Chapter 32: From now on, there's no need to report her affairs to me.

Yansichen turned towards the voice and saw a female journalist in her twenties.

As a final gesture of politeness, he smiled at her warmly.

"Qing Qing is an old acquaintance from my youth. In my heart, she is like a younger sister to me."

The female journalist was surprised by this revelation and lowered her head without saying a word.

The crowd fell silent.

Yansichen maintained an appropriate distance from Ning Qing, neither being too ambiguous nor too distant.

He supported her and asked gently, "Can you walk?"

Ning Qing mechanically nodded, but her eyes remained colorless.

She took two steps with Yansichen, but couldn't seem to find her footing.

Yansichen frowned in concern and said, "Blame me when we get back."

Ning Qing's wet eyelashes fluttered, but she didn't object.

He lowered himself and lifted her up in his arms.

In the midst of the astonished crowd, he placed her on the back seat of the car and, after suppressing his urge for a long time, finally placed his hand on her head.

Soft words of comfort were whispered, "It's okay, Qing Qing."

Ningqing's eyelids drooped, looking like a soulless puppet.

He sighed and said, "Wait for me," before leaving the car.

Behind him, a bodyguard held an umbrella.

Yansichen watched as another person ran over from the crowd and asked, bowing his head, "Young Master Yan, how should we handle this?"

He stared at the restless group of people, his usually gentle features showing an unusual hostility.

However, he still needed to be rational.

He said, "There's no need to conceal what I announced. Remind them not to write too much about today's events, and not to write anything that isn't true."

If they didn't write the truth, they wouldn't dare to do anything to him, but it might not be the same for Ning Qing.

He couldn't help but think of her.

"And the photo..."

Yansichen's calm eyes looked at a car on the side of the road, the closed windows hiding the emotions of the person inside, whether they were happy or angry.

His lips tightened as he said in a low voice, "I don't want to see any ugly scenes."

His subordinates understood and went towards the crowd.

Yan sichen returned to the car, and Ning Qing's mood had improved a lot.

She hoarsely shouted, "Brother Sichen."

Yansichen sat next to her, a fist's distance away. "Scared you?" he asked.

Ning Qing lowered her head and remained silent.

Yan Sichen didn't want her to overthink, so he changed the subject, smiling gently. "The timing is just right."

Ning Qing didn't understand his meaning, so he raised his hand and pointed to his expensive watch.

The hour hand pointed to twelve o'clock.

"Perfect, we can have a meal together," Yansichen said.

Ning Qing hesitated.

Yansichen said, "If you go back alone, they might still follow you."

"Them," referring to the group of reporters from earlier.

Ning Qing was still trembling and clutched her clothes.

Yansichen saw this and his heart ached. "Go to Jingyue," he said.

The driver responded, "Yes."

Ning Qing hurriedly asked, "What about those people?"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Yansichen assured her.

Ning Qing's nerves finally eased a little. "Thank you, Brother Sichen," she said.

Yansichen looked at her tenderly. "If you want to thank me, let's do it after we finish eating."

The car slowly left the scene of the commotion.

Outside the supermarket, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Inside a certain car on the roadside, the temperature suddenly dropped, and the cold was overwhelming.

Lu Zhui dared not breathe, looking at the man's face on the back seat, which was freezing. "Young Master, all major media outlets have been notified. There won't be any news about Madam being chased in the future."

"..."

Nian Lian's icy gaze followed the car that the woman was riding in until it disappeared.

"Young Master, Madam has been taken away by Mr. Yan again," the man said.

The corners of the man's lips curved into a mocking smile.

His chilly words echoed. "From now on, you don't need to report anything to me about her." 

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 31: Is there a special relationship between Young Master Yan and Madam Nian?

The sunlight overhead gradually grew more intense, creating a halo around everything.

Ning Qing's legs had already started to ache from walking for who knows how long.

People passed by her occasionally, and she glanced over at the seats outside the supermarket before slowly making her way over there.

Finally getting some shade, Ning Qing took a deep breath.

She looked at the water bottles on the supermarket shelves, her dry throat slightly hurting.

However, before she could even move, a group of people with microphones suddenly swarmed towards her and crowded around her.

"Excuse me, are you Madam Ning Qing, the wife of the Nian family's young master?"

The microphone was pushed towards her face, and unfamiliar men and women squeezed in around her.

Ning Qing was stunned for a moment, immediately raising her hand to cover her face and avoiding eye contact with the camera.

She denied it: "You have the wrong person."

She wanted to leave, but the path was blocked and there was no way through the crowd.

These people seemed to have come prepared and had no intention of letting her go.

"Miss Ning, it's been said that your life with the young master has not been a happy one, and that he doesn't like you. Do you have anything to say about that?"

"With the young master's status, how did you manage to marry him two years ago?"

"The elders in the Nian family don't like you. What are your plans for the future in the upper echelons of society?"

"Someone who claims to know has said that you have a biological sister who died in a car accident three years ago, and that some people say you deliberately caused her death. Is that true?"

"Why did you kill your own sister?"

One sharp question after another hit her like a blade, relentlessly cutting into her heart.

Ning Qing's face was devoid of color, and the faces of the people in front of her were cold and sinister, savage enough to want to tear open her heart and look inside.

"Miss Ning, please answer our questions!"

"I didn't do it..."

Ning Qing shook her head, avoiding the microphone that was being shoved in her face.

Ning tilted her head and avoided the microphone that was held up to her. She wanted to escape, but there was no way out. In the chaos, someone pushed her and she stumbled and fell. The crowd murmured in shock, but no one was willing to help her up. The sound of camera shutters filled the air as everyone recorded her embarrassing moment, hoping to get tomorrow's headline. No one cared if she was hurt or not.

She wanted to shout and deny everything. She didn't use any tricks to make Yan Lian marry her. She didn't intend to harm her sister. But she knew that these people had already made up their minds and wouldn't believe her.

Ning forced a bitter smile and dug her fingers into her palms. She felt empty inside, powerless to escape this predicament.

"Excuse me, please move aside."

In her moment of helplessness, a serious male voice came from the crowd.

Tears blurred Ning's vision as she looked at the path that was cleared for her.

The man approached her and crouched down in front of her. She couldn't see him clearly and her heart was numb. In a near unconscious state, she blurted out, "Nian Lian..."

The man in front of her trembled. Yan Sichen looked at her dazed expression, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.

He reminded her softly, "It's me, Qing Qing."

With his words, Ning's vision gradually cleared. She murmured, "Brother Sichen."

The four words made Yan Sichen's heart flutter.

He held onto her arm, and although it was a sunny day, her skin was cold to the touch. Yan Sichen tightly pursed his lips, unable to hide his worry.

His gentle face suddenly turned serious, but his tone remained gentle as he said, "The ground is cold. Stand up first."

He helped her up and glanced at the reporters who were being stopped by the bodyguards and no longer taking photos. He felt a chill in his heart.

"I didn't know that your job was to interrogate a powerless girl," he said.

The reporters looked at each other in confusion.

