Chapter 3

“Xia Xue, I know you mean well. I appreciate your kindness, but I’m heading back.”
Wang Xing still couldn’t stand the way Lin Wanting was treating him.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out why her attitude toward him had plummeted so suddenly. Something that had seemed a sure thing was now collapsing before his eyes.

After Wang Xing left, Xia Xue knocked on the door. She, too, wanted to know what was going on with Lin Wanting. Wasn’t she the one who had once loved Wang Xing to death?

Lin Wanting was inside when she saw Xia Xue knocking. She opened the door, her eyes fixed on Xia Xue with a half-smile. She remembered how much she used to value friendship, treating Xia Xue like family.

She had invited her to be her bridesmaid—yet in reality, Xia Xue wanted to be the bride herself. Fine, then. In this lifetime, she would make sure to “help” her dear friend fulfill that dream.

“What’s up? Whose side are you on anyway? You’ve only met Wang Xing twice and you’ve already defected?”

“Wanting, I just want to know what game you’re playing. I think Wang Xing’s pretty good, apart from being poor. He’s definitely a diamond in the rough.”

In her heart, Lin Wanting scoffed. Poor men breed cunning schemes—that’s the deadliest flaw. His weak stomach makes him the perfect kept man. That ‘good guy’ persona can only last so long.

“Xia Xue, I’ve always thought of you as my best friend. Tell me the truth—do you have feelings for Wang Xing?”

Xia Xue hadn’t expected Lin Wanting to be so blunt. She faltered, because the truth was, she did like her best friend’s boyfriend.

“Wanting, why ask that? I’m only thinking of your best interest. I mean, it’s rare to meet such a handsome guy—I just admire him, that’s all. You’re overthinking.”

Lin Wanting kept watching Xia Xue put on her act. She intended to tie both Wang Xing and Xia Xue down so they couldn’t go ruin anyone else’s life.

“If that’s the case, then it’s none of your business. I have things to do—you can go now.”

In the end, Xia Xue didn’t get any answers. All she came away with was the impression that Lin Wanting didn’t care if she was interested in Wang Xing.

Back in her room, the more Lin Wanting thought about it, the more certain she became—she needed to get rid of him quickly. From what she knew of Wang Xing, he would cling on for dear life.

“Miss~”

She didn’t know when Xiao Min had appeared behind her. Lin Wanting was so deep in thought that she was startled.

“What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to knock before coming in? Do you need to be punished before you realize your place?”

“Miss, I did knock~ I only came in because you nodded.”

“Oh, so now you’re making excuses? Was I imagining it then? Just leave! I don’t need someone who can’t follow instructions serving me.”

In her past life, Lin Wanting had suffered enough thanks to this maid. Kindness only invited bullying—and her kindness last time had led to a tragic death.

“Miss, I was hired by Madam. You’d have to get her approval to replace me.”

Furious, Lin Wanting dragged her off to find her mother. Qiao Yilan was enjoying her tea, savoring her last moments of peace.

“Mom, get me a new maid—this one can’t follow orders.”

“Madam, please keep me! I haven’t done anything wrong,” Xiao Min pleaded, playing the pitiful card.

“Tingting, Xiao Min’s always served you well. What happened?”

“Mom, if I say I don’t want her, I have my reasons. The sooner she’s gone, the better. Keeping her here is just wasting space.”

Xiao Min felt even more wronged. Apart from a bit of scheming here and there, she’d done all her work diligently.

“Miss, that’s slander. I’ve worked hard here every day, yet you’re making it sound like I just freeload.”

The arguing gave Qiao Yilan a headache. She set down her cup and said to Xiao Min, “Since Tingting insists, I’ll give you an extra month’s pay. Go work somewhere else. It’s the same work—just a different place.”

Lin Wanting shot Xiao Min a smug look. Xiao Min truly felt that the young lady had changed, almost like she’d been possessed.

“You’re not the same young lady as before. Why are you targeting me like this?”

Lin Wanting looked at her in surprise—she hadn’t expected even a maid to notice. She hadn’t bothered to act like her old self this time. But why must she be the genteel, agreeable person everyone expected?

“That’s none of your concern. Pack your things and get out.”

Unable to swallow her anger, Xiao Min thought of going to Xia Xue’s house to see if they needed help—their family’s conditions weren’t much different from the Lins’.

“Tingting, must you be so relentless?”

Qiao Yilan didn’t suspect her daughter—nothing she did would surprise her.

“Mom, I’m the young lady here. If a maid’s already intimidated me twice, who knows what she’ll do next time?”

“Fine. She’s gone. Let’s move on.”

Qiao Yilan had her own worries. Lin Haifeng had been coming home in the middle of the night lately, and she was concerned—not just about his business, but about his feelings.

She’d only given him one daughter in her lifetime, and truth be told, Lin Haifeng minded that. The older he got, the more it seemed to matter.

Lin Wanting knew exactly what her mother was worried about, but she wasn’t willing to tell her the truth yet. Some things her mother would sense on her own—creating a rift with her father in the process.

A few days later, Wang Xing finally couldn’t hold back and came looking for Lin Wanting again.

In the past few days, he’d been working several jobs, mainly to pay for flowers and the wedding decorations.

He brought a huge bouquet of red roses—Lin Wanting had once been wooed by just such a bouquet and a few sweet words.

“Wanting, open up. I know you’re in there. I have something important to tell you.”

Lin Wanting sighed. As expected, she’d have to go through the “cling like a leech” phase.

“Wang Xing, this is getting boring. You’re not the aloof man I used to know.”

“Here—99 roses this time. I’ll love you forever. Wanting, will you marry me?”

But Lin Wanting was no longer the naïve girl she had been. She constantly reminded herself—she was a black lotus.

“Wang Xing, I’m telling you seriously today—we’re not a match. We’re from different worlds. You’re not just after my money, you’ll take my life too!”

Wang Xing was stunned. Take her life? Was it that obvious he wanted her money?

“Wanting, what are you talking about? I don’t get it.”

“Anyway, I’m not marrying you. Just pretend none of this ever happened~”

At that, Wang Xing panicked. He had prepared himself for rejection, but he had a backup plan—Xia Xue.

“Fine, Lin Wanting. Then pay me back for all the expenses while we were together. And for the emotional damage, you owe me compensation!”

“Compensation? Sure—if I pay you, you can go check yourself into a mental hospital, how about that?”

“Lin Wanting, I must have been blind. You’re nothing compared to your friend Xia Xue!”