Chapter 305: Blind Date

Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Blind Date

Qin Tianxuan looked at Sisi. She was about the same age as his own daughter, but her face was sallow and her frame was exceptionally thin and frail. She was timid and very shy.

’I never thought Shaohua would have left a daughter behind!’

Qin Tianxuan couldn’t help but rise to his feet and pat the child’s little head. He was about to take out a gift.

Song Mingzhu hurried to stop him. "Please, there’s no need. You and Shaohua were brothers in life and death, so don’t treat me like an outsider!"

"My surname is Qin. I used to be Shaohua’s commanding officer, but I’m retired now," Qin Tianxuan introduced himself.

Song Mingzhu was stunned. "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

She hastily wiped her hands, found her best tea leaves, poured a cup for Qin Tianxuan, and then wiped down the table.

Qin Tianxuan silently watched the little girl. "Sister-in-law, has the child been sick before?"

Song Mingzhu sighed. "Yes, anemia. It’s quite severe. It’s because before I gave birth to her... someone kicked me, and then I was locked in a dark room. That became the root of her illness."

The corner of Qin Tianxuan’s eye twitched. "Was it... that bastard Song Hongjun?"

Song Mingzhu’s body trembled as well, as if she were terrified at the mere mention of the name.

"Don’t be afraid. You’re completely safe with me here. What exactly happened back then?"

In the dim light, Song Mingzhu’s expression flickered, filled more with sorrow and pain than anything else.

She had been a natural beauty, but now her face was haggard. Life had worn away her former spirit and grace.

"I was adopted by the Song Family. They called me their adopted daughter, but in reality, I was just the bride Song Hongjun chose for his mentally handicapped son."

Song Mingzhu heaved a long sigh. "I took care of the Song Family’s foolish son ever since we were children. They wanted me to get used to a life of servitude from a young age."

Tears welled in her eyes. "Then I met Shaohua. We fell in love, and he promised me that as soon as he earned his military honors, he would come to the Song Family and rescue me."

If Chen Shaohua had married Song Mingzhu with his status from the Night Emperor’s Personal Guard Camp, even as a mere Captain, he would not have been someone Song Hongjun could afford to provoke.

So, Song Mingzhu had waited for him.

The two had even secretly pledged their lives to each other and had a child—the fruit of their love!

But alas, fate was cruel, and the path for this pair of tragic lovers had been fraught with misfortune.

"All these years, I could only secretly visit Shaohua’s grave once a year to burn some paper offerings, terrified of being discovered by the Song Family. Now, I just want to raise his daughter. As for revenge, I have no hope for that."

Song Mingzhu was a strong woman, but as she spoke of this, her tears fell like rain.

A pang of pain shot through Qin Tianxuan’s heart.

’Shaohua, you’ve suffered enough. I will not allow anything to happen to your family!’

With this in mind, he said gently, "I’m here in Shangdu on business and don’t have a place to stay yet. If it’s alright, I’d like to rent the second floor of your little shop, Sister-in-law."

Song Mingzhu dried her tears and waved her hand magnanimously. "You’re Shaohua’s commanding officer. How could I possibly take your money? If you don’t mind how small it is, please, just stay."

Just as she finished speaking, a woman in her thirties walked in. She wore heavy, gaudy makeup and held an Apple phone, shouting from across the room, "Mingzhu! That blind date I told you about, it’s all set! Mr. Huang wants to meet you tonight!"

Song Mingzhu’s brow furrowed, and she quickly coaxed her daughter to go to sleep.

The woman entered the room, and when she saw Qin Tianxuan, she froze. "Who’s this?"

"Sister Liu, this is my husband’s comrade-in-arms. He’s here on a business trip and is staying with me for now."

What?

The woman’s face immediately darkened. "I don’t mean to be nosy, but comrade-in-arms or whatever-in-arms, he’s a grown man. Is that appropriate? It’s just you and your daughter here. What will people say if word gets out?"

Song Mingzhu’s tone was flat. "That is my business. Thank you for your concern, Sister Liu. As for the blind date, I told you last time, it’s not a good fit."

