"Little Ye, you're a little different today," Zhao Qin said.
"Yes, you rarely invite us out for meals after you came of age," Jin Ling said in a deep voice, filled with emotion.
Jin Ye was a very reserved child, always had been. Even when he saw his parents arguing, he wouldn't show any emotional changes. He'd eat and drink as usual, as if it didn't concern him. Zhao Qin once thought he might have some psychological issues, but doctors found nothing wrong. Moreover, Jin Ye was very intelligent, seemingly a born successor. He learned financial management and networks quickly. After he took over the company, its efficiency and profits quadrupled. Jin He was very pleased and retired early, handing the company over to him.
But now, at this moment. Jin Ye not only invited them to dinner to ease their strained relationship, but he also used phrases like 'our family' and even served them soup and dishes himself. It was incredible!
"Um... I... I just hope you won't be at odds because of Su Ding."
A cold sweat broke out on Jin Ling's forehead. He had studied Jin Ye and found that if he spoke less, or not at all, and maintained a dignified demeanor, he was almost indistinguishable from Jin Ye. But now, facing such an awkward family situation, his survival instincts, formed since childhood, wouldn't let him ignore it. He hadn't expected to almost reveal himself.
Zhao Qin seemed moved by this reason. A pang of guilt suddenly arose in her heart. Look at what they had driven the child to. She also busily served her son some food. "Mom understands. You're so busy with work, you don't need to worry about the family. Your father and I are fine," she said, giving Jin Ling a meaningful glance.
Jin Ling also nodded. "We're fine, you just take care of yourself and don't overthink things."
His son's sudden change in personality caught him off guard. After all, the company required a lot of effort, and his son had just returned from abroad...
"Okay."
Jin Ling felt a strange sense of unease but knew that they seemed to have convinced themselves. Without further ado, the meal quickly concluded. Jin Ling did not rest at home but left first.
After Jin Ling left, Jin He and Zhao Qin exchanged a look – something was wrong. "Old Jin, don't you think Little Ye is a bit different from his usual self this time?" Zhao Qin mused, looking at Jin He. Jin He nodded and thought, "Surely we've put too much pressure on Little Ye." Zhao Qin lowered her head as if deep in thought, a hint of worry in her eyes. However, they didn't dwell on it and soon went about their own business.
In the evening, Zhao Qin went out, and a car was waiting for her. She opened the door and got in. He Qing, sitting in the back seat, beckoned her to sit down and said softly, "The person is at my place. They're fine now... just not in good spirits."
Zhao Qin sighed, "I really didn't expect Su Ding would hide her and imprison her for so long!"
"Yes, it's too pitiful," He Qing echoed with a sigh, then added a reminder, "By the way, Sister Qin, you privately asked someone to leak that scandal of Su Ding. Be sure not to let Young Master Jin and Mr. Jin know about it..."
"Of course, I won't tell them," Zhao Qin replied with a smile, a look of certainty on her face. Yesterday, He Qing had given her an idea: she had heard that Su Ding was currently filming, and if she could be subjected to cyberbullying, Su Ding would not dare to show her face in public. Moreover, her past scandal would be brought to light, and Jin Ye would slowly drift away from her when he recalled Su Ding's betrayal. She felt this plan was feasible and had secretly contacted several media reporters. After giving them a large sum of hush money, the campaign to condemn Su Ding began. Coupled with the existing public interest in the matter, the argument escalated and directly landed on the trending search list. Now, all they had to do was wait for the situation to develop. She wouldn't be foolish enough to tell them she was responsible. A calculating smile flickered in He Qing's eyes...
Half an hour later, the car arrived at an apartment building, He Qing's home. He Qing led Zhao Qin into the house. A caregiver was pouring water in the living room, and there was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air. A woman's cough could occasionally be heard from inside. Zhao Qin frowned and lowered her voice, "What's going on?"
"She's too weak. She caught a cold after being rescued, but she's also pregnant, so she can only eat nourishing food..." He Qing explained, leading Zhao Qin into the bedroom.
Seeing the thin, pale woman on the bed, Zhao Qin almost instinctively held her breath. Was this still the lively and caring Shao Lin from before? How could that damned Su Ding do something so inhuman!
"Linlin..." Zhao Qin looked at Shao Lin with concern. She used to consider this girl her prospective daughter-in-law!
Shao Lin slowly lifted her eyes. When she saw Zhao Qin, she became agitated and struggled to sit up. Yesterday, when He Qing rescued her, she had made everything clear. If she wanted revenge, she had to hold onto Zhao Qin and use her to succeed.
"Auntie... thank you for saving me... *sob sob*..." Shao Lin cried aggrievedly.
Seeing Shao Lin's visibly pregnant belly and emaciated face, Zhao Qin quickly went to the bedside to help her, her voice filled with pity. "Linlin, you're..." Zhao Qin had no idea she was pregnant. But seeing her pitiful state, Zhao Qin felt distressed.
"It's all Su Ding! She knew I was pregnant with Jin Ye Gege's child, so she bewitched Jin Ye Gege, imprisoned me, and if it weren't for the Jin family's bloodline, I... I probably would have died long ago... *sob sob*..." Shao Lin cried out in despair, continuously touching her swollen belly. If it weren't for the child, she would have found a way to escape, but she was afraid of any risk to the baby, so she was forced to stay there. Many times, she had wanted to give up, but she thought about how far she had come. Giving up would mean all her efforts were in vain; she would never allow that! Even though she didn't want to eat, she still tried her best to eat the nutritional meals to ensure the baby's health...
"The Jin family's bloodline?" Zhao Qin exclaimed, "You're carrying Little Ye's child?"