Chapter 60: You Are the Only One Who Can Help Me

Qin Miao stood up, fully aware of Ruan Ruoshui’s background. Born to a poor family, lacking both stature and looks, Ruan would have never caught Qin Miao’s eye if she hadn’t devoted herself to her over the years like a loyal dog. So Qin Miao’s words grew ever more merciless.

“Do you realize that every time I give you a gift, the smile on your face resembles that of a beggar by the roadside?” Qin Miao drew closer, raising her hand to straighten Ruan’s collar with a gesture that spoke of charity. “Ruan Ruoshui, honestly, you should thank me. After all, if it weren’t for me, you would never have gotten near Gu Yancheng in your lifetime, would you?”

Ruan Ruoshui stared at her, desperate to retort, but her lips merely moved; not a word of protest escaped. It was true. Without Qin Miao, she would have silently admired Gu Yancheng from afar, unable even to see him, let alone anything more. But that wasn’t reason enough for Qin Miao to scheme against her. Recognizing Qin Miao’s true nature, Ruan Ruoshui felt a surge of lucidity.

“Is this your excuse for what you’ve done?” She shut her eyes painfully. “Whatever you say, the plan to set up Yancheng was yours. You forced me into it, didn’t you?”

“Didn’t I say from the beginning that I didn’t want to?”

Even though Gu Yancheng had already fallen for the plan, Ruan Ruoshui still refused. At her words, Qin Miao sneered, her hand sliding down Ruan’s neck to press lightly against her abdomen.

“Ruan Ruoshui, you can’t wash your hands clean of this.” Qin Miao lifted her eyes to look at her. “You’re right. From start to finish, this was all my design. But you’re an adult. You knew exactly what you were doing, didn’t you?”

“Did I hold a knife to your throat and force you to sleep with Gu Yancheng? No, right? Did I threaten your parents or siblings? Not at all.”

Driven back by Qin Miao’s relentless words, Ruan Ruoshui dared not meet her gaze. Her foot caught on something, and she fell heavily onto the floor. Qin Miao’s hand remained poised, still caressing Ruan’s abdomen.

Qin Miao glanced down at her, lips curled into a disdainful smile, then grabbed a wet wipe from the side, wiped her fingers, and tossed it at Ruan’s face without hesitation.

“Ruan Ruoshui, you wanted to take advantage of someone in a vulnerable moment but couldn’t get past your conscience, so you pinned the blame on me.” Qin Miao delivered her final blow. “When it comes to being disgusting, who could possibly outdo you?”

Her tone was contemptuous, as if Ruan Ruoshui were nothing but trash.

But that wasn’t the end.

Still reeling from the assault, Ruan Ruoshui heard Qin Miao continue, “Oh, and when you were pregnant, weren’t you thrilled to have Gu Yancheng’s child?”

Qin Miao smacked her lips, falling into a thoughtful pose. “That child…”

Sensing that Qin Miao’s next words might confirm her worst fears, Ruan Ruoshui clamped her hands over her ears, screaming, shrinking back in terror.

“No! Don’t say it, I don’t want to hear! Qin Miao, shut up!”

Qin Miao raised an eyebrow, admiring Ruan Ruoshui’s reaction. “So you’ve figured it out.”

Backed into a corner, Ruan Ruoshui pressed herself against the wall. Qin Miao crouched before her, grabbing her hand.

“You’re clever. Yes, the second time wasn’t Gu Yancheng—it was a homeless man on the street…”

Boom.

Ruan Ruoshui’s hand fell limp to the floor, eyes filled with despair as she looked at Qin Miao.

She struggled to speak. “A... homeless man?”

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks, her voice so weak it was nearly inaudible. “Qin Miao, how could you be so cruel to me?”

“Cruel?” Qin Miao blinked innocently. “Given your background and your penchant for begging, a homeless man suits you perfectly.”

“But don’t worry. After all these years, I made sure the one I picked… was disease-free.”

“You’re still healthy.”

With that, Qin Miao cast a meaningful look at a certain part of Ruan Ruoshui’s body.

All the strength drained from Ruan Ruoshui. Her heart was dead. Years of heartfelt devotion had been worthless, wasted on someone who treated her like a dog. Friends had warned her that Qin Miao never considered her a true friend, but she’d refused to believe it—until now.

She had been foolish. Two people so far apart could never truly be friends.

Qin Miao walked to the window and waited a moment. She crossed her arms, turned lazily, and looked at Ruan Ruoshui.

“Ruan Ruoshui, as long as you continue to serve my interests, I can pretend none of this happened.”

Qin Miao no longer bothered to hide her disdain, standing like a savior above all. “When it comes to dealing with Gu Yancheng, I have countless ways. If you obey me, I’ll make sure he’s by your side forever.”

“No need.”

Ruan Ruoshui gathered herself, slowly rising from the floor, face calm as she looked at Qin Miao. “Qin Miao, you stars can’t handle the turbulence of negative news, can you?”

Qin Miao guessed what she intended, first offering a shallow smile, then covering her mouth as she laughed, finally bending double with mirth.

Ruan Ruoshui watched impassively, unmoved.

Qin Miao pointed at her, unable to contain her laughter. “You? Ruan Ruoshui, do you really think exposing all this could affect me?”

On the surface, Qin Miao was laughing, but inside she was furious. She strode over, poking Ruan Ruoshui’s shoulder repeatedly, until she tumbled onto the sofa.

Qin Miao followed, her expression suddenly twisted as she grabbed Ruan Ruoshui’s throat. “Ruan Ruoshui, you’re truly ungrateful. I give you a way out, but you refuse—must you play this game?”

“Do you think, if the truth comes out, people will believe you or me?”

“In a scandal like this, will Gu Yancheng’s fans curse you or curse me…”

Her fingers tightened, pinning Ruan Ruoshui down.

Ruan Ruoshui, not yet recovered and shaken by the ordeal, couldn’t break free. Just as she thought Qin Miao would go mad and kill her, a rush of air flooded her lungs.

She coughed violently; as soon as Qin Miao stood, she shrank away.

The power difference was vast. If Qin Miao killed her and disposed of the body, it wouldn’t be impossible.

Yet Qin Miao merely straightened up, threw her a scornful look. “Go ahead, try it. See if you can bring me down.”

With those words, Qin Miao strode away.

Only then did Ruan Ruoshui realize her fear, trembling as she slid down the wall and sobbed for a long time before regaining her composure.

She found her phone, saved the recording, and dialed a number.

“Hello, Ye Yaoyao, please help me. You’re the only one who can…”

Clutching her phone, Ruan Ruoshui’s body and voice trembled uncontrollably.

“Ruan Ruoshui? What’s wrong?” Ye Yaoyao frowned.