Chapter 41: Shock—Fourth Uncle’s Private Message
Even after hanging up the phone, Zhou Ya on the other end was still a little dazed.
Had the sun risen in the west today?
Although Qin Mochen was her brother-in-law, she had married into the Qin family for many years and had only exchanged a few words with this brother-in-law who was more than ten years younger than her.
Firstly, Qin Mochen’s personality was cold and aloof, keeping people at arm’s length. Secondly, he was a man of very few words—there was hardly anything for even his own brothers to talk about with him, let alone her, a sister-in-law in name only.
The only notable interaction had been years ago, when her daughter accidentally smashed one of Qin Mochen’s small jade ornaments. She personally took her daughter to apologize.
At that time, nineteen-year-old Qin Mochen had just returned from a mission, having nearly lost his life. He lay on the hospital bed, quietly staring at the shattered ornament in his hand before lifting his gaze to her and Qin Xing.
Those bloodshot eyes glowed with a chilling light, like a wild beast lurking in the dark. The ferocity in them was enough to make one’s heart pound with fear.
Zhou Ya knew he wasn’t targeting her, but she was still frightened by that gaze—one filled with intense resentment and icy menace.
If she felt that way, it went without saying that eight-year-old Qin Xing back then was even more terrified.
From that point on, Qin Xing kept her distance from her Fourth Uncle. They might see each other briefly during holidays, but otherwise there was little interaction.
Not just Qin Xing—most of the Qin family’s younger generation were quite afraid of this Fourth Uncle and were not close to him.
So when this brother-in-law suddenly called today, specifically asking which class Qin Xing was in, Zhou Ya was genuinely frightened. She worried that her daughter might have done something to anger him again.
After some thought, Zhou Ya sent her daughter a message: Xingxing, have you done anything lately to upset your Fourth Uncle?
Qin Xing, who was secretly checking her phone, saw the message just then. Startled, she forgot for a moment that she was slacking off in class and quickly replied: No, Mom! My Fourth Uncle looks so scary—how would I dare provoke him?
Zhou Ya had just relaxed when she immediately stiffened again: Playing with your phone in class?
Qin Xing: …
She hurriedly replied: Mom, absolutely not! I was just checking the time. I only replied because it was you. I didn’t even look at any other messages, really!
Zhou Ya: Pay attention in class. If I catch you again, I’ll confiscate all your allowance—and don’t even think about using your phone!
Qin Xing stuck out her tongue and quickly turned off the screen.
However, just before the screen went black, a message suddenly popped up, making her eyes widen instantly, as if she’d seen things.
The screen went dark at just the right moment, so the message flashed by almost too fast to see.
Even so, Qin Xing’s sharp eyes caught the sender’s name.
Qin. Mo. Chen?
Qin Mochen!
Holy crap—her Fourth Uncle!
Her Fourth Uncle sent her a private message?!
There was a family group chat in the Qin family, and Qin Xing had labeled everyone with titles. This message was clearly sent privately—that was why it showed her Fourth Uncle’s actual name. And he was the type of person who used his full real name for such social accounts—utterly boring.
Qin Xing hurriedly unlocked her phone again, eyes wide as she stared at the message.
She first fixed her gaze on the three black Song-typeface characters—Qin Mochen—staring at them hard to make sure she wasn’t mistaken, before slowly moving to the content.
Qin Mochen: A new student will be joining your class today. Look after her.
Qin Xing’s eyes widened again, her eyeballs nearly popping out, her mouth hanging open in shock.
What was her Fourth Uncle—who hated people pulling strings and using connections more than anything—talking about? Asking her to look after someone?
What the hell?!
He went out of his way to message a niece he hadn’t privately spoken to in hundreds of years, just to say one thing: look after someone?
Qin Xing was still reeling when her deskmate, Zhao Kexin, nudged her with an elbow and reminded her without opening her mouth, speaking through clenched teeth, “Qin Xing, Old Zhao’s been staring at you for ages.”
Qin Xing quickly shut off her phone, lifted her head, and stared at the blackboard with an obedient, attentive expression—though her mind was completely blank.
Homeroom teacher Zhao Changxing glanced at her and continued teaching.
Qin Xing drifted through the entire class period. She didn’t see the new student her Fourth Uncle had mentioned until the next math class, when the math teacher entered together with the homeroom teacher who had just left the previous period, followed by a small girl.
The moment Qin Xing saw the girl, her eyes went straight.
…So, so cute.
The girl was wearing a white, floral-patterned puffed dress, her hair tied into a bun. Her eyes were dark and bright, so clear they held not a trace of impurity. Her slightly baby-fat cheeks looked soft and tender, making one desperately want to pinch them.
A small nose, small mouth—she looked like a porcelain doll, the kind that would shatter if dropped.
Qin Xing used to be a tomboy. If she weren’t a girl, she would’ve followed her brother into the army long ago, rolling in mud and sunbathing. Later, after receiving some profound “loving ideological education” from her mother, she reluctantly grew out her hair. She looked much more ladylike now—but even in a princess dress, she still carried that tomboyish, domineering air.
In the past, Qin Xing hated the frail, delicate “white lotus” type the most. But seeing this girl now—why was she suddenly filled with a strong urge to protect her?
The classroom, which had been buzzing with chatter, fell silent the moment Su Keke entered.
After saying a couple of words, the homeroom teacher asked Su Keke to introduce herself.
Su Keke grinned, revealing two neat rows of little white teeth, and the dimples she’d been hiding popped out instantly.
Qin Xing: Dimples? Damn it—she even has two dimples!
“Hello everyone, my name is Su Keke. I’ll be your classmate from now on. Please take care of me—and I’ll take care of everyone too.”
Facing so many people for the first time, Su Keke felt a little nervous.
She had originally thought her Uncle would bring her here, but he had urgent business and left first. The school chairman had wanted to escort her personally, but her Uncle didn’t agree, so Su Keke went by herself to report to the homeroom teacher.
That teacher, Zhao Changxing, had a kind-looking face, which made her relax a little.
As soon as Su Keke finished her introduction, Qin Xing immediately started clapping—loudly. Others followed suit.
Su Keke looked over at Qin Xing and smiled at her.
Qin Xing: …
She looks even better when she smiles—way cuter.
“Go sit over there,” the homeroom teacher said, pointing to the last row.
“Yes, Teacher.” Su Keke carried her backpack toward the back row, where there happened to be an empty seat.
Students at this age tended to be rebellious and obsessed with individuality. They slung backpacks over one shoulder, left shirts unbuttoned or jackets unzipped—because that was what looked cool and unique. Unlike this girl, who wore her backpack properly on both shoulders, neat and well-behaved to the extreme.
As soon as Su Keke sat down, she noticed that the students in front all turned around to stare at her—more precisely, at the desk in front of her. Their expressions were odd.
“Teacher Zhao! Can you change the new student’s seat?” Qin Xing suddenly stood up.
“That seat is cursed—you can’t let her sit there!”
