Chapter Seventy-Six: Reluctant to Let Me Go?

“What do you mean?” Qin Sheng was somewhat suspicious that Song Qing'an was referring to her awakening powers, but seeing Chu Xingyu's current condition, which was entirely different from hers, she could only say she wasn't certain.

Song Qing'an seemed to sense Qin Sheng's guess and let out a soft laugh. “Take a bold guess.”

Qin Sheng glanced at Chu Xingyu, who was still suffering, and ventured carefully, “Is it... powers?”

Song Qing'an nodded in approval, then said, “Correct, very clever.”

Qin Sheng looked at Chu Xingyu in shock. “Xingyu has awakened powers too?!”

She knew Lin Xing was a power-user, but had always been unsure about Chu Xingyu. Now, she realized she’d found herself two friends who possessed powers.

If she’d known that power-users were rare in the apocalypse, she would have understood what a tremendous advantage this was.

Song Qing'an saw the joy overflow from Qin Sheng’s expression, and his smile grew even more pronounced. “That’s right. You and he are both power-users now.”

“No, there’s still…” Qin Sheng almost included Lin Xing without thinking, but quickly corrected herself before she could slip. “I mean, maybe Miaomiao is a power-user too.”

Song Qing'an’s brow furrowed lightly, his gaze sweeping over Qin Sheng, who was feigning nonchalance. A hint of a smile touched his lips. “That would be for the best.”

Qin Sheng smiled awkwardly, then heard Chu Xingyu let out a muffled groan, using the moment to shift the topic. “So, Xingyu just has to suffer like this?”

Song Qing'an calmly straightened his messy white hair and nodded. “Everyone must go through their own trials, whether bitter or sweet.”

Qin Sheng nodded in agreement, thinking Song Qing'an was right. She wanted to help with the awakening, but there was nothing she could do.

Compared to Chu Xingyu, she didn’t even count as half a power-user.

She couldn’t wield her powers; in fact, she hadn’t felt any trace of them within herself.

Song Qing'an noticed Qin Sheng’s gradually furrowing brows. He pressed his lips together, as if the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat, unable to emerge.

At this moment, Chu Xingyu could only endure this purgatory alone, and Qin Sheng worried he hadn’t left the room at all.

Song Qing'an waited a while before standing up to leave.

Qin Sheng, who was sitting by the bedside, noticed him and stood to ask, “Where are you going?”

Song Qing'an raised his brows, unable to resist the urge to tease her.

He closed the door again, and even locked it.

Qin Sheng found his swift actions odd, pursing her lips slightly.

The next second, Song Qing'an was right in front of her, wearing his usual roguish smile.

Meeting his innocent gaze, Qin Sheng was momentarily flustered. Based on her judgment, whenever Song Qing'an wore this expression, nothing good was about to happen.

He was probably planning to trick her again.

This time, Qin Sheng was prepared, ready to pull a Tang blade from her space at a moment’s notice.

Song Qing'an had no idea the impression he'd left on Qin Sheng was so deeply ingrained. He sidled up to her, smiling, “What’s wrong? Missing me already?”

Qin Sheng immediately knew her guess was correct.

But seeing how immersed he was, she decided to play along.

“Of course, I do miss you.” Qin Sheng suppressed her urge to punch him, pursed her lips, and put on a pitiful, wistful expression.

For a moment, Song Qing'an was caught off guard.

It was the first time he’d seen this look on Qin Sheng—her lips slightly puckered, her moist eyes blinking, so vulnerable that anyone would feel compelled to pity her, unwilling to harm her.

And with her doll-like face, this expression was almost criminal.

Song Qing'an took a deep breath, nearly losing his usual rakish composure, but he knew this girl wasn’t so simple. He’d never felt so conflicted.

Qin Sheng saw the expression and knew she’d succeeded. She feigned even greater grievance, “Would a brother really hurt his little sister?”

Song Qing'an: “...”

For the first time, Song Qing'an felt he'd met his match. If he accepted Qin Sheng, he knew she was only acting for his benefit; if he didn’t, he felt a twinge of reluctance.

He really was conflicted. Song Qing'an frowned slightly.

This expression was not lost on Qin Sheng.

After a long pause, Song Qing'an finally spoke.

“I... I would never—” He hadn’t finished his sentence before a warm little hand covered his mouth.

He was momentarily speechless, stunned, staring at Qin Sheng, who held his mouth. His mind went blank; he couldn’t even tell if she was still acting.

“Shh.” Qin Sheng leaned in, speaking softly. “Since you don’t want to leave, then let’s have a proper match.”

