Chapter 21: Bumping into Qin Sui Showering

When did he have someone he liked?  He didn’t even know himself!

Cousin? Gu Lin? That girl is talking nonsense!

Qin Sui subconsciously looked at Lin Su’s reaction, but she was smiling.

She smiled like a flower, even more radiant and beautiful, making his heart flutter.

Qin Keke, you idiot!

Qin Yao covered his face, unable to bear to watch.

Qin Ni sighed inwardly.  Qin Keke had done more harm than good.

Actually, Lin Su knew the whole story, but she still wanted to hear Qin Sui’s explanation.  So she looked at him, “My nickname isn’t ‘the person.’ If you have someone you like, why did you marry me?”

Qin Sui’s thin lips tightened. “I don’t have anyone I like. They’re talking nonsense.”

“Never?” Lin Su asked again.

Thinking she had misunderstood, Qin Sui nodded, “Never.”

His ex-wife and her… oh well, they were minor characters, unimportant.

Lin Su sighed inwardly and stopped speaking.

Qin Sui didn’t know why she stopped talking. After thinking for a moment, he didn’t continue speaking either. The two walked back in silence.

Grandma Lin saw them return and hurried to greet them. Seeing something in the basket, she knew it was a return gift from the others.

While organizing them, she found the ginseng and was startled, “This gift is too precious!”

Lin Su: “We’ll return the favor later.”

That’s all they could do.

Thinking of something, Grandma Lin asked Qin Sui, “Do you usually invite comrades or neighbors to have a meal together?”

Qin Sui shook his head, “No.”

“Okay then.”

Qin Sui went back to the room, changed into casual clothes, and prepared to work.

Qin Yao followed him, “Dad, what are you doing?”

“Building a bathroom.”

“I don’t like to bathe; we don’t need to build one, right?”

Qin Sui stopped and looked at him, “You brat, can you stop being so self-righteous?”

Qin Yao: “…”

“You’re building it for her, aren’t you?”

Knowing that Qin Yao still didn’t want to call Lin Su “mother,” Qin Sui didn’t force him, “Not just for her, but also for your sisters and your grandmother.”

“Then do Keke and I not need to bathe?”

“Wishful thinking.”

Qin Sui didn’t want to waste words with him and quickly went out to find building materials.

Qin Yao saw through it but didn’t say anything.

Lin Su saw Qin Sui go out and called Qin Yao, “What’s your father busy with?”

Qin Yao looked at her and pondered for a moment.

Considering that his stepmother was good to his younger siblings, he would temporarily refrain from ruining their marriage.  Later, if his stepmother was no longer good to them, he would act.

Qin Yao completely forgot his earlier declaration of wanting to ruin their marriage, pushing the idea of mischief further and further back.

“He said he’s building a bathroom for you,” Qin Yao said.

“Ah?”

Specifically for her?

Lin Su didn’t believe it, “You’re fooling me.  Why would your father build it only for me?”

He didn’t believe her even when she told the truth, Qin Yao sighed.

If you don’t believe it, then fine.

Seeing that Qin Yao didn’t explain further, Lin Su felt he was just fooling her.

With Qin Sui’s straightforward personality, he couldn’t possibly only think of building a bathroom for her.

It was clearly for his three children, yet he lied to the child saying it was for her. This man was straightforward but also had a sly side, unreliable.

Qin Sui, labeled “unreliable,” worked until nightfall.  He thought Lin Su would come to show concern, or at least ask about it, but only Grandma Lin brought him water. Lin Su didn’t even glance at him.

He called Qin Yao, who was playing marbles, “Is your stepmother asleep?”

Qin Yao glanced into the house, “Probably. The lights are off.”

Qin Sui put down his tools and stared at the house, not knowing what he was looking at.

Qin Yao guessed and said, “Worried about whether Keke kicked off his blanket?”

Qin Sui withdrew his gaze, “Someone will cover him.”

Qin Yao was speechless.

Even food was brought to his mouth, and he didn’t know how to eat it. How could his father be so… Qin Yao couldn’t find the words to describe it, but they weren’t good words.

An adult wasn’t as smart as a child.  Forget it, he didn’t care anymore.

The next day.

Gu Lin really came to visit.

“Come on, I’ll take you to a good place.” Gu Lin pulled Lin Su to leave, but Lin Su refused.

“No, I have to help build the bathroom.”

