“If you can't even handle this small matter, I'm giving you a task: find out exactly whose people were causing trouble tonight!” With that, Meng Lei picked up his clothes from the sofa and walked out.
He needed to go back and appease Qin Yue properly. He couldn't let her get too emotional and reveal all their plans; otherwise, all his efforts of the past few days would be in vain.
----
The courtyard house.
Qin Yue returned to the courtyard house, looking exhausted. The moment she entered, she saw He Zinian sitting at the coffee table, reading a book while drinking coffee.
As if hearing the sound of the door, He Zinian put down his book and looked in the direction of the sound. When he saw Qin Yue's disheveled appearance, he feigned surprise and said, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Upon hearing the question, Qin Yue felt overwhelming wronged. Her voice choked with emotion as she asked, “Second Brother He, do you think a woman like me is detestable? That I shouldn't be alive in this world!”
He Zinian's eyebrows shot up when he heard this. He replied, “I had some understanding of your character from what others said. After spending these days together, I found you to be quite different from the rumors. If you truly did something wrong, it must have been under duress. After all, what malicious things could a kind girl who enjoys taking care of others do?”
He Zinian’s voice was very gentle, and Qin Yue felt her face heat up. Just as her mind was racing and she was about to reveal everything Meng Lei had done, the sound of the door opening interrupted their conversation.
“Qin Yue!” Meng Lei glared at Qin Yue, his eyes burning with fury, the threat in his gaze palpable.
Qin Yue suddenly felt as if she were being stared at by a cold, venomous snake. She shivered uncontrollably and, under Meng Lei's menacing glare, had no choice but to return to the room with him.
Once back in the room, Meng Lei eagerly began to brainwash Qin Yue. “Why were you with He Zinian today? Oh, and I heard you were in danger today. I strongly suspect it was his doing! You absolutely cannot let your guard down and fall into his trap. Remember, if our plan is exposed, with the He family’s capabilities, it’s entirely possible we’ll end up as corpses in the wilderness!”
Qin Yue pursed her lips. Did Meng Lei really think she was that stupid, unable to see who was trying to harm her? Just as she was about to reveal the truth, Meng Lei firmly grasped her hand and said, “Your situation is quite dangerous right now. The He family has set their sights on you, so I plan for you to leave and lie low for a while. We’ll say we argued and you moved out of the He family home. I'll buy you a villa outside and give you that bank card. As soon as you disappear from the He family, they won’t bother with you anymore. They’ll shift their attention to Zhang Wan’er. Their lives are none of my concern; I only care about you. You’re the one I’ve chosen, the one I want to spend my life with!”
These beguiling words made Qin Yue realize Meng Lei didn't want to escalate the situation, hence his patient manipulation to achieve his goals. But if she confronted him today, Qin Yue had no doubt he would forcibly drive her out of the He family. After all, the He family valued Meng Lei greatly, and she had even done harm to Chen Lishu before. Even if she told the truth, they might not believe her, only trusting their own man, Meng Lei!
With this realization, Qin Yue’s back was drenched in cold sweat. Her lips trembled as she feigned a pitiful expression and nestled into his embrace, saying, “Do you know how terrifying it was today? Luckily, the commotion here was big enough, and when the police arrived, I was able to escape! You’re right, I should go lie low. This He family is too terrifying; they treat human lives like dirt! Are you safe staying here alone? What would happen to me if something happened to you? Why don’t you come with me to hide? Zhang Wan’er is currently poisoning Old Mrs. He. If the old lady has an accident, the He family will surely fly into a rage and investigate thoroughly. If they trace it back to us, what then? You should come with me to lie low. If something happens, and we’re not living here, the He family definitely won’t suspect us. I’m doing this for your own good; please consider it carefully.”
Upon hearing that Zhang Wan’er was poisoning Old Mrs. He, the veins on Meng Lei’s forehead bulged. He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes dark as he growled, “This bitch is willing to drag me down for her own benefit! I naturally cannot ignore this. Remember, we were the first ones to act and administer the poison. If I’m not present and Zhang Wan’er throws the blame onto us, and the He family traces it back to the truth, then I won’t be able to explain myself even with ten mouths! I need to stay at the He family and watch her actions. You just go hide by yourself; don’t worry about me! I planned for you to go to my newly arranged place this afternoon. Do you have anything to pack? Hurry up and pack now!”
Meng Lei was clearly eager for her to leave this very afternoon, wishing she would just disappear. At this moment, Qin Yue’s last shred of gratitude towards Meng Lei had turned into resentment. She thought he was a beacon of hope, pulling her out of the mire when she was in danger, only to realize she was merely a pawn to him, summoned and dismissed at will! Since she couldn't rely on anyone else, she had to rely on herself. Qin Yue hid the resentment in her eyes and said softly, “I don’t have much to pack. However, since the incident happened this morning and I’m leaving this afternoon, the He family will surely guess our intentions. What if they hold onto me tightly? My suggestion is to stay in the courtyard house. After a while, we can have a small argument, and I can then legitimately move out. Plus, with Chen Lishu’s competition approaching, they’ll surely focus all their attention on her, paying even less attention to me. Wouldn’t it be safer for me to leave then?”