Chapter 2196 - 2199: The Mermaid Qian Ning Who's Only Interested in Me (5th Update)

Upon hearing Shen Qiang's words, the stunning mermaid, Jinli Qianning, who was completely unwilling to make eye contact with Shen Qiang, visibly trembled. However, she chose silence instead of responding, which made Shen Qiang more convinced of his judgment. Suddenly, Qian Ning spoke up.

"I'm just not interested in others."

As soon as these words were said, Shen Qiang's eyes lit up.

Because autism, also known as autistic disorder, is characterized by significant social interaction deficiencies, such as limited eye contact, minimal response to names, and a lack of interest in people, which can give the impression of a cold aloofness to everyone.

This instinctively made Shen Qiang ask: "So, are you talking to me because you're interested in me?"

Almost instantly.

Though the night was dark and the flickering firelight wasn't very bright, Shen Qiang clearly observed that Qian Ning's charming face had turned slightly red, but she still didn't look at Shen Qiang. Instead, she gazed at the coast, her flawless jade hand clenching somewhat tightly.

Knowing that Shen Qiang was becoming impatient, she spoke dryly: "You're different from others; you're rare."

Shen Qiang laughed because autistic individuals not only have social interaction challenges but also communication barriers, usually manifesting as impaired verbal abilities, language comprehension difficulties, abnormal speech form and content, and irregular speech speed and tone.

However, it was clear that the beautiful Jinli Qianning did not have problems expressing herself or understanding language.

So the remaining issue was the non-verbal difficulties, which usually involve a lack of facial expressions and inability to convey their will through actions like nodding, shaking their heads, or gesturing.

This point seemed somewhat aligned with Jinli Qianning's situation.

So Shen Qiang, slightly smiling, continued: "What are your interests and hobbies? Like where do you like to go after work?"

Jinli Qianning was silent for a long time and said: "I go home to listen to music."

Instantly, Shen Qiang laughed.

Typically, autistic individuals or autistic disorder patients often have narrow interests, rigid behaviors, enjoy non-toy items, and persistently maintain unchanged daily routines.

If we consider these three aspects together.

Jinli Qianning's lack of interest in others, indifferent expression, unaccustomed to using small actions to express her will, and persistence in daily routines, already indicate that she is an autistic individual.

Just relatively mild.

Belonging to the kind who needs appropriate help, doesn't fit in, yet can independently complete study, work, and life.

Compared to others with severe disabilities who, without help, just stare blankly by themselves, she's quite fortunate.

Moreover, contemplating further, a pretty little girl living in a huge palace where the people speak in a mechanical tone like dolls; if it were Shen Qiang, he might also find them uninteresting.

Not only that, but she's a mermaid.

Her cultivation is above the Dao Fruit Stage.

Definitely an immortal in the eyes of ordinary people, capable of stirring the seas and rivers.

So, for her to be interested in ordinary people is evidently impossible.

In the long run, naturally, it's not difficult to become this kind of autistic individual.

"Can you smile?" Shen Qiang asked her with a smile: "I mean, the kind of smile that's joyful from the bottom of your heart."

The beautiful Jinli Qianning seemed to want to sneak a look at Shen Qiang, but as she turned her gaze slightly, she realized that Shen Qiang was observing her. Not only did she immediately regain a composed state, but she also said without looking away: "Crabs are not fat enough in this season."

Shen Qiang instantly laughed: "Avoidance is a coward's behavior, but it's quite effective."

The beautiful Qian Ning was stunned for a moment, and said: "I'm not avoiding."

Shen Qiang smiled and said: "Then can you turn around and look at me seriously?"

"Ugly, reject."

Jinli Qianning, unusually calm, uttered two simple words from her tender lips, yet inexplicably made Shen Qiang smile with narrowed eyes.

Just as Shen Qiang was about to speak and continue talking to her.

Her phone rang.

She took out her phone, glanced at it, and answered very calmly: "Oh, oh, okay, I understand."

After hanging up the phone.

Seemingly waiting for Shen Qiang to ask, she was silent for a moment, not hearing any questions from Shen Qiang, and couldn't help but curiously turn her head, then immediately saw the handsome Shen Qiang gazing deeply at the coast.

The calm demeanor and focused gaze made her beautiful eyes light up.

But then, not wanting to disturb Shen Qiang, she silently turned her eyes to the coast, just like him.

After a long while, Shen Qiang spoke: "Gong Ziyi is not a fool. Although he lost several times in front of me due to emotional instability, his own strength is still very strong. Changing the talent show program midway, plus having a live stream, is already unusual."

Jinli Qianning, at the side, did not turn to look at Shen Qiang but simply watched the sea quietly, saying: "I'm not afraid, even if it's a contest of original songs, I won't lose."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiang chuckled and said: "Your song is perfect, that's unquestionable. But you need to understand that sometimes people are influenced by perceptions, like choosing to go to your bar even if another is better."

The beautiful Qian Ning said: "I don't understand."

Shen Qiang smiled and said: "Gong Ziyi wants to scheme against you. In the Star Team assist singing segment, he's already guessed I would seek Song Weiyin."

"That super beautiful actress?" The beautiful Qian Ning asked with surprise.

Shen Qiang laughed, nodded, and said: "Yes, because the situation is clear now, you don't know any major stars, and I only know Song Weiyin, and to make you famous, the person singing to assist must be prominent enough, so Song Weiyin is the perfect choice, without a doubt."

"Then how is he scheming against me?"

The beautiful Jinli Qianning asked with surprise.

At this moment, Shen Qiang suddenly laughed: "It's just a small trick, judging by his chess game, at most he only sees three moves ahead, nothing to worry about. So why let such trivial matters disrupt our good mood?"

Upon hearing this, the beautiful Jinli Qianning was stunned for a moment, then turned her gaze to the coast, her beautiful eyes flashing an inexplicable tenderness.

Yet, as always, she said nothing.

And almost then, Shen Qiang slightly shook his wrist, presenting a bouquet of flaming red roses before Jinli Qianning's eyes. Then, Shen Qiang, with a smile and a raised eyebrow, said very seriously: "The flowers are prepared for you, but initially, we weren't supposed to take them out this early. I thought we should progress step by step."

"But it proves to be meaningless since flowery words won't make you have more feelings for me, so let's be direct. I want to date you, the kind of being together where two people never betray each other."