Volume One, Chapter 13: Xu Mingyue’s Apology

Qin Tianlang looked at Lin Qiao once more. At this moment, Lin Qiao faced the two of them calmly, waiting for Xu Mingyue’s apology.

Qin Tianlang knew Xu Mingyue well. Xu Mingyue was strong-willed and very concerned about her pride.

Thinking of Xu Mingyue’s face stained with red wine, he spoke in a low voice, “Shen Qiao, since you splashed Mingyue, let’s just let this go.”

Lin Qiao had been disappointed in Qin Tianlang countless times before. But now, she was somewhat angered by his unconditional defense of Xu Mingyue.

She was about to speak when a deep, magnetic male voice said, “Miss Xu bullied my honored guest and you think it’s just over?”

Lin Qiao turned to see Qin Chen, who had arrived at the banquet hall unnoticed. The man’s face was remarkably handsome, still holding a smile, but his tone was cold, revealing his displeasure.

Qin Chen lightly swirled his glass of red wine and cast a faint glance at Xu Mingyue and Qin Tianlang.

“Uncle,” Qin Tianlang greeted respectfully upon seeing Qin Chen.

“Tianlang, if you can’t distinguish right from wrong like this, I don’t feel confident handing over the Qin Corporation’s business to you,” Qin Chen said gravely.

Qin Tianlang’s face changed drastically.

Recently, the Lin Corporation had repeatedly targeted him. The few companies under his control were already on the verge of collapse.

He had been about to seek help from Qin Chen, and at this critical moment, he dared not displease him.

Xu Mingyue was even more afraid of offending the head of the Qin family.

Under Qin Chen’s watchful gaze, she felt immense pressure and was forced to lower her head and whisper, “I’m sorry.”

“What?” Bai Xin looked at Xu Mingyue. “What did you say? We can’t hear you.”

“I’m sorry!” Xu Mingyue gritted her teeth and managed to squeeze out the words.

“Hmph, that’s more like it,” Bai Xin said, glancing at Lin Qiao. “Qiao Qiao, what do you say?”

Lin Qiao did not wish to waste her time and energy on someone so insignificant.

Since Xu Mingyue had learned her lesson, she was willing to show mercy.

“Miss Xu, I forgive you this time.”

Xu Mingyue clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the hatred in her heart. At the Qin Corporation’s celebration banquet, under the watchful eyes of many, she had been forced to apologize to Lin Qiao. She loathed Lin Qiao deeply inside.

Lin Qiao turned her gaze to Qin Chen. “President Qin, may I have a word with you?”

Qin Chen put down his wine glass.

“Of course. Miss Lin, please.”

Qin Tianlang watched them leave with a complicated expression.

Since when had Lin Qiao become so close to his uncle?

...

Lin Qiao followed Qin Chen out of the banquet hall and onto the spacious lawn.

Wearing a thin dress, she was suddenly hit by a gust of cold wind, coughing uncontrollably, her slender body trembling slightly.

In the next moment, the warmth of the man’s suit was draped over her.

The crisp scent of cedarwood perfume overwhelmed her senses.

Lin Qiao could not help but recall the night when Qin Chen had pinned her at the hotel doorway.

She took off the suit and handed it back to Qin Chen.

“Thank you, President Qin, but it doesn’t fit.”

Qin Chen did not take it. “Wear it. You are the hero behind Qin Corporation’s great success in jewelry sales this time.”

“This is Qin Corporation’s way of caring for their heroes.”

Lin Qiao could no longer refuse, so she changed the subject to the matter she had been pondering.

“President Qin, I wanted to ask about that matter again.”

“The child’s background...” Qin Chen’s gaze grew heavy as he stared at Lin Qiao.

“Miss Lin, what are you willing to offer in exchange?”

What?

Lin Qiao looked up and met his deep eyes.

“Miss Lin, I’m a businessman. I don’t do deals without returns.”

Lin Qiao bit her lip, hesitating.

“What do you want, President Qin?”

“Let’s keep it for now and discuss it later.”

Lin Qiao thought of Huo Xiao’s tearful eyes and Lin Shao’s sigh.

