23 1.20

A loud laughter.

"Qin Zicheng, you must have gone crazy from all the amount of work. Are you sure that you're not just confused because it's your first time coming in contact with women like her?" A voice said, chuckling in between the sentence.

"Don't talk like that about Qiqi. I'm sure of it. I don't think I misunderstood anything.. Besides, don't you talk about finding a fated partner all the time? What if Qiqi is that partner?" Qin Zicheng refuted, his brows knitted as he replied.

The voice's owner was called Alan, a good friend of Qin Zicheng who he met during his college days. They didn't just get along right off the bat, but Alan was strangely amused by Qin Zicheng's personality and kept trying to befriend him. As time went by, Qin Zicheng also got used to his persistent presence and accepted this friendship they shared.

Just now, Qin Zicheng had poured his heart out and relayed his heart conditions through the phone. Alan studied medicine, and because his parents were already owners of a large hospital, his success was already exceptional for someone of his age. Qin Zicheng originally wanted to contact his family doctor straight away, but worried that his family would be notified and think that he was afflicted with a disease.

Thus, he resorted to Alan. Who knew that the man's first diagnosis would regard him as a crazy man?

"Haa.. I really don't know who can attract you.. Wait, no. I'm more confused as to why she was willing to spend more time with you. I had to experience dealing with your difficult personality firsthand, baby~" Alan spoke in a coy manner, which irked Qin Zicheng.

Qin Zicheng was rather irritated because he felt vexed from his feelings, so he spoke with a rough voice. "Hurry up and tell, do I have a dangerous ailment? Don't play around."

The other side of the call fell silent upon receiving this question.

"..Well- I wouldn't say that it's a disease to people, but to me.. Hah, it's equivalent to poison." Alan spoke.

"Love is much more poisonous than you think. I'm a pretty narcissistic person, and freedom is a necessity for me. However, once you love someone, you won't be able to think only for yourself. Half of your mind will be occupied by your loved one. To me, that is taxing."

Alan was by no means an unpopular person, but everyone who knew him was well aware of how he never got a partner. It was always flings. He was a fun and kind person, but he wouldn't be interested in a serious relationship no matter who asked.

"Your judgement will be clouded, and your heart will sway a lot more than before you met her. You have always been a composed person, you always plan everything ahead of time. But for love... blindness. Right, blindness." Alan scoffed. "Blinded by love. It sounds romantic, but for someone of our calibers.. It's dangerous. A weakness to be exploited."

"Are you willing to be blind for her?" He asked.

Qin Zicheng was confused. Why was it so hard to love someone? Why does it have to be cultivated to the point of being blind?

Isn't it just love? Like the ones depicted in stories that he once read, but was never interested in?

"..I think I have to confirm some things further. Alan, I'll be going now. Thank you for your consultation. Good bye." Qin Zicheng said, quickly hanging up his phone before the conversation could continue forth.

Strangely enough, he didn't contradict Alan's question right away.

To be blind.

Considering what he had experienced recently, and the influx of emotions he kept receiving..

At this point, blindness might just be a side complication.

His heart raced every time Xu Jiaqi was in her mind.

He went to his contact list and found Xu Jiaqi's number listed under the name 'Qiqi'.

He muttered her name while laying on the bed. He was someone who lived off miniscule hours of sleep, but today, his thoughts were somehow pacified and he was able to slip into a deep sleep.

______

The next week following their 'date', Xu Jiaqi was having breakfast with her family when an important matter came to light.

"Father, I wish to enter our family business now." Xu Jiaqi suddenly spoke up, causing the small talk between her parents to cease.

Xu Zheng's expression immediately warped, and his hands lowered down the cutleries. His eyes landed on Xu Jiaqi, who looked back at him with a calm expression.

"Father, can I have this one?" Not backing off, Xu Jiaqi handed him a piece of paper. The paper contained information about a company that was under the Xu family and was not as thriving as the rest.

Averting this company to go under Xu Jiaqi's name wouldn't be as big of a change compared yo the larger entities.

Xu Jiaqi was someone who had delved in the business world for years to no end. Her confidence was obviously high, and wishing for this specific branch was not just a mere whim she made.

She planned to develop authentic and small companies. Since she had the brains and the resources to do it, her help was bound to create a change.

She wanted to solidify her position to lay down the future for her, to let everyone know that she wasn't someone who they could step over. She wasn't only the Xu family's daughter. In the future, if her relationship with Qin Zicheng goes well, she wanted to be known more for her achievements than her romantic affairs.

"..Qiqi, I know that you are very capable, and that you never denied the heiress position, but I genuinely don't want you to.." Xu Zheng spoke with a hint of worry, hesitant as to how he should relay the matter.

His fear laid not on the fact that he was unwilling to give the asset to Xu Jiaqi, but because he was afraid that something would happen to his daughter.

"Father, fret not. I am well aware of my own abilities and wouldn't bring myself harm."

"Qiqi, are you sure about this decision?" Li Jiayun interjected.

"Yes, mother." Xu Jiaqi's resolute gaze caused tremors within her parents' hearts.

System: Rather than her getting harmed, it's more like every single evil entity should be scared of her if they want to survive a day longer.

Xu Jiaqi: I am the angel of justice who will eradicate all evil! Sailor-

System: Kindly speak less.