Chapter 22: What a Truly Open and Aboveboard Pursuit

Some people also say, "Isn't this just too much? Your own mother got beaten—how can you tolerate that?"

"She didn't even say anything about her mother, yet she keeps pestering with apologies! She's being clever. If I gave you a hundred million and let your mother get slapped, would you be willing? I bet your mother would be the first to say yes!"

"I think Miss Song's behavior isn't just about not saying 'Happy Birthday'; there must be some hidden reason. Otherwise, this is going too far."

"I don't know. Maybe there's more drama later? Perhaps the Qin family didn't treat her well before they knew Miss Song's identity. Now that she's revealed herself, it's a perfect chance for revenge and settling scores."

"But this kind of young lady is too hard to please. If you really marry her, can you even live a normal life at home? I fear the whole family would be bullied to death by her."

Qiao An heard this and was furious.

She has always known that the Qin family is opportunistic, flattering the powerful and trampling the weak.

But previously the Qin family lifted her up and stepped on Song Huan Yan!

She doesn't mind the Qin family's attitude; on the contrary, she's smug about it.

Anyway, she's a Qiao Family heiress; as long as she has her family's backing, if she marries Qin Zi Mo, she'll be a queen in the Qin family!

But now the Qin family is single‑mindedly trying to please Song Huan Yan, and they haven't even glanced at her.

Qiao An lifted her foot and walked toward the exit of the company.

The Qin family members were standing at the company entrance, saying something.

Qiao An stepped forward; the Qin family members' faces all changed, as if they regarded her like a snake or scorpion.

Qiao An mocked, "You really are stupid, truly believing Song Huan Yan will forgive Qin Zi Mo and reconcile with her? Didn't you see she's deliberately toying with you?"

Li Peilan was the first to speak, "Stop spouting nonsense; Yan Yan doesn't have such thoughts! This time it's Zi Mo at fault; coaxing someone into reconciliation isn't that easy—it requires perseverance, persistence, and attitude! Do you think a few words can make peace? How big is your face? In short, this is our family's matter; you, an outsider, stay out of it!"

Li Peilan was not at all pleased with Qiao An.

Qiao An's family background can't compare to Song Huan Yan's; even if Qin Zi Mo is with Qiao An, she'll only be crushed by Song Huan Yan, left with a battered face, with no future or hope!

Qiao An snapped, "Since you can't see clearly, let me help you! I'll go tell Song Huan Yan; after she finds out, what face will you have to ask for reconciliation?"

After saying that, Qiao An turned and left.

She revels in the joy of snatching Qin Zi Mo away; Qin Zi Mo is a movie emperor, with countless fangirls clamoring to call him "husband".

Because his on‑screen image is so positive, Qin Zi Mo has a heavy filter, so her happiness doubles, and she is also infatuated with him.

She also enjoys the adulation the Qin family gave her before.

Now that things have turned like this, she's naturally angry.

"Stop messing around!" Qin Zi Mo grabbed her. "Did you just ignore what I told you before? Can the Qiao family compare to the Song family? If I reconcile with Song Huan Yan and strip her, won't you be the one enjoying it later? Right now you're being petty, only caring about immediate gains!"

Qin Jiao Jiao said, "Exactly! It's really something I can't even appear on stage!"

"You! Say that again!" Qiao An was instantly so angry she felt dizzy.

This Qin Jiao Jiao used to say only nice things in front of her, and she even bought Qin Jiao Jiao many designer bags!

Now she actually says that about her!

Qin Jiao Jiao turned her head away unwillingly and rolled her eyes.

Li Peilan said, "Miss Qiao, Zi Mo is right. Your petty tantrums will only hurt us, and you won't gain anything yourself. If you behave and listen, the benefits will keep coming to you."

Qiao An was both resentful and uneasy, and also a bit afraid that the truth might expose her family to trouble.

At the same time, she was intrigued by Qin Zi Mo's plan to strip the Song family, so that the wealth would be hers to enjoy later.

But how long will that take?

Five years? Ten years?

Or even longer?

Or perhaps Qin Zi Mo is just lying to her, merely to placate her.

If he truly reconciles with Song Huan Yan, he'll kick her out in one swift move.

Qiao An said nothing, feeling torn.

Qin Zi Mo said, "Go back quickly; don't walk too close to me in front of everyone."

Qiao An stamped her foot in anger, "You all have broken up; what's wrong with me getting a bit closer to you?"

Qin Zi Mo, also angry, replied, "I'm begging for reconciliation! Isn't you being close to me harming me?"

Qiao An, suddenly inspired, said, "How is it harming you? Everyone knows you broke up; it's reasonable for me to get a bit closer to you now. Can't I be admiring you, seeing you break up, and thus pursue you?"

"You." Qin Zi Mo frowned. "What do you mean? Qiao An, I warned you, causing sabotage brings you no benefit! Don't end up dragging your whole family into it!"

Qiao An said, "Are you stupid? Wanting to reconcile with her is your business; how does that conflict with me pursuing you? I'm helping you—you're seeking reconciliation, I'm pursuing you; doesn't that give Song Huan Yan a sense of competition and desire to win?"

Qin Zi Mo fell silent, somewhat moved.

But he was also afraid that Qiao An would cause trouble; after all, her temperament is like a wild horse, hard to predict.

Li Peilan said, "Miss Qiao, this idea isn't bad. But don't be foolish or try to sabotage. If Yan Yan learns something she shouldn't, we, as men, will sincerely ask for her forgiveness, and she will certainly forgive! Men occasionally make mistakes, it's understandable."

Qin Jiao Jiao said, "Exactly!"

Qiao An said, "Don't worry. I know."

Qiao An also had her own plan; this way she and Qin Zi Mo could be considered 'open and aboveboard', and she could keep an eye on the two, adapting as needed.

After speaking, Qiao An said, "I'll go in first."

When she left, Li Peilan frowned displeased, "This Qiao An is a huge hidden threat! It's best to find a chance to eliminate her!"

Qin Zi Mo became nervous, "Mom, what are you trying to do?"

Qin Jiao Jiao was also frightened, "Mom, you can't…"

Li Peilan said, "What are you all thinking? Zi Mo, you'd better find a chance to wipe clean all the evidence you and Qiao An have on each other."

Qin Zi Mo suddenly understood and immediately nodded, "Hmm, got it!"

His dealings with Qiao An are also covert; the only thing is those chat logs.

Li Peilan, looking like she controlled the whole situation, "This is the best method. But don't be impatient or nervous. It's not unforgivable for a man to make a mistake. Even if Qiao An goes causing trouble, we can crush her in one bite; it's because she's shamelessly seducing you and drugging you. As long as you now put all your heart on Yan Yan, this Qiao An is nothing to fear; I have plenty of ways to deal with her!"

Qin Zi Mo nodded, instantly feeling a surge of confidence.

Li Peilan now hates Qiao An to death.

If it weren't that scoundrel tempting her son, would her son have made a mistake?

Her son is certainly devoted entirely to Song Huan Yan, treats Song Huan Yan extremely well, and over the years that has been evident to all!

After all, Song Huan Yan is exceedingly beautiful, and to men she has a lethal impact.

Her son was only briefly clouded in his mind, unable to withstand the temptation of a young girl.

If Qiao An hadn't lured him, how could her son have been distracted from Song Huan Yan?

If he hadn't been distracted, the two would have sweetly become engaged at the banquet a few days ago.

Her family, with one person attaining success, even the chickens and dogs rose to heaven; they are already affluent and proud, towering over the entire village!