He Junhui was so furious he nearly spat blood, while the others, sensing something was off, fell into an unusual silence.
Xia Ruoxi possessed wealth, power, ability, and background that other women could only dream of.
To her, it wasn’t important whether a partner was powerful or influential.
Instead, someone like Lin Fan, who knew how to care for others, might be exactly what she valued most.
Qiao Wanyan snapped out of her thoughts and realized that people were no longer speaking on her side.
A sense of loss rose within her, and recalling Lin Fan’s actions after their divorce, she couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied.
With a stubborn expression, she said, “Miss Xia, how can you judge whether a man is good just based on whether he cares about daily life? If a man has no achievements at all and only knows how to cook and do chores, what woman wouldn’t feel disheartened staying with him?”
He Junhui sneered along, “Exactly. If all he can do is housework and cooking, you could just spend a few thousand yuan to hire a nanny. Wouldn’t that be the same?”
Xia Ruoxi’s expression turned serious.
“When it comes to a man having achievements, I agree 200 percent.”
“Everyone here knows that not long ago, my grandfather fell gravely ill. It was Mr. Lin Fan’s miraculous medical skills that completely cured him.”
“Now my grandfather is full of vitality again, which is why this birthday banquet is being held—to celebrate with all of you.”
As she spoke, she looked at He Junhui with a calm gaze. “Do you have achievements like that? Can you compare?”
He Junhui felt as if his heart had been stabbed repeatedly. His face turned red, yet he didn’t dare utter a single word.
Gasp…
The entire crowd seemed to inhale sharply at the same time.
Whispers spread, filled with undisguised admiration.
“The Head of the Xia Family is one of the leaders of the Four Great Families. If Lin Fan cured him, he’s their great benefactor. With just one word from the Xia Family, he could rise to prominence overnight.”
“So Lin Fan is a divine physician! Saving the Head of the Xia Family—this kind of achievement far surpasses closing billion-yuan deals.”
“If news of this spreads, all major wealthy families would treat him as an honored guest. The connections he’d gain alone would be extraordinary.”
“No wonder Xia Ruoxi thinks so highly of him. She’s known for being filial.”
…
These words fell into Qiao Wanyan’s ears, stirring deep regret within her.
She had never imagined that the man she once despised for staying in a small clinic had used his medical skills to save the Head of the Xia Family—gaining resources even she could only dream of.
Perhaps for someone like Lin Fan, who lacked business acumen and financial foundation, saving the Head of the Xia Family might not directly bring immense wealth or success.
But if she hadn’t divorced him, with that connection alone, her Qiao Group could have soared—entering the ranks of Binhai City’s top-tier companies in the shortest time possible. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
At that moment, she truly felt it—
She had been wrong. Completely wrong.
Seeing the faint redness in her eyes, Xia Ruoxi smiled like a victor.
She deliberately took her hand and said, “Thank you. Really. If you hadn’t given up such a good man like Lin Fan, I wouldn’t have had the chance to be with him.”
“He’s highly skilled in medicine, exceptional in combat, and so thoughtful and caring. I’m truly grateful to you. Truly!”
Those words shattered the fragile barrier in Qiao Wanyan’s heart.
Her eyes, once empty, gradually filled with shimmering tears.
It felt as though her heart was being clawed repeatedly, the pain twisting unbearably.
Xia Ruoxi was striking straight at her heart!
She kept telling herself—no matter what, she must not let others laugh at her.
Forcing out a stubborn smile, she said clearly, “You’re thanking me a bit too early.”
“The moment Lin Fan divorced me, he beat up my younger brother and Mr. He. He even slandered my character in front of you, which led to the Dingyuan Chamber of Commerce canceling its investment in my Phoenix City Project.”
“Everything I said is true. You can draw your own conclusions about what kind of person Lin Fan really is.”
Xia Ruoxi frowned slightly. “Do you have evidence?”
Qiao Wanyan sneered. “Evidence? When Lin Fan attacked my brother and He Junhui at the clinic, He Junhui had three bodyguards present.”
“Yet after being beaten, he didn’t have them retaliate. Doesn’t that count as evidence?”
He Junhui raised his hand. “I swear on my integrity, everything Qiao Wanyan said is true.”
At once, the crowd began to look down on Lin Fan.
“So that’s what happened. Miss Xia, even if Lin Fan has great medical skills, you still need to consider his character.”
“If it didn’t happen, Qiao Wanyan and He Junhui wouldn’t say this. I think…”
Xia Ruoxi interrupted them.
“Everyone, quiet down. I happened to be there when their conflict occurred—I had gone to invite Mr. Lin Fan to treat my grandfather.”
“What I saw was that Mr. Lin Fan’s jade token was smashed, which is why he took action.”
“Also…”
She turned coldly toward Qiao Wanyan. “Remember this—He Junhui had already ordered those three bodyguards to attack Lin Fan. It was only because Lin Fan’s strength was unfathomable that they didn’t dare act.”
“I dare to wager this ancestral Heavenly Pearl with you. Within one month, if you can find any evidence that Lin Fan has poor character, I will give you this priceless treasure.”
“But if you cannot prove it, I want you to publicly apologize to Lin Fan and admit that you were blind and falsely accused his noble character!”
This move shocked everyone present.
“This Heavenly Pearl has been passed down in the Xia Family for nine generations—it’s worth a fortune!”
“How much does Xia Ruoxi trust Lin Fan to wager it?”
“If Lin Fan didn’t have extraordinary character, Xia Ruoxi would never do this. Whether Qiao Wanyan accepts or not, she’s already lost!”
He Junhui’s eyes flickered with scheming thoughts.
The Xia Family’s word was absolute, and with so many witnesses present, if he could frame Lin Fan and prove his poor character, the Heavenly Pearl would naturally fall into Qiao Wanyan’s hands.
If he helped her win, how could the benefits be small?
He immediately urged, “Qiao Wanyan, accept it.”
Qiao Wanyan was cornered. Having already lost face, refusing now would only make things worse.
She said decisively, “I accept your wager. Let’s see what happens.”
With that, she turned and walked away gracefully.
Behind her, countless gazes filled with pity and mockery seemed to tell her—
She had lost.
Lost to Xia Ruoxi. Lost to Lin Fan. Lost completely…
She could only keep telling herself that even if Lin Fan had treated her well over the past three years, she might regret it—
But reality was reality.
The moment he divorced her, he beat her brother and He Junhui, and slandered her in front of Xia Ruoxi, ultimately causing the Dingyuan Chamber of Commerce to withdraw from her crucial project.
All she felt for Lin Fan was hatred. Absolutely no love.
And yet…
Why were her eyes moist with tears?
She no longer dared to face her own heart…