned over and pressed his cool lips to the corner of her mouth.

Ling Qiong seemed to forget to dodge, staring at him blankly.

He only touched her for a moment before pulling away, lowering his head to eat as if nothing had happened.

Ling Qiong rubbed the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, glancing outside.

Just now, it seemed like something flashed outside...

She grabbed Shen Han Deng's wrist. "Shen Han Deng, are you using me?"

He glanced at her hand but, for once, didn’t shake it off. "You’re mine. You can’t be entangled with anyone else."

"You kissed me—did I give you permission?"

He gave her a sidelong look. "Everything about you belongs to me. Can’t I do whatever I want with you?"

Wow.

"So, young master, does that mean you like me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Shen Han Deng replied icily.

That ambiguous photo soon spread, shattering rumors of a love triangle.

In the end, even Zhou Jing heard about it.

She examined the photo repeatedly, seeming quite satisfied. "Looks like that Ye girl is making progress."

"Director Zhou, about the company lately..."

"As long as Shen Han Deng is around, no one at the company will dare make trouble."

"I'm just worried—what if someone from the company contacts the eldest young master?"

Zhou Jing slapped the photo onto the desk. "After so many years managing this company, I have people in every department. It's not so easy for them to sneak around behind my back."

She went on, "My birthday's next month. Let's make it a proper celebration—liven things up a bit."

Ever since Mr. Shen’s death, Zhou Jing had rarely thrown a birthday banquet—at most, small gatherings.

But over the years, Zhou Jing had managed the Shen family well, and everyone was happy to show her respect.

So on the day of the birthday banquet, many came to pay their respects.

Naturally, Shen Han Deng had to attend. He hadn’t planned to bring Ling Qiong.

But she insisted on coming.

She didn’t make a fuss—just followed him quietly and pitifully, tugging at his sleeve now and then and softly asking if she could go.

Before meeting her, Shen Han Deng thought he was immune to all women.

But...

Who could say no to that look?

"Don’t wander off," he warned her.

Ling Qiong gave him an OK sign, her whole demeanor spelling out how well-behaved she was.

The guests at the banquet were either prominent figures, wealthy matrons, or heiresses from illustrious families.

Zhou Jing navigated the crowd with ease.

Ling Qiong sat on a lawn chair, studying a set of cards.

The card’s name matched this place, but the setting... She had just looked around and hadn’t found any match.

Ling Qiong decided to check again.

Persistence pays off—victory comes to those who stick with it!

"Miss Ye, we meet again." Just as Ling Qiong stood up, she bumped into Pei Ziqing.

You again! What, hoping for another swim in the pool?

Come on—let’s vote for another day at the pool!