Break

The phone screen displayed an image of Grandpa Jiang’s face.

Jiang Shuqin’s mind wandered through memories of the past.

Back then, when she was being bullied, it was Lin Chang who rescued her. She fell in love with him at first sight, and soon they were together.

Unexpectedly, her father and brother disapproved of their relationship.

They relentlessly targeted Lin Chang.

They always claimed to cherish her the most, yet in reality, all they wanted was control—she didn’t even have the right to choose her own love.

Resentment festered in her heart.

To escape that suffocating family, she secretly used the company’s resources to help Lin Chang’s Starlight Group grow.

Later, when Starlight Group faced financial difficulties and needed a billion yuan, she tried to transfer the money to Lin Chang again.

But her father and brother found out. Their eyes were filled with disappointment.

Hah, how ridiculous.

What right did they have to be disappointed in her?

If they hadn’t desperately opposed her relationship with Lin Chang, she would never have stolen from the company.

They claimed the company’s cash flow was broken, that the money was borrowed from the bank.

If she took it, the company would face a crisis.

She didn’t believe it.

How could a company as big as theirs possibly have cash flow problems?

This had to be another one of their lies.

In the end, they gave her two choices.

First, cut ties with Lin Chang.

Second, they wouldn’t stop her from taking the money, but from then on, the Jiang Family would sever all ties with her.

They were forcing her to leave.

Back then, Lin Chang treated her so well—he was the only one who made her feel warmth.

Without hesitation, she chose the second option.

She left the Jiang Family.

After that, she never paid attention to any news about them again.

Jiang Liangjun—her biological father.

This was the first time in all these years she had seen him, even if only on her phone.

Jiang Shuqin recalled Jiang Liangjun’s words: "Lin Chang is not a good man."

Her mind flashed back to the image of Lin Chang and Wang Yajun in bed together.

Her eyes darkened.

No.

She wasn’t wrong.

So what if Lin Chang wasn’t faithful to her?

He had been good to her before, and even now, with his infidelity, her three daughters and son were grown and working—she could still rely on them for a comfortable life.

Her days would still be sweet.

Before long, Lin Qingwan rushed home. Lin Qingxiu had already retreated to her room, and Lin Chang had left for the company.

Only Jiang Shuqin remained on the sofa, quietly wiping away tears.

"Mom, what’s wrong?" Lin Qingwan asked, puzzled.

"Nothing."

Jiang Shuqin forced a smile. "Wan’er, come here."

Lin Qingwan sat beside her.

"Wan’er." Jiang Shuqin grasped her hand. "At least I still have you all by my side."

If only she hadn’t given birth to Lin Xuan, everything would be perfect.

"Mom, no matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you," Lin Qingwan said.

"Good, good."

Jiang Shuqin smiled in relief, drying her tears.

"Wan’er, you’ve heard about Xiu’er, right?" she said.

"Yes."

Lin Qingwan nodded.

"She resigned from the hospital and got scolded by your father. She’s heartbroken—go comfort her," Jiang Shuqin urged.

"Alright."

Lin Qingwan agreed. She had rushed back from work precisely because she was worried about Xiu’er.

She entered Lin Qingxiu’s room.

The desk was littered with tissues. Lin Qingxiu’s eyes were swollen from crying. "Big sis, it was Lin Xuan who set me up."

Lin Qingwan stayed silent.

She already knew the whole story.

Xiu’er had been too eager to prove herself at first.

But Xiao Xuan was also at fault—he should have stopped her when he saw her misdiagnosis.

If he had, Xiu’er might have seen his kindness, and their relationship could have improved.

Now, it seemed her resentment toward him had only deepened.

Lin Qingwan had a headache.

Xiao Xuan seemed to be drifting further and further away from the Lin Family.

"Xiu’er," Lin Qingwan sighed, trying to console her. "It’s fine that you left the hospital. You can come work at the company, or if you want, I’ll invest in your own lab."

"Thank you, big sis." Lin Qingxiu wiped her tears.

That afternoon.

Lin Qingxiu arrived at the press conference venue. The moment she stepped out of the car, people who had been lying in wait hurled rotten vegetables at her.

"Quack doctor! Get out of the medical field!"

"Confess! How many lives have you ruined?"

"What, you think just because you’re a Lin Family heiress, you can treat ordinary people’s lives like trash?"

The accusations stung.

Lin Qingxiu was crushed.

Every patient under her care before had been treated successfully—just one mistake, and all her past achievements were erased.

She wanted to defend herself, but these people wouldn’t listen.

Head bowed, she slunk into the conference hall.

The night before, Su Hua and Lin Xuan hadn’t slept until four in the morning, so they woke up a little late today.

Butler Wang checked the time and smiled knowingly. "Seems like the young miss and Young Master Lin had quite the intense night."

By one in the afternoon, Lin Xuan woke first. Su Hua was still asleep, her arms wrapped around his waist.

Lost in some sweet dream, the corners of her lips curled slightly. In slumber, she looked serene and beautiful.

Lin Xuan couldn’t resist tracing her delicate features with his fingers.

He had been blind before—how could he have chased after Qin Ruoyao like a lovesick fool instead of cherishing a woman like her?

His fingers brushed over Su Hua’s lips, then paused when he noticed the red marks on her neck.

Ahem.

Last night, Hua Bao had been too irresistible—he couldn’t control himself, leaving countless marks on her porcelain skin.

Guiltily, he tried to pull his hand back.

Just then, Su Hua stirred awake.

"A-Xuan." She rolled on top of him, her fingertips tracing slow circles on his chest. "What are you doing, hmm?"