Lin Qing and Qiao Chuchu watched Xia Xuechun and the little boy intently.
Xia Xuechun gently took the boy's hand and led him to the front desk.
Not long after, a well-dressed woman in high heels rushed over, scooped up the crying boy, and repeatedly thanked Xia Xuechun: "Thank you, miss, thank you so much."
Xia Xuechun smiled warmly. "It's nothing. The little one was scared. Remember to take him for ice cream—he mentioned he wanted some earlier."
The woman extended an invitation: "Why don’t we all go together?"
Xia Xuechun’s eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Is that okay?"
The woman smiled. "Of course! Let’s treat you to Häagen-Dazs, alright?"
Qiao Chuchu, standing in the shadows, watched with a dark expression.
[This child is Lin Qing’s father’s late-life son. Lin Qing’s mother passed away, and her father, being single, is entitled to find a new partner. But I don’t think he should have had another child.]
[Lin Qing is already in her twenties, and this child is only five. She has a five-year-old half-brother who even has inheritance rights. Isn’t that absurd?]
[From Lin Qing’s perspective, her father suddenly has a girlfriend close to her age and a child who could compete for the family fortune.]
[What’s even more infuriating is that this was a subtle subplot. Lin Qing and Lin Shen only found out about this brother much later, by which time their father had already brought the mother and child into their home.]
[And before Lin Qing and Lin Shen knew, Xia Xuechun had already formed a close relationship with their father’s girlfriend. She even supported their relationship, calling it true love, and helped Ji Yanchuan hide the secret of their father’s illegitimate child!]
[When Lin Qing found out about her father’s illegitimate child, she was furious and wanted to kick the mother and son out. But by then, Xia Xuechun was Ji Yanchuan’s official girlfriend, so she fiercely protected the pair, insisting on safeguarding their "true love."]
[As expected… the mother and son ended up fine. Even though the Lin family later went bankrupt, Xia Xuechun ensured their safety because of her close ties to them.]
Qiao Chuchu let out a cold laugh. "So this is when Xia Xuechun and that woman first connected."
Lin Qing stood behind Qiao Chuchu, watching her curiously.
Qiao Chuchu continued to stare at Xia Xuechun and the woman’s retreating figures, her gaze filled with venom.
[An old man who can’t stop sowing his seeds, and a woman willing to climb the social ladder—such people aren’t worth my judgment, but Lin Qing deserves to know!]
She clenched her fists tightly and blurted out, "I’ll tell Lin Qing right now!"
A voice sounded behind her. "Tell me what?"
Qiao Chuchu jumped in surprise, turning around with wide eyes. "Lin Qing?"
Lin Qing smiled lazily at her. "Were you going to tell me about my father’s illegitimate child?"
Qiao Chuchu was caught off guard. "...When did you find out?"
Lin Qing smiled mysteriously. "Just now."
Qiao Chuchu: "?"
[Just now? That doesn’t align with the timeline!]
Lin Qing grinned brightly and pulled her toward the parking lot.
The woman and Xia Xuechun got into a Maybach.
Lin Qing pointed at the car and said, "That’s my father’s car. I saw the woman getting out of it, and I figured it out."
Qiao Chuchu breathed a sigh of relief.
[So that’s it. The discovery just happened earlier than expected. I thought I’d accidentally spilled the secret.]
Lin Qing lowered her eyes and smiled.
Of course, it was her who had revealed it.
She had to thank him for that.
Otherwise, it would’ve been harder to deal with once the little brat showed up at their house.
Lin Qing winked at her mysteriously. "Chuchu, want to follow them and see what they’re talking about?"
Qiao Chuchu’s interest was instantly piqued. "Yes!"
Lin Qing swiftly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Let’s go!"
