Su Nian stood dazed, momentarily forgetting to let go of the knife in her hand. That familiar expression, those familiar words—they made her feel as though she were staring into a mirror. Xia Kelan's performance came on cue, tears falling like broken pearls. She had always been petite and charming by nature, blessed with an advantage that far surpassed Su Nian's in most regards.
Panicked and at a loss, Su Nian stammered, "Brother Nan, I didn't—"
"Enough!" Ye Nan's gaze bored into her, eyes brimming with disappointment.
"I once thought you were a kind-hearted woman. Who would have imagined you'd stoop so low behind my back? If I hadn't woken up, would that knife have harmed Kelan?"
Su Nian's face turned pale. She whispered in disbelief, "You don't believe me?"
"After all the time we've spent together, do you still not know who I am?"
Seeing her unsteady frame nearly collapse, a flicker of pain stirred in Ye Nan's heart. Before he could dwell on it, Xia Kelan bit her lip and spoke softly, "The first time I met Miss Su, I never imagined she'd be such a person…"
"Ye Nan, you don't know… While you were unconscious, I was the one running around, paying your bills, finding doctors, even peeling apples for you. I had hoped that when you woke up, I would be the first person you'd see. Who would have thought Miss Su would try to throw me out without a word?"
"Didn't you say you two had already broken up?"
Su Nian's fury surged, her scalp burning with rage.
"Xia Kelan! You're blatantly lying with your eyes wide open!"
"I was the one who paid the bills, found the doctor, and peeled the apples for Nan-ge!"
Xia Kelan timidly raised her hand, revealing a fresh cut on her finger, still glistening with blood.
"Ye Nan, I'm sorry… I was clumsy. I cut myself while trying to peel the apple. It was my first time doing that for someone… not even my parents have tasted one I prepared."
The last trace of tenderness in Ye Nan's heart now belonged entirely to Xia Kelan.
"Su Nian, stop making excuses!"
"Get out! I don't want to see you again!"
"Nan-ge!"
"Leave!"
Su Nian's eyes filled with tears, her body trembling uncontrollably.
She never imagined she'd be defeated by the very tactics she knew so well.
Staring into Ye Nan's cold and unmasked disdain, she turned to leave—
—but was suddenly yanked back by the tug of her clothes, her loose hair catching painfully.
"Miss Su, wait—you forgot your bag."
Snatching it from the hand without looking back, Su Nian stormed out. As she passed the emergency exit, she saw Su Wanwan standing there.
Taking a step forward, Su Nian choked, "Are you happy now? Nan-ge is finally back at your side!"
Su Wanwan looked at her coolly.
"You managed to snatch him from me with tricks.
Others can use the same tricks to take him from you."
"Besides, trash remains trash no matter how finely it's wrapped. Open it, and it still stinks."
"Do you really think everyone shares your hobby of collecting what others discard?"
Watching Su Wanwan walk away, Su Nian broke down and growled through clenched teeth.
"You think I'll let you have your way?"
"If this is your strategy, Su Wanwan…"
"Then you've gravely underestimated me!"
Fuming, Su Nian rushed home, her anger radiating like fire. People on the street pointed and whispered as she passed. She even took out her phone to check her reflection—nothing seemed amiss.
"Insane…" she muttered, quickening her steps.
Only when she reached home and prepared to shower did she realize—
"Ahhh! Xia! Ke! Lan!"
A wad of chewing gum clung to her glossy black hair, tangling it into a matted mess.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get it out.
In the end, she seized the scissors and cut it off.
As she stared at the severed lock, Su Nian clenched her teeth, eyes glinting with ruthless resolve.
…
In the hospital ward, Ye Nan was comforting Xia Kelan. His body ached all over, each movement pulling on another. Yet he didn't want to waste the moment—honeyed words flowed from his lips like a stream.
"Were you frightened?"
"I never thought Su Nian would turn into this…"
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
"I'll protect you—just like I did last night."
Xia Kelan nodded pitifully, picking up the dusty apple that had rolled on the floor. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him.
"It's all Miss Su's fault… She ruined my gesture for you.
It was my first time peeling an apple—and it was for you…"
How could Ye Nan bear to see her disheartened?
He opened his mouth.
"How could it be wasted?"
"I'm hungry. Feed me."
Xia Kelan smiled through her tears, her crescent eyes gleaming with sly mischief.
"Really?"
"Really."
After feeding him the apple, she didn't leave. Instead, she curled up on the sofa playing games, surrounded by paid teammates for a ranked match.
Then a message from Xie Cheng popped up:
[I saw you driving well lately. There's a racing event coming up. Want to join?]
Xia Kelan tapped away:
If anyone should join, it's Wanwan…
Before finishing, she paused and deleted the words.
[Sure! How do I sign up?]
[Come find me. I'll teach you.]
Xia Kelan rolled her eyes.
[Aren't these things done online? Just send me the link!]
[A brand-new LV bag.]
Xia Kelan's eyes sparkled.
[Time? Place? Send me the address!]
After settling the location, she cheerfully stood up, found an excuse, and slipped away.
But just then, Su Wanwan's call came in.
"Where are you? Let's grab dinner tonight."
"Ah, I've got something going on…"
The lure of the LV bag made Xia Kelan reluctant to decline, but she had to.
Su Wanwan propped her chin up, flipping through design sketches lazily.
"What's going on?"
"Hehe, going to get a handbag."
Xia Kelan replied sweetly, then mentioned the racing event.
Su Wanwan, wealthy and generous, said flatly,
"I'll give you ten LV bags. Just come have dinner with me and help me deal with someone."
Xia Kelan's eyes lit up like stars.
"Done! No problem at all!"
After ending the call, she opened Xie Cheng's chat and typed rapidly:
[How about dinner at Bihai Pavilion? We can discuss the details there.]
[Sure.]
Xia Kelan hummed a happy tune as she shook her head side to side.
This way, she'd end up with eleven bags!