Lin Lanxing wrapped her arms around her sister, whose brow was creased with sorrow. "Sister, these past three years while you were in a coma... so much has changed. I know Shen Chi Yan didn't love Song Qi Nian when they married, but after three years together... what if..."
She trailed off, noting how the color had drained from Lin Qiu Tong's face. While she hated causing her sister more pain, she couldn't bear to watch her trapped in despair either.
"I have to be honest with you. What if Song Qi Nian has worked her way into his heart? We've seen how she managed to captivate even Guan Ming Xu. What if Shen Chi Yan has developed real feelings for her?"
The words echoed in Lin Qiu Tong's mind: real feelings. If Shen Chi Yan fell in love with Song Qi Nian now, it wouldn't just be developing new feelings—he would be falling for her all over again, blind to their shared past.
"And remember, before your accidents, Shen Chi Yan never got the chance to confess to you. He has no idea how you feel. You need to tell him you love him."
Lin Qiu Tong had dreamed of confessing to Shen Chi Yan since the moment she realized her feelings for him. But fear had always held her back—fear that he saw her only as a friend, that a confession would shatter even that precious connection. So she had loved him quietly, from a distance.
It wasn't until she discovered his plans to confess to Song Qi Nian that she devised her scheme to keep them apart. Now, with Shen Chi Yan believing she was his intended confession target all along, there was nothing holding her back.
Waiting would only make things worse.
She needed to find a way to end their marriage, and quickly.
Lin Qiu Tong stroked her sister's hair gently. "Thank you, Lanxing. You've carried such a burden these past three years while I was unconscious. Now it's my turn to protect you."
Lin Lanxing nestled against her sister's shoulder with a smile. "It wasn't a burden at all. Your safety and happiness are all that matter to me."
Lin Qiu Tong's gaze hardened slightly. "Lanxing, I'm still in rehabilitation and can't keep track of what's happening outside. I need you to watch Song Qi Nian for me."
"Don't worry, sister. I won't let her get away with anything!"
"I'm not asking you to confront her," Lin Qiu Tong cautioned. "Song Qi Nian is clever and calculating. Your honest nature is no match for her schemes."
Lin Lanxing remembered her previous defeats at Song Qi Nian's hands, her voice tight with frustration. "I really did underestimate her before."
Lin Lanxing's expression darkened. "You know, her little brother is about to take his college entrance exam. After everything their family has done to us—why should we let them have any success?"
Lin Qiu Tong noticed the hatred in her sister's voice and gave a slight smile, keeping her thoughts to herself.
As the college entrance exams drew closer, Song Qi Nian's anxiety grew with each passing day.
Worried that the atmosphere at home might affect Song Jia Shu's studies, she reserved a quiet hotel room near the exam location a week ahead.
Song Jia Shu protested, insisting it was a waste of money, but Song Qi Nian wouldn't budge. She waited until Liu Xiaohan was out, then packed up all of Song Jia Shu's clothes and study materials.
After arranging his books on the desk, Song Qi Nian squeezed his shoulder and signed with a smile, "Just focus on your studies this week, Jia Shu. Don't think about anything else—put everything you have into preparing for this exam."
"Big Sis, this isn't necessary. I can study fine at home. We shouldn't waste money like this."
[Don't worry about the money. Your sister has enough. All that matters is you getting into a good university.]
For wealthy families, university admission wasn't such a big deal—they could send their children abroad or buy their way in. But for ordinary families like the Songs, the college entrance exam was their only shot at a better life.
Having raised Song Jia Shu herself, Song Qi Nian just wanted him to build a bright future through his own hard work, to live freely and happily.
Seeing he couldn't change her mind, Song Jia Shu nodded firmly, noting how his sister seemed even more nervous and excited than he was.
Song Qi Nian ruffled his hair. "When I visited Dad, he kept asking about your studies. Once your results come in, he'll be so proud and happy."
Song Jia Shu felt his throat tighten. He hugged her hard. "Yes, let's go see Dad together after the results come out."
Song Qi Nian didn't dare tell him about their father's medical parole. Worried it would distract from his studies, she just nodded, keeping it to herself for now.
Shen Chi Yan had noticed Song Qi Nian seemed busier than him lately, vanishing without a trace at times.
Even during work hours, she appeared deeply absorbed in something, which made him curious.
One day during lunch, as he "happened" to pass by her desk, he spotted a recipe book lying there.
Could she have been spending all this time studying recipes?
Hmph…
First a heart-shaped sandwich, and now recipe books.
What next? Did she think the way to his heart was through his stomach?
How ridiculous!
Song Qi Nian was hopeless in the kitchen. Usually, kids from struggling families learned to cook early on out of necessity. She should have been a decent cook by now.
But Song Guanliang had spoiled his children. Worried they wouldn't eat enough, he always chose jobs close to home so he could cook for them himself.
When Song Qi Nian saw how exhausted her father was, she tried taking over the cooking. But she was completely hopeless at it.
Even when she followed her father's instructions exactly, the food was inedible.
When Song Jia Shu was little, her cooking regularly gave him stomach aches.
In high school, she'd considered taking culinary classes at Xin Dongfang, but Liu Xiaohan had shot that down immediately.
Now, with Song Jia Shu's college entrance exams coming up, Song Qi Nian was more stressed than she'd been for her own exams. Worried about his health, she didn't want him living on takeout. She was determined to step up as his big sister.
When Shen Chi Yan got home that evening, he found Song Qi Nian in the kitchen, wearing an apron and attempting to cook.
She was clutching a recipe book, following it step by step while Zhang Qiaoqiao hovered nearby, supervising.
"Madam... the recipe called for a pinch of salt, but you've added handful!" Zhang Qiaoqiao cried out.
Song Qi Nian looked up with innocent eyes and signed, [But I did just add a pinch!]
Zhang Qiaoqiao let out an uncomfortable laugh. "I think we need to work on what exactly 'a pinch' means."
[So... how do I fix this?]
"It's okay, we can balance it with some sugar. But this time, go easy!"
Song Qi Nian nodded, carefully dropped a few sugar granules into the pot with a spoon, then turned to Zhang Qiaoqiao with a puzzled look, as if asking, "Is this enough?"
Zhang Qiaoqiao's face fell. How could someone so intelligent be this hopeless in the kitchen?
Even that sandwich she'd made before had taken over an hour of step-by-step guidance to complete.
"What's going on in here?"
At the sound of Shen Chi Yan's voice, Song Qi Nian and Zhang Qiaoqiao both startled and turned around.
Song Qi Nian's eyes caught on his red tie—something he rarely wore. She felt a flutter of curiosity.
What had happened today? What had put him in such a good mood?
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