Xu Cheng glanced between A-Xin and Su Wan, recalling Su Wan had just said A-Xin was someone she'd picked up. He'd mentioned this before. His lips twitched twice.
So the kind person Qin Xin mentioned who took her in—that was Su Wan?
And the girl with the pitiful background Su Wan mentioned before—that was Qin Xin?
Just now when Su Wan spoke to him, her tone was sarcastic. Their relationship wasn't intimate, but it was decent. They wouldn't be giving each other dirty looks just from not seeing each other for a while, right?
"I met Miss Qin at Chairman Zhou's place," Xu Cheng answered Su Wan's earlier question. "We got to know each other gradually."
Su Wan's eyes narrowed. She'd long noticed A-Xin's job at Zhou Corporation wasn't simple—she hadn't expected her to have direct contact with Chairman Zhou himself. Could A-Xin be even smarter than she imagined? What talent did Chairman Zhou see in her?
Su Wan said, "I heard from Qin Xin that your chess skills are good?" Her gaze was doubtful. "How do I remember when we were kids playing gomoku, you'd get beaten so badly you'd cry and want to take back moves? You were a terrible player, Xu Cheng. Have you really improved that much?"
Xu Cheng nearly choked, coughing lightly to cover it. "People can't stay the same as before without improving. If you just mark time, you're either dull or stupid."
Su Wan was still hung up on A-Xin's admiration for Xu Cheng. If it were anyone else, she'd definitely interrogate them thoroughly. But this person was Xu Cheng—no need to ask. This guy had lived next door since childhood. She knew everything about him, even how old he was when he stopped wearing split-pants. Xu Cheng's character was beyond reproach, and his money-making ability was even more so.
Back when the Xu family went bankrupt, she thought Xu Cheng would fade into obscurity after his family's fall. She never expected him to return as President Xu of an international company. When they first met, she was truly shocked. Xu Cheng was only one or two years older than her—even if the Xu family still had some foundation after bankruptcy, they needed capable people.
If A-Xin chose Xu Cheng, she truly had no grounds to stop it. Could she really use the fact that she'd already fallen for this girl as a reason to prevent her from pursuing happiness?
"Did you orchestrate the Qin Corporation affair?" A flash of inspiration struck Su Wan. She leaned closer and asked quietly, "That land originally belonged to your Xu family. Don't tell me you knew nothing—construction was about to start before the incident." Back then, though she was still young and in school, her parents valued her abilities highly since she was their only daughter, cultivating her comprehensively from childhood.
Xu Cheng silently nodded, lips curving in a smile. "I did it." As he said this, he instinctively glanced at A-Xin. However, in his original plan, it hadn't been so perfect—only after someone joined did they devise increasingly cunning schemes.
"So you knew there was an ancient tomb on that land?" Su Wan bit her teeth. "Your Xu family really hid things deep."
"You don't know how my Xu family's ancestors made their fortune."
Xu Cheng didn't mind sharing this with Su Wan. Now that Qin Corporation had fallen with no ability to recover, even if this matter became known, what did it matter to him? He'd never touched anything in the ancient tomb—those old scholars could tell at a glance whether it had been disturbed.
"Didn't it all start from reselling a couple of antiques?"
The Xu family never touched the ancient tomb. Many years ago, what lay above that tomb wasn't something else—it was the old Xu family mansion. The two antiques the Xu family later resold were found outside the tomb. As for the tomb's existence inside, his grandfather believed since it was beneath their house, they'd better not disturb it—afraid of ruining the Xu family's feng shui. He never planned to reveal it either.
Before reselling antiques, the Xu family had been destitute. When Xu Cheng's grandfather's family was at their wit's end, one day it rained heavily and flooded the courtyard.
Xu Cheng's grandfather prepared to dig a drainage ditch around the yard. Unexpectedly, he dug up antiques. Digging further, he discovered traces of an ancient tomb. Then his grandfather filled that spot back in, only taking those two antiques. Using them to start his business led to the later Xu family.
Later still, when that land wasn't yet prime real estate, the Xu family spent heavily to purchase it. Because of the tomb below, they delayed construction. Other areas built high-rises, making their plot look particularly conspicuous. This location became the prime land everyone coveted—land Old President Qin especially wanted. He approached the Xu family several times unsuccessfully.