Everyone in the industry knew that the Yan family had always kept a low profile and lived overseas for most of the year. Although Yan Sichen had only recently returned, everyone knew he had a good temper. For him to be angry for Ning, their relationship must not be simple.

Someone risked asking for the sake of news, "Does Young Master Yan have a special relationship with Mrs. Nian?"

(End of chapter)

 Chapter 30: You Don't Need to Act So High and Mighty

On the other side, Ning Qing was dragged out of the old mansion by Nian Lian.

The man walked fast and angrily, and she stumbled behind him, unable to keep up.

"Nian Lian... Nian Lian, let me go!"

His grip was too strong, and she couldn't break free.

As they approached the car, Ning Qing suddenly felt dizzy and was pressed against the car door.

Nian Lian lowered his head, getting close to her and asked menacingly, "Who let you come to see her?"

Ning Qing felt his questioning was unfounded. "She sent someone to pick me up, and I didn't have a chance to refuse..."

His deep, dark eyes narrowed slightly. "Is it that you didn't have a chance, or you simply didn't want to refuse?"

Ning Qing frowned, looking at the face that doubted her, and a sense of powerlessness emerged in her heart.

In his eyes, right or wrong, she was always in the wrong.

She actually tried to argue with him...

Ning Qing suddenly pulled up the corners of her lips, her face turning cold. "Think what you want."

This attitude only increased Nian Lian's discomfort and repulsion.

"You don't need to act so high and mighty."

Ning Qing remained silent.

"A woman who thinks about divorcing me every day comes to see my mother. It can't be for the sake of building a good relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."

Nian Lian's eyes were filled with anger, and sarcasm poured out of his lips, making Ning Qing feel chilled.

Her expression was too indifferent.

In that moment, he was disgusted by her cold and indifferent appearance.

He forcefully grabbed her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Ning Qing, my mother just mentioned divorce. Can you honestly say you didn't feel a thing?"

Nian Lian noticed her momentary confusion, and his body was filled with coldness. His handsome face was full of malice and his narrow eyes flashed with a cold light.

He sneered, and pushed her away.

Ning Qing was caught off guard and tripped, falling to the ground.

The injury at her knee was still aching, she touched the wound and heard the sound of the door closing.

Inside the car, the man's cold voice sounded, "Go back to the company."

"But what about the Young Madam?" she asked.

"...," the man's eyes closed with no desire to continue the conversation.

Luzhi's face was tense. "Yes."

The car reversed direction and drove away from her as she watched.

Ning Qing clenched her fingers tightly and her stiff back collapsed at that moment. She lowered her head and everything became blurry.

Her dignity was once again trampled under his feet, shattered to pieces.

She painfully bit her white lips, slowly stood up from the ground.

Looking at her empty hands, Ning Qing weakly smiled.

Once again, she had no money and no phone. She never seemed to learn her lesson.

Looking ahead, Ning Qing took a glance back. The mansion in the sunlight appeared even more majestic and grand.

She turned around numbly and took a step, walking down the road.

Around the corner of the street, a black luxury car was parked inconspicuously.

A fragile figure of a woman moved slowly and painfully across from the car. A few tails appeared behind her, incongruously and slyly, making her feel disgusted.

Inside the car, in the dim shadow, the man's eyes flickered, his emotions difficult to read.

Between his slender fingers was an unlit cigarette.

Luzhi leaned over from the front seat and lit it for him.

"Young Master, do you want me to handle it?" he asked as the white smoke rose.

The man's eyebrows furrowed in a cold manner.

Through the car window, he could see the woman's figure about to disappear, followed closely by the tail.

After a while, a bitter taste filled his mouth.

In the rising mist, the man finally gave the order, "Follow them."

(End of chapter)

 Chapter 29: To divorce or not, it's not up to anyone else

Mother Nian smile froze, and her fingers curled lightly on the desk.

"Mom doesn't want to control you, but she thinks that when you married Qing Qing, she didn't know about it. Now that she's awake, she should have the right to choose whether to be with you or not."

"I didn't know my mother could be so kind as to care about others' right to choose."

Sarcasm dripped from his icy words, and Mother Nian's smile faded.

Her smile had seemed only polite, to maintain her gentle demeanor.

She reminded him coolly, "Lian'er, I am your mother."

His cold lips curved upward, and the chill that surrounded him grew thicker.

"You should be grateful that you are still my mother."

Finally, Mother Nian's smile disappeared completely under his threat.

The gentle façade vanished, and her elegant face showed indifference and authority. "Nian Lian, you know you should divorce her."

"What do you mean, 'should'?"

Mother Nian held her breath, trying to remain calm. "She has been married to you for two years. Regardless of whether you had feelings for each other before, she has been awake for over three months and your relationship is still on thin ice. Since that is the case, separation is the best choice for both of you."

At this point, a hint of a sneer appeared in Nian Lian's eyes.

"You still like to play these tricks."

Mother Nian understood her son well. He was sensitive and meticulous in his thoughts and knew that they had someone watching him and Ning Qing. She wasn't surprised at all.

She lifted her chin and spoke firmly, "We're doing this for your own good."

Nian Lian pursed his thin lips and looked around. The simple pavilion couldn't hide anyone.

He asked, "So, where is he hiding this time to watch the results?"

Mother Nian's voice grew louder, indicating her protective intentions.

"He's your father!"

Nian Lian wasn't afraid of her anger at all. His sharp eyes gleamed with a frigid light. "Let me guess, is he over there?"

The carved window on the second floor of the nearby building was closed tightly, but it was the perfect vantage point to observe the entire courtyard.

If he lowered his head slightly, he could see and hear everything that happened there.

His gaze seemed to penetrate through the window, meeting the cold and merciless eyes inside.

Ning Qing followed his gaze and her heart skipped a beat. Wasn't his father supposed to be sick?

In that instant, Ning Qing realized that his mother always had other motives.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at the elegant woman in front of her with clear, cold eyes.

Mother Nian knew what she was thinking and her eyes flickered imperceptibly before changing the subject.

"This is what I mean. Don't always try to guess your father's thoughts with bad intentions."

"And why are you always guessing my thoughts?"

Mother Nian's lips curved slightly.

Nian Lian's expression was solemn and emotionless, yet seemed to be full of surging emotions.

"Whether we divorce or not, no one's opinion matters."

"Except for mine."

With that, he tightened his grip on Ning Qing's hand and walked away.

Despite the distance between them, Mother Nian's words were unusually clear and warm.

"You know what you're doing is unfair to her."

The man didn't pause, nor did he turn back.

In the quiet pavilion, a beautiful woman stood alone.

On the stone table, a celadon teapot emitted a slight amount of steam.

Butler Lu stepped forward. "Madam, Young Master and Miss Ning have left."

The woman's face showed anger and she waved her slender hand. The precious bird's nest in the porcelain pot fell to the ground and shattered, scattering all over.

Water stains splattered onto her black skirt, but quickly disappeared.

Butler Lu face turned slightly pale. "Madam, you mustn't get angry."

