013: Acid-tongued Man: Do I need your permission to fancy someone? _1

Li Jiayang was staring at Mu Qingli without blinking, his gaze deeply captivated by her.

This little country girl had exceeded his expectations.

Whether it was her appearance or her personality...

"You!" The pampered Su Keke, who had been spoiled since childhood, had never endured such treatment. She was fuming, and if it weren't for the girl next to her holding her back, she would have already rushed over to slap Mu Qingli several times.

Facing a Su Keke who had no fighting power, Mu Qingli couldn't be bothered to pay attention for the time being and instead turned to look at Director Chen, "If I'm not mistaken, you still owe me an apology, right?"

"This..." Director Chen's face stiffened.

For him, a renowned director, to apologize to a little girl?

That would be too embarrassing!

For a moment, Director Chen was both embarrassed and hesitant.

It was at this moment that Lin Hangzhi, who had been silent, spoke up, "Director Chen, we are in a hurry."

Nobody expected Lin Hangzhi to intervene in the matter; to them, Lin Hangzhi was not the type to meddle in others' business.

At once, everyone's expressions varied.

Lin Hangzhi had invested in the production, and with the Lin family's prominent status in Imperial City, even Director Chen wouldn't dare to offend him lightly. Besides, he had an arrangement with Mu Qingli, so he could only turn to Mu Qingli and say, "Sorry."

Only then did Mu Qingli shift her gaze away from Director Chen and with a cool tone said three words, "It doesn't matter." With that, she turned and left.

Just as Mu Qingli turned around, a clear and harmonious male voice called from behind, "Excuse me, please wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingli paused her step.

She turned to look back.

The speaker was a tall and thin young man, the same one who had just spoken.

With the director immediately apologizing upon his word, Mu Qingli deduced that this young man was not someone with a simple identity.

Lin Hangzhi was wearing a white shirt with ripped jeans, its owner bearing delicate and handsome features—he was the kind of fresh-faced boy who could make countless young ladies and Little Fairies secretly send their regards.

He may be quite handsome, but Mu Qingli had always been indifferent to handsome men.

Handsome men were merely for appreciation, not for satiating hunger—they didn't have any actual use.

Mu Qingli raised her eyebrows slightly, "Is there something you need?"

The young man took a few steps forward and extended his hand to Mu Qingli, saying politely, "Hello, I am Lin Hangzhi from Imperial City. I am new to this place. Could we get to know each other?"

For the first time in his life, Lin Hangzhi felt a strange sense of nervousness in front of a girl.

Out of politeness, Mu Qingli stretched out her hand and lightly touched Lin Hangzhi's fingertips, tactfully saying, "Sorry, I have something to do."

The little Baba on her wrist suddenly spoke, "Master, Master, Lin Hangzhi is a super-rich second generation. Becoming friends with him would be really beneficial for you. What are you waiting for, Master? Hurry up and cling to Lin Hangzhi's thigh!"

Mu Qingli slightly curled her lips, "Do I need to cling to anyone's thigh?" Though the words were tinged with jealousy and self-love, she made it sound as if such authority was her birthright, as if she was meant to shine just so.

Of course, to onlookers, all Mu Qingli did was lightly smile.

After the smile, she quickly turned away.

Lin Hangzhi, watching the girl's retreating figure, opened his mouth but eventually said nothing. However, he felt a bit let down inside; for the first time, a girl had so straightforwardly rejected him.

Watching the scene unfold before her, Su Keke seethed with jealousy and wished she could crush her teeth.

This little country girl was far too loathsome!

She actually dared to flirt with Young Master Lin—how shameless!

Su Keke wasn't the only one with a foul expression; Hu Jiayao behind her didn't look too pleased either.

On the way here, Lin Hangzhi had not spoken to her even once, yet now, he actually took the initiative to strike up a conversation with a little country girl.

Could it be that she was inferior to a country girl?

