Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 4

In the car, Qin Yu handed a blanket to Xia Jin in the passenger seat: “Cover yourself.”

Xia Jin looked at Qin Yu, who was busy texting on his phone: “Aren’t you going to ask me what happened today?”

“Would you tell me if I did?” Qin Yu put his phone away.

Xia Jin neither confirmed nor denied it. Smiling, she changed the subject: “Did Chen Zeyu see me?”

“No,” Qin Yu took out a document from the glove compartment: “Isn’t Stellar Cube interested in collaborating with Brady? Fine, but I have a few conditions.”

Xia Jin took the document, growing more puzzled as she read: “First, no Chen Zeyu is allowed to participate in any film and TV projects co-produced with Lelai??”

“Second, no Chen Zeyu is allowed among the artists collaborating between Qin Corporation and Stellar Cube??”

“Huh? Wait, what the hell is this third one?” Xia Jin pointed at the third clause indignantly: “I could still understand the first two as you having a grudge against Chen Zeyu.”

“But what does this third one ‘Stellar Cube’s CEO, namely Xia Jin, is prohibited from dating any of her company’s artists’, mean?”

Qin Yu explained without batting an eye: “They say women become foolish when they fall in love. I don’t want my future business partner to let emotions affect her work. Besides, you’re not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed to begin with.”

Xia Jin looked up at Qin Yu with a forced smile. Fine, for the sake of the collaboration, she’d endure it.

“Clause Thirteen: During the collaboration period, Stellar Cube’s CEO, namely Xia Jin, must personally participate in Lelai’s reality show ‘Almost Lovers.’” Xia Jin frowned as she read the line.

Hearing her recite it, Qin Yu felt a rare pang of guilt and quickly explained: “‘Almost Lovers’ is a dating show produced by Lelai. Don’t worry, since CEO Xia is participating, we’ll naturally select top-tier celebrities to accompany you.”

“The remaining spots can all go to Stellar Cube.”

“Fine,” Xia Jin didn’t hesitate. She’d been on plenty of interview shows before, what was one dating show? “But I have a condition too.”

Seeing her agree so readily, Qin Yu inexplicably relaxed: “Go on.”

“I want to know the list of artists Lelai selects in advance.”

“Deal.”

Xia Jin was ecstatic inside. So what if it was a dating show? As long as she knew Lelai’s picks beforehand, she could match them with Stellar Cube artists who were already building chemistry with Lelai’s stars—boosting their popularity.

Wasn’t this just borrowing someone else’s show to promote her own artists?

Just as Xia Jin’s mental calculations were clicking into place, she noticed Qin Yu suddenly leaning toward her in her peripheral vision. She was so stunned she didn’t even think to dodge.

“You…” Xia Jin blinked, flustered.

Qin Yu smirked at her dazed expression, then reached over to pull the passenger seat’s seatbelt across her: “Don’t overthink it. Just buckling you in, not trying to kiss you.”

The confusion on Xia Jin’s face vanished instantly. She stared straight ahead, expressionless, while internally screaming:

Who the hell is overthinking?! I never said you were trying to kiss me!!! You’re the one with a guilty conscience!!!

This bastard has been at odds with me since high school. I thought it was just youthful arrogance back then, but given how infuriating he is now, it’s definitely a compatibility issue.

Xia Jin rubbed her chin thoughtfully. She’d have to get their birth charts checked someday, there was no way she and Qin Yu weren’t cosmically incompatible.

Meanwhile, Qin Yu, who was driving, noticed Xia Jin’s silence and suddenly asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Xia Jin instinctively replied, “Thinking about checking our compatibility based on our birth dates.”

Qin Yu: “???”

Only then did Xia Jin realize what she had said. She stiffly turned her head to meet Qin Yu’s amused gaze.

Oh heavens, if I’ve sinned, let the law punish me, not Qin Yu laughing at me three times in one day.

“Let me explain-” Xia Jin scrambled to recover.

“No!” Qin Yu turned his head away with a haughty pout, though the corners of his mouth betrayed a faint upward curl.

Xia Jin gritted her teeth in frustration but could do nothing about it. She took a deep breath and also turned to stare out the window, ignoring him.

Not long after, Qin Yu suddenly spoke up, “Xia Jin, listen to me-”

“No!” Xia Jin bluntly pulled a blanket over her head and muttered, “Driver, Building 9, Sheng’an Community, thank you.”

Qin Yu glanced at her and chuckled softly. He felt utterly bewitched, every little thing Xia Jin did struck him as unbearably cute.

The warmth of the blanket made Xia Jin drowsy. She had worked until 3 a.m. the previous night and was utterly exhausted.

Before she could tell Qin Yu that Sheng’an’s security only recognized residents, not vehicles, she had already fallen asleep.

