**Chapter 9**
"I have no interest in this matter, so please stop bringing it up," Qin Wanshu said sternly. This wasn't something worth mentioning repeatedly. If it was brought up again, it would indicate ill intentions.
Zuo Qinghuan looked at Qin Wanshu's serious expression and realized that perhaps she had gone too far. Qin Wanshu had only seen her three times. Although she treated Zuo better than a stranger, far better than someone she had only met three times, their relationship still wasn't close enough to discuss such personal matters. Zuo Qinghuan knew that acting too brazenly could cause dislike. She and Qin Wanshu were not the same kind of people, and she shouldn't be so reckless with Qin Wanshu.
"Alright, I won't mention it again. But… will you hate me because of this?" Zuo Qinghuan tugged at Qin Wanshu's hand, asking cautiously, as if she were genuinely afraid of being disliked. She didn't want Qin Wanshu to dislike her.
Seeing Zuo Qinghuan's careful demeanor, Qin Wanshu's expression softened. Perhaps Zuo Qinghuan hadn't meant any harm, and she had just been overly sensitive.
"No, I won't," Qin Wanshu said, shaking her head gently. However, she no longer felt like playing the piano and discreetly distanced herself from Zuo Qinghuan.
"That's good," Zuo Qinghuan said with a sincere smile. Her smile was so pure that it swept away all of the wariness Qin Wanshu had previously felt toward her. Maybe Zuo Qinghuan had two sides—an angel and a devil, Qin Wanshu thought absentmindedly.
"Shall we continue?" Qin Wanshu asked, as she was always one to finish what she started.
"No, I'm not that interested in playing the piano. I prefer watching others play. Can I come listen to you play in the future?" Zuo Qinghuan asked eagerly, her eyes lighting up in such a way that made it impossible for Qin Wanshu to refuse.
"Sure, you're always welcome," Qin Wanshu replied, but instantly regretted it. Her instinct told her not to get too close to Zuo Qinghuan, yet she couldn't bring herself to say no. Qin Wanshu knew she wasn't someone who couldn't refuse others. Perhaps it was Zuo Qinghuan's face that made it hard to say no. Qin Wanshu blamed it on Zuo Qinghuan's appearance.
"You're so nice!" Zuo Qinghuan said happily, throwing her arms around Qin Wanshu, seemingly out of pure joy. In reality, Zuo Qinghuan had done it on purpose. She had wanted to hug Qin Wanshu because, not only did she not dislike her scent, she actually liked it. More importantly, she believed Qin Wanshu wouldn't remain so calm while being hugged. Sure enough, Qin Wanshu's body stiffened slightly.
Although Qin Wanshu's body tensed up, she didn't think much of it and chalked it up to Zuo Qinghuan's naturally affectionate personality. What Qin Wanshu didn't know was that Zuo Qinghuan wasn't naturally warm. She was quite the opposite—cold and distant. Most people assumed she was easy to get along with because of her appearance, but in reality, she was selfish and emotionally detached. Apart from Li Xin, she had no friends and little curiosity about others. Even Zuo Qinghuan herself didn't understand why she was so endlessly curious about Qin Wanshu.
"Can I borrow your phone for a moment?" Zuo Qinghuan asked suddenly.
Qin Wanshu didn't understand why Zuo Qinghuan wanted her phone, but she handed it over anyway.
Zuo Qinghuan took Qin Wanshu's phone, dialed her own number, and saved it in Qin Wanshu's contacts. Of course, she didn't use her real name. If Han Shibin accidentally saw it, there would be trouble. After thinking for a moment, she typed in a nickname that represented her well, then handed the phone back to Qin Wanshu.
"'Little Fairy'?" Qin Wanshu couldn't help but smile. A little fairy? It was bold of Zuo Qinghuan to give herself such a nickname. Could a woman who described herself as frivolous and immoral really be a fairy? Although her appearance might be somewhat angelic, Qin Wanshu had already discerned from their brief interactions that Zuo Qinghuan wasn't that kind of person.
"It's a bit cheesy, but isn't it fitting?" Zuo Qinghuan said confidently.
