Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 6

Xia Jin lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with her hand.

So this is what osmanthus cake tastes like. The rich osmanthus flavor was just as she had imagined, sweet and delicious.

But she still didn’t like osmanthus cake.

“Still, thank you. You’re the first person to ever give me osmanthus cake. Thank you.”

Qin Yu remained silent. Tonight, Xia Jin seemed so fragile and emotional, a side of her he had never seen before.

He didn’t know what painful memories the osmanthus cake held for her.

Qin Yu didn’t dare speak, afraid of upsetting her further.

Xia Jin murmured to herself, “I really envy you all. In high school, you could skip class, date someone… never having to worry about this or that…”

During her high school years, Xia Jin had spent most of her time competing in various contests to earn more scholarships. The rest of her time was either spent on part-time jobs or working as a paid substitute for exams, all clearly priced.

Qin Yu chuckled softly. “Skipping class is out of the question, but I can let you date someone now.”

“No way. I still have Stellar Cube to manage. Where would I find the time?”

“Didn’t you date anyone in college?”

Xia Jin shot him a glance. “No. Every day in college was spent running around securing investments for Stellar Cube. Who had time for dating?”

Qin Yu looked back at her. “Oh, really?”

They exchanged idle chatter until Xia Jin, exhausted, yawned, putting an end to their conversation before it could stretch into the early hours.

After a long moment of eye contact, Xia Jin said, “I’m going to sleep. Goodnight.”

Qin Yu let out a soft laugh. “Goodnight.”

As he watched Xia Jin walk away, his phone on the windowsill buzzed incessantly.

He picked it up to find messages from his assistant, Chi Fan, detailing Xia Jin’s medical records from the affiliated hospital.

[Chi Fan: Patient Xia Jin suffered a head impact, resulting in a benign hematoma. Rest is recommended.]

[Chi Fan: Date of visit: March 7, 20xx.]

[Chi Fan: Apologies, President Qin. The surveillance footage from the accident site was damaged. The hit-and-run vehicle still hasn’t been located.]

[Chi Fan: However, as you instructed, I found a 200,000 transaction record in Ji Zhenli’s overseas account. Still tracing the recipient.]

Qin Yu lazily propped his arm on the windowsill, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile.

[Qin Yu: If you can’t trace it, go straight to Ji Zhenli. She’s definitely involved. The truck driver’s hit-and-run was clearly orchestrated. Keep it discreet, don’t let Xia Jin find out.]

[Chi Fan: Understood.]

Meanwhile, Xia Jin fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. She dreamed of her childhood again.

After Ji Zhenli had taken Xia Ziling to the Xia family to make a scene, only to leave empty-handed, she had given Xia Jin a small sum of money and left her and her brother the house their father, Xia Hongchang, had bought.

Then, without a word, she abandoned them and disappeared without a trace.

It wasn’t until Xia Hongchang’s legal wife came knocking that Xia Jin learned Ji Zhenli had married a younger man and even had a son with him.

Just starting high school, Xia Jin had struggled to raise twelve-year-old Xia Ziling on her own. Though young, Xia Ziling was obedient and sensible.

One day, Xia Jin sat on the living room couch and asked him, “Your birthday is tomorrow, Ziling. What do you want as a gift?”

Xia Ziling leaned against her and thought for a moment before saying, “I just want my sister by my side.”

Xia Jin patted his head and smiled, “Of course, your sister will always be with you. Xiao Ling, would you like to try the osmanthus cakes from Yunman? I’ve heard a lot of people say they’re delicious.”

At the mention of osmanthus cakes, Xia Ziling swallowed hard, but he shook his head firmly. “Xiao Ling doesn’t want them. Sister, can you buy some apples instead? Xiao Ling wants to eat apples.”

Seeing how sensible Xia Ziling was, Xia Jin’s eyes grew slightly moist. “It’s okay. Your sister can still afford osmanthus cakes.”

During the last class in the afternoon, Xia Jin left early after asking for leave. She went to Yunman and bought a box of osmanthus cakes.

The portion wasn’t large, but it was enough to satisfy Xia Ziling’s craving.

Humming a tune, Xia Jin headed home, only to find the door lock broken.

The door was ajar, and inside stood two men dressed in black. Sitting on the living room sofa was an elegant woman.

Xia Jin knew exactly who she was.

Xi Liu, the lawful wife of Xia Hongchang.

Xia Jin wasn’t surprised by Xi Liu’s sudden intrusion. After all, Ji Zhenli had stirred up such a scandal, and Xi Liu had no reason to tolerate the existence of this illegitimate child.

Xia Jin sent a message to Xia Ziling: “Xiao Ling, wait for me at school after class. We’ll go home together.”

Only then did Xia Jin step inside. Without looking around, she first placed the box of osmanthus cakes on the dining table in the living room.