But it wasn’t Qin Yu who woke her, it was her phone ringing. Too sleepy to even open her eyes, she fumbled for her phone and answered.

“President Xia! We’ve been looking for you everywhere, where are you?”

Song Qianrou’s anxious voice jolted Xia Jin awake. “Ah… I had something to take care of and left early. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Nothing serious,” Song Qianrou sighed in relief. “It’s fine if you left. Anyway, President Qin’s assistant said he wouldn’t be coming tonight either. The collaboration with Lelai will have to wait for another time.”

“Oh, that…” Only then did Xia Jin realize she was still in Qin Yu’s car, but he was nowhere to be seen. “Don’t worry, I’ve already settled the deal with Lelai. They’ll send us the list of artists participating in Almost Lovers in a few days. Just…”

Xia Jin methodically briefed Song Qianrou on the next steps and checked the time, it was already 9:30 p.m.

She got out of the car to look for Qin Yu, only to find the surroundings oddly familiar. Wasn’t this right outside her apartment building?

And there sat Qin Yu on a bench not far away, idly holding a half-smoked cigarette between his lips, his head lowered as he scrolled through his phone.

The moment he noticed Xia Jin approaching, his first instinct was to stub out the cigarette.

“Awake?” Qin Yu tossed the butt into the trash and waved a hand to disperse the lingering smoke. “You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Mm,” Xia Jin eyed his actions curiously. “Why didn’t you finish your cigarette?”

“You don’t like-” Qin Yu cut himself off mid-sentence and awkwardly pivoted. “Haha, nothing. The air’s too dry, it was irritating my throat.”

Xia Jin’s eyebrows flicked up briefly, but she said nothing.

“It’s getting late. I should head home. I’m sure President Qin doesn’t need me to invite him in for tea.”

“Who says I don’t?” Qin Yu cleared his throat. “I’ve been your chauffeur all this way without even a sip of water. And now my throat hurts from smoking, surely President Xia wouldn’t deny me a drink?”

Xia Jin was utterly astonished by Qin Yu’s shamelessness. He had clearly chugged an entire bottle of water before getting in the car, apparently, it had all gone to the dogs.

She mentally consoled herself: It’s fine. Brady is still in Qin Yu’s hands. It’s all for the future of Stellar Cube. Just endure it.

Forcing a smile, she swallowed her anger and replied, “Of course it’s not too much. Just having some tea? Not excessive at all.”

Damn it, drink up. May you get desperate for a bathroom and not find one. Enjoy your damn tea.

Grumbling internally, she still had to pretend to willingly lead Qin Yu to her place.

But something felt off, how had Qin Yu even gotten in?

The elevator stopped on the sixth floor. Sheng’an Residence had two units per floor, and the neighbor next to Xia Jin had moved out two months ago.

Before they could even step out of the elevator, they heard frantic scratching at the door and the anxious barking of a dog.

“My dog has a fierce temper and might scare you, President Qin. Maybe we should skip the tea today,” Xia Jin suggested considerately.

“No problem,” Qin Yu said, curling his lips as he leisurely followed behind her. “After all, dogs take after their owners. I happen to like them feisty.”

Xia Jin was too busy seething over the first half of his remark, dogs take after their owners, as she reluctantly unlocked the door, mentally cursing Qin Yu to hell and back.

The moment the door cracked open, her golden retriever, Fanbao, shoved his nose against it, desperate to get out. Knowing full well how heavy her dog was, Xia Jin hastily backed up a few steps.

But she forgot someone was standing behind her and collided straight into Qin Yu’s solid chest.

Qin Yu arched a brow at Xia Jin’s “enthusiastic embrace,” his smirk so infuriating she wanted to slap it off his face.

Meanwhile, Fanbao, now fully unleashed, lunged past the doorway, missed his target, skidded to a stop, and then excitedly squeezed between them, trying to grab their attention.

Xia Jin distractedly ruffled Fanbao’s head and suppressed the urge to punch Qin Yu, explaining, “I forgot you were behind me…”

“I get it,” Qin Yu said, also petting Fanbao. “With how handsome I am, it’s only natural for President Xia to throw herself at me.”

At that moment, she genuinely wanted to strangle him. How could anyone be this shameless?

Taking a deep breath, she silently reminded herself: Murder is illegal. Be a law-abiding citizen…

Once inside, Xia Jin rummaged through her cabinets and pulled out a pair of disposable slippers for Qin Yu.

He took them, only to see the packaging boldly printed with four words: Qin Group Hotel.

Qin Yu was stunned. “Wait, why do you have slippers from my hotel?”

“What’s so strange about that? I also have disposable combs, cups…” Xia Jin shot him an unimpressed glance. “Staying at a Qin Group Hotel is so expensive, of course I’d take some souvenirs.”

