Volume 1, Chapter 129: The Show-Off’s Arena of Male Rivalry

"This life is truly fortunate to be born under the Five-Starred Red Flag~"
"I love my motherland! May it prosper and flourish forever!"
"Though that's what you say, Master, can't you slip us in through the back door? Money is no problem! We'll crowdfund to boost your rocket launch! /Excited/"
"I second that! /Rose//Rose//Rose/"

Qin Yu waved her hand in explanation, "Matters between nations must be handled by nations. I can only deal with small personal affairs."

They all had their own principles in this line of work.

Besides, karma comes quickly—no need to rush.

—

Just as Qin Yu stepped out of the village entrance of Pingshui Town, a white figure appeared before her.

Behind the blooming flowers was Lu Hualing’s handsome, smiling face. "Master, you’re finally out."

Qin Yu raised the corner of her eye to look at him. Before she could say a word, Mu Ling cut in front of her, hands on hips, dripping with sarcasm, "Well, well, well, isn’t this our young master? What brings you down to a place like this? Didn’t you think our Xiao Yu would stand idly by and let things happen? So why are you back?"

Lu Hualing, aware he was in the wrong, didn’t argue with Mu Ling this time. Instead, he pushed a bouquet of white lilies closer to her.

The pungent smell nearly drove Qin Yu away.

She stepped back half a pace, one hand covering her nose, the other pushing the lilies away. "Lu Hualing, is it appropriate to give a single woman lilies?"

Now Lu Hualing looked aggrieved. "Isn’t it because lilies symbolize apology? Master, I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have doubted you! Please, be magnanimous and forgive me!"

One major trait of Lu Hualing was that no matter what mistake he made, his attitude was always sincere.

Like now, his face full of earnestness made it hard to refuse.

—

Qin Yu swore it was his sincere gaze, not the snacks in his car, that swayed her.

Mu Ling saw Qin Yu’s reaction and knew trouble was brewing—this gatekeeper was unreliable!

Well, that depended on him!

Mu Ling stepped forward, cutting Qin Yu off, "You come and go as you please? What do you think this place is, Xiao Yu’s playground?"

Qin Yu was puzzled.

"Rules are strict, but..."

"Rules may be rigid, but some principles just can’t be broken! Right, Xiao Yu?"

Qin Yu’s mouth twitched as she tried to salvage the situation, "If the heart is sincere, bending the rules a bit isn’t a big deal!"

"Of course it is! You broke your principles for him today—how will you command respect tomorrow?"

Qin Yu realized Mu Ling was determined not to let Lu Hualing join them.

But losing a steady patron would be a shame!

Her eyes glanced quickly at Lu Hualing’s flashy pink car. She gritted her teeth, "I’m in charge here! I forgive you! I’m flexible—if you ever doubt me, you can leave immediately."

Hearing the word "forgive," Lu Hualing was overjoyed. He smiled broadly and patted his chest, "Master, rest assured, from now on, I shall follow your lead unquestioningly!"

Qin Yu was satisfied with his answer. "Enough with the empty talk! Show me something real—got any food?"

"Yes, yes! Master, wait here—I’ll get it for you right away!"

With a grimace, Mu Ling turned and got into the car.

Mu Ling looked at Qin Yu with disdain, "I seriously suspect you came here just for the food."

—

Qin Yu nodded carelessly, "I’ve been hungry in Pingshui Town for so long, coming for the food isn’t a problem, is it?"

Mu Ling glared fiercely at Lu Hualing's busy back, wishing he could burn a hole right through him.

He seethed inwardly, thinking: One day, I’ll kick Lu Hualing out! His constant presence around Xiao Yu makes me feel like I’m about to lose my job!

No way! Xiao Yu can have only one flashy companion—me.

Xing Qiao’s gaze flickered between the man and the ghost. Like an outsider, she saw everything clearly but bowed her head quietly, her face devoid of desire or curiosity, emotionless as if she were not human.

"Here!"

Suddenly, a bag of snacks fell from above, landing right in her lap.

They were exactly the kind of food she liked.

She glanced at Qin Yu without a word, then mimicked her by taking a bite.

The snack looked like an insole—yellow with a fine fuzz.

Once bitten, her mouth was filled with rich sweetness.

She quietly examined the packaging, which bore three characters, of which she only recognized one: "dry."

She liked the taste but didn’t want to finish it all at once, so she secretly hid half in her sleeve.

She thought she had hidden it well, but none of those present missed a thing.

Yet everyone tacitly agreed to say nothing.