Shao Mei'er was astounded. She stared at Su Qingning in confusion, completely unable to understand why she was crying.

Lin Xiao, however, knew the reason. To put it plainly, those weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of pure excitement—the thrill one feels after a great wrong has finally been avenged.

She remembered how Zhao Qingqing had drugged her with an aphrodisiac, causing her to lose her virginity to a man she thought was a beggar. Not only that, but Zhao Qingqing had then forced her to marry him. Although Su Qingning eventually grew to get along quite well with that man, the trauma Zhao Qingqing had inflicted upon her was forever etched into her heart, a wound that would never heal in this lifetime.

If not for her deep attachment to her mother, Su Qingning would have lost the will to live long ago.

So now, hearing the news of Zhao Qingqing's death, how could she not be overjoyed? How could she not be thrilled? She might be an inherently kind girl, but she was no saint. She couldn't possibly shed tears of sympathy for the misfortune of an enemy who had caused her so much pain.

"Master, what's wrong with Madam?" Shao Mei'er asked cautiously, worried her words had somehow made Su Qingning cry.

Lin Xiao just smiled. "It's nothing. She's just overwhelmed with excitement."

"Excitement?" Shao Mei'er's face was full of doubt.

"Yes, excitement," Lin Xiao explained. "My wife suffered immensely at Zhao Qingqing's hands; she almost didn't survive. Hearing that her enemy is dead is naturally going to make her emotional."

The realization dawned on Shao Mei'er. She knew, of course, that Su Qingning had lost her virginity to Lin Xiao because Zhao Qingqing had drugged her. She also knew that Zhao Qingqing had forced the marriage simply to humiliate Su Qingning.

For some reason, a sliver of envy for Su Qingning sparked within Shao Mei'er.

How I wish Zhao Qingqing had given *me* the aphrodisiac instead. Then I could have tumbled in the sheets with that rascal of mine... Or maybe I should get my hands on some aphrodisiac and have him use his body to cure me?

As the thought crossed her mind, Shao Mei'er's heart began to race.

Su Qingning cried for a while longer before finally stopping. Her eyes, normally as beautiful as peach blossoms, were now red and swollen. Seeing her like this, Lin Xiao felt his heart ache as if pierced by a knife. Had he known that killing Zhao Qingqing would affect her this profoundly, he would have acted much sooner.

"Honey, it's all in the past now. Zhao Qingqing got what she deserved. You don't have to be sad anymore," Lin Xiao comforted her softly.

Su Qingning nodded obediently.

"Madam, what are your plans now?" Shao Mei'er asked at an opportune moment.

"I've already contacted a crew to renovate the bar. As you know, I'm competing with my uncle's daughter for control of the Su Corporation, and that bar is my only leverage for victory. I have to get it running again."

Shao Mei'er nodded. Lin Xiao had once asked her to investigate the Su Corporation, so she was well-informed about the Su Family's affairs.

She smiled and said, "Madam, why didn't you come to me for the renovation? We have the most professional renovation team on retainer!"

"Oh, no, no, Miss Shao. You've already done more than enough to help me."

"It's no trouble at all, not in the slightest. After we eat, I'll take you to meet the team. It's settled then," Shao Mei'er said with a cheerful smile.

Su Qingning looked at Shao Mei'er, her eyes filled with gratitude. She was truly at a loss for words. She desperately wanted to thank her properly but had no idea how. Su Qingning knew perfectly well that Shao Mei'er was only being so kind to her because of Lin Xiao.

Unfortunately, she was already married to him. It wasn't as if she could just give Lin Xiao to her. Su Qingning realized she truly couldn't bear to part with him, though even she didn't quite understand why.

"Miss Shao, how can I ever thank you?" Su Qingning asked earnestly, her lovely face a mask of sincerity.

Shao Mei'er smiled. "Don't worry about it. When your bar reopens, just give me a card for unlimited drinks!"

"Alright then!" Su Qingning said gratefully.

Honestly, Su Qingning knew such a gesture was trivial to someone like Shao Mei'er. After all, her family was the most prominent and wealthy in all of Jinling City; they certainly weren't short on money for drinks. Shao Mei'er was probably just saying that to put her at ease. But for the moment, Su Qingning couldn't think of any better way to show her gratitude. For now, she could only commit this kindness to memory and vow to repay the Shao Family when an opportunity arose in the future.

The meal concluded in a pleasant atmosphere. Perhaps hearing about the Zhao Family's downfall had lifted Su Qingning's spirits, because not only did she eat a lot, but she also uncharacteristically drank some wine.

After a bit of wine, Su Qingning was as enchanting as a freshly bloomed rose, so beautiful she seemed to glisten like morning dew. Lin Xiao was utterly captivated, and even Shao Mei'er couldn't help but exclaim, "Madam, you truly live up to your title as the number one beauty of Jinling City. It's no wonder men are smitten by your face—even I, a woman, find my heart racing!"

Su Qingning instantly flushed, so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into. "Miss Shao, you're very beautiful too, truly. And it's not just your looks; you have an incredibly stunning figure."

Shao Mei'er's face lit up with surprise. "Really, Madam?"

Su Qingning nodded quickly.

Shao Mei'er burst out laughing like a delighted child.

After the meal, when Su Qingning went to pay the bill, Shao Mei'er stopped her.

"Madam, your presence honors my restaurant. How could I possibly let you pay?"

"Miss Shao, please... don't make me feel like I owe you too much, alright?" Su Qingning pleaded.

Shao Mei'er glanced helplessly at Lin Xiao.

He smiled. "If my wife wants to pay, let her. It'll make her feel better."

Since Lin Xiao had said so, Shao Mei'er relented. "Alright then."

Su Qingning successfully paid the bill.

Led by Shao Mei'er, the three of them made their way to her office, which was in a skyscraper in the most central district of Jinling City. Her office occupied the entire top floor of the sixty-six-story building.

It had been a long time since Su Qingning had been somewhere so high. Standing before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see almost half of Jinling City spread out below.

Before Su Qingning could fully take in the view, her eyes were drawn to another building in the distance, one that towered a hundred stories high. Emblazoned across the top of the building were two words: Myth Corporation.

Su Qingning stared at the name for a long moment. A wave of envy washed over her, and she made a silent vow. I have to work hard. One day, I will build my own Myth Corporation!

At some point, Lin Xiao had come to stand beside her. Following her gaze, he also spotted the Myth Corporation building.

He smiled. "Honey, do you like it?"

"What?" Su Qingning asked, pulled from her thoughts.

"Myth Corporation."

Su Qingning didn't hide her feelings. She nodded. "I've heard that Myth Corporation is a new company in Jinling City, but it's supposed to be incredibly powerful."

Lin Xiao smiled again. "How about I give it to you?"

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