Chapter Twelve: The First Trial of Charm

  This is the last assessment, and Xiang Hong couldn't help but feel nervous. Including her, there were still twelve girls left, and it was said that only six could stay.

  These days she has been pondering the words of Wang's aunt, entertaining a young single military officer with an impressive background, this momentum exceeded her imagination, all the way through the pass, she felt that the ancient king choosing his concubine was probably like this.

  Selecting imperial consorts?

  Although she had intended to entertain the military officer whom she had never met, however, when it really came down to it, she just thought about it and felt a lingering fear.

  Today, Qin Luoshui also sat in the chief examiner's seat. He had not shown his face since that first night.

  He originally thought that girl made him feel a bit uncomfortable, so he didn't want to see her again. But then he started thinking about her and realized that thinking and missing someone are two completely different things. Understanding this, he was thoroughly shocked.

  He had made up his mind to face her with a cold expression, but as soon as he saw Shang Hong's lively and delicate appearance, his depressed mood suddenly lifted. This was really damn strange.

  There were only twelve girls, all of the same height (and according to the female designer who made their swimsuits, they also wore the same size - with a sly smile), but Sang Hong looked particularly bright and beautiful, with an air of independence, purity and neatness that was pleasing to the eye.

  Xiang Hong was scanned inch by inch by Qin Luoshui's eyes, wanting to cover her face but knowing she couldn't be rude, so she could only smile as if nothing had happened.

  On the LCD screen hung on the wall, several video clips were played. A middle-aged man introduced: "The women who appeared in that gentleman's life with the highest frequency are just these ones. It is an internal secret, you guys take a close look and think about it carefully, the opportunity to rise to fame overnight is right here."

  The first was a popular model, then a female military officer, and the third was a female military doctor. This one is a military school sister, and finally this one turned out to be a war correspondent - tsk tsk, these women all looked stunningly beautiful, standing out from the crowd. These twelve little girls, apart from their age advantage, were simply unbeatable.

  ……

  At halftime, Sang Hong slipped away to the restroom to think of a plan.

  She propped her arm, and her legs dangled lazily as she sat down on the clean washbasin, bowing her head to ponder whether it was better to strive for a good outcome or to retreat with courage to preserve herself.

  She wanted to escape at the last minute, but her mother's operation was very successful, and subsequent treatment must be followed up, otherwise, all efforts would be in vain.

  She had also vaguely heard that some of the girls who were eliminated earlier were taken away by rich men from the city, and she thought to herself that if escaping would lead to a fate of falling into the hands of an old man, it was better to fight for her chance.

  As for being favored by the prince and how to serve him, it is absolutely within her control. She didn't believe that a man of such status could still force himself on her.

  Instead, she was left with a worrying fate, passed from hand to hand among old men, becoming a plaything. Just thinking about it made her shudder - there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

  At first, the young girls gathered here were all top-notch people who had been carefully selected. So many fierce old men with piercing eyes, where could they disappear silently if they didn't make the cut?

  Compared with the overbearing local tyrants, the temporarily staying prince is obviously her best choice.

  Besides, she also saw that guy's photo, very masculine, handsome and charming, how come he is still single till now? It's not a disaster or what.

  She was so engrossed in thought, her chin was hooked up by a cool finger, forcing her to raise her head and lift her gaze, only to see Qin Luoshui with an air of superiority: "Little girl, you're too clever, what are you thinking about with your head down?"

  Xiang Hong came to her senses, took a look at this posture, and suddenly realized that she had been fooled by this guy. She immediately grabbed his wrist, twisted it with force, and kicked him without saying a word.

  Qin Luoshui quickly kicked her leg back and jumped away, Zhan Zhan dodged her foot and couldn't help but scold: "You're a hedgehog?"

  Xiang Hong couldn't help but laugh at his disheveled and evasive appearance.

  She jumped down from the washstand, pretended to apologize and stretched out her arm to pull his arm, piling up a smile: "I thought I met some pervert, it turned out to be Master Qin, sorry about that. By the way, Master Qin, can I discuss something with you?"

  She always smiles especially sweetly when she needs something from someone.