This secret was actually known only to Xu Cheng's grandfather. He understood many people wanted this land and had already planned how to build skyscrapers around the tomb. But unexpectedly, at that time, Qin Corporation attacked the Xu family and brought them down. Originally, if the Xu family had just sold that land to Qin Corporation, they could have weathered the crisis. Due to that special reason, Xu Cheng's grandfather chose bankruptcy and surrendered the land to the government to pay debts.
Later, their whole family went abroad and started over. Years later, when Xu Cheng chose to return to China for revenge against Qin Corporation, his grandfather privately told him this secret. He explained that this ancient tomb should be quite precious—the Xu family had made their fortune from it, and the contents inside were very valuable. He told him to think carefully about how to scheme against Qin Corporation while exposing this place.
Xu Cheng understood immediately—his grandfather had planned before going abroad how to scheme against Qin Corporation. But he hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly after returning. The main reason was that Old President Qin was gone.
Only because Old President Qin was gone did his grandfather feel confident letting him return alone to handle these matters.
After hearing Xu Cheng's words, Su Wan's forehead broke out in cold sweat. "Truly, ginger gets spicier with age." She now looked at Xu Cheng coldly. "Grandfather Xu knows how to scheme, and his grandson isn't lacking either—already grown into a little fox, no longer that kid in split-pants I used to bully to tears."
"Hey, can we not mention the past?" Xu Cheng glanced at A-Xin who was contentedly attacking her food. He clicked his tongue. When eating with him, she wasn't like this at all—where was this quietness? Those devious ideas came one after another.
Rather than calling him a little fox, there sat a thousand-year fox spirit. In scheming against the Qin family, she contributed plenty of effort... and money. Thinking of those antiques with holes deliberately made in them, he felt some heartache. She could even think up such terrible ideas. He glanced again at Su Wan. Classmate Su probably didn't know this person's true face yet, right?
Heh! He wouldn't tell Classmate Su. This woman bullied him plenty as a kid. He just wouldn't tell her, let her think Qin Xin was an innocent young girl. Let her get eaten without even bones remaining.
Wait—Xu Cheng narrowed his eyes. Something seemed off. Su Wan's earlier look at him clearly saw him as a rival.
"Hey, Xu Cheng, why are your eyes wandering?" Su Wan interrupted his thoughts. "Where are you looking?"
Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow. Seeing Su Wan's anxious expression, he smiled inwardly. Tsk tsk tsk. He leaned closer and said quietly, "Classmate Su, how the tables turn."
"What tables turn?" Su Wan frowned. "Don't talk in riddles."
"What else could it be?" Xu Cheng's eyes flickered toward A-Xin's position. "That one." Seeing Su Wan still didn't understand, he simply said quietly, "You were looking at me with total hostility just now. From the moment I entered, I felt a chill on my back." Especially similar to when Su Wan used to mess with him as kids. "You thought Qin Xin had a thing for me, or I had a thing for Qin Xin, didn't you?"
Su Wan looked uncomfortable. "Isn't that the case?"
"Ha... of course not." Xu Cheng stopped there. "Let me tell you—Qin Xin and I are completely innocent, nothing at all. Whatever you want to do, no need to worry about anything."
Su Wan's heart stirred. She couldn't help asking, "Really?"
"Of course it's real. We grew up together after all—would I need to lie to you?"
Su Wan instinctively glanced at A-Xin's position. Seeing her eating seriously, she lowered her voice. "You're sure she has no interest in you either?"
"Don't worry, none at all."
Su Wan's heart relaxed, her eyes full of smiles. "Xu Cheng, we're still good friends."
"Hehe..." Xu Cheng coldly chuckled twice. Same old ways, not changed at all. If he'd said there was interest, Su Wan would probably find ways to eliminate him. But as for other matters, he wouldn't tell her—let Classmate Su discover them herself. He, Xu Cheng, was not one to betray teammates.
The two spoke quietly, thinking only each other could hear, not knowing A-Xin caught every word.
A-Xin still calmly attacked her food, her mind pondering—what did "tables turn" mean? She glanced at the food on the plate. The food was indeed quite fragrant. But she could be certain that "tables turn" wasn't referring to the food's aroma.
The two were whispering secrets—she had no intention of exposing them. As long as Su Wan was happy, that was enough. They were childhood friends—having more topics was natural. Especially since Su Wan was particularly happy. When she had time, she'd ask Su Wan what "tables turn" meant.