The moment she finished, Song Qing'an felt himself being pushed toward the window by her small hands.

Qin Sheng stopped acting, nodded toward the window. “Go on, I won’t push you out.”

Song Qing'an: “...”

“If you’re reluctant, I’ll make you go.” Qin Sheng saw his hesitation and frowned slightly.

Song Qing'an knew he’d fallen for her trick, shrugged helplessly, and with a flip, disappeared into the night.

Qin Sheng was very satisfied with his swift action. She checked on Chu Xingyu, ensuring he was safe, then followed Song Qing'an out the window and vanished into the darkness.

On the rooftop.

Song Qing'an lounged carelessly at the edge, waiting for Qin Sheng to arrive and settle accounts.

The sound of footsteps told him the girl who’d tricked him was here.

Just as he turned to confront her, he sensed something was off and quickly spun around.

“Master.”

Xunfeng’s voice was especially clear and distinct in the night. Song Qing'an’s expression darkened, his mood obviously affected.

“Is Tingfeng Pavilion calling me back?” Song Qing'an asked directly. Seeing Xunfeng’s silence, he knew his guess was correct.

Song Qing'an took a deep breath, his fists involuntarily clenched in his sleeves, and the ever-present smile vanished from his face.

“Master, the Pavilion Lord insists on seeing you this time. Otherwise…” Xunfeng knew his master hated returning to Tingfeng Pavilion, but he had no choice but to obey the Pavilion Lord.

Song Qing'an said nothing, as if digesting his emotions.

“So my uncle is threatening me with you all again, isn’t he?” Song Qing'an laughed carelessly, but there was no trace of humor.

A chill instantly settled around Xunfeng. He didn't speak, but his silence was confirmation.

“Master, if you don’t return, it might arouse the Pavilion Lord’s suspicion…” Xunfeng knew his duty as a subordinate, even if his master was clearly unwilling.

Song Qing'an said nothing, his mind flashing back to the girl who’d just acted with him.

“Looks like I can’t keep my word this time,” Song Qing'an muttered into the night.

In the blink of an eye, Song Qing'an and Xunfeng vanished, leaving only a faint woody scent lingering in the air as proof he’d been there.

“Are you ready?” Qin Sheng knew Song Qing'an would wait on the rooftop, and as soon as she climbed up, she called out loudly without even looking.

Only silence and calm answered her.

She frowned in confusion, her gaze sweeping over the rooftop but finding no trace of Song Qing'an.

Qin Sheng frowned, murmuring softly, “Did Song Qing'an not know to come to the rooftop?”

She searched, confirmed he wasn’t there, and sat down, planning to wait for him.

Unbeknownst to her, she sat exactly where Song Qing'an had just been.

Qin Sheng waited for a long time, but Song Qing'an didn’t appear.

She looked up, staring at the distant yet close sky, wondering if she’d gone too far today.

Song Qing'an was so proud—perhaps he was sulking somewhere after being teased by her? Or had he left without telling her?

Her mind was full of questions. After waiting a long time, she got up and left.

So be it. She never thought anyone could stay by her side for long.

It didn’t matter.

But Qin Sheng made sure to remember this incident.

Far away in Tingfeng Pavilion, Song Qing'an sneezed uncontrollably.

“Shengsheng?”

Jiang Miaomiao heard a knock at the door and tensed instinctively, only to open it quickly upon hearing Qin Sheng’s voice.

“Weren’t you inside?” Jiang Miaomiao was puzzled, not even knowing when Qin Sheng had left.

Qin Sheng smiled faintly. “Xingyu should be alright now. Come with me to check.”

After a few seconds of confusion, Jiang Miaomiao nodded and followed Qin Sheng into Chu Xingyu’s room.

Sure enough, Chu Xingyu had woken up. When he saw Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao enter, his face was pale but he still managed his usual warm smile.

“Sheng, Miaomiao.”

Qin Sheng signaled Jiang Miaomiao to lock the door, and the two walked to Chu Xingyu’s bedside.

“How are you feeling, Xingyu?” Jiang Miaomiao grabbed a pillow and placed it behind Chu Xingyu’s waist for comfort.

Chu Xingyu shook his head with a smile. “Much better. Sorry to worry you.”

Jiang Miaomiao breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Qin Sheng. “What happened, Sheng? Why did Xingyu suddenly collapse?”

Chu Xingyu also wanted to know why he’d gone through all this, unwilling to endure the pain so ambiguously.

Qin Sheng felt it was necessary to tell them something in advance.

After all, the gap in information was just as important.