Chapter 125: You Must Believe Me

Qin Chao nearly fainted when he heard this. What was his father asking him to do? Go and beg Qin Muxue? He currently wished that Qin Muxue would just drop dead, and now he was being asked to beg her? It was madness—pure, absolute madness.

Qin Chao immediately waved his hands and shook his head. "Dad, I’m not going. If you want to go, you go. I don't know what you’re thinking about every day, asking me to beg Qin Muxue? Do you really think that if I don’t rely on her, I’ll have nothing to do?"

"Then tell me, what can you do right now? Do you still want to go back into real estate? I’m telling you, the moment you step back into that industry, you will fail miserably," Qin Guofu said, looking at Qin Chao with anger.

Qin Chao glared back at Qin Guofu and shouted, "Dad, why? Why? Why do you look down on me so much?"

"It’s not that I look down on you; it’s the reality of the market. I just think Qin Muxue is easier to talk to. If you go to her, she might help you, or at the very least, she won't set you up for failure."

"Conversely, if you go to anyone else—those fair-weather friends of yours? I’d be thanking the heavens if they didn't bleed you dry, let alone expect them to help you," Qin Guofu said sternly.

"But I haven't reached the point where I absolutely have to beg Qin Muxue, have I?" Qin Chao retorted loudly.

A look of disappointment washed over Qin Guofu’s face. He was deeply disappointed in Qin Chao. Although he held a lot of grievances against Chen Yang, he still trusted Qin Muxue. After all, he had watched her grow up and knew she didn't have a malicious bone in her body. That was why he wanted Qin Chao to seek her help; even if she refused, she wouldn't harm him. But Qin Chao clearly didn't understand his good intentions.

"Fine, fine, suit yourself!" Qin Guofu shouted in frustration. "If you’re so capable, go out and make your own way. The family business has already collapsed and can’t help you anyway. Go out and see if those 'friends' of yours will lift a finger to help!"

"I..." Qin Chao’s mind was in a whirl, and he didn't know what to say. With a heavy sigh, he turned away, falling silent.

At 4:00 PM that afternoon, Qin Guofu appeared at Qin Muxue’s company. He hadn't come for anything else but his son, Qin Chao. Even though he and Qin Chao had argued until their faces were red earlier, as a father, he still wanted the best for his son. He knew full well that with Qin Chao’s limited abilities, he would accomplish nothing without a mentor. As for his so-called friends? Don't even mention it—that was even less likely. Those people were fine for drinking and socializing, but when it came to real work, a girl like Qin Muxue was much more reliable.

At 4:10 PM, Qin Guofu suddenly walked into Qin Muxue’s office, startling her. When she saw who it was, her face went blank for a moment, but she stood up from her chair two seconds later. "Uncle, why are you here?"

"Muxue, sit, sit," Qin Guofu said, gesturing with his hand.

Qin Muxue remained standing, looking at him curiously. "Uncle, you must have something on your mind, right?"

Qin Guofu walked to her desk with his hands behind his back, sighed, and said, "Yes, Muxue. I’ve come to ask you for a favor. Don’t laugh at me when I say this."

"Laugh? Why would I? Uncle, please, have a seat," Qin Muxue said softly, pointing toward the sofa.

Qin Guofu waved his hand. "No need to sit. Look, we’re family, so I won't beat around the bush. I want to ask you to help my son—your cousin—Xiao Chao."

"You mean... Brother Chao?" Qin Muxue’s eyes widened.

Qin Guofu nodded with a complex expression. "Yes, you probably didn't expect that, did you?"

Qin Muxue gave a bitter smile. "To be honest, Uncle, it is quite a surprise."

Qin Guofu sighed again. "Ever since the family business collapsed, your cousin and I have become unemployed. It doesn't matter for me; I’m old enough to retire anyway. But Xiao Chao is different. He’s still young, and I don't want to watch him waste his life away doing nothing. Muxue, I know you’re a kind girl. At a time like this, you wouldn't just stand by, would you?"

A complex look crossed Qin Muxue’s face. She kept her lips sealed, unsure of what to say.

Qin Guofu continued, "Actually, you just need to guide Xiao Chao and let him enter the trade industry. He’s got a decent head on his shoulders; he just lacks someone to show him the way. If you can help him, your uncle will be eternally grateful."

