I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.

Lin Qiao was brought to the mall early in the morning by Lin Yunqi.

"Come on, come on! Today is all about enjoying the pleasures of shopping."

Lin Yunqi pulled Lin Qiao toward a luxury boutique. Upon seeing Lin Yunqi, the sales associate hurried over to greet her and immediately turned to instruct a colleague to close the store to the public. Within moments, Lin Qiao and Lin Yunqi were the only customers left in the shop.

Lin Qiao was guided to a plush sofa, and the coffee table was soon filled with delicate pastries. Several staff members stood by respectfully. "Miss Lin, please take your time browsing with your friend. We have closed the store for the morning, so no unauthorized persons will disturb you."

So, this is the shopping experience of a wealthy socialite, Lin Qiao thought, finally witnessing it firsthand.

Lin Yunqi pointed at a few items. "This one, this one, and that one—no, discard those. As for the rest of the women’s wear in the store, pack everything up in my sister’s size."

"Of course! Right away!" The staff began packing with excitement.

Just then, Lin Qiao received a call from Qin Tianlang. She signaled to Lin Yunqi that she needed to step outside, then exited the boutique.

"What do you want?" Lin Qiao answered, her tone tinged with impatience.

On the other end, Qin Tianlang was momentarily stunned. That impatient tone was all too familiar—it was exactly how he used to treat Lin Qiao.

"Lin Qiao, I forgive you."

Lin Qiao found it somewhat amusing. "Forgive me for what? What have I done that requires your forgiveness?"

"Lin Qiao, enough! How long are you going to keep throwing these tantrums? This isn't like you!"

"Qin Tianlang, is it possible that you never really understood me? The version of me you saw was merely a Lin Qiao who was compromising her own life for the sake of a marriage."

Qin Tianlang had no interest in listening to this; his patience was exhausted, and he only wanted to resolve the issue. "When are you coming back?"

"I’ll tell you this one last time: I am not going back."

With that, Lin Qiao hung up. Qin Tianlang stared at his phone, listening to the dial tone, his expression dark and unpleasant.

At the same time, Xu Mingyue and Qin Yi arrived at the mall. Xu Mingyue loved visiting luxury boutiques, but her family background couldn't compare to the true elite, so she could only afford the occasional classic piece. Passing by the boutique, she saw the doors firmly shut and the staff busy packing bags. Sitting leisurely on the sofa, sipping tea, was the Lin family heiress, Lin Yunqi.

When Xu Mingyue was studying abroad, she had heard of the Lin heiress from a neighboring school. She had once bumped into her at a restaurant and, thinking they were compatriots, had eagerly introduced herself, hoping to make friends. Lin Yunqi had been straightforward and added her contact, but the messages Xu Mingyue sent were like stones cast into the ocean—never once receiving a reply. In her mind, however, she considered them friends.

Remembering her promise to Qin Tianlang, Xu Mingyue pulled Qin Yi toward the store entrance.

Before she could step inside, she was blocked by the security guard at the door.

"I am Xu Mingyue, a friend of Miss Lin," she said arrogantly. "Let me in."

"Please wait a moment." The guard went inside to consult Lin Yunqi.

Qin Yi pressed his face against the glass, watching the bustling scene inside. "Are they packing clothes for Auntie's friend? They bought so much!" He looked up at Xu Mingyue with growing admiration. "Auntie Moon, you're amazing to know people like this."

Basking in his adoration, Xu Mingyue felt quite pleased with herself. When the guard didn't return for a long time, she grew impatient and approached the door again. This time, she was firmly stopped.

"I apologize, but Miss Lin says she does not know you. Please leave immediately."

"What!?"

Xu Mingyue hadn't expected Lin Yunqi to be so dismissive. Worried that Lin Yunqi simply didn't remember her name, she walked over to the window near the sofa area and began tapping frantically. "Miss Lin, it’s me, Mingyue! Let me in, I need to speak with you!"

Lin Yunqi, hearing the tapping on the glass, turned to see a strange woman holding a child waving frantically at her. She frowned. "How are you people handling your security?"

"We apologize, Miss Lin. We will remove her immediately."

As Xu Mingyue was being escorted away, she cursed under her breath, but noticing Qin Yi watching, she forced a smile. "Auntie made a mistake. That person isn't my friend."

"Oh." Qin Yi followed her, feeling sullen and embarrassed by the scene. He looked up and caught a glimpse of Lin Qiao passing by. "Auntie Moon, I saw Mom."

"What?" Xu Mingyue looked around, thinking that this mall was far too expensive for someone like her. "Xiao Yi, your mother wouldn't come here. The things here are too expensive; she can't afford them."

Thinking of his mother’s usual thrifty habits, Qin Yi nodded in agreement.

Back inside, the staff had finished packing. "Sister, wait for me. I just need to pay, and then we can go." Lin Yunqi reached for her card.

"No need. Why should my younger sister be the one paying? Yunqi, you pick what you like, and I’ll pay for it," Lin Qiao said.

"Sister is so generous!" Lin Yunqi happily chose a few more items.

Lin Qiao took out the black card given to her by Lin Shao and handed it to the clerk. Upon seeing the card, Lin Yunqi hesitated. "This card... it looks like the first black card ever issued by the Lin Family Bank."

The clerk respectfully handed the receipt to Lin Qiao, who signed it and retrieved the card. Lin Qiao looked at it; the serial number did indeed suggest it was the very first one.

"Is there something special about this card?"

"This card used to belong to Sister Ran..." Lin Yunqi stopped herself mid-sentence. It had been meant for Sister Ran. After she left, she had assumed their father would give it to her. She never expected it would be given to Lin Qiao. Her parents still favored their biological daughter more.

Lin Yunqi felt a lump in her throat, but then she reminded herself that Lin Qiao had spent so many years drifting away from home, suffering so much—how could she begrudge her this? She laughed it off and put an arm around Lin Qiao. "It’s nothing! Since you’re being so generous today, how about treating me to a big meal?"

Lin Qiao had her doubts, but she set them aside for now and readily agreed. "No problem."

...

After their meal, Lin Qiao headed alone to Qin Chen’s residence. She had arranged to meet him for their photography lesson that afternoon. Following the address he provided, she arrived at a luxury villa complex in the city center.

She found the house, pressed the doorbell, and was soon ushered inside by a servant. She hadn't walked far when she saw a little boy on the lawn. He was playing with a toy car, making soft engine noises. As if sensing her presence, he looked up, then sprinted toward her.

"Mom! You finally came to pick me up!"

Lin Qiao stared at the child running toward her—he looked exactly like she had as a young girl. Her mind went blank, and her heart began to race uncontrollably.

What exactly was going on?