Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Cat Who Stole a Taste

Nan Zhiyi lay on the guest room bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. It simply wasn’t as comfortable as napping on Qin Xuan’s bed that afternoon. After some thought, she quietly opened the door and tiptoed out.

She approached Qin Xuan, glancing warily around, especially at the door to Qin Lin’er’s room across the hall, her heart pounding with excitement. In the end, she slipped into Qin Xuan’s room. The lights were off; darkness enveloped the space.

Nan Zhiyi hadn’t expected Qin Xuan to be asleep so early, so she quietly climbed onto the bed.

“Huh?” She felt Qin Xuan’s hand and couldn’t help but give it a squeeze. How soft it was! She lifted the arm, placed it beneath her neck, and snuggled up against the body. But something felt wrong. Why was Qin Xuan’s chest so… pronounced? Nan Zhiyi’s mind clouded with confusion—then realization struck.

Oh no! Her vision flashed as the room light snapped on.

Nan Zhiyi stared at Liu Ruoxi, who was smiling sweetly in front of her, utterly bewildered—especially as Liu Ruoxi’s hand was still cradling her head. Oh, this was bad!

“Nan Zhiyi! You’re awfully bold!” Liu Ruoxi growled, yanking Nan Zhiyi into her embrace. Instantly, Nan Zhiyi felt suffocated.

“Mmm!” Nan Zhiyi struggled for a long moment before freeing herself, her face flushed, gasping for breath.

“Ruoxi, what are you doing here?” Nan Zhiyi had seen her leave earlier; otherwise, she would never have dared come looking for Qin Xuan!

“Hmph! I’m with my boyfriend—what business is it of yours?” Liu Ruoxi gripped her wrist. “But you! What exactly were you trying to do?”

Nan Zhiyi’s skills at arguing were far from adequate; she was clearly outmatched. She hung her head in silence.

Qin Xuan, meanwhile, watched the spectacle with delight. Liu Ruoxi, seeing Nan Zhiyi remain mute, guessed she was embarrassed—after all, being caught sneaking in was awkward. If she herself had been caught sneaking in… Well, she’d already claimed Qin Xuan, so there was no need for sneaking!

After a moment’s thought, Liu Ruoxi dragged Nan Zhiyi out of Qin Xuan’s room, leaving poor Qin Xuan abandoned once again. He’d thought he’d have someone to warm his bed tonight, but alas…

Liu Ruoxi pulled Nan Zhiyi back to the guest room, pushed her onto the bed, and sat firmly atop her.

“Nan Zhiyi! You know perfectly well Qin Xuan is my boyfriend—and you still do this?” Liu Ruoxi was furious. Did Nan Zhiyi have any sense of honor?

Nan Zhiyi bit her lip in embarrassment. She’d intended to sneak in, but getting caught…

“Ruoxi, I just… couldn’t help myself.”

“Oh? I can barely help myself from hitting you!” Liu Ruoxi retorted mercilessly.

“Ow!” Nan Zhiyi clung to Liu Ruoxi’s arm, shaking it. “Ruoxi, I was wrong, I promise! I’ll never do this again!”

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Liu Ruoxi frowned. “Like I’d trust you! If you still consider us friends, you’d better show some restraint!”

“Mm, mm!” Nan Zhiyi nodded hurriedly.

Liu Ruoxi looked at her, seeing none of the goddess the world imagined. Instead, she resembled a cat caught sneaking a fish.

At last, Liu Ruoxi released her wrist, and Nan Zhiyi rubbed her sore hand where she’d been gripped.

Once Liu Ruoxi left, Nan Zhiyi resentfully took out her notebook and scribbled: Got caught sneaking in! Liu Ruoxi is tyrannical! One day I must overthrow her reign!

Liu Ruoxi returned to Qin Xuan’s room, curled up in his arms, grumbling angrily. “Stay away from Zhiyi from now on! She clearly hasn’t given up!”

