On the last weekend of August, Chen Xi brought Sensen to the shop.

Qin Lie cleared his schedule and made a special trip to the shop to teach Sensen math problems for the entire morning.

At noon, Lin Fang arrived at the shop carrying steaming hot buns.

“Beef and scallion filling buns. You all take a break and eat before continuing your work.”

Lin Fang placed the buns on the coffee table, smiling as she called everyone over to eat.

Qin Zhan walked over and, when no one was paying attention, planted a kiss on Lin Fang’s cheek.

Lin Fang pushed him away with a laugh.

Qin Zhan staggered back dramatically and turned to go wash his hands in the bathroom.

Lin Fang watched Qin Zhan’s carefree retreating figure, the smile on her lips gradually becoming somewhat bitter.

He had been staying at Lin Fang’s place for this period, not returning to his own home for over half a month.

Although he still laughed and joked around every day, appearing carefree, Lin Fang knew that Qin Zhan’s heart was troubled.

Chen Xi walked over, took a deep breath, and smiled, “Smells wonderful.”

Lin Fang smiled and said, “Go wash your hands and eat.”

Chen Xi nodded, took off her gloves, and was about to head to the bathroom when Lin Fang suddenly called out from behind.

“Chen Xi.”

Chen Xi turned back to look at Lin Fang. “Yes, what is it, Fangfang?”

Lin Fang glanced toward the bathroom and whispered to Chen Xi, “Do you remember what I asked you to help with last time?”

Chen Xi was momentarily stunned, recalling their conversation at the ramen shop near the hospital. She nodded, “You want to meet Qin Zhan’s parents?”

Lin Fang nodded, “Yes, I want to meet them. Could you please help arrange it?”

Chen Xi nodded, “Alright, when?”

Lin Fang saw Qin Zhan coming out of the bathroom and quickly whispered to Chen Xi.

“Anytime is fine, just don’t let Qin Zhan know.”

That evening, Chen Xi returned to Qin Lie’s place and told him about Lin Fang’s request, asking him to find a way to arrange a meeting with Qin Zhan’s parents.

They had only spoken a few words when Qin Lie’s phone rang.

Chen Xi inadvertently saw the caller ID – it was Chen Yufan.

Qin Lie suddenly glanced at Chen Xi, his gaze inexplicably hesitant for a moment.

Chen Xi smiled at him, “I’ll go take a shower.”

She turned and walked into the bathroom.

“Chen Yufan.”

Chen Xi closed the bathroom door and unconsciously spoke this name aloud.

This was the internet tech mogul who had come to repair his car at her shop last time.

He had been calling Qin Lie frequently lately, and the two seemed to be getting along increasingly well.

Chen Xi had heard him ask Qin Lie when he would return to Beijing.

Chen Xi turned on the shower, hot water pouring down from above.

Qin Lie’s momentarily hesitant expression flashed through her mind.

She smiled, thinking he was probably already wavering.

She felt her heart seemed remarkably calm. Perhaps in her subconscious, Qin Lie’s return to Beijing was inevitable – it was only a matter of when.

He had finally found something he wanted to do, no longer drifting aimlessly through life.

Chen Xi knew she should be happy for him.

Chen Xi stood under the shower, letting the hot water cascade from above, staring blankly, not knowing what she was thinking.

Until she vaguely heard a woman’s voice from outside, sounding like the booming voice typical of elders.

Chen Xi snapped back to reality and walked through the steamy bathroom to the door.

The woman’s voice became much clearer – it was probably Qin Lie’s mother.

Chen Xi felt awkward for a moment and walked back under the shower.

Since being with Qin Lie, she had never formally met his parents.

Coming out to meet them now would be too awkward.

Chen Xi decided to play deaf and continue showering.

Finally, she heard the entrance door close once, and the talking outside stopped.

Chen Xi showered a bit longer, and only after confirming Qin Lie’s mother had left did she emerge from the bathroom wrapped in a towel.

Qin Lie stood in the living room with a somewhat helpless expression.

His mother had finally left, but only under the condition that tomorrow evening, he would bring Chen Xi home for dinner to formally meet the family.

The next day, Chen Xi finished work early and went to the restaurant with Qin Lie.

The third day, upon entering the private dining room, Chen Xi was completely stunned.

She had thought tonight would just be dinner with Qin Lie’s parents, but the large round table in the private room was packed with people sitting all around.

As the door opened, everyone looked at her with beaming smiles.

