The conversation with Lin Qingye in the underground parking garage that day ended abruptly, finally concluding with Xu Zhinan scrambling back to the passenger seat before he could extend his guilty hands.

The interview was already over. Although Lin Qingye still opposed letting Xu Zhinan handle this matter, after understanding his concerns, she still decided to continue with the public interview.

Wang Qi and Xu Zhinan versus Lin Qingye, two against one—they won.

By the end, he didn’t dare to strongly oppose anymore, afraid Xu Zhinan would again shed her precious tears at the slightest disagreement.

So early the next day, Xu Zhinan’s interview video was posted online.

They used a voice changer, and despite considering her blue hair, even with a mosaic, it was still too conspicuous, so they simply placed an image over her head to completely hide it.

The secret surrounding Lin Qingye that had confused everyone for years was finally revealed.

Back then, before the news of his imprisonment, there had been much discussion about a video of Lin Qingye accidentally pushing a fan. At the time, everyone focused on him pushing the fan, but now, connecting the dots, the malicious assault happened on that same day. His appearance on the street, looking bewildered, anxious, and flustered, was because he was searching for the kidnapped girl.

No one had imagined there was such a story behind it.

*I truly feel sorry for Lin Qingye now.*

*Although he was impulsive and reckless, I can’t help but feel heartbroken for him. Ah, why didn’t he explain earlier that the other person was that vicious kidnapper who had committed many crimes years ago?*

*Damn, this is even worse than what fans had guessed. I just have one question: did the kidnapper die???*

*That kidnapper better be dead!!!*

*After watching the video, I bought two more albums. Brother, hang in there!*

*Wow, Lin Qingye is such a responsible and divine man. Despite being so wronged, he didn’t clarify the details of this incident because he didn’t want to affect an ordinary girl’s real life.*

*Although he made a mistake, hasn’t he already paid the price for his impulsiveness?*

…

The fans had been waiting for his response, and now with this interview video out, they gained confidence, and the fans’ power once again overwhelmed the haters.

More importantly, the kidnapping case from years ago had been widely discussed for several years, and people had only gradually forgotten about it in recent years as the perpetrator stopped committing crimes. Now that it was brought up again, Lin Qingye’s public image improved considerably.

However, what Lin Qingye had worried about earlier was not wrong. Soon, everyone focused their attention on the girl who accepted the interview.

*Don’t you think this girl’s identity is mysterious? Come to think of it, both times when brother got into trouble, it had something to do with her.*

*Plus one, plus one, plus one! I’ve been thinking about this question too! But I was afraid it would bring negativity to my brother, so I never mentioned it!*

*When he was falsely accused of campus bullying, it was because this young lady’s father was insulted, and now it’s because she was kidnapped. And now looking back at the video from two years ago of his brother in front of the milk tea shop, he was truly worried to the point of breaking down. I couldn’t have imagined such an expression on my brother’s face before. Their relationship must be extraordinary.*

*Could she be his girlfriend…*

*??? I just started falling in love, and now I’m about to get my heart broken????*

*But it doesn’t seem like she’s his girlfriend. Which girlfriend would clarify things through interview videos twice? Couldn’t she just explain it directly?*

*Moreover, the young lady’s attitude in both this video and the previous one was very objective. When I saw the video clearing up the campus bullying three years ago, I didn’t feel there was any other relationship between them. The young lady’s attitude seemed like she just didn’t want a good person to be misunderstood.*

*But the video in front of the milk tea shop doesn’t make sense then. When have you ever seen a brother with that kind of expression? It’s impossible that they have no relationship at all.*

*Perhaps… I suddenly thought of something…*

*I think I know what the person above is going to say.*

*Does everyone remember the “Locust Girl” brother mentioned in an interview before? The girl he had a crush on to the point of feeling inferior.*

*???? Damn! I think I discovered something too!!*

*It seems like everything suddenly makes sense??*

*Holy crap, could the young lady in this video be the girl from the “Locust” lyrics?*

*Could it be that brother has been secretly in love with her from age 16 until now at 26… He fought twice for the Locust Girl, once being labeled as a campus bully, and the other time directly going to prison for two and a half years… All for the same girl…?*

*What kind of absolutely devoted handsome guy is this? Wild brother doesn’t seem like someone who would be so devoted!?*

*If that’s true, I feel even more sorry for him. How much must he like her? And from the video, it seems the young lady doesn’t like her brother, they’re just acquaintances.*

*I want to meet this heroine now. Who exactly can face Lin Qingye’s face and not drool or drop their pants!*

…

Xu Zhinan never expected that the fans would come to such a conclusion.