Gu Lin glanced at the half-finished bathroom, “With Brother Qin around, why are you worrying about it? Besides, my mother said you’re not feeling well. How can you do that?”

Lin Su was past the age of playing. Now with three children who weren’t related by blood, she wanted to be more mature and stable, so she wanted to refuse again.  But Gu Lin seemed to know what she was thinking and said directly,

“Let Grandma take care of the three children. You can’t always sacrifice your time to take care of them. How silly.”

Grandma Lin came out to persuade her, “Go play. I’ll watch the three children.”

“See, Grandma said so. Come on, come on.” Gu Lin smiled at Grandma Lin and then pulled Lin Su away.

Qin Keke still wanted to cling to Lin Su, but his short legs couldn’t keep up. He was so angry that he clenched his little fists.

Meanwhile.

“Where are you taking me?” Lin Su asked.

Gu Lin came on a bicycle.  She waited for Lin Su to sit firmly before riding away, “The art troupe. I’ll take you to watch them practice dancing.”

“What’s there to see in dancing practice?”

“Dancing practice is boring, but they love playing mind games. That’s interesting, I guarantee you’ll want to watch more.”

This means she wants to take her to join the fun? Lin Su couldn’t help but laugh.

Before she could appreciate the surroundings, the violent bumps made her dizzy.  She had no choice but to close her eyes, hug Gu Lin, and lean on her back.

Gu Lin subconsciously slowed down, thinking she was uncomfortable.

But the road conditions were bad, and even slowing down, it was still bumpy.  Luckily, the distance wasn’t far; otherwise, Lin Su would have vomited again.

Because of its remote location, the art troupe’s facilities were simple, but they had everything they needed.

After locking the bicycle, Gu Lin pulled Lin Su straight to the gate of the art troupe, and then they hid behind a cabinet.

“Why are we hiding here?” Lin Su asked.

Gu Lin: “To watch the show. Look there, the woman with a pointy chin, see?”

“I see.”

“That’s the pretentious woman I talked about yesterday. She loves to act pitiful in front of Brother Qin, but don’t worry, Brother Qin ignores her.”

After Gu Lin said this, Lin Su looked carefully.

The woman was pretty, but her expressions and gestures were very artificial.  It was obvious she was pretending.

Perhaps because of her personality, she seemed to be isolated. Several people were even confronting her.

At first, she arrogantly argued with them, but when the middle-aged man in charge appeared, she pretended to be forbearing, prompting the middle-aged man to ask questions before she used subtle words to describe the situation.

Her unintentional charming gestures, every frown and smile precise to the degree, were something Lin Su couldn’t do.

“And the one arguing with her, the one with flowers in her braid, she’s another one.”

“Does she also like Qin Sui?” Lin Su asked.

Gu Lin nodded, “And another one who didn’t come today.”

As they argued more fiercely, the pretentious woman pretended to be pushed and fell to the ground, making the scene even more chaotic.

Even a dance practice place could have such drama. No wonder they say where there are women, there’s a battlefield.

Lin Su wasn’t interested in their squabbling, but she truly experienced Qin Sui’s popularity.

Those girls were all pretty, yet they all liked Qin Sui.  Qin Sui… well, he was indeed very charming.

Lin Su felt a little complicated.

This was clearly female competition.

What did Qin Sui think?

“Gu Lin, what are you doing sneaking around here?”

A voice suddenly came from behind. Gu Lin was startled and almost bumped into the cabinet. Hearing the familiar voice, she quickly pulled Lin Su out.

Seeing that it was indeed someone they knew, Gu Lin quickly glanced at Lin Su. Seeing how exquisite and beautiful she was, she felt confident.

Intentionally linking arms with Lin Su, Gu Lin looked at the person who came, “I brought my sister-in-law to watch them practice dancing. Is that not allowed?”

Sister-in-law?

Deng Lingling instantly associated it with something. Her disdainful gaze fell on Lin Su, but after a closer look, her heart tightened.

Qin Sui’s new wife was too beautiful.

Her skin was delicate and fair, her eyes gentle like water, mixed with a worldly detachment, her demeanor elegant and composed.

Without makeup, she was stunning. Her pale lips had a morbid beauty, a perfect embodiment of “pitiful beauty.”

Even as a rival, Deng Lingling found her beautiful, beautiful enough to make her jealous.

A country bumpkin, how could she deserve such a stunning appearance?

Before seeing Lin Su, they all thought she must be rustic and ugly, posing no threat.

