The Unwanted Suitor and a Secret Identity

“Young Miss, the Master and Madam are waiting for you in the drawing-room.”

The elderly butler, with his white hair and advanced years, stood ramrod straight by the dressing table, addressing the girl in her delicate nightgown who was seated by the bed.

“I understand. Please inform Father that I will be down shortly after I tidy myself.”

The girl offered the butler a serene smile, speaking with an air of delicate obedience and intelligence.

“Yes, Young Miss.”

The butler nodded, turning to withdraw.

“Thank you for coming to inform me, Uncle Li.”

As she placed the full-dive helmet on her bedside table, the girl smiled, expressing her gratitude to the elderly butler.

“There is no need, Young Miss; this old servant is humbled.”

With those words, the butler retreated from the room’s doorway.

‘If you’re so humbled, then don’t just waltz into my room next time! Honestly…’

Her serene smile vanished, replaced by a roll of her eyes as she grumbled softly.

Rising to her feet, she shed her light nightgown and donned a dignified and elegant red dress.

While Uncle Li had watched her grow up, and there was little left for him to see that would cause her embarrassment, a young woman’s room was simply not meant for others to enter and exit so casually.

Alas.

With a helpless sigh, she settled before the dressing table, beginning to tend to her long hair, which lay limp and flattened from the full-dive helmet.

‘Surely, curly hair suits me better than straight, doesn’t it…?’

She scrutinized her reflection, musing upon this thought despite never having permed her hair in reality.

‘No, no, no, that would be utterly improper! What kind of delinquent would I look like? My role is to be a classical, serene, gentle young lady of a prominent family.’

The beautiful figure in the mirror abruptly shook her head, patting her cheeks, attempting to transition herself back to reality from the immersive state of her full-dive session.

She forced her lips into a sweet smile, the reflection mirroring her expression.

‘Good, maintain this.’

Applying a light touch of makeup, she slipped her pristine, silk-clad feet into small leather shoes and descended towards the drawing-room downstairs.

“Father, Mother, good afternoon.”

As she walked down the wooden staircase, she smiled sweetly, addressing the two who looked up at her.

“Good afternoon, Little Mubai.”

Her mother, seemingly quite charmed by her demeanor, covered her cheek with a hand and responded with a laugh, appearing utterly delighted.

“Good afternoon, Young Miss Su.”

A stranger emerged from the drawing-room, offering Su Mubai a polite smile.

“Good afternoon, and who might you be?”

Mubai inquired, a hint of confusion in her voice, yet her smile remained unwavering.

Before Mubai could descend the last few steps, the stranger approached her.

He bowed slightly, extended his right hand to gently cup Mubai’s right hand, and then slowly lowered his head.

Feeling the increasing warmth of his breath, Mubai’s smile faltered, and she swiftly withdrew her right hand.

“Ah, my apologies, sir.”

She subtly adjusted her smile, striving to appear confused rather than irritated.

“If I recall correctly, the hand-kissing gesture is typically initiated by the lady, is it not? This humble one is not well-versed in Western etiquette, and if my lack of proper manners has offended you, sir, I earnestly beg your forgiveness.”

As she spoke, she lowered her head with a gentle smile, her hands delicately gathering her skirt, her right foot stepping back and crossing, and then she performed a graceful curtsy.

It was a perfect Western curtsy.

“Hahahaha, Young Miss Mubai’s etiquette is truly impeccable. It was I who was presumptuous.”

Faced with such an awkward situation, the stranger remained remarkably composed, chatting and laughing as if nothing were amiss, leaving one to wonder if he possessed boundless shamelessness or an extraordinary poise.

Abandoning the hand-kiss, he instead placed his right hand horizontally before his waist, his left hand behind his back, and drawing his right leg back, he lowered both his waist and head in a deep bow.

“My name is Qin Lin’an. I was studying abroad in England and have only recently returned these past few days. Our fathers have some business dealings, and they hope that we, the younger generation, might also become friends. Hence, I was asked to dine at your esteemed residence. I apologize for the intrusion.”

“Mr. Qin, what nonsense are you speaking? Since my father and your esteemed father are business partners, then Mr. Qin is a friend of this humble one. There is no question of intrusion; you are most welcome to visit anytime.”

Su Mubai spoke with a sweet smile, her words uttered in such a gentle, dulcet tone that no one would suspect them to be anything less than sincere.

“Since Young Miss Mubai is so gracious as to extend me such favor, I shall humbly accept and obey. May I address you as Miss Mubai?”

“If Mr. Qin wishes…”

‘A wave of nausea churned within Mubai, yet she strained to maintain her smile, striving to betray no hint of disrespect.’

“Since Mr. Qin has arrived, let us partake in the luncheon together.”

“Though our humble abode may seem somewhat modest, the skills of our chefs are quite commendable. Mr. Qin can certainly look forward to it.”

“Hahahaha, Miss Mubai, you jest! If your esteemed residence is considered modest, then I truly cannot imagine what ‘magnificent’ would entail.”

Qin Lin’an chuckled, for while the term ‘magnificent’ was indeed an exaggeration, the Su family’s mansion could hardly be described as modest.

Standing three stories tall and occupying over three hundred square meters, its exquisite decorations amply displayed the Su family’s financial prowess.

“Little Qin, you young ones don’t need to speak so formally and officially.”

Su Father laughed, affectionately chiding Qin Lin’an.

“Listen to me, just treat each other as classmates. After all, you’re only two years older than Mubai, and you’re already a brilliant student who’s returned from studying in England.”