Mother Nian skin was tight and smooth. She lowered her head to brush off her wet skirt, her eyebrows lightly furrowed, as if she was angry because of this incident.

She looked towards the end of the path in the garden where the two had disappeared, then composed herself and waved her hand at Butler Lu.

"Get someone to clean it up."

"Yes, Madam." 

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 28: Can You Divorce Lian’er?

A clear and crisp male voice interrupted.

Ning Qing's head jerked up, and Nian Che had already walked over to them.

He stood with his hands behind his back, leaning on the table, and his tall nose twitched.

"I said this morning, when I heard you were making bird's nest soup, it was because your sister-in-law was coming," Nian Che teased Ning Qing, then turned to his mother and said, "Mom, if you wanted to see your daughter-in-law, you should have said so. I could have brought her over last night for you to see."

"Che'er, don't talk nonsense," Mother Nian  said, looking back at him. "Che'er is young and impulsive, unlike his brother. He doesn't know how to weigh his words. Don't take offense."

Ning Qing wondered if it was just her imagination, but the woman who had seemed approachable earlier now seemed much more hard-nosed.

Ning Qing's warm heart suddenly cooled.

Meanwhile, Nian Che muttered with a pout, "That's what I said. Why did it have to be so complicated..."

"Nian Che," Nian Mother called his name and surname again.

Nian Che looked over, displeased, and her gentle features became serious.

"I need to talk to Qing Qing about something. Go back to your room first."

"..."

Before anyone could react, the warm atmosphere suddenly turned chilly.

Nian Che didn't move, and Mother Nian ordered the butler, Lao Lu, who was standing to the side, "Lao Lu, escort Second Young Master back to his room."

Ning Qing held the porcelain bowl and gazed at Nian Che.

He felt helpless and glanced at her with concern before he was forced to leave.

Ning Qing pursed her lips, and the fragrance in her mouth suddenly lost its flavor.

At this moment, Mother Nian turned around and smiled calmly. "Qing Qing, I asked you to come today because I want to talk to you about something."

Ning Qing put down her bowl, her eyes bright, but calm.

"What would you like to talk about?"

"Can you divorce Lian'er?"

The spacious garden suddenly fell silent.

Even the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

The mother of the Nian Lian still smiled gently, her tone hiding her strength.

''It's like this. I know that you didn't marry Lan'er out of your own will, and you don't have any feelings for him. Lian'er is solitary and doesn't fit in, and it's really unfair for a gentle girl like you to be with him.''

'...'

''Now that you're both still young, there are still more choices after divorce. You can find someone you truly like and be happy for the rest of your life.''

The woman who had just been willing to agree with her was now silent.

Mother Nian reached out her hand. ''Qing Qing, do you think Auntie is right?''

She wanted to take Ning Qing's hand, which was placed on the table, but Ning Qing suddenly withdrew it.

Because the movement was too abrupt, she knocked over the bowl of bird's nest.

The blue porcelain bowl rolled off the table and fell to the ground, and the sound of it shattering was particularly abrupt.

Mother Nian's face didn't look good. ''Qing Qing, you...''

''She doesn't want to.''

Mother Nian was stunned.

Ning Qing didn't know when he arrived, his face full of frost, and he was standing in front of the two.

Ning Qing tightened the hand on her leg.

The next second, her hand was caught by someone.

Surprised, she looked up and saw Nian Lian's face close to hers. His thick and long eyelashes covered his eyes, and his mood was clearly not happy.

Nian Lian pulled her up, and Mother Nian quickly stood up. ''Lian'er, what are you doing?''

'...'

Nian Lian's obscure gaze fell on her, and even Ning Qing knew that his mood was far from pleasant.

Mother Nian maintained her smile. ''Mom knows that there are some things you can't talk about, so I specially brought Qing Qing here today. If you can't say it, Mom will say it for you.''

The several veins on his hand suddenly tightened, and Ning Qing saw a thin layer of ice on his handsome face, and his restrained anger was evident from his tight jaw.

''When did it become someone else's decision about me and her?''

(End of chapter)

 Chapter 27: You are Qing Qing, so beautiful

Nian Lian's parents wanted her to go to the old house?

Ning Qing didn't understand their intention, but when she realized it, she was already in the car heading to the old house.

All the way, Ning Qing's heart was uneasy.

When she arrived at the Nian family's old house and saw the traditional courtyard with its antique charm and smelled the fragrance of agarwood in the air, her nerves tightened like a bowstring.

The butler Lu led her through the courtyard for a long time, and after a while, they arrived at a pavilion.

From a distance, Ning Qing saw the figure of the person sitting at the table.

Lu stopped in his tracks and respectfully said, "Madam, Miss Ning has arrived."

"..."

Ning Qing didn't speak, and Lu reached out and led her up the steps.

Ning Qing approached, staring closely at the slender figure of the woman.

She wore a black ankle-length cheongsam, with a waist like a weak willow in the wind. Her shiny black hair was pulled into a bun behind her head, and a high-quality jade hairpin was inserted into her hair. Her posture was delicate and dignified.

Coincidentally, the woman turned her head, with fine eyebrows and curved eyes, and her well-maintained face gave no indication of her age.

Ning Qing was stunned, this was clearly the appearance of a woman in her twenties or under thirty.

When Nian's mother saw her, her eyes lit up and she came over and took Ning Qing's hand. "Ah, you are Qing Qing? My son has good taste, you are really beautiful."

"..."

"Come, sit down."

She smiled, pulling the stiff Ning Qing to sit down, and then turned to Lu and said, "Old Lu, have the kitchen send over the stewed bird's nest to help Qing Qing replenish her body."

Lu bowed his head and said, "Yes."

Then he stepped back.

Nian Lian's mother smiled uncontrollably, but even when she smiled like this, she was still elegant and dignified.

Time does not defeat beauty.

She saw it in Nian Lian's mother.

Ning Qing remained silent, and Nian's mother asked gently, "Why aren't you speaking? Did I scare you?"

Ning Qing looked at the hand she was holding in hers and shook her head. "No."

"Okay."

Nian Lian's mother face was gentle as she looked up and down at Ning Qing. Her thin and long eyebrows lightly furrowed.

"You're too skinny. How can your body be healthy if you're so thin?"

This sudden concern caught Ning Qing off guard, and she felt a bit awkward.

Since she woke up, she had an extreme aversion to others touching her for some reason.

At this moment, Mother Nian held her hand like this, and she clearly didn't want to, but she had no reason to pull her hand back.

Because she felt a bit of motherly warmth and affection from her.

"When the bird's nest comes later, you have to eat more. And when you go back, take the rest with you and take good care of your body, you know?"

Ning Qing obediently nodded, "Okay."

Mother Nian smiled and patted her hand, "You went to the banquet last night, right? Hey, it's all because of Lian'er's father. He suddenly felt unwell, so we came back early and didn't see you. What a pity."

Ning Qing smiled, "It's okay. How is he now? Is he feeling better?"

Mother Nian's smile remained unchanged, her gentle and beautiful gaze fixed on her, looking very sincere.

