Chapter 34: Did you come here specifically to ask about my injuries?

Ning Huaizhi, blissfully unaware that she had just been issued a "nice guy" card, was currently preoccupied with a sense of vexation regarding Zhou Jiajia’s situation.

Leaving would have been a perfectly reasonable choice, but Zhou Jiajia was unwilling to go, and Ning Huaizhi felt compelled to consider her wishes. Could she simply turn a blind eye to everything Zhou Jiajia was enduring here? Ning Huaizhi felt she was incapable of such detachment; it was simply asking too much of her. Yet, what else could she possibly do?

"Zhizhi!"

Ning Huaizhi turned her head and saw An Xingcai running toward her. She stood up, waiting until he was close before speaking. "Young Master."

"Zhizhi, are you alright?"

The abrupt, contextless question left Ning Huaizhi confused. "What?"

"I heard from others that you were in a car accident on your way home from work last time. I wanted to ask if you were injured," An Xingcai said, his gaze drifting elsewhere as he muttered, "I was just asking, if you don't want to talk about it, that’s fine."

Ning Huaizhi chuckled softly. "The fact that I am standing here perfectly fine says it all, doesn't it? If anything had really happened, I would still be in the hospital."

"Pah, pah, pah! Don't say such unlucky things again."

"Mm," Ning Huaizhi replied noncommittally, having no desire to linger on the topic.

An Xingcai, clearly oblivious to her lack of interest, regained his high spirits the moment he confirmed she was unharmed. "Zhizhi, let’s go play a round? I'm all set."

Ning Huaizhi wore a troubled expression. "Young Master, I’m afraid I can’t accompany you today."

"Why?" An Xingcai asked, before a sudden realization dawned on him. "Are your injuries still not healed?"

The words that had been on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down. Since he had already provided a convenient excuse, she only needed to go along with it. "Yes, I’m still feeling a bit unwell and need to rest for a while."

"Then get some good rest; I won't disturb you." An Xingcai cast a lingering, reluctant glance at Ning Huaizhi before turning to go find Liu Qingmei.

For Liu Qingmei, this was a sudden windfall. It was wonderful—the Young Master finally had eyes for her. She hovered by An Xingcai’s side, fawning over him. "Young Master, you’ve finally come to see me. If you hadn't, I would have thought you’d forgotten all about me."

Her words carried a subtle, flirtatious undertone. Unfortunately, An Xingcai remained oblivious and even seemed a bit impatient. "If Zhizhi hadn't been injured and unable to come today, I wouldn't have bothered looking for you."

Liu Qingmei stiffened. She had assumed that in An Xingcai’s eyes, her status was undoubtedly higher than Ning Huaizhi’s, so what was he saying?

"Is the Young Master dissatisfied with me in some way?"

"No, not at all. It’s just that your technique isn't as good as Zhizhi’s. When she guides me, I feel like my game improves quite a bit."

Hearing this, Liu Qingmei breathed a sigh of relief. Simply put, Zhizhi was just a tool to him; she couldn't shake her position, so there was nothing to fear. "It seems I haven't been practicing enough. I will work hard in the future to ensure the Young Master has a better experience." Her voice was honey-sweet, the trailing end of her sentence laced with a seductive lilt.

But saying such things to An Xingcai was like winking at a blind man. Focused entirely on his game, An Xingcai paid no mind to her antics, growing impatient when her pace slowed. "Why are you so slow? Compared to Zhizhi, there’s quite a gap."

Without a comparison, he wouldn't have noticed the issue. An Xingcai had been quite satisfied with Liu Qingmei before, but ever since he had played a round with Ning Huaizhi, he found it difficult to adapt to anyone else.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingmei was instantly motivated, working tirelessly without a moment’s break. Only then did An Xingcai feel satisfied.

While Liu Qingmei bustled about the court, Ning Huaizhi remained idle. She had specifically chosen to sit and rest with Zhou Jiajia in a secluded spot. With few guests that afternoon, they both felt perfectly justified in doing nothing. As the breeze brushed her face, Ning Huaizhi squinted, enjoying the momentary peace.

"So, here you are."

A man’s voice came from behind them, and both women turned to look. Ning Huaizhi’s eyes widened in surprise. "Mr. Qin?"

Qin Qiuhong—they had crossed paths again so soon.

"Mm," Qin Qiuhong nodded, walking toward her. His gaze landed briefly on Zhou Jiajia; though he showed no particular emotion, the look made Zhou Jiajia feel as though her presence there was superfluous. Very tactfully, she chose to withdraw.

"Huaizhi, since you know this gentleman, I won't disturb you. I’ll take my leave." Zhou Jiajia retreated quickly, giving Ning Huaizhi no chance to ask her to stay.

Ning Huaizhi could only watch her walk away. She scratched her head, not overthinking it, and turned her attention back to Qin Qiuhong as she stood up. "Mr. Qin."

Qin Qiuhong walked to her side and sat down in the spot Zhou Jiajia had just vacated, his movements natural. "Have you felt any discomfort these past few days?"

"No, I’ve recovered quite well. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Qin."

After Ning Huaizhi finished speaking, Qin Qiuhong fell silent. She found it strange, and a guess formed in her mind. "Mr. Qin... did you come here specifically to ask about my injuries?"

"...Is that not allowed?"

Ning Huaizhi chuckled, but fearing she might offend him, she quickly retracted her smile. "It is allowed, of course it is." Still, to come all this way just for that seemed a bit excessive.

Qin Qiuhong brought a fist to his lips, feigning a cough. "Actually, checking on you was just a side trip. I originally came to play golf."

"Is that so? Then why haven't you gone to the course, Mr. Qin?"

"I intended to see you first before heading over, but you were hiding so well that it took me quite a while to find you. Why are you sitting here all by yourself? Is something bothering you?"

For a fleeting second, Ning Huaizhi truly wanted to tell him everything that had been happening. But the thought existed only for an instant. It was impossible. What benefit would it bring if Qin Qiuhong knew? Could he actually help her solve these problems?

Ning Huaizhi shook her head. "I just thought the scenery here was lovely, so I came to take a look."

Every part of the golf course was meticulously designed. From this angle, she could see a patch of small wildflowers in the distance. They grew without care, yet they were lush and thriving. Their vibrant vitality was like the height of spring; simply looking at them was enough to soothe one’s spirit and calm one’s emotions.