Su Jianguo: "Look at how furious you were just now. What? Can’t you make an exception for your own granddaughter? If you won’t handle this, then I, as her grandmother, will step in."

Chen Qingtian watched as her family worried over her troubles, and her sorrowful heart instantly turned to warmth.

She looked pleadingly at Chen Zhima. "Auntie, can you help me find Xia Xia? He might be at his old home or with his sister."

"You silly child, still worrying about this at a time like—fine, alright."

Chen Qingtian sniffled. "Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie… thank you."

She was genuinely moved. In her eyes, her grandmother had always been a principled woman, the one who scolded her the most growing up.

Yet, at this critical moment, the old lady was willing to bend her rules for her.

Chen Zhima gently stroked Chen Qingtian’s head.

"Sweetheart, why say such things now? Tomorrow, I’ll gather everyone from the Chen family, and we’ll figure this out together."

Tears welled up in Chen Qingtian’s eyes. "You don’t have to go through all this trouble for me. I made a mistake. If the Yu family won’t forgive me, then facing the consequences is what I deserve."

Chen Xiao nodded in agreement.

Chen Zhima shot her father a sharp glare. "Enough of that. It’s late—let’s rest first. We’ll discuss this tomorrow when your father gets back."

"Okay."

The next day, Chen Nianshi and Chen Nianlun returned, already aware of the situation.

Chen Qingtian frowned. "Where’s my cousin? Why didn’t you call him and his wife over?"

Though she had spoken bravely the night before, deep down, she still had hope.

Her greatest hope lay with Lin Ran and Luo Yao.

Su Jianguo: "I told them not to inform Xiao Ran. He and his wife just finished filming and need rest."

"Xiao Ran has had a hard life all these years. Now that he’s finally living well, let’s not burden him with trivial matters."

Su Jianguo knew Chen Qingtian too well.

The people here could certainly come up with a solution, even if it wasn’t ideal.

But if Lin Ran were present, she knew her granddaughter would break down and beg him for help.

And if Lin Ran got involved, he would inevitably rely on Luo Yao’s methods.

For Luo Yao to act against the Yu family for her husband’s cousin would demand a heavy price.

If the couple ever argued in the future, this could become a point of contention.

Su Jianguo refused to let that happen, so she stopped everyone from contacting Lin Ran.

Sure enough, hearing her grandmother’s words, Chen Qingtian wilted like frostbitten leaves.

Her cousin and his wife were her greatest lifeline, yet they were likely still blissfully unaware, tangled up in their own world at the estate.

Cousin, please come save your adorable cousin soon!

Chen Nianshi didn’t scold his daughter but instead showed concern.

"Qingtian, you’re my good girl. I don’t blame you for acting impulsively—I know you must have had a reason."

"I’m proud that you own up to your mistakes. If you’re keeping quiet, it must be for a reason. But, sweetheart, what are you running from?"

He spoke gently, wanting to uncover the truth.

"Now’s the time to be honest with me. Every detail could be your way out. Is this about Xia Xia?"

Chen Nianshi ventured a guess.

Chen Qingtian lowered her head, crumbling under her father’s gaze, and confessed everything.

The Chen family erupted.

"That Yu family scum got what he deserved!"

Chen Xiao fell silent for a long moment before nodding. "He was indeed scum, but Qingtian did cripple him. This matter… Ah! Zhima, you handle it."

Chen Xiao finally relented, though he wouldn’t compromise his principles himself.

But that didn’t mean others couldn’t.

Letting Chen Zhima take charge was his limit.

Besides, her temperament made her the best person for the job.

Even if they couldn’t sweep this under the rug, she could at least secure a lighter sentence for Chen Qingtian.

With Chen Xiao’s approval, the family’s path was clear.

Just as they prepared to act, a knock sounded at the door.

When it opened, the visitor turned out to be—

"Uncle Fu? What brings you here?"

Chen Qingtian recognized him immediately—she was quite familiar with Uncle Fu.

His arrival meant hope.

With Uncle Fu here, she was about to rise again.

Uncle Fu greeted them politely and stepped inside, followed by someone Chen Qingtian knew all too well.

"Everyone, Young Master Lin sent me to resolve this matter. Miss Chen, you needn’t worry—the Yu family has dropped the charges. Also, this person I’ve brought is no stranger to you. She has something to say."

Ai Xianbai stood there, her eyes red—she had already been "educated" at home.

Under the watchful eyes of Lin Ran’s bodyguards, of course.

The Ai family never imagined their well-behaved daughter was capable of such things.

Drugging a classmate, conspiring with her fiancé in such a twisted game.

And worst of all, offending Chen Qingtian—whose cousin was Lin Ran, and whose sister-in-law was Luo Yao.

The Ai family dared not cross Luo Yao, a woman who could obliterate them with a mere thought.

How many elite families had fallen before her? Even as a top-tier family, they stood no chance against her.

Take the Yi Family, for example. Once brought down by their joint efforts, Luo Yao’s intervention flipped the script entirely.

Not only did she revive the Yi Family, but she also elevated them above the rest, making them the leading family among the Five Great Clans.

By the time they thought to oppose her, she had already become an unstoppable force, transcending the very concept of a "great family" to become the world’s foremost financial power.

With this in mind, the Ai family had no choice but to disown Ai Xianbai, handing her over to Uncle Fu.

"Qingtian-jie, I’m sorry. I lied to you—nothing happened between me and Fang Buxia. That night, he was drunk and drugged. I kidnapped him, but..."

Ai Xianbai’s confession wasn’t out of remorse—it was because her family would disown her if she didn’t speak the truth.

Without the Ai name, those she had bullied in the past would come for her.

Finally, the truth came out.

"That night… did you two really…?"

"No. Fang Buxia drank too much—he kept saying he wanted to confess to you. I did take him to a hotel, and I did try to force myself on him, but… a drunk man can’t perform."

"Boom."

Chen Qingtian felt as if lightning had struck her, freezing her in place.

She remembered screaming at Fang Buxia, "Get out! You’re filthy. You disgust me."

The memory was a knife, twisting in her heart.