"Don't worry, your uncle is already fine. He went to the company this morning."

This title made Ning Qing's heart skip a beat.

Looking back at Mother Nian, the warm and beautiful face maintained the initial smile, as if she had not noticed that she had misspoken.

Ning Qing shook off the unnecessary thoughts and lowered her head, "That's good."

Between the two of them, there was a brief silence.

Just as the bird's nest arrived, Mother Nian released Ning Qing's hand and handed her the porcelain bowl, "Qing Qing, try it."

Ning Qing took it and, under her gentle gaze, pinched the spoon and took a sip. It was slightly sweet and melted in her mouth.

Mother Nian smiled and asked, "How is it?"

"It's very delicious."

"If you like it, that's good."

"Oh, let me see who these two beautiful women are?"

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 26: Miss Ning, Madam Invites You to the Old Mansion

Outside the hotel, Nian Che was driving, looking for Ning Qing's figure along the way.

Luckily, he didn't have to drive far before he spotted her.

He parked his car on the side of the road and rushed over.

"Sister-in-law!"

Ning Qing was lost in thought when she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder, nearly causing her to fall. Nian Che quickly grabbed her wrist and smiled, "Sister-in-law, you scared me... what's wrong?"

Ning Qing's face remained cold. In the dim light of the streetlamp, her exquisite features were vivid and her red lips tightly pursed, making her alluring and bewitching.

"Stop following me," she said, shaking off his hand.

Nian Che paused for a second. "My brother asked me to come pick you up..."

"Don't mention him to me!" Ning Qing yelled, causing the surroundings to become even quieter.

Her chest heaved, breathing heavily. Her emotions were in disarray like a tangled mess.

Nian Che stood in front of her, not saying a word.

After a while, the anger and trembling in her chest subsided. Ning Qing took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"Sorry, I'm not in a good mood."

"It's okay," Nian Che said with a gentle tone and a relaxed smile.

"Have you finished being angry? If you have, let me take you home. It's dangerous for a girl to be out alone at night," he said, surprising Ning Qing.

As the second young master of the Nian family, he should have some temper. However, not only was he not angry at her, but he was also considerate of her.

Ning Qing blinked and apologized, "Okay."

"Let's go then."

Nian Che turned and headed towards his car, and after hesitating for a moment, Ning Qing followed him.

After they got in the car, the two of them didn't speak again.

The shadows of the streetlamps flickered by, one after another, and the car was so quiet it was unnerving.

Leaning against the car door, Ning Qing's gaze was cast down with her thoughts fluctuating. Before long, the car stopped.

Nian Che's gaze, reflected in the rearview mirror, saw her absent-minded look.

Ning Qing's profile was stunning, her expression hazy yet fragile.

He hesitated to speak, "Sister-in-law."

Ning Qing startled, her eyes shimmering like a frightened deer in the woods, untainted by the mundane world and dust.

He couldn't find any words of comfort to say.

He only said, "We're here."

Ning Qing murmured in response and got out of the car.

As she closed the door, Nian Che lowered the window and leaned out.

Ning Qing said seriously, "Nian Che, thank you."

He tilted his head, a smile in his eyes, "You're my sister-in-law, you don't have to thank me for this little matter."

"..."

"You go inside, I have to go back and report."

Ning Qing nodded.

Watching the woman enter the estate and disappear from view, Nian Che sighed softly, started the car, and left Yun Jing No.1.

Ning Qing returned to her room, exhausted. Without much thought, she washed up and went to bed.

All night long, she didn't hear the sound of the car engine turning off downstairs.

---

The next morning, when Ning Qing went downstairs and glanced at Nian Lian's room, the door was tightly closed.

Sure enough, he didn't come back last night.

Without much expression, she went to the kitchen, made a simple breakfast, and just finished eating when she heard the sound of a car outside.

Ning Qing took a tissue and wiped her mouth and hands clean, but the person who came in was not who she had expected.

A man in his forties walked in, seeing Ning Qing at the table, and nodded slightly, "Miss Ning."

Ning Qing looked him up and down, a suit and tie, a straight figure, obviously well-trained.

She narrowed her eyes and asked, "Who are you?"

The man's expression was serious, "I'm from the old mansion, you can call me Uncle Lu."

Ning Qing stood up, her thoughts turning a thousand times, and asked the man about his purpose, "Uncle Lu, what brings you here to find me?"

The housekeeper Lu's tone remained unchanged, "Madam requests your presence at the old mansion."

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 25: Don't get angry, I'll teach them a lesson for you

"Brother Lian!"

Nian Che turned his head with joy and shouted, "Brother, you're here."

Only then did Ning Qing confirm that the person holding her from behind was indeed Nian Lian.

Facing these two people, he just responded with an "en", then lowered his head and buried his face on Ning Qing's side, his dark eyes brewing tenderness.

"Why the long face? Are you unhappy?"

To Ning Qing, this voice sounded like a call from hell, making her shudder.

She didn't answer, and Nian Lian didn't get angry either. He lifted his gaze and glanced at Su Yino and Nian Che, then asked in a low voice, "Did they make you angry?"

"..."

"Be good, don't be angry. I'll teach them a lesson for you."

Ignoring the woman's stiffness in his arms, Nian Lian straightened his upper body, still holding her slender waist with his hands. But his tenderness had vanished, and his face was cold and aggressive.

As his temperatureless gaze swept over, Nian Che raised both hands in surrender. "Brother, I...I didn't do anything. It's all her fault. She wanted to bully sister-in-law!"

Nian Che pointed his finger at Su Yinuo.

That icy gaze shifted to himself.

Su Yinuo's face turned white all of a sudden. "Brother Lian, I didn't..."

"Of course you did! Don't think I didn't see it. When I came over just now, three women talked to my sister-in-law. They were obviously with you."

Su Yinuo's face turned even paler, and she opened her mouth to defend herself. "I didn't do it, Nian Che, you're talking nonsense!"

She turned to Nian Lian, her tender face wrinkled in grievance. "Brother Lian, it really wasn't me. Please believe me."

"..."

Nian Lian's thin lips tightened. Even without saying a word, his aura as a ruler was chilling enough to give everyone present goosebumps.

His eyebrows were tinged with a hint of coldness, and his voice was extremely low.

His hands tightened around her, and she was trapped in his embrace. He asked her, "What do you want to do with them?"

Ning Qing clenched her hands at her sides.

He was giving her the choice, as if he loved her so deeply and doted on her so much.

Ning Qing thought to herself, thankfully it was her. Otherwise, which woman could resist such seductive words?

Nian Che exclaimed, "Stop showing off, stop showing off. Even dogs have gone extinct!"

With a cry, Nian Che covered his face and exclaimed, "Stop it, stop it, all the dogs are dead!"

Watching the intimacy between the two, Su Yinuo's lips trembled.

The girl in his arms was still obedient, and on Nian Lian's cold face, there was a rare hint of a smile.

"Whatever you want," she said.

Suddenly, the woman broke free from his embrace.