“You’ll need to guide Mubai more in her studies and etiquette, among other things.”

“Since Uncle Su has put it that way, this junior is naturally willing. It was merely that Miss Mubai’s elegant demeanor earlier made this junior hesitant to treat such a beautiful lady with anything less than utmost respect.”

Qin Lin’an dropped his formal posture, scratching his head as he chuckled towards Su Father, his gestures revealing a touch of familiarity, much like a junior being lectured by an elder.

“Haha, Mubai is just like that; she’s always too polite to everyone.”

Su Father said with a smile, a hint of pride in his gentle and serene daughter evident in his tone.

“Alright, let’s not stand here chatting. Let’s go to the dining room and sit down.”

With a sweep of his hand, everyone moved towards the dining room, whereupon he turned his head to look at the elderly butler standing behind him.

“Tell the kitchen to serve the dishes quickly.”

“Yes, Master.”

The butler acknowledged the command and headed towards the kitchen.

“Little Qin, this time, it’s thanks to your father that I was able to secure this large order. Please thank him again for me when you return.”

“Uncle Su has also been of great assistance to us. I believe our two families’ cooperation will surely flourish, leading to mutual benefit and prosperity. My father shares this sentiment.”

“Hahahaha, it’s truly a pleasure to speak with you. Alright, once this batch of goods is produced, I’ll make sure it’s delivered to Old Qin first.”

“Then I shall also thank Uncle Su on my father’s behalf.”

After Qin Lin’an finished speaking, he cast a glance, both intentional and casual, at Su Mubai, who sat opposite him.

Su Father also noticed his gaze, and with a helpless expression, he looked at Su Mubai, who sat beside them, sweetly and faintly smiling, listening to their conversation. He wondered if she was truly absorbing the content of their discussion, or merely listening to the cadence of their voices.

“Mubai is a good child in every aspect, it’s just that she doesn’t pay much attention to business matters. In this regard, she really ought to learn from you, Little Qin.”

“Everyone has things they excel at and things they don’t, perhaps Miss Mubai’s aspirations lie elsewhere?”

Qin Lin’an said with a smile, his eyes subtly flicking towards Su Mubai, observing her reaction.

Yet, her sweet and gentle smile remained entirely undisturbed.

“Mr. Qin, you flatter me unduly. This humble one possesses no particular talents, and thus, no grand aspirations. I am still troubled by the uncertainty of my future path.”

“Hahahaha, even without particular talents, merely with Miss Mubai’s astonishing, heaven-defying beauty, she could marry into the home of any man of both talent and appearance, and enjoy a life of boundless luxury and honor.”

Qin Lin’an said, his meaning subtly implied.

“I think you, Little Qin, are quite excellent. You’re intelligent, come from a good family, and are a brilliant student who studied in England. My Mubai marrying you wouldn’t be ‘burying’ your potential, would it?”

“Uncle Su, receiving such trust from you, this junior is naturally exceedingly pleased…”

Seeing the conversation veer towards an irretrievable path, Su Mubai had no choice but to interject and halt it.

“Oh, Father, please don’t tease Mubai like this. Mubai is still young. Such matters can wait another two or three years until she graduates from university.”

Su Mubai maintained her flawless, sweet smile, leaving Su Father momentarily at a loss for words.

“Alright, alright, you’re right.”

Su Father conceded, reluctantly letting the topic drop.

“The dishes are being served; let us begin to eat.”

“Alright~”

Qing Bai responded with a smile.

Qin Lin’an nodded, and as Su Father initiated the meal by placing his chopsticks down, he obediently began to eat.

Having finally endured the banquet, Qin Lin’an, needing to relay a message to his father, had no choice but to depart early.

“Will you not stay for dinner?”

Su Mother politely urged.

“No, I must return to discuss business matters with my father.”

Qin Lin’an stood at the doorway, smiling and waving goodbye to them.

“I will certainly come to visit again when the opportunity arises.”

His gaze lingered on Su Mubai as he spoke with a smile.

“Of course, Mr. Qin, you are welcome to visit anytime.”

Su Mubai smiled serenely, seeing Qin Lin’an off at the doorstep.

“Uncle Li, please see Mr. Qin off.”

She instructed, and watching Qin Lin’an being escorted to his car by the butler, she turned and re-entered the house.

“Mother, Father, I am returning to my room.”

She called out, turning to ascend to the second floor.

“Oh? What about dinner?”

Su Mother called out.

“I ate too much at lunch; there’s no need. I’ll come down later for a late-night snack. Thank you for your concern, Mother.”

“This child, honestly…”

Returning to her room, Su Mubai kicked off her small leather shoes, flung herself onto the bed, and hugged her pillow.

‘What kind of person was that… how utterly disgusting…’

She buried her face in the pillow, unsure herself who exactly she was complaining about.

After quietly remaining there for a while, clutching her pillow, she reached for the full-dive helmet on her bedside table.

Gently placing the helmet on her head, her smooth, long straight hair emerged from beneath it, fanning out across the pristine white bedsheet.

“…Companion God Realm, activate.”

****

After a flash of light, Qing Bai’s figure materialized within the coffee shop.

She raised her right hand, her slender, fair fingers intertwining with the fiery red curls draped over her shoulder.

She stared blankly at her own reflection in the coffee shop window beside her.

A moment passed.

‘Hmph, hmph, indeed, curly hair truly suits this Young Miss best.’

The smile in that reflection was utterly adorable, surpassing even the flawlessly practiced sweet smile of her real-world self in its natural charm and heartwarming sincerity.