Chapter Eleven: You Did It On Purpose

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Lin Xiu was not very satisfied with what she said, a trace of distrust flashing in her eyes. She fought the urge to lose her temper, considering other matters instead. She sighed deeply, her expression filled with sorrow. “Mianmian, you’re out there on your own, and there are many places where you’ll need money. Your brother and I also need funds within the Huo family. Your shares are our backing. I have some old connections over at Qishan; when the time comes, I’ll introduce you. Maybe they can be of help.”

At this point, Su Mian clearly understood Lin Xiu’s intention, but she truly detested this kind of life under control.

Suppressing her impatience, she restrained her emotions. “Mom, really, no need. I can handle things myself.”

The Qin family had treated her well, and even though she and Qin Yunzheng had separated, she didn’t want things to become too strained.

“As for you, the money the Huo family gives is more than enough. Be frugal and stop buying those flashy, useless things.”

Lin Xiu glanced at Su Mian with a complex look. “Do you think the pocket money from the Huo family each month is enough? Now that your Uncle Huo is gone, you can imagine how hard life is for the two of us in the Huo family. I have to mingle in the ladies’ circles, gather information, and try to secure some benefits for ourselves.”

“You think I buy bags just for myself? I also want the three of us to have a better life! You don’t understand filial piety; otherwise, I wouldn’t be laughed at for buying fake bags and fallen into this state.”

Vanity is never satisfied, and Lin Xiu’s words made Su Mian feel weary.

She sighed, patiently explaining, “Mom, I advise you to stay quietly in the Huo family and focus on educating Huo Beinian. Don’t waste time trying to squeeze into those ladies’ circles; it’s useless.”

Lin Xiu refused to listen. She glared at Su Mian. “What do you know? If I can’t stand firm, do you think Beinian will have it easy in the Huo family? Don’t say any more; I’m tired.”

Su Mian reluctantly fell silent.

The night deepened.

Inside the villa, Lin Qingqing avoided Qin Yunzheng’s kiss.

“Yunzheng, look closely, it’s me…”

The drunken fog briefly cleared in Qin Yunzheng’s mind, and he instantly recognized Lin Qingqing before him, not Su Mian.

“You’re not Mianmian… go away!”

“Ah!”

In the next moment, Lin Qingqing was pushed down, falling heavily to the ground.

Qin Yunzheng, overwhelmed by the alcohol, slumped on the floor, murmuring Su Mian’s name.

Lin Qingqing looked a little disheveled, but upon hearing the name, a flicker of jealousy flashed in her tear-filled eyes.

An idea immediately formed in her mind.

“Yunzheng, the floor’s cold. Let me help you up.” The drunk man’s body was heavy; Lin Qingqing tugged a few times, but he didn’t move.

“If you stay like this, Su Mian will feel heartbroken. Let’s get you back to your room first.”

Though she didn’t want to mention Su Mian in front of Qin Yunzheng, there was no other way.

Sure enough, after a few attempts, Qin Yunzheng moved and steadied himself against the marble countertop.

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Lin Qingqing helped him back to the room. “Yunzheng, be careful.”

Qin Yunzheng lay on the bed, his consciousness growing hazy, reeking of alcohol, his face flushed with drunkenness.

Lin Qingqing seemed to have made a firm decision. She reached out and unbuttoned Qin Yunzheng’s shirt.

She removed all his clothes and covered him with a blanket.

Then she took off her own coat, slipped under the covers, arranged Qin Yunzheng’s arm, and lay down beside him.

The next morning, the sunlight was blinding.

Qin Yunzheng’s head throbbed terribly. He opened his eyes in confusion, looking around.

Lin Qingqing had already awoken, curled up at the head of the bed, silently crying beneath the duvet.

Her fragile figure evoked a pang of pity.

“Qingqing? Why are you here?”

Qin Yunzheng was stunned. He rubbed his head, lifted the covers, and saw himself completely naked.

Looking at Lin Qingqing, who wore only a thin camisole, even the dullest could understand what had happened the night before…

Seeing him awake, Lin Qingqing slowly raised her head. Tear droplets glistened at the corners of her eyes, making her gaze seem clearer. Her face was streaked with un-dried tears, making her look all the more fragile and innocent.

“Yunzheng, you were just drunk. I… I don’t blame you…” Lin Qingqing shook her head, biting her lip as if holding back tears.

Qin Yunzheng inexplicably grew irritable. His first thought was that he had been unfaithful and had betrayed Su Mian.

No matter how much he messed around outside, he always believed he would ultimately marry Su Mian. But now, he suddenly felt as if he had completely lost that right. His heart felt like something was tearing apart inside, making it impossible to breathe.

He was filled with countless questions but didn’t know where to start.

Qin Yunzheng’s reaction was not quite what Lin Qingqing expected. She buried herself in the covers and whispered again, “I know you were just drunk. It’s okay. I don’t expect you to take responsibility.”

She put on a pretended air of magnanimity, as if shouldering all the grievances herself, leaving the choice up to Qin Yunzheng.

Qin Yunzheng said nothing, his face dark as iron.

“Get up and get ready. We have a business meeting soon.”

Whether it was avoidance or unwillingness to take responsibility, Qin Yunzheng did not want to deal with the matter now.

Lin Qingqing nodded meekly, saying nothing.

In truth, she clenched her fists tightly, enduring it all silently.

…

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As soon as the alarm rang, Su Mian immediately got up and began to tidy herself and wash up.

Humming a little tune, listening to a song, she started a day full of energy.

After spending half an hour in the bathroom, she applied a light makeup to brighten her complexion.

It was her first day at work, so she took it especially seriously.

Upon arriving at the company, she first sought out Lin Mu.

After assigning her a workstation, Lin Mu left.

Near noon, Lin Qingqing came into the company, arm in arm with Qin Yunzheng.

The two were a perfect match, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the company.

Su Mian heard the whispers around her and, heading toward the center of the gossip, her vision darkened. She had not expected to encounter the person she least wished to see on her first day.

Yet, surprisingly, upon seeing Qin Yunzheng again, she felt an unexpected calmness.

“Su Mian? What are you doing here?”

Qin Yunzheng was unprepared to see Su Mian. His voice was hoarse, seeming to await a response.

Lin Qingqing tightened her grip slightly on his arm.

The sudden pain seemed to remind Qin Yunzheng of the previous night’s events. He looked at Su Mian with a guilty expression.

Su Mian stood and wore a formal smile. “Mr. Qin, Miss Lin, hello. I’m Su Mian, General Manager Lin’s assistant.”

Lin Qingqing returned a gentle smile. “Hello, we’re here to see General Manager Lin.”

She was not surprised to see Su Mian here; Sun Qian had told her everything.

Su Mian replied professionally, “General Manager Lin is out on business. You two can wait a moment.”

Lin Qingqing glanced around, then deliberately asked, “Is General Manager Lin not here today?”

“Yes, General Manager Lin has other arrangements today. If you’re in a hurry, you can tell me, and I will pass the message along.”

As the assistant, Su Mian’s answer was flawless, leaving no room for doubt.

But Qin Yunzheng’s eyes fixed tightly on her, suspicion etched on his face as he questioned, “Su Mian, could it be that you did this on purpose?”