She fell to the ground.

Ning Qing hung her head, her face pale, and said, "I don't feel well. I'll go back first."

Turning around, she picked up her skirt and ran out as if she was escaping.

Nian Che cried out a few times, unable to stop her, and turned to look at the man beside him, "Brother, sister-in-law..."

His words were cut off.

Because he noticed the turbulent undercurrents in Nian Lian's eyes.

After a long time, the coldness dissipated from the man's body, returning to his original calm demeanor.

"Nian Che."

Nian Che glanced at him, and Nian Leng slowly said, "Go and send your sister-in-law home."

Nian Che felt relieved, nodding his head. Finally, he looked seriously at Su Yinuo before chasing after Ning Qing.

In this corner, only Nian Lian and Su Yinuo were left.

Su Yinuo's lips trembled as she looked at him, and when her gaze met Nian Lian's, she lowered her head.

"Yinuo."

Her body suddenly shook, and she looked up, forcing a smile, "Brother Lian, I didn't do that kind of thing. You believe me, don't you?"

Nian Lian took long strides and came before her.

He lowered his head and leaned in close.

Su Yinuo's heart pounded rapidly, her eyes blurred, "Brother Lian..."

The man's eyes were deep and dark, calm as if looking into a night sky with no end or like the bottomless depths of the ocean.

There was not a hint of light in his eyes.

"You're not suited to lying," he said.

Su Yinuo suddenly snapped out of it, stuttering as tears filled her eyes.

"Don't do those meaningless things again."

He passed by her without stopping for a moment.

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 24: She's Just Wasting brother Lian Feelings!

The three turned around and walked away.

Nian Che caught up to her and said, "Little sister-in-law, I finally found you!"

Ning Qing tightened her grip on the wine glass and looked at him without saying a word.

Nian Che lowered himself to look at her beautiful face and there was a hint of worry in his astonishment.

"Little sister-in-law, why is your face so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"

Ning Qing avoided him and put down the wine glass. "It's nothing."

"Don't be polite with me. We're family."

Nian Che's heroic eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and his concern was evident.

"If you really have any problems, just tell me. Otherwise, if my brother finds out, he'll think it's because I didn't take care of you."

Ning Qing knew what Nian Lian's attitude towards her was. Almost everyone around him knew it. Did this Nian Che really not know or was he pretending not to know?

She looked at him for a long time, and there was no trace of disguise on his face except seriousness.

She lowered her eyes, her face showing little expression. "I'm really fine."

"Sister-in-law, you..."

"She have said that I'm fine. Don't stick your hot face to someone else's cold butt."

Su Yino, dressed in a pink dress, jumped out of nowhere and sarcastically mocked her.

Nian Che saw Su Yino and felt uncomfortable.

He had disliked this woman since he was a child. She always followed his brother around, clamoring to marry him.

If he hadn't gone abroad, he would have been nauseated by her wailing for another couple of years and his heart disease would have been triggered.

Nian Che was very disdainful of her.

"I care about my sister-in-law. What does it have to do with you? Go away."

Su Yino was choked by him and said unhappily, "The venue is so big, I'll be wherever I want to be."

"Then please bury yourself in a corner so you don't disgust people."

Su Yino was furious. "Nian Che, can't you be a gentleman and not always go against me?"

"A gentleman is polite to people, but you are not."

Su Yino gritted her teeth in hatred.

In their arguments, she had never beaten him since childhood.

Her angry gaze shifted from his handsome face to Ning Qing.

She sneered coldly and sarcastically: "Sister is really amazing, even able to hide behind people like that."

Ning Qing remained composed, her crimson lips moved slightly, but Nian Che's figure blocked her view.

She froze.

The man's not-so-broad shoulders were in front of her.

Nian Che raised his chin, revealing a hint of pride and disdain in his eyes. "Su Yinuo, if you're jealous, then be jealous. Don't bring it up with my sister-in-law."

The woman widened her eyes as if she had heard something absurd.

"Me... jealous of her?"

She pointed at Ning Qing, feeling amused.

"What is there for me to be jealous of her for?"

Nian Che spoke with a hint of pride, "She's my sister-in-law!"

Su Yinuo sneered, "Is she really worthy of being with brother Lian?"

"If she's not worthy, are you?" Nian Che retorted.

Su Yinuo felt annoyed and clenched her fists.

"Nian Che, only you in the Nian family recognize her. Uncle Nian and Aunt Nian don't even care about her!"

Nian Che smiled but didn't laugh. "Whether they care or not, it's not up to you to decide..."

Su Yinuo didn't let up, "Uncle and Aunt left as soon as they heard that brother Lian was bringing her. Doesn't that prove something?"

Ning Qing listened to the two of them arguing, from initial surprise to gradually becoming calm, and then to confusion.

Nian Che stood up for her, which shook her a little.

But did his parents really dislike her?

Ning Qing looked over Nian Che's shoulder and saw Su Yinuo, who was furious.

The other person stared at her fiercely and resentfully, saying: "Moreover, she's dressed like this, completely wasting brother Lian's affection!"

Affection?

Ning Qing furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Before she could get an answer, a large hand circled her waist.

Ning Qing's body stiffened, feeling warmth from her waist that spread to her entire back.

Warm breath sprayed on her earlobe, and she dared not move. A deep and low voice exploded in her ear.

"What are you talking about?"

(End of this chapter)

...........

Personally speaking I don't like the novel, I don't like the characters and their personality and the plot itself but since I decided to have it translated I must continue it and maybe through time I will eventually like this novel 

 Chapter 23: I hope you can also stand up for yourself in front of that actor from the New Year's gathering

Ning Qing straightened her body and looked at the three women in front of her whom she did not recognize.

She remained calm and composed, her beautiful eyes cold and serene as she asked, "Is there something you need?"

Girl A smiled and said, "Nothing really, we just wanted to see what the wife who has been hidden away for so many years looks like."

Girl B looked Ning Qing up and down, her envy evident as she spoke in a strange tone, "What hidden away? She's just a useless cripple who has been lying in bed for years, and only managed to gain the sympathy of the young master."

The girl with short hair, who had started talking to Ning Qing earlier, sneered and said, "You're all wrong. Miss Ning is not that kind of person."

"She's just someone who can't figure out her own identity and insists on taking the position of the young master's wife," the woman continued with malice.

"I heard she's even a murderer," she added with a vicious look at Ning Qing.

Ning Qing clenched her fists, her face tense.

Girl A asked incredulously, "Young Master Nian married a murderer?"

Girl B confirmed, "Look, she's not denying it. She must have been caught."

"How disgusting," Girl A exclaimed. "Who would have thought that such a person would be capable of killing? Who did she kill?"

Ning Qing's lips were tightly pursed, and the blood drained from her face.

Emotions surged inside her like waves, causing pain and threatening to overwhelm her reason.

"It's her," the girl with short hair spoke slowly, deliberately tormenting Ning Qing's nerves. "It's her..."

"Is that enough?" Ning Qing interrupted their conversation with a cold voice.

