Wang Qingyi choked up, thinking that she couldn't ruin her image in front of everyone, especially since Su Qingtong was a vile woman, and she'd have plenty of opportunities to teach her a lesson later. Clenching her teeth, she glared at Su Qingtong fiercely and led the way to the stage, her seven-centimeter heels clicking against the floor.
Around the corner, Wang Qingyi suddenly caught sight of a large group of people with a familiar figure in the middle—a tall man in a bespoke suit with broad shoulders and long legs, exuding noble elegance, making it impossible to look away.
Was it him?
Wang Qingyi, shocked and pleasantly surprised, stood there frozen until her assistant hurried over to check on her. Wang Qingyi, looking towards the now empty VIP entrance, bent down and whispered something in her assistant's ear.
Even though the assistant didn't understand, knowing Wang Qingyi's imperious and unreasonable nature, he didn't dare to question and immediately went to carry out her orders.
Wang Qingyi went up to the stage first, with Su Qingtong waiting below. Su Qingtong frowned slightly and turned to look in the direction Wang Qingyi had just been staring. She felt a fleeting sense of familiarity.
...
After entering the private elevator, Manager Wanrong followed, accompanied by a beautiful saleswoman.
"Mr. Qin, which floor would you like to visit first?" the manager asked cautiously with hands clasped together.
Qin Yu glanced around and pressed the button for the children's section.
The children's section? The manager hadn't expected that—he remembered the boss was not married. Did he perhaps have a secret child? He turned his head to exchange a puzzled glance with the female saleswoman.
Unknowing of their boss's personal circumstances made it difficult to cater to his preferences, leaving the saleswoman looking somewhat uneasy.
When the elevator doors opened, Qin Yu simply said, "Wait here outside."
The manager and saleswoman stood outside the elevator, watching as the boss walked alone into the children's section. Even the usually astute and adaptable pair couldn't help but feel stumped, their minds filled with confusion.
"What do you think the boss means by visiting the children's section himself? Should we prepare anything?"
The saleswoman asked softly, hoping to make a favorable impression.
However, the manager squinted at her and said, "The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Put away your scheming and just wait here."
The saleswoman slowly stood up straight, clearly disappointed.
Ah Da had hidden herself the moment Qin Yu got out of the car, only peeking out when no one was around him. She looked around the opulent mall, at the stores lined up with all kinds of plush toys and clothes.
Her mouth fell open in amazement.
"Wow! There's so much stuff here, so pretty!"
Qin Yu, hearing her delighted voice, unconsciously tapped her head again. He only realized what he had done as the smile on his lips faded.
Ah Da looked up at him, her eyes sparkling, and asked, "Did you bring me out to play on purpose?"
Qin Yu met her starry eyes and suddenly felt the gloom in his heart scatter. His heart felt as if it was gently scratched by a soft paw, causing a slight tingling sensation.
"Yes," he heard himself reply. "You can take anything you like from here."
What? She could not only look but also take things home?!
Ah Da, being sensitive by nature, felt both overjoyed and mortified upon hearing him; she was mortified because she had misunderstood him, thinking ill of him when she was woken up this morning.
That was so wrong of her.
She needed to apologize to him.
Ah Da tugged at his shirt, very small and earnest, and said, "I'm sorry, Qin Yu. I didn't know you wanted to take me out. I misunderstood and even cursed you several times in my mind. I... I'll give you ten pearls as compensation."
Qin Yu stopped in his tracks, his gaze lowering to look at her.
Seeing he was silent, Ah Da thought her apology wasn't sincere enough and stretched out a finger, "Twenty... twenty pearls would also be okay."
"What did you call me?" Qin Yu suddenly asked.
Ah Da tilted her head, puzzled, "Qin Yu, didn't you say your name was Qin Yu before?"
"Don't you have another name?"
The little girl, no bigger than the palm of a hand and not as tall as a suit pocket, stood inside looking up with eyes so bright and so large, so sincere, she was adorably foolish.
Qin Yu suddenly smiled and said, "No, I have only one name." It was just that few outsiders directly called him by his name, most called him Master Qin.
But did Ah Da count as an outsider? Qin Yu didn't have an answer yet.
Ah Da uttered an "Oh."
Qin Yu reached out to take her out, controlling his strength, placed her in the palm of his hand, and lifted her to eye level.
"And next time, if you have something mean in mind, there's no need to say it out loud, understand?"
"Ah?" Ah Da couldn't grasp the roundabout implication, but since Qin Yu said so, she could only nod and agree, "I understand, I won't say it next time."
"Good girl." Qin Yu rubbed her little face, his eyes rippled slightly, domineering yet gentle, his handsome and indifferent face carried a mesmerizing charm.
If Long Jiu, Long Qi, or anyone else saw Qin Yu with this expression, they would probably be astounded.
Is this the same Master Qin who strikes fear into people's hearts?
Silly Ah Da's mind was entirely focused on the joy of "taking her favorite things with her," indulging Qin Yu's kneading without protest since it didn't hurt.
After walking for a while, Qin Yu led Ah Da into a store full of dolls and stuffed toys, the window lined with dolls in beautiful dresses, blue hair, golden hair, black hair, their clothes and dresses all shimmering.
Ah Da was utterly entranced, her eyes unblinking, her cherry-red little mouth slightly agape.
"Which one do you like?" Qin Yu asked her.
Ah Da liked every one of them. After thinking for a while, she earnestly said to Qin Yu, "These things must be very valuable, right? I don't have any money, can I exchange them for a pearl with you?"
And she added, "If a pearl is not okay, I have other things, and I can give them to you if you're willing."
Her voice was frail, her gaze timid, and for some reason, the more she acted like this, the more Qin Yu wanted to tease her, and he didn't feel impatient.
"Okay," Qin Yu said, looking down, "but what you're seeing now isn't valuable. You can take as much as you want, but there's one thing you must remember."
Suddenly lowering his head, the man's handsome and breathtaking face loomed larger, Ah Da's breath slowed down a bit, instinctively retreating like a startled little animal.
"Wha... what?"
Qin Yu pinched her little face, squinting as he warned her, "Keep yourself hidden; don't do what I don't allow."
Ah Da, looking up high, her slender neck slightly aching, pouted and nodded her head, "I understand."
So fierce!
Agreeing with him, Ah Da had her own considerations.
With the incense burner in his hand, she couldn't go anywhere else, and who knew how he would bully her if she disobeyed since he was naturally fierce, she could only comply with him for now and take one step at a time.
Seeing Ah Da's reluctant and perfunctory response, Qin Yu pinched her chin harder and said, "Silly billy."
Like this, if someone else found her, she might be taken somewhere for experimenting, she was so foolish.
Nevermind, he would protect her, Qin Yu thought.
Ah Da frowned, huffing, "I'm not stupid!"
Forcing herself to be his pet was one thing, but calling her stupid right to her face was too much!
Qin Yu didn't argue with her, casually placing her on a long glass table filled with various types of dolls, each wearing a fluffy princess dress, every piece intricately gorgeous.