Qin Lin didn’t think much of it.
From the last time they met, he already knew Jiang Fuyue was an exceptionally mature girl. He instinctively treated her as an adult.
So, a simple nod as a greeting felt perfectly normal to him.
But in Guan Yiling’s eyes, it was nothing short of a rude and arrogant gesture coming from a child.
Pretty, yes—but sorely lacking in manners.
“Yueyue, what’s this?” The old lady pointed at the screen.
“A map of Shapu District in Nanyue.”
“Shapu District?”
“Mhm. Just got the news—the kidnappers are most likely hiding out in that area.”
Shi Qingzhi’s eyes lit up. “That means Old Qin could be there too?!”
“Yes.”
“Shapu District?” Guan Yiling suddenly interjected. “But isn’t that known as one of the safest districts in Nanyue? Home to nobility and elites? Wouldn’t hiding there be like walking into a trap?”
Jiang Fuyue didn’t look up, continuing to operate the laptop while replying quickly:
“First, we didn’t report this to the police, and the kidnappers anticipated we wouldn’t. So even if they entered Shapu, they wouldn’t raise red flags.”
“Second, when choosing a hideout, they may have followed the logic of ‘the safest place is often the most dangerous.’”
“Third, based on the clues Grandpa Qin left behind, I had someone check all areas in Nanyue where ‘fat boy’ are commonly raised. After multiple rounds of screening and elimination, we narrowed it down to Qianhai and Shapu. Currently, Qianhai is experiencing riots—law and order is a mess. The protestors are even more vicious than the kidnappers; you could be sitting at home and get shot out of nowhere.”
“Kidnappers are human too. And humans value their lives. So Qianhai was ruled out.”
That leaves only Shapu!
Guan Yiling said coldly: “That’s all your personal speculation. We have no idea how you ‘screened and eliminated’ areas. Just based on a few words, you’re dead set on Shapu? What about other districts? What if you’re wrong and we miss the best rescue window—who takes responsibility then?”
Jiang Fuyue’s fingers paused. She looked up sharply.
Guan Yiling didn’t back down. “I’m just offering a reasonable guess and sound judgment. Please try to understand how we feel as family members.”
Han Yunru frowned.
Jiang Fuyue laughed, closed the laptop, and stood up straight: “I’m not a police officer. I’m under no obligation to ‘understand the family’s feelings.’ I understand Grandma because I want to, because I choose to—not because I ‘should.’ As for you…”
She smirked, jaw lifted, gaze full of disdain: “To put it bluntly, you’re nothing. So why should I care how you feel?”
Every word struck like a hammer—blunt, proud, utterly unapologetic.
Guan Yiling was stunned. She never imagined Jiang Fuyue would embarrass her so blatantly on the spot.
That tone, that attitude, and the sheer arrogance radiating off the girl didn’t resemble an eighteen-year-old at all.
“You—how rude!”
Jiang Fuyue sneered: “You barge into my house and start pointing fingers, and I still have to be polite to you? Does that sound right?”
“There’s a saying: If others respect me a foot, I’ll return a yard. While criticizing me, did you ever stop to consider whether your own behavior was appropriate?”
“You—!” Guan Yiling hadn’t expected her to be so sharp-tongued and now couldn’t find a single comeback.
Jiang Fuyue picked up her laptop: “If you don’t trust me, then find someone you do. Let them handle it.”
With that, she turned to go upstairs.
The old lady quickly reacted. “Yueyue—”
Jiang Fuyue’s face softened. She bent down and gently held Shi Qingzhi’s hand. “Grandma, I’ll still do my best to fulfill the promise I made you. You’re also free to pursue other rescue options—we won’t interfere.”
“I don’t need to answer to anyone. I just need to stay true to my conscience.”
Guan Yiling flushed from head to toe with embarrassment. Then her peripheral vision caught Han Yunru—
“Sister Han, you’re just going to sit there and say nothing?”
Han Yunru turned her head and looked at her, confused. “What else should I do?”
Guan Yiling stared: “This is indulgence—practically abetting her!”