Qin Yu couldn’t hold back. Through gritted teeth, he said, “From now on, just give my name when you stay at any Qin Group Hotel. It’ll be free.”

Instantly, Xia Jin’s eyes lit up. That was the only decent thing Qin Yu had said all night.

Her attitude toward him did a complete 180. “Darling, would you like jasmine tea, oolong, or aged pu-erh?”

Qin Yu, showing no guest etiquette whatsoever, plopped right in the center of the sofa and ordered, “Oolong. But I only drink…”

Before he could finish, something flew out of the fridge and landed with a thud right beside him.

Qin Yu skeptically picked up the drink bottle she had tossed his way, the bold characters “Dongfang Shuye” immediately catching his eye.

“Oolong tea. Don’t be picky, it’s all I have.”

Qin Yu’s brow twitched. He examined the label closely, sure enough, it read “Oolong Tea.”

Xia Jin resumed her indifferent expression. “I also have some trial tea bags from the Qin family. I don’t know how to brew them, so help yourself if you want any.”

She pulled a few bottles from the fridge and mixed herself a cocktail. It was her habit to have a drink every night, whether she planned to sleep or not.

Of course, the young master of the Qin family wouldn’t drink something like Dongfang Shuye. Playing with Fanbao, he asked, “What are you drinking?”

Xia Jin carried her drink over to check Fanbao’s bowl. “Fruit Cube mixed with water-soluble. A pampered young master like you definitely wouldn’t be used to cheap liquor.”

Strange. Fanbao hadn’t eaten much of his kibble again today.

Xia Jin glanced at the dog, then turned to Qin Yu. “Want some? There’s a little left on the table. Pour yourself a glass if you do.”

Just as Xia Jin had said, he had never tasted such cheap alcohol before.

But he still wanted to try it, to taste what Xia Jin had tasted, to experience what she had experienced. Maybe then, he could feel a little closer to her.

Following her suggestion, Qin Yu poured himself a glass. He took a sip, and the flavor of grapefruit flooded his senses, overwhelmingly sweet, cloying even.

“So? Do you like it?” Xia Jin stood beside him and asked.

Qin Yu leaned lazily against the wall, his posture relaxed but his tone utterly sincere. “I like it. Of course I like it.”

And I’m not just talking about the drink.

Then he raised the glass and downed the rest in one go, his Adam’s apple bobbing with each swallow, a lethally sensual sight.

Xia Jin found herself momentarily entranced. By the time she snapped out of it, she met Qin Yu’s familiar, teasing gaze.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “Hahaha, the aftertaste is kinda strong, huh?”

Qin Yu smirked. “If you’re bad, practice more. If you can’t handle it, stick to Dongfang Shuye.”

Xia Jin: “…”

Damn it. I take back what I just thought about Qin Yu. This bastard doesn’t deserve compliments.

Qin Yu loved seeing Xia Jin like this, frustrated, wanting to curse him out but holding back.

“When was this taken?”

Xia Jin huffed but answered obediently, “A group photo with the early artists from Stellar Cube.”

In just four years since entering the industry, Stellar Cube had carved out a place for itself in the rapidly evolving entertainment world.

Four years ago, Xia Jin had been penniless, tirelessly scouting talent and fighting for resources, struggling to grow amidst the competition from other entertainment companies.

Yet, against all odds, she had forced her way into a foothold in this cutthroat industry.

Qin Yu stood there, studying the photo closely. The youthful smile on the girl’s face softened his heart little by little. Behind that smile lay countless days and nights of hardship.

But Xia Jin said nothing about those struggles. Instead, she watched in surprise as Fanbao excitedly circled Qin Yu.

It suddenly occurred to her, back in high school, Qin Yu had always been popular with cats and dogs.

Even if he ignored them, they would still flock around him, tails wagging.

Xia Jin thought about it and concluded: Like attracts like. Dogs just love playing with other dogs.

The room was quiet until the doorbell shattered the silence.

Xia Jin abruptly set down her glass, startling Qin Yu beside her.

She suddenly remembered she hadn’t picked up the medicine in the afternoon, and now Xia Ziling had come knocking at her door.

Xia Jin hurriedly grabbed the wine bottle on the table, trying to hide the evidence: “Oh no, I completely forgot about this!”

Qin Yu and Fanbao stood by, watching her scramble around: “What’s wrong?”

“Big trouble! My brother’s here to hound me! Later, you mustn’t even mention the word ‘wine’ in front of him, got it?!”

Xia Jin turned around and drew a finger across her throat in a threatening gesture at Qin Yu: “Otherwise, hmph…”

Qin Yu nodded earnestly to show he understood.

Ah, so the brother’s here! First step to a successful romance, build a good relationship with the brother.

Qin Yu took out his phone to check if his hair was messy or his clothes were wrinkled, determined to make a good impression on Xia Ziling.