"A Xin, tell me—why did you do all of this?"
A Xin had never seen Qiao Wei look so serious before.
Not even during contract negotiations had she looked this tense—her whole body taut, her gaze locked unwaveringly on A Xin.
A Xin didn't overthink it; if Qiao Wei wanted an answer, she would simply give her one.
"Of course, because I wanted you to live well. To be happy."
"And why do you want me to live well—to be happy?"
Qiao Wei's lips curved as she stepped closer.
She placed her hands on A Xin's shoulders, leaned in until their eyes met—those warm, gentle eyes—and whispered softly,
"A Xin, how long have you been secretly in love with me?"
A Xin: "…?"
"Oh, don't be shy. We're adults. Attraction between a man and a woman is normal—and between two women, it's nothing strange either."
Qiao Wei's voice dropped to a teasing murmur at A Xin's ear.
"Be honest—you've been secretly in love with me since high school, haven't you?
After I broke up with Ji Jiang, you finally had the chance to slip into my life, always staying by my side, helping me… hoping that with time, your feelings would grow into something more?"
A Xin: You're overthinking.
But before she could speak, Qiao Wei pulled her into a hug, her voice trembling slightly—half nervous, half overjoyed.
"A Xin, stop secretly loving me, okay?
Just love me openly from now on.
Because I really, really like you too.
I've liked you since high school."
"Back then, I didn't dare say it. You were too perfect, and I wasn't strong enough to protect you.
I was afraid the way people looked at us would hurt you.
"In college—you have no idea—
Even though I tried to cover you up completely,
there were still so many stupid boys who saw how amazing you were.
But I chased every one of them away.
"They should be grateful!
If it weren't for me knocking them down, would they have grown into the successful men they are today?"
Qiao Wei laughed breathlessly.
"After I took over the company, I thought I'd finally be able to confess my feelings.
But you… you're just too exceptional, A Xin.
I realized that unless I became the richest person in the country, I'd never feel worthy of you."
She loosened her arms, looked straight into her eyes.
"A Xin, today I can finally say it out loud.
I can protect you now—us—and everything between us."
"The greatest happiness of my life is having you by my side.
My greatest fortune is meeting someone named Yun Xin."
Still holding her close, Qiao Wei whispered,
"Now I want to do the sweetest, most romantic thing in the world—
walk down the aisle with you, in matching white dresses,
and spend the rest of our lives together."
Her voice trembled, soft with laughter and tears.
"For a long time, I wondered how to show the world the most beautiful version of you—
how to introduce you to everyone.
"I've figured it out.
From now on, when people ask who Yun Xin is,
I'll proudly say—'She's my beloved.'"
Those words made A Xin's heart tighten.
She wanted to say "You're mistaken," but the words died in her throat.
Something deep inside her stirred—like a sleeping soul awakening—spreading from her heart in delicate threads until it wrapped around her completely.
Watching Qiao Wei's joyful, radiant face, only one thought filled her mind: stay with her, and be happy together.
For a fleeting moment, confusion flickered in her eyes.
Why had she awakened because of Qiao Wei?
Why had she come here in the first place?
She knew she'd forgotten many things—perhaps even the reason she existed, or what lay beyond this world.
But she understood one thing now:
even if she hadn't fallen for Qiao Wei before,
somewhere deep inside her, love for this woman had always been waiting to be awakened.
So when Qiao Wei asked—
"A Xin, will you marry me?"
Her answer was simple and immediate.
"Okay."
No hesitation, just a faint, peaceful smile.
Qiao Wei laughed aloud, hugging her tightly, slipping a beautiful ring onto her finger, kissing her cheek again and again.
And A Xin—she couldn't bring herself to push her away.
"A Xin, before we get married, there's something I want to do."
"What is it?"
Qiao Wei clasped her hand.
"The feud between the Qiao and Ji families—it's time to end it.
Back then, they ignored our friendship and swallowed up my family's business.
Now that I'm back, I won't let that go unchallenged.
Don't worry—I won't do anything reckless or illegal.
I'll use legitimate means to make sure the Ji family can't survive in Jing City."
"I'll help you," A Xin said softly.
Those three simple words completely broke through Qiao Wei's vengeful resolve.
