After Disabled A was Reborn, She Got Scummed Again - Chapter 19

Qin Xiao set down her chopsticks and picked up the drink in front of her. The liquid was a pale reddish-brown, dotted with slices of lemon and mint, topped with a thin layer of white cream.

The moment it touched her lips, she knew—this was red tea. Specifically, Minzhi red tea. Exceptionally rare and expensive. Only a few pounds were produced each year, not something an average person could easily get their hands on.

Even for a high-end restaurant like this, having such tea was a surprise.

The fragrance of the tea bloomed on her tongue, stirring a few lingering thoughts.

“This is so good,” Chu Qiyan couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Mhm, it’s delicious! I didn’t expect to taste something new today,” Shang Niannian chimed in, nodding repeatedly.

“Let’s go once you’re done eating,” Qin Xiao said after a while.

“Yes, yes!” Shang Niannian immediately responded.

Chu Qiyan simply smiled softly, watching them in silence. Among those present, she was clearly the one with the least status.

Assistant Liu had already gone to settle the bill. Shang Niannian seized the chance and rushed behind Qin Xiao, trying to help push her wheelchair.

“Niannian.” Qin Xiao called her name, her voice laced with cold rejection.

“Qin-jiejie, I just want to help push you,” Shang Niannian said, trying to sound aggrieved. She’d been wanting to get close to her for a while now but never had the chance—until now.

“No need.” The chill in Qin Xiao’s voice didn’t fade. The assistant, who had been edged aside, quickly stepped up to reclaim the wheelchair handles.

Chu Qiyan stood quietly to the side, observing the entire scene.

They strolled slowly onto the cobblestone bridge, taking in the surrounding scenery as they walked at a leisurely pace. The sky was now a dim gray-black, and the courtyard lights had all been switched on. Everything looked bright and romantic.

Stars scattered across the sky, a hazy moon veiled behind thin clouds. Its silvery light bathed the earth—and them. A gentle breeze swept through, brushing away the restless heat from their hearts. It was a scene of quiet beauty.

Chu Qiyan walked close beside Qin Xiao. Shang Niannian tried to squeeze up as well, but the narrow stone bridge didn’t allow for more than two side-by-side. Left with no choice, she trailed behind, clearly reluctant. Luckily for her peace of mind, there didn’t seem to be much interaction between Qin Xiao and Chu Qiyan.

The stillness was occasionally broken by birdsong or the chirping of insects—a natural, carefree sound.

Chu Qiyan’s lips curled upward as she looked around. Her round apricot eyes curved like the crescent moon above, glowing warmly. The soft light highlighted her delicate oval face and petite, well-shaped nose. Her eyes sparkled like tiny stars, lively and bright. The innocence in her smile lit up her entire face—lovely and fitting.

This version of her was completely different from the Chu Qiyan that Qin Xiao remembered. So this is what she looked like when she wasn’t constantly looking pitiful or tearful. Far more pleasant.

Qin Xiao glanced sideways at her, and the thought rose naturally.

In the quiet, time seemed to slow down. Everything felt lighter, as if no troubles existed.

Except for Shang Niannian, who was sulking behind them, wishing she was at Qin Xiao’s side.

Still, the fact that Qin Xiao let her tag along was already something. She didn’t want to push her luck—if Qin Xiao started avoiding her again, that would be far worse.

Whether Qin Xiao liked her or not didn’t matter. As long as she stayed by her side, she believed that one day, Qin Xiao would notice her. She would have a place there.

Like now. They’d spent the whole day together, even shared a meal—unprecedented moments. The more she thought about it, the more her dissatisfaction melted away.

“I’ll take you home,” Qin Xiao said to Chu Qiyan once they reached the entrance.

Bathed in moonlight and lamplight, the sharp edge in Qin Xiao’s presence seemed softened, almost wrapped in warmth.

Chu Qiyan didn’t know why, but the longer she spent around Qin Xiao, the less distant the woman felt. Maybe she was just getting used to her.

She studied the softened lines of Qin Xiao’s face, quietly wondering.

“…Okay. Thank you,” Chu Qiyan said with a bright smile.

She had no reason to refuse. This place, Mo Yun Lou, was pretty remote. She hadn’t driven, and taxis were hard to come by. Besides, if Qin Xiao dropped her off, the Chu family would be pleased. With that connection, they might even stop bothering her for a while.

She remained seated beside Qin Xiao.

“Qin-jiejie, I’ll go with you too,” Shang Niannian said, trying to slip into the passenger seat and steal Assistant Liu’s spot.

“Didn’t you drive here?” Qin Xiao’s question, though simple, was already a rejection.

“I can still ride with you! We’re heading the same way,” Shang Niannian argued.

Qin Xiao cast her a cold glance, lips pressed into a tight line.

“Alright, Qin-jiejie… see you tomorrow,” Shang Niannian backed down reluctantly.

“Chu Qiyan, don’t play any tricks,” Shang Niannian muttered before leaving while shooting Chu Qiyan a venomous glare.

The car engine purred to life. A second vehicle followed behind, and at the corner, the two cars split off in different directions.

“Want to stay at my place?” Qin Xiao asked suddenly. She’d recalled Xu Chanmian’s comment and figured it might be safer for Chu Qiyan. Life at the Chu house was like walking on a razor’s edge—anything could happen.

“…?” Chu Qiyan looked startled, her wide obsidian eyes full of disbelief.

