Twist of Fate - Chapter 35

Xie Jing stirred slightly but couldn’t get up—her sleeping position had been so awkward that half her body was numb and weak.

She slowly withdrew her hand and scooted back a little, carefully slipping out of Qin Ning’s embrace.

Qin Ning seemed to be fast asleep. Her face, turned away from the light, retained its usual cold beauty. Her features were delicate, her brows relaxed, lips gently pressed together—she looked more vivid than she had yesterday.

Xie Jing stared at her for a while, finally regaining a bit of strength.

She lifted the blanket and was about to get up when her wrist was suddenly grabbed, and she was pulled straight back into the warm bed.

A moment later, a warm body pressed against her back. Qin Ning’s arm wrapped tightly around her waist, and her breath fell hot against Xie Jing’s neck.

Xie Jing felt something soft and damp press against the nape of her neck.

Her mind went completely blank.

Was Qin Ning awake? Was she… kissing her?

The room was silent, save for the sound of their breathing.

Xie Jing slowly reached down to her waist, trying to pry Qin Ning’s arm off, but the grip was firm.

She tried to apply more force, but was caught off guard when Qin Ning suddenly grabbed her wrist, interlaced their fingers, and held her even tighter.

“Sleep a little longer,” Qin Ning whispered, her voice low and pleasant, her breath warm against Xie Jing’s ear.

Xie Jing shivered uncontrollably, half her body tensing up instantly.

“But I… I have a flight today…” she murmured.

“Don’t go,” Qin Ning said, her voice gentle and low, completely at odds with her usual persona.

Xie Jing began to wonder if she was still dreaming. Had Qin Ning really woken up?

Unable to move, Xie Jing stayed curled in that familiar embrace and, still drowsy, fell back asleep.

When she woke again, daylight had already filled the room.

Qin Ning was no longer behind her, and Xie Jing finally managed to get out of bed.

There were unopened toiletries laid out in the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she stepped back out and only then realized—she had slept in the master bedroom last night.

No one was in the living room. As she approached the kitchen, she spotted a familiar figure busy inside.

Qin Ning emerged carrying a bowl of porridge.

She placed it on the kitchen island and said to Xie Jing, “Come eat.”

Century egg and lean pork congee—thick, fragrant, and clearly delicious.

Xie Jing didn’t stand on ceremony and began eating slowly with a spoon.

Qin Ning brought out a plate of shrimp dumplings and a dish of custard buns, placing them in front of her.

“…I can’t eat this much,” Xie Jing said with a troubled expression.

“You’re too thin,” Qin Ning said. She wanted to ask if Xie Jing hadn’t been eating well these past two years—but in the end, she kept the question to herself.

“Yeah, I got sick a few times,” Xie Jing admitted. Hospital stays, IV drips, barely eating—no wonder she lost so much weight.

“Didn’t you go abroad with Shen Xinghe?” Qin Ning asked, the implication clear: Didn’t she take care of you?

Xie Jing caught the subtext but didn’t respond right away.

Before leaving the country with Shen Xinghe, she had deliberately posted her plane ticket on her social media—just so Qin Ning would see it.

From Qin Ning’s perspective, Xie Jing had ruthlessly betrayed her and run off to live a sweet life abroad with Shen Xinghe.

She had no idea that Xie Jing had flirted with death more than once during that time.

So, when she saw the worn-down version of Xie Jing two years later, it was only natural that she blamed Shen Xinghe for not taking care of her.

Feeling guilty, Xie Jing couldn’t help but defend her: “She really did her best. I’m grateful for everything she did for me these past two years.”

Qin Ning hadn’t expected Xie Jing to speak so openly, her intent to protect Shen Xinghe unmistakable.

A sudden, inexplicable fire rose in Qin Ning’s chest. “If she really loved you so much, then how could she let you suffer alone in Jinghai?”

Xie Jing blinked, stunned. “Huh?”

“Break up with her,” Qin Ning demanded.

“…”

Xie Jing fell silent.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She and Shen Xinghe had never even been together.

So what breakup?

But there was no way to explain that, so she simply said, “I’m single now.”

Qin Ning didn’t look the least bit surprised. “I know.”

“…Then why did you tell me to break up with her?!”

“Just needed confirmation.”

“Oh.” Xie Jing nodded, then asked, “So how did you know?”

Qin Ning replied, “The way you were yesterday—didn’t look like someone who has a partner.”

What way? Xie Jing thought back but couldn’t recall anything particularly telling.

Qin Ning, unfazed, placed a piece of corn on her plate. “Eat more.”

Xie Jing symbolically ate a single kernel, then pushed the rest into Qin Ning’s bowl. “I’m full.”

After breakfast, while Xie Jing was curled up on the sofa replying to Shen Xinghe’s messages, Qin Ning suddenly tossed a contract in front of her.

Xie Jing put her phone down and began reading.

