Song Qinian stared intently at Lin Qiutong. Although Lin Qiutong's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were clear. The words she had just spoken did not seem like they came without thought.
Song Qinian's heart began to pound violently, and a flurry of questions flashed through her mind.
How did Lin Qiutong know she was investigating the events from three years ago? Had Zhou Luote accidentally exposed her?
Moreover, would Lin Qiutong really tell her the truth about what happened back then?
Seeing Song Qinian's reaction and expression, Lin Qiutong curled her lips into a light smile and whispered into Song Qinian's ear, "That's right, your father was framed. I deliberately framed him for kidnapping me. I didn't want your family to be reunited."
Even though she knew her father was innocent, hearing these words from Lin Qiutong, Song Qinian felt shock mixed with her anger.
"Why? We've never met, and my father never offended you. Why would you do that?"
Lin Qiutong couldn't understand sign language, but she could roughly guess what Song Qinian was trying to express.
"I won't tell you why, and you'll never know. You just need to remember that your entire family will never be reunited in this lifetime, and your father will never get out of prison."
Looking at Song Qinian's furious little face, Lin Qiutong chuckled triumphantly. "To put it bluntly, what good would it do even if you found out what happened back then? I am the young lady of the Lin family, and Shen Chiyan's lover. What do you think you can do to me?"
Song Qinian was so angry her eyes felt like they were about to spew fire. For a moment, she genuinely wanted to kill Lin Qiutong.
Suddenly, Lin Qiutong reached out and placed her hand on Song Qinian's shoulder, speaking in a conciliatory tone, "How about this, let's make a deal. As long as you leave Ah Yan and promise never to appear before him again, I will find a way to get your father released from prison and allow your family to be reunited."
Song Qinian did not believe Lin Qiutong. This woman, on the surface, appeared kind and generous, always wearing a lively and cheerful smile, as if she could face any hardship with a smile.
In reality, she was deeply cunning and two-faced.
Song Qinian knew clearly that even if she agreed to leave Shen Chiyan, Lin Qiutong would not spare her entire family.
She reached out and fiercely slapped away Lin Qiutong's hand from her shoulder. She had no intention of making a deal with someone who had framed her father and sent him to prison for three years.
As for her father's situation, since she had confirmed Lin Qiutong had framed him, she would definitely find a way to clear his name.
"So, our negotiation has broken down? Heh... Song Qinian, you will pay the price for your choice."
Before Song Qinian could react to what the price was, Lin Qiutong suddenly let out a scream and then plunged into the lake.
Song Qinian's mind went blank.
"Ugh... Help! Help me... I can't swim."
Lin Qiutong thrashed and struggled in the water, crying for help loudly. Song Qinian stared at her blankly, her feet seemingly rooted to the spot.
She had only slapped Lin Qiutong's hand away; she hadn't pushed her.
"Ah... Someone! Someone fell into the water!"
It was unclear who shouted, but Song Qinian snapped back to her senses. In that instant, someone jumped into the water and rescued Lin Qiutong.
Within seconds, a crowd of people rushed over, drawn by the commotion.
Meanwhile, Shen Chiyan had been discussing future development strategies with several executives. Finally managing to extricate himself from the older gentlemen, and seeing that Song Qinian still hadn't returned, he was about to send her a WeChat message when a girl hurried up to him.
"Mr. Shen, something terrible has happened! Miss Lin has fallen into the water!"
"What? How did she fall into the water out of nowhere?"
"It seems... your wife pushed her!"
Shen Chiyan's face changed drastically. Without a second thought, he rushed towards the lake.
A crowd had gathered by the lake, murmuring amongst themselves, creating a considerable din.
However, upon seeing Shen Chiyan arrive, they automatically parted, clearing a path.
As Shen Chiyan approached, he saw Lin Qiutong, dripping wet. Likely having swallowed some water, she was coughing incessantly.
Her delicate eyebrows were furrowed, and her expression was one of intense pain. Her coughs sounded as if she were about to cough up her lungs.
Lin Lanxing kept patting Lin Qiutong's back, trying to soothe her breathing. "Sister, are you alright?"
Seeing Lin Qiutong's face and ears turn red from coughing, she glared angrily at Song Qinian, who was surrounded by several people, as if to prevent her from escaping.
"Song Qinian, you are too wicked! My sister was harmed by your father and had to lie in a hospital bed for three years, wasting three precious years of her life. Now that she's finally awake, you can't stand her, and you've actually gone so far as to try and kill her!"
Song Qinian's face was as pale as paper. She had already tried to explain; she couldn't speak, and therefore couldn't prove her innocence. She gestured frantically, but no one understood.
Even if someone had understood, they wouldn't have believed her!
The moment someone jumped into the water to save Lin Qiutong, Song Qinian realized she had been set up by Lin Qiutong.
Lin Qiutong had first used the truth of three years ago to enrage her, and then deliberately jumped into the water to frame her.
She had always known Lin Qiutong was not a kind person, but she had never imagined she would put herself in danger to frame her.
"Fifth Master has arrived."
Someone in the crowd shouted, and all eyes turned to Shen Chiyan.
Song Qinian's heart trembled violently, and she also looked towards Shen Chiyan.
Shen Chiyan's expression was extremely grim. The instant their eyes met, his cold, sharp gaze felt like a sharp knife, piercing her heart.
Seeing Shen Chiyan staring intently at Song Qinian, Lin Qiutong feigned a pained cough and weakly extended her hand towards him, "Ah Yan..."
Only then did Shen Chiyan withdraw his gaze and stride to Lin Qiutong's side.
Lin Qiutong was wearing a dress, and now her clothes were soaked. Her bra was faintly visible underneath, and someone hastily draped a piece of clothing over her.
Shen Chiyan, with a stern face, took off his own jacket and draped it over Lin Qiutong. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine... Don't blame Niannian. Niannian didn't do it on purpose, *cough cough*..."
Lin Lanxing was furious. "Sister, she wanted to kill you, and you're still speaking up for her."
"I... *cough cough*..."
Lin Qiutong wanted to say something, but then she coughed violently again.
Her fragile, pitiable appearance drew sympathy from everyone present, and they began to point fingers at Song Qinian.
At this moment, the hosts, Zhou Yuting and Shen Yushu, rushed over upon hearing of the incident.
Shen Yushu frowned with concern when he saw Song Qinian's paper-white face. Just as he was about to say something, he was fiercely glared at by Zhou Yuting.
"Mr. Shen, I apologize profusely for the incident involving Miss Lin at my wedding. Her clothes are completely soaked; I fear she might catch a cold. You should take her to change into dry clothes. I will certainly provide you and Miss Lin with an explanation."