MGG - 13

Chapter 13: Counterattack

Qin Xiao stopped at the entrance but didn’t step outside. He simply stood there, watching her.

She had changed into a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, standing in the sunlight. Her exposed arms and legs were pale and slender, and she waited quietly without fidgeting or complaining.

Qin Xiao had seen many people wait before—most either looked around restlessly or buried their heads in their phones. But Su Ling wasn’t like that. She simply stood there, exuding an air of quiet determination. Her gaze was calm, her demeanor peaceful.

She didn’t complain about the blazing sun or how long she’d been waiting.

Just being waited for by her felt like a kind of happiness.

Qin Xiao pressed his lips together. She was waiting for Guo Mingyan.

The warm breeze gently brushed against her bangs, and when she wasn’t speaking, she appeared even more docile.

His heart churned with irritation and confusion. Did she really hate him so much? Would she rather seek out Guo Mingyan than him?

When he was agitated, he always wanted to smoke. But as he pulled out his lighter, something inexplicable made him put it back.

A sudden, terrifying thought struck him: What if he fixed all his flaws? Would she one day wait for him as calmly as this? The absurdity of the idea hit him hard, growing stronger with each passing second.

Qin Xiao took out his phone. “Guo Mingyan, come here.”

With a sense of impending doom, Guo Mingyan came to the entrance. Qin Xiao handed him a card along with the password.

“Give this to her.”

Guo Mingyan was dumbfounded. “Huh? Me? Why don’t you go?”

Qin Xiao snapped, “Why so many questions? Hurry up and go.”

Guo Mingyan, dizzy and confused, took the card and walked outside. The intense gaze burning into his back made his scalp tingle. Unable to muster a smile, he handed the card to Su Ling.

Su Ling’s eyes brimmed with gratitude as she bowed deeply to him. “Young Master Guo, thank you so much. I’ll repay you as soon as possible.” From her small bag, she pulled out a pre-written IOU, complete with a fingerprint, and handed it to Guo Mingyan.

Guo Mingyan felt extremely uneasy and mumbled awkwardly, “It’s no big deal, no need to repay me.”

But Su Ling insisted, leaving him no choice but to reluctantly take the IOU and stuff it into his pocket. Then he said, “Oh right, the password is 130430. I’m going back inside now.”

He fled as fast as he could, as though chased by ghosts. After hearing the password, Su Ling froze in place.

She glanced toward the entrance of Lian Cheng but saw nothing.

Lowering her lashes, she stared at the card in her hand.

Qin Xiao’s.

Her heart raced. She knew exactly what 130430 meant—it was April 30th of the 13th year, the day she first met Qin Xiao. In her past life, the gold card Qin Xiao had given her used the same password, and she hadn’t spent a single cent from it.

There was no way such a password could be a coincidence.

This card was something he wanted to give her.

Tightening her grip on the card, her emotions tangled in a mess. She wanted to pretend she didn’t know, but her upbringing and principles wouldn’t allow her to do so.

A favor received must be repaid tenfold.

Feeling somewhat lost, Su Ling thought of her grandmother still waiting for life-saving money in the hospital. She had no other choice. She pursed her lips lightly and left.

As soon as Guo Mingyan reentered, he met Qin Xiao’s icy glare.

Guo Mingyan wanted to die. It was Qin Xiao who told him to deliver the card, and now Qin Xiao looked ready to kill him. This was terrifying. What the hell was going on?

Qin Xiao extended his hand. “Give it to me.”

“What?”

“Her things.”

Guo Mingyan remembered the IOU. He quickly fished it out of his pocket and handed it to Qin Xiao.

The IOU had been crumpled in Guo Mingyan’s panic. Qin Xiao smoothed it out carefully, revealing neat and elegant handwriting. He tucked it into the pocket of his shirt.

Witnessing all of this, Guo Mingyan muttered internally, “….” He felt a strange, indescribable sensation, similar to what He Qin had experienced earlier. “Are you serious?”

Qin Xiao didn’t respond.

The thin piece of paper over his heart burned painfully. He recalled her earnestness when she said she hated him, and a torrent of curses rose to his lips. Yet, his heart melted into a puddle of softness.