The more she read, the more shocked she became.

Qin Ning was promising to inject capital into the Xie family business every year—and her condition was…

Marriage.

Xie Jing was baffled. “Is this… bride price?”

Qin Ning raised a brow. “You ever seen a dowry this size?”

“No, definitely not.”

A billion yuan a year—who would be that generous?

But still…

“I can’t sign this,” Xie Jing said.

Qin Ning’s expression turned cold. Her eyes filled with confusion. “Don’t you need money?”

“I do,” Xie Jing chuckled softly, “but I don’t really want to tie myself to you through a transaction.”

Qin Ning cut straight to the chase. “Two billion.”

“…I gave it serious thought. A deal might not be such a bad thing after all. You’re so gorgeous—I’d definitely be getting the better end.”

With that, Xie Jing swiftly signed her name with a flourish, as if afraid Qin Ning might change her mind.

She immediately pulled out her phone. Qin Ning glanced at her warily. “What are you doing?”

“Canceling my flight.”

“…”

Qin Ning flipped to the obligations page in the marriage contract and pointed to it.

Clause 3, Section 4: Party B must fulfill wife duties at least three times a week.

Clause 5, Section 2: Party B must satisfy all of Party A’s physical needs.

Clause 10, Section 1: Party B must refer to Party A as wife, darling, honey, or other affectionate terms.

Clause 11, Section 1: Final interpretation rights belong solely to Party A.

Xie Jing stared at her in disbelief. “What are those censored words? Don’t tell me you want me to call you ‘Mommy’ or something.”

Just the thought made her scalp tingle with embarrassment.

Qin Ning gave her a look full of meaning. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“???”

Was Qin Ning driven mad by two years of abstinence?

She hadn’t been like this back in school!

Xie Jing suddenly regretted agreeing.

Sensing her hesitation, Qin Ning didn’t give her time to react. She scrawled her own signature at lightning speed.

The contract was official.

“Go change,” Qin Ning said.

“We going somewhere?”

“To register the marriage.”

“Already?!” Xie Jing was shocked by her efficiency.

“Mm.” Qin Ning checked her watch, a barely noticeable smile curling her lips.

The outfit Xie Jing had worn yesterday had already been washed and dried. She quickly changed and stepped out.

Qin Ning waited in the living room, ID in one hand, a diamond ring in the other.

Xie Jing recognized it instantly—it was the ring Qin Ning had once given her.

She had returned it after they broke up.

Now, two years later, it was back on her finger.

Since it wasn’t a holiday, there were no lines at the registry office.

They leaned close for the marriage photo, both smiling naturally—like there had never been two years of separation, misunderstanding, or fights.

After registering, Qin Ning treated her to a lavish meal. Even on the way home, Xie Jing felt like she was in a dream.

How had she ended up married to Qin Ning just like that?

It was all too surreal.

As she zoned out, she suddenly felt something cold against her cheek.

Qin Ning pressed the back of her finger to Xie Jing’s face. “Why are you spacing out? We’re home.”

“Oh…” Xie Jing flinched a little and reached for her seatbelt—only for Qin Ning to pin her down in the seat before she could move.

Qin Ning leaned in from the driver’s side and pulled her into a tight hug, burying her face in Xie Jing’s shoulder, inhaling deeply.

The lemon scent that now clung to Xie Jing filled her nose, making her eyes flutter with satisfaction.

Realizing Xie Jing now smelled just like her, Qin Ning couldn’t hold back her excitement. Her heart trembled with joy.

“Qin—mmph!” Xie Jing couldn’t finish before her lips were sealed.

Qin Ning tilted her chin and kissed her.

Xie Jing wore a crisp white shirt that day. Qin Ning undid two buttons with one hand, slipping her fingers inside to trace her collarbone. “What should you call me now that we’re married, hmm?”

“…”

Xie Jing clamped her eyes shut and played dead.

Qin Ning noticed her lashes trembling and chuckled. Then she gently pried her lips open, her tongue slipping inside to tease her obedient little one.

As if determined to hear those words, she didn’t let Xie Jing escape.

“I’m what to you?”

“W-Wife?” Xie Jing offered hesitantly.

“And you should call me?”

“L-Lao…po…”

“And?”

Xie Jing, dizzy from the kisses, couldn’t think straight. “I… I don’t know…”

Qin Ning nibbled her earlobe. “Really don’t know?”

Xie Jing went limp on one side but still stubbornly kept her mouth shut.

“Naughty,” Qin Ning muttered, clicking open the seatbelt.

She scooped Xie Jing into her arms, light as a feather, and carried her upstairs, kicking open the door and tossing her onto the bed.

Propping herself up beside Xie Jing’s head, she looked down solemnly. “We’ve signed the agreement.”

Xie Jing raised her chin defiantly. “So what?”

Qin Ning said, “You have to strictly fulfill—”