Chapter 50: Keeping Zhenzhen Company as She Sleeps

Hearing this, Qiao Zhen’s nose tingled as she curled up beneath the covers, fighting back the tears welling in her eyes.

She could tell—Qin Yichi was deliberately avoiding her question.

In an instant, a flood of sadness and disappointment overwhelmed her, weaving into a vast net that surged forward and slowly swallowed her whole. Qiao Zhen couldn’t understand why she suddenly felt so empty inside, the ache so deep it was hard to breathe.

So, Qin Yichi truly only saw her as a little sister—he really didn’t like her that way…

Qin Yichi turned and walked toward the hotel room next door. With his back to the girl, a rare trace of loneliness and gloom appeared in his eyes.

But the next second, a soft, delicate hand suddenly gripped his wrist tightly.

He froze, slowly turning his head.

Qiao Zhen, as if haunted by some terrifying thought, had gone pale, clutching his wrist with all her might. Even though she tried her hardest to hold back, her voice trembled, her eyes wide with panic and confusion. “Qin Yichi, are you going to leave me too?”

She felt that if Qin Yichi walked away now, he would never come back.

Her teary eyes gazed up at him, wide and anxious like a frightened fawn, as if he were her only lifeline.

But her face grew whiter, her gaze unfocused, sinking ever deeper into a swamp of anxiety and fear.

Something was clearly wrong with Qiao Zhen—it was as if she’d been badly startled.

Qin Yichi strode over in a flash, sitting by the bed and coaxing her softly, “How could I ever abandon you?”

He sighed, raising his hand—his rough fingertips gently stroked her soft, pale cheek, brushing away her tears.

“Don’t cry.”

Drunk, Qiao Zhen truly was… so prone to tears.

Her tears fell freely, like beads of crystalized frost, one after another.

How much sorrow had she been holding back in her heart?

At his words, Qiao Zhen obediently tilted her head up, stubbornly holding back her tears, doing her best to suppress them.

“I—I won’t cry, just please don’t leave, okay…”

Yet her eyes filled again, brimming with unshed tears, and in the blink of an eye several more pearly drops slid down, making her look even more aggrieved.

She clung to the hem of Qin Yichi’s shirt, refusing to let go, crying harder than ever.

No matter how he wiped them, her tears wouldn’t stop, as if they could seep right into Qin Yichi’s heart, cold and sharp, pricking him again and again.

Qin Yichi gently ruffled her hair. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay right here with you, alright?”

He comforted her for a long time, promising again and again that he wouldn’t leave her behind. Only then did Qiao Zhen gradually calm down, her grip on his fingers finally loosening.

When drunk, her mood came and went as unpredictably as the wind.

Eventually, he managed to soothe the little drunkard.

Qiao Zhen nodded, looking pitiful as she said, “You can’t lie to me…”

Qin Yichi tucked her in, following her lead. “Alright, if I lie I’m a little puppy.”

Qiao Zhen blinked, lips pursed in serious thought, her little face strained with concentration.

She always thought of Qin Yichi as a big dog, but hearing such a promise, she couldn’t help but feel happy.

It was as if a peach blossom bud quietly bloomed in her mind, tender and dewy, adding color to the painting of spring.

All at once, Qiao Zhen wasn’t sad anymore. Like a small animal, she wriggled to the side, making a large space on the bed.

Her drunken eyes were clear and gentle, her tone innocent and sweet as she said, “Then you’ll sleep here with me tonight, okay?”

Perhaps it was the honey water she’d just drunk—her voice was sweet as honey.

Time seemed to freeze.

Qin Yichi’s mind stalled, thunderstruck, as if a bolt of lightning had just crashed down on his head.

He couldn’t react for a long while.

Qiao Zhen tugged his hand, her face earnest. “You said you wouldn’t leave me alone… Come under the covers, I’ve already warmed up the bed for you.”

There was only one bed, so of course they should share it. She’d already decided—tonight, she’d cuddle Qin Yichi as she slept, just like her teddy bear at home, holding on tightly and never letting go.

But Qin Yichi’s stern face clouded over, darkening abruptly. “No!”

He refused—flatly and decisively.

Qiao Zhen stared, stunned for two seconds, her eyes filling with tears, murmuring, “How could you… lie to me…”

She buried her face in the quilt, sobbing in heartbreak.

Qin Yichi struggled to restrain the fire and desire within him. Lifting a corner of her blanket, he saw the girl’s soft, tear-stained face, and his heart melted.

He leaned on the chair by the bed, eyelashes trembling with restraint, his voice rough as he said, “I’ll sit right here and keep you company as you sleep, alright?”

Lying in bed, Qiao Zhen wiped her tears, dazedly lifting her head, her round eyes fixed on him.

After much hesitation, she finally scooted closer and nodded. “Okay.”

Qin Yichi went to turn off the lights, leaving only a faint, warm lamp aglow, filling the room with a gentle, comforting atmosphere.

The soft yellow light outlined his features, making him seem even more gentle and kind than usual.

He sat on the stool by the bed, his voice steady but tinged with indulgence. “Sleep. I’m right here.”

Qiao Zhen lay on the pillow, rubbing her eyes, her voice small and still trembling, “You can’t sneak away while I’m asleep.”

Qin Yichi hummed softly, “I won’t go.”

Assured, Qiao Zhen closed her eyes with the happiness of a child who’d just gotten a piece of candy. “Goodnight, then.”

…

In the dead of night, all was silent.

Yu Wenjian, reeling from drink and battered nearly to the point of broken bones, his face bloody and twisted in pain, staggered forward.

He hadn’t gone more than a few steps when—bang!—

A fist smashed mercilessly into his nose, and before he could react, a kick landed squarely on his knee!

With a sickening crack, bones snapped.

A wave of excruciating pain shot through him, hot blood gushing from his nostrils as he was forced to his knees, cursing in fury.

“Who the hell—!”

He glared upward, but in the next instant his face froze, blood running cold.

Shock, terror, regret—

A tangled mess of emotions surged through him.

A tall, handsome figure stood before him, the boy’s cold expression razor-sharp and menacing. The usually aloof and indifferent eyes now blazed a terrifying red.

Ji Xian looked down at him, his presence icy and forbidding, and his words ground out from between clenched teeth:

“You were going to force her?”

The Ji family’s rules were strict—they demanded their heirs maintain perfect composure, never betraying any emotion, always calm and reserved.

Ji Xian had always been cold and distant. Only tonight, anger filled his gaze, his eyes stained as if splattered with fresh blood.

Yu Wenjian stiffened, shrinking back in fear.

But Ji Xian seized him by the collar, his voice frigid as ice. “Answer me!”