  Qin Luoshui gazed at her small face, his arm symbolically struggling for a moment, and couldn't help but say softly: "If you have something to say, then say it."

  "Can't you just let me off and spare this young woman?"

  "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" The man, clearly entertained by her dogged appearance, leaned lazily against the wall with his eyes half-closed, watching her expression.

  "Let me through, if I had flattered that prince, I would have been loyal to you."

  Xiang Hong cleverly expressed her loyalty.

  A man covered up the inexplicable interest in his eyes, and sneered: "You just want to climb that high branch so much, without even seeing his face, and you're so deliberate; you know, he's just here to play for a few days, what about after a few days?"

  "Master Qin, I'm all alone and have no one to rely on. The sooner he leaves, the sooner I'll be free. I don't want to end up like those rejected girls who get collected by those fat-headed and big-eared men."

  She looked up at him with a worried face, helpless like a little puppy.

  "Lost the election, I'll take care of you, isn't that okay?" Qin Luoshui didn't know why, but his heart softened and he said this in a gentle voice. After speaking, he wanted to slap himself, how could he be so impulsive like a young kid?

  "You will just make fun of me, Master Qin. This time if you help me, I'll treat you as a benefactor for the rest of my life. Although I'm insignificant and you may not care."

  Xiang Hong's voice grew softer and her emotions became more subdued. She had steeled herself to the hope of being selected, otherwise the subsequent 100,000 yuan would be in vain, and her mother was still waiting for the subsequent medical expenses.

  "Do you really understand what it means to be chosen?" Qin Luoshui was astonished that he didn't even enter this woman's eyes, and the more he thought about it, the stranger it became.

  "I understand."

  "With your personality, compromising to accommodate a strange man doesn't seem like you."

  Xiang Hong's eyes did not dodge at all, and she said calmly:

  "No, in my opinion, this is not called compromise, but choice of opportunity."

  I think that true happiness in life is having the possibility of choice, especially for me, when I had no way out, there was still such a good opportunity to choose, I am very content.

  Qin Luoshui narrowed his eyes and stared at her, chewing on her words - she was very satisfied, nonsense!

  She must have eaten something that made him unable to refuse her, anyway, even if she lost, he would probably go to support her involuntarily.

  This taste is really bad!

  He was secretly resentful and scolded himself for being cheap, this girl refused him every time, so bluntly that he was left speechless.

  Lowered his face and cooled down, sent out then sent out, perhaps giving her to that person, he wouldn't be so obsessed.

  Besides, he really looked forward to seeing what kind of trouble her personality would get him into. Life was more interesting with expectations: "I can consider agreeing to you, but why should I believe that you will be chosen by the prince?"

  He turned his face sideways and gave her a sly smile like a rascal.

  Xiang Hong caught the implication in his words and met his provocative gaze with a roll of her eyes, understanding that he was looking for some sweet treats.

  Look at that charming peach blossom eye, I think it's not a loss to practice with him. Otherwise, facing that strong and cold-faced man, she doesn't even have the experience of holding hands or kissing with someone of the opposite sex, really lacking confidence.

  She endured the palpitations, slid her hand down from his arm, and tentatively grasped his right hand. The two hands clasped together, swinging slightly like a child throwing a tantrum. She lifted her head, suddenly remembering how he had criticized her pale lips in the past. She bit her lip and puckered up, immediately making her lips bright red. She gave him a dazzling smile:

  "Is that all right?"

  Qin Luoshui felt the soft little hand coolly holding his large hand, and the slight trembling made his heart suddenly soften. His gaze was unconsciously locked onto those delicate lips, his eyes dark and black like stars.

  Xiang Hong looked at him as if he was in a trance, plucked up the courage to stretch out one arm and wrap it around his waist, face to face with him, then her right leg stuck to the side of his leg, inch by inch moving upwards, whispering:

  "Is this credible?"

  Qin Luoshui's body stiffened instantly, unbelievably feeling - heat, very hot, extremely hot.

  Xiang Hong grasped his right hand, stiffly placing it on her waist, the empty arm stroking his muscular lines slowly upwards, hooking his neck, tilting her head back to gaze at him, her brightly colored lips slightly pursed.

  "Qin Ye, is this okay?"