Also, if there was time, she wanted Su Wan to help with something. Thinking of this, A-Xin continued eating the food with relish. When Su Wan and Xu Cheng finished talking and prepared to pick up their chopsticks for food, they stared at the nearly empty plates on the table, looking at each other.
"Did you starve her?" Xu Cheng couldn't help asking quietly.
Su Wan quickly said, "Impossible. She ate plenty this morning."
"Then..." Xu Cheng indicated the nearly empty plates on the table.
Su Wan coughed lightly. "Qin Xin is only eighteen—still growing. Her appetite naturally needs to be larger."
Really? Xu Cheng looked doubtfully at those empty plates. Even growing, could she eat that much?
Later they ordered more dishes. A-Xin could still eat without any sense of being full. Su Wan, after everything on the Carnival, had long gotten used to A-Xin's appetite and wasn't surprised at all.
But when Xu Cheng left the private room, he couldn't help glancing at A-Xin's waist—still so slender. Where did all that food go? Noticing Su Wan's cold stare, he quickly withdrew his gaze, looking straight ahead.
This woman—still so fierce.
A-Xin and Su Wan sat on the sofa at home watching TV. After several days had passed, A-Xin asked Su Wan, "Su Wan."
"What is it?" Su Wan turned around, smiling broadly.
"I have a question. What does 'tables turn' mean?"
Su Wan didn't react at first, but quickly understood which "tables turn" A-Xin was asking about. She didn't think much of it and just explained according to the internet definition.
"Oh, so that's what it means." So what had Su Wan denied with Xu Cheng that she later contradicted herself? She was somewhat curious, staring at Su Wan. Su Wan quickly touched her face. "Do I have something dirty on my face?"
"No." A-Xin denied, remembering she had another matter she wanted Su Wan to help with. Just as she opened her mouth to ask, Su Wan's phone rang.
The moment Su Wan answered, she wanted to hang up, but Ye Xiaoge quickly stopped her. "Su Wan, I just want to ask a favor. Nothing else."
"What favor?" Su Wan asked. She glanced at the caller ID—Ye Xiaoge knew she was blocked and chose to call from a different number.
Ye Xiaoge said, "Lend me some money. Lend me one hundred million."
"For Qin Feng?"
"Yes. I can't watch him so dejected. As long as there's capital, he'll definitely make a comeback." Qin Feng was capable—Ye Xiaoge firmly believed that. Rather than directly becoming Mrs. Qin, now that Qin Feng had fallen, accompanying him in his comeback meant no one could shake their feelings. No one would look down on her, Ye Xiaoge, or say she only relied on Qin Feng and didn't deserve him.
Su Wan glanced at A-Xin who was staring at her without blinking, and said, "What does his capability have to do with me?"
"Su Wan, just for the sake of—"
"All the affection between us—didn't you personally sever it? Ye Xiaoge, we have no relationship whatsoever. I have no obligation to lend you money. You open your mouth asking for one hundred million, as if my money is easily earned."
Ye Xiaoge anticipated Su Wan would refuse. She bit her teeth. "Lend me one hundred million and I can tell you a secret about Qin Xin. Su Wan, if you don't know about this, you'll regret it later."
"What secret?" Su Wan glanced at A-Xin. Ye Xiaoge's tone calmed. "Promise me first, then I'll tell you."
"Is that so?" Su Wan chuckled lightly. "Then sorry, I have no interest in knowing." Then with a snap, she hung up the phone.
"She wanted to tell you my secret?" A-Xin propped her chin up. "How do I not know I have any secrets?" A-Xin thought, then suddenly realized, telling Su Wan, "Could she have found out?"
"Found out what?" Su Wan looked amusedly at the girl before her with a completely open, fearless expression. She wanted to hear what secret that was from her own mouth.
A-Xin answered, "What else could it be? Just that my big brother created a chance encounter for us."
"Chance encounter?" Su Wan was puzzled.
A-Xin continued, "That time you bought me a birthday cake—that was a chance encounter my big brother arranged. He'd already found out you'd pass by there and had me dress a certain way, probably to make me look a bit like Ye Xiaoge. After you left, he called me again, had me wait in the park all afternoon. That evening, he took me to Ye Xiaoge's birthday party."