Leaning against the table, she faced Xi Liu from a distance. “Madam Xia, isn’t it inappropriate to barge into someone else’s home like this?”

Xi Liu sneered mockingly, “Is this your home? That vixen didn’t even transfer the property to you, did she?”

Xia Jin remained unfazed. “So? What brings Madam Xia here today?”

Xi Liu’s expression turned sinister. “I don’t care how Xia Hongchang behaves outside, but that vixen crossed the line by bringing that bastard into the Xia family.”

Xia Hongchang had no sons, Xi Liu had only given birth to a daughter.

Ever since the Xia family met Xia Ziling, they had intended to acknowledge him as part of the family lineage.

But Xi Liu was no pushover. She threatened Xia Hongchang that if he recognized Xia Ziling’s status, her Xi family would sever all ties with the Xia family. That forced Xia Hongchang to back down.

Xi Liu raised her hand and gestured around the room. “Go on, smash everything here.”

The two men immediately sprang into action, swinging chair legs and destroying everything in sight, the TV, the dining table, the potted plants, nothing was spared.

Xi Liu covered her mouth and laughed. “Why did that vixen outside have to give birth to a boy?”

The two men deliberately smashed things near Xia Jin, trying to intimidate her.

But Xia Jin stood motionless, her face devoid of fear, simply watching quietly as the osmanthus cakes were crushed to pieces.

What a pity. That box of osmanthus cakes cost over a hundred yuan. I’ll have to buy another one for Xiao Ling later, Xia Jin thought to herself.

Thankfully, she had messaged Xiao Ling not to come home yet. Otherwise, seeing this scene would surely make him cry again.

The more she thought about it, the more Xia Jin smiled.

Seeing that Xia Jin wasn’t kneeling and begging for mercy as she had imagined but was instead smiling, Xi Liu flew into a rage.

She stood up and walked over to Xia Jin, glancing disdainfully at the trampled osmanthus cake box.

Xi Liu mocked, “Oh, osmanthus cakes from Yunman! What, did you sleep with men to buy them, just like your mother?”

Xi Liu stomped hard with her high heels, her words growing increasingly venomous: “Look at yourself, what kind of lowly trash are you? Trash like you deserves to eat osmanthus cake?”

“Trash should kneel on the ground and lick up the scraps properly.”

With that, Xi Liu ordered the two men to force Xia Jin to her knees: “This piece of trash is yours now. Do whatever you want with her, just make sure you clean up afterward.”

“How disgusting.”

Xi Liu couldn’t be bothered to watch what came next. She was certain Xia Jin wouldn’t escape today.

Once Xi Liu left, the two men grinned lewdly. After all, a beautiful schoolgirl like Xia Jin was someone they could never dream of having their way with.

One of them rubbed his hands together and said, “Little girl, why don’t you kneel down and lick the floor clean yourself? Make it easier for us, and we’ll go easy on you.”

Xia Jin’s expression was icy, her dark eyes swirling with emotions no one could decipher. “Oh? Then come and try.”

Like an enraged trapped beast, Xia Jin lashed out with her fists, beating the two men until they were utterly defenseless, their courage shattered in an instant.

These men had only dared to act tough under Xi Liu’s influence, they were powerless on their own.

In the end, they fled with their tails between their legs, scrambling away in panic.

Xia Jin kicked aside the shards of glass on the floor and sat down, surveying the wreckage of her home.

She glanced at the box of dirtied osmanthus cake but didn’t cry or rage.

Calmly, she stood up, picked up the osmanthus cake, and tossed it into the shattered remains of the trash bin.

Xia Jin sent the surveillance footage from the hidden cameras in her home to Xia Hongchang, demanding two million in exchange for the recording.

That afternoon, Xia Jin returned to Yunman’s shop. She stood in front of the osmanthus cake display for a long time.

Xi Liu’s words suddenly echoed in her mind, one after another.

“What, did you sleep with men like your mother to afford this?”

“Trash like you deserves to eat osmanthus cake?”

“Trash should kneel on the ground and lick up the scraps properly.”

“How disgusting.”

Xi Liu’s voice became unbearably shrill, piercing through the shield in Xia Jin’s heart and stabbing straight into her most vulnerable place.

“Miss, may I help you? Our osmanthus cake is our specialty.”

“Miss? Miss, are you alright…?”

Dazed, Xia Jin heard the shop assistant’s voice. She looked up with difficulty and said, “Sorry, I won’t be buying anything today.”

This time, in her dream, things didn’t play out as they had in reality.

She wasn’t left wandering alone in a hidden alley, retching uncontrollably, forcing herself to act normal before picking up Xia Ziling.

Instead, the moment she stepped out of Yunman’s shop, she saw Qin Yu waiting for her at the door.

In the dream, Qin Yu opened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding a box of osmanthus cake identical to the one from that night.