She licked her lips after a moment and said, “No need…”

She didn’t quite understand anymore.

That vague suspicion in her heart resurfaced—did Qin Xiao like her? But that couldn’t be right. She wasn’t vain enough to believe the head of the Qinlong Group—cool, powerful, and respected—would fall for someone like her, someone with nothing.

Yet Qin Xiao’s actions kept giving her the wrong idea.

Especially now. The famously aloof Qin Xiao, who supposedly had no interest in Omegas, was actually inviting her to move in?

“I see,” Qin Xiao replied coolly. There was something faintly disappointed in her airy tone.

“Mhm…” Chu Qiyan nodded thoughtfully, still digesting everything.

Qin Xiao let the matter drop. There was no rush—so long as they stayed close, heat cycles would come eventually. She could wait.

The quiet in the car was broken by a ringtone.

Qin Xiao opened her eyes and glanced at her.

Chu Qiyan looked at the caller ID and frowned—it was her brother, Chu Bing. She hesitated and glanced at Qin Xiao.

“Answer it,” Qin Xiao said casually.

So she did. “Brother,” she greeted softly.

She had nothing to say to him anymore. Ever since Chu Qian had returned, her brother only listened to her lies. Every meeting ended in scolding, constant reminders and warnings.

Even before Chu Qian came back, their relationship wasn’t deep, but he’d been civil—distant but decent. After Chu Qian reappeared, everything shifted. He picked a side.

She understood, but it still hurt. The brother who used to treat her reasonably now seemed to constantly target her. His presence loomed like a damp, dark cloud over her head.

She was already exhausted dealing with so many things. She didn’t have the strength to play his games.

“Chu Qiyan! You didn’t even say you wouldn’t be home? The whole family’s been waiting for you to eat!”

As expected, it started with a scolding. Chu Qiyan frowned and replied, “Just eat without me…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?! You’re getting more and more disrespectful!”

“I’ll remember next time. Just go ahead and eat,” she said gently, but her brows remained furrowed.

“Can’t she have dinner with me?” Qin Xiao cut in, her voice low and displeased.

There was silence on the other end. Then, a different tone emerged. “President Qin… you’re having dinner together? Well, she should’ve said something.”

His voice softened, even carrying a hint of flattery.

“Hope you two enjoy your meal. I won’t bother you.” He hung up before Chu Qiyan could speak.

She looked thoughtful. She hadn’t wanted to mention she was with Qin Xiao—figured they’d use it against her somehow, accusing her of cozying up to the rich and acting superior.

But now that Qin Xiao had made it public, she might as well use her name to shut them up.

She sighed inwardly.

“Why not just say so from the start?” Qin Xiao asked lightly.

“It’s complicated…”

“No problem. Just say it was me. Blame it on me,” Qin Xiao said coolly.

Her voice was still cold, but the words were warm.

“…Thank you, Qin Xiao.” Chu Qiyan said sincerely.

“Why not move in with me? It’ll make things easier,” Qin Xiao offered again.

“No… thanks, but I’d better not…” Chu Qiyan still declined. Living with Qin Xiao might bring new complications.

After all, she was only a fiancée in name. If word got out, it’d spark endless gossip. And with all of Qin Xiao’s admirers, it wouldn’t end well for her.

She knew the difference between a small headache and a real disaster. The Chu family only gave her trouble in petty ways, making life inconvenient or unpleasant. But at least she could watch Chu Qian’s every move while under the same roof.

“Qin Xiao, why are you so good to me? Do you… like me?” Chu Qiyan finally asked, her voice hesitant. Based on everything Qin Xiao had done, it felt like more than simple kindness—it felt like care, even affection.

“…Hmm?” Qin Xiao made a soft, ambiguous sound. Meeting her starry gaze, she didn’t answer directly. Instead, she simply said, “I’ll protect you.”

“Okay…” Chu Qiyan replied gently. A flush crept up her ears.

In the car’s dim light, Qin Xiao looked serene and sincere. Her words felt like a warm current, rippling across the still lake of Chu Qiyan’s heart.

The silence returned, tinged now with an almost imperceptible intimacy.

Qin Xiao looked down at her tablet, reading through the dossier on the illegitimate daughter of the Cheng family.

Chu Qiyan didn’t dare look at her again. Her ears still burned. She needed to be cautious—her father was always trying to get information out of Qin Xiao. But the woman had already been so good to her; she couldn’t possibly betray her like that.

They passed neon lights and bustling crowds. Though the sky was dark, the city was alive—especially with the good weather lately.

“We’re here,” Qin Xiao said as the car pulled up to the small courtyard. Warm yellow lights glowed from inside, casting a romantic filter over the scene—almost like a couple’s date ending at the girl’s doorstep.

Only, one of them wasn’t getting out.

Qin Xiao remained in the car.

“Thank you,” Chu Qiyan said again.

“No need, fiancée,” Qin Xiao teased. Her expression was still cool and noble, but a faint smile flickered in her eyes.

Chu Qiyan had thanked her countless times that day.

“Mhm.” Chu Qiyan replied with a smile.

At that moment, Chu Qian was stepping out the door, chatting and laughing with someone beside her—an unfamiliar Alpha.

The black car rumbled behind them, and Cheng Mianxin turned to glance at it. She could just barely make out a tall figure inside.

Inside the car, Qin Xiao was still reading the Cheng family file. She lifted her gaze and gave Chu Qiyan a  glance through the window.