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Pulling on Lin Bosen’s sleeve, she said, “Bosen, Miss Ye came here today on purpose—there’s something she needs to tell you.”

Yesterday, Xu Lu had also mentioned that Ye Xiyang would come to reveal some things about Yichen that he didn’t know.

Lin Bosen hadn’t intended to get too involved in matters concerning his son, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Yichen was hiding something from him.

Drawing back his gaze, he took a seat on the sofa. “I hear you have something to tell me about Yichen?”

“Yes, Uncle,” Xiao Qi smiled sweetly, standing right before them without sitting down. “Before, it was uncle—”

“Before, it was Miss Ye who came forward to tell me Yichen had problems,” Xu Lu interrupted her. “I feared you wouldn’t believe me, so I made her come here in person to explain.”

A villain is a villain, telling lies without shame or breathlessness.

Xiao Qi cursed inwardly but maintained an elegant and composed smile. “Uncle, Auntie, if you want to know about Yichen’s issues, Xiyang came today precisely to explain to both of you.”

Lin Bosen nodded and gestured to the sofa beside him. “Miss Ye, please sit.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Xiao Qi smiled at Xu Lu. “Before I explain, Auntie, you should fulfill your promise, right?”

Lin Bosen looked at Xu Lu. “What promise?”

Xu Lu certainly knew what she meant but hadn’t expected her to bring it up so directly.

Without changing her expression, she said to Xiao Qi, “Miss Ye, you said that if you revealed Yichen’s problems, I should pay you. If you’re honest, we won’t treat you unfairly.”

Lin Bosen’s brows furrowed; some traits are truly hard to change.

Xiao Qi noticed how Lin Bosen’s gaze toward her altered, realizing he believed Xu Lu’s words.

Of course—after all these years as husband and wife, he naturally trusted his wife.

So any defense from her side was futile.

Damn it, how cunning she was, so easily turned back on herself.

Calm down; this is just the beginning; she’s not necessarily defeated yet.

“Uncle, Auntie, don’t blame me for being greedy. Tell me, who in this world isn’t? Only those who desire money keep moving forward. Without greed, one simply falls into despair and ceases to be human.”

“Enough,” Lin Bosen said coldly, clearly irritated. “Speak plainly about Yichen’s problem, and the money will be yours immediately.”

Why did he get angry so quickly?

Ah, dealing with the elderly is truly difficult.

Xu Lu smirked quietly, surely delighted inside.

Forget pretending to be a noble lady—she was too tired to keep it up anyway. Dressed like a princess, she felt suffocated.

Better to be a formidable and domineering heroine.

Xiao Qi lifted her chin and said bluntly, “I was with Lin Yichen before just for money. Look at me—do I look like someone who dates seriously? Of course, I was after a rich man…”

“Get to the point.”

Lin Bosen grew increasingly impatient.

“That *is* the point!” Xiao Qi said disdainfully. “I dated him for money, but I never expected that this big CEO would be so stingy—not only did he refuse to give me money, he didn’t even care about me. All he thought about was work. I wasted my youth and feelings for what? For a spoiled rich kid to accompany me in wasting money. But he just works every day, no romance at all.”

“What are you saying?” Xu Lu’s face darkened, both angry and anxious. “Is this what you call Yichen’s problem?”

“Of course it is. I broke up with him because of this. Otherwise,” Xiao Qi instantly turned lovestruck, “Lin Yichen, so handsome, capable, responsible, and career-driven—why would I break up with him if he cared?”

“So, by your account, Yichen has no other issues?” Lin Bosen’s anger subsided after hearing her. His tone softened considerably.

“What problems could he have? The problem is me—I’m materialistic.”

“You’re lying,” Xu Lu was furious, her face pale. “Didn’t you say earlier that Yichen was sick? And now you’re hiding it for him.”

“Yes, he is sick.”

Hearing this, Lin Bosen’s heart tightened. “What’s wrong with my son?”

“Well,” Xiao Qi looked troubled, “I promised him I wouldn’t say.”

Xu Lu immediately urged, “You have to tell us so we can help Yichen. Just say it.”

Seeing Xu Lu’s anxious expression, Xiao Qi laughed inwardly but hesitated before admitting, “Actually, Lin Yichen does have some mental issues. He suffers from insomnia, especially lately, under tremendous stress, and can’t sleep well.”

She looked at the two with a reproachful air. “What kind of parents are you? You don’t care about him at all, yet he’s always thinking about helping you.”

Lin Bosen glanced at Xu Lu, his tone tinged with reproach. “Is this the big problem you told me about?”

