Chapter 16: Heartbreaking

The crowd watched with grimaces, their skin crawling, goosebumps scattered everywhere. The wailing cries from Zheng Qian were truly agonizing—his pain was real, piercing. Yet not a single soul dared step forward to help him.

Firstly, the floor had already collapsed; everyone stood frozen, afraid that any movement might bring the whole place down. Secondly... this was muddy water no one wanted to wade into. Zheng Qian was wealthy and explosively temperamental; if blame somehow fell on them, they’d be dragged into the mess. Who could afford to serve such a person?

So, Zheng Qian found himself isolated and helpless—a plight of his own making.

Rip—

“Aaaah!” came another bloodcurdling scream as Ling Qiu yanked yet another tuft of hair.

But this seemed to be the last lock.

Ling Qiu, with a look of resigned compassion, sat cross-legged, sighing deeply. “Ah, I wished to save you from disaster, but disaster is merciless. It seems this last handful of hair is your final lifeline. Zheng Qian, though we met by chance, we seem to get along—oh, I mean in terms of fate, not that your head is round. Though, frankly, your head is exceptionally round. Pity there’s a dent in it.”

“Uuuuh…” Zheng Qian’s pain nearly made him lose consciousness—it was tormenting to the bone. He had no energy left for banter; even crying seemed impossible now. He could only think one thing about Ling Qiu—Are you a devil?

“See, we were having a decent conversation, and now you’re crying again.” Ling Qiu shook his head, speaking earnestly, “A grown man—what’s there to cry about? That’s weakness! Since fate brought us together, I’ll offer you a comforting thought—perhaps it’ll ease your pain.”

Ling Qiu paused, then continued, “As the saying goes, ‘Misfortune may turn to blessing.’ Have you heard the legend? If one day you go bald, then… you become stronger.”

???

Everyone was dumbfounded at these words.

Just then—

Another rip, as if marking an ending bell. At last, the final lock of Zheng Qian’s hair was torn away. Tears welled in his eyes; with a sense of liberation, he fell like a bird freed to fly—happily tumbling down.

Thud!

A muffled crash echoed from below.

The crowd peered through the gaping hole—Zheng Qian had landed solidly beneath. With his head shining like a battered pear, he plunged into unconsciousness. But most astonishing of all… even in his faint, his lips curled into a blissful smile of relief.

This was… the first time anyone had ever fallen from a floor with such enjoyment!

After a brief silence, everyone instinctively turned to Ling Qiu.

Ling Qiu casually brushed the stray hair from his hand and lazily remarked, “Why are you all staring at me? Isn’t anyone allowed to save a life?”

The waiters and manager quickly averted their gaze, refusing to look at Ling Qiu. This person… surely a devil!

He’d saved a life, yes—but it felt more like tormenting someone! If you offended someone like him, you’d die without knowing how, played to death, and your family would have to thank him for it!

...

Leaving the Lakeside Restaurant, Ling Qiu strolled ahead with hands in his pockets, carefree as if nothing had happened. Song Ningsnow followed in silence.

Reaching a white sedan, Song Ningsnow opened the door, saying, “Get in.”

Ling Qiu waved his hand. “No need. There seem to be a few inns nearby—should be cheap enough. Let’s just stay somewhere close for the night.”

Hearing this, Song Ningsnow’s face flushed red, but she didn’t argue further. She repeated, “Get in,” and opened the door for him.

Ling Qiu had no choice but to get in.

Snap.

The door closed. Ling Qiu leaned back, hands behind his head. “If you don’t want a cheap inn, a hotel works too, but let’s be clear—you pay. I don’t have enough money on me.”

Song Ningsnow’s face turned from pale to livid, but she ignored him, channeling her embarrassment into action. With a stomp on the accelerator, the car sped off like a bullet.

After nearly ten minutes of furious driving, the car stopped beside a dimly lit garden.

Ling Qiu glanced outside. “Nice environment… Director Song, I didn’t expect you to like this sort of vibe. Well, saves us the room fee. Turns out, you’re pretty frugal.”

“That’s enough!” Song Ningsnow finally spoke, her voice sharp and stern.

She turned, her face solemn. “Ling Qiu! What’s wrong with you? Do you even understand what it means to know your limits, to realize there’s always someone stronger?”

Ling Qiu wasn’t bothered by her lecture. He turned calmly to meet her gaze.

Seeing his indifferent eyes, Song Ningsnow grew even more frustrated. “Do you realize who you offended today? Zheng Qian! His father is Zheng Yuanbao—a famous billionaire in the provincial capital. And you? Don’t think I don’t know—you were once a member of the Ling family. But you’ve been expelled. The Ling family would love to see you dead in the street. You’re a penniless senior student with no background—how could you possibly stand up to Zheng Qian?”

She rattled on, but Ling Qiu seemed not to hear, unmoved.

Song Ningsnow looked at him, exasperated. “Now you’ve offended Zheng Qian. He’s vengeful—when he wakes up in the hospital, he’ll do everything to come after you!”

At this, Ling Qiu smiled.

Song Ningsnow was speechless. “You can still smile?”

Ling Qiu replied, “Why shouldn’t I? If his family is so wealthy, and I’m his savior, shouldn’t they come bearing generous gifts to thank me?”

“Are you truly naive or just pretending?” Song Ningsnow retorted. “Anyone can see you deliberately punished Zheng Qian today—except a fool.”

Ling Qiu lazily picked at his ear, finally tiring of the exchange. He turned, his gaze suddenly sharp, and spoke in a low voice, “Let me ask you: do you know why I did it?”

Without waiting for her answer, Ling Qiu continued, “Because he bullied someone he shouldn’t have.”

Song Ningsnow was momentarily stunned.

A domineering light flashed in Ling Qiu’s eyes. “Any woman I care about, no one is allowed to bully. Today, Zheng Qian threatened you with words; I only taught him a lesson. If he’d dared lay a hand on you, he would already be a corpse.”

At these words, Song Ningsnow’s heart skipped violently.

Yet his next sentence nearly stopped her heart altogether.

“Even if you were just a one-night stand, it still wouldn’t be allowed.”