The moment Lin Qiu Tong stepped into the house, Lin Lanxing confronted her with barely contained rage. "After everything I did to help you today, why didn't you defend me when everyone was mocking me?"
Lin Lanxing's fury had been simmering since they left the banquet. What gnawed at her most was how others painted her as petty and difficult, while her sister Lin Qiu Tong—another Lin family heiress—was celebrated as generous and refined. The injustice cut deep. If she hadn't tried to support her sister, would she have been humiliated so publicly?
What truly devastated her was the absolute silence after she left the banquet. No one came after her. Not a single phone call from Lin Qiu Tong. And here was her sister, wearing a serene, almost contented expression, as if nothing had happened.
Lin Qiu Tong finally acknowledged her presence. In her mind, if Lin Lanxing hadn't provoked Song Qi Nian at the banquet, how would Song Qi Nian have gotten her moment of glory? Lin Lanxing had essentially engineered her own embarrassment.
Unexpectedly, Lin Qiu Tong pulled her into a hug. Lin Lanxing stiffened, uncomfortable, but her sister continued patting her back. "Think carefully, Xingxing. Didn't I apologize to Song Qi Nian in front of everyone for your sake?"
Before Lin Lanxing could respond, Lin Qiu Tong's voice broke. "Song Qi Nian is my romantic rival. She stole the man I love most, yet I bowed to her for you. Do you understand how much that cost me?"
"Song Qi Nian stole the spotlight, and my dignity was crushed. Because of this, the Shen family looks down on me even more. I…" Her words dissolved into tears.
Immediately contrite, Lin Lanxing softened. "I... I'm not blaming you. I was just upset."
"I understand," Lin Qiu Tong responded. "I'm upset too. Even though Song Qi Nian is mute, she's manipulative and loves to play the victim. This time, we've met our match."
Lin Lanxing's eyes blazed with determination. "That damn Song Qi Nian. I refuse to believe I can't outmatch her!"
A fleeting emotion crossed Lin Qiu Tong's face. She sighed heavily, as if something significant had just occurred to her.
Then she pushed Lin Lanxing back, studying her face intently. "Xingxing, be honest with me—do you have feelings for Guan Ming Xu?"
"I..." Lin Lanxing's cheeks flushed crimson. She instinctively recoiled. "How could I possibly..."
"If you don't like him, fine. But if you do, there's something you need to know: Guan Ming Xu is interested in Song Qi Nian."
Lin Lanxing was already aware. Initially, she'd believed Guan Ming Xu was merely toying with Song Qi Nian, but now she realized his intentions ran deeper.
"Today, he even brought her scar-removal cream," Lin Qiu Tong continued, watching Lin Lanxing's expression carefully. "He was so attentive, so considerate—it was like he was about to declare his feelings publicly."
As Lin Lanxing's fury began to simmer, Lin Qiu Tong pressed further. "Song Qi Nian might be married to Ah Yan, but she doesn't understand boundaries. She's actively trying to seduce Guan Ming Xu. With her manipulative tactics, how could he possibly resist?"
Lin Lanxing's hands curled into tight fists. "If Song Qi Nian continues to challenge us, we can't let her get away with it. A nobody like her thinking she can waltz into our world? She's completely delusional!"
Satisfied with her manipulation, Lin Qiu Tong smiled and nodded. "If we work together, we'll expose her true nature."
"Yes!" Lin Lanxing's response was immediate and passionate.
After returning to her room, Lin Qiu Tong felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. If Lin Lanxing weren't still useful—or her sister—she wouldn't waste her time with her.
Her phone buzzed. Seeing Shen Qiwen's name, she initially frowned and almost declined. But something made her pause and answer. "Hello..."
"Being sent home by Shen Chi Yan—wasn't that entertaining?" Shen Qiwen's voice carried a hint of wind in the background.
"What concern is that of yours? Why are you calling?" Lin Qiu Tong's tone was cool and dismissive.
Shen Qiwen had always remembered her as a lovable, cheerful, and kind-hearted girl—before her unrequited love for Shen Chi Yan changed everything. He blamed Shen Chi Yan for her transformation.
"I happened to overhear Shen Chi Yan investigating something in the restroom earlier," he said cryptically. "Want to guess what it was?"
A flicker of unease passed through Lin Qiu Tong's heart. "If you have something to say, just say it. Stop playing games."
"Keep acting like that, and I won't tell you anything!" Shen Qiwen teased.
Sensing he was about to hang up, Lin Qiu Tong felt a surge of panic. "Wait! What do you want?"
"Kiss me or call me 'Brother,' and I'll spill the details."
Her face instantly hardened. "Shen Qiwen!" The threat hung in the air, raw with frustration.
Realizing he'd pushed her to her limit, Shen Qiwen backed off. "Shen Chi Yan asked Gao Kunlun to investigate Song Qi Nian's past. Her university, her history with painting—everything."
A cascade of questions flooded Lin Qiu Tong's mind. Why would Shen Chi Yan dig into Song Qi Nian's background? Was it genuine interest? Had something triggered his memory? And why suddenly care about her painting?
"Oh, and one more thing," Shen Qiwen added. "I saw Shen Chi Yan's phone wallpaper. Pink background with baby's breath flowers. Make of that what you will."
"Understood," she replied curtly. "Keep watching Shen Chi Yan and Song Qi Nian. Report anything unusual immediately."
After hanging up, Lin Qiu Tong's mind raced, turning over possibilities until a plan began to take shape.
On the other side:
The banquet concluded, but Shen Chi Yan was nowhere to be found.
The Old Madam's expression soured, though she maintained composure in front of Song Qi Nian.
By the time Song Qi Nian and Zhang Qiaoqiao returned to Xiangshan Yue that night, it was late. Shen Chi Yan hadn't returned.
The next morning, Song Qi Nian arrived at the office precisely on time. Her desk was immaculate—Li Nanxun had clearly been maintaining it during her month-long absence due to her injured finger.
Shen Chi Yan entered shortly after, dressed in a gray suit and black tie. His entire demeanor screamed: stay away.
Song Qi Nian immediately stood, bowing almost invisibly.
But Shen Chi Yan wasn't finished. As they passed, his voice cut through the silence. "Come to my office."
Those four words landed like a death sentence.
She knew confronting him now was dangerous. But when the boss commanded, hesitation wasn't an option.
Straightening her clothes, Song Qi Nian knocked on the president's office door.
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