Lin Fan answered without hesitation, “Yes.”
The friendly smile on Xia Ruoxi’s face gained a hint of cunning.
She was a woman who kept her word. Since she had said she would help Lin Fan get revenge when she met his ex-wife, she would do it properly.
Yet inwardly, she was also surprised.
In Binhai City, she had always believed there was hardly anyone who could surpass her in beauty and figure.
But looking closely at Qiao Wanyan now, she realized the two of them were truly evenly matched.
It only made her feel that Lin Fan’s taste was exceptional… and that a man like him was even more worth pursuing.
At the same time, Qiao Wanyan sensed the hostility emanating from Xia Ruoxi.
It confirmed her suspicion—Lin Fan and Xia Ruoxi must have an ambiguous relationship!
However, given Xia Ruoxi’s family background was far stronger than hers, she couldn’t confront her head-on.
She also assumed Lin Fan must have spoken ill of her in front of Xia Ruoxi.
The one who tied the knot must untie it. If Xia Ruoxi were to target her maliciously, it would cause immeasurable long-term damage to her future in the business world.
Thus, she decided to give Lin Fan one last chance to reconcile, so he could clarify everything with Xia Ruoxi.
Her captivating eyes locked onto his as she said coldly, “If you still remember the feelings from our three years of marriage, step aside and speak with me.”
Her tone was icy, laced with authority—almost like a command.
Without waiting for his reply, she turned gracefully and took three steps away.
She was certain that after she had already given in so much, Lin Fan wouldn’t refuse even this small request.
Unexpectedly, Xia Ruoxi pressed herself closer to Lin Fan and said coldly from behind her, “Whatever it is, just say it here.”
Qiao Wanyan stopped in her tracks. It felt as if her chest had been struck over and over, yet she couldn’t voice the frustration building inside her.
Since Xia Ruoxi wanted to compete openly, and today the Xia Family was the host with so many guests present, Xia Ruoxi would have to consider her image.
If she spoke everything out clearly, who would be embarrassed… that remained to be seen.
Qiao Wanyan brushed back a strand of hair and turned around gracefully, walking back to stand before Xia Ruoxi.
This scene was witnessed by everyone, stirring waves of shock in their hearts.
In their eyes, Lin Fan was just an insignificant nobody.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruoxi was a top-tier heiress from one of the Four Great Families—a business queen who dominated the highest circles.
It was enough to make everyone burn with jealousy.
And Qiao Wanyan, who had once treated this ex-husband as if he didn’t exist, was now clearly competing with Xia Ruoxi over him.
A nobody like Lin Fan, receiving the attention of the two most outstanding beauties in Binhai City at the same time…
It was simply absurd!
He Junhui clenched his teeth in hatred, waiting for the right moment to completely tear Lin Fan down, certain Xia Ruoxi would kick him out in disgrace once she saw through him.
Qiao Wanyan glanced at Lin Fan, the sharpness in her eyes like icy needles gleaming with silver light.
“I know you resent me, but there’s no need to secretly slander me in front of Xia Ruoxi and ruin my career.”
Lin Fan almost laughed at the absurdity. He replied impatiently, “Why would I waste my time slandering you?”
Qiao Wanyan shook her head in deep disappointment. “You should understand that if I clear my name here, your situation will become very awkward. This is the last chance I’m giving you.”
Lin Fan couldn’t be bothered to argue further. Turning to Xia Ruoxi, he said, “Let’s go.”
To Qiao Wanyan, this only looked like guilt.
She raised her hand. “Wait.”
Then she looked calmly at Xia Ruoxi. “Miss Xia, what exactly has Lin Fan said about me? Could you tell everyone here?”
“I can guarantee that any accusations he’s made against me can be proven on the spot to be malicious lies.”
The moment she spoke, the crowd eagerly chimed in.
“So Lin Fan has been slandering Qiao Wanyan in front of Miss Xia? Then this misunderstanding really needs to be cleared up.”
“Miss Qiao has had a spotless reputation since entering the business world. It must be Lin Fan taking revenge after the divorce.”
“Miss Xia, you should be careful of people like him. Don’t let him deceive you…”
No one thought highly of Lin Fan. They all hoped Xia Ruoxi would see through his supposed incompetence and hypocrisy, then throw him out—nothing would be more satisfying.
However, Xia Ruoxi’s response left everyone nearly collapsing in shock.
She held her chin thoughtfully. “Oh right, Lin Fan has indeed said quite a lot of bad things about you.”
“He said your personality is cold and distant—not as warm, sweet, and lively as me.”
“He said your figure is good, but compared to me, it’s a bit lacking.”
“He also said you’re quite pretty, but you lack some of my charm… and your eyes aren’t as big as mine.”
Qiao Wanyan was completely stunned, caught off guard by her unexpected response.
The crowd, on the other hand, gritted their teeth in envy, wishing they could rush forward and tear Lin Fan apart.
Even the most elite young masters from top families rarely received a second glance from Xia Ruoxi.
Yet now, her words completely overturned everyone’s understanding.
Five seconds later, Qiao Wanyan’s expression shifted from icy elegance to anger, and finally her face flushed all the way down to her neck.
Xia Ruoxi was clearly mocking her personality, her looks, and her figure—everything!
But if she retaliated now, she would only make a spectacle of herself.
She snorted coldly and signaled to He Junhui with her eyes.
“It seems some things are clearer to bystanders. As for Lin Fan’s background, I think it would be more appropriate for He Junhui to explain it to everyone.”
In order to regain her dignity and reputation, she no longer cared about protecting Lin Fan’s image.
Instead, she felt resentful—she had given him multiple chances to step down gracefully, yet he refused, leading to her being humiliated by Xia Ruoxi.
What happened next would be his own fault.
He Junhui seized the opportunity, his expression animated as he said, “Actually, everyone here has probably heard a bit about Lin Fan.”
“For the past three years, he’s done nothing but stay in a small clinic in the old district, showing no ambition. Every day, he stayed at the Qiao residence doing laundry and cooking.”
“On the day Qiao Wanyan filed for divorce, he was still holding a pot of soup, waiting in the reception room.”
“Miss Xia, don’t be fooled by this kind of useless man. Getting too close to him will only drag down your own dignity.”
The crowd burst into ridicule.
“A man like that, no ambition, no character, contributing nothing to society—he’s a disgrace to all men in Binhai City.”
“Lin Fan, how do you even have the nerve to stay here? Don’t you feel ashamed?”
Just as Lin Fan was about to lose his temper, Xia Ruoxi deliberately pressed herself against his arm.
With a charming smile, she said, “He Junhui, why didn’t you say this earlier? So Lin Fan has so many strengths?”
Then she turned to Qiao Wanyan with a puzzled expression. “From what I see, a man who willingly takes care of your daily life, cooks for you, and looks after you attentively… you actually treated him as a loser?”
“Is there something wrong with your values, or are you simply lacking sense?”
“Lin Fan is a truly rare good man.”
Her words struck like thunder.
Qiao Wanyan stood frozen, lost in thought.
Memories of the past three years with Lin Fan surfaced—ordinary on the surface, yet filled with meticulous care.
A thought quietly emerged in her heart:
“Could it be… that I was wrong?”