When she made the first video, she and Lin Qingye had just separated, so naturally her narration was distant, purely to prevent him from being wronged, without any extra emotions involved.

The second video also tried to objectively narrate the incident.

But in the fans’ eyes, it became Lin Qingye’s unrequited love for ten years.

One fan’s comment after another, it was as if they had confirmed that Lin Qingye’s relationship with her was a long, tragic, unrequited love.

People’s curiosity about her grew stronger, all wanting to uncover what kind of person she was to make Lin Qingye like her for so many years.

Lin Qingye was worried this would affect Xu Zhinan, while she was content to put down her phone after reading, relieved that people were no longer attacking Lin Qingye as they had before.

“Alright, stop looking.”

This time it was Xu Zhinan’s turn to persuade him.

“I’m going to make a phone call,” he said, then went out to the balcony.

Who knows what he was planning to do about this matter?

Xu Zhinan didn’t follow him, letting him be while she went to the kitchen to wash some fruit.

Lin Qingye called Lin Guancheng. He had never actively sought Lin Guancheng’s help before; this was the first time. Lin Guancheng was surprised to receive the call.

Lin Qingye explained the key points of the matter to him, hoping he could find a way to prevent Xu Zhinan’s relevant information from spreading.

Lin Guancheng didn’t know much about his girlfriend, and had no way to learn more. He had only heard Wang Qi mention her. Wang Qi had praised her highly at the time, giving Lin Guancheng a good impression of this future daughter-in-law he had never met.

“Alright, I’ll have my assistant handle it.”

This wasn’t a difficult matter for Lin Guancheng. When Lin Qingye first went to prison, it was he who made all the media keep quiet.

With Minsheng Group’s current status, handling something like this was more than manageable.

Lin Guancheng asked again, “Where are you living now? Last time I wanted to visit you, it seemed you weren’t at your previous apartment.”

“Yes, I haven’t been staying there recently.”

Lin Guancheng paused, suddenly enlightened: “Living with your girlfriend?”

Lin Qingye chuckled, quite frankly: “Yes.”

“You bought a new apartment?”

“No, she was renting before, I’m just staying with her. It’s near Ping University, quite convenient.”

“…”

Lin Guancheng suddenly didn’t know how to accept this reality.

He quickly thought about the neighborhoods around Ping University—none of them were upscale, all old communities.

And his son was staying at his girlfriend’s place, which was rented.

“If you need money, just tell me. Don’t make yourself uncomfortable, and don’t make the girl uncomfortable either,” Lin Guancheng couldn’t help saying.

“I don’t need it. We won’t be staying here much longer anyway. The lease expires in a few months, and we won’t renew it. I’ll buy a house then.”

After hanging up, Lin Qingye went inside and sat down with her on the sofa.

The TV was showing a preview of Lin Qingye’s episode of “Music Moment,” which would be broadcast tonight.

After watching for a while, Xu Zhinan’s phone vibrated, placed on the coffee table. Lin Qingye leaned over to get it for her, glancing at it.

A message from Gu Congwang.

He smirked and handed it to Xu Zhinan.

She hadn’t been in contact with Gu Congwang for some time. First, they had known each other since childhood, so their relationship didn’t require much maintenance as they were already familiar enough. Second, Xu Zhinan had already guessed Gu Congwang’s feelings for her and didn’t want to maintain too close contact to avoid misunderstandings.

But now with Lin Qingye sitting beside her, she felt somewhat guilty.

Xu Zhinan held her phone, carefully glancing at him.

Lin Qingye seemed not to notice, lazily putting his arm around her shoulder, watching TV.

Xu Zhinan looked back at her phone.

[Gu Congwang: Do you have time later?]

[Xu Zhinan: The shop is closed today, what’s up?]

[Gu Congwang: I have a flight this afternoon, would you like to see me off?]

Xu Zhinan was surprised and replied: Where are you going?

[Gu Congwang: Going abroad to manage my father’s branch. I’ll probably stay there for a while, but I’m used to being abroad anyway, so it doesn’t matter.]

Gu Congwang had studied finance in college, but he hadn’t studied seriously. In the past two years, he had gained considerable experience in his father’s company. Seeing that he still had no intention of dating, and becoming increasingly annoyed by his presence, his father simply sent him to the branch to develop further.

[Xu Zhinan: Why so sudden? When is your flight?]

[Gu Congwang: Three o’clock this afternoon.]

Xu Zhinan checked the time; it was already one in the afternoon. Considering the travel time, they should be leaving now.

As she was thinking, her phone was suddenly taken by Lin Qingye.

Xu Zhinan looked up. He still maintained that lazy demeanor, not even glancing at the phone, just waving it: “You’re not being honest.”