"Of course not," the three women replied, with a proud expression that held disdain and contempt for her.

"Do you even remember who you are, with your current status? You've hooked up with the Nian family, and you've forgotten who you are?" they continued.

Ning Qing smirked, lifting her eyelids with a hint of a charming and bewitching look.

"How could I forget who I am?" she said.

"A child from an ordinary family who was not pampered since childhood. In your eyes, I naturally don't match up to the man in your heart."

Girl B sneered, "If you know you don't match up, why don't you pack up and leave the Nian family?"

Ning Qing picked up a glass of champagne from the table and covered her lips with the rim of the glass, her eyes shimmering as she chuckled, "What if I'm not interested?"

The girl with short hair sneered, "Ning Qing, you have some self-awareness. You think young men will like you forever just because of your foxy face?"

"I don't know how long they will like me," Ning Qing replied.

Ning Qing took two steps forward, a strand of hair curling in front of her eyes, adding to her charm. Her cold gaze swept over the faces of the three women, and she suddenly whispered, "But he didn't choose you because of your looks, which means I caught his eye and you didn't."

The girl A was intimidated by her cold demeanor, clutching the other two and backing away.

However, B couldn't swallow this insult and yelled at Ning Qing, "You really are a vulgar person from a lowly family, you have no manners!"

Ning Qing refused to back down, and retorted with a cold face, "You keep calling me vulgar, you really have manners."

This mockery made the other side furious, and one of them grabbed a glass of wine and was about to pour it on Ning Qing.

The girl with short hair stopped her, signaling to her left.

Not far away, Nian Che was searching through the crowd, and when he looked over, he walked straight over.

The women glared at Ning Qing in anger, and the girl with short hair couldn't resist mocking her, "It's easy to be high and mighty in front of us, but I hope you can have the same dignity when facing the young man and that actor."

(End of chapter)

 Chapter 22: Ning Qing, no matter what, don't make a scene tonight

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped outside the venue.

Looking at the long red carpet outside and the elegantly dressed men and women getting out of the luxury cars, Ning Qing's palms started to sweat.

This was her first time facing the public since waking up, and she didn't know what kind of reaction she would receive.

"Master, Madam, we have arrived," said Lu Zhui.

Ning Qing clutched the hem of her dress tightly, feeling nervous and unsure.

Lu Zhui understood her anxiety and got out of the car, gesturing for her to follow.

Ning Qing looked at the man beside her, but his face was blurry in the dimly lit car.

Nian Lian glanced at her and gave a cold smile.

"I never thought that Mrs. Nian would be nervous," he said.

Ning Qing straightened her back. "I'm not."

He lit a cigarette, and the smoke filled the car. Ningqing, who didn't like the smell of smoke, couldn't help but cough.

At that moment, Nian Lian spoke in a deep voice.

"The people who are coming tonight are all powerful and influential figures in Yan Cheng. Our performance represents the entire Nian family, so we cannot make any mistakes."

Ningqing's neck stiffened. "So what?"

Through the smoke, Nian Lian looked at the woman's silhouette. Her fair skin and red lips were alluring.

His eyes were deep, and he blew a smoke ring. After it hit the roof of the car, it dispersed.

"So, Ning Qing, no matter what, don't make a scene tonight."

Ning Qing remained silent.

"I say something, you do it. Don't make me unhappy."

Her gaze faltered, and she turned to look at him.

In the dim light, his face was clear, his expression cold and aloof, like a deity who could decide life and death.

She bit her lip and nodded.

At the entrance, people were chatting and laughing with each other.

Lu Zhui opened the car door for her, and she got out, ready to follow him into the venue, but Nian Lian stood in front of her and stopped her.

He looked down at her and, in her confusion, extended his large hand and held hers.

Ning Qing suddenly shook and blurted out, "Nian Lian..."

He looked straight ahead and didn't glance at her. The plain and indifferent words came out of his mouth.

Only she could hear him.

"Listen."

Ning Qing's heart beat violently. He had already put her hand in his arm and looked like a steady and noble young man, with a smile on his lips that matched the occasion.

"..."

Ning Qing followed his footsteps, treading carefully.

Someone greeted Nian Lian, and he nodded in acknowledgment, catching a glimpse of Ning Qing's tense face.

He turned his head, leaned close to her ear, and threatened, "Smile."

Ning Qing stiffened and pulled out a smile.

Entering the magnificent hall, under the bright lights, people came and went, and there was a lot of toasting and mingling.

A few people noticed Nian Lian and Ning Qing's arrival and their eyes lit up as they gathered around them.

"Oh, the young couple has arrived. Nice to meet you!"

"This is the Lady of the house, truly beautiful like a fairy!"

The man turned to Ning Qing, and his eyes were full of admiration. He reached out his hand.

"No wonder Lady Nian didn't show her face before. It turns out that she is too beautiful, and the young couple didn't want us to see her!"

Ning Qing's whole body was stiff, and she couldn't make any response to such greetings!

The man was also puzzled, "Lady Nian?"

Another big hand reached out and shook his hand.

Nian Lian's handsome face remained calm. "She is angry with me."

With one sentence, the awkwardness of the few people was resolved.

The man nodded knowingly and talked about being targeted by his wife's anger.

After these people left, more and more people came up to them.

Ning Qing laughed until her face was stiff, and her waist was sore, until she finally heard Nian Lian say that he was going to talk to someone.

He whispered to her in a gentle tone, "Don't run around. I'll have Nian Che come find you later."

Ning Qing stiffly smiled and replied obediently, "Okay."

He left with the others, and she lowered her lips, walking towards an empty corner and rubbing her sore legs.

Several shadows loomed over her, blocking the light above her head.

Ning Qing paused, and a sharp and sarcastic female voice sounded from above.

"You're already tired from dealing with just a few people. Are you a cripple?" 

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 21: Ning Qing, I don't have time for your antics

Ning Qing couldn't hide her surprise. "He asked me to go?"

"Yes," replied Lu Zhe, as he approached and placed the gift box on the table. The logo on the box indicated a luxurious brand, and it was clearly valuable.

"You can take some time to get ready. I'll come to pick you up tonight," he said.

As he turned to leave, Ning Qing blocked his way. Her emotions were turbulent, and her voice was cold. "What does he mean?"

Noticing Ning Qing's suspicious look, Lu Zhe explained, "Madam, please don't misunderstand. It's a special occasion today, and your attendance is required."

Seeing Ning Qing's guard come down, Lu Zhe nodded and walked away.

Ning Qing was confused. After she and Nian Lian parted ways a few days ago, rumors of his affair with Bai Yangyang had spread like wildfire. She had just heard Bai Yangyang admit their relationship with her own mouth...

Was he taking her to the annual meeting to embarrass her?

She pursed her lips and opened the gift box. Her gaze fell on the long white dress inside, made of soft and smooth chiffon. The diamond-studded bodice was delicately embellished, giving the upper body a pure and elegant look without being tacky.

Ning Qing's eyes flashed with amazement, but her expression quickly turned sarcastic as she realized the dress resembled the one Ning Su had worn in the photo.