Even with Chen Xi’s usually unflappable nature, she was briefly at a loss, then quickly composed her expression.

Among the enthusiastic crowd, she recognized Qin Lie’s parents sitting in the seats of honor, as well as Qin Zhan’s parents.

She didn’t recognize the other aunts and uncles.

Upon seeing Chen Xi, Qin Lie’s mother’s eyes practically sparkled with stars.

She sprang up from her chair and hurried to Chen Xi, grabbing her hands.

She smiled so broadly her eyes disappeared, exclaiming repeatedly.

“I knew it! I felt from the first glance that you were my daughter-in-law. Seeing you, I don’t want to consider any other girl.”

The relatives and friends burst into laughter, chattering, “Those who know would say our Qin Lie is dating, those who don’t might think you’re the one dating.”

Chen Xi smiled and glanced at Qin Lie, seeing his speechless expression, which made her laugh even more.

Qin Lie’s mother led Chen Xi around half the table and seated her beside herself.

After sitting down, Chen Xi met the envious gaze of Qin Zhan’s mother.

She smiled and greeted Qin Zhan’s parents.

Qin Zhan’s parents quickly nodded, looking at Chen Xi eagerly.

They could only regret that their Qin Zhan wasn’t competitive enough, losing to his brother again in matters of the heart.

Qin Lie sat down and casually asked, “Isn’t Qin Zhan coming?”

Qin Zhan’s parents looked even more embarrassed.

Qin Zhan’s mother said awkwardly, “Why mention him? We don’t have such a son anymore.”

Qin Lie’s mother quickly smoothed things over, saying with a smile, “Qin Zhan is still young. Don’t take it to heart – there’s still plenty of time ahead.”

Others quickly joined in, advising Qin Zhan’s mother not to argue with her child.

Qin Lie’s mother turned to look at Chen Xi, the more she looked the more she liked her, unable to help beaming with joy.

“Chen Xi, are your parents in Dunhuang?”

She asked with a smile.

Chen Xi shook her head, “My father is in Xi’an, my mother is in Beijing. They said they can return by the end of the month.”

Qin Lie’s mother excitedly said, “When they return, let’s all get together. I’ve long heard of your parents’ reputation – they’re great heroes protecting our Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves.”

Chen Xi smiled and nodded in agreement.

Qin Lie’s mother introduced Chen Xi to all the relatives around the table.

Qin Lie’s father had two brothers, and his mother had three sisters. You could tell the extended families got along well and maintained close relationships.

They had probably been worried about Qin Lie’s personal life for a long time. Chen Xi felt their enthusiasm toward her was like finally catching a sucker, afraid she might run away.

Qin Lie was left aside, watching his enthusiastic family members, somewhat worried they might scare Chen Xi.

But Chen Xi seemed to get along well with them, spending the entire meal just talking.

Halfway through dinner, Chen Xi remembered Lin Fang’s request from yesterday.

She glanced at Qin Zhan’s parents, picked up her phone, got up, and walked outside the private room to call Lin Fang.

“Hello Fangfang, are you busy?”

Lin Fang’s voice came through the phone, “Not busy, Chen Xi.”

Chen Xi said, “I’m having dinner with Qin Zhan’s parents right now. Do you want to come?”

Lin Fang asked, “Is Qin Zhan there?”

Chen Xi replied, “He’s not here, but all their relatives are here. There are quite a few people, so consider carefully.”

Lin Fang was silent for a moment on the other end, then suddenly laughed and said, “More people is fine – they can help witness this.”

Chen Xi returned to the private room and gently tugged at Qin Lie under the table.

Qin Lie leaned toward her, bringing his face close. Chen Xi whispered in his ear about Fangfang coming.

Qin Lie was slightly surprised and confirmed with Chen Xi, “She’s coming alone?”

Chen Xi nodded.

Qin Lie took out his phone to text Qin Zhan, but Chen Xi stopped him.

Since Lin Fang was meeting his family behind Qin Zhan’s back, she naturally had her reasons. Chen Xi felt it was better for others not to interfere.

Soon after, someone gently knocked on the private room door.

Chen Xi looked up and saw Lin Fang push open the door and slowly walk in.

Chen Xi stood up and called out, “Fangfang.”

She pushed back her chair and was about to walk toward Fangfang when Lin Fang raised her hand to stop her.

This was her battlefield – she didn’t need to rely on anyone.

The room suddenly fell silent, with everyone’s gaze turning toward the door.

