Chapter 121: The Heart-Lock of Yu

"Miss Deng?"

Ling Qiu narrowed his eyes. Deng Ruyan? The very fiancée who had explicitly demanded an engagement with him? That superstar, hailed as a once-in-a-millennium beauty, who was so stunning she seemed to overflow with allure?

"Not interested." Ling Qiu yawned. Under normal circumstances, he might have been intrigued enough to go, but right now... he had just finished dealing with that Chief Xing and was far too exhausted to bother with anything else. He just wanted to go back and rest.

"Our young lady said she wouldn't take up too much of your time, Mr. Ling. She isn't trying to force any decisions upon you; she simply wishes to have a chat regarding the elder of the Ling family."

Oh? Ling Qiu paused, glancing sideways at the man. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Fine."

He got into the car, the door clicked shut, and they drove off. Ling Qiu sat in the back seat and began to doze. He could ignore most things, but he still held some interest in matters concerning his grandfather. After all, the Deng family’s insistence on pinning their hopes on him—a man everyone else dismissed as a "useless good-for-nothing"—must have had a reason. His intuition told him it had to do with the old man.

...

Inside a five-star hotel, in the presidential suite, Ling Qiu walked through the door accompanied by two bodyguards in black.

Click. The door locked behind him. Ling Qiu scanned the room; it was spacious and luxuriously decorated, with a grand piano positioned directly ahead.

At that moment, a woman in a red dress walked gracefully from the inner room. Without turning to look at him, she walked straight to the piano and sat down. Her voice was soft and calm. "You're here. Have a seat wherever you like."

Ling Qiu didn't reply, nor did he sit. He simply observed her from a distance. This woman was indeed Deng Ruyan, the goddess-level star who was currently the talk of the town. Her figure, face, skin, temperament, poise, and voice—there was not a single flaw in any aspect; she was perfection incarnate. She looked like a fairy stepped out of a painting, ethereal and stunning. Most female celebrities appeared beautiful on magazine covers and under the lens, but in private, stripped of digital enhancement, they often revealed various imperfections. But this Deng Ruyan was different. To Ling Qiu, she seemed even more perfect than she did in photos or on screen.

"Deng Ruyan?" Ling Qiu asked.

Deng Ruyan nodded slightly. "That is I."

"Hmm." Ling Qiu continued, "I'm exhausted today, so let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point. What exactly do you want to discuss regarding my grandfather?"

Deng Ruyan smiled faintly. "Before that, would you mind listening to me play a piece?"

Before Ling Qiu could answer, Deng Ruyan had already placed her slender, fair hands upon the keys. The next moment, a beautiful, melodious tune filled the air. Her fingers danced like tiny, graceful spirits. The music flowed like a babbling brook, soothing and refreshing to the soul. It was as if her playing held a certain magic.

Ling Qiu had intended to leave, but he couldn't deny that the music was incredibly relaxing. His fatigue began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of ease.

Finally, as the last note faded, Deng Ruyan lifted her hands, looked toward Ling Qiu, and smiled softly. "Thank you for your patience."

"That was good," Ling Qiu remarked casually. "Keep going."

It truly was beautiful. Since he was only going back to his dormitory to sleep anyway, and since her playing was so pleasant, he had a sudden thought. He walked over to the sofa, lay down, crossed his legs, and tucked his hands behind his head. "Keep playing. Lull me to sleep."

Deng Ruyan paused, taken aback. She had never expected Ling Qiu to be so unpredictable. According to the background investigation on him, he was supposed to be the type to either walk away or get straight to the point. Yet, simply because she played well, he had decided on a whim to take a nap here. Her concert tickets were worth a fortune, and there were countless people who couldn't hear her play even if they were willing to pay. And here, with Ling Qiu... she was being treated like a lullaby?

However, Deng Ruyan didn't get angry. She merely smiled. "Very well."

The melodious music began once more. Ling Qiu, remarkably bold, closed his eyes and drifted off. Only someone with his level of absolute self-confidence would dare to fall asleep in a completely unfamiliar environment.

...

Outside the room, a man in a sharp suit walked up with his hands in his pockets. "Where is my sister?" he asked the two bodyguards at the door.

"Young Master," the bodyguards replied respectfully, "the young lady is inside meeting a guest."

"A guest?" The man, Deng Qianlong, was Deng Ruyan’s younger brother. "Who?"

The two bodyguards exchanged a glance before answering honestly, "It is Mr. Ling."

"Mr. Ling???" Deng Qianlong frowned. "Don't tell me my sister actually met with that piece of trash named Ling Qiu!"

The bodyguards lowered their heads, not daring to answer, but their silence confirmed it.

"Absurd!" Deng Qianlong muttered. "I don't know what my father and sister are thinking! They'd rather face the pressure of the entire family than give up on that loser..." He moved to push the door open.

The two bodyguards suddenly blocked his path. "Young Master, please... don't be impulsive. The young lady has given orders that no one is allowed to enter while she is with Mr. Ling, especially..."

"Especially what?!"

"Especially you, Young Master."

Deng Qianlong’s eyes widened. "I am Deng Ruyan’s own brother! Nobody else can enter, but I certainly can!" He placed his hand on the door, but just then, he heard the faint sound of music drifting from within.

He froze. "Forget it!" Deng Qianlong gritted his teeth. "My sister is playing. I'll go in after she finishes!" He glared at the bodyguards. "Go find me a chair. I'll wait right here!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

Soon, a chair was brought over. Deng Qianlong sat down, crossed his legs, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a puff of smoke. Subconsciously, memories surfaced of the many times he had been soundly beaten by his sister while growing up.

Yes, Deng Qianlong knew all too well that his beautiful, goddess-like celebrity sister—the one every man dreamed of—might look gentle and calm, but she had a side most people didn't understand. For instance, no one was allowed to disturb her while she was playing music. Otherwise... well, he was the prime example. Every time he recalled those beatings, he felt a phantom ache all over his body. That was why he dared not enter until she was finished.

However, he hadn't expected to wait this long. By the time he looked up, it was already late at night. Five full hours had passed, and the beautiful music from the room was still playing. Deng Qianlong slumped in his chair, looking utterly defeated. His eyes were bloodshot, a cigarette dangled from his lips, and stubble had begun to sprout on his chin.

*Sister... please, can we take a break? Do you know what time it is? Don't you realize you're disturbing the peace in the middle of the night?!*