She raised a powerless smile and lost all interest in the dress.

However, Ning Qing knew better than anyone that Nian Lian would not let her act recklessly. So, in the afternoon, she tidied herself up, took a shower, did her hair and makeup, and waited for Lu Zhe to pick her up.

At exactly six o'clock, Lu Zhe arrived.

He stood below the stairs, listening to the footsteps above and asked, "Madam, are you ready?"

The sound of high heels hitting the ground was sometimes light and sometimes heavy. Lu Zhui frowned and looked up.

Ning Qing wore a black shoulder-baring long dress with a hem that was short in front and long in the back, revealing her slender calves. She wore black high heels and had her shoulder-length hair in a bun, with a strand of curly hair hanging on the side of her face. Her red lips were fiery, her waist was slender, and her posture was graceful.

Lu Zhui had followed Nian Lian for many years and had seen more women than he could count, but he was still captivated by her.

Ning Qing was undoubtedly beautiful.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, without the need for too much embellishment, and could make people fall for her at first sight.

Especially those bright eyes, with their upward tilt at the corners, were somewhat similar to fox eyes. Even a gentle glance from her could electrify a person's body and evoke countless emotions.

As she walked past Lu Zhui, her slender fingers rested on the handrail of the corridor. She made a sound of acknowledgment before Lu Zhui snapped out of his trance and hurriedly lowered his head. "The car is waiting outside."

"Okay."

Without stopping, Ning Qing walked straight towards the outside.

The sun had just set, leaving an orange glow on the ground.

Lu Zhui caught up with her. "Madam, over there is..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Ning Qing had already opened the door.

Inside the car, the man had handsome features that seemed to be carved with a knife, with a lean figure. He wore a black suit with a matching tie, giving off a calm and reserved vibe.

Hearing the sound, Nian Lian turned his head and saw Ning Qing's slightly surprised expression.

His dark eyes swept over her, and his handsome eyebrows furrowed. "What are you wearing?"

Ning Qing's hand was still on the car door, and she looked at him coldly. "Not obvious enough? It's a formal dress."

Nian Lian clenched his fists. The partially bare shoulder stimulated his senses.

"..."

Ning Qing could see his dissatisfaction.

"If you don't like it, I won't go..."

"Get in the car."

Nian Lian expression turned stern, although his actions were the opposite of his emotions. He moved to the side.

Looking back at Ning Qing, his face darkened. "Ning Qing, I don't have time to wait for you to mess around."

Ning Qing's plan failed, so she could only comply with his words and got into the car, heading towards the venue.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 20: This pitiful acting deserves an award

The sunlight outside the window was mildly scorching. In the living room of Cloud Jing No. 1, a recently popular talk show was playing on the television.

Ning Qing was staring at the screen, her eyes slightly downturned at the corners with long and thick eyelashes that could not hide the chill within.

On the screen, a woman was sobbing and stuttering, struggling for breath, but it did not affect her beauty in the slightest.

"Many people on the internet criticize my character, saying she is a green tea, and even sending me hate messages telling me to die…"

She bit her pink lips, her tears glistening as they streamed down her cheeks. She cried like a pear blossom in the rain, making people feel sorry for her.

"I really don't know what to say. This is just a character I played, and she is not so bad that she cannot be forgiven. I don't know why they have so much malice towards me."

Her co-stars were all at a loss, clearly not knowing what to do.

The host was flustered, handing her a tissue to console her.

The scene was very awkward for a while.

Watching that familiar face, Ning Qing couldn't help but sneer.

The person was none other than Bai Yangyang.

The reason why she was crying was because she played the third female lead in a costume martial arts drama, as the male protagonist's junior sister. Because her character had cruel means, was scheming, jealous, and even threatened and framed the female lead, causing her to miscarry. After the drama was aired, she received widespread criticism and abuse from netizens.

Just now, when the host asked her, "Have you been influenced by this character personally?" she changed from her previous composed self and cried as if she had suffered a great injustice.

If it was because she couldn't stand the insults and criticisms that were related to her character, Ning Qing could understand.

But it was ridiculous that just a moment ago, she seriously said, "She will harm the female lead because she loves the male lead too much," and then suddenly changed her attitude, making it inevitable for people to think that she was acting.

Moreover, just a few days ago, she had acted arrogantly as a third party in front of Ning Qing, the original wife, showing off her power and feeling very proud.

Ning Qing's lips curled into a sarcastic smile.

This pitiful acting deserves an award, even her makeup is ruined from crying.

The woman barely stopped crying, and the host said, "Bai Yangyang was able to make people hate the character of the little junior sister, which proves that her acting skills are excellent."

This praise was not actually flattering, but Bai Yangyang just smirked, neither laughing nor crying.

The female host then took over.

"Yangyang's acting skills have improved rapidly compared to the past two years, and her career has taken a step up, and her love life has also been smooth sailing, right, Yangyang?" 

The suggestive words made everyone present aware of who she was referring to, including Ning Qing who was watching from the television.

There was a hint of surprise that flashed across Bai Yangyang's tear-stained face. This issue was not mentioned during the rehearsal.

"Yangyang?" 

The woman quickly adjusted her state, her smile shy, but unable to conceal her happiness. "It's not too bad, everything is going smoothly."

This ambiguous answer was equivalent to a confirmation.

There was a burst of cheering on the scene.

This was the first time that Bai Yangyang had publicly acknowledged this issue after the rumors, indicating how impactful it was. 

And she dared to behave like this, no doubt she had received someone's permission.

With a snap, the television went off.

Ning Qing threw the remote aside, her face without makeup didn't look too good, even a little nauseous.

She felt a bit down and tugged at her chest, preparing to go upstairs.

It was at this moment that Lu Zhe entered the living room and called out to her, "Madam."

Ning Qing looked down and saw the gift box in his hand.

Her eyebrows furrowed, she asked, "What is it?"

Lu Zhe's face was expressionless, "There is a company banquet at 7 o'clock tonight, the young master asked you to prepare in advance."

(End of this chapter)

 Chapter 19: Nian Lian, your love for my sister is nothing special

At night, on the Yun Jing No.1.

Ning Qing finished her meal and was about to go upstairs when Nian Lian, who rarely came back, appeared.

Ning Qing caught a glimpse of the man at the door, pretended not to see him, turned around, and headed upstairs.

Behind her, footsteps approached step by step.

A sudden force attacked her arm, pulling her body back, almost causing her to fall down the stairs.

Before she could resist, Nian Lian's gloomy face was in front of her.

"You went to find Bai Yangyang?" he asked.

Ning Qing struggled, "Nian Lian, let go of me!"

He became red-eyed, no longer indifferent and calm as he was before.

"Who allowed you to go find her!"

Ning Qing was frightened by him and was at a loss for words.

Then she said coldly, "She went to complain to you so quickly."

Ning Qing and Nian Lian looked at each other, and she saw a hint of spark in his deep eyes, and his perfect facial features slightly twisted.