She pulled her into another hug, smiling through her tears.
"A Xin, you're too good.
I'm so lucky you're mine."
Within a year, the Ji family faced its greatest crisis in history.
Whatever business they touched, Qiao Wei's company would do it better—legally, cleanly, flawlessly.
It wasn't sabotage. She simply outshone them at every turn.
Defeated again and again, Ji Jiang eventually tried to negotiate,
but Qiao Wei refused to even meet him.
Everyone knew she was determined to crush them completely.
The final blow came when the Ji family was reported.
Evidence of their past corruption surfaced—irrefutable and damning.
No one could save them.
"A Xin… was it you?"
Qiao Wei's first thought was the woman beside her.
Only she could have unearthed those secrets so quietly.
"Yes."
A Xin clicked her mouse calmly.
Qiao Wei's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of her screen—rows of exquisite white wedding dresses.
"You're looking at wedding gowns?" she teased.
"A Xin, you really were secretly in love with me! You can't wait to marry me, huh?
Fine, I was feeling bad about the Ji family falling so fast, but since my fiancée's in such a hurry,
I guess we'll let bygones be bygones."
A Xin took off her glasses.
Truthfully, she had never needed them—the body she'd entered had perfect vision.
She wore them only out of habit, as part of her disguise.
"Since we're getting married," she said calmly,
"let's do it soon.
I've already picked out a few dresses.
We can try them tomorrow.
The venue's booked—it's a small island.
The guest list is ready too. Add anyone else you'd like, Weiwei."
Qiao Wei burst into laughter and hugged her tightly.
"Perfect! I'll look over it later. We'll try the gowns tomorrow.
If you picked it, it's definitely amazing."
When President Qiao announced her marriage to Secretary Yun,
the entire Jing City went into shock.
But no one dared speak against it—
after all, this was the country's richest woman marrying its most respected secretary.
Two legends, side by side.
At the ceremony, A Xin—usually dressed in plain, formal clothes—
walked down the aisle in a breathtaking white gown,
makeup soft and perfect, her face stunning enough to steal every breath in the room.
Hand in hand, she and Qiao Wei stood before their guests.
Somewhere among them, Qiao Corporation's employees whispered to each other—
Now we finally understand why Secretary Yun always dressed so plainly.
President Qiao must've been too possessive—afraid others would notice her beauty!
At one of the tables, a young man burst into tears.
No one knew why the successful young CEO, admired by so many, was sobbing uncontrollably.
"My goddess… that's my goddess…" he wailed.
"Qiao Wei, you're too cruel, too cunning!
So all those years ago, you were just trying to get rid of me!
'Don't date in school,' 'focus on your future'—
lies! You just wanted to steal my goddess!"
When Qiao Wei came over to toast, she smiled sweetly.
"Long time no see, classmate."
Then, with deliberate cheer,
"Cheers."
He downed his drink in one go, muttering miserably,
"Qiao Wei, from now on, we're business rivals! See you in the next project!
Yun Xin… I wish you happiness."
A Xin smiled gently, nodding,
her gaze meeting Qiao Wei's across the room.
One look—and they never looked away again.
...
"Yuan-jie, you're not thinking about hitting on that good-looking police officer, are you?"
A young man shrank his neck, watching the woman beside him nervously.
"Yuan-jie, please be kind. You're an adult now—you can't keep acting like a delinquent.
If you get in trouble again, no one's going to forgive you."
Several young people stood nearby.
The woman leaned lazily against the wall outside the police station,
a cigarette pinched between her fingers.
She raised it to her lips, inhaling, half-closing her eyes as smoke curled upward.
"I'm waiting for someone."
This body's name was Yuan Xin.
In her school days, she'd been a notorious delinquent —
a self-proclaimed "bad girl" who dropped out after high school.
Not because she couldn't afford college, but because she'd spent too much time playing around to get in.
Her biggest flaw?
Whoever she thought was handsome became her idol.
And any girl who so much as looked at her idol—she'd beat up.
She'd come to this world because someone had called her—
a girl named Lin Siya,
a beauty from childhood, born with wealth and privilege.
But Lin Siya wasn't the heroine of this world.
And anyone who went against the true "children of fate"—
was destined to have no good end.