Xia Shi Xue didn't expect Fu Yan Ting's reaction to be so swift. When she gave the waiter that bottle of medicine, she had specifically instructed the waiter to destroy the surveillance footage and ensure the operation was seamless.
Yet, the surveillance footage had somehow fallen into Fu Yan Ting's hands.
Xia Shi Xue shot a questioning look at the waiter, who immediately lowered his head in fear.
Fu Yan Ting glanced coldly at Xia Shi Xue.
In Fu Yan Ting's heart, Xia Shi Xue had always been cherished like a younger sister. He knew she had a bit of a willful streak, but for years, Fu Yan Ting had protected her. Even when Xia Shi Xue offended people, no one dared retaliate.
What Fu Yan Ting hadn't anticipated was that his constant indulgence would only embolden Xia Shi Xue to overstep her bounds.
Xia Shi Xue was fully aware of how much Fu Yan Ting cared for Yan Xi, yet she repeatedly targeted Yan Xi.
"Yan Ting, things aren't what you think. Can you listen to my explanation?"
Xia Shi Xue knew she couldn't just accept her fate. If she did, Fu Yan Ting would only despise her more. She had to explain herself.
As Xia Shi Xue fumbled for words, unsure how to present herself as innocent,
Fu Yan Ting saw through her intentions. Before she could speak, he revealed the waiter's confession. This made Xia Shi Xue's face turn even paler, leaving her no chance to explain.
Fu Yan Ting signaled to his bodyguards, who promptly took Xia Shi Xue away.
Xia Shi Xue kept calling Fu Yan Ting's name, but he remained indifferent.
After He Yun brought Yan Xi back to the He family residence and settled her in, he called Qiao Wei.
Qiao Wei was surprised that on the 186th day after their divorce, He Yun had finally remembered her existence and called her.
Qiao Wei was overjoyed. She excitedly answered the phone.
"He Yun, why are you calling me? Is there something you need?" Qiao Wei asked, her voice filled with emotion.
"Where are you? I need to discuss something with you in person."
Hearing He Yun's intention to meet and even pick her up, Qiao Wei's excitement intensified.
Had He Yun finally realized his mistake and recognized her worth?
Qiao Wei gave He Yun her address, and he hung up.
Ten minutes later, He Yun called Qiao Wei again, telling her to come downstairs.
Qiao Wei went downstairs and saw He Yun.
His car was parked by the roadside, and he leaned against the door, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Even from behind, Qiao Wei was captivated.
He was the man she loved, and his silhouette alone was enough to make her dazed and infatuated.
Sensing someone watching him, He Yun flicked his cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it with his foot.
He then slowly turned around. Upon seeing Qiao Wei, he walked towards her and said, "Why didn't you tell me when you came down?"
"Husband, I thought this was all a dream. I didn't expect you to really come to see me. You have no idea how unaccustomed I am to living here. I miss you so much. I want to go home, back to our home."
The Qiao family had gone bankrupt. Qiao Yun Long and Li Qin had fled with their meager savings, leaving Qiao Wei, Qiao Xue, and Hua Yue Qing with a mountain of debt.
The mother and daughters were forced to move into a rented place in a more secluded area.
When He Yun heard Qiao Wei call him "husband," his expression changed. "Qiao Wei, just call me by my name from now on. We have no relationship anymore."
Qiao Wei had thought that He Yun's主动 contact meant their relationship had improved, or at least that he was willing to give her another chance.
However, He Yun's words plunged her into despair.
He Yun gave Qiao Wei a cold look and directly asked, "Instructing Xia Shi Xue to harm Yan Xi, you were behind it, weren't you?"
Although phrased as a question, He Yun had already investigated thoroughly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have contacted Qiao Wei.
Qiao Wei had believed that He Yun's initiative to contact her signified a thaw in their relationship.
To her dismay, He Yun still cared about Yan Xi, and his reason for seeking her out was for Yan Xi's sake.
If it weren't for Yan Xi, He Yun probably wouldn't have been so eager to see Qiao Wei.
How ironic.
Qiao Wei wanted to laugh but couldn't.
He Yun's gaze was chilling as he looked at Qiao Wei, speaking each word deliberately: "Qiao Wei, I gave you a chance."
"So? Are you here to accuse me on behalf of Yan Xi now? He Yun, don't forget, Yan Xi is Fu Yan Ting's woman, and she even had a child with him. You helping Yan Xi like this makes you look like a sycophant. Yan Xi will never even give you a second glance."
Qiao Wei's words struck a deep chord with He Yun. His anger erupted, and he reached out, grabbing Qiao Wei's neck.
With He Yun's hand around her throat, Qiao Wei struggled to breathe.
He Yun's voice was cold and sinister: "Qiao Wei, don't think I won't lay a hand on you."
"I know you will. I've always known it. He Yun, I don't understand. I love you so much, why are you clinging to a woman who doesn't love you? Why can't you see my good qualities?"
"You are not worth my love."
Qiao Wei had asked He Yun countless times why he didn't love her, and each time, he had remained silent.
Every time, Qiao Wei persisted, yearning for an answer.
But when she finally heard He Yun's words, she suddenly laughed.
She had so desperately wanted an answer.
And the answer she received was devastating.
"Qiao Wei, I know this isn't the first time you've targeted Xi Xi. Every time, I've forgiven you, believing you didn't do it intentionally and that you wouldn't dare do it again. But you've only grown more audacious. This time, you've truly crossed my bottom line. If Xi Xi had suffered any harm, your entire family wouldn't be enough to pay the price."
With that, He Yun made a gesture.
His hidden guards emerged from nearby and took Qiao Wei away.
Qiao Wei was unwilling. Before being dragged away, she shouted, "He Yun, you've done so much for Yan Xi, but Yan Xi doesn't know. Yan Xi has never loved you. Is it worth sacrificing so much for her?"
He Yun ignored Qiao Wei.
He himself had asked this question: Yan Xi didn't love him, was it worth doing so much for her?
The final answer was yes, it was worth it.
Once Qiao Wei was put in the car, she struggled relentlessly, but her captors were trained professionals. He Yun's hidden guards were all secretively trained, and Qiao Wei was no match for them.
"Let me go, or I'll die right here."
When subtlety failed, Qiao Wei resorted to threats, directly intimidating them.