When Qin Zhan’s parents saw who was standing at the door, they were both stunned.

Qin Zhan’s mother was dazed for a long while, then suddenly slammed down her chopsticks and coldly asked Lin Fang, “What are you doing here?”

Lin Fang looked around at everyone in the room, finally settling her gaze on the furious Qin Zhan’s mother.

She spoke softly, her voice as gentle as always.

“Auntie, I came because I have something to say.”

Qin Zhan’s mother snorted coldly, “We have nothing to say to you.”

Lin Fang pressed her lips together, her cheeks slightly flushed.

She was a very shy person who had to gather courage every time she spoke to strangers.

Facing so many unfriendly gazes, she instinctively shrank back and lowered her long eyelashes.

Qin Zhan’s mother was full of resentment, “You’ve already stirred up our family like this, and you’re still not satisfied? How else do you want to cause trouble?”

She suddenly covered her face and broke down crying.

“The son I raised for over twenty years turned against me for you without hesitation.”

She cried heartbrokenly, no longer caring about the relatives’ gazes.

“Because of you, my son ran away.”

Qin Lie’s mother quickly comforted Qin Zhan’s mother. Qin Zhan’s father suddenly stood up, his chair legs making a harsh scraping sound on the floor.

He pointed toward the door, suppressing his anger as he said, “You should leave. Qin Zhan’s mother has a weak heart – stop tormenting her.”

Lin Fang’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her lips were barely perceptibly shaking.

She didn’t want to stand here either, enduring endless malice and humiliation.

But she had no choice. She couldn’t let Qin Zhan face everything alone and make all the sacrifices. She couldn’t let him continue being put in difficult positions.

“Uncle, Auntie.”

Lin Fang slowly raised her head and looked at Qin Zhan’s parents.

“I don’t want it to be like this either.”

She bit her lip and tried to straighten her shoulders.

“I didn’t want to become a widow just a few years after marriage, raising a child barely a year old and struggling to make a living.”

“I didn’t want to meet Qin Zhan and get stuck, unable to move forward or retreat.”

“I didn’t want to be gossiped about by you all, having my dignity torn apart while pretending nothing happened.”

She sighed deeply and said quietly, “I’m ten years older than Qin Zhan and have a child. I never hid this from Qin Zhan from the beginning – he didn’t care.”

“I didn’t seduce him or bewitch him. I’m not as scheming as you claim, and I don’t owe you anything.”

Qin Zhan’s mother wiped her tears and waved her hand, saying, “Just leave. I don’t want to hear you talk.”

Lin Fang smiled, “Actually, I don’t want to talk to you either. Being older and having a child isn’t my fault – I don’t need to beg for others’ forgiveness.”

“But I still came today, because of Qin Zhan. I don’t want to see you pressure him anymore.”

She took out a bound document from her bag, walked a few steps, and carefully placed it on the dining table.

When Qin Zhan’s parents saw what it was, they discovered it was a property purchase contract.

Lin Fang said calmly beside them, “I bought a house under Qin Zhan’s name, ninety square meters, paid in full.”

Seeing Qin Zhan’s parents’ astonished expressions, Lin Fang smiled coolly.

She said quietly, “Don’t worry, the money for the house came from my savings from living frugally, plus help from my family. I didn’t use a penny of Qin Zhan’s money.”

Seeing Qin Zhan’s parents still looking incredulous, Lin Fang continued, “You’ve always thought I approached Qin Zhan with ulterior motives, for a house, for money.”

“Now I’ve bought the house myself and earn my own money. Qin Zhan doesn’t have much money now, as you all know.”

Everyone at the table looked at each other. Chen Xi watched Lin Fang with mixed feelings.

Lin Fang said calmly, “I put the house in Qin Zhan’s name to tell you that I’m not after his money or expecting him to buy me a house later. What I want is just him as a person.”

“You can say whatever you want about me – call me shameless, call me a widow. But Qin Zhan sees beyond all that. He knows I haven’t deceived him.”

After saying all this, Lin Fang seemed to suddenly deflate.

She shyly lowered her head, glanced at Chen Xi and Qin Lie, quietly apologized, and fled from the private room.

The room fell into sudden silence.

After a long while, Qin Lie’s mother cleared her throat, looked at Qin Zhan’s parents with hesitation, and after a moment’s pause, finally spoke.

“We can’t keep trying to control Zhanzhan’s affairs anymore.”