Hearing this, fragments of past conversations suddenly clicked into place. Qin Ning still remembered asking Su Xiaoxi the next morning before leaving why her face had been so pale.

She’d only mentioned being hospitalized and losing her phone—never a word about her parents or family. Was it because she refused to use her pain to beg for sympathy?

And that morning’s text—saying she had no money for food and asking for help—had been true all along.

Noticing the silence thickening, the lanky officer added gently, “After questioning her, she said you were the only person who might help her.”

Qin Ning lowered her crossed legs, stood up. “Where is she now?”

Two dejected girls sat in the hall. Qin Ning glanced past them and followed the officer inside. In the corner chair, the girl sat with her head drooping, as if counting invisible grains on the floor.

“Su Xiaoxi,” she called softly.

The girl lifted her gaze. For a heartbeat, shock, surprise, and beneath them—a faint trace of relief and quiet joy—flickered in her eyes.

Qin Ning had prepared stern words. But meeting those deer-like, trembling eyes, every syllable died on her tongue.

“I-I’m sorry,” Su Xiaoxi whispered, remembering why Qin Ning was here. She ducked her head like a scolded child. “Could you… lend me a little? I’ll pay you back.”

Silence stretched. Su Xiaoxi didn’t dare look up. After a pause, she added faintly, “I can… work it off with my salary…”

“You can’t even afford a meal, and you’re talking about working off debt?” Qin Ning’s voice was sharp. “Trying to starve yourself?”

Su Xiaoxi buried her face lower. “Sorry…”

Qin Ning sat beside her. “What about relatives?”

“None,” Su Xiaoxi shook her head. “My family… we’re alone.”

“I heard you still owe the hospital a lot?” Qin Ning reached out, gently ruffling her hair. “You could’ve started a fundraiser—school, online… Why didn’t you?”

Struck by undeserved tragedy, the sole survivor, penniless, drowning in debt—her story alone would’ve moved crowds. Especially with Su Xiaoxi’s gentle charm; help would’ve poured in.

Su Xiaoxi offered a bitter smile, voice barely audible. “I have hands. I have feet… and I have dignity.”

*Living off others’ charity makes one a beggar.* The orphanage director’s words echoed in her mind.

“Then why not tell me back then?” Qin Ning’s gaze softened with complexity. “During the interview?”

“Um… it was just a job interview,” Su Xiaoxi murmured. “Playing the victim while job hunting… doesn’t feel right.”

Qin Ning let out a breathy, exasperated laugh. “So when *is* it appropriate? A blind date?”

She wasn’t sure why irritation prickled her chest. Maybe because this little one hid something so heavy. Logically, Qin Ning had no claim to know—but logic didn’t soothe the sting.

Su Xiaoxi shrank back. “Maybe?”

“*Maybe?!*”

“W-well… during a blind date, family background matters,” Su Xiaoxi stammered weakly. “It affects whether things work out…”

Qin Ning arched an eyebrow. “So you’re saying *we* don’t need to know each other’s backgrounds?”

Su Xiaoxi curled deeper into the corner, scratching her cheek innocently. “I… guess not…?”

“Hm?” Qin Ning hummed coldly.

“Need to! We absolutely need to!” Su Xiaoxi backtracked instantly. “I think we *should* know!”

*Why would I ever need to swap family histories with my boss?* Su Xiaoxi’s mind spun. Logically, no. But reason vanished under a superior’s gaze—especially when she was the one pleading.

Watching her timid, flustered expression, Qin Ning’s heart softened again.

“Fine. I’ll let it slide this time. But will you dare hide things again?”

“Never! I promise!”

Su Xiaoxi shook her head like a rattle—then froze. “Wait… you mean about the fight, or…”

“…about keeping things from me.”

“I won’t hide anything! I’ll tell you everything, swear it!”

A silent sigh of relief escaped her. *Good thing I asked.*

Qin Ning’s features warmed. A faint smile touched her lips. “The officers said you told them I was the only one who’d help you. Honestly… that made me happy.”

“Huh?” Su Xiaoxi stared, wide-eyed.

“Since you trust me,” Qin Ning said, waving to the officer outside the window, “I won’t let you take the loss. Let me make a call.”