Qi Min didn't know the two young men who suddenly appeared at the lakeside villa.
Fortunately, they didn't ruin her plans.
In fact, they unintentionally helped.
When Zeng Demei later recounted this part to Qi Min, she still trembled with fear:
"I'd just pulled you out of the suitcase, hidden you, injected the antidote, and retrieved the stockings you mentioned. When I rushed to the third floor, Qin Guan was already there – but the suitcase full of books was gone!"
Zeng Demei nearly fainted. How would they deal with Qin Guan without the decoy suitcase?
"Later, I learned those boys had pushed it into the lake."
She stood frozen in shock.
"My heart almost stopped! What if they broke the suitcase open? What if crowds gathered to fish it out?"
Zeng Demei didn't recognize the swimmers either. It puzzled her – few swam in that deep, dangerous lake at dawn.
"That's everything. You know the rest."
Qi Min finished her account, glancing guiltily at Qin Guan. She knew lying to this man was futile.
"After you left, I secretly returned by ride-share and hid in my rental, afraid to be seen."
Her voice softened as Qin Guan's tense jaw relaxed slightly.
"Qin Guan, I've held nothing back. You'd see through any deception."
Removing her cap, she lowered her eyes, pouting pitifully. Her hands clutched her clothes, body swaying faintly in a practiced display of fragility.
"How could I fool someone as brilliant as you? I lost. Again."
She leaned into her greatest strength: understanding men's desire to dominate. To Qin Guan – this man who never spoke of his shameful past – being outwitted was intolerable. He craved worship.
"I was wrong to challenge you." Her voice turned syrupy.
"Greed blinded me. I…I almost destroyed your family. Made you live in fear…"
Before Qin Guan could speak, she preemptively repented – their usual dynamic. She always bent first.
"It's all my fault. I'm sorry…"
Her eyes flicked to his clenched fists. She wanted to step closer but stayed rooted.
"I only took back my 300,000 yuan. To you, it's nothing. To me, it's everything."
Her act deepened, voice quivering:
"I never wanted your money. I…I just wanted you. I even helped care for your wife, Ruyi—"
Slap!
Qin Guan struck her face. "Dare mention her again? Threatening me?"
"Threaten you? When?" Tears welled as Qi Min touched her stinging cheek.
"I obeyed you blindly! Why? Because I'm a fool who fell for a married man!"
Sobbing, she listed her "devotion" – how she'd loved him despite knowing better.
It worked. Qin Guan's anger thawed.
Sniffling, she gazed up tearfully and timidly embraced him:
"Qin Guan…teach me…how to forget you…"