Chapter 6: One Cannot Speak of Ice to a Summer Insect

The roar of the sports car engine echoed through the underground garage.

Andy parked the car and had just stepped out of the driver's seat.

"Nice car."

Turning around, she saw Qin Hao walking over, eyeing the Porsche 911 with keen interest.

Andy’s expression was indifferent: "My boss's car."

"Not many bosses these days let their employees drive their cars. Cherish it," Qin Hao said, half-jokingly.

Andy frowned: "Why does that sound so much like my boss?"

"All bosses are the same under the sun."

"?"

"They’re all capitalists."

"So, you’re a boss too?"

"A small-time boss. Can't compare to big shots like your boss."

The two chatted and laughed as they entered the elevator.

On the other side, Qiu Yingying, Guan Ju'er, Fan Shengmei, and Qu Xiaoxiao had just returned from outside.

Qiu Yingying was chatting with Guan Ju'er about the owner of 2201, her tone filled with envy for Andy’s elite aura.

Hearing this, Qu Xiaoxiao said disdainfully: "Elite? She’s nothing but a mistress. Some people look arrogant on the surface, but who knows how filthy they are behind closed doors. That car isn't even in her name. Do you know whose it is? Some business tycoon’s. Why else would he let her drive it?"

Qu Xiaoxiao had been facing away from the elevator entrance. Seeing the look of horror on the faces of Qiu Yingying and the others, she sensed something was wrong. She turned around and awkwardly discovered that the elevator had opened, with Andy and Qin Hao inside.

The atmosphere in the elevator was extremely awkward; even the usually lively Qiu Yingying fell silent.

Qu Xiaoxiao glanced at Andy: "Stop pretending. You heard what I said about you just now, didn't you?"

Andy ignored her.

Qu Xiaoxiao, however, was relentless: "You’re quite self-righteous, aren't you? It’s a pity, though—there’s no such thing as an airtight wall. You think just because someone hides you here, no one knows your background?"

"You know Tan Zongming, right?"

"You know Old Tan?"

"I, Qu Xiaoxiao, hate mistresses and homewreckers the most..."

Just then, Qin Hao suddenly laughed out loud, drawing everyone’s attention.

Qiu Yingying asked curiously: "Brother, what are you laughing at?"

Qin Hao glanced at Qu Xiaoxiao: "Nothing. I just suddenly verified a truth and had a realization."

"What truth?"

"The more ignorant a person is, the more absolute their beliefs. Some people think that women, especially beautiful ones, can only succeed by pleasing men, simply because they have never met a woman who is both beautiful and sufficiently excellent."

"To use Zhuangzi’s words: 'You cannot speak of the ocean to a frog in a well, for it is confined by its space; you cannot speak of ice to a summer insect, for it is bound by its season.'"

Qiu Yingying looked bewildered; her little brain couldn't process such complex rhetoric.

Guan Ju'er was lost in thought, looking back and forth between Qu Xiaoxiao and Andy.

Fan Shengmei gave Qin Hao a deep look and clenched her fists.

A hint of gratitude flickered in Andy’s surprised eyes; she hadn't expected Qin Hao to speak up for her.

"Who are you calling ignorant? I haven't even settled the score with you for calling the police last night!" Qu Xiaoxiao exploded.

Qin Hao just smiled and ignored her. According to the original story, Qu Xiaoxiao claimed she hated mistresses because her father started chasing women after he got rich, but in Qin Hao’s view, that was just a sanitized version of the truth.

The real reason was likely that Qu’s mother herself had been the "other woman," leading to Qu’s father abandoning his wife and child. Just imagine: if Qu’s mother had a clear conscience, why would she tolerate Qu’s father taking his son back to his hometown every Lunar New Year to reunite with his ex-wife?

This sentiment from Qu’s mother naturally transferred to Qu Xiaoxiao. Given Qu Xiaoxiao’s shrewdness, she had likely realized this long ago, which was why she was so sensitive about mistresses.

