In Wang Qin’s view, Ning An had been mature and sensible since childhood, a girl who knew how to read the room and understood exactly what should and should not be said.
It was only because of this tactfulness and her single-minded devotion to Qin Wang that Wang Qin had reluctantly agreed to their engagement, despite not being particularly fond of Ning An’s background.
Tang Meng was a sore spot for Qin Wang and had always been a taboo subject for the Qin family. Wang Qin had expected Ning An to be clever enough to ignore her, or at the very least, to pretend she didn't know. Ning An’s sudden, blunt question caught her completely off guard.
Wang Qin felt a flicker of panic, then retorted, "Your wedding date with Awang is about to be set. Is this really so important?"
Ning An replied without hesitation, "It is very important."
Repeatedly being put on the spot, Wang Qin began to lose her composure. "And even if you knew, what of it?"
"The Qin family door is not open to just any stray cat or dog. Tang Meng couldn't get in four years ago, and she won't be coming in now." Wang Qin spoke with a heavy, earnest tone. "An An, you are the future daughter-in-law of the Qin family. Once Awang inherits the company, he will have to deal with all kinds of women in his business dealings. Do you intend to fly into a jealous rage every time, chasing them all away and demanding that no women be allowed near him?"
The cold words felt like a blade piercing her heart. Ning An turned pale, looking at her with a sense of loss and helplessness.
Wang Qin felt a pang of guilt and quickly pulled Ning An’s hand, offering a soft, soothing tone. "I didn't mean to blame you, dear."
"You grew up with Awang; you should know his stubborn temper. The more people try to stop him, the more he wants what he's denied."
"That is exactly the situation with Tang Meng right now. Both his father and I believe that rather than forcing him, it is better to let him grow bored on his own and eventually let go of this obsession."
Ning An’s eyes widened in disbelief. When Qin Wang had nearly severed ties with the family years ago, hadn't Wang Qin hated Tang Meng to the core, threatening to make her disappear from the world? Why was she suddenly indifferent to him getting back together with her?
Seeing her silence, Wang Qin assumed she had been persuaded. She continued, playing on both logic and emotion. "Awang decided to get engaged to you, which means you are special to him."
"We are on your side. If Awang continues to be blinded and stubborn, we will intervene appropriately."
"I have had people look into it. Tang Meng just won an award and her schedule is tight. You should spend more time with Awang."
"If you can, it would be even better if you could get pregnant."
The last glimmer of hope in her heart was extinguished by a bucket of cold water. The words Qin Wang had spoken in the private room the night before played over and over in her mind like a curse.
Ning An trembled uncontrollably. So, they all knew. They had already accepted that Qin Wang and Tang Meng were back together.
Qin Wang—and his parents—they only wanted a tool to carry on the Qin family line.
No wonder Wang Qin had been bringing up children every other day since the engagement, constantly pressuring her in roundabout ways. But what they didn't know was that in the more than a year since their engagement, she and Qin Wang had yet to take that final step. Because Qin Wang couldn't forget Tang Meng, he would always find some excuse to stop at the critical moment.
"Auntie."
Ning An pulled her hand away. Wang Qin was, after all, Qin Wang’s mother. She was unconditionally on his side and was no longer someone who could be won over; she needed to change her strategy.
Ning An’s mind raced. She decided to take a gamble. "I already told Awang last night that I want to cancel—"
"Mom."
Before she could finish, Qin Wang pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing Ning An’s cold, resolute expression, his heart sank. Pretending to be her protector, he pulled her behind him and accused, "Are you giving An An a hard time again?"
Wang Qin was displeased at being blamed by her son, but remembering that Ning An was still being difficult, she held her tongue. She looked at Ning An and, following Qin Wang’s lead, said with a playful tone, "We aren't even married yet, and already Awang is snapping at his own mother for your sake."
Ning An watched the mother and son put on their clumsy act, feeling an urge to laugh. She had been too naive before, thinking she could use Qin Wang’s parents. She had forgotten that in the eyes of their family, she was the outsider. How could they ever side with an outsider against their own flesh and blood?
Qin Wang seemed to ignore the remark, his gaze sweeping over Ning An. "Mom really didn't make things difficult for you?"
"What are you saying?" Wang Qin shot her son an annoyed look. "Do I look like some kind of monster?"
"Mom, I didn't mean that—"
"If you want to coddle An An, go do it in your own room." Wang Qin didn't wait for a response and ushered them out. The door slammed shut behind them with a loud thud.
"..."
Qin Wang glanced awkwardly at the closed door and lowered his voice. "About last night... I’m sorry."
Ning An looked at him and turned to leave. An apology is an expression of regret and remorse from someone who has done wrong. Qin Wang was not truly sorry. He was only afraid that she might say something she shouldn't in front of his grandmother, and he wanted to use that to seal her lips.
"Still angry?" Qin Wang reached out cautiously to grab her. "What do you want me to do..."
Ning An avoided his touch.
His hand grasped at air. The warmth on Qin Wang’s face faded. He glanced back at the closed door, then grabbed her wrist firmly. "Let’s go to the room and talk."
Ning An felt a wave of nausea and instinctively struggled, but remembering the purpose of her visit today, she followed him upstairs.
Once inside the room and the door was closed, Qin Wang didn't rush to explain. Instead, he asked, "Where did you go after you left the Tourmaline Club last night?"
Ning An was stunned. "What?"
"I called you several times, but you didn't answer."
"So you came back specifically to interrogate me?"
"No." Qin Wang placed his hands on her shoulders. "That road from the club to the city center is quite desolate, and there are no shops. I was afraid you’d run into danger walking out alone."
"You worry too much."
Ning An tried to push him away, but he was too strong; she couldn't budge him. Standing so close, she could clearly smell the perfume on him. It wasn't the scent he usually wore, but it was very familiar. Ning An couldn't help but sniff.
Wasn't this the perfume Tang Meng had been wearing last night? It had been chaotic at the time, but the faint scent of lily-of-the-valley had left a deep impression on her.
Looking at the casual blue shirt Qin Wang was wearing, it wasn't one of the custom-made or high-fashion pieces usually found in his closet; it was entirely at odds with the light-colored, formal styles he preferred.
Ning An felt dizzy. She bit her lip and said coldly, "Actually, you were just afraid I’d go complain to Grandma, weren't you?"
Qin Wang’s eyes flickered. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"You only called me three times and sent three WeChat messages last night, then you completely ignored me. That shows you weren't truly worried about me—at least, my safety wasn't your primary concern."
"Tang Meng was there. You had to help her handle a scandal and protect her as she left, so you threw me to the back of your mind after sending those messages."
Ning An’s tone was sharp and unrelenting. "At this point, is there really any need to keep acting?"
"An An!" Qin Wang raked his hair in frustration. "The scandal last night was deliberately aimed at Tang Meng. The other party came prepared, spending a lot of money to buy search trends and press releases. It took us until the middle of the night to handle it."
"And then you stayed over at Tang Meng’s place?"
"...We are not in that kind of relationship."
Ning An sneered. "Why don't you go ask your mother and grandmother if they believe that?"
Two former lovers, once madly in love, alone in a room together in the dead of night, yet claiming to be innocent? Who are you trying to fool?