Qin Qing felt her heart race under Ji Weichen’s gaze, momentarily forgetting what she had originally intended to do. Or rather, a subconscious fear gripped her—while Su Meng could easily coax him into compliance, her current intuition warned that if she were to place her hand on Ji Weichen’s head…
Something rather unpleasant would occur.
Forcing a faint smile, Qin Qing suppressed the earlier sensation, maintaining the same gentle expression as before. Her lips curved into a smile, her words laced with a soothing tone.
“It’s just an idea, really. I simply feel that she has gone too far. Should one inflict their own suffering onto others? Moreover… given her current physical state, living might be a form of torment for her. I just… want to help her find release.”
After speaking, Qin Qing glanced at Ji Weichen and, seeing him return to his usual demeanor, finally set her heart at ease.
That terrifying look in Ji Weichen’s eyes earlier must have been due to the sudden revelation of the truth—the person he had trusted all along was actually so vicious and hypocritical. He probably couldn’t accept it at once, hence that reaction. No doubt he now loathed Su Meng intensely, wishing her dead.
She was fully confident she could coax Ji Weichen into obeying her, after all, Qin Ye was just like that.
Recalling the fragments about Ji Weichen she had overheard from conversations between Ji’s Father and Qin’s Father, her heart beat faster with excitement.
“I only want to help you,” Qin Qing added urgently, noticing Ji Weichen’s lack of response.
Ji Weichen finally granted Qin Qing a slight reaction.
“Helping her find release—a fine idea,” Ji Weichen said, lifting his gaze slightly, his eyes fixed on Qin Qing as he spoke.
A soft smile reappeared on Qin Qing’s face as she outlined her plan to Ji Weichen.
“Today, the two from the Ji family are returning to the Upper Capital. Various figures from Jade City will come, hoping to forge connections with the Ji family on this final day. Qin Meng’s childhood crush, the boy next door she used to like, has returned from abroad and will also attend. This is an opportunity. We can do it like this…” Qin Qing detailed her scheme.
“Qin Meng cannot handle any stimulation, especially in front of someone she likes. Her heart won’t be able to bear the load…” Qin Qing continued, her lips curling upward.
She envisioned a pleasant future in her mind—without Su Meng as an obstacle, everything would be different.
Ji Weichen now knew the truth and surely hated Su Meng to the core. Qin Ye had always despised Su Meng and unconditionally sided with her.
When the incident arranged for the evening banquet unfolded, everyone would naturally lean in her favor.
This was the assurance that emboldened her to devise this plan.
…
Night fell in the blink of an eye. The Qin family’s old mansion, usually lifeless, once again buzzed with activity. Many people seized various pretexts to visit, bearing expensive gifts. Their eyes scanned the surroundings, eventually settling on the father and son from the Ji family of the Upper Capital.
Qin’s Father, however, frowned. He raised his hand to check his watch and turned to inquire of a servant behind him.”Where is Qin Ye? I specifically told him to properly accompany this young master of the Ji family. Why has he disappeared at such a critical moment?”
“I don’t know, young master he…” The servant hesitated. Indeed, Qin Ye had returned once in the afternoon, looking as if he were ill, his complexion dreadful. He had first searched everywhere for Qin Qing.
Then, he actually went to sift through that pile of nearly burned ashes, not even noticing that his hands were being scorched by the remaining embers.
He remembered—those were birthday gifts Miss Meng had given the young master in previous years.
But… hadn’t the young master always disliked these things? Otherwise, why would he have specifically instructed someone to burn them today?