Chapter 703: You Can't Hide for Long

"Sister, what's wrong?"

Liu Qingze stepped forward and asked, puzzled.

Liu Xin'ai snapped back to reality and hurriedly shook her head: "It's nothing, let's go."

She quickly adjusted her emotions, forced a smile at Liu Qingze, and walked downstairs with him, though her heart was already hanging high in suspense.

Qin Yiyan had been gone for so long, and the moment he returned, he came here... did he come to find her?

As Liu Xin'ai thought this, she reached the bottom of the stairs and, sure enough, saw a familiar figure sitting on the sofa.

Hearing the noise, Qin Yiyan took the initiative to turn his head.

His gaze swept quickly over Liu Qingze, and then he broke into a smile that could not have been more perfect.

"Xin'ai, why have you lost weight?"

As Qin Yiyan spoke, he stepped forward, pulled Liu Xin'ai into his arms with a very natural motion, and kissed her forehead.

Liu Xin'ai's whole body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously furrowed her brows.

Remembering that Liu Qingze was still nearby, she had no choice but to say nothing more.

Qin Yiyan, however, had already begun greeting Liu Qingze.

"Qingze, hello."

"Hello, brother-in-law."

Liu Qingze replied indifferently, his expression still glancing at Liu Xin'ai with concern.

Judging by Qin Yiyan's reaction, the two of them didn't seem to have been arguing.

Then why did Sister just now...

"Alright, let's eat first."

Liu Xin'ai did not want to continue being held by Qin Yiyan like this, so she forcibly broke free from his embrace and walked toward the dining table.

Qin Yiyan remained in that breezy, genial manner, gesturing for Liu Qingze to take a seat.

The three of them sat down at the dining table.

Qin Yiyan took the lead in finding a topic: "Qingze, have you graduated?"

"Mm, more or less."

Liu Qingze answered casually; for some reason, his intuition made it impossible for him to feel close to Qin Yiyan.

Liu Xin'ai, however, suddenly thought of something and hurriedly said: "Qingze's diploma hasn't been issued yet, but there's nothing else to do. I plan to arrange for him to learn about the company's situation for a while recently, he can first..."

"Sister..."

Liu Qingze got a headache the moment he heard about entering the company.

Qin Yiyan, however, keenly sensed something and suddenly asked: "Hasn't Qingze gone to see Father Liu yet?"

Watching Liu Qingze's reluctant expression, he already had his answer.

If Liu Qingze knew about Liu Tengnian's condition, he would certainly not be so thoughtless as to refuse.

Sure enough, Liu Xin'ai replied: "He only just returned yesterday, I plan to take him tomorrow."

"Mm, I'll accompany you both tomorrow."

Qin Yiyan agreed with a smile, not forgetting to pick food for Liu Xin'ai, looking every bit the "gentle and considerate" good husband.

Liu Xin'ai's gaze flickered for a moment, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

It had been a long time since she had seen someone act, and now that he had suddenly returned and was pretending as if nothing had happened—as if the unpleasant parting on their wedding day had never existed—it made her feel inexplicably uneasy.

Liu Qingze also observed the two of them interacting without showing it, his inner doubts growing heavier.

This brother-in-law... he seems okay?

But...

Liu Qingze swept a glance at Liu Xin'ai from the corner of his eye, always feeling that something was strange.

Immediately after, he heard Qin Yiyan ask again: "By the way, Xin'ai, are you coming home with me tonight?"

The moment his voice fell, a visible flash of tension appeared on Liu Xin'ai's face.

Then, without hesitation, she refused: "No, Qingze just got back, and there's no one else at home, so I want to stay with him for a few more days."

Liu Xin'ai's hand gripping her chopsticks tightened, fearing that Qin Yiyan might suddenly change his face, as he was prone to unpredictable moods.

Sure enough, Qin Yiyan paused slightly, his gaze shifting toward Liu Xin'ai.

Although there was no emotion on his face, Liu Xin'ai's nerves instantly went taut.

The next second—"I really haven't been back much, and I want my sister to stay with me for a few days. Brother-in-law, you wouldn't have any objections, would you?"

Liu Qingze asked very naturally, smiling at Qin Yiyan.

Qin Yiyan also smiled instantly: "Of course, you really should let your sister keep you company. I still have work, so I'll stay at our place for the time being."

Hearing this, Liu Qingze raised an eyebrow and casually changed the subject: "What does brother-in-law usually busy himself with?"

The matter from just a moment ago was thus turned over.

The three of them finished lunch peacefully, and Qin Yiyan prepared to leave.

Seeing him about to go, Liu Xin'ai immediately let out a sigh of relief.

Immediately after, she heard: "Xin'ai, won't you see me off? We haven't seen each other in so long, don't you miss me at all?"

Qin Yiyan's voice was low, carrying a hint of petty grievance, as if he were truly "coquettishly acting" with the woman he loved.

Liu Xin'ai was stunned upon hearing this, her mouth forcing a perfunctory smile.

"Let's go."

She took the initiative to walk toward the door.

Qin Yiyan followed at her side, unhurried.

The two of them walked out one after the other and arrived in front of the car.

Qin Yiyan stopped in his tracks, but did not get into the car immediately.

"Using Liu Qingze as a shield?"

He spoke suddenly, his tone changing from the gentleness of a moment ago to something slightly gloomy.

"What did you say?"

Liu Xin'ai's expression changed instantly upon hearing this.

Qin Yiyan gave a cold snort: "I said, you want to use Liu Qingze as a shield."

Liu Xin'ai pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing.

Qin Yiyan suddenly turned around, caught her off guard by leaning down and moving close to her ear.

"Liu Xin'ai, it's useless; you won't be able to hide for long."

He dropped this sentence by Liu Xin'ai's ear, a malicious reminder that sounded like a devil's whisper.

Then, without a hint of reluctance, he stood up, got into the car, and left.

Liu Xin'ai froze in place, watching his car drive away, her palms already covered in cold sweat.

After a long while, she let out a scoff.

Yes... she was hiding.

But if things went on like this... how much longer could she hide?

Liu Xin'ai stood dazed for a long while before turning around to return to the villa.

And just as she entered the door, she ran into Liu Qingze, who was still in the living room.

"Sister, what's wrong? Why is your face so pale? Are you not feeling well?"

Seeing that her expression was unusual, Liu Qingze asked with concern.

Liu Xin'ai hurriedly shook her head: "No, it's probably just that I've been too busy lately and haven't rested well. I'll be fine if I sleep a bit more. You probably haven't adjusted to the jet lag yet, so you should go back and sleep for a while too."

As she spoke, Liu Xin'ai started to walk upstairs.

She had only taken two steps when Liu Qingze chased after her.

"Sister, I have something to ask you."

He stared intently at Liu Xin'ai and got straight to the point: "How have you been during this time since you got married? Is your husband treating you well?"

Liu Qingze's brows were tightly locked.

He knew about Liu Xin'ai and Qin Yiyan's engagement, and he also knew it was a business marriage; he had even attended the engagement banquet at the time.

But he had not expected them to get married so quickly.

Liu Xin'ai was stunned by his words, and suddenly her heart felt sour.

In fact, on the eve of the wedding, Liu Qingze had specifically called to ask for her opinion.

At that time, he had said that as long as Liu Xin'ai was unwilling, she could refuse, and he would always stand on her side and support her wishes.

But Liu Xin'ai had said nothing.

She had no room to choose, nor did she have the right to be willful.

The two looked at each other for a long while.

Liu Xin'ai suddenly laughed.

Her thoughts seemed to drift away to a distant place in an instant.

Then she heard her own voice ring out.

"It's very good, didn't you just see it?"