TNSFC – Chapter 87

Fireworks exploded in the night sky with dazzling light, then scattered like fireflies.

But immediately after, new fireworks would burst forth—white, red, yellow, purple—painting a magnificent scroll across the night sky.

Amidst this booming sound, Que Yining suddenly realized something.

If there was going to be a fireworks display in town tonight, then during their tour in the daytime and dinner in the evening, the town mayor wouldn’t have failed to mention such news to attract them.

But the mayor hadn’t said anything, nor had any of the town’s accompanying personnel mentioned it. This fireworks display appeared so abruptly, like a surprise that had been prepared long ago.

Que Yining abruptly turned her gaze to Gu Shanxue, looking at Gu Shanxue’s profile, a guess forming in her mind.

The curve of her lips grew wider. If it really was the answer she suspected, she would be absolutely ecstatic.

“Shanxue!”

Amidst the booming, her voice was much fainter, but Gu Shanxue still heard it. She shifted her gaze from the night sky to Que Yining and leaned down in front of her, wanting to hear clearly what she was saying.

“Did you specially prepare these fireworks for me? This isn’t a town event at all, is it?”

They were very close. Gu Shanxue looked into those bright eyes, didn’t lie, and nodded.

After nodding, she continued speaking as if to cover something up.

“You told me before that you really wanted to see fireworks, but there’s a ban on them in the city, and it wasn’t convenient to bring you out before, so it’s been delayed until now.”

Gu Shanxue just wanted to make Que Yining a little happier. She still remembered the disappointed expression on Que Yining’s face when she woke up from her coma, held her hand, and said she couldn’t see fireworks. Now, it was finally made up for.

She also hadn’t expected Que Yining to realize it so quickly; just moments ago, Que Yining still thought it was just a town event.

Que Yining was so overjoyed she didn’t know what to say. In that instant, she even thought it wasn’t her pursuing Gu Shanxue, but Gu Shanxue pursuing her.

Really now, how could the adorable Miss Gu be so good at pleasing people?

So good at flirting, yet so irresponsible.

Que Yining grumbled inwardly, but the smile on her face grew even brighter.

She looked at Gu Shanxue’s face, her heart throbbing.

“Actually, when I asked you to watch fireworks back then, I just wanted to be with you. The fireworks themselves aren’t important to me; what’s important is watching them with you.”

Que Yining’s voice, in the lulls between the fireworks’ explosions, sounded exceptionally clear, echoing in the gentle evening breeze.

Gu Shanxue hadn’t expected her to speak so directly at this moment. Or rather, it wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about it; she just hadn’t thought about how to respond. Her expression was a little blank.

“This surprise, was it to make me happy?”

Miss Que, who had already decided to be direct, wouldn’t play any more games of tacit understanding with Miss Gu. If she waited for Miss Gu to be ready on her own, who knew how long that would take.

She had to decisively break through her emotional defenses, disrupt her plans, and force her out of what she considered her emotional comfort zone.

Gu Shanxue nodded, passively engaging in the Q&A.

“If it were another surprise, I’d be even happier, you know.”

Before Gu Shanxue could react, Que Yining wrapped her arms around Gu Shanxue’s neck and gently pulled her down.

Warm lips met, and Gu Shanxue’s eyes widened.

But that rich fragrance lingered between her lips and teeth, making her unconsciously indulge and crave it, forgetting to push the person away.

The sound of her heartbeat was drowned out by the booming of the fireworks, speaking of her agitation.

Those beautiful fireworks seemed to melt into her mind, leaving behind a heart-fluttering numbness after the light scattered.

Que Yining’s soft laugh was lost in their mingled breaths. Gu Shanxue’s reaction was dazed; she was stiff and motionless. Que Yining embraced her with passion, slowly melting her.

Although Que Yining didn’t have much experience either, she knew a lot. She just lacked a bit of practice. Now that she had a subject for practice, she would naturally apply the theories she knew well.

Gu Shanxue was inherently a strong person, but at this moment, she was so passive she felt a little flustered.

A kiss like a dewy, vibrant rose, bestowing an entire spring.

The tip of a tongue brushed against her palate. Gu Shanxue gazed at those sparkling, bright eyes, captured by Que Yining’s gaze.

The fireworks scattering across the sky illuminated the Light Tower standing silently in the darkness, and also illuminated their eyes. The tenderness of this moment seemed to accelerate the progress of summer, with a fervent heat enveloping them.

The hard ice on the periphery of the snow mountain melted, silently disintegrating. They tumbled down, entangled, falling into a gentle valley of love and desire.

Gu Shanxue could no longer pay attention to the abundant fireworks in the night sky, drowned in the charm of Que Yining’s eyes and expressions.

Forgetting and abandoning all worries, concerns, and cautiousness, without needing extra words, she allowed herself to succumb.

Que Yining knew this wouldn’t be a one-sided taking. After receiving a response, her actions became even more unrestrained. But she hadn’t expected Gu Shanxue to learn so quickly. Gu Shanxue didn’t have many fancy techniques, just stubbornly used one method that made it hard for Que Yining to resist, just like her personality.

Briefly parting and then drawing close again, so indulgently absorbed and lost in the moment, they only belatedly realized that the fireworks display had already ended.

Because of the recent clamor, the night seemed even quieter.

Gu Shanxue’s earlobes were almost crimson enough to bleed. She was thankful for the darkness that helped conceal them somewhat.

“We should go back.”

Her voice was a little hoarse, tinged with embarrassment.

“Okay, it’s getting late, we should head back.”

Que Yining chuckled. She knew Cutie Gu was about to transform into conflicted Gu. She didn’t press her for a statement and pushed the wheelchair.