As A-Xin spoke, she pulled out her phone and showed the text messages. "Look, midway he told me to go to the restroom. By coincidence, I ran into those three men, then you came up."
Su Wan's expression was strange. She glanced at the phone, then at A-Xin. Finally, she stared at A-Xin without blinking. "So you're saying everything was arranged by your big brother."
"Right."
"Then last time when I picked you up on the road?"
"He manipulated my mom into making me go out to experience life. The driver dropped me off halfway—also calculated that you should pass by that road." A-Xin explained. That frank attitude was so dazzling Su Wan couldn't look away.
How could she be so cute? How could this girl be so adorable? Su Wan felt her heart racing uncontrollably, her face burning. Oh god, this girl was truly too cute.
"Su Wan, are you very moved?" A-Xin leaned close to Su Wan's face, touching her cheek. "Very hot."
Su Wan grasped A-Xin's hand, feigning composure as she asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll really misunderstand you after you said all this?"
"I've explained everything. You shouldn't misunderstand." Intuition told her this soul was very intelligent and would know how to judge truth from falsehood. However things happened, that's how she'd tell it—the other party would definitely understand.
Su Wan's heart felt especially joyful. She still didn't release A-Xin's hand. "Of course I won't misunderstand." Instead, she felt grateful—if Qin Feng hadn't arranged things that way, she might never have known in her lifetime that such an adorable girl would walk into her life.
No matter what the future held, as long as the other party lived in her villa for even one day, she'd be content.
"Su Wan, I want to ask you to help with something..."
Before A-Xin could finish, her phone rang. She picked it up and glanced at it, answering, "Hello, is this Miss Qin Xin?"
"Yes."
"Miss Qin, may I ask if Ms. Yu Meiyun is your mother?"
"That's correct."
"It's like this, Miss Qin—please come to the police station. Ms. Yu Meiyun is currently very agitated and not in good condition. For specifics, it's better if you come here to understand."
After asking for the address and hanging up, A-Xin said, "Yu Meiyun is at the police station. I don't know what happened. They want me to go."
"Should I drive you?"
"Sure."
Su Wan hurried upstairs to change clothes. Coming down with her keys, there was still a slight smile on her lips. Driving to the police station took less than half an hour.
At the police station, they saw Yu Meiyun looking completely disheveled, wearing ill-fitting clothes, with bruises on her face and wrists, appearing very dejected. She kept her head down and hadn't noticed their arrival.
"What happened to her?" A-Xin asked coolly.
"According to our understanding, Ms. Yu Meiyun fell victim to a fraud case. Money and jewelry were all swindled by the perpetrator. At the end, she apparently realized something was wrong and wanted to report it, but was stripped of her clothes and tied up in a hotel room. Later a cleaning lady discovered her, learned of her situation, and called police. We've already dispatched people to track the fraudster but have no news yet." Those ill-fitting clothes were probably kindly donated by the hotel.
"You must catch them," Yu Meiyun suddenly became agitated. "You must catch that damn old man. Ahh, he swindled all my jewelry and savings. What am I supposed to do? I have nothing left. And being laughed at—now that this has gotten out, how can I face anyone?" Yu Meiyun cried and made a scene without regard for her image, completely losing composure.
"Ms. Yu, we'll help you recover it as soon as possible. We're very sorry this happened. We want to catch those criminals even more than you do."
"What good does talking do? Go quickly! That's all my money!"Yu Meiyun wailed, crying more fiercely than if her husband had died.
"Can I take her now?" A-Xin asked.
The officer nodded. "You can."
"Mom, let's go. I'll take you away." A-Xin came before Yu Meiyun and crouched down. Yu Meiyun suddenly grabbed the chair. "I'm not leaving! I won't leave! I must wait for that damned person to be caught and return my money before I leave!"
She glared fiercely at A-Xin, her eyes rolling. "I'll leave if you give me that ten million, then I'll go with you."
The police officers hearing Yu Meiyun's words had indescribable expressions. After brief contact, they already understood this woman's nature. No wonder when that young lady came in, her attitude toward Yu Meiyun was cold—her personality probably wasn't great normally either.
"You still remember that ten million," A-Xin's cheeks showed a blush. "Sorry, Mom. Last time on the cruise night, I spent all that ten million. You know how expensive everything is there."