“Got it, having you is all I need!” Qin Xuan replied playfully, earning a punch from Liu Ruoxi.

“All you men are always eyeing the next thing while eating what’s on your plate!”

Qin Xuan sighed. “Relax, why are you so jealous?”

“Get lost!” Liu Ruoxi turned her back, refusing to look at him. “What if someone steals my boyfriend?”

As she spoke, her nose began to tingle, nearly bringing tears.

Sensing her anger, Qin Xuan wrapped his arm around her waist to comfort her. “Don’t overthink it. I only like you.”

Liu Ruoxi was still sulking, but then she felt his hand misbehaving at her waist, tickling her and instantly distracting her.

She grabbed his warm hand. “So you don’t like Lin’er?”

Qin Xuan was momentarily stunned. “Eh? I treat her differently than I treat you!”

“Hmph!” Liu Ruoxi ignored him, refusing to respond.

Seeing this, Qin Xuan realized words wouldn’t help. He gently turned her over by the shoulder, but Liu Ruoxi kept her face averted.

He cupped her cheek, softly turning her to face him, gazed into her eyes—and kissed her without hesitation…

Liu Ruoxi’s eyes flew wide open! Her hands, which had been pushing him away, softened and gradually rested on Qin Xuan’s chest.

…

The next morning, Liu Ruoxi awoke groggily, touching her swollen lips. She was furious! Why had he been so rough?

The more she thought, the angrier she became. She kicked the still-sleeping Qin Xuan. How could he still be asleep?

Qin Xuan climbed up from the floor, bewildered. “What are you doing?”

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“Look for yourself!” Liu Ruoxi pouted, gesturing.

Qin Xuan thought she wanted more and shook his head. Honestly, he didn’t know what to do with her.

Half an hour later, they finally got out of bed. Liu Ruoxi pursed her thoroughly swollen lips, speechless.

She thought they’d gotten up early, but found Nan Zhiyi already in the kitchen, helping her mother cook.

Liu Ruoxi was immediately irritated. So everything she’d said last night had no effect? Clearly, she needed to find an opportunity to teach Nan Zhiyi a lesson!

After breakfast, Qin Xuan accompanied his father to hang couplets and such, while Ruoxi went home, planning to return at noon for lunch.

Nan Zhiyi and Qin Lin’er, meanwhile, had disappeared—who knew what trouble they were up to this time?

…

On the other side, Nan Zhengyi sat alone on the balcony, smoking angrily. His daughter had run off for the New Year!

Aunt Yang came out to fetch sausages to cook, cursing him as she passed.

“It’s all your fault, insisting Zhiyi attend that ridiculous gathering! Happy now?”

Nan Zhengyi replied gloomily, “How was I to know she’d react so strongly? Besides, I don’t approve of that Qin family boy anyway!”

“Zhiyi can handle her own affairs! She doesn’t need you meddling!” Aunt Yang swung the sausages at him, ready to give him a beating.

“Hey! Stop, stop!” Nan Zhengyi quickly raised his hands to block her, but Aunt Yang slipped and fell right onto his lap.

“My dear~” Nan Zhengyi leaned close, whispering in her ear, “How about considering what I mentioned last time?”

Aunt Yang tried to escape, but for some reason, she couldn’t muster the strength. She was puzzled by his words. “What thing?”

“How about starting a new character?”

“Get out, get out!” Aunt Yang slapped him in the face with a sausage. “You shameless old man!”

“Who’s old? I’m full of youthful vigor!” Nan Zhengyi protested.

He picked up Aunt Yang and carried her to the bedroom. His strength was undeniable—if Qin Jianguo wanted a rematch, he wouldn’t stand a chance…

Elsewhere, Qin Xuan watched as Nan Zhiyi and Qin Lin’er walked out of their room, arm in arm. Nan Zhiyi shot him an excited glance, as if she and Lin’er had plotted some new scheme…