You're so sweet (GL) - Chapter 1
Qin Luo hadn’t expected to step into the Qin family’s old residence again.
The click of her high heels on the flagstones was crisp. The renovated courtyard was antique and elegant, with two sides of full-blooming peonies, their heady fragrance making Qin Luo want to sneeze.
The Qin family’s old house sat in the center of J City. Rumor had it that it was centuries old, having accumulated the prosperity of several generations of the Qin family, a layout meant for great wealth and fortune. Qin Luo had never bothered to study it; in her opinion, this dilapidated mansion had no prosperity, only overflowing resentment.
Everyone knew the last Mrs. Qin had committed suicide in a corner of this house, as had her own mother, a mistress who had almost been legitimized.
If you counted back further, who knows how many others had met a tragic end within these walls. Only the Qin family was bold enough to continue living here.
“Miss, we’ve arrived.” The butler leading the way bowed slightly.
Qin Luo looked up. Due to the weather, a cashmere rug covered the corridor floor. A maid was waiting at the end, clearly ready to take Qin Luo’s shoes and place them in the nearby cabinet.
Putting on airs, Qin Luo thought, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. She bent slightly and slipped off her shoes. As she moved, the qipao she wore curved and fell, outlining a breathtaking, figure-hugging silhouette.
Her feet landed on the rug, and the soft, delicate wool immediately gave her goosebumps. She narrowed her eyes, gazing toward the sight-blocking screen.
There were about four figures inside; one was standing, apparently pouring tea.
“Old Madam, Miss Qin Luo has arrived.”
“Tell her to come in,” a voice responded from inside. That voice belonged to the current matriarch of the Qin family.
Qin Luo remembered clearly how that voice had, in just a few sentences, determined her and her mother’s ‘separation of life and death.’ What was laughable was that ten years later, it was also the Old Madam who remembered her and summoned her back.
Qin Luo put on a smile and slowly walked in, immediately spotting Old Madam Qin seated in the main chair. Time seemed to have slipped through the old woman’s fingers, as she looked practically unchanged from ten years ago.
“Hello, Old Madam.”
The slight lift at the end of her voice was like an invisible hook.
Old Madam Qin raised her eyes, a hint of satisfaction flashing within them. Qin Luo had inherited the Qin family’s glamorous looks, but her almond eyes were inherited from her actress mother, adding a touch of innocence.
“Qin Luo, come sit by Grandma.” The Old Madam gestured for Qin Luo to sit beside her. Qin Luo didn’t hesitate, walking over and sitting down. The polite, curved smile she wore froze, however, when she looked up and saw the two people across from her.
At the same time, the Old Madam’s voice sounded in her ear, “The last time I saw her, this child only reached my waist. Qin Luo, this is your older brother, Ziyuan, and his friend since childhood, Su Jingwan of the Su family.”
Friend? Since childhood? Didn’t that convoluted preamble just mean childhood sweethearts? Su Jingwan… Qin Luo’s gaze settled on the person. She quickly composed herself, hiding the emotion in her heart. She wasn’t ignorant of the rumors that the eldest son of the Qin family had a sweetheart he was compatible with, but she never imagined Su Jingwan would be her.
Qin Luo offered a small smile, “So it’s Brother and Miss Su. You truly are a perfect match—talented man and beautiful woman—both so outstanding.”
Qin Ziyuan was refined and handsome, wearing a gentle smile. Su Jingwan, with her cold and gorgeous mixed-race features, was expressionless, but both nodded to Qin Luo.
Qin Luo smiled back at each of them.
After several cups of tea, Qin Luo was unsurprisingly asked to stay for lunch.
She originally didn’t want to stay long in this dreary Qin house, but by the time noon approached, she had momentarily lost herself in thought and couldn’t escape. Qin Luo stood on the courtyard corridor, looking down at the thriving cluster of peonies outside, her eyes full of critical distaste.
How gaudy and ostentatious. She was just thinking this when she suddenly heard the restroom door open and a tall figure step out.
Qin Luo’s lips curved slightly, and she followed.
“Su Jingwan.”
The figure in front paused, then continued toward the living room. Qin Luo’s smile widened. She kept following and raised her voice,
“So your name is Su Jingwan, Gorgeous Beauty.”
Su Jingwan finally stopped. Qin Luo, unable to check her speed, bumped right into her shoulder. A burst of crisp, cold cedar scent instantly flooded her nostrils, making her momentarily lose herself, as if transported back to that night—
The bar’s dance floor was roaring with a feverish crowd, but Qin Luo was sprawled on a booth like a dead fish. The Qin family didn’t acknowledge her status, but they never skimped on material wealth, giving her plenty of money. This bar, called Sì (肆), was one she had invested in, and she often came here to kill time and do some mild flirting.
Unfortunately, lately, the most stunning person here was herself.
Qin Luo stretched and decided the night was boring; she might as well go home for her beauty sleep. Just as she stood up, Xu Shaotian, another partner, scurried over with a glass of wine, looking like a thief.
“Xiao Luo, Xiao Luo.”
“What is it?” Qin Luo yawned, her almond eyes glistening with water, captivating all who saw them.
“Don’t tease me.” Xu Shaotian pinched her lightly and pointed toward the bar, “Over there, a beauty has arrived.”
“Really?”
Qin Luo was skeptical, lazily looking over. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Xu Shaotian, but beauty was subjective; what Xu Shaotian liked, she might not.
