Chapter 64 Refusal

"Chen Zhiqing, come over here, we need to talk to you," Qin Fang called down imperiously.

"I don't have time. If you have something to say, say it here," Chen Zhaodi replied with a dark expression, not missing the disdain in Qin Fang's eyes.

Bah, the daughter of a spy, who does she think she is, looking down on her? If that spy hadn't been such a disgrace, all of Qin Fang's good days would belong to Xu Zhiqing now. Shameless mutt. Taking someone else's place without a clue, where does she get the nerve to act so high and mighty in front of her? Who doesn't know the truth?

Irritated, Chen Zhaodi's tone grew even colder. "If you have something to say, say it quickly. Don't waste my time. The water is very cold."

"You..." Qin Fang was furious, her anger boiling over. When had a nobody like this dared to speak to her so? She was the little princess of the Qin family, cherished since birth. For her, the Qin family had even abandoned their own daughter. Even when it was revealed that she was a spy's child, they never sent her back—they still doted on her. If not for needing to lay low for a while, she'd never have come to this godforsaken place.

With resentment simmering, Qin Fang shot Chen Zhaodi a hostile look, but quickly managed her expression. In terms of maintaining appearances, Qin Fang was exemplary.

She spoke in a pitiful voice, "Chen Zhiqing, have I somehow offended you? Why do you..."

Glancing toward Su Liang, she changed her tack, "Brother Liang, am I—am I really so unlikable?"

"Of course not, how could you be? You're the purest and loveliest girl in the world—she just can't stand to see you doing well," Su Liang soothed gently, stepping forward to wrap Qin Fang in his arms, then turned to Chen Zhaodi with a look of warning.

"Chen Zhiqing, mind your words. If you bully Fang'er again, don't blame me for being rude."

"I—!" Chen Zhaodi nearly burst into tears from frustration.

When had she ever bullied Qin Fang? She was only urging Qin Fang to get to the point, so she could finish her own tasks. Washing hands in this cold was truly freezing!

Facing such unreasonable people, Chen Zhaodi gritted her teeth and retorted, "You're formidable, you're invincible, I can't afford to provoke you. Keep your distance, don't talk to me. Whatever you want from me, I won't agree."

With that, she turned away and resumed washing her hands. She'd be crazy to waste time on Qin Fang, that woman who was always scheming behind her innocent act.

If she got involved with those two, Chen Zhaodi feared she'd be tricked into ruin.

Her blunt words left Su Liang at a loss, and only then did he recall why they'd come over in the first place. After such a scene, there was no way Chen Zhaodi would agree to share meals with them.

Since Chen Zhaodi wasn't an option, they'd have to find someone else. Su Liang's gaze landed on Liu Pandie, who quickly turned her face away, praying she wouldn't be their next target.

She was already struggling enough; she didn't need more trouble.

"Liu Zhiqing, would you like to join us for meals?" Su Liang asked.

Liu Pandie gave a dry chuckle. So that's what this was about. Considering Qin Fang's background and behavior, she'd be out of her mind to join forces with these two.

Seeing Liu Pandie shake her head, Su Liang clenched his teeth. What a bunch of ingrates, acting like their cooking was so special.

Fuming, Su Liang dragged Qin Fang away. He needed to look for a new candidate.

Xu Lin was certainly out of the question—her heart was hard as iron and venomous as a snake; she'd never agree to share a meal with Fang'er, just be glad she didn't cause harm.

Who else then? Wu Siyu had already refused them in no uncertain terms yesterday, and judging by her demeanor, she wasn't lacking for money.

As Su Liang pondered, Qin Fang timidly suggested, "Why don't we try Qian Zhiqing? Offer her a better deal, maybe she'll agree."

"Alright, let's try her," Su Liang readily agreed, and the two made their way to Qian Li's room.

Qian Li, busy in her room, had no idea she'd become their target. When she saw Qin Fang and Su Liang appear, her brow furrowed ever so slightly.

She had no desire to get involved with either of them.

"Su Zhiqing, Qin Zhiqing, what brings you here?" Qian Li asked, blocking the doorway and making it clear they weren't welcome inside.

"Qian Zhiqing, may we come in to talk?" Qin Fang pleaded in a pitiful tone.

Hearing that, Qian Li, a forthright girl from the northeast, was immediately put off by Qin Fang's affected voice. Who was this, speaking so coyly? She wasn't her confidante—why the need for such theatrics?

"I'm cooking. If you have something to say, say it quickly. Otherwise, I'll close the door," Qian Li replied impatiently, making no concessions for Qin Fang.

Qin Fang felt aggrieved, thinking Qian Li was rather clueless. But this time, she held back, fearing Qian Li would reject their proposal if she got upset.

Qin Fang didn't want to eat another bowl of coarse porridge—it was too harsh on the throat. She wanted a little housemaid.

"Qian Zhiqing, we'd like to share meals with you. Would that be possible?" Qin Fang asked.

"No. I don't like sharing meals, and don't start with the 'we're all sent-down youth, we should help each other' speech. We're not that close, and plenty of people cook alone. Don't keep pestering me," Qian Li's tone of disdain left Qin Fang at a loss.

Su Liang caught the meaning as well, but what could he do? He couldn't understand why his reputation among the sent-down youth was so poor. One after another, no one wanted to join them—it was infuriating.

In his anger, Su Liang's tone became harsh and patronizing. "Qian Zhiqing, don't rush to refuse. Hear us out first. If you agree to share meals, you don't have to provide any food; just cook for the two of us each day. You won't find another offer like this anywhere in the compound. So, will you join us?"

"No," Qian Li replied with a cold smile, thinking, who are you trying to patronize? Do you think I'm short on money? You say there's no second like this in the compound—ha! If I wasn't worried about trouble, I'd be that second in a heartbeat.

With her refusal, Qian Li slammed the door shut, unwilling to waste another word on them.

Trying to get her to play housemaid for a bit of grain—how delusional.

Having been shut out, Su Liang and Qin Fang's expressions darkened further.

Outside Wu Siyu's door, Han Hong and Zhang Qiang exchanged glances and lowered their heads even more, struggling to hide their smiles. They were deeply relieved they'd quickly found meal partners.

If they'd been rejected like that, where would their pride be?

Frustrated, Su Liang lifted his leg and kicked at Qian Li's door to vent his anger, but he lost his balance. With a loud thud, he landed hard on his rear, missing the door entirely and nearly splitting his backside.

Xu Lin, busy sorting medicinal herbs, snickered quietly. What a joke—trying to kick a young girl's door. He really thought too highly of himself.

With her around, anyone trying to bully the girls could dream on.

Su Liang stood up with Qin Fang fussing over him, his pain so sharp that it twitched the corners of his eyes.