Volume One, Chapter 19: Lin Qiao Under Attack

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Cheng Ru’s chest heaved violently with anger—Lin Qiao was making an outrageous demand! If it weren’t for her asking a friend and still failing to find palm leaves, she wouldn’t have come to endure such humiliation.

Lin Qiao remained calm and spoke evenly, “If you don’t want it now, next time it won’t be at this price.”

Gritting her teeth, Cheng Ru forced out a few words through clenched teeth, “I want it!”

Soon after, Lin Qiao received a notification of a ten-million transfer. She opened several accounts she often donated to, distributing the ten million to places like the Haishi Welfare Institute and other long-term aid organizations.

Lin Qiao bought some palm leaves from a small stall in the old town, wove a few small animals, and sent them to Cheng Ru.

On the way back, Qin Chen received an urgent phone call. The voice on the other end was anxious; Qin Chen steadied the car and replied, “I’ll head back to the company immediately.”

“Boss Qin, you go ahead if you have something to attend to. Just drop me and Xiao Xiao off at the intersection—we can get home by ourselves,” Huo Xiao said thoughtfully.

“Uncle Qin, you go handle your business first,” Lin Qiao added.

Qin Chen slowed the car to the side of the road and parked steadily. He opened the doors for Lin Qiao and Huo Xiao.

His voice was low, tinged with apology. “Sorry, something urgent came up at the company.”

As the CEO of the Qin Corporation, it was already remarkable that Qin Chen had managed to spend two days with Huo Xiao. Throughout their time in the old town, he had been constantly making and receiving calls.

“It’s okay,” Lin Qiao patted Huo Xiao’s head. “Say goodbye to Uncle Qin.”

“Goodbye, Uncle Qin,” Huo Xiao replied.

After watching Qin Chen’s car drive away, Lin Qiao took Huo Xiao’s small hand. “Let’s go, Auntie will take you home.”

At that moment, a speeding black car rushed toward Lin Qiao and Huo Xiao. Seeing no time to dodge, Lin Qiao swiftly shielded Huo Xiao.

Crash!

After the loud impact, Lin Qiao looked up, still shaken. In front of them, a white sedan had blocked the black car’s charge.

Two bodyguards dressed in black stepped out of the white car—one chased after the fleeing driver of the black car, while the other rushed over to Lin Qiao.

“Miss, are you alright?” the bodyguard asked.

Lin Qiao hadn’t realized that she had been secretly protected by bodyguards all along.

“I’m fine, thank you,” she whispered gratefully, quickly checking on Huo Xiao.

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The child was terrified by the reckless black car’s sudden attack. He stood frozen, letting Lin Qiao hold him, slowly recovering after a while.

Silently, tears began to fall.

Lin Qiao comforted him tenderly, “It’s okay now, Xiao Xiao. Auntie and the uncles have protected you well. Don’t be scared.”

“Xiao Xiao, tell Auntie—are you okay?” she asked gently.

But Huo Xiao refused to speak, burrowing deeper into Lin Qiao’s embrace.

She held him close as he buried his little head in her neck, the warmth of his tears flowing against her skin.

Lin Qiao hurried back to Qin Chen’s villa with Huo Xiao.

By then, Qin Chen had also returned upon hearing the news.

When Qin Chen arrived, Huo Xiao was buried under the covers, refusing to peek out, his small hand gripping Lin Qiao’s tightly, unwilling to let her go.

Lin Qiao sat by the bed, feeling helpless facing this frightened child for the first time.

Qin Chen knelt beside the bed, gently patting the blanket to soothe him.

His voice was steady and calm. “Xiao Xiao, it’s okay now. You’re safe.”

Only then did Huo Xiao peek out from under the covers, his flushed little face bursting into sobs.

“Uncle Qin, why did you come so late?”

Lin Qiao breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Huo Xiao silent and withdrawn had worried her immensely.

Qin Chen held Huo Xiao firmly in his arms. The man was tall; he rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing well-defined, strong forearm muscles.

He held Huo Xiao securely.

“I’m here now,” he said softly, patting his back. Soon, Huo Xiao fell asleep peacefully in his arms.

The scene was heartwarming.

Lin Qiao hadn’t expected the formidable CEO Qin Chen to be like this in private.

At this moment, the usually distant Qin Chen shed his intimidating aura and oppressive demeanor, radiating a gentle presence.

After placing Huo Xiao safely in bed, Lin Qiao followed Qin Chen to the living room.

“Mr. Qin, what happened to Xiao Xiao?”

“When I brought him back to the Qin family, he was already like this.”

Lin Qiao shuddered at the thought of what Huo Xiao might have endured before returning to the Qin household.

“These people were definitely targeting Huo Xiao. Today, Miss Lin was caught up in it.”

“We will increase protection around Huo Xiao to ensure he stays unharmed.”

...

When Lin Qiao returned home, her usually busy family was all gathered together.

Seeing her return, Ye Shulan rushed over and hugged her tightly.

Her eyes were red, her voice trembling.

“Thank goodness you’re both safe.”

It seemed the Lin family had all rushed back upon hearing the news.

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Lin Qiao met the worried gazes of her family, a warm current swelling in her heart.

“The bodyguards arrived just in time. Xiao Xiao and I are both fine.”

Ye Shulan thought of her ill-fated grandson, tears streaming down her face.

“May heaven bless us so nothing like this happens again.”

Lin Shao sighed, “From now on, Qiao Qiao must take more bodyguards when she goes out. As for Xiao Xiao, the Lin family will strengthen protection on our end.”

Lin Qiao reassured them, “I’m fine. No need to add more bodyguards.”

Lin Shao shook his head in disagreement. Ye Shulan patted Lin Qiao’s shoulder.

“Just to put our minds at ease.”

Lin Yunqi watched Lin Qiao surrounded by family members.

Upon hearing that Lin Qiao had narrowly escaped danger, the family had all hurried back.

For the first time, she felt a sense of alienation, as if she didn’t belong.

When Lin Qiao looked up, she caught Lin Yunqi’s startled expression.

Meeting Lin Qiao’s concerned gaze, Lin Yunqi forced a smile.

She came over.

“Sis, you scared me to death. Tonight, you have to sleep with me. I need to hold you to feel safe.”

Ye Shulan lightly tapped Lin Yunqi’s forehead.

“Stop teasing your sister.”

She suddenly remembered something.

“Oh yes, Qiao Qiao, the stylist will come by today to take your measurements. Mom wants to order a custom gown for your recognition banquet.”

Ye Shulan had commissioned a dress worth millions for Lin Qiao, adorned with countless jewels.

Since handcrafted gowns take time, the designer needed to confirm Lin Qiao’s measurements as soon as possible.

Ye Shulan also had a secret motive—she wanted the Qin family to see just how blind they had been.

That night, Lin Yunqi and Lin Qiao lay side by side in bed.

The two sisters chatted, eventually turning to the topic of love.

Lin Yunqi said, “I chose to become a jewelry designer partly to be closer to that person.”

She fell into memories, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“When we were kids, he was always bullied. I thought, when I grow up, I’ll protect him.”

“But I never expected that before I could protect him, he had already carved his own bloody path. Now he doesn’t need anyone to protect him.”

Lin Yunqi sighed, turning to look at Lin Qiao.

“Sis, have you ever been in love?”

The question had barely left her lips before regret flickered across her face.

Lin Qiao already had a child—how could she have never loved before?

Lin Qiao looked puzzled. “What is love?”