Liu Xiaohan had never intended to invite Song Jia Shu to dinner. After watching Song Qi Nian fail to extract any real benefits from Shen Chi Yan, she'd decided to take matters into her own hands and find her daughter a more suitable match.
This Gao Dashang might not have Shen Chi Yan's looks, but he had something far more valuable to Liu Xiaohan—an open wallet. The moment he saw Song Qi Nian's photo, he'd made an offer that had Liu Xiaohan's eyes gleaming: a million yuan bride price and a villa, all contingent on Song Qi Nian agreeing to be with him.
The promise of such wealth had Liu Xiaohan spinning her web immediately. She knew her daughter would likely refuse to see her outright, so she played her strongest card—family obligation. As expected, her soft-hearted daughter took the bait.
All that remained was for the two to connect, and then she'd push Song Qi Nian to divorce Shen Chi Yan. She gritted her teeth at the thought of him. If she'd known earlier how tight-fisted he'd turn out to be, she would never have wasted effort matching them in the first place.
A sound behind her made Liu Xiaohan turn. Her face drained of color as guilt crashed over her.
Why was Shen Chi Yan here, of all people?
Shen Chi Yan's satisfaction from his recent contract signing evaporated the instant he spotted Liu Xiaohan. What scheme was this woman plotting now?
His phone buzzed persistently. Ignoring Liu Xiaohan completely, he strode to the window to answer. "Qiu Tong... what is it?"
"Ah Yan, the doctor says I'm recovering well. They think I can leave the hospital in two months..."
As he listened, Shen Chi Yan's dark eyes remained fixed on Liu Xiaohan, his gaze cutting through her like ice.
Even without meeting his eyes, Liu Xiaohan felt his stare like needles in her back. Afraid of arousing suspicion by lingering, she forced herself to appear composed as she retreated from the private room's entrance.
Shen Chi Yan gave a soft laugh at Lin Qiu Tong's excited voice. "That's good to hear."
After ending the call and stepping back into the private room, he felt unsettled. Something about seeing Liu Xiaohan had planted a seed of unease in his chest.
...
In the next room over, Song Qi Nian had been waiting endlessly. Neither her mother nor Song Jia Shu had appeared, and her anxiety was mounting.
Gao Dashang had started the evening playing the gentleman, but as time passed, he kept edging closer to her. Backed into a corner, Song Qi Nian jumped to her feet, her hands forming sharp gestures: [I need to check on my mom and brother.]
She turned to leave without waiting to see if he understood her signs.
But Gao Dashang seized her arm, forcing her back into the chair. "Stop the act. Your brother was never coming."
Song Qi Nian stared at him, stunned. His face twisted into an ugly sneer. "Your mom took my money to set this up. Told me about your accident, how it left you unable to speak. I wasn't interested at first, but then she showed me your photo, went on about how beautiful you are."
The words hit her like a blast of arctic air. Her whole body went numb with cold.
She'd actually believed Liu Xiaohan had changed, but here was proof she was the same as always—willing to lie to her own daughter, to sell her for money.
Gao Dashang watched her face drain of color, his expression a mask of false sympathy. "Look at you, so helpless and lovely. You're even prettier than your photo. Be with me, and you'll never worry about money again. I'll treat you like royalty."
Rage and betrayal blazed across Song Qi Nian's face as she shoved him away with every ounce of strength she had.
"That look on your face—perfect! So enchanting..."
He reached for her again, but she ducked away and bolted for the door.
"Where do you think you're going? You should be thanking me for wanting you. You really think you can escape?"
Song Qi Nian didn't care about anything except getting out. She yanked the door open only to find Liu Xiaohan standing there.
"Nian Nian, why are you leaving? I just talked to Jia Shu. He said he's on his way..."
Song Qi Nian shoved Liu Xiaohan before she could finish speaking. Liu Xiaohan stumbled, catching herself against the wall. "You ungrateful child!" she shrieked, jabbing a finger at Song Qi Nian. "How dare you push your mother!"
Song Qi Nian stared at her mother, tears streaming down her face, devastation written in every feature. Her hands moved in trembling signs: [You never called Jia Shu—it was all lies! You're my mother. How could you deceive me like this? How could you do this to me?]
Her emotional state made her signing unsteady, lending an extra layer of fragility to her words.
Caught in her deception, Liu Xiaohan dropped the pretense. "Fine, I only called you. But everything I did was for your own good. What has Shen Chi Yan given you in these three years?"
She drew a sharp breath. "Lin Qiu Tong is awake now. She's the one he really loves. He'll divorce you eventually. As your mother, shouldn't I worry? Shouldn't I find you a good husband?"
[I don't need it!] Song Qi Nian's hands cut through the air. [I don't need your concern! Every time you say it's for my own good, you only hurt me more!]
Her emotions spilled over, tears flowing freely now.
She tried to leave, but Liu Xiaohan blocked her path. "You're not going anywhere!"
A waiter appeared, drawn by the noise. "Is everything alright here?"
Liu Xiaohan's face instantly transformed with a practiced smile. "Just a little spat between my daughter and her husband. I'm helping them sort it out."
She caught Gao Dashang's eye, and he moved forward, wrapping an arm around Song Qi Nian's shoulders.
"Darling, let's handle this at home. Whatever you want, it's yours."
Song Qi Nian felt bile rise in her throat. Liu Xiaohan was bad enough, but Gao Dashang's touch made her skin crawl.
She fought against their grip, but caught between them both, she couldn't break free.
The door to the next room opened. Shen Chi Yan emerged with several men.
Liu Xiaohan's heart stopped. She'd forgotten he was still there.
Terror and guilt crashed over her. The reality of the situation—Song Qi Nian's marriage to Shen Chi Yan—hit her full force. She fled, abandoning her daughter and Gao Dashang without a backward glance.
Song Qi Nian sensed the shift. She stopped struggling, turning slowly.
Her eyes met Shen Chi Yan's cold, piercing gaze, and she trembled.
In that moment, grief consumed her. She didn't know whether to feel saved by his arrival or crushed by the knowledge that after witnessing this scene, he would never trust her again.
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