Su Qingning's mood had hit rock bottom.

She could never have dreamed that her own aunt would treat her and Lin Xiao this way. She suddenly remembered how, when they first arrived, Lin Xiao had asked how her uncle's family treated her. She had even gotten angry with him. What a bitter irony that seemed now.

She got into the car in a daze.

Feeling incredibly guilty, Su Qingning said, "Lin Xiao, I'm sorry!"

Lin Xiao looked at Su Qingning with a dumbfounded expression. "Honey, why are you apologizing to me all of a sudden?"

"I'm not apologizing for what my aunt said. I'm apologizing because you were treated so poorly tonight," Su Qingning said, her eyes slightly red.

Lin Xiao felt a twinge of heartache. He instinctively rubbed her head.

He spoke softly, "But you're clearly the one who's most hurt by this."

BOOM!

Su Qingning's mind went blank. A huge wave of warmth washed over her. It was a touching sentiment, a warmth that soothed her aggrieved heart. The moisture in her eyes welled up, a sign she was about to cry.

"So, are you touched? If you're that touched, how about rewarding me with a kiss?"

The feeling of being touched vanished from her heart in an instant. Feeling both bashful and annoyed, she glared at Lin Xiao.

"You shameless pervert, can't you stop being so crude for once?"

Lin Xiao chuckled. "You're so beautiful, any normal man would want to get fresh with you, let alone an old lecher like me!"

Su Qingning looked at Lin Xiao, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

She realized she truly didn't understand this man. He was clearly very smart, possessing a wisdom that seemed to effortlessly see into people's hearts. Yet, he was also a complete rogue, constantly looking for ways to take advantage of her. She really couldn't figure him out.

Just then, Lin Xiao smiled and asked, "So, still upset?"

"Hmph, this shameless pervert has angered me so much I've already forgotten about being upset," Su Qingning replied huffily.

Lin Xiao laughed. "As long as you're not upset, it's fine. Actually, don't be sad. It won't be long before your aunt apologizes to you!"

Su Qingning rolled her eyes at him. "Can you stop spouting nonsense? My aunt has always been arrogant. How could she possibly apologize to me? Besides, they're a third-tier family now, and I..."

At this, Su Qingning gave a few bitter laughs. "I can't even protect my own bar. In their eyes, I don't measure up anymore. If my father were still alive, if the Su Corporation were still in our family's hands, then maybe. But now? Don't be ridiculous!"

The words had barely left her mouth when her phone began to ring. It was a call from her aunt.

Su Qingning looked at the caller ID with a confused expression.

Lin Xiao glanced over and smiled. "Answer it."

Su Qingning answered the phone, still full of suspicion.

"Qing Ning, where... where are you now?" her aunt's trembling voice came through the phone, laced with a hint of panic.

"On the way to the hospital," Su Qingning responded after a moment's hesitation. Her voice sounded cold and distant. It was clear she was still holding a grudge over her aunt's earlier insults.

"I... I... can I come and see you?"

Huh?

Su Qingning's delicate brows furrowed. "Auntie, do you need something?"

"Qing Ning, I... I want to apologize to you. What I said earlier was awful. You know I'm not that kind of person. It's just that this situation with your cousin is so frightening, and I was just so anxious and upset. So, can you forgive your auntie?"

Shock was written all over Su Qingning's devastatingly beautiful face. She couldn't help but be shocked. Her aunt had always been so prideful and haughty, yet now, she had actually lowered her proud head.

What shocked her even more was Lin Xiao... Did he actually have the ability to see the future?

She subconsciously glanced at Lin Xiao. He simply smiled at her and kept his focus on driving.

Su Qingning snapped back to her senses. "Auntie, you're being too serious. Like you said, you were just worried about my cousin. I wasn't really much help, so of course I'm not angry," Su Qingning said. This time, her tone was much lighter.

"That's good, that's good. Qing Ning, could you pass the phone to Lin Xiao? I... I want to say a few words to him!"

Puzzled, Su Qingning glanced at Lin Xiao but still handed him the phone. Lin Xiao signaled for her to put it on speaker, and she did as he instructed.

"Auntie, what's up?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"Lin Xiao, I... I apologize to you. What I said earlier was completely out of line. Please, don't take it to heart!"

Lin Xiao chuckled. "We're all family. Of course, I won't take it to heart."

"That's... that's good!"

"Auntie, is there anything else? If not, I'm going to hang up now."

With that, Lin Xiao quickly ended the call.

Su Qingning was baffled as to why her aunt was apologizing, but Lin Xiao knew exactly why. First, she was intimidated by his status. Second, she wanted him to save her son. However, Lin Xiao had no intention of helping, which was why he hung up so abruptly.

When they were at the villa, he had told them that if they apologized to Su Qingning, he would forgive them and help resolve the issue. But in return, her aunt had only mocked them more intensely. Now that they realized he was more useful than He Yonghong, they were scrambling to apologize. But their apology was just a means to get his help saving their son. Things in this world are never that simple.

"You rogue, how did you know my aunt would apologize?" Su Qingning asked curiously.

"Kiss me, and I'll tell you!"

Su Qingning's face instantly flushed crimson. She really wasn't used to Lin Xiao's sudden, shameless advances. Seeing his mischievous smile, she glared at him, both embarrassed and angry. "Hmph, fine, don't tell me then!"

Lin Xiao laughed. "Honey, I'm just kidding, don't be mad. Actually, it's quite simple. Back at your uncle's house, He Yonghong greeted me. Your uncle and aunt would have definitely asked him about our relationship, and He Yonghong would have naturally boasted about me. After all, in his eyes, I'm quite extraordinary. Shao Mei'er was so eager that she offered me a villa—and not just any villa, but the king of the complex, worth one billion. Once your aunt heard that, of course she was going to apologize. She's counting on us to save your cousin, after all."

Su Qingning's expression instantly dimmed. She wasn't sad because her aunt's apology was just a ploy to save her cousin. She was troubled by the thought that Shao Mei'er was willing to give away a villa worth a billion just to win Lin Xiao's favor.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Lin Xiao asked.

Su Qingning shook her head. "It's nothing. Just focus on driving."

But even as she said it, Su Qingning made a secret vow. She would work as hard as she possibly could to one day give Lin Xiao a house even more magnificent than Hidden Dragon Villa.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.