“I didn’t know it would be like this before. I only want to care for Yichen,” Xu Lu regretted deeply. She never expected Ye Xiyang to still support Lin Yichen so much.

After all, they were still husband and wife, so Lin Bosen wouldn’t truly be angry.

He pulled out his wallet, took a card, and tossed it onto the coffee table. “Take this, but from today on, no more bothering Yichen.”

Xiao Qi accepted the card with a smile. “You’re paying me, of course I won’t bother him anymore.”

Lin Bosen thought it was such a waste of a beautiful face.

Truly, one cannot judge a person by their appearance.

He rose and went upstairs.

Xiao Qi immediately took her leave.

“Ye Xiyang!”

“Smack!” Before she could react, a harsh slap landed across her cheek, burning with pain.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What am I doing?” Xu Lu’s cold gaze pierced her. “If you dare to deceive me, one slap is light.”

Xiao Qi didn’t back down, lowering her eyes and locking onto Xu Lu with a blade-sharp look for the first time in her life. “I’m sparing you for Xiyang’s sake. If you dare lay a hand on me again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Though delicate and ethereal in appearance, her brows held a natural heroic spirit, radiating power and strength without a trace of weakness.

Xu Lu was momentarily stunned.

“And everything I said today is true. Believe it or not.”

A shadow of menace flickered in Xu Lu’s eyes as she sneered, “Do you think hiding this for him will win him back? As long as I’m here, you’ll never set foot in the Lin family again.”

“I warn you as well: if you harm Lin Yichen or threaten me again, I won’t let you off easily. Don’t think I’m afraid of you.”

“You—”

Xiao Qi strode out of the Lin residence with confidence, immediately clutching her chest.

Oh my god, that scared me to death.

Xiyang’s mother is even scarier than a tigress.

Xiao Qi touched her stinging cheek.

Ouch, so painful and unfair.

Lin Yichen, I took a heavy slap for you. If you don’t appreciate it, then…

Then what? What can you do to CEO Lin?

Sigh, better go home and have Little White’s paws soothe me.

As for why she didn’t want Auntie to do it—she just didn’t want Auntie to worry.

After work, Lin Yichen arrived as promised at Restaurant A.

This was the same restaurant where he had once failed to meet Anna.

This time, it was he who had taken the initiative to invite her out.

But the restaurant was Anna’s choice.

Led by a waiter, they entered a private room.

Anna was already waiting.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Dressed in a bespoke black suit that accentuated his tall, slender figure, Lin Yichen’s sharply defined face was strikingly handsome with a hint of danger. His dark eyes calmly regarded the woman before him, then he took his seat with a noble and aloof air in every gesture.

Anna’s heart fluttered every time she saw him.

She smiled coyly. “You took the initiative to invite me; I’m very happy. So no need to apologize.”

Lin Yichen sat down. Anna handed him the menu, but he pushed it back.

“You order.”

Anna grew even happier. “You used to love foie gras; let’s have two orders.”

“Mm.”

She ordered the main dishes, two drinks, and dessert.

Lin Yichen’s expression remained indifferent as he said, “I saw Ye Xiyang at my house before. I wanted to talk to you about that today…”

“Don’t apologize,” Anna said, gazing at him intently. “There’s no need between us, and this counts as our first date. I don’t want to hear irrelevant names.”

Lin Yichen’s eyes darkened, and he said no more.

Silence lingered between them for a long while.

“You know,” Anna finally spoke, “when we were together before, you would sit silently like this, and I would sit quietly with you for hours. Even if you spoke little, I kept falling more and more in love with you.”

“Why do you like me?” Lin Yichen suddenly asked, his tone cold and detached. “I don’t believe in unchanging love—not even family love. Over time, everything about a person fades. Even if we once loved each other, why have you remembered me for so many years?”

They had never truly loved each other, but she had always loved him. After three years, her love remained unchanged, even stronger than before.

Therefore, she was determined to have him.

“Because we’re alike. Whatever you have, I have too. Whatever you lack, I can help with. I’ve never met someone as outstanding as you. I believe no one by your side can replace me. Don’t you think we’re meant to be?”

“I know you don’t believe in airy-fairy love. Neither do I. Love should be a union of equals. Only by being outstanding can we attract each other, right?”

The waiter brought their dishes, and Lin Yichen picked up his knife and fork, clearly not intending to respond further.

Anna knew not to rush things. If he agreed to try, he would follow through.

……………………

Xiao Qi was overjoyed inside.

One: the matter was settled.

Two: she had earned a handsome sum.

No, no—it was money she earned through her own skill.

And she had even taken a slap for it!

Her cheek still hurt.

Her phone rang. She took it out and saw it was Auntie calling.