Su Qingning was furious, but the pain in her heart was even worse. If it had been outsiders kicking her while she was down, she might have been able to bear it. But this was Su Qingfeng, her own cousin.

When they were children, whatever her father bought for her, he would buy a second for Su Qingfeng. Su Qingfeng's first apartment, her first car, even her tuition fees—Su Qingning's father had paid for them all. How could she not feel a shred of gratitude?

Looking at Su Qingfeng's arrogant demeanor, Su Qingning took several deep breaths, trying not to cry. Su Qingning truly wasn't one to cry easily; the hardships of life had forged her into an incredibly strong woman. But at this moment, her heart truly ached.

"You two should leave. I don't want to see you anymore!" Su Qingning said, holding back her sorrow.

But no sooner had she spoken than Su Qingfeng sneered, "Leave? In your dreams. Last time, your filthy beggar of a husband humiliated mine. Today, of course, my husband is here to get that honor back."

"That's right, I'm here for revenge! Where's that filthy beggar? Tell him to get his ass out here!" Li Jinlong said viciously.

A heavy weight settled in Su Qingning's heart. Although the Li Family, like the Su Family, was only a second-tier clan, dealing with someone like Lin Xiao—who had no power, influence, or backing—was ridiculously easy. They could just hire a few thugs to take care of him, or they could use their connections to have him thrown into prison, and she would be powerless to save him.

Indeed, Su Qingning was scared. She wasn't afraid of Su Qingfeng, nor of Li Jinlong. She was afraid of the power backing them, terrified they would harm Lin Xiao.

Like Lin Xiao, she was just an ordinary person in this world; their meeting was pure fate. Although Lin Xiao had taken her virginity, Su Qingning honestly didn't hate him, because he too had been forced by Zhao Qingqing.

No, I can't let Lin Xiao get hurt.

With this realization, Su Qingning reined in her emotions. Her expression turned as cold as ice as she stared straight at Su Qingfeng and Li Jinlong.

"My husband isn't here," Su Qingning said in a deep voice. "If you have a problem, take it up with me!"

"Oh, calling him your husband so soon? Su Qingning, you really are shameless!"

If she had faced such an insult from Su Qingfeng just moments before, Su Qingning would have been deeply hurt. But now, she felt nothing. She was as calm as still water.

"I married him, so I am his wife. There's nothing wrong with calling him my husband. If you want to deal with him, let me be clear: he isn't here. Like I said, if you have a problem, take it up with me."

Su Qingfeng snorted with disdain. "So what if we take it up with you? Before you married that stinking beggar, we were a little wary of you. After all, you used your pretty face to lure men in. But now that you've married that beggar, all those rich young masters avoid you like the plague. Plus, my husband's family has just latched onto the powerful Shao Family. Why the hell would we be afraid of you?"

"So? What is it you want?" Su Qingning asked coldly.

"Simple. Kneel and apologize to me for what happened at the barbecue restaurant. Then, transfer your crappy bar to my husband as compensation for the harm that stinking beggar caused him. Otherwise, don't blame me for being merciless."

A heavy feeling settled in Su Qingning's chest. She finally understood why they were here. Plain and simple, they were after her bar. This wasn't the first time. Su Qingning knew that Su Qingfeng wanted the bar for her brother, Su Qingkun. The family competition would be over in half a year, and the trading company Su Qingkun was managing was a complete disaster.

Seeing Su Qingning's silence, Su Qingfeng huffed coldly. "Su Qingning, don't push it. Believe it or not, with a flick of my husband's finger, your beggar husband will be rotting in a jail cell!" she threatened.

Su Qingning's heart trembled. Honestly, she felt a pang of sorrow. Lin Xiao was indeed her weak spot. Even though she didn't like the boastful man, she truly didn't want to see him end up in prison.

"Su Qingfeng, we are relatives. Even if you despise me, do you really have to be so ruthless?" Su Qingning asked, her voice trembling.

Su Qingfeng laughed sardonically. "Oh, are you scared now? Playing the sympathy card? Honestly, Su Qingning, you disgust me. You've been beautiful since you were a child, and everyone adored you. Even that blind fortune-teller said your destiny was one of unimaginable nobility."

"Do you have any idea how much I hate you? Since we were kids, I've wished you'd get hit by a car, or get raped. There were countless times I wanted to kill you! But thankfully, Heaven has eyes! It let me marry my wonderful husband while you were forced to marry a filthy beggar."

"This is your damn fate! You were destined to be trampled under my feet! So don't you dare tell me you're my relative. The thought makes me sick. Now, you have two choices: either kneel, apologize, and hand over the bar, or I'll have my husband send that stinking beggar to jail right this instant!"

Su Qingning's breathtakingly beautiful face had turned deathly pale. She wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. She stared blankly at Su Qingfeng, at the cousin she had grown up with. In that moment, Su Qingfeng seemed like a complete stranger. Su Qingning had always thought Su Qingfeng was simply spoiled. She never imagined that Su Qingfeng wasn't just spoiled—she was pure evil.

Just then, Li Jinlong, who had been silent, spoke with a sinister sneer. "Of course, there is another way to resolve this. How about it, Su Qingning? I'll take a little loss for you. Spend one night with me, and I'll forget about that stinking beggar and your crappy bar."

His lecherous eyes greedily roamed all over Su Qingning's body.

Su Qingning was aghast. She couldn't believe Li Jinlong would say such a thing in front of his own wife.

Su Qingfeng stared at Li Jinlong, dumbfounded. She asked cautiously, "Husband, what are you saying?"

SLAP!!!

Li Jinlong backhanded her across the face.

Su Qingfeng instantly clutched her cheek, staring at him in terror.

"Damn it! Since when do I need to report my actions to you?" Li Jinlong roared.

Hearing this, Su Qingning said coldly, "Su Qingfeng, you are truly pathetic."

Su Qingfeng instantly exploded with rage. Having just been slapped by Li Jinlong, she was already furious and humiliated with nowhere to vent her anger. Now, hearing Su Qingning's words, she didn't hesitate for a second and swung her hand to slap Su Qingning's face.

But just then, a powerful hand suddenly shot out and gripped her wrist.

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