Chapter 64: Trampling on the Dignity of a Scumbag
"Enough, Huo Qinglin, stop pretending to be virtuous. The only reason you've been getting close to me is because I hold the pear garden's property deed. You want to marry me and use it to gain favor with your grandfather, don't you? Your motives and intentions—I saw through them long ago. I've never exposed you because I hoped that, one day, your conscience would awaken, sparing us both from coming to the point of mutual destruction." Lin Banxia's voice carried an icy chill, colder than the sea breeze. Everyone around froze, holding their breath, staring in disbelief at the girl they usually thought of as naive and foolish—astonished that she could speak such daring and heart-piercing words.
Huo Qinglin was equally stunned, his eyes blazing with fury as they widened.
Lin Banxia—a foolish woman—had actually seen through his schemes? And not only that, she exposed him in front of all these people.
"Banxia, you must be misunderstanding me. I've always gotten close to you because I love you; it has nothing to do with the deed in your hands." Huo Qinglin continued his act, his performance becoming increasingly ludicrous.
How could Lin Banxia ever believe him again? She simply stared at him, angry and desolate.
A flicker of unease passed through Huo Qinglin's heart. Why was this woman suddenly using such a gaze to look at him—as if he'd truly committed some monstrous sin against her?
Lin Banxia channeled all her resentment and rage in that moment, turning them into icy daggers with her gaze, locking them onto Huo Qinglin.
The blade-like stare made Huo Qinglin falter with guilt, suddenly forgetting the words he wanted to say.
Two tears swirled in Lin Banxia's eyes, held back with all her might, only to slide down uncontrollably.
It was as though she didn't want to let those tears fall, knowing that if they did, her composure and strength would evaporate entirely. She lowered her head.
Her long hair flew wildly across her small face as she reached out to cover it with her hands, squatting by the railing. The sorrow within her surged instantly, breaking down her defenses, and she burst into heart-wrenching sobs, letting go of all the grievances, pain, indignation, and resentment she'd borne for lifetimes.