Qin Wanshu smiled even more at this. "Little Fairy"—she had to give Zuo Qinghuan credit for coming up with such a name. Later, when they were together and Han Shibin accidentally saw "Little Fairy" in Qin Wanshu's phone and asked who it was, Qin Wanshu's reaction would be priceless.
"Aren't you curious about what I've saved your name as?" Zuo Qinghuan asked, storing Qin Wanshu's number in her own phone. She had two phones—one for Han Shibin and another for people like Li Xin and a few others.
"What is it?" Qin Wanshu asked, her rare curiosity piqued by Zuo Qinghuan.
"I'm not telling you," Zuo Qinghuan teased, maintaining an air of mystery.
"So secretive?" Qin Wanshu asked with a smile. If it was a nickname, it likely reflected Zuo Qinghuan's first impression of her. Qin Wanshu couldn't help but feel curious about how Zuo Qinghuan had first perceived her.
"I'll tell you later," Zuo Qinghuan said, feeling very satisfied with the name she had chosen for Qin Wanshu.
Qin Wanshu didn't press further. It wasn't her style to insist on something like this.
Zuo Qinghuan thought to herself that Qin Wanshu really was different from most people. Her curiosity was minimal, and if you didn't want her to ask something, she wouldn't. Was that a good trait?
At that moment, Qin Wanshu's phone rang.
"Excuse me, I need to take this," Qin Wanshu said. After seeing Zuo Qinghuan nod, she stepped out onto the balcony to answer the call.
With her sharp eyesight, Zuo Qinghuan saw the name "Shibin" on Qin Wanshu's phone screen. It seemed like the husband was calling his wife with a love-filled message. Zuo Qinghuan wondered how Han Shibin would react if he knew his mistress was at his wife's place.
"Wife, what are you doing now?" Han Shibin asked.
"I'm chatting at home with a new friend I just met."
"What kind of friend?" Han Shibin asked curiously. His wife didn't bring many friends home, as their social circles were intertwined; most of their friends were mutual. This new friend piqued his curiosity a bit.
"She's an interesting young lady," Qin Wanshu said, a faint smile appearing as she spoke about Zuo Qinghuan.
"Oh? Then when I get back, you can introduce us." Hearing that it was a woman put Han Shibin at ease. Of course, he was more than willing to meet his wife's friends. He was doing the same thing as Qin Zheng, trying to purify Qin Wanshu's circle of friends. He wanted to ensure that only those from a similar elite background surrounded her. In reality, Han Shibin didn't like the idea of Qin Wanshu making new friends. He felt that she didn't pay enough attention to him as it was, and he didn't want anyone else to distract her. However, he only dared to keep such possessiveness to himself, not expressing it outwardly.
"Mm, the guest is still here, so if there's nothing else, I'll talk to you later tonight," Qin Wanshu said. She was a woman who valued etiquette, believing that taking too long on the phone with a guest was impolite.
"Okay," Han Shibin replied, feeling slightly disappointed. He always sensed that there was something lacking in Qin Wanshu's attitude toward him, but he could never pinpoint what it was.
Zuo Qinghuan, feeling rather shameless, eavesdropped on their conversation. Although she couldn't hear Han Shibin's side, she could guess they were talking about her from Qin Wanshu's responses.
"Your husband's affectionate phone call?" Zuo Qinghuan asked, gossiping.
"Mm," Qin Wanshu nodded.
"You're really a lucky woman," Zuo Qinghuan said, her face full of envy.
"Do you want to check out other rooms?" Qin Wanshu asked with a faint smile, trying to change the subject.
"No, it's late. I should head back. Next time I'll come again," Zuo Qinghuan thought to herself. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future, and she planned to come while Han Shibin was not around.
With Zuo Qinghuan's reminder, Qin Wanshu realized it was getting late. Time really flew by. Although Zuo Qinghuan gave her a different feeling than the people around her, it was undeniable that spending time with Zuo Qinghuan was enjoyable. Perhaps she was indulging her as if she were a little girl.