But now that she had seen her with her own eyes, Deng Lingling realized that Lin Su was far different from what she had imagined.

The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became. Deng Lingling sarcastically said, “Our art troupe isn’t a place where anyone can come.”

Gu Lin had been here many times, but Deng Lingling’s words were clearly directed at Lin Su.

Before Lin Su could speak, Gu Lin, protective of her, exploded, “What’s wrong? Is the ground of your art troupe made of gold? You don’t let people come? I want to ask your leader if they’re discriminating!”

“You… ugly people do more harm than good.”

“Who’s ugly, everyone knows.  You’re not even as good as one finger of my sister-in-law.  Still dreaming of Brother Qin? You just want to be a troublemaker, you’re shameless!”

“Gu Lin, you…”

“Brother Qin, we’re here!” But Gu Lin ignored Deng Lingling and waved to the front.

Hearing that Qin Sui had arrived, Deng Lingling quickly suppressed the distorted expression on her face, pretending to be shy and looking back, but saw Qin Sui striding towards them, not facing her, not looking at her.

“What are you two doing here?” Qin Sui came to Lin Su, glanced at her, and then looked at Gu Lin.

Gu Lin gave Deng Lingling a triumphant smile before explaining, “I took my sister-in-law for a walk.”

“Okay, did you come by bicycle?”

“Yes.”

“Ride slowly.”

“Oh, I understand. I’ll ride very slowly, I won’t bump your wife.”

This girl was talking nonsense again.

Qin Sui didn’t bother with her and looked at Lin Su, “It’s good to walk around. Staying at home all day isn’t good for recovery.”

Lin Su didn’t know what to say and just hummed.

Qin Sui had something to do and left without saying much.

Deng Lingling quickly called out to him, but he didn’t seem to hear and left without looking back.

Deng Lingling was so angry that she stomped her feet.

Gu Lin laughed loudly. Deng Lingling turned around and glared at her.

Compared to Lin Su, Deng Lingling looked like a clown, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.  She glared at Lin Su before storming off.

She didn’t even want to speak, showing how angry she was.

Gu Lin made a face at her back, “This is the first time I’ve seen her so angry. It feels good.”

Bringing Lin Su here was the right decision.

Lin Su also guessed Gu Lin’s purpose in bringing her here and shook her head helplessly.

Meanwhile.

Qin Sui was with his comrade, Cheng Jianguo.

He had good eyesight and naturally saw Lin Su’s appearance.  So after Qin Sui came over, he asked, and after learning that she was Qin Sui’s new wife, he was shocked and smacked his lips.

“Wow, your wife is so beautiful?”

Qin Sui glanced at him.

Cheng Jianguo didn’t notice and continued, “You’re really enjoying yourself, having such a stunning wife.”

“By the way, does she have any sisters or brothers? I want to introduce her to my brother.”

Hearing no answer, he looked up, only to see Qin Sui’s back.

“Hey, why are you walking so fast? Did you hear what I said?”

“She doesn’t have any siblings. Give it up,” Qin Sui said in a deep voice.

Cheng Jianguo felt regretful, “What a pity.”

Seeing Qin Sui staring at him with a gloomy expression, knowing Qin Sui’s personality, he quickly surrendered, “Okay, I won’t mention your wife anymore.”

Only then did Qin Sui let him go.

After finishing his work, Qin Sui hurried back early to continue building the bathroom.

Building a bathroom was simple; he could do it alone.

It was late at night. Qin Sui was sweating profusely. The bathroom was newly built and couldn’t be used yet.  Thinking that everyone was asleep, he simply fetched a bucket of water and washed himself behind the house.

But he misjudged Lin Su, who would get up at night.

Lin Su drank too much water before bed and got up to use the toilet.  She heard suspicious water sounds behind the house.  Perhaps she was still sleepy; she only took a brick and went to catch the thief alone.

Not daring to use a flashlight, Lin Su could only sneak over in the moonlight.

The moonlight tonight was bright enough.  So when Lin Su carefully walked over with the brick, she saw a familiar figure bathing.

Looking closer, it was Qin Sui.

Lin Su felt embarrassed and wanted to leave, but Qin Sui suddenly turned his body. In the moonlight, his vaguely visible abs seemed to glow.

Lin Su instantly froze.

Just as she was lost in thought, a low voice sounded.

“Have you seen enough?”

Lin Su subconsciously replied, “Not yet.”

“Then come and see.”