Qin Yu said, “Our Xia Jin is loved too, you know. Look, I bought you osmanthus cake. If you don’t like it, I’ll take you to buy something else tomorrow…”

He also said, “Go ahead and cry. I know you’ve been wronged.”

Xia Jin finally broke down into loud, unrestrained sobs. There had been a time when she, too, believed she wasn’t even worthy of a box of osmanthus cake that cost a little over a hundred yuan.

But now, after more than a decade of pent-up bitterness, someone had finally rewritten her story with a beautiful ending.

Xia Jin would always remember that there was someone named Qin Yu, who was willing to love her unconditionally.

Sending herself a box of osmanthus cakes she had never owned before, just to coax herself out of being upset.

The things one couldn’t obtain in youth will haunt them for a lifetime.

…

The next morning, Xia Jin’s biological clock, for once, failed her. She was woken up by Xia Ziling’s knocking.

Xia Jin felt feverish all over, her head pounding painfully. Her voice was hoarse as she called out, “Xiao Ling, come in.”

Xia Ziling entered and gasped at the sight of her. “Sis, why is your face so red?”

As she spoke, she stepped forward and touched Xia Jin’s forehead, frowning. “You’re a bit warm. How did you suddenly get a fever?”

Xia Jin stayed silent. There was no need to guess, it was definitely because she had been sitting out on the balcony in the cold wind last night.

“Xiao Ling, I won’t be able to drive you today. Take my other car to work, okay?”

There was nothing urgent at Stellar Cube today, and Xia Jin truly felt unwell. All she wanted was to stay in bed all day and give herself a day off.

Xia Ziling nodded and reminded her carefully, “There’s medicine at home. Remember to eat breakfast before taking it, and drink plenty of hot water.”

Xia Jin burrowed deeper under the covers, her voice muffled. “Got it. Hurry up and go to work.”

Xia Ziling had no choice but to relent. She filled a thermos with hot water and placed it on the bedside table before finally leaving.

After Xia Jin fell asleep again, she faintly heard her phone ringing.

Buried entirely under the blankets, she blindly groped for her phone with one outstretched arm.

She finally grabbed it just as the caller was about to hang up.

“Who is it?”

On the other end of the line, Qin Yu chuckled at the muffled sound of her voice. “Don’t tell me you’re still in bed?”

The moment Xia Jin recognized his voice, she fell silent. After a long pause, she finally snapped back, “None of your business. If you’ve got nothing important, I’m hanging up.”

Only then did Qin Yu notice the hoarseness in her voice. “What’s wrong with your throat? Are you sick?”

Xia Jin gave a faint hum in response. She was so drowsy she could fall back asleep any second.

“Have you taken any medicine? Do you have a fever?”

“#%￥$&…”

Qin Yu couldn’t make out a single coherent word from her incoherent mumbling.

He sighed and simply asked, “What’s your door code? I’ll come check on you.”

Xia Jin jolted slightly, her mind clearing a little.

After a moment’s thought, she decided there was no point in being coy. If Qin Yu came over, he’d inevitably end up playing nursemaid to her sick self anyway. “1228.”

“Hmm?” Qin Yu was puzzled. That wasn’t Xia Jin’s birthday. “What’s the significance? Xia Ziling’s birthday?”

“No, Fanbao’s birthday.”

Qin Yu: “…”

Alright then. Clearly, the dog ranked higher than her own brother.

Qin Yu hung up and headed straight over. His hand was already on the doorknob when he suddenly froze.

He glanced down at his pajamas, debating whether he should go back and change. Would showing up in sleepwear seem too casual?

But if he went in formal attire, wouldn’t that make it look like a boss paying a visit to an ailing employee?

While Qin Yu was still agonizing over this, a text from Xia Jin arrived, concise and to the point: I want water. Hurry up.

That tone, was she really treating him like her personal manservant now?

Rubbing his temples, Qin Yu replied, Wait there. I’m coming.

He gave himself a quick once-over in the full-length mirror, making sure he hadn’t committed any of those cliché blunders often seen in soap operas, like unzipped pants or misbuttoned shirts.

Only then did he rush out the door, ready to serve Master Xia Jin hand and foot.

When Qin Yu opened the door, Fanbao was already eagerly pawing at the entrance: “Good boy, let me see how your owner is doing.”

Hearing the door open, Xia Jin sat up in bed and looked curiously at Qin Yu as he approached. “Don’t you have to go to the company in the morning?” she asked.

Instead of answering, Qin Yu pointed at the glass of water Xia Ziling had poured for her on the nightstand. “You already have water here. Why were you in such a hurry to call me over?”

“Oh, I forgot.” Xia Jin glanced at the cup and retorted defiantly, “So what if I called you? I’m a patient now, what’s wrong with asking for help? It’s not like I-”

Qin Yu didn’t respond. He simply stepped forward, unscrewed the cap, and pressed the glass to her lips. “Patients should talk less and drink more water.”