Forget it, he thought. What was the point of arguing with her?

When Su Ling went to transfer the money, she discovered that the card contained five million yuan.

She was momentarily stunned. Rich people really did whatever they wanted.

In the end, she still called Ni Haoyan. His voice was hoarse as he answered, “Su Ling?”

“Send me your account number. I’ll transfer the surgery fee for Grandma, then buy a ticket home.”

Ni Haoyan, who had stayed up all night, woke up slightly upon hearing this. “Where did you get the money?”

Su Ling paused for a moment. She wasn’t used to lying, and her ears turned red whenever she did. Fortunately, Ni Haoyan couldn’t see her. She replied, “I landed a role as the second female lead in a movie. I explained the situation to the production team, and they advanced the payment.”

Ni Haoyan wasn’t easily fooled. His voice rose incredulously. “What movie? You’re just a college student with no connections. Who would give you these kinds of opportunities?”

Fear flickered in her heart, but she had no choice but to convince Ni Haoyan so that her grandmother could undergo surgery immediately.

“Our department organized auditions. I got lucky and was chosen by the director…”

“Su Ling,” Ni Haoyan gritted his teeth, “don’t lie to me.” A vague unease settled in his heart. He understood all too well what kind of person his cousin was—even if she didn’t realize it herself. As a man, he could see it clearly.

Su Ling stammered, “I’m not lying.”

Ni Haoyan’s tone hardened. “If you dare do anything stupid, even if Grandma recovers, she’ll be driven to death by your recklessness.”

Su Ling grew angry. “How dare you curse Grandma! If you won’t give me the account number, I’ll ask Uncle!”

Ni Haoyan sighed in frustration. Could she not focus on the key issue? He knew she wasn’t joking—she was earnestly adorable. Fearing she might actually contact his father, he softened his tone helplessly. “You’re right, I’m sorry… Cousin.”

Calling her “Cousin” made him feel bitter inside, but Su Ling, being the kind-hearted person she was, didn’t stay angry. She simply urged him, “Send me the account number so you can sign the papers at the hospital and let Grandma have the surgery as soon as possible. I’ll book a flight tonight and come back immediately.”

Ni Haoyan felt utterly miserable. For the first time, he regretted being born late and unable to shoulder any responsibility.

Su Ling attracted too much attention, and she was miles away. Even if he wanted to find out more, there was nothing he could do.

He sent the account number and reminded her, “Be careful on your way. Don’t rush. I’ll keep watch over Grandma here.”

“I know.”

Su Ling used all the remaining money she had to buy a plane ticket, leaving untouched the four million yuan still in the card.

Holding the card felt like clutching a hot potato.

Sigh. How troublesome.

Su Ling arrived in City L at two in the morning. When she hurried to the city hospital, she saw Ni Jiannan arguing with Ni Haoyan.

“Where did Su Ling get the money? Tell me honestly—did she do something improper?”

Ni Haoyan shook off her hand. “Stop nagging. She’s your cousin.”

“Ni Haoyan, haven’t you always refused to acknowledge her? Now you’re opposing Mom and me, colluding with Su Ling to spend such a huge sum on Grandma’s surgery! Let me remind you—it’s our family that raised her. She hasn’t sent a single penny home despite earning money, and now she suddenly coughs up over half a million. She’s an ungrateful wretch…”

Before she could finish, Su Ling approached.

“Ni Jiannan,” Su Ling called out.

Ni Jiannan froze. Su Ling had never spoken to her in such a cold tone before. Ni Jiannan sneered, “What? Are you daring to do something to me?”

Without hesitation, Su Ling raised her hand and slapped her across the face.

Though Su Ling was gentle and her slap didn’t hurt much, it was a crushing blow to Ni Jiannan’s pride.

Ni Jiannan clutched her cheek and shrieked, “You hit me! How dare you hit me!”

Su Ling felt a fire burning in her chest. The accumulated anger and injustice from two lifetimes made her tremble slightly. She had wanted to slap her for a long time. In her past life, she had sacrificed her entire existence for the Ni family.

