Chapter 6: You and Lu Qing’er Are a Perfect Match — I Wish You Well

Bai Yalan laughed in anger — she had never seen anyone so unreasonable before. She looked straight at Qin Kaishen. “You take someone else’s possession and refuse to return it — is that how the Qin family handles things?”

Qin Kaishen’s expression was cold. “Bai Yalan, must you make this so ugly for everyone?”

Qin’s father also looked displeased. “Comrade Xiao Bai, we’re your elders. What kind of junior speaks to their elders like that?”

“Fine!” Bai Yalan nodded, not bothering to waste more words. She walked to the front gate, raised her voice, and declared, “Then let the people of Qin Family Village judge this. Since you keep claiming to be the elders, let me ask — when elders take something from the younger generation and refuse to give it back, what kind of logic is that?”

“You…” Qin’s father hadn’t expected the once-gentle and agreeable Bai Yalan to turn so headstrong and unyielding. His eyes nearly shot fire.

“Bai Yalan!” Qin Kaishen yelled in fury. “What exactly do you want?!”

“My bracelet. Return it!” Bai Yalan locked eyes with Qin Shi, her gaze unwavering.

At those words, Qin Shi instantly tensed up, hiding her hand further behind her back.

“You shameless girl! I didn’t take anything of yours. There’s no bracelet of yours here! Don’t make a scene in my house. Kaishen, why are you even afraid of her? Kick her out! Kick her out!”

“You didn’t take it? Then what is that on your wrist?”

“…What… What does that have to do with you? What I’m wearing is my own. Oh please, just because your family has a bracelet doesn’t mean ours can’t?”

Bai Yalan felt the rage rise in her chest, but she forcibly swallowed it down.

She spoke each word clearly: “We’ll know whether it’s yours or not after checking. I have the receipt and proof of purchase. There’s a hallmark on the bracelet. If we go to Rongbaozhai in the city, they can verify it in minutes. Auntie Qin, are you sure you want to insist?”

“Go to the city? Why should I go with you? Just because you say so? What kind of logic is that? Who do you think you are, some public security officer? Let me tell you, my son’s a high-ranking officer in the army! You’re just an ungrateful woman. My son is admired by many girls — you should…”

As she rambled on, bragging about her precious son, Qin Kaishen grew so annoyed his head was throbbing. He shouted furiously:

“That’s enough!”
As a man, at least he still had some dignity. He turned to his mother, tone stern and sharp. “Mom, stop talking. If it’s hers, just give it back to her.”

He then looked at Bai Yalan with disdain. “It’s your stuff. You think I care?”

Bai Yalan sneered, “Oh, thank you so much for not caring!”

That jab nearly made Qin Kaishen spit blood in frustration.

Bai Yalan thought to herself, If you cared, this would be way more difficult.

Qin Shi still didn’t want to give in. She grumbled and delayed, “Why should I give it back? Who ever asks for something back after gifting it? Never seen someone this thick-skinned.”

Ha — finally admitting it was a gift. That’s enough.

Qin’s father felt humiliated and disgraced. His cloudy eyes stared hard at Bai Yalan, his lips pressed into a tight line, fingers gripping his old tobacco pipe so tightly they turned white.

Bai Yalan didn’t doubt that if it weren’t for certain restraints, they’d want nothing more than to beat her to death right now.

She thought of how, in her previous life, she’d devoted her heart and soul to caring for the Qin elders, only to be repaid with hostility now. She drew a deep breath.

“It’s fine if you don’t return it,” Bai Yalan said calmly.

That made Qin’s father pause, and Qin Shi looked delighted — but only Qin Kaishen stared at her with confusion.

Bai Yalan turned to him. “Commander Qin, isn’t it considered bribery when a soldier’s family privately accepts valuable gifts? What would your unit do if they found out?”

Qin Kaishen’s face instantly changed. “You—!”