The woman’s eyelids drooped. "Mingzhu, it’s not easy for you with a child. I’ve done the math on this little shop’s monthly income—it barely covers rent, right? Look how skinny your child is! And you, you’re still in the prime of your youth. Mr. Huang just bought a house in Shangdu!"

The woman’s mouth ran on as if it had a life of its own, chattering nonstop. "In a place like Shangdu, do you have any idea what kind of person can afford a house? I’m not exaggerating—Mr. Huang could easily find any young, beautiful university student he wanted. You should feel lucky he’s even willing to see you!"

Song Mingzhu remained firm. "In that case, I’m truly not good enough for him."

Sister Liu’s expression grew even uglier.

She wasn’t being purely kind-hearted. All her talk sounded like she had Song Mingzhu’s best interests at heart, but she had ulterior motives.

Qin Tianxuan spoke directly to Song Mingzhu, "This woman has her eyes on your shop. She can’t wait for you to marry some man so she can take over this place. If she pulls this off, that Mr. Huang will probably give her a hefty reward, too!"

His voice was calm, but Sister Liu heard him loud and clear. Her face changed color instantly, and she looked ready to explode.

CLANG!

The sound of a car door slamming cut through the air. A second-hand BMW parked by the road, and a man carrying a briefcase got out.

He was over forty, balding, and wore glasses. He walked with a swagger, like some high-ranking official.

"Oh, Mr. Huang, you’re here! Come in, come in!"

Sister Liu immediately flipped on a nearby light, flooding the room with brightness.

Mr. Huang walked in with a reserved air, glanced at the furnishings, and cautiously took out a tissue. He wiped a nearby chair vigorously, and only after a long moment did he manage to squeeze his corpulent body into it.

He looked up, and when his eyes fell on the haggard yet naturally beautiful Song Mingzhu, they instantly lit up.

Sister Liu was secretly overjoyed.

She had taken three thousand yuan from Mr. Huang to act as a matchmaker. If she could get Song Mingzhu out of the way, she could take over this street-facing shop in the process. It was like killing three birds with one stone!

At this moment, Sister Liu gestured coldly at Qin Tianxuan. "They’re on a blind date. What are you still doing here?"

Qin Tianxuan ignored her.

By now, Mr. Huang was staring without blinking. Suddenly, he piped up, "Miss Song, do you accept trial marriages?"

Song Mingzhu was stunned. "What?"

Mr. Huang chuckled. "It means we don’t register the marriage and don’t hold a reception. We just live together and try it out."

Fury flashed in Song Mingzhu’s eyes.

But Mr. Huang patted his briefcase and leaned back arrogantly. "You could say I’m a successful man. I just bought a house, I have a car, and while I can’t tell you my savings, it’s not a small amount. I have to be careful, don’t I? We’ll live together first, and I’ll give you ten thousand yuan a month for living expenses."

Smacking his lips, Mr. Huang glanced toward the back of the shop. "I hear you have a daughter. Find some relatives and send her to live with them. I’m not a fan of noisy kids. Oh, right. You won’t have to work, either. Just sell this shop and take care of cooking for me and whatnot..."

This was nothing short of an offer to be a kept woman!

And he wanted her to send Sisi away?

Song Mingzhu was so furious she was stunned speechless.

Beside them, Sister Liu was still smiling. "Mingzhu, ten thousand yuan! You wouldn’t have to do a thing and still get ten thousand a month!"

Mr. Huang, apparently thinking the deal was sealed, stood up and kicked the chair away in disgust. "Finally, go to a hospital for a check-up. A full physical. I have no interest in a woman who’s riddled with diseases. Especially... down there. I’m terrified of catching something unclean..."

Before he could finish, a loud slap flew through the air and connected squarely with his cheek.

Mr. Huang was nearly sent flying, and half the teeth in his mouth felt loose.

He shrieked in terror.

Qin Tianxuan was now standing in front of Song Mingzhu, his eyes ferocious. "Crawl over here, kneel, and start slapping your own face. Don’t stop until that filthy mouth of yours is pulp, and then we’ll talk!"