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