"All spent?" Yu Meiyun shrieked. "So much—how did you spend it all, you wastrel girl! Oh god, how did I give birth to such a wastrel? I really regret it."
"Mom, are you really not leaving?"
"Not leaving. I'm waiting here."
A-Xin stood up. "Alright then. I just got paid this month. Spent quite a bit yesterday—I'll leave a few hundred with the officer to buy you food." A-Xin took out two hundred and gave it to the officer, smiling faintly. "Officer, sorry about this. My mom insists on waiting here. Please help her buy food when it's time." She paused. "She's emotionally unstable. Don't give her the money—I'm afraid she'll spend it randomly and run out, then go hungry. My monthly salary isn't much, and lately I've needed money, so I can't give more."
"Alright, young lady."
"Thank you."
A-Xin smiled as she spoke, finally saying one more thing to Yu Meiyun who was glaring at her before leaving. Yu Meiyun shouted, "I'm fine! I'm not emotionally unstable! Qin Xin, I understand—you just can't stand seeing me well. You came to laugh at me, you ungrateful wretch! Don't think just because I'm down you can mock me freely. You wait until I recover my money, then you'll see!"
After yelling, she noticed people around shaking their heads at her. Her face suddenly flushed. Acting so agitated just now—wasn't that exactly emotional instability?
The two walked out of the police station. Su Wan observed A-Xin's expression and asked, "Qin Xin, how do you feel now?"
"Very happy." A-Xin answered with a faint smile. "She's finally left with nothing."
Su Wan: "..." Alright. She asked again, "If her things can't be recovered, what will you do?"
"Support her. Rent her a single room, eight hundred to a thousand yuan, should be about right. I need to pick an area where groceries are cheap. After all, my salary isn't high—I can't give her a luxurious life, only ensure she won't starve."
Su Wan's lips trembled. Well, she'd worried for nothing.
"Su Wan, I'll save all my money with you from now on."
Su Wan swallowed. She instinctively asked, "You trust me that much?"
"Naturally. I'm still living at your place. I never plan to buy a house in this life. If you ever kick me out, I'll just rent a place."
"No, I won't kick you out. You can live as long as you want—living a lifetime is no problem." Of course, it would be best if you lived a lifetime. She instinctively avoided one question—she didn't ask about marriage.
A-Xin smiled. "Good."
"From now on, just put your money with me. When you need it, just ask." Su Wan was scheming—if she kept depositing it, wouldn't it gradually become joint property? She could look forward to that, couldn't she?
"Mm, I feel at ease leaving it with you."
Hearing this, Su Wan was especially happy, forgetting to ask about the favor A-Xin wanted earlier. Because of Yu Meiyun's matter, A-Xin also temporarily forgot.
In their view, those things probably couldn't be recovered.
That same day, the two happily drove around asking about single rooms. Finally they found a place with a decent living environment where groceries were cheap—basically if you cooked yourself, five hundred yuan could provide very good meals. A-Xin was extremely satisfied with this place. She waved her hand and rented it for several years. She wasn't afraid Yu Meiyun wouldn't come live here—when Yu Meiyun had nowhere else to turn, she'd eventually come looking.
Yu Meiyun, accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle, living in this tiny room would probably be depressed for life.
Sure enough, before long Yu Meiyun came knocking, mainly because she didn't have a single cent. She couldn't enter Su Wan's villa and could only wait outside. Seeing the two of them, she quickly blocked their way.
A-Xin pulled out a key. "I rented you a place."
"Really?" Yu Meiyun was half-believing. "You're not lying to me?"
"I wouldn't. You're my birth mother after all. I can't watch you end up on the streets."
Finally, Yu Meiyun was taken to that single room. Coming out, her face was green. "I knew you had no good intentions—you live in a villa while making me live in a dump."
"Mom, didn't you get it wrong? That villa is my friend kindly lending me to stay in. This apartment is one I specifically rented just for you."
People in the complex looking at Yu Meiyun made her feel embarrassed. Still, having a place to live was good. She'd leave here eventually. "Fine, give me some money."
In her view, supporting parents wasn't a child's duty? Now that she had no money, naturally she had to ask her only daughter.
A-Xin smiled faintly, taking out eight hundred yuan from her wallet. As Yu Meiyun's eyes widened, she put the money back. "I'll transfer it to you instead."
Yu Meiyun's heart leaped—a transfer meant lots more money.