She hadn’t spent a single penny of Qin Xiao’s money, nor had she actively asked for anything.

But she knew that Ni Jiannan had benefited immensely from Qin Xiao—far more than tens of millions! Using her connection as Su Ling’s cousin, she had manipulated Qin Xiao into introducing her to high society, marrying a wealthy second-generation heir. Later, unable to tolerate her husband’s infidelity yet unwilling to give up luxury, she had committed adultery.

When confronted by her husband’s family, she brazenly claimed that her cousin, Su Ling, was Qin Xiao’s mistress. Everyone was enraged but dared not say a word.

Because of this incident, Su Ling’s reputation had been repeatedly trampled on. Her life in that lifetime had been utterly humiliating, and Ni Jiannan bore significant responsibility for it.

Eventually, Qin Xiao became furious and sneeringly ordered Ni Jiannan to apologize to Su Ling. Watching Ni Jiannan sob and grovel, Su Ling found it bitterly ironic. This was family—they ignored her tears and blood, taking everything for granted while making it impossible for Su Ling to hold her head high.

Now, staring at Ni Jiannan, Su Ling spoke in a low but chilling tone: “Neither Grandma nor I have ever spent a single penny from your Ni family. Though we lived with you for ten years, Grandma paid you three hundred thousand yuan for housing, which was far more than enough for rent. Why should I give you my money? My grandmother is also your grandmother. You begrudged spending fifty-eight thousand on her, so I took care of it. But look at yourself now—do you even remember that we’re standing outside her hospital room?”

Su Ling pointed toward the door. Ni Jiannan had never imagined Su Ling capable of saying such words. Was this still the timid girl who once hid behind doors, wearing plain clothes and watching them silently?

Ni Jiannan was momentarily cowed by Su Ling’s imposing presence. Regaining her composure, she tried to retaliate.

Ni Haoyan pulled her back and scolded her harshly, “Ni Jiannan, that’s enough!” He couldn’t help but glance at Su Ling. When she referred to “you people,” did she include him in her disdain?

Suddenly feeling anxious, he could only say, “Grandma’s surgery went smoothly. She’s no longer in danger. Go see her.”

Ni Jiannan was both aggrieved and furious. Su Ling, expression cold, entered the ward.

Ni Jiannan seethed. “I’m your older sister! Why are you protecting that little bastard so much?”

Ni Haoyan turned around, his expression so cold it made Ni Jiannan tremble. He said, “If you weren’t my sister, I’d slap you myself.”

Shaking, Ni Jiannan pointed at him, stuttering “you-you-you” for a long time before finally bursting into tears and running to find Tian Shuyun.

Ni Haoyan stood outside the ward like a statue, his face grim.

Su Ling emerged at four in the morning, her features exhausted. Earlier, she had been like a porcupine, but now she seemed soft again.

Yet Ni Haoyan felt an inexplicable fear rise within him.

He knew their family had never treated her well. Even though he… didn’t dislike her at all, his tone when speaking to her had always been harsh.

When they were young, he used to pull her braids. She would look at him with a pitiful expression, never tattling. Back then, his heart would race—he both hoped she would fight back and wished she would remain obedient forever.

Did she secretly despise their entire family?

Or perhaps, she had never cared about them at all. One day, when she became a big star, she would sever all ties with them.

Struggling to speak, he finally managed, “Su Ling, has Grandma woken up?”

Su Ling shook her head. “No, Grandma is still asleep.” When she mentioned her grandmother, a gentle smile graced her lips.

Seeing this, Ni Haoyan’s heart felt even heavier. They stood in silence.

When Su Ling came out later to fetch hot water for her grandmother and prepared to return for the night vigil, Ni Haoyan suddenly grabbed her. “I… Su Ling… do you hate me too?”

Su Ling turned back in surprise, and Ni Haoyan saw laughter in her eyes. “Of course not, Ni Haoyan.”

Joy bloomed in his heart, reflected in his eyes.

But her next words, though gentle, carried a solemn weight: “You’re my little brother. I’ll take good care of you.”

Long after she had left, he closed his eyes, and all the joy vanished from his expression.

In a fit of petulance, he thought, You might as well hate me.