Qin Muxue listened intently, fully understanding the purpose of her uncle’s visit. In truth, if she didn't have Chen Yang in her heart, she would have decided to help right then and there—it wasn't a major issue, after all. But now, because of Chen Yang, she didn't want to make any rash decisions. She thought it best to discuss it with him first.

"Uncle," she said earnestly, "please let me think about this. Give me some time to consider it, okay?"

Qin Guofu sighed deeply. "Alright, of course. Muxue, that is your right, but I truly hope you can help me. Please, I really need your help."

"Uncle, don't be like that. Have you eaten? Let me take you out to dinner tonight," Qin Muxue suggested warmly. Regardless of the past conflicts, she still held her family in high regard. She genuinely wanted to treat him to a meal, not out of mere politeness.

Qin Guofu waved his hand and shook his head. "No, no. Just keep what I said in your heart. If you can make it happen, then I’ll be the one to treat you to dinner."

"Uncle, please rest assured, I will consider it seriously. I really did want to take you to dinner tonight," she said sincerely.

Qin Guofu smiled, his cheeks slightly flushed. "I understand your heart, I really do. But I’ll pass on dinner tonight. Let’s do it another time. We’ll meet up again when there’s an opportunity."

Seeing that he truly didn't want to go, Qin Muxue nodded. "Alright, Uncle, I won't force you."

"Good, good," Qin Guofu said, smiling as he headed toward the door. To show her respect, Qin Muxue walked him all the way downstairs and watched him drive away before returning to the office building.

At 6:30 PM, as soon as Qin Muxue arrived home, she saw Chen Yang sitting on the sofa watching TV. She walked over, sat down beside him, and said softly, "Stop watching TV for a moment. I have something to discuss with you."

Chen Yang looked at her, sensing something was off. He grinned. "What’s the matter? Why so formal?"

Qin Muxue didn't mince words and told him everything that had happened that afternoon, ending by saying she wanted to hear his opinion.

As soon as Chen Yang heard her, the first word that popped into his mind was "refuse." It wasn't that he was heartless; he simply saw right through her uncle’s family. If you help someone who knows how to be grateful, they will thank you, but if you help a wolf in sheep's clothing, they might just turn around and bite you once they’ve succeeded.

"Muxue, do you trust me?" Chen Yang asked with a smile.

Qin Muxue looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I asked, do you trust me?" he repeated.

Qin Muxue sighed helplessly. "I do, I do. Just tell me what you’re thinking."

"If you ask me, don't help them," Chen Yang said with a cold sneer.

"Don't help? Why?" Qin Muxue looked surprised; she hadn't expected him to be so firm in his refusal.

Chen Yang continued, "I know exactly what kind of people Qin Chao and your uncle are. If you help them, you will definitely regret it. To put it bluntly—you’ve heard the story of the farmer and the snake, haven't you?"

Qin Muxue frowned, thought for a moment, and said bitterly, "It’s not as serious as you’re making it out to be, is it?"

"That brings us back to the question: do you trust me? If you trust me, listen to me. If you don't, then do what you think is right," Chen Yang said with a smile.

Qin Muxue fell into a deep, troubled silence. If she agreed, she wasn't confident about helping Qin Chao; if she didn't, she had to worry about her uncle’s face. She was torn and couldn't make up her mind.

Chen Yang saw her hesitation. "Muxue, if you find it hard to refuse, just push the blame onto me. Tell them I’m the one who won't allow it."

"No need," Qin Muxue said, her eyes suddenly firm. "Why should I blame you? I’ll think about it some more. I need to think it over carefully."

"Alright, think about it seriously, but I still hope you’ll listen to me," Chen Yang said.

"Mm," she nodded solemnly, and the conversation ended there.

At 6:40 PM, Su Xiaoling returned from work, but she wasn't alone. She was accompanied by a young girl, perhaps thirteen or fourteen years old, who was quite elegant. The girl had long hair draped over her shoulders and bright, sparkling eyes; she looked remarkably clever.

As soon as the girl entered, she greeted everyone, clearly very likeable. After the introductions were finished, Qin Muxue looked at Su Xiaoling and asked, "Xiaoling, who is this young girl?"