When Su Wan pushed the door open and walked inside, heading toward the dining room, she saw Qin Xin sitting at the table drinking soup. Qin Xin looked up, gave her a small smile, and asked, "So fast?"
"Mm, nothing major."
All of Su Wan's lingering frustration evaporated. The mocking curve on her lips softened into a faint smile because of Qin Xin's expression. "I'm going to check on my soup."
Those seven years… might as well have been fed to a dog.
If Qin Xin hadn't appeared—if she hadn't accidentally given Su Wan ten days of clarity and peace—facing what had happened today might have driven her insane.
Su Wan opened the pot, carried out the soup she had only taken two bites of earlier, and inhaled its aroma as she walked back.
Passing by Qin Xin, she noticed her phone screen was lit. "It's this late—who messaged you?"
Instead of looking at the phone again, Su Wan simply set her bowl beside Qin Xin and sat down.
Hearing her question, Qin Xin pushed the phone toward her.
Su Wan finally looked properly. After reading what was on the screen, her expression turned strange. Stranger still was that the girl sitting across from her was seriously letting her read it.
If it weren't because she knew Qin Xin, because Qin Xin showed it to her voluntarily, and because she herself was unusually clear-headed tonight—if someone else had shown her these messages, she might really have misunderstood Qin Xin.
And the moment she thought of Qin Feng's disgusting, overbearing wording in the texts—each line dripping with threat—she couldn't help it: her face tilted to the side as she burst into laughter.
"Su Wan, what are you laughing at?" Qin Xin asked.
Su Wan shook her head, ruffled Qin Xin's hair softly, and said, "I'm laughing at certain people. Human on the outside, dog on the inside—and still capable of doing things this shameless." Her eyes dropped to the text again.
Qin Feng: Has Su Wan returned? How does she look? Hurry and make your move. Do it well. I'll bring you back to the Qin family. From now on, you and your mother won't have to worry about anything and can live in the Qin household forever.
"Now what?" Su Wan asked.
Since Qin Xin dared show her all this, she clearly had her own plan. This girl was smart—far smarter than Qin Feng realized.
Qin Xin said gently, "You eat. I'll handle the rest."
"Alright. I'm starving anyway. I've been thinking about this soup since yesterday. Almost got delayed today—good thing I came home early."
Su Wan began eating enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Qin Xin texted back: She looks very down. Her eyes are red, there are tear streaks on her face, her makeup is ruined, and her hair is messy. When she came in, she kicked her shoes aside, walked in barefoot, tossed her bag away, collapsed on the couch, staring blankly ahead like she's lost all hope.
Su Wan, catching the glimpse of that long message describing her "tragic mental state," nearly choked on her food.
This girl… could imagine a whole melodrama by herself.
Qin Feng: Good. Now pack your things like I said.
Su Wan ate a piece of meat, curled her lips, and muttered, "Disgusting man."
Qin Xin typed again: She grabbed a bunch of beer. Looks like she's preparing to get drunk.
Then Qin Xin rushed to the kitchen. Su Wan, curious, watched her return with several bottles of beer. Qin Xin placed them messily near Su Wan, letting them topple sideways. Under Su Wan's confused stare, she pulled out her phone and snapped a photo.
Then she looked up. "Su Wan, don't sit so straight. Relax your legs. Lean back. Slouch a bit."
She opened a bottle with her teeth, poured some into a basin, then handed the bottle to Su Wan.
"Hold it. Let your hand hang a little. I'll take a picture while you keep eating."
Unwilling to part with her soup, Su Wan switched the bottle to her left hand and kept drinking happily while adopting a "slumped" pose.
Qin Xin snapped another shot.
Su Wan leaned over to look and laughed so hard she nearly dropped her spoon.
"Qin Xin, you little genius."
Those photos would absolutely fool Qin Feng. He'd never imagine the "timid, dull, obedient" girl he thought he was manipulating… was playing him.
Qin Xin sent the photos.
Qin Feng, seeing them, laughed triumphantly.
Yes—he thought—Su Wan must be crushed after Ye Xiaoge's betrayal. Drunk tonight, unable to wake up tomorrow… tomorrow's crucial meeting would collapse.
He didn't know the upper half of the picture showed Su Wan cheerfully gnawing on bone broth.
And Qin Xin even took a full photo for safekeeping.
Qin Feng: Don't worry about her. Pack your things and leave immediately.
Qin Xin: I can leave. But I want something in return.
Qin Feng froze. That timid girl… making demands?
Qin Feng: What do you want?
Qin Xin: Money. It's late. I have no money. You want me to leave? At least give me something.
His face darkened. He never expected she'd bite back now.
How much? 100,000 enough?
Qin Xin smiled faintly:
100,000? To send a stray dog away? 10 million. Consider it a one-time buyout. I'm a Qin too. I deserve my share. If I really argued, I'd deserve far more than 10 million. Give it or don't—that's your business. If you give it, I'll leave immediately. If you don't… sorry, but Su Wan's villa is comfortable. I don't plan on moving again.