The Qin parents exploded. Qin’s father roared, “Comrade Xiao Bai, you can eat whatever you want, but don’t talk nonsense! You’re slandering a soldier!”

Qin Shi jumped up. “What bribery?! You little wench, don’t talk nonsense! You’re the shameless one, clinging to my son and giving gifts just to win me over!”

“No problem. Let the military handle it then. They can investigate. This bracelet wasn’t cheap — if I report it, the truth will come out. I’ll tell them your family took my bribe and did nothing in return. We’ll all go down together!”

Faced with the Qin family’s fury, Bai Yalan remained calm. After all, she had already died once. What could scare her now?

“Am I right, Commander Qin? You became a company commander at such a young age — a bright future ahead. Don’t let greed ruin it all.”

She smiled faintly, her eyes clear and her demeanor composed.

Just like… the first time they met.

Seeing her like this, Qin Kaishen momentarily lost himself. He had once been attracted to Bai Yalan — she was young, beautiful, clearly well-educated and raised with care.

Back then, her admiration and affection for him fed his ego perfectly.

So yes, he responded to her advances.

But when did his attitude start to change?

Probably when she became too eager — trying to win over even his parents to please him.

Men, after all, don’t value what comes too easily.

Perhaps women are the same. Like Lu Qing’er — always keeping her distance, never fully his.

Yet once other women were around, Lu Qing’er would immediately show how much she cared.

Bai Yalan, on the other hand, had grown more and more submissive — just wanting to be a good daughter-in-law. Her clothing grew plainer, more frugal. And to him, increasingly uninteresting.

That kind of humble, selfless Bai Yalan… how could she ever compare to Lu Qing’er?

Even if he didn’t want to admit it, he couldn’t deny deep down — he had wavered.

But now, this version of Bai Yalan stunned him all over again.

For once, he didn’t get angry.

But her words had utterly panicked the rest of the Qin family. Qin’s father, desperate and furious, smacked Qin Shi on the back with his pipe. “You old hag! Return the bracelet! Do you want to ruin Kaishen’s future?!”

Crying out in pain, Qin Shi dared not protest. Her son’s career was more important than her life!

She ripped the bracelet off and angrily threw it into Bai Yalan’s arms. “Here, take it! Just take it and get lost!”

Bai Yalan caught it quickly. The jade was warm and smooth in her hands — a light green bangle, clear and full of ancient charm.

With the bracelet back, she finally relaxed.

Without sparing the Qin family a glance, she turned to leave.

But Qin Kaishen called after her.

“Any final words, Commander Qin?” Bai Yalan asked coolly, not even turning around.

Qin Kaishen stiffened. Her total indifference irked him.

Trying to sound generous and forgiving, he said, “I know you’re upset. I shouldn’t have questioned you over another woman. But I told you — Lu Qing’er and I are just friends. You didn’t need to take your anger out on her. Sure, I made mistakes, but your actions were a bit much, don’t you think?”

He looked at her back, hoping for a reaction.

In terms of looks and elegance, Bai Yalan wasn’t inferior to Lu Qing’er. If not, he wouldn’t have been drawn to her initially.

And saying these words — this was already his greatest act of concession.

If she had any sense, she should know it was time to end the tantrum and move on.

But Bai Yalan only felt like laughing — it was all too ridiculous.

Was this his version of a reconciliation?

He, who prided himself on aloofness, saw this as a generous offer?

Men really are ridiculous.

Back then, when she loved him deeply, he cast her aside like trash.

Now that she didn’t care anymore, he came crawling back with explanations.

It was laughable — and nauseating.

She felt sorry for her past self. That naive Bai Yalan, who didn’t understand the ways of the world, never stood a chance against his manipulative hot-and-cold behavior.

No wonder she fell for him so deeply.

“You’re right — there’s no need. Qin Kaishen, there won’t be a next time… No, there is no ‘next time.’ You and Lu Qing’er are a perfect match. I wish you the best. Goodbye.”