Han Yunru’s tone became serious: “I don’t think Yueyue did anything wrong here. From the beginning, she only meant to help. Of course, as family,” she emphasized the word with intent, “you’re free to accept or reject her help. Yueyue respects your wishes—she won’t force anything.”
Having tolerated it this far for the old lady’s sake, Han Yunru had reached her limit.
She’d meant to save face for Qin Lin, but Guan Yiling just wouldn’t quit.
So she saw no reason to hold back.
“What do you expect me to do by saying all this?” Han Yunru’s tone remained soft and innocent, but every word was sharp. “Want me to scold my daughter in public just to show I’m polite? Humiliate her until she’s dripping with guilt? Or crush her under my authority as her mother until she bows and apologizes to you?”
Guan Yiling was stunned again.
She thought she’d misjudged Jiang Fuyue, but hadn’t expected Han Yunru to be even more unpredictable.
Now, the mother and daughter had joined forces against her—and she was completely cornered.
“Ah Lin…” she instinctively tugged on her husband’s sleeve.
But Qin Lin’s first reaction wasn’t to speak up for her—it was to apologize to Han Yunru: “Little Ru, don’t be upset. That’s just how she talks—blunt and thoughtless. If she said anything offensive to you or Yueyue, I’ll apologize on her behalf.”
“I know you’re just worried about my dad and anxious to find the kidnappers quickly. Since we all want the same thing, why don’t we sit down, talk calmly, and work together. Is that okay?”
His words were gracious—giving everyone an out while showing where he stood.
He trusted Jiang Fuyue.
Han Yunru’s expression eased. “Brother Lin, I don’t want to make things difficult for you. But I also can’t let my daughter be treated unfairly.”
“I understand,” Qin Lin sighed. “You’ve always been protective, ever since we were young.”
Their eyes met, silently expressing mutual understanding.
But to Guan Yiling, the scene was intolerable.
Their shared past had always bothered her. And now, not only was she humiliated, her husband defended another woman?
Every word, every look—was for his first love, his white moonlight!
Rage burned in her chest. She opened her mouth to retort—only to meet Qin Lin’s sharp, warning gaze.
“You won’t even defend me,” she said, each word heavy with resentment.
“Yiling, even if you want to throw a tantrum, know when to stop! I let you have your way most of the time, but right now my father’s life is on the line—every minute counts! I hope you can be mature and stop being unreasonable!”
“I’m the one being unreasonable?! Fine, you’re all one big happy family—I’m the outsider! I’ll leave!”
She stormed out of the villa.
Qin Lin didn’t chase her. He only rubbed his temples, his headache returning. The priority now was still the kidnapping.
“Yueyue, you were saying—the Shapu District, and then?”
Jiang Fuyue reopened her laptop. “If the ‘fat boy clue alone isn’t enough to confirm Shapu District, then we need more solid evidence before taking action.”
“You mean…” the old lady guessed, “that audio clip?”
“Yes. I’ve already sent it to a professional for analysis. The latest we’ll have results is tomorrow.”
Qin Lin frowned. “How confident are you?”
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “Can’t say yet.”
…
That night, Qin Lin returned to the hotel and, unsurprisingly, saw his wife had already arrived.
He had no energy left to argue. After a long day and nonstop travel, he was utterly exhausted.
He showered, lay down, and started drifting off.
Just as sleep came, Guan Yiling kicked him. “Move.”
Qin Lin’s eyes flew open. He turned to her calmly. “What do you mean?”
“If I mean nothing to you anymore, why bother coming back? Han Yunru doesn’t lack another room in her house, does she? Oh, right—her husband comes home at night. So it’s inappropriate for you, the ex, to be hanging around in front of the current husband, isn’t it?”
Qin Lin stared at her for five seconds, then sat up, dressed swiftly, packed his things, and grabbed his suitcase to leave.
Guan Yiling’s face changed. “Where are you going?!”
Qin Lin didn’t look back. “Didn’t you tell me not to come back? I’m respecting your wish.”
He walked out without hesitation.
“Qin Lin, you b*stard—!”
Back in the capital, things hadn’t been like this. But the moment he returned to Linhuai and saw that woman, everything changed!
