Chapter 1626

Xiao Qingqing took a step back in disappointment, evading Mu Lan's outstretched hand that sought to placate her. Though it was only early summer, a bone-chilling cold seeped into Xiao Qingqing's heart, leaving her numb. She had just lost her innocence, and worse, she had dragged her uncle into the mess. Fear and unease still gnawed at her, and she longed for her mother to hold her tight, to whisper that everything would be alright. But her own mother—for the sake of her stepdaughter and her new husband's business—was ready to push her straight into hell. Few knew how light the final straw could be before it broke the camel's back, but Xiao Qingqing knew. "Qingqing..." The tears glistening on Mu Lan's face now only filled Xiao Qingqing with bitter irony. She had no more words to waste. Turning sharply, she strode away. Seeing her reaction, Su Jiaojiao immediately rushed forward and seized her wrist, hissing sharply, "Where do you think you're going? Listen—if you don’t agree today, your mother will never have another peaceful day!" "Be my guest," Xiao Qingqing snapped, wrenching her arm free. Her dark eyes burned with a cold fire as she added icily, "And one more thing." For her mother’s sake, she had endured, swallowed every insult—but no more. Today was the end. "You want me to take the fall for you, is that it?" Her voice dripped with scorn. "Then have your oh-so-important father go find my boyfriend, Samuel, at the Nelson family. If you dare cross him, if you can get him to agree to this—then fine, I’ll take the blame. Otherwise…" She let out a derisive laugh. "Take a good look in the mirror. You’re not even worth the effort." With that, she shoved Su Jiaojiao aside and walked away, her steps firm and unyielding. Xiao Qingqing's piercing glare had been so terrifying that it momentarily stunned Su Jiaojiao. It wasn't until the front door slammed shut with a loud *thud* that she finally snapped out of it. Standing rooted to the spot, she shoved Mu Lan—who had stepped forward to console her—away violently. Stomping her feet in fury, she let out a shrill scream. "Get away from me! Don’t touch me! I don’t care what you have to do—make that bitch daughter of yours take the fall for this, or else… get the hell out of my house!" Mu Lan’s face twisted with hurt at the words. She turned to Su Changping, seeking support, but his expression was just as dark. Instead of offering any comfort, he spoke coldly, "Look at the disgrace your daughter has brought upon us. You’d better clean up this mess." With that, he snorted disdainfully, stood up, and stormed off to his study without another word. --- Samuel arrived at the company. The moment he stepped into his office, he saw his good friend Feng Zixiu lounging in his chair, fiddling with the smart robot on the desk. Spotting him, Feng lazily rose to his feet and vacated the seat, eyeing him with amusement. "Well, well, if it isn’t the illustrious Third Young Master Aidan, gracing us with his presence—late, no less. You seem in unusually high spirits today. What’s the secret? Some fancy spa treatment?" Samuel dropped into the now-empty chair without ceremony. His expression remained cool and detached, but the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Spa treatment? More like devouring a child. Does that count?" Feng rolled his eyes dramatically. But after studying Ye’s face for a moment, realization dawned on him. "Wait… the rumors I heard this morning—they can’t be true, can they? Don’t tell me you actually got… *deflowered*?" Ye shot him a withering glare, the kind that said *I don’t have time for your nonsense*, and pulled the smart robot back to the center of the desk. "Have you found anyone who can provide a solution yet?" But Feng was far too distracted now. He perched himself on the edge of the desk, leaning in with undisguised curiosity. "So you really fell for the Su family’s stepdaughter? Did she set you up?" Samuel said nothing. Instead, he fixed Feng with those deep, commanding eyes—eyes that carried the weight of natural authority—and held his gaze. One second. Two seconds… After a long silence, Feng Zixiu finally understood. A man like Samuel—how could he ever be outmaneuvered? The best hunters always start by playing the prey. "But why her, of all people? The stepdaughter of the Su family?" Feng Zixiu pressed, raising an eyebrow. "Didn’t you always say you were waiting for someone? What, gave up on them already?" Samuel averted his gaze, offering no reply. He casually lit a cigarette but didn’t take a drag, letting the smoke curl between his elegant, slender fingers. After a moment, he repeated, voice low and firm, "Where is he?" Feng Zixiu had known Samuel for nearly a decade. He was well aware that when the man clammed up, no amount of pressure—not even a gun to his head—would make him talk. Switching gears, Feng Zixiu got back to business. "The IP address for 'Mr. Bu' was traced back to Haicheng University. Our hackers managed to contact him, but it seems he has no interest in joining us." Samuel’s eyes flicked to the robot in front of him before he stood abruptly. "Pinpoint his exact location," he said, already striding toward the door. "I’m going to see him myself." "Wait—you’re personally recruiting him now?" "Top talent is worth the effort." --- **Haicheng University, Lecture Hall** The commotion below had drawn crowds to every window, students craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the drama unfolding. At the center of it all stood Xiao Qingqing, her hands tucked indifferently into her jacket pockets. Her expression was icy, detached, as she faced the tearful woman before her—her mother, Mu Lan—and the frail-looking Su Jiaojiao, whose carefully applied "exhausted" makeup made her seem on the verge of collapse. *They just never give up, do they?* Xiao Qingqing remained silent, her stance unyielding, as the spectacle played out around her. Su Jiaojiao's sobs gradually subsided from exhaustion, and she surreptitiously pinched Mu Lan's arm in frustration. Mu Lan winced, her delicate brows knitting together in pain. Xiao Qingqing caught the exchange. In the past, she would have immediately stepped in to defend her mother. But this time, she remained silent. This was her mother's choice. She had asked, pleaded even—but Mu Lan refused to leave with her. What right did she have to interfere now? Mu Lan turned to Xiao Qingqing, her voice hushed and desperate. "Qingqing, please... don't make this harder for me. Just agree, won’t you? Consider it the last favor you’ll ever do for me. Your uncle promised—once this blows over, he’ll make it up to you. He’ll clear your name." Xiao Qingqing’s gaze was icy. "Are you done? Then leave." She turned to walk back into the lab, but Mu Lan seized her wrist, her grip tight with frustration. "Qingqing, you know how hard it is for me as a second wife in this family. Must you really put me in this position?" Xiao Qingqing yanked her arm free. "Enough! You chose this. How many times have I offered to take you away? You’re the one who refuses!" Mu Lan faltered, momentarily speechless. But then, steeling herself with thoughts of her husband’s warnings, she hardened her voice. "So this time... no matter how much I beg, you won’t help me?" Xiao Qingqing met her eyes, unwavering. "No." Mu Lan nodded slowly, her expression turning cold. "Fine. If you care so little about your own mother’s survival, if you can be this heartless... then I have nothing left to apologize for."