Qin Heye’s kiss was surprisingly tender—gentle, gentlemanly, restrained, and cautious. He didn’t use his tongue, didn’t engulf her with his mouth, and his hands remained still. He simply held Shi Ning’s head with one hand, kissing her with an almost reverent devotion, like a believer touching a sacred relic. The unexpected tenderness left her feeling bewildered and captivated.
This kiss made Shi Ning feel cherished, experiencing a profound, different kind of love. It was nothing like the barrage had warned—no gold chains, no forced intimacy, no imprisonment from a villain. He was incredibly gentle, profoundly respectful. Surely, if she simply tried to reciprocate his feelings, to understand and like him, their one-sided love could become a beautiful, mutual connection. Their ending would change, wouldn’t it?
Yes! she affirmed to herself. Change the ending, starting with responding to him!
Shi Ning closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Qin Heye’s neck, and tentatively returned his soft kiss. She parted her lips slightly, inviting him to deepen the embrace.
Her small gesture made Qin Heye freeze, halting the kiss. He didn’t initiate further.
Then, Shi Ning took the initiative, gently kissing his lips…
The very next second, a sharp, searing sensation startled Shi Ning. “Hiss! Ah!” She pushed Qin Heye away, touching her mouth. Her fingertips felt a dampness. She stared at him, tears welling in her eyes, a mix of pain, anger, and grievance contorting her face. “Asshole! You bit me!” What kind of couple kissed and caused such hurt?! Qin Heye was truly a bastard! Who was the real dog here?!
Qin Heye leaned in, his fingers lightly touching the tender spot on Shi Ning’s lips. “Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice rough.
Shi Ning, tears brimming, nodded miserably. “Yeah, it hurts, it hurts a lot!”
Qin Heye used his fingertips to gently blot the area on her lips, a fleeting trace of regret in his eyes. But then, he applied a slight pressure to her wound. “It’s okay if it hurts.”
“Qin Heye!” Shi Ning slapped his hand away. “Let go, it hurts!”
Qin Heye released the pressure, then delicately traced her lip line with his fingertips, a faint smudge remaining. “Remember this pain,” he murmured, his voice low and serious. “Remember that he is not worth it! Remember, don’t commit yourself to others for anyone!”
Shi Ning was stunned. “Including you?” she asked, her voice small and bewildered.
Qin Heye looked at her reddened lips. “Yeah.”
Shi Ning pursed her lips. “Then the land in the west of the city…”
Qin Heye’s eyes suddenly darkened. “No room for negotiation!” With that definitive statement, he turned and walked away.
“Qin Heye!”
He paused, glancing back at her. “If you mention the land in the west of the city or Shen Xizhou again, I will have people start construction immediately.”
Shi Ning was speechless. !!!
Qin Heye looked at Shi Ning’s bruised lips, seeing her unhappy and dissatisfied expression, and sighed inwardly. “If you insist,” he offered, “the land in the east of the city can be given to Shen Xizhou.”
Shi Ning immediately refused. “No East City! I want the West City land!” She quickly explained her true motive. “The West City land has a huge problem. It will only lose money, not make money. That’s why I asked you to give the land to Shen Xizhou!”
Qin Heye simply looked at her deeply, then strode away.
“Qin Heye!” Shi Ning furiously hurled a pillow after him. “Asshole who doesn’t believe me! Bastard! Rotten egg!”
A moment later, Shi Ning heard the sound of a car engine starting downstairs. She grabbed another pillow and rushed to the balcony, looking down at the sleek Rolls-Royce below. “Qin Heye!” she screamed, her voice brimming with anger.
Qin Heye leaned his head out of the car window, looking up at her. He repeated his earlier, unwavering words: “Nothing to talk about…”
Shi Ning threw the soft pillow down, hitting him squarely on the head. She declared, her voice filled with furious defiance, “I! Don’t! Care! About! You!!”
His wife was truly angry! Very, very seriously angry!