Volume One, Chapter Seven: Three Years of Misplaced Love
“Hmm, it’s mine. What about it?”
Lin Xia picked up the half jade Guanyin and nodded slightly.
Boom!
Xu Qing’s mind thundered once more.
The owner of this half jade Guanyin was Lin Xia, not Tan Qiutong!!!
In other words, the little girl who gave him a steamed bun back then, rekindling his hope to live, was not Tan Qiutong—
It was Lin Xia!
Three years!
He had mistakenly loved Tan Qiutong for three years!
Moreover, during these three years, he had witnessed Lin Xia repeatedly sacrificing sisterly bonds, pleading with Tan Qiutong for a project on behalf of the Lin family.
Each time he brought a major project to the Tan family, under Lin Xia’s earnest requests, Tan Qiutong would grudgingly allocate a small project to the Lins—but with oppressive contracts, all the benefits went to the Tan family, leaving only scraps for the Lin family.
Yet—
Those projects should have belonged entirely to the Lin family!
Fate is cruel!
Truly merciless!
When Xu Qing finally came to his senses, Lin Xia was holding the half jade Guanyin, wandering out with a lost look.
“Lin Xia, wait!”
Xu Qing hurriedly called out, rushing after her.
“Stop right there!”
Tan Qiutong blocked Xu Qing coldly. “You just slapped my brother for no reason. Apologize to him now!”
“Get lost!”
Xu Qing’s face darkened as he shoved Tan Qiutong aside and strode after Lin Xia.
No reason to slap your brother?
Are you blind?
Didn’t you see he hit my face first?
Xu Qing snorted coldly, neither explaining nor bothering to.
The thought of having loved Tan Qiutong mistakenly for three years, and having watched her secretly bully Lin Xia all that time, filled him with fury.
“Lin Xia, would you mind that I’m twice divorced?”
Xu Qing caught up to Lin Xia and grabbed her hands firmly.
“Huh?”
Lin Xia looked up at him, suddenly flustered.
Her small hands struggled to pull free, but Xu Qing held tight. After a few tries, she gave up.
What did he mean?
Did he want to pursue her?
Her heart swirled in confusion.
Since Xu Qing had cured her strange illness two years ago, she had felt a mysterious fondness for him.
But she knew it wasn’t love.
She and Xu Qing could never have a future together.
Yet now, Xu Qing was single...
“I…”
Lin Xia instinctively shook her head.
Xu Qing’s heart leapt with joy. He spoke solemnly, “Lin Xia, will you marry me? I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world!”
“Ah?”
Lin Xia’s heart trembled, overwhelmed and unsure.
Everyone else was stunned too!
This guy was really something.
Just divorced, and now wanting to marry his ex-wife’s best friend?
What a juicy, sweet scandal this was!
Tan Qiutong’s face was icy, her eyes burning with rage.
She believed Xu Qing was seeking revenge, trying to humiliate her!
“Lin Xia, if you dare say yes to him, I will make sure your Lin family goes bankrupt!”
Tan Qiutong threatened coldly.
If Xu Qing took Lin Xia away tonight, her own reputation would be utterly ruined!
“And you, Xu Qing, apologize to my brother right now, or I won’t let this go. You’ll regret it!”
Xu Qing ignored Tan Qiutong completely.
His eyes anxiously searched Lin Xia’s.
He had loved Tan Qiutong wrongly for three years, giving her the best of himself, while his savior suffered quietly all this time.
He feared Lin Xia would refuse him.
“Lin Xia, I warn you once more: if you agree to him, I will destroy your Lin family!”
Seeing no one heed her, Tan Qiutong grew even angrier.
Lin Xia’s heart trembled, her gaze cast downward.
Tan Qiutong’s words worried her deeply.
After all, the Lin family had survived these years only by leaning on the Tan family.
Without the Tan family’s project support, the Lin family would soon collapse.
Yet Tan Qiutong’s threats also sparked fierce anger within her.
She had never intended any of this.
But Tan Qiutong came at her with such venom, severing their friendship, never treating her as a true friend!
“Fine, I agree!”
Suddenly, Lin Xia lifted her head, eyes locked with Xu Qing’s, her expression resolute beyond measure.
Xu Qing breathed a sigh of relief.
But Tan Qiutong and her brother erupted in fury.
“You shameless bitch!”
“Lin Xia, even the discarded shoes I threw away, you want them? You truly are shameless!”
“How desperate for a man are you, to want trash like him? Are you a garbage bin?”
Slap!
Slap!
Two sharp slaps rang out, leaving Tan Qiutong and her brother dumbfounded.
They covered their cheeks, staring at Xu Qing in disbelief.
If looks could kill, Xu Qing wouldn’t know how many debts he had just erased.
“You—you actually dared to hit me?” Tan Qiutong glared furiously at Xu Qing.
For three years, Xu Qing had been a sycophant at her feet; how could he have the nerve to slap her?
“From now on, Lin Xia is my wife. If you dare insult her again, I won’t just hit you—I’ll kill you!”
Xu Qing’s gaze turned icy, his voice merciless.
Realizing he had loved Tan Qiutong wrongly for three years, all lingering feelings had vanished into nothingness.
Tan Qiutong was shattered.
This sycophant had hit her for another woman—how could he?
“And you,” Xu Qing turned to Tan Fuluan, his aura so overwhelming it made Tan Fuluan tremble, unable to utter a word.
Today, having been slapped twice by the despised Xu Qing was a humiliating disgrace!
Casting a cold glance at the Tan siblings, Xu Qing took Lin Xia’s hand. He was taking her to buy their betrothal gifts.
“Lin Xia, if you dare leave with him tonight, tomorrow I will bankrupt your entire Lin family!” Tan Qiutong snarled.
Lin Xia stopped, her heart pounding with distress and indecision.
The Lin family had survived these years solely by relying on the Tan family.
She knew Tan Qiutong had the power to bring ruin upon them.
“Lin Xia, don’t worry. With me here, no one can touch the Lin family.” Xu Qing reassured her.
“HmphI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.