When she received it and saw only 250 yuan, her face darkened. "Qin Xin, are you dismissing a beggar?"
"Mom, I somewhat distrust you and fear you'll spend randomly. This 250 yuan is your living expenses for ten days. In that room, I've already bought you other daily necessities. You won't go hungry or cold—that's the limit of my ability. Moreover, I think you could also find a job. Life should be manageable."
People around nodded repeatedly—this daughter had done more than enough.
These words made Yu Meiyun's heart uncomfortable, as if recalling the day she kicked A-Xin out to experience life. This dead girl was clearly throwing these exact words right back at her. Indeed, Qin Xin was mocking her—little ungrateful wretch.
"I'll sue you."
"Mom, you forgot—I just turned eighteen a few months ago, forced to miss university. Currently I've barely found a decent boss. A high school graduate—how much salary can I have? To rent you this place, I've spent all my savings."
People around already felt sympathy. Just looking at this woman, you could tell she wasn't kind. With this attitude toward her own daughter, who knew how capable she was when she had money. Everyone shook their heads, indicating they'd better avoid this woman in the complex from now on.
Yu Meiyun was unwilling. After A-Xin left, she went to consult about it. After explaining her situation, she slunk back dejected. If she really sued Qin Xin, she might not even get as much as she had now. She sat in the cramped room—actually the room wasn't small, but accustomed to living in a big villa, it truly felt tiny. The more she thought about it, the more stifled she felt.
"Everyone surnamed Qin—not one good person!!" Yu Meiyun lay on the bed wailing. "Not one good person!"
Within two days, A-Xin received a message from Yu Meiyun saying the money was gone. A-Xin glanced at it, knowing this would happen. Yu Meiyun definitely thought she wouldn't dare let her starve.
Given the original owner's initial conditions, she indeed wouldn't let Yu Meiyun starve.
She called Yu Meiyun. Yu Meiyun quickly said, "Money—transfer me some money. You can't just watch me starve, right?"
"Mom, don't worry—how could I let you starve?"
Su Wan listening to A-Xin inexplicably felt somewhat cold. A-Xin's next words proved she felt correctly.
A-Xin's face showed a faint smile, her voice soft and gentle. "Mom, I knew you'd spend randomly." That tone seemed genuinely concerned about Yu Meiyun. For the first time, Su Wan felt Qin Xin could be a little scary sometimes, speaking with an eerie feeling.
"So I've decided—from now on, every day's groceries, I'll order online for you. The shop owner will deliver the day's vegetables to you before 9 AM. Mom, don't worry—I won't let you starve."
"But... because I'm buying you groceries, I can't give you as much money each month. Originally I planned to give you eight hundred, but now I'll give you four hundred monthly. You don't have to pay for food or rent—four hundred yuan spent carefully should be fine."
"Qin Xin!!"
Yu Meiyun roared. A-Xin hung up the phone. Soon someone knocked on the door. She opened it and indeed saw the grocery delivery person. "Ms. Yu, right?"
"Yes."
"Your vegetables."
Yu Meiyun took the vegetables in with a sour face. Seeing they were all vegetables, she couldn't help calling A-Xin again. "Why is there no meat?"
"Mom, you forgot—you told me girls should eat more vegetables. From childhood you made me eat less meat, saying getting fat wouldn't look good. You love beauty so much—I wouldn't want you to hate it."
Yu Meiyun wanted to smash her phone right then but finally restrained herself. She was furious. How did she give birth to such a money-losing wretch?
Su Wan hearing A-Xin's words couldn't help feeling sympathetic. "She didn't let you eat meat as a child?"
"Yes." A-Xin recalled the memories. "Whether we had it at home or not, she only let me eat vegetables."
Su Wan's heart ached. So Qin Xin had such a hard childhood? Yu Meiyun getting this unlucky was truly deserved. At first she thought A-Xin was being too easy on Yu Meiyun. Now she understood—this was A-Xin's revenge. This way was more painful for Yu Meiyun than not helping her at all.
Later, Yu Meiyun realized she couldn't get anything good from A-Xin and stopped causing her trouble. She believed with her looks, she could still attract some wealthy old men. She could never adapt to living in a cramped room with only a few hundred yuan spending money monthly.
