Upon hearing this, Luo Qingli’s pupils trembled. However, she didn’t speak, rely waiting quietly for Qin Lan to continue.
Seeing her emotional instability, Qin Lan didn’t dare reveal everything about her and Chen Xiao. She only told Luo Qingli about the day Ling Zhenghao was killed and how she had been frad.
Only after hearing Qin Lan’s words did Luo Qingli realize she had misunderstood Chen Xiao. That night, he hadn’t gone to see Zhang Yaqing.
Qin Lan’s face was full of apology. "Qingli, I’m so sorry. I was panicking and didn’t know who to turn to—plus, I didn’t want to worry you, so I didn’t tell you then. I never expected it would lead to such a big misunderstanding about Chen Xiao."
That night, nothing had actually happened between her and Chen Xiao. He had just quietly stayed by her side to comfort her, so when she spoke of it, she showed no signs of anything unusual.
Afterward, Qin Lan briefly recounted the outrageous things the Ling Family had done to her after Ling Zhenghao’s death.
The more Luo Qingli listened, the more her heart ached and her anger grew. "The Ling Family has gone too far! Are they even human?" They dug up Qin Lan’s parents’ graves and used their bones to threaten her to return to Zhonghai? Beasts!
Qin Lan sighed. "Afterward, I was lucky to have Chen Xiao’s help. I was able to deal with the Ling Family and stabilize the Qin Family. Otherwise, it’s hard to say if I’d even be able to stand here before you now."
Filled with righteous indignation, Luo Qingli eventually cald down. "It seems I misunderstood him that night."
"However, given his personality, it’s impossible for us to go back to how things were..." Luo Qingli sounded sowhat bitter.
Qin Lan took a deep breath. "Qingli, honestly, a man like Chen Xiao will never lack for excellent won. I’m not quite sure how to put this... Anyway, in my opinion, one should just follow their heart in life. Gatherings and partings are up to fate; what matters is that you once had sothing precious."
Qin Lan smiled faintly. "So things can’t be defined by conventional standards, can they?"
These words made Luo Qingli’s heart stir. After a long silence, she suddenly chuckled. "Sister Lan, I rember you used to look down on him. Why does it seem like... you’ve taken a liking to him now?"
Qin Lan was startled for a mont, then smiled. "He’s helped a lot, and I’ve gotten to know a different side of him, so it’s natural to have a good impression. Besides, I’m getting old... I’ve seen enough of the world and don’t ask for much."
Luo Qingli muttered, "That damn guy really has so charm! But... who knows, maybe he really does fancy soone with your kind of mature charm?"
Having spent so much ti with him, Luo Qingli had so understanding of Chen Xiao’s particular tastes.
Qin Lan’s expression didn’t change as she smiled faintly. "If I were really involved with him, wouldn’t you die of jealousy? I know you better than that."
"I’d rather it be you than that vixen," Luo Qingli mumbled.
Qin Lan then looked at her intently. "Qingli, Chen Xiao is a man of deep feelings and loyalty, but he’s also free-spirited, dislikes being tied down, and is destined to be amorous. If you’re looking for soone to live a quiet, stable life with, he’s honestly not a good choice."
"But, if you truly still like him and feel that your own happiness is what matters most, then there’s nothing to hesitate about. That’s Sister Lan’s advice to you."
"Of course, the choice you make and whether you can accept it is ultimately up to you."
"A man being too outstanding... isn’t necessarily a good thing."
"That guy... wherever he goes, a bunch of young girls flock to him. I don’t know how it happens."
Luo Qingli’s heart tightened. "Has he hooked up with so girl in Zhonghai recently?"
Qin Lan smiled lightly. "Do you rember that mixed-race girl from the Sail Raising Conference?"
Luo Qingli imdiately recalled Li Kani. She had t Li Kani twice and had a very deep impression of the girl with an explosive figure, though at the ti, Chen Xiao and she had not been on good terms.
How could he have suddenly... gotten involved with her?
"That girl is the only daughter of the Zhonghai Li Family, raised in a sheltered environnt since she was young. Encountering a man like Chen Xiao for the first ti, it’s only natural that she’d be smitten and unable to control herself."
"It’s not that they’ve hooked up, exactly. I just get the feeling the girl is interested in him."
Qin Lan smiled. "You see? The mont you let go, a whole line of girls shows up at his door."
An inexplicable heaviness settled in Luo Qingli’s heart.
That damn guy! We’ve only been apart for a few days, and he’s already flirting with other won? I don’t even know how to describe my own feelings anymore. To think I was here, remaining chaste and consud by our emotional entanglent. Back when we were still married, Chen Xiao had actually been relatively faithful. At most, there was that fox spirit, Zhang Yaqing, who took the initiative to flirt with him. Now, it feels like Chen Xiao is completely letting himself go. It would be a lie to say I’m not jealous.
Luo Qingli gritted her teeth. "Sister Lan... I think I still have feelings for him. What should I do now?"
Qin Lan said, "The choice is yours. I’ve already laid out the pros and cons."
She changed the subject, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Who knows? Maybe I’ll be the next to fall for him."
Luo Qingli suddenly chuckled mischievously. "What? Sister Lan, are you saying you want to join ...?"
Qin Lan covered her mouth as she laughed. "If you don’t mind, then of course I don’t. The thought... isn’t unappealing."
With Chen Xiao’s physical stamina, he should be able to handle it, right?
Although she hadn’t explicitly stated her own relationship with Chen Xiao today, she had given Luo Qingli a warning—that she, too, had feelings for him. At least this way, when she and Chen Xiao were openly together, it wouldn’t hurt Luo Qingli as much.
Keeping it a secret forever wasn’t an option. The truth always cos out. Of course, she knew the jokes they were making were just that—jokes. She supposed it was just so playful, risqué banter between best friends. Luo Qingli probably wasn’t taking any of it to heart.
At this thought, Qin Lan sighed helplessly. This girl... she’s so slow on the uptake.
After a pause, she smiled. "I know it’s hard for you to say it, so let do it for you. I’ll call him and say you’re drunk. He’ll definitely co."
"No!" Luo Qingli shook her head haughtily. "I don’t want to see him."
Having been friends for so many years, Qin Lan knew her sister’s mind perfectly. She imdiately sent Chen Xiao a text with the address.
The two continued to drink until they were both feeling tipsy, their pretty faces flushed red.
About half an hour later, Qin Lan fought off her light-headedness and said to Luo Qingli, "Alright, that’s enough. If we keep drinking, we’ll get truly drunk."
"I’m not drunk..." Luo Qingli slurred.
When drunk, the normally cool and aloof Luo Qingli exuded a completely different charm. She was like a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal realm from the Moon Palace, making one feel an irresistible urge to pull her into an embrace and cherish her.
Helpless, Qin Lan had no choice but to pull her to her feet and lead her outside.
anwhile, in the shadows, a young man kicked the person next to him. "They’re coming out! What are you waiting for? Go!"
A few thuggish-looking youths quickly moved to block their path.
"Well, well, what have we here? Two beautiful ladies, all alone?"
"How about we give you ladies a ride?"
The gang of thugs leered, their shifty eyes roving over the two won. The unwanted attention made both Qin Lan and Luo Qingli feel extrely uncomfortable.
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