Chapter 64: Otherwise, I’ll Secretly Follow You
Very quickly, Wu Zongbai came up with an idea.
But first, he had to comfort the little cutie and let her know that she was really overthinking things.
After a brief silence on the line, Wu Zongbai replied, “Miss Su, you’ve probably never attended this kind of banquet before, right? Fourth Master is likely worried that if you go… you’ll be bored.”
“Bored?” Su Keke was surprised.
That could be a reason too?
“Yes, bored.”
Not only were banquets boring, but the people at them were boring as well—especially certain women who loved to gossip.
If Fourth Master really brought Su Keke along, who knew what those people would say behind her back? After all, the little cutie not only acted young, she also looked young.
It would be easy for some ill-intentioned people to misunderstand and think that Fourth Master’s years of ascetic restraint had a reason—that he didn’t like what ordinary people liked, but had some… special preferences.
For example, only liking… well, this type.
If such rumors spread, it would be bad for both Fourth Master’s and the little cutie’s reputations.
Of course, Fourth Master wouldn’t tell Su Keke any of this, and Wu Zongbai certainly wouldn’t either.
People grow up eventually, and the little cutie couldn’t stay so innocent forever. But if her purity and simplicity could be protected, then experiences that could be avoided should be avoided.
After her initial surprise, Su Keke immediately said, “Assistant Wu, I’m not afraid of being bored. Back on Peach Blossom Mountain, I could sit on a little stool for an entire day. My actions might look monotonous and boring, but my thoughts are rich and lively. Just sitting there contemplating the principles in the books and the things my master taught me, I already find it very interesting.”
Wu Zongbai: “…Is that so? Miss Su really is different from everyone else.”
Su Keke thought seriously for a moment, then suddenly said, “Assistant Wu, then how about I secretly follow along?”
Wu Zongbai nearly choked on his own saliva.
“Miss Su, events like that require invitations to get in—unless you know how to walk through walls or burrow underground.”
Su Keke frowned. “Only wandering souls can pass through walls, and only a weasel spirit can burrow underground. I definitely can’t do that.”
Wu Zongbai: …
I was just giving an example. You don’t need to answer it so seriously, little cutie.
Wu Zongbai coughed lightly and said, “I do have a way we can try—it just depends on whether Fourth Master agrees.”
After hearing his idea, Su Keke said in confusion, “Go as Uncle’s bodyguard? But I already am Uncle’s bodyguard.”
Wu Zongbai was left speechless.
So had he been overthinking things this whole time?
He felt that Fourth Master must have been overthinking it too.
“…Fourth Master might think you want to go as a female companion.”
Su Keke opened her mouth in surprise. “A female companion? How could that be? A female companion should be a girlfriend, right? I’m Uncle’s bodyguard, not his girlfriend. Of course I’d go as a bodyguard.”
Wu Zongbai: Don’t tell me—go tell your uncle.
“Miss Su, I mean the kind of bodyguard who wears black, has a cold expression, and carries themselves properly. Otherwise, people will tell at a glance that you’re not a real bodyguard,” Wu Zongbai reminded her.
“Oh, oh~ I get it! I just need to dress the same as Uncle’s other bodyguards. Tomorrow I’ll go buy a similar black suit and prepare a pair of sunglasses.”
Wu Zongbai couldn’t help laughing after hearing that.
“I think you should first make it clear to Fourth Master that you want to go as a bodyguard, not a female companion. Then go act a little cute with him, butter him up a bit—he’ll definitely agree.”
Wu Zongbai felt deeply ashamed as he said this.
“Act cute… butter him up…” Su Keke smacked her lips thoughtfully, then said at once, “I understand!”
Wu Zongbai thought to himself: Understand what? I just meant do what you usually do.
“I’ll go find Uncle right now. Thank you, Assistant Wu!”
“Wait! Miss Su, when you talk to Fourth Master, don’t say this idea was mine.”
“I understand. If Uncle asks, I’ll say I thought of it myself.”
That was what she’d been thinking anyway—she just hadn’t realized she’d need to dress like the other bodyguards.
After Wu Zongbai hung up, the heart that had been beating steadily a second ago suddenly started pounding wildly.
I’m done for!
How could the little cutie possibly come up with such a terrible idea on her own? Fourth Master would definitely guess it was him!
—
This time, when Su Keke went into the study, she didn’t barge in recklessly. She politely knocked on the door.
“…Come in.”
After hearing his voice, Su Keke first opened the door and poked half her head inside.
Qin Mochen turned around and saw the half-hidden little head peeking in. A smile unconsciously appeared on his face. “Why are you hiding behind the door? Come in already.”
Su Keke’s lips curved into a smile. “I was afraid Uncle might be doing something important and shouldn’t be disturbed.”
Qin Mochen closed the laptop on his desk, set it aside, and said to her, “If it were really something I couldn’t be interrupted, I would definitely tell you in advance.”
Only then did Su Keke slip her whole body through the doorway, a glass of milk in her hand.
“Uncle, you’ve been busy for so long—you must be thirsty. I poured you a glass of milk. If Uncle drinks this, you’ll sleep better tonight too.”
Qin Mochen took the glass but didn’t drink it. Instead, he looked at her thoughtfully.
Su Keke quickly circled behind him and began kneading his shoulders with her little hands. “Uncle, let me massage your shoulders.”
The man set the glass down and chuckled. “Where did you learn this from, hmm?”
He shifted slightly, not letting the little girl continue her mischief.
Soft and fluffy—this wasn’t massaging shoulders at all. It was more like tickling.
Su Keke stood in front of him, fidgeting with the sides of her dress. “…Uncle, no one taught me. I just thought you looked really tired and thirsty, so—”
“Little girl, just say what you want. My decisions won’t change because of anyone’s flattery or goading. Tell me—what do you want to do? If it’s something I can agree to, I will.”
Su Keke suddenly felt the awkwardness of being seen through.
So… had her flattery failed?
But that was okay—she still had acting cute!
“Uncle, um… didn’t we talk about the birthday banquet tomorrow? I’ve thought it over. If something really happens to you, even if you call me, I wouldn’t be able to get there in time. So—so Uncle, you should just take me with you!”
Qin Mochen frowned slightly. “Didn’t we already agree on this? Why change your mind again?”
“Uncle, do you think I want to go as a female companion? No, no, not at all. I just want to be Uncle’s bodyguard.
“I even looked it up online. Going to big banquets means preparing formal dresses and sometimes styling and accessories—it’s especially expensive. Even if Uncle took me, I’d be embarrassed.
“But if I go as Uncle’s bodyguard—the kind in a black suit and sunglasses, all cool and domineering—you already have so many black-clad bodyguards around you. I can just stand to the side, not talk to anyone. Uncle won’t have to worry about me, and I can protect you. How perfect is that?”
As she spoke, the little girl reached out, half-crouched in front of him, hugged one of his arms, and gently shook it. In a sweet voice, she said, “Uncle, just take me with you, okay? I promise I won’t cause trouble. I’ll just quietly stand in a corner and watch over you. Is that okay, Uncle?”
Qin Mochen’s gaze shifted to the audacious little hand shaking his arm, then slowly returned to the hopeful little face.
After wavering for… one second, Qin Mochen answered decisively, “No.”
Su Keke: …
