Perhaps Qin Yue's concern was too sincere, so when faced with the other party's proposal, Meng Lei didn't doubt it at all. Instead, he looked at her with great emotion and patted her shoulder, saying, "Alright, it's good that you have a plan!
Remember to stay away from He Zinian during this period. I'm afraid that if you appear in front of him too often, and he can't deal with you in secret, he'll come at you directly! You also know how difficult it is for me to move around in the He family now. If I have to beg for you, it will be difficult!
I'll go talk to Zhang Wan'er. If you need anything, remember to call me. If you notice anything unusual, remember to contact me immediately! You are the woman I've chosen, and I will naturally not let you get hurt."
Qin Yue's eyes welled up with tears as she feigned a reluctant look at Meng Lei as he left the room. As soon as he was gone, her expression turned instantly cold.
----
The study.
Since He Zinian returned, the study had become his frequent haunt. Qin Yue, who had come prepared, appeared before He Zinian in a light dress and with exquisite makeup.
"Why are you here?" He Zinian raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
Qin Yue bit her lower lip tightly, casting a cautious glance at He Zinian. Her every move was full of allure as she slowly said, "Second Brother He, I have something I want to discuss with you."
A flicker of disgust crossed He Zinian's eyes, but he quickly concealed it, putting on a gentlemanly demeanor as he said, "Just say what you want to say."
Qin Yue clenched her skirt tightly, thinking that whether she stuck her neck out or not, she would still be beheaded. For her life, what was shame? So, she stiffened her neck and boldly asked, "Do you like me?"
He Zinian paused for a moment at the question, then shook his head honestly. "You are Meng Lei's woman. The Meng and He families are old friends. This means Meng Lei is my brother. As the saying goes, one does not trifle with a friend's wife!"
Hearing He Zinian's tactful words, a sliver of hope stirred in Qin Yue's dead heart. Did this mean He Zinian still held some regard for her, but was held back by Meng Lei, thus unable to make a move?
With this thought, Qin Yue asked again, "If I told you that Meng Lei and I don't have a very good relationship, would you be willing to accept me?"
"No!" He Zinian's reply this time was firm. He paused for a moment before adding, "I only treat you like a sister. I am grateful to you. During that time, when my brothers were busy abroad, there were such major events happening at home, and we couldn't manage everything. If you hadn't been there to help, I, a grown man, wouldn't have been able to take care of my mother!
You say Meng Lei doesn't treat you well, but what happened? If you've been wronged, you can tell me. Meng Lei is my good brother, and you are also my good sister! I will resolve everything fairly and justly. I will protect you!
If you feel unhappy living in the courtyard, remember the villa I gave you last time? You can go and stay there for a while. When you've thought things through, or when Meng Lei has a change of heart, I'll arrange for you two to meet then!"
Seeing the earnest expression on He Zinian's face as he spoke these words, Qin Yue, who felt like she was drowning, finally felt she had grasped a lifeline and could breathe a sigh of relief.
However, He Zinian's last sentence reminded her. If the He family wasn't made aware of the truth, Meng Lei might use their relationship to get close to her again, leaving her like a fish on a chopping board, at anyone's mercy!
Rather than ceding the initiative to others, it was better to strike first. Since the He family felt grateful towards her and He Zinian seemed to understand her current predicament, if she could feign a pitiful appearance and shift all the blame to Meng Lei, she might just get a chance at rebirth.
After all, Meng Lei wouldn't dare to reveal everything. Once the charges of stealing secret medicine and harming Madam He were established, he would very likely face imprisonment. Everyone wanted to fight for their own opportunities!
With this realization, Qin Yue suddenly met He Zinian's deep gaze and then slowly asked, "Is Aunt He's recent discomfort due to nerve toxin poisoning?"
Hearing that Qin Yue was finally willing to "open up," He Zinian's expression became extremely complex. He feigned surprise as he asked, "How did you know about this?"
"Because I was the one who administered the medicine!" With that, Qin Yue began to weep pitifully.
He Zinian remained silent, knowing that Qin Yue wouldn't be so honest as to take all the blame upon herself. He waited for her to finish her act.
Indeed, Qin Yue, not hearing He Zinian speak, began to panic, afraid that he wouldn't listen to her explanation and would punish her. So, she had no choice but to brace herself and continue, "Meng Lei and I aren't very familiar. He approached me and proposed a collaboration!
During that period when the Qin family faced disaster, I couldn't even afford to eat and had to rely on the goodwill of other men. Therefore, when Meng Lei extended his olive branch, I accepted it with a clear conscience!"
Hearing Qin Yue prepare to confess honestly, He Zinian's lips curled upward slightly. He subtly took out his phone from his pocket, turned on the recording function, and then, following Qin Yue's desired narrative, questioned, "How is that possible?! What reason would Meng Lei have to target us?
You know, if it weren't for our He family handling things when the Meng family ran into trouble, Meng Lei would have likely been burdened with millions in debt and ended up on the streets! Our two families are old acquaintances, and our relationship is very close. He has no reason to be such an ungrateful wretch and betray us!"
Qin Yue's expression clearly showed panic. She didn't know why Meng Lei had done this! Having stayed by Meng Lei's side for so many days, she felt less like a partner and more like a pawn he controlled.
Meng Lei treated her as a chess piece that could be discarded at any time, so how could he have explained everything to her so clearly? Her job was just to complete the tasks and cause trouble for Chen Lishu; she didn't care about anything else!
Fearing that He Zinian wouldn't believe her and might even expose this matter, letting Meng Lei know she had betrayed him! Qin Yue could only anxiously grab He Zinian's trouser leg and say, "Then how do you think I knew about the nerve toxin? After the Qin family went bankrupt, everyone trampled on me. I don't have the capability to obtain restricted drugs!"