She didn't attract wealthy old men but did attract quite a few freeloading old bachelors. Yet Yu Meiyun believed someday she'd meet true love and return to the life of a wealthy wife. Every day she went to various venues seeking her target. Returning home, she'd swallow vegetables while muttering curses at A-Xin. In the end, she never succeeded in her lifetime, never satisfied with this life of having food and shelter.
One evening, Su Wan was driving home to the villa complex when Ye Xiaoge blocked her way.
"Lend me one hundred million, Su Wan. Lend it to me and I'll never appear before you again."
Su Wan didn't even get out of the car. "Ye Xiaoge, I, Su Wan, actually don't like making losing deals. Lending to you, I believe there's no way to recoup benefits in the short term. Therefore, I refuse."
"Su Wan, are you really this heartless?"
"Ye Xiaoge, someday you'll understand—there truly is no free lunch in this world, nor will anyone help you unconditionally. If there is, first it might be affection, second it would only be benefit, third it might be a fool. Alright, move aside or I'll call security."
This time Ye Xiaoge finally confirmed Su Wan would never sympathize with her again. She moved aside in a daze. Just as Su Wan was about to drive in, she shouted, "Su Wan, that secret is—Qin Xin didn't meet you by chance at all! Qin Feng arranged for her to approach you. From the beginning, she had ulterior motives!"
This time Su Wan stuck her head out, staring at Ye Xiaoge. Just as Ye Xiaoge wondered what expression Su Wan would show, she smiled. "I know. She already told me."
"Then..."
"I don't mind."
Su Wan smiled with complete happiness. "Actually, you don't know—she has no idea I like her. We don't have that kind of relationship you imagine. I'd very much hope she could know I like her and give me a chance." Finished speaking, Su Wan drove in, leaving Ye Xiaoge standing there in a daze. Su Wan was no longer the Su Wan who only treated her well. She left feeling lost, feeling she'd lost something very important.
No, she still had love—her love with Qin Feng. They had once loved each other so deeply. Even when he had nothing, she never thought of leaving him. She believed that love would make their life beautiful, that money and status would all come in time.
Su Wan was just about to open the door when it swung open. Seeing the girl standing in the doorway, she smiled warmly. "Didn't I tell you not to wait up for me? If there's something good to eat, just save me a portion."
"I wasn't sleepy anyway."
"Alright then, what did you make tonight? Any snacks from different countries? I've been on a business trip for days—I'm absolutely starving." Su Wan quickly changed her shoes and rushed toward the kitchen. "Qin Xin, I really can't live without you."
A Xin smiled and followed behind Su Wan. "I made everything. I heard you were coming back, so I prepared a lot."
Su Wan could already see it—countless snacks laid out in the kitchen, with soup warming on the stove. Looking at all this, then turning back to see the girl standing in the kitchen doorway, she felt as though everything was complete.
After enjoying a satisfying meal, Su Wan conscientiously washed the dishes.
At that moment, A Xin came to the kitchen and stood beside her, staring. This made Su Wan sense something was off. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Su Wan, I need you to do me a favor."
"What favor? Just tell me—I'll definitely help." Whatever it was, if this girl asked, she would willingly give everything.
A Xin smiled softly and said, "Su Wan, say to me 'you like me,' okay?"
"Crash—"
The bowl in Su Wan's hand fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. Her heart pounded uncontrollably, so hard she couldn't calm it. What had she just asked her to say?
She looked at A Xin in disbelief, her voice trembling and stuttering. "What did you say?"
"Say to me 'you like me'—can you do that?"
Having heard it clearly, Su Wan took a deep breath. Facing the girl with those clear, innocent eyes, she asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, so what—can you say it?" A Xin asked.
"No, let me prepare myself first." Whatever A Xin's purpose was, whether this confession opportunity was real or not, she didn't want to miss it. If she let it slip away today, she might never have another chance in her lifetime.
"Qin Xin."
"Mm."
Su Wan was so nervous. She opened her mouth several times before finally forcing herself to say, "Qin Xin, I like you. Is that okay? I really like you. I truly, truly like you."
Do you like her?
A Xin's smile deepened. "Say it a few more times."
"I like you. I like you. Qin Xin, I like you. I love you." Su Wan finally couldn't hold back anymore. After saying it, her heart felt both sour and warm. She didn't even dare to look at the other person. She was afraid—afraid that this was just some kind of experiment.
"You—