Chapter Nine: Just Passing By

“Yun Zheng... Sister Su Mian was... too much.” Lin Qingqing sobbed uncontrollably, her distress so raw that any man who saw her would be deeply moved.

Qin Yunzheng took a deep breath and turned to comfort Lin Qingqing. “Where are you going? I’ll take you there.”

As night deepened, Su Mian wandered alone through the city streets, trying to push the earlier scene from her mind. Gradually, her mood lightened.

Qin Yunzheng, having just sent Lin Qingqing off, sat in his car, staring blankly at the steering wheel. Suddenly, he slammed the horn loudly, the piercing sound breaking the silence.

His irritation made him restless. He pulled out his phone and dialed. “Hey, want to grab a drink?”

Inside the bar, a few close friends had been waiting for some time.

Under the dazzling lights and deafening music, the bar’s lively atmosphere was intoxicating.

“Yunzheng, you finally showed up,” one friend teased. “It’s been a while since Mr. Qin invited us out for a drink.”

Qin Yunzheng shrugged and raised his glass. “Just remembered now. Tonight, we drink well—no leaving until we’re drunk.”

Though he spoke casually, his eyes betrayed a hint of worry when thinking of Su Mian’s coldness earlier. He downed his drink in one gulp, but the complex emotions inside him lingered.

Zhang Tao seemed to sense something, smirking as he clinked glasses. “Brother Yunzheng, Su Mian still hasn’t come back?”

Silence fell. Qin Yunzheng’s face darkened. He tilted his head back and drained his glass, then slammed it heavily onto the table.

“If she’s moved out, then let her never come back in this lifetime!” Qin Yunzheng’s expression was bleak as he refilled his glass.

“That woman’s heart’s been seriously broken—it may never be mended. Besides, sister-in-law stayed with you for so long. Sigh,” Xu Yao said with a hint of schadenfreude, watching Qin Yunzheng’s gloom. Well, he had brought this on himself.

As the drinking continued, only Qin Yunzheng sat silently, gulping down drink after drink.

Eventually, he stood up, waving to Zhang Tao.

“Hey, Qin, why’re you quitting so soon?”

Rubbing his head, Qin Yunzheng replied, “No more tonight. Next time.”

He disappeared into the bustling crowd, walking out alone, kicking a pebble absentmindedly.

His driver was already waiting outside the bar.

But when he reached the apartment door, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure—Lin Qingqing.

She was curled up by the door, looking uneasy and fragile in her thin clothes, her lips trembling.

Qin Yunzheng frowned slightly. “What are you doing here?”

Lin Qingqing looked up, a trace of helplessness in her eyes. “My brother... he found where I live. The whole apartment’s restless. I really can’t stay anymore.”

The alcohol dulled Qin Yunzheng’s senses; his steps wavered but he waved her in. “Come inside.”

Opening the door, he suddenly felt his strength drain, nearly stumbling into the doorframe.

Lin Qingqing gasped, “Careful! Let me help you to the sofa.”

His mind foggy from the wine, Qin Yunzheng let her support him.

He sank heavily onto the sofa, eyes glazed as he looked at Lin Qingqing.

Being looked at like that made her slightly uncomfortable, so she busied herself, quietly surveying the room.

“Yunzheng, thank you for letting me stay. I’ll make some sobering soup for you,” she said softly and without waiting for a reply, slipped into the kitchen.

Taking a deep breath, she tied on an apron and began to work.

“Su... Su Mian!” Qin Yunzheng’s drunken eyes mistook Lin Qingqing’s back for Su Mian’s.

“Mian Mian... you’re back!” he murmured.

Startled, Lin Qingqing dropped the ingredients she was holding.

Qin Yunzheng stumbled into the kitchen and embraced her tightly, whispering, “Mian Mian, I missed you so much. Please don’t leave again.”

He kissed her without hesitation.

“Mmm! No... Yunzheng,” Lin Qingqing’s eyes widened. “I’m Qingqing!”

Meanwhile, Su Mian, just finished washing up and preparing to rest, received a call from the Huo family. A bad feeling gnawed at her heart.

“Hello?”

“Sister, mother and second aunt had a quarrel and accidentally fell down the stairs. They’re badly hurt and are being rushed to the hospital. You should come quickly,” Huo Beinian’s voice trembled with tears.

Su Mian was puzzled. Setting aside how they fell, Lin Xiu, who was married into the Huo family, usually avoided direct conflict with them. How could such a thing happen?

“All right, I’m on my way,” Su Mian steadied herself. Though she didn’t want to be manipulated by Lin Xiu, blood was thicker than water. She threw on a coat and hurried downstairs.

While running, she opened the ride-hailing app on her phone. At this hour, no cars were nearby, and the quickest would take at least fifteen minutes.

Unexpectedly, a low-key black Bentley was parked at the community entrance.

The rear window slowly rolled down, revealing Huo Beihan’s cold, stern face.

“B-Brother?” Su Mian wrapped her coat tighter, startled.

The man wore an exquisite black suit—elegant yet understated. His sharp features and commanding presence made her dizzy.

“Get in,” Huo Beihan’s thin lips parted, his tone casual yet firm.

A cold wind swept by, making Su Mian shiver. Filled with deep respect and some apprehension, she shook her head.

“N-No, Brother, I’ll just take a taxi...”

“Get in!”

His impatience was clear as he glanced at her, leaving no room for refusal.

Obediently, Su Mian climbed into the car.

The warmth inside dispelled the chill, but the cramped space and Huo Beihan’s presence kept her tense, every muscle taut.

The atmosphere was stiff. She turned to look at him; his handsome face nearly made her lose focus.

“Brother, why are you here?”

Curious, she tried to break the silence.

Huo Beihan glanced sideways, expression unreadable. “Heading to the hospital. Just passing by.”

Su Mian’s lips twitched. The Huo family had a closer route to the hospital; why take this detour?

Still, she nodded silently, unwilling to speak further and risk freezing the mood.

The assistant, Liu Yan, who was driving, suddenly coughed loudly.

Realizing his mistake, he pressed his lips together but hid a slight smile, stealing glances at them through the mirror.

Obviously, he was sent specifically to pick up Miss Su.

Ahead, the light turned red. Su Mian clenched her phone tightly, restless.

She knew Huo Beihan must know something and glanced at him repeatedly, hesitant to speak.

“Want to know why?”

Startled that he’d read her mind so quickly, Su Mian nodded. “Why did Mom and second aunt fight?”

“Women fight over the usual things. What else could it be?” Huo Beihan lowered the window slightly, lit a cigarette, his expression dark and inscrutable.