The return trip was an hour and a half. Que Yining didn’t want Gu Shanxue to be so shy that she’d flee to the passenger seat. She behaved herself in the car, not mentioning what had just happened at all, nor did she tease with her eyes. She immersed herself in her work, only occasionally glancing at Gu Shanxue, and would continue to look down at her work when Gu Shanxue started to fidget.

It had to be said, it was incredibly amusing.

Upon returning to the city, Gu Shanxue intended to take Que Yining back to the Que family home, but Que Yining stopped her.

“Take me back to my own place.”

“Your leg isn’t healed yet, how can you live alone?”

Gu Shanxue frowned, expressing her disapproval.

“Then shall I go to your place?”

Que Yining propped her face on her hand and asked with a smile. Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and her lips were a rich red, instantly reminding Gu Shanxue of their earlier kiss.

Just as she was hesitating, about to agree, she heard Que Yining’s suppressed laughter.

“Just kidding. Take me back to my parents’ place.”

Que Yining had originally wanted to go back to her own home, but she suddenly remembered she had some things to discuss with Papa Que, so she still needed to make a trip there.

Gu Shanxue didn’t feel tricked. While relieved, she also felt a little disappointed. She dismissed those emotions and took Que Yining back to the Que family home.

As she watched Que Yining’s figure disappear from sight, she dazedly touched her own lips.

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It was now past nine in the evening, not very late. No one in the Que family was asleep. When Que Yining went in, she found Que Chuling was surprisingly there too.

She didn’t look well. Facing the Que family members, she appeared somewhat guilty and uneasy. When she saw Que Yining arrive, she greeted her, her expression a bit downcast.

Que Yining immediately understood the situation. She knew that the Que parents must have talked to Que Chuling about something, though it didn’t involve any supernatural or spiritual matters.

“Ningning’s here. Have you had dinner?”

You Lanqing came out of the room with a poor complexion, but she perked up when she saw Que Yining.

She always addressed her daughters with reduplicated names, implying affection. Now that she knew the truth, although there was some estrangement, there was still a touch of intimacy.

“I’ve eaten. Where’s Dad? Is he in the study? I have some things to discuss with him.”

“Okay, I’ll go get him. Your leg is inconvenient, so rest in your room first.”

You Lanqing went upstairs without glancing once at Que Chuling, who was sitting on the sofa.

The deeper the previous affection, the stronger the hatred now. Although Que Chuling wasn’t the main culprit, she knew and didn’t speak up, making her an accomplice. You Lanqing was furious, let alone showing her any kindness.

Papa Que came down shortly. He looked worse than he had a couple of days ago, his temples streaked with white, exuding a sense of decline, completely different from the ruddy-faced man Que Yining had first seen when she arrived here.

Que Yining expressed concern for his health. Que Hanyi tapped the ground with his cane.

“Don’t worry. As long as that beast doesn’t close his eyes for good, I definitely won’t breathe my last.”

Since he said that, Que Yining couldn’t very well persuade him further and instead started talking about business.

Papa Que had been in business for many years and lacked no decisiveness. After discussing business matters with Que Yining and affirming her abilities, he told her she could report to the Que Corporation headquarters tomorrow.

“You just go ahead and do what you need to do. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Que Hanyi’s voice wasn’t loud, but he gave a solemn promise.

“Okay.”

This “okay” was also Que Yining’s promise to him.

The next morning, Que Yining and Que Hanyi went to the company together.

She was directly parachuted into a management position. This news immediately caused an uproar throughout the company, sparking heated discussions. Coupled with Que Yining’s striking appearance, the wheelchair she sat in became an even bigger focus of discussion.

【Law-abiding Good Family】

[sake]: The Crown Princess is ascending the throne? Th-th-this is too sudden!

[Muddled]: What about the First Prince then? What’s going on? I thought for sure the First Prince would take over the company!

[GuaGuaGuaGuaGua]: It’s not like the First Prince abusing his power for personal gain is a new thing. Has the Emperor finally found out?

[Summer Solstice]: Sis upstairs, don’t you want your account anymore? We wouldn’t dare say such things, hahahaha.

[Neighbor Xiao Wang]: What abuse of power for personal gain? Be careful, you might get fired for talking nonsense.

[Yuu]: The gossips are the most amazing, ah.

[konoha]: The new Princess is the true legitimate heir! What’s so strange or sudden about that? And I have firsthand news, the Princess is very capable and beautiful. I’ll be the first to stan!

[A Melon Rind]: Isn’t the rainbow farting upstairs a bit much? Sucking up already when she just arrived? She’s not here, what are you trying to show off for? I also heard she used to be a young miss who only knew how to eat, drink, and play. Hope she doesn’t mismanage things.

[SuperLoveMilk]: Ahhhhhh, I just delivered coffee to the Princess, my hands are still shaking! Absolutely gorgeous! Truly gorgeous! I’m crying, I’m going to apply to be her assistant!

[DeadFishContentment]: Report! The royal meeting is about to begin! The First Prince and the Princess have met! The Princess is giving the First Prince the cold shoulder. I smell a storm brewing.

In the conference room, the atmosphere was tense and deadlocked.

“Hanyi, isn’t this too rash? Letting Ningning take on such a huge responsibility right from the start? Even if you dote on her, you can’t be so reckless. That project is so important, you can’t let her use it for practice or play. Wasn’t it already decided that Linyang would be in charge?”

Following this statement from Que Hanyi’s cousin, murmurs of dissatisfaction filled the conference room.

Que Yining didn’t speak. With a commanding presence, she met the gaze of Que Linyang, who was sitting opposite her, and a smile touched her lips.

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