She gritted her teeth and agreed, “Alright.”

Only then did Qin Chen begin to speak slowly.

“The child’s father was once my bodyguard, someone who risked his life alongside me. His mother... was just an ordinary person. A year ago, they had an accident and before they left, entrusted their son to me.”

“The last time I mentioned the Lin Corporation, it was just a joke. I hope you won’t take it seriously.”

This man was once again evading the issue.

Lin Qiao looked into Qin Chen’s cold eyes, knowing that if he didn’t want to talk about something, she wouldn’t get any answers.

She had no choice but to give up.

...

After the banquet, Lin Qiao found the Lin family’s driver waiting discreetly.

When she walked out, the driver pulled the car over.

“Miss, shall we go home now?”

Lin Qiao’s mind was filled with complex thoughts, still dwelling on Qin Chen’s words.

Huo Xiao, like her once, was also fatherless and motherless.

Today, she especially longed for one place.

After a long silence, she gave the driver an address.

The car soon arrived at the doorstep of an orphanage.

It was near dusk, and under the dim sunlight, Lin Qiao looked at the worn-out sign of the orphanage, lost in memories.

She had been abandoned beneath that very sign, where the headmistress had found her.

She had grown up here; this was her first home.

Until—

At that moment, the orphanage’s gate opened.

An elderly woman with silver hair was holding a little girl’s hand, preparing to leave.

The little girl looked up and saw Lin Qiao, excitedly calling out, “Director, Sister Qiao is back!”

Lin Qiao was the big sister in everyone’s hearts at the orphanage. She always brought lots of food and clothes, and everyone adored her.

The director had said that the newly built classroom was funded with the money Lin Qiao earned from part-time work during university.

The director’s face darkened as she saw Lin Qiao, pulling the little girl back inside.

Just as she was about to close the door, Lin Qiao trembled and spoke out, “Director, I’m divorced.”

The director paused, looked back at Lin Qiao, and sighed.

“Come in.”

The director sent away the excited children, finally giving Lin Qiao a chance to talk alone.

“Director, I was wrong.”

Seeing the director’s silver hair, Lin Qiao’s eyes instantly reddened.

She had been too obsessed, longing so deeply for a real home, thinking marriage and children would give her that.

Ignoring the director’s advice, she had given up everything over the years, staying at home to support her husband and raise children.

Reality had dealt her a harsh blow, but thankfully, it had awakened her.

The director sighed, “You’re back, and that’s what matters.”

“Your room is still kept for you. Go take a look.”

Lin Qiao followed the director to her old room. After four years, she pushed open the door, finding it just as it was.

It was as if nothing had changed, as if she had never left.

Yet, after all these years, Lin Qiao was no longer the girl full of dreams she once was.

Her room was neatly arranged, with even a small vase on the bedside table holding a fresh bouquet.

“The children often come by to clean your room and leave flowers, saying they want you to see them when you return and like them.”

Tears fell from Lin Qiao’s eyes.

It was her fault—she had thought the director no longer wanted to acknowledge her.

She hadn’t dared to come back all these years.

Lin Qiao’s gaze finally fell on a camera behind the glass door of the bookshelf.

The director followed her gaze and said thoughtfully, “Do you still take photos?”

Lin Qiao nodded, “Yes!”

She recounted the recent events to the director.

“I didn’t expect so much to happen. You even found your parents.”

“Qiao Qiao, relying on others is not as good as relying on yourself. No matter what, you must have your own career.”

After saying this, she pointed to the camera.

“That old friend of yours—take it back with you.”

She still remembered that the camera was donated by a kind-hearted person. Seeing that Lin Qiao liked it, she gave it to her.

Lin Qiao had also done well, using it to help build the new classroom.

Lin Qiao lingered on the camera with a reluctant look but shook her head.

“Not yet.”

She had once given it up.

Until she fully found her true purpose again, she was not yet ready to take it.

When Lin Qiao left the orphanage, it was late at night. Carrying dumplings packed by the director, she got into the Lin family’s car.

At that moment, her phone rang.

She looked down to see it was Qin Yi’s tutor calling.