Chapter 69 The Childish Side of the Villain

“Friends?” Chu Hejun’s eyes lit up, and a warm wave washed over him. This acknowledgment felt like a small step toward closing the distance between them. He immediately relented.

“Fine, we won’t pursue this matter further. But let me warn you—stay alert around him. Don’t let him fool you again.”

“Got it. I’ll keep my distance from him from now on.”

In the novel’s original plot, after this failed scheme, Nian Jinsui would have erupted in anger, blaming everything on Ye Kang. The rift between them would widen, sowing the seeds for future drama.

But this new approach worked better—it gave Nian Jinsui a reason to naturally drift apart from Ye Kang.

---

After the hotpot dinner, Nian Jinsui made a call to Ning Liang’an during the car ride home. He explained Ye Kang’s actions and, somewhat awkwardly, asked Ning Liang’an not to hold it against him.

The longer Nian Jinsui spoke, the guiltier he felt, but he also understood the system’s directive.

Having read the novel, he knew Ye Kang still had significant roles to play—especially in unmasking the truth about the real and fake heirs later in the story.

Thankfully, Ning Liang’an, ever reasonable and empathetic, quickly agreed without much coaxing.

When the call ended, Nian Jinsui heaved a sigh of relief. “Wow, that was intense. I’m sweating bullets over here.”

“Jinsui,” Qin Chengyu’s voice broke the silence. His tone carried a faint edge of certainty despite the seemingly casual question. “You already knew it was Ye Kang, didn’t you?”

Nian Jinsui flinched, scrambling to explain. “Hey, let me be clear! I didn’t know beforehand. I only figured it out backstage when Chu Hejun mentioned it.”

He shot a sidelong glance at Qin Chengyu. “How did you even guess? I thought my acting was flawless—even Chu Hejun didn’t pick up on it.”

A trace of amusement flickered in Qin Chengyu’s eyes, though his expression remained calm. Instead of answering, he posed another question. “Are you really planning to let Ye Kang off the hook?”

“Yeah. I said I would, so I will.”

Seeing Nian Jinsui’s unwavering resolve, Qin Chengyu fell silent. He hadn’t expected such leniency from someone like Nian Jinsui, especially given the severity of Ye Kang’s actions. A faint tension settled in his chest, a mixture of frustration and something else he couldn’t quite place.

“Jinsui,” he called again.

“Hmm?” Nian Jinsui turned to meet Qin Chengyu’s deep gaze, which seemed to hold an intensity that made his heart skip a beat.

“If one day I were to do something just as unforgivable… would you forgive me too?”

Nian Jinsui paused, genuinely considering the question. If the novel’s plot was anything to go by, the most unforgivable thing Qin Chengyu did was ultimately lead to his death.

But things were different now. Their relationship had changed.

In the past, Qin Chengyu was like a fragile sandcastle, barely holding together. Nian Jinsui’s actions were the waves that relentlessly wore him down. Knowing how it all ended—Qin Chengyu choosing to destroy himself—left Nian Jinsui with nothing but compassion.

“I would forgive you,” Nian Jinsui finally said, his tone firm. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, he added, “Even if you did something far worse, I’d still forgive you.”

The certainty in his words made Qin Chengyu’s heart surge. His usually restrained expression softened, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

For a fleeting moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. So this is how much I matter to him…

Nian Jinsui, oblivious to Qin Chengyu’s inner turmoil, chuckled. It was rare to see the usually stoic villain act so… boyish.

He may be the novel’s ultimate antagonist, but at the end of the day, he’s still just a young man. Nian Jinsui thought fondly.

They hadn’t driven far when something outside caught Nian Jinsui’s eye. “Stop the car here, Xiao Liu,” he called to the driver.

Puzzled but intrigued, Qin Chengyu followed Nian Jinsui out of the car. They walked into a nearby violin shop.

The shopkeeper, spotting their luxury car, immediately perked up and greeted them warmly. “Good evening! Looking for a specific instrument?”

“I saw your store and thought I’d take a look. I’m in the market for a violin,” Nian Jinsui replied, his eyes scanning the neatly displayed violins.

It had been months since he last touched a violin, and now that he didn’t have to worry about blowing his cover, the urge to own one again was irresistible.

The shopkeeper quickly presented several high-end options. Nian Jinsui examined each carefully, testing their sound, but none fully satisfied him.

“Do you have anything better?” he asked decisively.

The shopkeeper hesitated. “Top-tier violins are rare in stock. Normally, we’d require a pre-order. But as it happens, we have one reserved for a client who won’t be back for a month. If you’re interested, I could call them and see if they’d be willing to let it go.”

Nian Jinsui’s eyes lit up. “Perfect! Please let me try it.”

When the violin was brought out, Nian Jinsui’s face brightened even more as he tested it. The sound was exquisite, and he instantly fell in love.

After receiving the original client’s approval, Nian Jinsui didn’t hesitate to finalize the purchase.

As he reached for his wallet, Qin Chengyu quietly pulled out his phone. “Jinsui, let me pay for this.”

Nian Jinsui froze in surprise. While he knew Qin Chengyu had money, his first instinct was to decline.

But before he could speak, Qin Chengyu interjected, “You’ve bought me so many things before. Let me gift you this.”

The shopkeeper, overhearing their conversation, couldn’t help but spin an elaborate tale in his mind. 

A wealthy young master buying lavish gifts for his… companion?

Nian Jinsui laughed, brushing off Qin Chengyu’s claim. “Technically, those things were paid for with your allowance from the Qin family. But fine, I’ll accept this gift. Thank you, Chengyu.”

The shopkeeper silently revised his mental script. 

Ah, so it’s a family arrangement. A doting young master spoiling his cherished ward.

Smiling to himself, the shopkeeper wrapped the violin carefully, completely unaware of the intricate web of emotions unfolding before him.

---

Previous       Menu       Next