Chapter 15 – Xu Qin’s Late-Night Visit

Late at night, Xu Qin slipped into the silk nightdress Meng Yanshen had gifted her last year and softly knocked on his door.

“Ge, are you asleep?”

Her voice was deliberately light and soft, like when she was a child running to him after a nightmare.

The door opened. Meng Yanshen stood there with a file in hand, the gold rims of his glasses framing eyes filled with quiet inquiry.

“What is it?”

“I just… wanted to talk with you, like we used to.”

She hugged her arms as though shivering. The smooth silk traced the lines of her shoulders and collarbone, glowing under the warm lamplight like polished jade.

Meng Yanshen frowned slightly, turned, and adjusted the air conditioner.

Xu Qin’s lips curved faintly. Good—he still cared about her.

She sat naturally on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to join her. But instead of sitting beside her, he pulled out a chair by the desk, positioning himself at her side, his voice as gentle as always.

“Qin Qin, what’s wrong? Did Song Yan upset you?”

“No…” She lowered her lashes. “I just suddenly felt that… only Ge really understands me.”

Meng Yanshen’s expression stiffened. He adjusted his glasses, lips curling into a bitter smile.

Understands her? Perhaps so. But what of it? At the end of the day, he was just her older brother.

He didn’t respond. Silence stretched between them.

Xu Qin’s gaze drifted to the crooked clay mug on the bookshelf. She carefully lifted it down.

“Ge, you still kept this!”

It was the Father’s Day gift she had crafted when she was ten.

“The paint’s already peeling…” Her fingers traced the rim, and her eyes reddened. “Back then you swore Dad would love it, and you even snuck around to repaint it for me.”

Meng Yanshen finally looked at her, his gaze softening. “Why bring this up all of a sudden?”

“Just… suddenly realized.” Her tear-bright eyes lifted to him, shimmering on the verge of falling. “It feels like only you remember everything about me.”

“Ge…” She clutched at his sleeve, voice trembling. “I’ve been having nightmares lately… that you don’t want me anymore. Did I disappoint you? I just… I just want to know if you still care about me.”

Meng Yanshen gently pulled free of her touch, smiling with practiced warmth.

“Silly girl, don’t overthink. Even after you get married, you’ll always be the Meng family’s daughter, and always my little sister.”

Always his little sister.

For years, Xu Qin had caged him with that identity, repeating that she only saw him as her brother. But hearing him say it aloud— “You’ll always be my sister”—a strange bitterness clawed at her chest.

When had this feeling begun?

Was it because of that woman—Fan Shengmei?

Yes, ever since that day at the police station when she had called him to clean up Song Yan’s mess…

Xu Qin quickly pieced together the timeline. It hadn’t been long. Knowing Meng Yanshen, he wouldn’t so easily let someone else take her place.

Perhaps Fan Shengmei was nothing more than a pawn—packaged in luxury worth three million just to provoke her.

Her brother always planned with precision; each move calculated like a master strategist. This was simply one more test.

Realizing this, Xu Qin’s eyes cleared. She stepped closer—only for him to subtly move away.

Unbothered, she masked her emotions with icy poise. “Ge, about that money from the police station incident… I’ll return it with Song Yan as soon as possible.”

Meng Yanshen’s brows knit. At last, he understood—this whole late-night display of “sibling affection” had been about money.

A mere two hundred thousand. Not much, considering Song Yan’s firefighter salary.

He sighed. In the end, she was still his sister. He couldn’t bear to watch her struggle.

“Forget it. We’re family. I never intended for you to repay me. As long as he treats you well and you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

Her guess confirmed, Xu Qin retreated a step, regaining her cool goddess façade. “Thank you, Ge. Rest early.”

Relief washed over him. He smiled. “Goodnight.”

…

At dawn, Xu Qin slipped out quietly.

Standing at the villa doorway, she turned back with a bitter smile.

When her brother discovered she’d left without a word, he’d surely feel a pang of loss, wouldn’t he?

“Sorry, Ge… we’re siblings.”

She didn’t even know who she was saying it to. Just another act.

“Miss, you’re leaving already?” Aunt Wang peeked out from the kitchen.

“Mm.” Xu Qin adjusted her bag. “Please tell Ge I went back to the hospital early.”

“The young master left before dawn,” Aunt Wang said, wiping her hands. “Said he had a golf game with President Chu.”

Xu Qin’s fingers clenched tight around her strap, knuckles whitening. She forced a brittle smile. “Got it.”

…

The hospital corridors were hushed.

When Xu Qin pushed open her office door, she was met with a pair of dark, brooding eyes.

Song Yan was sitting in her chair, a thermos by his side.

“Didn’t you say you were on duty last night?” His voice was ice.

Her heart skipped. “I…”

“Where did you go?” He stood, tall and imposing, shadow falling over her. “I thought you were working, so I came at midnight with congee. But you weren’t even here.”

“I went back to the Meng house…” she murmured, stepping back.

“Then why lie?” His hand clamped around her wrist. “What are you hiding from me? Or… who?”

“Let go!” She struggled.

His eyes burned into hers. “Are you afraid I’ll find out you went to Meng Yanshen? That you go there to see him. Say it!”

“Let me go!” she cried, shoving him. “I’m sick of your suspicion! For you, I broke up with my family, cut corners to live your way, gave you everything. He’s, my brother. What’s wrong with me going home to see him?”

Song Yan sneered. “Regretting it now? Fine. We’re only engaged. We can end this anytime—we’ve split before.”

“No!” Xu Qin clutched his arm, tears spilling. “I just… just—”

She hugged him from behind, voice breaking. “Song Yan, I love you. I won’t leave you. I only went home, that’s all. Please don’t abandon me.”

His jaw tightened, veins bulging as he gripped his coat.

“You know what it felt like? Spending the night making congee for you, only to find you gone?”

Xu Qin spun him around and kissed him feverishly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied. I was just scared you’d misunderstand. Song Yan, I love you. Believe me—I really love you.”

Her kisses deepened, her hands sliding lower, desperate to anchor him.

Yes, she loved Song Yan. And yes, she needed him.

Because more than love, she needed to prove her allure still held power.

Song Yan could never resist her, the cold goddess who turned wild in his arms.

His breath quickened. “Here? In the office?”

Xu Qin pulled him toward the curtained corner, her lips never leaving him.

And just like that, dawn broke over another mess of secrets.