Qin Hao shrugged: "I was just speaking generally. Why are you so nervous? Could it be..."

"Could it be what! You... you better make yourself clear, or this lady won't let you off!"

Qiu Yingying quickly stepped in front of Qin Hao, and Guan Ju'er and Fan Shengmei began trying to mediate. Just then, the elevator gave a thud and got stuck.

Qu Xiaoxiao stopped her tantrum instantly. The elevator fell silent.

"What... what’s going on? Is the elevator broken?"

Qin Hao walked to the control panel, pressed the emergency call button, and reported that the elevator was malfunctioning and residents were trapped. The property management rushed to call a repairman.

After being trapped for a while, Guan Ju'er, seeing the tense atmosphere, took out her shopping bag.

"I just bought some snacks. Why don't we have something to eat?"

"That sounds good! Oh, I’m starving," Qiu Yingying’s eyes lit up at the mention of food.

Guan Ju'er teased: "Didn't you just finish eating with Supervisor Bai? How are you hungry already?"

"When I was eating, I was too busy looking at Bai..." Qiu Yingying suddenly realized what she was saying. Seeing the displeased look on Qin Hao’s face, she immediately shut her mouth.

Qin Hao’s heart stirred. So, the scumbag Bai was already making moves on Qiu Yingying. It looked like he needed to speed up his plans.

[Ding! New mission triggered, Qiu Yingying’s Wish 2: Because of the scumbag Bai, Qiu Yingying misunderstood Guan Ju'er and Fan Shengmei, leading to a cold war. Qiu Yingying doesn't want to be a brainless 'little earthworm' anymore. Help Qiu Yingying improve her emotional intelligence. Reward: 4 points of Luck.]

This sudden mission disrupted Qin Hao’s established plans, but after a moment’s thought, he decided to accept it. Qiu Yingying’s brainless personality did indeed need changing.

IQ is innate and almost impossible to reverse, but EQ can certainly be improved. The most effective method is "frustration education." In the original story, Qiu Yingying did grow after the incident with the scumbag Bai.

However, considering the missions involving Ying Qin and Qiu Yingying, he would have to keep a close eye on the scumbag Bai.

Seeing Qin Hao’s expression, Guan Ju'er thought she had caused trouble and began to panic.

"Oh, it seems there are things this brother of yours doesn't know yet. Who is Supervisor Bai?"

Seeing that Qin Hao didn't seem particularly angry, Qiu Yingying breathed a sigh of relief, then lowered her head shyly, stammering.

Qin Hao ruffled Qiu Yingying’s hair: "What’s there to be embarrassed about when dating? You’re all grown up. But I have one requirement: a girl must always protect herself, understand?"

Qiu Yingying was pleasantly surprised and hugged Qin Hao: "Brother, you don't object?"

"Silly girl, children grow up and marry. If you can find happiness, your brother would be nothing but happy for you. Why would I object?"

Seeing this doting scene, Guan Ju'er was incredibly envious. As an only child, who wouldn't want a brother who doted on them?

Fan Shengmei’s eyes welled up with tears, and she had to turn away. At this moment, she didn't know how much she envied Qiu Yingying. Compared to Qin Hao, her own brother was like dog shit in a gutter—not only foul-smelling but disgusting.

Andy couldn't help but think of her own younger brother, and her urgency to find him grew even stronger.

Qu Xiaoxiao pouted. How could she not be envious? Her own half-brother had disliked her since she was a child... Damn it, she wanted a brother this good too!

Suddenly, the elevator jolted, and the girls were terrified. Qin Hao pressed the button for the floor below the sixteenth and began to soothe them. With a calm man like Qin Hao present, Guan Ju'er and the others gradually calmed down, leaning against the elevator wall to wait for rescue.

Finally, thanks to the efforts of the elevator repairman, the six of them were freed.

After the thrilling ordeal, an inexplicable emotion prompted the six of them to share a smile. Even Qu Xiaoxiao stopped dwelling on her grievances with Qin Hao and Andy.