CHAPTER 215: CHAPTER 213 UNLESS YOU DON’T WANT ME

Lin Xiao was stung by her words. Both the things Su Qingning said and the tremble in her voice affected him deeply.

"Su Qingning, you’re my wife. Just say whatever’s on your mind. Why make it sound so serious, begging me? Why don’t you say something even worse while you’re at it!"

Su Qingning’s body trembled, and her beautiful, peach-blossom-like eyes grew even redder. Crystal-clear tears welled up, swirling at the corners. She suppressed the sorrow in her heart and said, "You jerk, be serious for once!"

"Alright, what do you want to say? I’m listening."

"If... if one day you want to divorce me, please promise you’ll tell me in advance, okay?"

Su Qingning wiped away a tear. She turned around, her eyes pleading as she looked at him.

Lin Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. He stared blankly at Su Qingning as a sudden, sharp pain pricked his chest, like the stab of a needle. It hurt. A lot. But Lin Xiao knew it was because he ached for her. Right now, she looked so helpless, so incredibly cautious. Her pitiful and delicate appearance was truly heart-wrenching.

Lin Xiao knew that today’s events had been a massive blow to Su Qingning, especially when Shao Mei’er and Chu Xiangxue both unexpectedly extended a helping hand. That had struck her the hardest, making her feel suddenly and deeply inferior. She was a very proud and sensitive person. After enduring so many years of unfair treatment, it was a miracle she had managed to hold on for this long.

Looking into Su Qingning’s hopeful eyes, Lin Xiao suddenly smiled.

"What, are you worried I’ll be snatched away?"

Su Qingning didn’t say a word, but his words had clearly hit home. The tears she was holding back began to fall uncontrollably. She quickly turned her head away.

"I’m not! You... don’t be ridiculous! I just feel that... you’re my husband, but now it seems like everyone wants to steal you from me. Besides, they’re beautiful and have better family backgrounds. It would only be natural for you to fall for them!"

How insecure must she be to say something like that? Lin Xiao’s heart ached even more. He instinctively reached out and gently patted her on the head.

The gesture made Su Qingning stiffen instantly, her fair cheeks flushing crimson. Because her back was to him, Lin Xiao couldn’t see her expression.

He sighed and said, "Su Qingning, you’re my wife. How could I ever divorce you? The only way that would happen is if you decided you didn’t want me anymore."

BOOM!

That promise, which wasn’t quite a promise, sent a tremor through Su Qingning’s heart. A massive jolt of electricity surged through her, followed by an overwhelming wave of emotion. A joy unlike anything she had ever felt before blossomed within her.

Lin Xiao continued, "Besides, maybe they’re helping you not because they want to steal me, but because they’re trying to curry favor with you due to my powerful background!"

To be honest, Lin Xiao knew that was the real reason Shao Mei’er and Chu Xiangxue were going to such lengths to help Su Qingning. They were trying to get on his good side and win his favor. Although they didn’t know the full extent of his identity, the mere fact that their fathers had ordered them to get into his bed at all costs was enough to prove he was no simple man.

Su Qingning couldn’t help but laugh, despite her tears. "You jerk, you’re bragging again!"

Hearing her laugh, Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and said, "Ah, you caught me. Alright, Su Qingning, what I want to tell you is this: live happily. No matter what you do, I’ll support you. And I will always be your strongest pillar of support!"

"Hmph, boasting again. How could I possibly rely on you!" Su Qingning said with feigned disdain, but a sweet feeling spread through her heart.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Okay, then I’ll work hard to become someone you can rely on. One day, I’ll become your most solid support!"

"Hmph, stop bragging and just drive!"

Su Qingning’s voice had become much lighter. It seemed her mood was finally improving, and Lin Xiao relaxed.

Soon, they arrived at their destination. It was a detached villa, nestled by the mountains and beside the water, with enchanting scenery. The four of them got out of the car and, under Shao Mei’er’s lead, entered the villa.

A middle-aged woman in her forties quickly came to greet them. "Miss Shao, welcome!"

"Is everything arranged?" Shao Mei’er asked.

"Yes, it’s all ready. Please, come this way!"

Shao Mei’er turned and smiled at Lin Xiao before following the woman. The group of four entered a private room. The room was lavishly decorated—truly luxurious. The tableware alone was exquisite, and the calligraphy and paintings on the walls were priceless. Among them was a piece by the master Xu Beihong, depicting several spirited horses in a full, lifelike gallop.

Lin Xiao glanced at it. It’s an original.

After the four of them sat down, Lin Xiao teased, "Shao Mei’er, you seem to own restaurants everywhere!"

Shao Mei’er gave a charming smile. "What can I say? I’m a foodie. I’ve always believed that delicious food is heaven’s greatest gift to the world!"

Her words made Chu Xiangxue laugh. The singer feigned a gloomy expression and said, "What am I going to do? My agent repeatedly warned me not to go over ninety pounds since my concert is next month. But with such amazing food right in front of me, it feels like a crime not to eat it. If I do eat, though, I’m definitely going to be overweight!"

Shao Mei’er giggled at her predicament. Even Su Qingning couldn’t help but smile.

"Eat first. You need energy to lose weight," Shao Mei’er laughed.

"Okay, I’ll take your advice!" With that, the two women laughed again.

"Qingning, what about you? Are you worried about gaining weight?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Su Qingning quickly shook her head, but before she could speak, Shao Mei’er chimed in. "Lin Xiao, Qingning is so slim already. She should eat more and gain a little weight!"

"Yes, exactly! Qingning, you’re under eighty-five pounds, right?" Chu Xiangxue quickly added.

"I don’t know, I haven’t weighed myself in a long time," Su Qingning said honestly. The conversation on the way over must have genuinely comforted her, because her mood was now quite good.

"It doesn’t matter. Just eat as much as you want. You’re so beautiful, you can eat anything and still look amazing!" Shao Mei’er said with a flirtatious smile.

Su Qingning’s fair cheeks immediately flushed rosy red, clearly unused to such lavish compliments.

"You all chat for a bit, I’m going to the restroom," Lin Xiao said with a smile. He stood up and left the private room.

Just as he entered the restroom, he nearly collided with someone coming out. Lin Xiao was about to instinctively apologize when a sinister voice hissed in his ear.

"Damn rotten luck, running into a filthy beggar like you even in a place like this!"