1
Qi Min had actually grown deeply resentful of Qin Guan six months prior.
A law school graduate, she possessed intellect, capability, and beauty – her starting point surpassed most.
The sole regret: repeatedly failing the judicial examination.
This failure shackled her career. Without certification, she remained an assistant at the firm – glorified as a "senior assistant," but essentially an errand runner. She handled all trivial tasks, analyzed crime scene evidence, burned midnight oil reviewing thick case files while lawyers slept. Even critical case insights often originated from her.
Yet when cases won, clients thanked the lawyers. The lawyers reaped fat paychecks and reputations.
Who noticed her?
Not when she maintained flawless makeup daily. Not when she disciplined herself to keep an enviable figure. Not when she dressed in tasteful designer suits radiating confidence.
To all, she remained merely a glorified coffee maker shuffling between cubicles.
2
"Including you. You saw me that way too."
Qi Min removed her cap, glaring up at Qin Guan.
Her alluring eyes brimmed with long-suppressed bitterness – secrets never shared.
For the longest time, this tall, handsome, brilliant man had been her sole reason for staying at the firm.
She'd secretly fallen for him.
At work, she covertly aided him beyond her duties – assisting his meetings, drinking the strong liquor he pushed toward her during client dinners. When he told her to ignore groping hands under tables, she complied without protest.
3
Becoming his mistress was her willing choice.
She'd thrown herself into his arms with exhilaration – this man she idolized desired her!
In bed, she exhausted every trick to please him, keeping him addicted.
Outside the sheets, her loyalty knew no bounds.
She leaked her supervisor's case details to Qin Guan, diverted clients to him through her position. She ate from others' bowls but saved the choicest morsels for him. Firm secrets flowed freely to him.
Even personal errands fell to her – ordering his daughter's birthday cake, decorating steakhouse venues, buying freshly caught seafood for his wife after two-hour treks to fishing boats. When his father-in-law hospitalized, she "volunteered" night shifts so his wife could rest.
4
She gave everything yet had to maintain distance.
Every rendezvous required celebrity-level secrecy. She'd circle the block first, entering only after dark, never appearing together. She booked the rooms, paid the bills – except the first few times Qin Guan covered, it was always her.
Qin Guan insisted: no using his ID, no Alipay transactions, no credit cards. These could leave trails his wife might discover, tarnishing his "model husband" image.
Her reputation? Qin Guan never considered it.
A woman's heart cools when love goes unreciprocated. Qi Min had whispered this complaint to Qin Guan countless times during pillow talk. He never responded.
She considered leaving.
But every time passion flared – when Qin Guan kissed her, embraced her, vowed "You're my treasure. I'll divorce her. I'll marry you... cherish you forever..." – her resolve melted.
His so-called "cherishing" meant birthday gifts of thousand-yuan handbags, or passing her client-gifted travel vouchers and buffet coupons.
Was this love?
5
The final blow came when Qi Min tested Qin Guan by revealing Li Yang's pursuit.
When Li Yang first stormed into the firm declaring himself her boyfriend, Qin Guan didn't flinch. He patted Li Yang's shoulder cheerfully: "Congratulations! Let's treat you lovebirds to dinner sometime!"
His ease betrayed palpable relief – finally rid of her.
That moment killed Qi Min's last hope. She stopped believing his bedroom promises.
Before, his sweet nothings made her think she stood a chance – younger, prettier, smarter than his wife. They were meant to be.
But the post-coital Qin Guan proved utterly disappointing.
"Yet despite my disillusionment," Qi Min sighed coldly, "I never sought to harm you. Until..."
Until three months ago.