AST 1528 - Everyone Needs Kinship, Friendship, and Romantic Relationships (1/2)

Qin Qing and Qin Baifo were stunned. Qing Shui was surprisingly skilled in drawing. Furthermore, it had been a portrait drawing—his own daughter’s portrait drawing. Without realizing, Qin Baifo turned a cheeky smile towards Qin Qing.

Qin Qing could feel her father’s eyes on her, and she was just as shocked. She hadn’t expected a man to be able to draw a portrait of her with such realism. Most importantly, Qing Shui had only taken a few glimpses of her as he was drawing. With those glances alone, he was able to commit her to memory.

With her father’s eyes on her, her face was rigid. Even though Qing Shui and Qin Qing didn’t have much going on between them, there was still a sense of guilt brewing in her, or perhaps it’d have been more accurate to describe the sensation as peculiar.

At the very end, Qing Shui decorated the side of the portrait with the words, ‘Remarkable Beauty’.

There wasn’t much flamboyance within the handwriting of those words. In contrast, there was a sense of neutrality, elegant yet delicate at the same time. It was impressive, and even Qin Baifo had thought that the writing was beautiful.

Qing Shui put down the brush and lifted his head to meet a pair of starry eyes, but the other looked away in fluster at that moment. He chuckled, “Uncle, how’s my drawing?”

Qing Shui realized that Qin Baifo was an easy man to get along with. Moreover, Qing Shui was serious about courting Qin Qing. This wasn’t like his previous life where it would have been amoral to have relations with other women once you were attached and likewise, you couldn’t be open about them.

He didn’t have such worries here, Qing Shui could have a peace of mind when courting her.

“Good, it’s great. You’re not bad at all, I like you.”

Qin Baifo wasn’t lying. For a person like Qing Shui, with his immense strength as well as proficiency in both drawing and calligraphy, he must not be as simple as he seemed. Qin Baifo had heard from his daughter that Qing Shui was a physician too, and the fact that she dared bring up this status of his must mean that it existed on official papers.

Still, none of these were as important as the fact that his daughter was the one who brought Qing Shui here. He knew that his daughter had high standards, to the point where even privileged men of Great Qin Dynasty were nothing more than trash in her eyes. There were few who were decent and even good-looking, however, compared to his daughter, they were eventually still worlds apart.

Qin King Manor was already an eminent family, and Qin Qing had been so outstanding. The men in the Main Continent were still chauvinistic, just like how men from his previous life didn’t favor ladies who were taller than them, or richer, or stronger…

The world of the Nine Continents was the same. Apart from the point that Qin Qing didn’t take a liking to them, even if she did, then a marriage between them would be as though the man was marrying into Qin King Manor. In front of this woman, they would always feel inferior, always feeling as though they didn’t have much say. They wouldn’t even think about being able to have a concubine or flirt with other women.

It wasn’t like Qin Baifo was insistent on marrying his daughter off. However, even after so many years, being as outstanding as she was, his daughter hadn’t even given it a single thought. Her mother had passed away too early, and as an old man, he wasn’t the best candidate to bring it up to her.

He was already a distinguished figure in the Great Qin Dynasty, but what was concealed underneath was even more terrifying. He truly felt it by now and didn’t probe about many issues, but his daughter’s status was still worrying. He was afraid that if he dragged it out any longer, then his daughter would have no desires left to marry.

Being by yourself is lonely. While one is alive, there would be a need for kinship, romantic relationships, and friendship; a lack of either would be a regret, and either would make you feel alone.

Although she didn’t have many friends, Qin Qing still did have a small company of them. Her kinship with her siblings was also well, and this pleased Qin Baifo. It was only in romance where she seemed to come up blank.

His other children all had their own kids and had matured into adults. It was the first time he had seen his daughter bring home a man and a good-looking one at that. It had been a long time since he felt this happy.

This happiness grew as he spent more time with the young man and realized how extraordinary he was. He knew the person his daughter had chosen would definitely be breathtakingly capable in their generation.

Qing Shui met three men of Qin Clan by now, and each of them had shown their support in his courting of Qin Qing. He was surprised that even her father was showing his approval for it.

“Rest assured, Uncle. I’ll make Sister Qing happy no matter what; regardless of who it is, I won’t let anyone bully her.” Qing Shui said lightly with a grin.

Qin Baifo broke into a delighted smile. “Good, that’s great! Qing’er, go inform the others to gather for a reunion meal today. Let everyone have a chance to know Qing Shui.”

“Father, there’s no need for that. It’s not what you think.” Qin Qing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“I know, but we were able to hit it off with Qing Shui, so why don’t we let everyone else meet him?” Qin Baifo didn’t seem too convinced by Qin Qing’s words; he could tell that much just by observing. At least now, he still held a glimmer of hope that Qing Shui and his daughter would get together in the end.

With a glare at Qing Shui, Qin Qing made her move first. Qin Baifo gestured for Qing Shui to take a seat, then served a pot of tea. Qing Shui promptly took it over and poured them a cup.

“Qing Shui, do you really fancy Qing’er?” Qin Baifo asked softly when there was no one else around.

“Yes, I would do anything for her. If she’s in any danger, I would save her even if it costs my life. Perhaps it’s foolish, but I don’t feel like I would want to make any other choice.” Qing Shui said honestly, with a shake of his head.

“Good. Men should be foolish at times, and courageous. I’m really fond of you.” Qin Baifo smiled before sipping on his tea.

“Actually, Uncle, I’m pretty strong. Not just anyone would be able to hurt me.”

“You’re the most outstanding young man I’ve ever met. You and Qing’er will be compatible together. Oh, right, and you’re still endowed with medical skills?” Qin Baifo asked with interests.

“Yes, a little!” Qing Shui replied humbly.

“Being modest is a good thing, but it isn’t good to go overboard with it.” Qin Baifo smiled.

“Mmh, my medical skills are exceptional and unparalleled…”

“Pfftt, Elder Sister, is that him? He’s interesting!” At that moment, a voice chimed through the room and 10 other people who walked in.