Chapter 5 — Turns Out My Boyfriend Is a Billionaire Heir

Perhaps no one else would recognize me, but it was impossible not to know Jin Xuanshen. Within our generation of business elites, apart from Le Can Ngon, he possessed the most formidable commercial network in the country. Even my own father had once sighed in genuine regret that Jin Xuanshen was not his biological son.

Miss Giang, to provoke me again and again—do you truly believe the Kim family has no one left to defend their honor?

Qin Zhaochuan rushed over at that very moment, freezing in his tracks as those words echoed through the air.

Kim Alin... you are from the Kim family?

Looking at their petrified expressions, I felt no surge of triumph or malicious glee. Over the past twenty years, I had grown far too accustomed to this exact look. The daughter of the wealthiest tycoon—who wouldn't tread carefully around her? In truth, today's altercation had nothing whatsoever to do with Qin Zhaochuan, yet he insisted on plunging headfirst into the fray, acting as though he needed to redeem his own wounded pride.

How could you hide this from me for so long? Kim Alin, you were never once sincere!

When did I ever deceive you? I made my background perfectly clear from the beginning; it was you who accused me of punching above my weight, forever lost in your own arrogant delusions.

I let out a soft, frigid laugh.

What is this, Master Tan? Now that my identity is laid bare, are you planning to turn the tables? Ah, I understand—you are about to regale me with tales of your noble, unwavering love once again, aren't you?

I myself am entirely unbothered, but to speak such devoted words right in front of the woman residing in your heart—Miss Giang—do you truly think that is wise?

Feigning innocence? Anyone could play that game. Qin Zhaochuan flushed a deep, humiliating crimson under my gaze.

In my eyes, it does not matter who you are or whose daughter you might be. You are the woman I love, and that truth will never change!

Is that so?

I stepped closer, casually reaching out to slip my finger over his ring finger.

Then what, pray tell, is the meaning of this ring?

It was unmistakably a matching pair with Jiang Yiru. In the past, had her deceit been exposed like this, she would have stood tall as the triumphant victor, brimming with self-satisfaction. But today, the person she had crossed was me, and the color drained completely from her face as she hurriedly shoved her hand behind her back. Qin Zhaochuan instinctively repeated his defense: Nu Nhu and I are entirely innocent, Alin, you must believe me!

Hmph, so now you deign to offer an explanation?

Qin Zhaochuan pressed on desperately. If you dislike it, I can take it off right this instant! Hearing that, I raised a hand and pressed a single finger firmly against his chest.

Back when I was still nothing more than a penniless Kim Alin, I questioned you about this very ring, and didn't you swear it was a token of Jiang Yiru's pure devotion?

Ah, so now you can finally bear to take it off?

Before the echo of my words could fade, the sharp, decisive click of high heels rang out against the floor. A familiar, commanding voice pierced the air, instantly compelling everyone in the vicinity to straighten their postures and hold their breath.

Qin Zhaochuan, when we first met, I merely thought you a penniless pauper with nothing to your name. Never did I imagine you were also a miserly, faithless wretch.

It appears I shall need to have a proper, civil conversation with senior Mr. Tan.

The Qin family possessed more than just one heir. I had no desire to become entangled in their domestic power struggles, but it was abundantly clear that Qin Zhaochuan lacked the capability of his younger brother. That younger brother—Qin Chaoyang—had steadily consolidated overseas enterprises, relentlessly closing in on total control of the family conglomerate.

With my parents stepping in to back me up, Qin Zhaochuan no longer dared to show his face anywhere near me, and Jiang Yiru even less so. Numerous figures from the entertainment industry had witnessed the scene that day, and knowing she had mortally offended the Kim family, they fell upon her reputation like wolves. Aside from the Giang family’s faltering entertainment agency, not a single soul dared to offer her resources or backing. The lucrative pie of show business was now entirely beyond her reach, a fever dream she could no longer hope to taste. Life steadily settled into a peaceful, orderly rhythm. On the day Le Can Ngon and I went to select my wedding gown, however, Qin Zhaochuan reappeared. This time, he looked so utterly haggard as to be unrecognizable, his eyes heavy with self-reproach and crushing guilt. Le Can Ngon casually mentioned to me that his younger brother had officially seized full power, taking over eighty percent of the family estate.

Alin, have you truly resolved to marry him?

Tan Chieu Duong's older brother did not even dare to meet my gaze directly. God only knew what methods his younger brother had employed to break him down so completely.

Our three years together—did they truly mean nothing compared to a mere few months with him?

You know very well that you despise me, that you resent me for hesitating between you and Jiang Yiru, that you blame me for failing to reveal my status sooner and sparing you from hardship... But I had my reasons.

You understand the situation—how ruthless my brother can be—I was simply forced to secure a way out for myself.

Had I not loved you, I would never have squandered three years of my youth upon you.

With that, he produced a small, handcrafted figurine—a miniature carving of the bride and groom we had once dreamed of becoming.

Alin, I love you. Won't you grant me one final chance?

This warm soy milk tastes wonderful, it is the exact flavor you used to bring me...

Yet a shattered romance could never truly be mended with a few sentimental trinkets and lingering regrets. I gazed at him, the anger in my heart entirely spent, leaving behind only profound weariness and a faint trace of pity.

Qin Zhaochuan, you are far too naive.

Instead of wasting your breath trying to sway me, you would be far better off figuring out how to drag your younger brother down from his throne.

Yet that outcome was already an absolute impossibility.

Is love truly of such paramount importance to you?

Or perhaps you believed that marrying me would finally grant you the spine and the backing to rival your brother? If that is the case...

Then I truly despise you.

Le Can Ngon stood quietly beside me, remaining silent until the absurdity of the exchange became entirely apparent, whereupon he stepped forward and firmly laced his fingers through mine.

Qin Zhaochuan, you were never worthy of a fine woman like Alin.

Abandon any lingering thoughts of manipulating her for your own gain.

Yet it was painfully evident that Qin Zhaochuan was utterly lost. In the end, he chose to marry Jiang Yiru, though that union changed nothing of his bleak reality. On the day of my wedding to Le Can Ngon, it was none other than Qin Chaoyang—Qin Zhaochuan's younger brother—who attended as the Qin family's official representative, graciously presenting a lavish wedding gift on behalf of the elders. Clearly, all of Qin Zhaochuan's desperate calculations had collapsed into absolute ruin.

This is something my older brother insisted I deliver directly into the hands of the bride.

Qin Chaoyang handed over a delicate red velvet box, and Le Can Ngon accepted it in my stead. Upon opening it, resting inside was a ring. It was no longer some cheap bauble purchased hastily from a suburban shopping mall, but a rare, breathtaking pink diamond ring, delicately engraved with the intertwined initials of myself and Qin Zhaochuan. The date inscribed within was from half a year ago.

My brother asked me to say that he failed you, but...

Some utterances, once spoken, possess no remaining weight or meaning. Qin Chaoyang was a man who understood the shifting tides of power. Back in the bridal suite, I casually tossed the velvet box into a drawer, turned the key, and locked it away—stowing it out of sight for eternity. It was not out of lingering fondness or regret, but merely the practical thought that should I ever find myself in desperate straits one day, at least there would be something valuable left to pawn for survival.

Chubby, come over here and help me count the cash!

Coming right away!

I turned the key one last time. Everything belonging to the past was, as of today, finally and utterly concluded.