Su Qingning's beautiful face instantly flushed with anger. She was furious. She had never dreamed that a major celebrity would say such a thing. Even Shao Mei'er, who also liked Lin Xiao, had never said anything of the sort.

Seeing Su Qingning's anger, Chu Xiangxue quickly explained, "Qing Ning, I don't mean to insult you. I had someone look into your marriage yesterday, and I know you were forced into it. This means you and Lin Xiao have no emotional foundation. If that's the case, forcing yourselves to stay together will only bring misery to you both."

Su Qingning snorted. "I may have been forced to marry Lin Xiao, but it's not your place to comment on my marriage!"

Chu Xiangxue smiled gently. "Qing Ning, while investigating your marriage, I also briefly looked into your background. I know you're having a hard time. How about this: if you're willing to divorce Lin Xiao, I'm ready to help you with your career. I can even help you reclaim the Su Corporation!"

If Chu Xiangxue's earlier words were a threat, her words now were a temptation. She was using benefits to lure her into compromising. To be honest, the terms she offered were incredibly alluring to Su Qingning.

Leaving aside everything else, the offer to help her reclaim the Su Corporation was enough to tempt her. After all, she had sworn before her father's memorial tablet to get it back, no matter the cost. But she wanted to rely on her own abilities to do it, to take it back openly and honorably. She wanted to show all those who looked down on her and her mother that Su Daokun's daughter was anything but incompetent.

Su Qingning stared at the breathtakingly beautiful girl before her and said resolutely, "I appreciate your kind offer, but there's no need. If I wanted to use someone else's influence to reclaim the Su Corporation, I would have done so long ago."

Chu Xiangxue smiled sweetly. "I believe you. After all, you are truly beautiful—so much so that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say your looks could topple nations. Plenty of young masters from prominent families would be willing to help you reclaim the Su Corporation if you just asked. But, Su Qingning, do you realize what you're giving up by refusing me?"

"I don't want to know, and I don't care," Su Qingning said haughtily.

Chu Xiangxue smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. "I like your self-reliant personality. If it weren't for Lin Xiao, we might have become friends. Unfortunately, his existence destines us to be rivals in love. I hope you can keep a close eye on him, because from now on, I'm going to use every trick in the book."

Here, Chu Xiangxue paused. Gazing at Su Qingning's grim expression, she continued with a smile, "You can call me shameless, but who wouldn't fall for a peerlessly handsome man like Lin Xiao?"

With that, Chu Xiangxue stood up and departed.

Su Qingning was left alone in the spacious private room, feeling awful. That Lin Xiao is just a beggar, and he's not even that handsome. Why do all these gorgeous women like him? Shao Mei'er was already enough of a headache, and now there's Chu Xiangxue… She truly didn't know what to do.

「At the same time.」

Pei Donglai brought Pei Yanzi to the house Lin Xiao had given them. Staring at the residence, which could only be described as luxurious, Pei Yanzi was completely stunned.

"Brother, where did you get this house?!"

"The captain gave it to us," Pei Donglai said helplessly.

Pei Yanzi was startled again. She asked in disbelief, "Brother Lin gave it to us?"

"Yes."

"But... why would he give us such an expensive house?"

Pei Donglai shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know either. Maybe he just wants us to live more comfortably."

"But Brother, this house is too valuable! I wouldn't feel right living here," Pei Yanzi said, her voice filled with apprehension.

Pei Donglai sighed. "Yanzi, I don't feel right about it either. I tried to refuse him, but the captain got angry. Oh, right, he said the house has already been transferred to our names. He told me when we got back to the bar that the paperwork is being processed now."

Pei Yanzi was shocked once again.

"Yanzi, do you like it here?" Pei Donglai asked.

Pei Yanzi hesitated for a moment. Who wouldn't like such a beautiful house? She had just seen her own room, which was decorated in a girlish style, all pink. It was adorable and cozy. Compared to the place she was living now... there was no comparison at all. Finally, she nodded.

"Then just live here and be at ease. In any case, I've decided. For the rest of my life, I'll treat Lin Xiao as my big brother... no, as my master. Even though I'm a few years older, he is someone worth following for a lifetime!" Pei Donglai's words were resolute, as if he were making an oath.

Pei Yanzi nodded vigorously. "Brother, I'll listen to you. After I graduate from college, I will also repay Brother Lin."

Pei Donglai grunted in acknowledgment.

* * *

Su Qingning sat in the private room for a while longer, collecting her thoughts. Just as she was about to leave, the door was pushed open, and Lin Xiao walked in with a beaming smile.

Su Qingning snapped back to her senses, her gaze landing instantly on Lin Xiao's face. I have to see what kind of charm this man possesses, enough to make a top-tier beauty like Chu Xiangxue fall for him at first sight. Yes, she simply assumed Chu Xiangxue had fallen for him on the spot. But as she stared, she couldn't see what was so charming about him at all. Other than his eyes, which could barely be considered deep, there was nothing else attractive about him.

"Why are you looking at me with such affection?"

Su Qingning snorted. "You scoundrel, I want to ask you a question!"

"What question?"

"If someone made you an incredibly tempting offer to divorce me, would you take it?"

As soon as she asked, Su Qingning's heart grew tense. She stared straight at Lin Xiao, her expression a mixture of nervousness and eager anticipation.

"That would depend on the offer."

Su Qingning's heart sank. Her stunning face turned cold as ice. She suppressed the rage welling inside her and continued, "What if it could make you wealthy enough to rival a nation?"

What? Wealthy enough to rival a nation?

Lin Xiao smiled. "Let's try a different condition. I'm already wealthy enough to rival a nation, with enough power to rule the world!"

"Can you be serious? I'm talking to you about something very important!" Su Qingning said, her voice sharp with anger. She finally couldn't hold back her emotions. For his sake, she had just turned down an offer to reclaim the Su Corporation, and here he was, spouting nonsense!ŸŸŸ

Lin Xiao shrugged and said with the utmost seriousness, "I'm not bragging. By having you, I'm already wealthier than any nation."

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