Chapter 12: A Strategic Provocation

Lin Qing quickly looked up, searching for his target. He spotted Li Mei, dressed in her white nurse’s uniform, laughing and chatting with several other nurses as they entered the cafeteria, preparing for dinner.

A surge of energy coursed through Lin Qing; he knew the critical moment had arrived.

There would only be one chance.

If he failed to capture Li Mei’s attention here, any forced performance in the ward later would inevitably backfire.

Lin Qing didn’t believe that, given his intense dislike for Su Yao, their interactions would appear sweet in anyone else’s eyes.

Therefore, a crowded place like the cafeteria was ideal. They wouldn’t need to act overly intimate, yet could still convincingly make Li Mei believe their charade.

“Alright, don’t get too excited. You’ll easily be noticed!”

Despite Lin Qing’s palpable tension, Su Yao remained remarkably composed.

Her exceptional acting skills would be seamless, even on a film set.

Perhaps she could even snag an Best Actress award.

After delivering her hushed warning to Lin Qing, Su Yao strode forward, leading him into the cafeteria. She deliberately chose a spot where the crowd was thickest.

A row of tables and chairs behind them was occupied by several nurses, close enough for their conversation to be distinctly overheard.

“I’m absolutely exhausted today! Why are there so many patients?”

“The doctors haven’t even complained about being tired. If we do, we’ll just get reprimanded again.”

“Hmph, it’s mealtime now; I’ll say whatever I want! Sister Li Mei, isn’t the ward you’re responsible for quite peaceful? That old man was transferred today, so it’ll be even more relaxed from now on!”

“Indeed, I’m quite idle now.”

Since Lin Qing and Su Yao had their backs to Li Mei, he couldn’t see the black skull icon above her head. Merely listening to her voice offered no clues about her emotional state.

Yet, turning around abruptly without a plausible reason would only draw unwanted attention.

A minor misstep couldn’t be allowed to jeopardize the entire plan’s smooth execution.

Even if he couldn’t observe Li Mei’s status, the priority now was to quickly display affection, ensuring Li Mei would notice him and Su Yao sooner.

“The nurse is furious. Her prey slipped right through her fingers. Honestly, if it were me, I’d be absolutely livid.”

However, just as Lin Qing was contemplating initiating their plan, Su Yao uttered a remark that was nothing short of astonishing.

Her sudden words startled Lin Qing, leaving him momentarily stunned. ‘Su Yao truly knew,’ he realized.

“You want to deliberately provoke her? You’ve got quite the nerve. But why are you so afraid of me?”

Observing Lin Qing’s bewildered expression, Su Yao couldn’t help but smile. She then leaned in, raising a hand to cup his slightly pointed chin, her warm fingertips burning like a brand.

Lin Qing felt like a cornered mouse, with nowhere to run, forced to passively accept everything.

His body seemed poised to tremble once more.

“If you were to have an episode here, things would go terribly wrong. Just think about the consequences of the plan failing—wouldn’t more innocent people die?”

Yet, Su Yao’s deliberate proximity and the words whispering in his ear felt like a devil’s insidious murmur.

Miraculously, Lin Qing returned to normal, showing no signs of trembling whatsoever.

This unexpected development made Su Yao raise an eyebrow. She was immensely curious about Lin Qing’s psychological shift—he had actually overcome his fear of her for the sake of others.

‘How truly fascinating,’ she mused.

“Tsk, the heavens truly are unfair. Even a guy like that has a girlfriend.”

“Hehe, envy won’t do you any good. Some people just have better luck!”

As Su Yao and Lin Qing engaged in their intimate ‘heart-to-heart,’ two young men at a nearby table, dressed in a rather thuggish manner, spoke with bitter indignation, their expressions as if their wives had been stolen.

Their meaning was clearly implied, overtly obvious.

Perhaps it was Lin Qing’s slender, somber demeanor, making him seem like an easily bullied chick, utterly incapable of retaliation. This emboldened the two men, who spoke without any reservations, their words perfectly audible to both Lin Qing and Su Yao.

Upon hearing this, Su Yao’s smile widened, and a mischievous idea began to brew in her mind.

‘If I were to kiss Lin Qing right now, would these men grow even more envious?’

‘And I could anticipate Lin Qing’s reaction.’

“Su Yao, you’re not the only woman here. I can find someone else.”

Alas, before Su Yao could act, Lin Qing had already discerned her intentions.

His calm words, though not outright threats, instantly made Su Yao compliant.

If Lin Qing were to send her away, she would be forced back into her utterly mundane routine.

That would be a dreadful waste.

‘Nowhere is as entertaining as this hospital,’ she thought.

“If you want me to behave, it’s actually quite simple: let me stay tonight ❤~”

Su Yao, however, felt she could bargain; she wasn’t ready for the fun to end so soon.

‘What’s the point of daytime?’ she mused.

‘The night is far more thrilling.’

Even if Lin Qing refused to continue their association, Su Yao’s own freedom remained unrestricted. She could come and go from the hospital as she pleased, or even find a better vantage point to observe the ‘show.’

Yet, a single moment of pleasure was too fleeting; she craved lasting amusement.

In that case, she couldn’t afford to scare Lin Qing any further.

Once he grew accustomed to her presence, achieving her goals would be remarkably simple.

Besides, watching from the sidelines simply wasn’t as exhilarating as experiencing it firsthand!

The mere thought of being face-to-face with a murderer sent waves of tingling pleasure coursing up Su Yao’s spine, a sensation almost too intense to bear.

“Aren’t you afraid of death?”

Hearing Su Yao’s words about staying, Lin Qing couldn’t help but lift his gaze to her, utterly bewildered by her intentions.

Some sought to flee danger, while others actively embraced it.

It was incomprehensible.

“Is there anyone who isn’t afraid of death?”

In response to Lin Qing’s inquiry, Su Yao simply countered with a question of her own.

This left Lin Qing even more perplexed by Su Yao’s mindset. He merely thought that it was best for Su Yao not to get too deeply involved in this murky business.

Regardless of her thoughts, the white skull icon above her head served as undeniable proof that she hadn’t been tainted by even a speck of darkness yet.

‘It’s better if she avoids bad people,’ he concluded.

Lin Qing wasn’t thinking of Su Yao’s well-being, but rather his own future.

Given that he couldn’t transfer schools or change classes, it was beneficial for everyone if the skull icon above Su Yao’s head remained white.

“If you don’t agree, I’ll sabotage your plan and let you personally experience the taste of suffering.”

However, the current turn of events was already beyond Lin Qing’s control.

Indeed, from the moment Su Yao appeared, the initiative had firmly shifted into her hands.

What could Lin Qing say in response? He could only nod in silent resignation.

With her objective achieved, Su Yao’s mood brightened considerably, while Lin Qing could only silently hope that everything would proceed smoothly, without any further complications.

“Still, to truly grab that woman’s attention, this approach is undoubtedly the most effective.”

Having finished her sentence, Su Yao immediately leaned in and planted a resounding kiss on Lin Qing’s cheek.