Chapter 45: Qin Yunzheng's Plan

By the time Huo Beihan reacted, Su Mian had already run off to the side. His normally gentle face darkened instantly the moment she disappeared.

Beside him, Wen Jinyu, thinking she had a chance, reached out to hook Huo Beihan’s arm. But before her hand touched his sleeve, he dodged away.

“Step aside.”

Wen Jinyu was startled by Huo Beihan’s imposing presence and instinctively made way.

After running off, Su Mian found a quiet corner with few people around and sat down to have some snacks. Just as she finished the bite in her mouth, she noticed a shadow looming over her.

Looking up, she met Huo Beihan’s sullen face.

“Why did you pull away just now?”

Knowing what he meant, Su Mian didn’t know how to explain. After a few seconds of silence, Huo Beihan, having received no answer he wanted to hear, let out a self-mocking smile. “Are you trying to avoid suspicion? What is there between us to avoid?”

He had to admit, the moment Su Mian let go earlier, his heart plummeted. He didn’t want all his long efforts to be wasted, didn’t want her to drift further from him.

A surge of desire and uncontrollable emotion clouded his mind. At that moment, he was burning with rage, unwilling to hold back, wanting to consume the person before him entirely.

“Big brother, you hurt me.”

Upon hearing this, the stubborn and possessive Huo Beihan immediately eased his grip, a flicker of remorse crossing his eyes.

He hadn’t meant to hurt her; it just felt like she was abandoning him, and he was unwilling to accept it.

Seeing his complicated expression, Su Mian finally spoke, “I just feel that, since we’re both siblings, the Wen siblings seem very close, but we don’t feel like siblings.”

Her explanation wasn’t meant to prove how good their relationship was, but rather to acknowledge its strangeness—and not to show anything unusual in front of others.

Otherwise, wouldn’t these people be trying to break Huo Beihan’s back?

If the Huo family noticed, it wouldn’t be just her and Lin Xiu who’d suffer; Huo Beihan wouldn’t fare well either.

To Huo Beihan, this explanation carried another meaning.

He had thought he meant something different to Su Mian.

But unexpectedly, after all his efforts and obvious actions, she was still thinking of avoiding suspicion—and in such a clumsy way.

Was he really that insignificant?

With that thought, he released the hand he had been holding so tightly.

The warmth on her skin suddenly dissipated, leaving Su Mian somewhat dazed as she looked blankly at Huo Beihan.

But this time, Huo Beihan said nothing; he only stepped back two paces with a solemn face, no longer looking at Su Mian.

Instead, he greeted other guests who had come to celebrate the birthday.

This was their usual way of interacting.

Yet watching this scene, Su Mian felt a sour, indescribable ache in her heart.

Though Wen Jinyu had been rebuffed by Huo Beihan earlier, she remained obstinate, trailing close but not too near.

She had witnessed the quarrel between the two and took it all in.

She immediately spotted Qin Yunzhen in the crowd and relayed the news to him.

“I just saw those two arguing. Maybe this is your chance now.”

Qin Yunzhen knew she was using him, but they’d never been allies—only cooperating for mutual benefit.

He had been ready for this moment, just waiting for tonight’s opportunity.

Seeing Su Mian standing there absentmindedly, he wove through the crowd to her side and said casually, “My mother is waiting for you on the rooftop. She has something to tell you.”

Hearing this, Su Mian had no suspicion, only debating whether to greet Huo Beihan before leaving.

But when she glanced back to see him raising a glass with several business partners and recalled his lonely silhouette just now, a dry lump formed in her throat.

In the end, she said nothing and walked away.

Though Huo Beihan was chatting with others the whole time, his peripheral vision stayed fixed on Su Mian.

He saw Qin Yunzhen approach her and then depart, his fingers tightening slightly around his glass.

Not long after Su Mian left, Qin Yunzhen vanished from the crowd as well.

After reaching the rooftop, Su Mian found no sign of Qin’s mother.

Seeing flowers and candles arranged there, she assumed it was part of the birthday party setup.

Could she have come to the wrong place? Was there another rooftop?

Just as she was about to leave to look elsewhere, Qin Yunzhen appeared behind her, blocking her path.

“Mianmian, wait, let’s talk.”

At this point, Su Mian silently cursed herself for being so foolish and falling into Qin Yunzhen’s trap.

“So it wasn’t Aunt Qin looking for me after all. It was you, wasn’t it?”

Qin Yunzhen saw the impatience and disgust in her eyes and felt a pang of pain, but he didn’t forget what he had to do next.

“Mianmian, I realize I truly like you. Can we get back together? It was all my fault before. I was a jerk and made you angry. I really understand my mistakes now. Please forgive me.”

He forcibly pulled Su Mian into the middle of the flower petals, gazing at her with deep affection.

But what greeted him was not the loving look he expected.

Instead, Su Mian gave a mocking smile. “Qin Yunzhen, you know very well I’m not the type to come back after a slap and a sweet word. You’re not the one I’m angry with—it’s yourself. Stop messing around. Let go of me, and spare both of us.”

“Mianmian, I...” Qin Yunzhen’s voice was hoarse; he wanted to say more to win her back.

“Actually, you don’t have to have me. It’s just that my leaving makes you feel out of control. You don’t want to win me back—you just can’t bear to lose the kindness I showed you. You want to trample on my feelings and make me give unconditionally,” Su Mian took a deep breath. “There’s a saying: too late love is cheaper than grass.”

Her words stung him.

He really was a jerk before, and as Su Mian said, his unwillingness to let her go was stronger than his actual care.

He thought he would remain proud, never turning back.

But countless lonely nights in an empty home brought memories of Su Mian flooding his mind.

They had shared a beautiful time and so many memories.

Still unwilling, he said, “Mianmian, I’m not asking for your complete forgiveness. Just give me a chance to make it right.”

“Qin Yunzhen, I want you to remember: we’re over. There’s no longer any relationship between us.”

Su Mian had completely lost patience.

Just as Qin Yunzhen tried to argue further, he caught sight of Huo Beihan standing quietly around the nearby corner.

Suddenly inspired, he stepped forward and hugged Su Mian tightly.

Startled by his sudden embrace, Su Mian struggled fiercely.

“Qin Yunzhen, you’re crazy! Let me go!”

“Mianmian, I know I can’t force you. Just consider this the last hug. Let’s end things with dignity, okay?”

Qin Yunzhen’s words were sincere, and Su Mian chose to believe he truly intended to let go.

Unbeknownst to them, Huo Beihan’s eagle-like eyes were burning with rage from the shadows, as if he might storm over to separate them at any moment.

But recalling how Su Mian tried to avoid suspicion earlier, he held himself back.