Qian, this goddess-like woman, holds grudges like no other, and A-Ka knows it too well.

Isn’t Mai the prime example? Because he coveted Qian’s narcissus, he got beaten all the way by Qian. Mai, not knowing his own limits, tried to make moves on Qian again, and ended up being gifted out like a little daisy.

Then there’s the "Phoenix man" who wanted Liumei, he’s been so rattled by Qian that he doesn’t even want to eat or drink, always thinking about getting back with Liumei but ended up being thrashed by Yu Minglang until he was barely breathing, tortured like hell.

Anyone who messes with Qian doesn’t end well. Even if they don’t directly challenge Qian, bullying those around her will not be forgiven. These conclusions A-Ka has drawn after closely observing Qian.

A-Ka overheard Qian from behind walls; she sensed that Qian would avenge her, but up till now, Qian hasn’t acted. Her boss told A-Ka to apologize directly, thinking Qian would likely react by slapping her twice and then having Yu Minglang beat her half dead.

But A-Ka was totally caught off guard when she invited Qian to dinner, and Qian replied—

"Let’s go."

A-Ka was shocked, agreeing so readily?

"What, you don’t want to?"

"I do! I do! Of course, I do!" A-Ka nodded like crazy.

Qian’s two besties, Shi Touyu and Da Yi, were both not at school. Qian didn’t want to eat alone either. She found it amusing how Huangmao looked like he wanted to approach her but didn’t dare, wanting to tease A-Ka a few more days, but didn’t expect this girl would walk right into her trap.

Though Huangmao’s origins were unclear, Qian sensed this person had no ill intention for now, and she wanted to keep them around to see who sent A-Ka, because teasing her was fun, especially seeing her anxious yet daring not to speak and wanting to approach yet feeling intimidated.

The two went to the hotpot restaurant opened by Yu Minglang’s buddy Hai Zhao by the school. At the table, A-Ka decided to chat a bit before talking business.

"What’s your plan for summer break? Why didn’t the boss arrange an internship for you?"

"I thought you already knew." Qian had an amused yet indifferent smile.

"I haven’t eavesdropped on you for a long time, your Xiaoqiang’s combat powers are too strong, my ears are still hurting." A-Ka boldly confessed.

She thought if Qian dumped the boiling hotpot on her, disfigured her, she would accept it.

Qian put down her chopsticks, looking at her calmly.

"You admitted. I thought you’d pretend for a while."

"Even if I wanted to pretend, I couldn’t. I didn’t expect you to be so crafty. I’ve monitored others for so many years and you’re the first person who counter-surveilled me."

Her boss docked her pay for it; A-Ka’s feeling aggrieved.

She underestimated the high-IQ duo of Xiaoqiang and Mei too much, her spy identity got exposed too early.

"Who told you to monitor me?"

"Mai, he’s been taken away by Songg Qingwu now, and no one’s paying me, so I don’t need to monitor you anymore." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"You’re not Mai’s person." Qian remembered Yu Minglang said, there should be someone else behind A-Ka.

"You’re so smart, no wonder you can’t make friends." A-Ka couldn’t cover it up anymore, Qian’s gaze was piercing.

"Let me be honest, Qian. A boss indeed had me protect you. My boss has no ill intention, I can’t reveal who he is, but I can swear on my life, he means no harm, neither do I."

"You keep eavesdropping at my place, and you say you mean no harm?"

"You should know, since that super strong man at your place discovered me, I haven’t listened in anymore. The boss doesn’t let me monitor you now, I’m just to protect you, to prevent anyone from hurting you."

After speaking, A-Ka felt relieved.

She finally said it!

"I can’t tell you who my boss is, but I can assure you he doesn’t mean harm, I won’t eavesdrop on you anymore, just silently protect you. If you think I’m annoying, I can protect you in the dark, if you can’t forgive what I’ve done, you can punish me however you like."

The implication being, she’d still stay by and protect Qian after the punishment.

"How much is your boss paying you? I’ll double it if you tell me who he is, and I’ll forgive you."

Qian tried to turn Huangmao.

"Sorry, except that no."

"You think I can’t afford it?"

"No, Qian, I don’t want to lie, I’ll be honest. I used to be a spy, stealing critical info, but when I realized life shouldn’t be just this, when I was hunted trying to quit, it’s the boss who saved me. Money’s the thing I love most but some feelings are more significant than money."

Finishing speaking, A-Ka stood and bowed to Qian.

"I’ve said everything, sincerely apologized, willing to accept any punishment, please forgive what I’ve done."

Come on, throw chili oil on me or something, she’s mentally ready!

"Dare eavesdrop again, let Xiaoqiang beat you to pulp. My man can be brutal, if he charges a woman gets hit too. Enough with the bowing, like a farewell to a corpse, sit and eat, you’re paying."

These words, seemingly casual, were scarier than the potential chili oil shower; A-Ka’s eyes went wide with surprise.

"You, you, you, forgave me?!"

"Not really ’forgiveness,’ I just believe in rewards and punishments. You eavesdropped, which angers me, but debts have origins, your boss will pay when I meet him."

The boss sneezed in the distance; who is talking about him?

"My boss isn’t a bad guy... he’s kind of pitiable, actually..." Realizing she shouldn’t say more, A-Ka shut up, looking at Qian pitifully.

"Whether he’s bad is irrelevant, placing someone near me and trying to spy on my privacy—I’ll keep track of that."

"Qian, why not blame me more; it’s my fault."

"You’re following orders, not in control. You eavesdropped privacy but did two right things. Hence, I won’t consider past deeds, provided you never eavesdrop on conversations between me and my husband again."

"Your talks... not suitable for all ages—cough, cough, I mean, I didn’t listen much."

She maintained some professional ethics, didn’t listen to all of their unsuitable exchanges, though accidentally caught bits of intense and big stuff, almost had nosebleeds in the heat.

A-Ka felt Qian’s murderous gaze, wisely avoiding further mention.

"What did I do right, instruct me, Qian, I’ll keep it up and atone."