Su Mengyao's face flushed red with rage.
But deep down, there was this strange, gnawing feeling—like something important was slipping away, something she might never get back.
Still, she was too angry to think clearly. Her voice cracked as she shouted, almost hysterical:
"Fine! I'll wait for you to come cancel the engagement at my Su family!"
After all, she had never truly liked Qin Yuan. Losing him should've been a relief. She hadn't even bothered to get rid of him herself—now he was doing it for her. Wasn't that what she wanted?
Perfect. This way, she could be with Lin Yun openly, live the life she imagined—happy, romantic, effortless.
She thought breaking things off with Qin Yuan was no big deal.
In her mind, a brighter, more beautiful life was already waiting just beyond the corner.
But the crowd around her had their own thoughts.
"Damn, the Holy Son's actually serious this time."
"Yep, he's going through with it. Looks like he's finally done with Su Mengyao."
"She really thinks this is a win? Still smiling like she doesn't even get what just happened."
"Eh, whatever. Not our problem."
"Yeah, just enjoy the show."
…
Su Mengyao didn't care about the whispers around her. Right now, all she could see was Lin Yun.
He gave her a gentle smile, and they locked eyes like a couple in love.
"Qin Yuan, we're not finished," Lin Yun suddenly snapped, his tone full of righteous fury. "I'm reporting your abuse of power—how you bullied the disciples today. The higher-ups will hear about this!"
That moment nearly brought tears to Su Mengyao's eyes.
Moved, she grabbed Lin Yun's hand. "Come, I'll take you to meet my father. He'll love you." She smiled brightly and turned, pulling Su Qing with her as they prepared to leave, ignoring the stunned silence around them.
"Wait."
A cold voice rang out behind them.
Su Mengyao's smile vanished. She didn't even need to look to know who it was.
She turned, arms crossed, brows raised high with arrogant disdain. "Qin Yuan, people should stand by their word. Don't come crawling back now. I'll be waiting at the Su family tomorrow when you cancel the engagement."
She turned to leave, but just a few steps later, several figures blocked their path.
Her frown deepened.
Gritting her teeth, she glared at Qin Yuan. "What are you doing now?"
"You said it yourself, and I agreed," she continued coldly. "What, the soft approach didn't work, so now you're using force? Pathetic. Are you even a man?"
"Sir, I get that you can't let go," Lin Yun added smugly, "but you can't force love. A melon picked by force doesn't taste sweet."
He smirked, dripping with mockery, as if he'd already won.
Qin Yuan's expression didn't shift.
Hands behind his back, eyes calm and distant, he stood there silently, watching.
The two of them were delusional.
All he said was "wait," and Su Mengyao thought he wanted her back?
What if he said two more words—would she expect him to drop to his knees and beg?
"You can leave," Qin Yuan said flatly. "But Su Qing stays."
Su Mengyao's eyes narrowed. "Why should my brother stay? What crime did he commit?"
She acted like she didn't know, her voice full of feigned confusion.
Qin Yuan didn't respond. He just gave a subtle glance toward a middle-aged man nearby—the hesitant law enforcement elder.
The elder got the message and stepped forward, face stern. "No one is allowed to make a scene outside the Holy Son's Hall. But Su Qing not only caused a disturbance, he also insulted the Holy Son…"
He recounted the events clearly, with detail and authority.
The crowd stirred.
"What the hell! I thought people were exaggerating, but hearing it laid out like this—Su Qing's got balls."
"Right? Might as well have insulted the emperor himself."
"He only dared to act like that because the Holy Son used to cover for him. No protection now? Yeah, he's screwed."
"Couldn't agree more."
…
"I don't wanna go! I'm not going to that damn place!" Su Qing suddenly screamed, pulling back in panic and clutching Su Mengyao's hand.
"Sister! Help me!"
"Don't worry. I've got you." She patted his hand, smiling warmly, then met Qin Yuan's gaze again.
She thought this was nothing. Just like always, she could talk her way out of it.
Qin Yuan wouldn't really hurt her brother—he was just using this as a way to get her back. She was sure of it.
"Qin Yuan, you idiot," she scoffed inwardly. "You say you want to cancel the engagement, but now you're trying to threaten me with my brother?"
"Hah… Do you really think I'm that dumb?"
She gave him a cold look. "Qin Yuan, a real man keeps his word. If you want to get back together, just say it. No need to play games with my brother."
"I'll tell you this—I don't respond well to threats. Never have."
"But if you let my brother go, maybe I'll be kind enough to delay the breakup. Half a month."
"How's that sound?"
"To be honest, I'm already being generous. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't even bother giving them a chance."
Her tone was smug, like the whole world owed her something.
The people around her were stunned.
Qin Yuan nearly burst out laughing.
What was wrong with this woman?
He didn't care about Su Mengyao. He just wanted Su Qing to suffer and die.
Only then could he rewrite the plot of the original story and earn a system reward.
And torturing the heroine's little brother to death? That had to be worth something good.
But Su Mengyao had twisted it all in her mind—like he still had feelings for her. Like this was some desperate attempt to win her back.
Pathetic.
"Su Mengyao," Qin Yuan sneered, "you don't actually think you're irresistiblely charming, do you?"
He stepped forward in a blur, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"What… what do you mean?" Su Mengyao blinked, unsure now.
"I mean in my eyes, you're nothing special. Just another self-absorbed brat."
"And seriously—are you stupid? Your an insignificant brainless bitch. Actually not brainless, that single celled organism must be working overtime."
"Also what you believe has nothing to do with reality."
"Su Qing stays. Whether he lives or dies, that's up to fate."
"And as for the engagement—it ends tomorrow. I'll be there. Count on it."
With that, Qin Yuan turned and walked back into the Holy Son Hall.
The doors slammed shut behind him with a deafening bang.
Su Mengyao stood frozen in place, stunned, the wind catching in her sleeves as the world suddenly felt a lot colder.
…