There was indeed someone sitting there, perfectly positioned with her back to the booth, yet instantly captivating Qin Luo’s attention. She wore a trench coat, her long hair loosely tied, with a few strands falling to her cheek. Her nose was straight, her red lips thin, and her skin was pale, almost translucent.
What made Qin Luo gasp was the pair of legs resting near the base of the swivel chair—long and slender, easily measuring over 178 cm (5’10”) in height.
What beauty? This is clearly a stunning beauty!
“How about that, huh?” Xu Shaotian raised an eyebrow at Qin Luo, “She’s probably mixed-race. That figure and face are just phenomenal, attractive to both men and women. She was approached the moment she sat down, and the men she’s rejected in less than half an hour could line up to the door.”
Oh, an Ice Beauty. Qin Luo liked that. All her sleepiness vanished. She licked her lips, reached out, and took the Bloody Mary from her friend’s hand. Without waiting for Xu Shaotian to say more, she headed straight for the bar.
When Qin Luo reached the beauty’s side, the beauty was being chatted up by a handsome guy. The man started with a polite greeting, but when he saw the beauty’s full face, his eyes nearly popped out, filled with lewd obsession.
A flicker of disgust crossed Qin Luo’s eyes. She walked up, pretended her hand slipped, and splashed the entire glass of wine directly into the man’s face.
“What are you doing!” the man yelled, wiping the wine off his face. He froze when he realized it was Qin Luo.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Qin Luo said with an “oops.”
The man recognized her, his expression shifted, but he forced a smile, “It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“Thank you, Sir, for not holding it against me. In that case, the drinks tonight are on my tab, as my apology to you.” Qin Luo winked at him.
The man’s expression softened, and he quickly agreed, turning to leave.
Only then did Qin Luo turn, placing the empty glass in front of the Great Beauty. The beauty looked up but showed no intention of speaking.
So cold, Qin Luo tilted her head, smiling sweetly at her, “Oh, I originally wanted to treat you to a drink, but unfortunately, only an empty glass is left.”
She didn’t mention helping her out, knowing someone like the Great Beauty wouldn’t appreciate it.
“Oh,” the beauty replied.
“Oh, what? I just had such a terrible encounter, I’m so scared! Can you buy me a drink?”
The beauty remained unresponsive.
Qin Luo wasn’t annoyed. She waved to the bartender,
“You’re so cold, Miss. I just wanted to try the drink you’re having. What are you drinking?”
She spoke in a deliberately sweet, girlish voice. Her acquaintance, the bartender, twitched at the corner of his mouth, turning away to mix the drink, unable to watch.
Qin Luo leaned in closer, smelling the cold perfume on the beauty. She whispered, “My name is Qin Luo, Qin from Qin Dynasty, Luo from Luocheng. Can you tell me your name? I keep calling you ‘Miss,’ and I’m afraid I’m taking advantage of you.”
“No need,” the beauty finally addressed her, but it was a rejection.
The voice was cool and crisp, yet carried a unique charm.
Qin Luo mentally noted how exciting this was. Undeterred, she grew bolder, wanting to continue flirting. However, the beauty gave her no chance, standing up and turning to walk out.
Qin Luo’s face stiffened. She immediately followed, blocking her path, “Hey, if you don’t want to say, don’t say! Why are you leaving? I haven’t had a drink yet.”
The beauty looked down at her, “What does your not having a drink have to do with me?”
Qin Luo was irritated. Audacity sparked within her. She went on the offensive, standing on her tiptoes, lunging forward, and licking the beauty’s lips once. Before she could do anything else, she was forcefully pushed away.
Ooh, the taste was quite potent.
The beauty’s eyes were icy, but she didn’t speak. She walked around Qin Luo and strode away, leaving Qin Luo behind to slowly savor the moment.
Her back was stinging from the impact, but her smile was unbroken.
That End-of-Days Siren… she really is a temptress.
Too bad this temptress is already taken, and she’s a member of the Su family. Qin Luo smiled, watching Su Jingwan, who was already several steps ahead of her, feeling utterly regretful.
The first time she saw Su Jingwan, she knew they were the same kind of person. All the rumors about being gentle, virtuous, dull, and boring were a joke. She hadn’t expected those old fogeys of the Su family to raise such a gem. Could her nominal brother even handle her?
“What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything,” Qin Luo raised an eyebrow, revealing the dimple near her mouth,
“I came to thank you—that drink the other night was so sweet.”
Su Jingwan’s expression was cold. Qin Luo waited, anticipating if she would become flustered, but before Su Jingwan could speak, Qin Ziyuan appeared at the end of the corridor.
“Awan, we should go.” Qin Ziyuan called to Su Jingwan. Seeing Qin Luo behind her, he nodded at her, “Qin Luo, little sister.”
“Brother,” Qin Luo put away the teasing smile, replacing it with a polite one. What a buzzkill. She’d waited outside the restroom for so long.
“Mhm. Awan and I are leaving now. See you next time.” Qin Ziyuan said, then instructed Su Jingwan, “Awan, go grab your bag and say goodbye to Grandma. I’ll head to the garage first.”
Tsk, Awan, Awan. What an intimate way to address her. Qin Luo felt uncomfortable listening, her earlier amusement gone. She planned to head back inside to excuse herself as well.
“You’re welcome.”
As they brushed past each other, Su Jingwan’s cool reply reached her ears.
Qin Luo was momentarily stunned. By the time she reacted, she could only catch the faint, lingering cold scent in the air.