HBWMA -Chapter 290 Taking the Initiative

When Su Miao walked out of the Imperial Building, it suddenly started to rain.

The rain wasn’t heavy, but people on the streets had already begun running for cover.

Su Miao stretched out a hand, feeling the raindrops pattering against her skin.

“How do you even fight back? Fake is fake—can fake ever become real?”

“In this world, everything is already a mix of real and fake. You’re just a fake young lady of the Su family, not a fake Su Miao.”

“If Su Miao isn’t the Su family’s daughter, is she still Su Miao?”

“Yeah… if Su Miao isn’t the Su family’s daughter, then she’s not Su Miao anymore, right?”

Her eyes stung slightly. She slowly withdrew her damp hand and sat down on a flower bed by the roadside, hugging her backpack.

“Sounds nice to say… but who can actually do it?”

She muttered to herself and pulled a cup out of her bag. Inside was an iced Americano she had packed from a café.

She took a sip. The bitterness twisted her expression, yet strangely, she found herself a little addicted to it.

Coffee as bitter as life itself, skies as gray as the road ahead. Everyone else was running from the rain—only she was enjoying it, because this was her very own moment of emo solitude.

“Heh, what a rare sight. People still do street performances these days?”

Qiao Jinxin was scrolling on his phone when his companion’s teasing made him glance up.

Isn’t that the miserable little drama queen?

Rainy day, not going home, acting like she’s in some tragic melodrama—forcing suffering for no reason.

Amusement flickered in Qiao Jinxin’s eyes. He pointed toward the roadside. “Drive over there.”

“You know her?” his companion glanced through the window. “She looks pretty young. Wait… you’re into this type now?”

“Shut up,” Qiao Jinxin said lazily, picking up a gift box from the back seat and unwrapping it.

His companion raised a brow. “What, you’re rushing over to make friends now?”

They had been shopping all morning; those gifts were originally meant for Qiao Jinxin’s elders.

The car stopped. The passenger window rolled down, and a branded luxury pet bowl flew out in a graceful arc, landing right in front of Su Miao.

What the—

Su Miao, still drowning in her gloomy mood, was interrupted by the sudden object.

Before she could react—

Ding.

A clear metallic sound followed as a coin dropped precisely into the bowl.

She looked up.

Qiao Jinxin was leaning on the car window with one arm, his gaze teasing, lips curved in a mocking smile as he looked at her.

“Looks like your life really is a lot more miserable.”

With that, he waved lazily, rolled up the window, and the car drove off without hesitation.

How outrageous!

Su Miao exploded instantly. She kicked the dog bowl aside and shouted after the car that was already over ten meters away: “If you’ve got guts, don’t run, you damn toad! Toad spirit!”

“Pfft—”

In the rearview mirror, Su Miao looked like a furious little beast, yelling incoherently. Qiao Jinxin simply closed the window, cutting off the noise.

A light drizzle fell from the sky.

Just as Jiang Huashan stepped into Qinyuan, Shen Zhi came forward holding an umbrella.

“Miss Shangshang.”

She glanced toward the courtyard. “There are guests?”

Shen Zhi led the way. “It’s Young Master Qingyu. He’s about to depart for S Country soon, and the old master has some words for him.”

Jiang Huashan paused slightly.

“The departure time is confirmed?”

Shen Zhi nodded. “Yes, it’s scheduled for next Wednesday. Several aristocratic families from the Foreign Affairs Department will be accompanying us.”

Inside the room.

Shen Qingyu was sitting at the desk brewing tea. Suddenly hearing a familiar voice, his hand jolted in shock. The scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, instantly turning it red.

“What’s wrong with you? So careless.” The old master didn’t even look particularly concerned. Instead, he smiled as he glanced toward the door. “Oh, it’s little Hua’er.”

Shen Qingyu didn’t even have time to tend to the burn. He shot up immediately. “Grandpa, I’ll head back first.”

“What’s the rush? I haven’t finished speaking yet. Since little Hua’er is here, we might as well ask her what gift she wants.”

“Grandpa—”

Jiang Huashan’s lively voice rang out before she even entered the hall.

Shen Qingyu’s eyelid twitched. Without another word, he strode toward the door. Just as he stepped over the threshold, he saw a figure bouncing across the flower pond.

If he went out now, they would definitely run straight into each other.

Without time to think, Shen Qingyu turned back into the tea room, pushed open the wooden window in one fluid motion, and kicked himself up and out, climbing through and jumping over it.

The entire process was smooth and decisive, without a single hesitation.

Shen Zhuang: “……”

“Grandpa—”

Just as Jiang Huashan stepped into the main hall, the tea room window slammed shut with a bang.

“Huh? Didn’t the housekeeper say Shen Qingyu was here too? Where is he?”

Shen Zhuang calmly straightened the tea set and wiped the table. “He left.”

“He left?” Jiang Huashan looked back. “Which way did he go?”

Shen Zhuang glanced at the window frame and lifted his teacup. “He left quite a while ago.” Then he waved at her. “Come sit.”

Jiang Huashan obediently sat down. Shen Zhuang poured her a cup of warm water. She held it in both hands, her expression slightly flattering.

“Grandpa, I came today because I need a favor.”

“So serious?” Shen Zhuang put down the teapot and pretended to be stern. “Then Grandpa must listen carefully. I can’t let down our little Hua’er’s trust.”

Jiang Huashan smiled. “Grandpa, I want a handgun.”

Shen Zhuang paused slightly, thinking he had misheard. “What did you say you want?”

“A lady’s handgun.” Jiang Huashan said excitedly, gesturing with her hands. “Preferably an improved version—low recoil, easy to conceal, something that can even punch through a skull with one shot.”

“……”

Shen Zhuang silently poured himself a cup of tea, taking a moment to steady himself. Then he slowly said, “Alright.”

Jiang Huashan’s eyes instantly lit up like stars. “Really? Grandpa, you’re the best!”

To show how happy she was, she stood up and gave him a big bear hug. “Thank you, Grandpa! You’re truly the best grandfather in the world!”

Shen Zhuang was amused, laughing uncontrollably. “Alright, alright, stop bouncing around. The weapon itself is secondary. I’m more worried you’ll hurt yourself. How about this—let Zheng Song teach you how to shoot first. Once you’re proficient, I’ll get you whatever type you want.”

Zheng Song’s shooting skills were far better than Zhou Yanheng’s. Jiang Huashan was more than satisfied and immediately hugged Shen Zhuang’s arm, acting spoiled.

“Grandpa, you’re wise and brilliant. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Shen Zhi stood to the side, silently watching as Jiang Huashan had turned Shen Zhuang into a smiling fool.

The grandfather and granddaughter chatted and laughed. After dinner, Jiang Huashan left Qinyuan in high spirits.

By now, the rain had stopped, but the sky remained overcast and gray.

Jiang Huashan wasn’t affected in the slightest. Full of energy, she pushed open the gates of Ju Garden.

“Aunt Zhang, I’m back.”

Ding—

【Congratulations. The heart-throbbing arc of the treasure storyline “Saving the Little Miserable One” has been triggered. Progress: 99% complete.】

The smile on Jiang Huashan’s face instantly froze.

What the—what does Shen Guiling mean by this? Is he mocking her seduction skills?

If he’s going to act like this… then she’ll get serious.