“…”

Xu Zhinan was stunned for a moment. “It’s Gu Congwang, I’ve mentioned him to you before, don’t you remember?”

Lin Qingye snorted with a contemptuous expression.

Xu Zhinan was a bit confused, but time was running out, so she decided to go see him off. After he left this time, who knew when he would return?

“He’s about to go to the airport and leave Yanzhou. I want to see him off.”

Lin Qingye narrowed his eyes.

Xu Zhinan didn’t notice, gathering her things and returning to the bedroom to change out of her pajamas.

Autumn had arrived, and after the previous muggy weather, the temperature had rapidly declined. The weather was changing quickly, and it seemed like deep autumn was approaching in the blink of an eye.

Xu Zhinan took out a thin sweater and jeans.

She looked good in fitted jeans, with long, proportionate legs that were straight and slender. The waist was tight, revealing a thin, fair ankle below.

After fastening the button on her jeans, just as she had taken off her pajamas, the door suddenly opened.

She had been living alone before and wasn’t in the habit of locking the door, just closing it.

Xu Zhinan let out a startled cry, frantically grabbing her clothes to cover herself. Stepping back, she almost tripped, finally landing on the toilet seat, her hair disheveled, while Lin Qingye stood at the door, composed, raising an eyebrow.

Xu Zhinan, covering her chest, asked, “What are you doing?”

Lin Qingye closed the door again, very gentlemanly leaning against the wall, calmly saying, “Let’s talk.”

“…”

Xu Zhinan wanted to cry. She hadn’t even put her clothes on yet, how could they talk?

“Wait a moment, go out first, I’ll come out and talk to you,” Xu Zhinan tried to reason with him.

But Lin Qingye unreasonably said, “No.”

Very decisively.

Xu Zhinan held the pajamas she had taken off in front of her chest with one hand: “But I haven’t put my clothes on yet.”

“That’s perfect, let’s have an honest conversation.”

“…”

Xu Zhinan was about to cry, not knowing why he was suddenly in this mood. Unconsciously holding her chest, she patiently asked, “What do you want to talk about?”

“You’re going to see Gu Congwang?”

“Yes, his father is sending him to manage a branch abroad, and it seems he’ll be gone for quite a while. I’m just going to see him off.” She roughly understood why Lin Qingye was in a mood and added, “I’ve known him for a long time, it wouldn’t be right not to see him off. We’re just friends.”

Lin Qingye sneered: “Does he only see you as a friend?”

Xu Zhinan was startled, saying awkwardly, “How did you know?”

He raised an eyebrow, looking at her for a moment, stepping forward to pull at the pajamas covering her chest.

A silent threat.

“Hey, hey, hey—Brother Qingye!”

Xu Zhinan was terrified by his action, desperately pulling the clothes back and retreating like a small shrimp. She didn’t know how, when he was the one being jealous, her situation had become so miserable.

“I only realized it later, but he has known I have a boyfriend all these years. There’s no other relationship. He probably hasn’t thought of me that way for a long time.”

Lin Qingye paused, focusing on the earlier part of what she said—he has known I have a boyfriend all these years.

During the two and a half years when he wasn’t by Xu Zhinan’s side, others knew he was her boyfriend.

People who liked Xu Zhinan were inevitably numerous. Lin Qingye hadn’t thought about it before, but now he could suddenly imagine how she had rejected others’ affections time and again, telling them she already had a boyfriend, even when her boyfriend was in prison at the time.

He let go of her hand, leaning back against the wall.

Xu Zhinan, still apprehensive, hugged her clothes tightly: “I’m just going to see him off, make things clear, and I’ll be back right after.”

Lin Qingye nodded, saying “Alright,” and turned to leave.

Although she found his sudden change in attitude a bit strange, Xu Zhinan couldn’t worry about that now. As soon as he left, she quickly put on her clothes, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

Opening the door again, Lin Qingye was leaning by the window.

Xu Zhinan gathered her clothes: “I’m leaving now, I’ll be back soon.”

Just as she turned, a voice came from behind: “Come back.”

“Huh?” She turned, hesitantly walking back to him.

Lin Qingye leaned against the window, and after a moment, bent down to kiss her.

Xu Zhinan leaned back slightly, only to be pulled back by his arm around her waist. Her lips were moistly traced open, inexplicably making her legs feel weak from his kiss.

Only then did Lin Qingye release her: “Go ahead, I’ll take you.”

As they walked toward the door, Lin Qingye’s hand dropped down, pinching her backside.

Xu Zhinan, frightened by his teasing, made a soft sound and ran to the elevator like a startled rabbit.