Chapter 78: Qin’s Moment of Double Standards

Feeling the intense, almost aggressive gaze of Qin Yichi, Qiao Zhen was completely unsettled. Her pale cheeks instantly flushed pink, and the tips of her ears were so red they seemed about to bleed.

The next moment, two girls walked over, arms linked. One of them poked her head forward, exclaiming, "Damn, where's the bathroom? I swear it was right here!" Her companion quickly pulled her back: "The bathroom's the other way, you scatterbrained fool! Hurry up, let's go! Can't you see the couple here, kissing and all?" With that, the two girls dashed off.

Their conversation wasn't loud, but Qiao Zhen heard every word. She was pressed tightly into the corner, trapped in Qin Yichi's arms, a giant question mark hovering over her head.

Kissing? Where was there any kissing?! She and Qin Yichi were perfectly upright, innocent, nothing improper at all!

But as the heated breath enveloped her again and again, Qiao Zhen snapped back to reality, suddenly realizing... perhaps it wasn't so innocent after all. At that moment, Qin Yichi was almost pinning her against the wall, leaning in to put a necklace around her neck, his head nearly buried in her shoulder. From a distance, it would indeed look as if they were locked in a passionate embrace, perhaps even kissing—an especially domineering sort.

Her breath faltered, heart beating uncontrollably fast. Flustered, she bit her lip and lifted her gaze slightly.

Qin Yichi looked utterly serious, his expression noble and upright, as if he were about to enlist in the army, tear apart enemies, and defend his country.

Qiao Zhen... felt an inexplicable sense of defeat and disappointment welling up inside her, like a wad of cotton stuck in her chest, sour and bitter. It turned out that in such an intimate moment, at such close proximity, from beginning to end, only her heart raced, only she conjured wild fantasies, only she was thrown into chaos.

Was Qin Yichi truly unaffected? Not even a little—nothing at all...

Her voice muffled, she urged softly, "Hurry up."

Her girlish tone was sweet, trembling slightly in this awkwardly intimate pose.

"Mm." Qin Yichi's Adam's apple rolled as he struggled with the necklace clasp—the dim lighting making it hard to fasten the tiny, delicate catch.

Lost in thought, his hand slipped, inadvertently tugging on a strand of her hair.

"Ouch..." A soft whimper escaped Qiao Zhen's lips; she pressed her hand against his chest, pawing at him like a kitten.

"It hurts, Qin Yichi, be gentle..." Her doe eyes were misty, shimmering, clear and pure, utterly innocent, so pitiful one couldn't help but feel protective.

On the surface, Qin Yichi remained composed, but inside his chest burned hot, breath held tight. "Sorry."

The more innocent and trusting she was, the more Qin Yichi felt he was anything but human—a beast. With a surname like Qin, he might as well be called Beast Qin.

He managed to secure the necklace, pulled away, exhaled a hot breath, and looked down at her.

With the pearl necklace adorning her neck, Qiao Zhen's skin looked even whiter, like a carefully painted oil portrait, gentle and alluring.

His gaze slid downwards; from his angle, he glimpsed the expanse of her pale skin and the softly rounded curves beneath.

He froze, heart skipping a beat.

Cream-colored lace, trimmed with delicate pink bows...

Qin Yichi quickly averted his gaze, but the image clung to his mind like wild vines, branding itself deep within.

Every cell in his body felt ablaze, heat surging to his head.

He drew back further, his voice hoarse: "It's done."

Qiao Zhen, oblivious to his reaction, was still wrapped in joy, unable to suppress a gentle smile.

She was so happy she could burst, bubbling over with delight~

Hehe, she had a little gift for Qin Yichi, too.

But she'd wait until they got home to give it...

After the competition ended, the group went for a barbecue to celebrate, declaring they wouldn't stop until they were drunk.

February's chill lingered; Qiao Zhen wrapped herself in a thick white down jacket, looking like a snowball, and formally introduced her roommates to the boys.

Chen Meixiang and Sheng Lulu were outgoing, instantly blending in and becoming the life of the party; Yun Yue, on the other hand, was shy, keeping her head down and quietly eating.

The waiter soon brought over a tray of beer.

Her three roommates instantly exchanged meaningful glances with Qiao Zhen.

Qiao Zhen nodded solemnly, a spark of determination igniting in her eyes.

She hadn't forgotten her main mission tonight: [Drink a little, get tipsy, pretend to be drunk, then boldly test and seduce Qin Yichi!]

They say alcohol gives courage to the timid—go, Zhenzhen!

The restaurant was new, offering self-serve barbecue outdoors. Everyone formed a circle, facing the cold night breeze.

The grill and charcoal were ready; Qin Yichi expertly tended the flames, his movements practiced and focused, exuding reliability.

The meat on the grill sizzled, cooking evenly.

The flames danced wildly, the orange-red glow illuminating half his face, deepening the lines of his features and lending him an air of mystery and intensity.

So attractive.

Qiao Zhen stared at his Adam's apple as it moved, suddenly feeling hungry, unable to stop herself from swallowing secretly.

Soon, Qin Yichi brushed a layer of sweet and spicy sauce onto the skewers and, as if it were nothing, handed one to Qiao Zhen.

"Lamb kebab, try it."

He lowered his lashes, his tone casual, as if it were a trivial matter.

Her three reconnaissance roommates, equipped with radar, snapped their heads up, exchanging glances and frantically blinking:

—Nice, he's attentive to the little details! Extra points!

—So sweet, he really loves her, I'm dying from the cuteness!!

Qiao Zhen took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, then smiled at him, her eyes sparkling like stars, as bright as precious jewels: "It's delicious!"

Those clear, beautiful eyes seemed able to hold anything, yet at the same time, as if they held only him.

"Qin Yichi, you're amazing."

Her voice was pure, soft as water, like a camellia quietly blooming, exuding a faint fragrance.

Qin Yichi: "...Just a small thing."

Her praise sent him reeling, prompting him to grill a frenzy of food for her:

Chicken wings, fish tofu, corn, duck intestines, pork belly...

His skills were impressive—everything came out fragrant and juicy, crisp outside and tender inside, every bite irresistibly tempting.

Niu Yifeng looked at his own scorched lamb skewer, then at Qin Yichi's perfect ones, drawn by the aroma.

He pinched his voice, acting coy: "Chige, you're so talented—I want some of yours too~"

Qin Yichi didn't pause, casting him a sidelong glance, his tone icy:

"You don't have hands?"