"This country girl really knows some tricks! She even knows how to play hard to get," Hu Jiayao spoke softly, her eyes glittering with schemes.

Indeed, upon hearing these words, Su Keke immediately bristled, spitting out resentfully, "Watch me expose her true face to Young Master Lin! Shameless vixen!"

Hu Jiayao's lips curled into a faint arc, but she said nothing.

Su Keke, burning with rage, approached Lin Hangzhi and said softly, "Lin Shao, you must not be deceived by that country bumpkin! Just look at her sharp tongue; you can tell she's no good. At such a young age, she already knows how to lure men with the tactic of playing hard to get. Who knows what kind of a mess she'll turn into in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Hangzhi gave Su Keke a cold look and said in an indifferent tone, "Are you any less flirtatious?"

The warm and gentle youth turned into a furious demon in an instant.

This quick change left Su Keke trembling all over. In that moment, she found herself unable to say another word.

Su Keke was just a teenage girl, after all. Being called "flirtatious" by the young man she secretly adored was something anyone would find unbearable.

Immediately, a wave of humiliation engulfed her entire body.

With her lips tightly pursed and tears brimming in her eyes, Su Keke stood there, looking as if she might topple over at any moment.

Seeing this, Hu Jiayao quickly stepped forward, with an image of grace and composure, and said softly, "Lin Shao, please don't be angry. Keke has always been blunt and speaks her mind without thinking. On her behalf, I apologize to you."

One sentence with two meanings.

The first meaning implied that Su Keke was straightforward to the point of simple-mindedness.

The second meaning reinforced the content of Su Keke's words: because she always spoke her mind, she wouldn't lie.

In a single sentence, she managed to demean Su Keke while validating the claims of Mu Qingli's manipulative seduction techniques.

One had to admit, Hu Jiayao's level of craftiness was far beyond that of Su Keke's.

At these words, Su Keke cast a grateful look towards Hu Jiayao.

Lin Hangzhi also turned his gaze to Hu Jiayao, a smile on his face.

At this moment, Hu Jiayao's heartbeat raced.

Lin Shao noticed her!

And Lin Shao even smiled at her.

Hu Jiayao struggled to suppress the excitement surging within her.

Lin Hangzhi looked at Hu Jiayao with a smile and said, "Apologizing to me? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror before?"

With that brief remark, he left Hu Jiayao with no face to save.

Hu Jiayao's smile instantly stiffened on her lips, and the color drained from her face so quickly it left her deathly pale.

**

Mu Qingli quickly walked up to Yi Cai and took her hand, "It's okay now, let's go."

Without asking any questions, Yi Cai nodded, "Okay."

The two girls continued walking forward.

Meanwhile, after saying a few words, Director Chen resumed the filming.

Everything proceeded as if nothing had happened.

Yet, the tear stains were still visible on Su Keke's face,

Observing the two slender figures walking ahead, Li Jiayang lowered his voice and asked Lin Hangzhi, "Lin Shao, have you taken a liking to that girl?"

Lin Hangzhi's expression was unchanging, "No."

Li Jiayang stroked his chin, a glint in his eyes as he laughed and said, "If you truly haven't, then I might have to pursue her."

Lin Hangzhi replied indifferently, "Suit yourself."

Hearing this, Li Jiayang continued, "Lin Shao, are you really not interested in that girl?" That couldn't be right! Judging by Lin Hangzhi's actions just now, it was obvious he had become interested in the girl; otherwise, he wouldn't have initiated a conversation with her, nor would he have confronted two young girls for her sake.

Lin Hangzhi glanced at him and said, "Do you think everyone is like you? As soon as you see a pretty girl, you can't control your own 'third leg'?"

Li Jiayang rubbed his head, "Well, if you're truly not interested in that girl, then I won't hold back!"

Lin Hangzhi turned to look at Li Jiayang and snorted coldly, "Do you think I need you to step aside for the person I like?"