Chapter 54: Unexpected Connections and Playful Teasing

Lin Qing stared at Su Yao, who had suddenly appeared before him, her arm intimately linked with Ye Lin’s. He found himself momentarily stunned.

‘The person Ye Lin knew was Su Yao?’

‘And Su Yao called Ye Lin ‘Uncle’?’

‘No way!’

‘How could such a coincidence exist in the world?’

Moreover, how could a ‘bad woman’ like Su Yao possibly be related to Officer Ye Lin?

Their connection seemed as starkly improbable as the contrast between black and white, which was precisely why Lin Qing had never considered their relationship.

“Lin Qing, let me introduce you,” Ye Lin began. “This is my niece, Su Yao.”

He then cast a helpless glance at Su Yao, who was still clinging to his arm, before directly confirming that Lin Qing’s suspicions were correct.

Meanwhile, Su Yao’s gaze flickered towards Lin Qing, filled with a sly cunning. Her eyes, subtly shifting, seemed to mock the innocence of her prey.

“This is…”

“Uncle, I know Lin Qing,” Su Yao interjected. “We’re classmates in the same class.”

Just as Ye Lin was about to introduce Lin Qing to Su Yao, she had preemptively cut him off, making it clear they were already acquainted.

However, in the presence of an elder, Su Yao showed a degree of restraint.

She refrained from uttering any truly shocking remarks.

“What a coincidence! That’s wonderful,” Ye Lin exclaimed, a look of pleasant surprise instantly spreading across his face after hearing Su Yao’s words. “Su Yao, please look after Lin Qing from now on. If he ever runs into trouble, make sure to lend a hand.”

Unaware of the intricate web between Su Yao and Lin Qing, he quickly added.

Only moments ago, he had been concerned about Lin Qing’s school life. Now, with his own niece’s help, he was certain there would be no problems.

Su Yao possessed excellent social skills and emotional intelligence, effortlessly handling anything she undertook.

Assisting Lin Qing in adapting to campus life would undoubtedly pose no challenge for her.

Yet, as those words reached Lin Qing’s ears, they suddenly became grating.

He wanted to say something, anything, but found himself utterly at a loss for words.

Su Yao, on the other hand, nodded obediently upon hearing this.

She presented the image of a perfectly well-behaved child, entirely without incongruity.

“Lin Qing, from now on, we’re friends.”

After hearing Ye Lin instruct her to help Lin Qing, Su Yao released her hold on his arm. She then swiftly approached Lin Qing.

She raised a hand, extending it towards Lin Qing.

With a gentle expression and a soft smile gracing her lips, Su Yao stood gracefully before him, like a pure angel descended, making one’s heart swell with warmth.

Unfortunately, Lin Qing was not among them.

Yet, under Ye Lin’s expectant gaze, Lin Qing knew he had to save face, no matter how unwilling he felt.

He raised his hand and took Su Yao’s extended one. The woman’s palm was astonishingly soft, like dough, making him wonder how it could be so yielding.

Lin Qing had intended to quickly pull away, but Su Yao’s grip was surprisingly firm, preventing his escape.

He looked up at her face; her smile remained gentle, yet her eyes held a mischievous glint.

She hadn’t fully grasped his hand, merely brushing against half of it, her index finger lightly stroking his palm a few times, a subtle, suggestive gesture.

Only after Su Yao had indulged her playful teasing did she finally release Lin Qing’s hand, a look of satisfaction on her face.

Just then, students began to stream out of the gymnasium. Seeing this, Ye Lin didn’t linger. Instead, he instructed Lin Qing and Su Yao to return to class and study diligently.

He then swiftly slipped away, eager to avoid further entanglement with the female students.

After Ye Lin’s figure vanished from sight, Lin Qing ignored Su Yao. He simply hurried back to his classroom, intent on leaving school the moment the bell rang.

Once home, a long-lost sense of security would finally envelop him.

“Lin Qing, how do you know my uncle?”

Even as Lin Qing quickened his pace, Su Yao effortlessly caught up beside him, her voice filled with curiosity as she posed the question.

When she had seen her Uncle Ye Lin with Lin Qing earlier, Su Yao herself had been quite surprised, unable to fathom how the two had come to know each other.

Normally, her uncle spent all his time at the police station, rarely even returning home.

Given these circumstances, Lin Qing’s acquaintance with her uncle was truly intriguing.

However, to heighten the intrigue, Su Yao had already decided against investigating Lin Qing’s background.

She wouldn’t consult any files on him. Instead, she intended to observe him directly, through gradual interactions, to discover what kind of person he truly was and what past he carried.

Everyday life was far too dull; now that it had finally become exciting, she couldn’t let the fun end so abruptly!

“By chance.”

Lin Qing offered no further details regarding Su Yao’s query.

‘The more he said, the more mistakes he might make.’

He wasn’t sure why Su Yao, with her powerful family background, hadn’t simply investigated his information. But this was for the best, saving him from potential trouble.

If Su Yao were to learn of his past, he feared she would only devise even more schemes.

For Lin Qing, the best approach was to simply ignore Su Yao’s mischievous antics.

This way, she would eventually grow bored and abandon the idea of teasing him.

“Oh, really… Lin Qing, why are you so cold to me today? Are you angry?”

Su Yao hadn’t actually expected a detailed answer from Lin Qing; her question was merely a prelude to continuing their conversation.

After tricking him into turning off his phone that morning, Su Yao knew she needed to appease Lin Qing now.

Otherwise, if she tried it again, he wouldn’t be so easily placated.

“…”

Upon hearing Su Yao’s almost coquettish words, Lin Qing found himself at a loss. He simply closed his mouth.

He remained silent.

Although learning of Su Yao’s scheme had left Lin Qing feeling somewhat frustrated, being pranked was never a pleasant experience.

Yet, recalling the contact name he’d saved for Su Yao, Lin Qing decided there was no point in dwelling too much on this ‘bad woman.’

Arguing with her would be useless; ‘bad women’ never played fair.

On the contrary, if he were to bring it up, he would likely fall right into Su Yao’s next trap.

‘But was that truly possible?’

“Are you really angry?”

“No.”

Yet, Lin Qing’s silence was not an escape. Faced with Su Yao’s relentless pestering, he finally relented and answered.

After hearing Lin Qing’s reluctant reply, Su Yao couldn’t help but smile. With a light, playful motion, she moved closer to him, raising her hand as if to grasp his.

However, Lin Qing had been on guard against her, and Su Yao did not succeed.

“Nonsense, you’re clearly still angry. In that case, let me repay you in another way~❤”

Seeing Lin Qing actively dodge her, Su Yao’s smile deepened.

She then uttered words meant to be misunderstood, preparing to pounce on Lin Qing like a hungry tiger, clearly not intending to let him off so easily.

“Su Yao, you two!”

Just then, a voice filled with shock and fury suddenly erupted from nearby.

Liu Hong, who had followed Su Yao out of the gymnasium early, had just witnessed the intimacy between Su Yao and Lin Qing with his own eyes.