She sent that and calmly resumed peeling fruit.
Su Wan watched the gentle, well-behaved girl silently peeling apples with a faint smile—and suddenly saw something deeper.
This girl had always been bullied, but she'd never truly given up. She waited for one perfect moment—and struck flawlessly.
10 million. Enough for her to live peacefully forever.
As for Qin family shares… well—once Su Wan's company won the project, Qin Corporation's problems would be far from small.
Right then, Qin Feng texted:
Leave first. It's late. 10 million can't be transferred now. Tomorrow.
Qin Xin replied:
You're the Qin Corporation's president. Even at midnight, moving money is nothing. By tomorrow, the 10 million might become a dream. Brother, I can't beat you. Mom sides with you. I only want a little money. Give it, and I'll leave the city tonight.
A long silence.
Then—
Fine. Take it. Follow instructions. And disappear.
His frustration was obvious. He was terrified she'd ruin everything by exposing him.
Soon after, Qin Xin confirmed she received the money.
Su Wan asked, "You're really leaving?"
Qin Xin rolled out the suitcase she'd already packed and showed her the booked plane ticket.
"You said we should travel, right? Now that we have 10 million, we can go farther. Your ticket is for the day after tomorrow. You'll be free then, right? I'll go ahead first. You come once you're done."
Su Wan stared. "The day after tomorrow… yes, I'll be free."
"With money now, I'll pay for this trip. Consider it in return for the birthday cake you gave me last time," Qin Xin said, eyes filled with laughter.
Su Wan didn't know what to say.
Qin Feng didn't just get played—he got played perfectly.
He wanted Qin Xin gone from Su Wan's life.
Qin Xin really left… but to go on a trip.
And she booked Su Wan's ticket too—using Qin Feng's money.
Just thinking about it made Su Wan feel wonderfully refreshed.
"Alright. I'll come once I'm done."
"Mm. If you can't make it, call me and I'll change your ticket."
"Let me send you," Su Wan blurted.
"How could you send me?" Qin Xin tilted her head. "You're supposed to be devastated—drinking yourself numb in here. Su Wan, it's all set. You know what to do next, right?"
Su Wan sighed.
Being lectured by a girl two years younger…
"Alright, alright. I know. Don't worry—I'll make sure Qin Feng loses even his underwear."
She had already suspected something was wrong the moment he called asking her to see Ye Xiaoge.
Tonight's scheme was exactly what she expected.
Too bad he forgot one variable—
Qin Xin.
The soft, timid girl he underestimated… had already planned everything.
"Be careful. It's late."
"I already borrowed my boss's driver. He's outside."
Only then did Su Wan relax. "Good. Go ahead then. I need to stay here and… be heartbroken."
They exchanged a smile.
Qin Xin left with her luggage.
In the car, she messaged Qin Feng that everything was proceeding and Su Wan looked even worse. Then she threw the old SIM card away, put in a new one, and sent Su Wan her new number.
Meanwhile, the "heartbroken" Su Wan happily finished her soup, gnawed her bones, ate extra fruit, and kept smiling at the memory of everything that happened.
The scene then shifted to the negotiation the next day—
You already know the ending: Su Wan arrived perfectly on time, revealed her true flawless proposal, and crushed Qin Feng's last hope.
From then on, Qin Feng's downfall began.
…
A few days later, Su Wan took a flight.
Stepping out of the airport, she spotted Qin Xin waiting for her. Pulling her suitcase quickly, she said:
"I told you there was no need to come pick me up. Go explore, have fun!"
"It's boring alone," Qin Xin replied, reaching to take her suitcase.
"I've got it." Su Wan moved it out of her reach. "Your arms and legs are so thin—forget it."
Qin Xin lowered her gaze to her slender wrists. "Alright."
She could snap a suitcase handle in two if she wanted.
But she liked the way Su Wan fussed over her.
"Qin Xin, let me tell you—Qin Feng almost went insane that day," Su Wan whispered into her ear, delighted. "He kept calling afterward—couldn't get through. Smashed his phone."
"But he might say something to your mother. Be careful when you go back."
Qin Xin's expression remained calm.
"They have bigger problems than me. I hope Yu Meiyun sues me soon. Once she's no longer able to work, I'll pay her monthly support as the law requires."
"As her biological daughter, I won't let her starve on the streets. But my abilities are limited—luxury goods, jewelry, custom dresses, big houses… I can't provide those anymore. She'll have to understand that."
Su Wan froze.
Then she held Qin Xin's hand.
"My home is your home. Stay as long as you want."
"Su Wan, let me keep the money with you."
Su Wan thought for a moment.
"Alright. I'll save it for you. When you get married someday, I'll give it back."
Qin Xin lowered her head, smiling softly.
Marriage… impossible. Not in this lifetime.