Ji Fei was clearly restless, looking like she wanted to find an excuse to leave.

The Qin family, equally anxious, were also trying to think of a reason to accompany her.

Suddenly, Qin Dad had an idea. Taking out his phone, he pretended to exclaim, “Oh, Qin Xian mentioned that a friend’s hotel just received a shipment of high-quality ingredients. He’s suggesting we go out for dinner.”

Qin Mom, catching on quickly, asked, “Which hotel?”

“XX Hotel,” Qin Dad replied while discreetly messaging Qin Xian to coordinate their story.

Ji Fei’s ears perked up at the mention of the hotel’s name.

Qin Yan immediately added, “Perfect timing for dinner, then.”

Qin Rong nodded in agreement, while Qin Zhao pulled Qin Xi to his feet, saying, “I’ll get the driver to prepare the car.”

Only Qin Xi looked around, bewildered by everyone’s sudden actions.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Wow, what a coincidence?”]

The Qin family tensed up—was it too obvious?

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Looks like even fate wants us to go rescue Yu Rouyin!”]

The Qin family sighed in relief, quickly getting ready to leave.

Meanwhile, Qin Xian, busy with his work, paused at his phone’s notification, took a moment of silence, then swiftly wrapped up his tasks to join the “family activity.”

When they arrived at the hotel as a large group, it was fortunate it was a highly private venue; otherwise, with Qin Zhao and Ji Fei’s popularity, they could easily be recognized even in disguise.

The family lingered in the lobby, pretending to be on their phones, waiting for Qin Xian to arrive, listening for Ji Fei’s thoughts.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Perfect timing. They’re still talking in the restaurant. The drug’s in the coffee, but luckily, she hasn’t drunk it yet.”]

The Qin family tensed up—if the drug was already in the coffee, things were serious.

Following Ji Fei’s inner monologue, they located the closest booth. Since the restaurant’s booths were half-enclosed, it was difficult to see who was inside unless passing by.

They pretended to be busy on their phones and waited in silence, with Ji Fei concentrating so much on eavesdropping that she didn’t notice anything strange about the Qin family’s behavior.

All she could think about was intervening if Yu Rouyin looked like she might drink the coffee.

Nearby, Yu Rouyin’s calm, cool voice reached them.

“Mrs. Zong, you know the truth already. I have nothing with your husband, and everything that’s been analyzed online is true. I won’t come out publicly to criticize you; I hope this is the end of things between us. I’ve started a new chapter in my life and don’t want to be entangled with you any longer.”

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “How shameless! Mrs. Zong threatened to keep coming after her just to force this meeting. Yu Rouyin only came to avoid causing trouble for the studio, choosing to handle it alone.”]

The Qin family frowned, realizing that Yu Rouyin hadn’t yet fully adapted. She hadn’t understood that, as a signed artist of the studio, her management team and the studio could help her handle such issues.

Right now, Yu Rouyin was still instinctively fighting her battles solo.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “So naive, handling this alone—what if something goes wrong…”]

The Qin family exchanged disapproving glances, feeling that Yu Rouyin was being overly cautious.

“Hmph, a woman like you exists only to seduce. It’s your fault our marriage is strained, and now you act all innocent, making him fall for you—it’s all because of your fox-like charm!”

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Wow, she really knows how to hit someone’s sore spot!”]

Yu Rouyin calmly replied, “It’s not my fault. It’s his fault, it’s your fault, but it’s definitely not mine!”

Those eavesdropping let out a quiet sigh of relief—well said!

“You really don’t think you’re in the wrong at all?”

“Someone once told me that being beautiful is a blessing. The problem is with the world, not me. I don’t need to reflect on other people’s mistakes.”

“You… You have no idea how in love we were before you appeared!”

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “In love? Like when he used his acting career as an excuse to avoid your bed for half a year? Or when he sponged off you, all the while criticizing you and making you feel unworthy of his ‘talent’? Wake up, dear. He never loved you!”]

The Qin family was astonished to hear the details of this dysfunctional relationship—how could they live in such self-deception?

But Yu Rouyin couldn’t be bothered to listen any longer. “That has nothing to do with me; it’s between the two of you. All I want is for you to leave me alone.”

Mrs. Zong was about to retort, seemingly unable to stop venting her emotions.

By now, the Qin family had all ordered drinks, exchanging looks and speaking in low tones. They’d figured out who was behind the nearby conversation, so there was no need to hide their presence.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “She’s just dragging things out. I wonder what Zong Chun is up to?”]

The Qin family’s curiosity was piqued.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Ugh! Mrs. Zong prepared tea in the hotel room earlier, and Zong Chun, nervous as he is, has already drunk several cups and is now half-asleep from the effects.”]

The Qin family was left speechless.

On the other side, Mrs. Zong, seeing that Zong Chun hadn’t replied to her messages, smirked, pausing the conversation and taking a sip of her coffee.

Usually, a break in conversation would prompt both people to drink, but Yu Rouyin didn’t touch her coffee.

Mrs. Zong’s brow furrowed slightly, then shifted to an aggrieved expression. “Maybe you’re right—it’s all our fault… but I truly…”

“It’s good if you can understand that. I’m not blaming you,” Yu Rouyin replied, her voice softening as well.

“Haha… After all this talk, aren’t you thirsty, Teacher Yu? Go ahead, drink. I ordered it just for you—it’s my favorite flavor, and this hotel’s exclusive coffee.”

The Qin family immediately grew tense in the next booth.

Ji Fei was halfway up, ready to intervene, but froze when she heard Yu Rouyin respond, “I’m sorry, but I can’t drink it.”

Ji Fei awkwardly sat back down, joining the Qin family in confused silence as they listened.

“What?” Mrs. Zong was clearly caught off guard by this response.

Yu Rouyin’s smile turned distant. “Since entering society, I’ve learned many things, one of which is to never drink from an open container that hasn’t been in my sight the entire time.”

Her words were like a splash of cold water.

The Qin family exchanged looks of admiration. What a wise rule, especially for women. When out and about, anything that left their view—whether food or drink—had to be treated cautiously.

For Yu Rouyin, this coffee wasn’t something she’d ordered. It had been placed on the table when she arrived; there was no way she would drink it.

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Haha, I was beginning to think she wasn’t cautious enough. But of course, after so many years in the entertainment industry, she’d have developed this level of vigilance. Guess I don’t need to step in after all.”]

Mrs. Zong’s face twisted in frustration. “Teacher Yu, I was trying to mend fences with you. Aren’t you being a bit disrespectful?”

> [Ji Fei’s Inner Monologue: “Oh, now she’s trying to pull rank? As if her ‘respect’ matters!”]

Ji Fei, worried that Yu Rouyin might feel pressured, considered stepping in again, but then she heard Yu Rouyin’s next words.

“Is there something in this coffee?”

Silence fell over the entire room.