Her eyebrows lifted, and she smiled, but a deep sense of distance emerged.

"She would take advantage of you. I thought she had some integrity."

This statement was said lightly by her, without any ripples.

Nian Lian looked dark and mysterious, his black eyes burning with unnamed emotions, easily penetrating through the person in front of him.

He warned her word by word, "Ning Qing, don't put your thoughts on her."

Ning Qing gritted her teeth and forced out a warm smile, her slender jade fingers touching his shoulder, gently comforting him.

"I just care about your recent movements, nothing else."

The sudden change made Nian Lian suspicious, and he squinted his eyes.

However, her tenderness did not move him.

His anger when he first learned about her movements faded away, and his deep eyes surged with complex emotions, making it difficult to read him.

"Madam Nian can't control her emotions, which is easy to misunderstand...Are you afraid that your position as my legal wife will be taken away?"

Ning Qing's eyes flashed, and her subtle movements were caught by Nian Lian's eyes.

Suddenly, his expression regained his coldness and impatience, his words mixed with frostiness as he said:

"I forgot, Madam Nian is eager to divorce me, so how could she be concerned about such matters?"

Her hand on his shoulder suddenly stiffened, and Nian Lian noticed it, his lips curving with self-mockery.

Her attempt to deceive him was exposed, and Ning Qing withdrew her hand, her face immediately turning cold.

"Nian Lian, what you do and who you're with is none of my business, but you're carrying the name of a married man while seeking out other women, and at the same time, you want to establish a happy marriage image. Aren't you tired?"

"..."

He pursed his thin lips, emotions rolling in his eyes, staring at her fixedly.

Ning Qing defiantly stared at him.

"You either openly admit that you like those women and divorce me, or you cut off all ties with them outside. I..."

"What if I don't choose?" The man's words froze Ning Qing's mouth.

"..."

"Madam Nian, you are really working hard to get rid of me," he said, examining her expression seriously. Soon, a hint of disappointment crossed his face, but then it was replaced by a calm expression. Ning Qing suddenly felt dizzy.

The force on her arm loosened.

Nian Lian's deep voice exploded in her ear. "Ning Qing, you are amazing."

He turned around and went down the stairs but then turned back.

"I'll say this only once, don't mess around."

The man walked away, leaving Ning Qing feeling helpless and dissatisfied. She felt sorry for her sister Ning Su more than anyone else.

"So, is your deep affection for my sister over?" She sneered.

Nian Lian heard the sarcasm in her words, closed and opened his eyes, his gaze as deep as ink, impossible for anyone to read his mind.

"Everyone in this world is entitled to ridicule my deep affection, except for you."

"Yes." Of course, she knew why.

Ning Qing smiled, her eyes turning red.

"I'm not worthy."

"..."

She took a deep breath, her expression cold and not as before.

"Since that's the case, I also warn you, don't even think about finding other women outside before we get divorced."

She stood at the top of the stairs, chin up, with a determined attitude, proudly declaring war on him.

"If I'm not doing well, you won't be either."

Nian Lian exuded a cold and mysterious aura, a sinister smile lurking in his eyes.

"Okay, then let's torture each other to the end."

(End of chapter)

 Chapter 18: To Climb Up, First Examine Whether You Are Qualified

She laughed arrogantly, with a proud attitude.

"If you don't want to know the details of my relationship with the CEO, then divorce him quickly and voluntarily give up your position to me, so as to avoid an ugly scene later on."

The word "details" was emphasized.

Ning tilted her head and slightly moved, standing up and walking to the side of Bai Yangyang.

The woman felt a bit scared and asked, "What...what do you want to do?"

A bank card appeared in front of her.

"Don't worry, I won't hit you."

Ning said, "There are two million in the account. You can take it first."

Bai Yangyang chuckled and burst into laughter.

"Ha, you're so funny. You don't want to use the two million to get rid of me, do you?"

The person in front of her remained calm.

Bai Yangyang stopped laughing and leaned close to Ning's face, saying word by word, "I really love the CEO. Even if you give me a billion, I won't let go!"

She was very close, and the scent of cosmetics rushed into Ning's nose.

Ning frowned slightly.

Looking at her face, that strange feeling arose again, but she couldn't explain why.

However, she didn't want to investigate it further.

Ning didn't show any signs of being provoked. Her pink lips opened and closed, "You've misunderstood."

Bai Yangyang hated her cold and stunning face and glared at her.

Ning said, "This two million is just your compensation. You've been working hard these days to relieve my husband's pressure. It saves me trouble and effort, and I won't have to find ways to make him happy."

"You..."

Bai Yangyang opened her mouth, staring at Ning incredulously.

"You can keep things as they are."

Ning's smile was flawless, and Bai Yangyang couldn't find any traces of lying.

What was even more frustrating was that she couldn't come up with a retort.

"But..."

"However..."

Ning Qing's calm gaze finally turned icy and chilling, as she leaned down.

"If you want to be the mistress of the Nian family, you'll have to wait until I no longer want to be."

Bai Yangyang couldn't contain herself any longer and revealed her ferocity, "Don't be so arrogant. Without the favor and partiality of Mr. Nian, you won't be comfortable for long!"

Ning Qing's eyelids drooped halfway as a chill poured out from her. She insinuated, "That's something I should be saying to you."

"... "

"If you want to take my place, make sure you're qualified first."

Ning Qing stuffed the bank card into Bai Yangyang's collar.

The gesture was not obscene, but it was humiliating.

She whispered, reminding her, "If you want me to divorce him, the person you should be talking to is him, not me."

With that said, Ning Qing stood up straight and turned away in the face of the woman's angry eyes.

As the door closed, the woman screamed like crazy and something shattered inside the private room.

Ning Qing walked down the hallway step by step.

Then, her footsteps became faster.

She almost ran out of Jingyue's door and held onto the railing on one side, then began to vomit.

The physical vomiting made her so uncomfortable that tears welled up in her eyes, and she trembled all over.

Someone handed her a tissue and water with concern. Ning Qing took them, drank the water, wiped her face clean, and stared blankly at a spot.

It took her a long time to come back to her senses and say thank you to the person beside her before leaving.

Sitting in the car on the way back, Ning Qing was exhausted, thinking about Bai Yangyang's words.

"Don't think too highly of yourself! Mr. Nian is in my bed day and night. If he really has feelings for you, how could he sleep with me?"

"Don't pretend, Mr. Nian doesn't like you at all. He told me himself. You've been married for two years, but he hasn't touched you at all, just because he finds you disgusting!"

Nian Lian, you're nothing more than this.

The reason he did this was simply to disgust her.

During the confrontation with Bai Yangyang, she almost couldn't hold herself together and wanted to escape on the spot.

She tried her best to say those words just to make Bai Yangyang resent her.

Judging from Bai Yangyang's state when she left, she was probably quite angry.

Ning Qing curved the corners of her lips, thinking of something that fell apart.

Through the car window, the city lights fell and shattered in her eyes.

Her face reflected in the gray window.

Calm, gloomy, and numb.

(End of this chapter)