Chapter Sixty-Seven: So She Truly Was a Stand-In?

When she reached the upper floor, she discovered, to her surprise, that the door had not been closed properly. Frowning slightly, she walked over.

It was then that she heard a man and a woman speaking in hushed tones.

“Ye Qingqing, how did you come back to life?” Xie Jinchuan’s gaze was icy as he looked at Ye Qingqing, who had just awakened on the bed, a probing glint in his eyes.

But with his back turned to Shen Qingli, Xie Jinchuan had no idea she was standing just outside the door.

Ye Qingqing, however, had noticed a corner of clothing beyond the threshold, a triumphant gleam flashing quickly in her eyes.

No matter who it was, no one would take her Jinchuan from her!

“Brother Jinchuan, I don’t know how I was resurrected either. I know why you’re so anxious—it must be because of Sister Rongxia, isn’t it?” Ye Qingqing spoke earnestly, and at the mention of Rongxia, a trace of sorrow and pain crossed her face.

“When I saw Sister Qingli today, I thought she was Sister Rongxia.”

Outside, Shen Qingli listened, feeling as if ice water coursed through her veins.

She knew who Rongxia was.

In Ye Qingqing’s memories, she had heard Xie Jinchuan, deeply moved, call out that name.

Rongxia…

So, was she truly just a stand-in?

“Brother Jinchuan, you still can’t let Sister Rongxia go, can you? That’s why you found someone who looks exactly like her, isn’t it?”

Ye Qingqing’s voice sounded again, making Shen Qingli at the door tense with anxiety.

She wanted to know the answer, to hear what Xie Jinchuan would say.

Xie Jinchuan stared fixedly at Ye Qingqing, his usually calm and indifferent expression now rare with fury.

“How could I forget? How could I ever forget her…”

Before he could finish, the sound of a tray crashing to the ground came from outside the door.

Xie Jinchuan’s expression froze. He quickly turned and opened the door, looking down to see Shen Qingli crouched on the floor, gathering up the fallen tray.

Her head was bowed; her expression was hidden.

“Qingli.”

He had no idea when she had arrived, or how long she had been listening.

He only knew that when she stood up, the smile on her face was entirely forced.

“I just tripped—it must have startled you.” Shen Qingli forced a smile at the man before her, feeling her hand trembling as she held the tray.

Taking a deep breath, she avoided his outstretched hand.

“I… I’ll go downstairs first.”

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Shen Qingli’s heart beat even more frantically. As she turned away, tears blurred her vision and slid down her cheeks.

“Qingli, you—”

“I’m fine. I’ll be going now.”

Hearing the tremor in her voice, Xie Jinchuan grew anxious and stepped forward to follow her.

But someone grabbed his arm. “Brother Jinchuan, let me go. After all, only girls really understand one another.”

Without waiting for his response, Ye Qingqing hurried after Shen Qingli.

“Sister Qingli, wait for me!”

Hearing the breathless voice behind her, Shen Qingli immediately turned, pausing to look at Ye Qingqing.

“You’ve just woken up. You shouldn’t exert yourself,” she said with concern, helping Ye Qingqing to a seat nearby.

“Sister Qingli, did you hear everything we were talking about just now? Please don’t misunderstand—there’s nothing between Brother Jinchuan and Rongxia…”

Though her words said one thing, her face told another; the lie was plain as day, and Shen Qingli’s eyes lowered.

“Is that so?” she replied softly, a bitter smile curving her lips.

Seeing her like this, a flash of mockery passed through Ye Qingqing’s eyes.

So, their relationship wasn’t as strong as she’d thought after all.

“Sister Qingli, don’t worry—Brother Jinchuan definitely likes you more now. Even though he almost married Sister Rongxia back then, that’s all in the past!”

Ye Qingqing finished with a cheerful grin, but suddenly realized what she was saying and quickly fell silent.

As she caught sight of Xie Jinchuan coming out of the room, her fingers twitched slightly—a dark, sinister gleam flickered and vanished before anyone could notice.

“Sister Qingli, you must trust me. I would never lie to you,” Ye Qingqing said anxiously, rising to stand before Shen Qingli.

A look of confusion flickered in Shen Qingli’s eyes. She saw a dark mist about to envelop Ye Qingqing and, without hesitation, intervened.

“Get away!”

With her shout, Ye Qingqing cried out in pain.

“Ah!”

Xie Jinchuan rushed over and immediately channeled spiritual energy to heal Ye Qingqing.

He looked at Shen Qingli in disbelief. “Qingli, why did you attack her?”

As Ye Qingqing screamed, Shen Qingli came back to her senses. Now, seeing Ye Qingqing with blood at the corner of her lips and hearing the man’s words, she panicked.

“It’s not what you think. I saw a black mist just now—that’s why I acted.”

“A black mist?” Xie Jinchuan frowned. He had been watching the entire time—there was nothing of the sort.

“I was watching the whole time, Qingli. What’s going on?”

His face grave, Xie Jinchuan pressed her for an answer, and Shen Qingli’s eyes flickered.

“You… you don’t believe me.”

A voice echoed in her mind, repeating the same words over and over: he doesn’t believe you…

“No…”

Just as Xie Jinchuan was about to say something, Ye Qingqing coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Brother Jinchuan, don’t blame Sister Qingli. She only acted out of love for you; she can’t bear to hear about you and Sister Rongxia.”

“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything—then Sister Qingli wouldn’t have heard…”

Ye Qingqing turned her gaze to Shen Qingli, her eyes pleading. “Sister Qingli, Brother Jinchuan truly cares for you—he loves you very much.”

No sooner had she finished than she fainted again; her body grew translucent, as if she might vanish at any moment.

“No!” Xie Jinchuan watched her condition worsen, knowing there were still unanswered questions. He immediately transferred even more spiritual energy to keep her alive.

Ye Qingqing could not die—her appearance was no accident, and she had clearly come for Shen Qingli.

Until everything was clear, she must not die.

Determined, Xie Jinchuan poured more and more energy into her, his face growing pale as he barely managed to stabilize her.

“Jinchuan, let me help—” Shen Qingli, seeing his ashen face, forced down her emotions, preparing to transfer spiritual energy to him.

But his next words struck her like a blow, leaving her frozen in place.

“You should leave now.”

As he spoke, Xie Jinchuan felt as if his heart were bleeding.

But if Shen Qingli stayed by his side, their misunderstandings would only deepen, and the true culprit would remain hidden.

Only by luring the snake out of its hole could the truth be revealed.