Chapter 41

The moment Zheng Jinchan's words landed, a chill crept over Xu Chun. She turned around and froze on the spot when she met Qin Yao's probing, suspicious gaze.

Oh no, no, no! Sister, don't misunderstand!

That was all nonsense she'd made up!

Xu Chun wanted to explain to Qin Yao that it wasn't how Zheng Jinchan made it sound, but when she turned and caught Zheng Jinchan's meaningful look, she wished she could tape shut the mouth that had started all this.

It was all her fault for running her mouth and spouting nonsense. Now Zheng Jinchan had misunderstood.

In her daze, Xu Chun began to suspect Zheng Jinchan had done it on purpose. She obviously wanted to watch Qin Yao punish Xu Chun! How could anyone have such twisted taste? Taking pleasure in someone else's pain.

Zheng Jinchan, however, hadn't meant any harm toward Xu Chun. What bad intentions could she possibly have? She merely wanted to see what was so special about Jiang Banxia's sweetheart, the one her daughter had loved for years without ever obtaining. Her daughter was stubborn. She wouldn't turn back until she hit a wall—and if there truly was no hope between her and Jiang Banxia, Zheng Jinchan wouldn't mind helping her daughter face reality.

Now it seemed Xu Chun did have some likable qualities.

At the very least... at their first meeting, the girl had been a little sly, but Zheng Jinchan hadn't found her off-putting. If anything, she felt a faint, vague interest. No wonder Jiang Banxia had been so devoted, secretly liking her for over a decade, just as her daughter did.

Having taken her measure, Zheng Jinchan didn't press further on the subject of Xu Chun. She leaned half her body against the leather sofa, posture languid. “I had a rather pleasant chat with the person in charge from the Lin family just now.” Her dark, imposing eyes fixed on Qin Yao with a smile. “What they offered was quite tempting.”

She tilted her head. “I hope tomorrow's discussion will be just as pleasant and satisfying.”

Qin Yao was unmoved, her expression unreadable, her voice just as calm. “Qin Group's collaborations never disappoint.” There seemed to be a veiled hint in her words. “In every respect.”

Zheng Jinchan studied Qin Yao deeply, her sharp-featured face breaking into a broader smile. “Then I'll look forward to it.”

With that, she turned her gaze to Xu Chun and let it rest there a moment. “When we're back, let's have afternoon tea sometime. My daughter should be very happy to meet you.”

Xu Chun: “?” Zheng Yanran? She'd be happy to meet her?

Xu Chun looked skeptical, and Zheng Jinchan couldn't help laughing. “Don't worry. My daughter is about your age, well-behaved and obedient. She won't cause trouble.” Xu Chun felt there was some inexplicable meaning behind her smile. “If she dares to mess with you... just tell me. I'll set her straight.”

Xu Chun accepted the goodwill, but silently resolved that unless absolutely necessary, she had no intention of meeting this Zheng Yanran.

Anyone who could love Jiang Banxia for so many years, chase after her so recklessly, and even go abroad to study for her sake had to be stubborn and proud, the type who wouldn't let things go easily.

Very much like Zheng Jinchan, in that same way... Just as Xu Chun was summing things up, she noticed Zheng Jinchan's deep eyes fixed on her without blinking. A shiver ran through her, and she hastily suppressed her jumbled thoughts.

Zheng Jinchan's eyes seemed capable of seeing right through a person; Xu Chun felt she had no privacy at all in front of her. Being completely seen through like that was like standing naked before the other woman, deeply uncomfortable. She inched closer to Qin Yao without drawing attention, until the faint warmth of Qin Yao's body seeped through the fabric to her skin. Only then did Xu Chun find a bit of security.

Qin Yao was still the best. She silently reaffirmed it once more.

The older generation's judgment was indeed sharp.

Zheng Jinchan came and went quickly. After she left, Qin Yao unhurriedly dealt with the people who came up to chat, while Xu Chun and Jiang Zhaolie stared at each other. With Qin Yao handling things, the rest of them might as well have been decorations. They didn't even need to open their mouths. All they had to do was cling tightly to Qin Yao's golden thigh and ride to victory.

By the end of the night, Xu Chun had a deeper understanding of Qin Yao's abilities and status.

Xu Chun sat pressed tightly against Qin Yao. Jiang Zhaolie found the sight grating and wanted to pull her away from Qin Yao's side, but Yu Sui'an's messages and calls bombarded her relentlessly. Annoyed beyond endurance, Jiang Zhaolie finally rose from the table and went to an empty corner. “What do you actually want?” she asked, her patience frayed.

Lately, Yu Sui'an couldn't even be bothered to put on an act in front of her. At first, she'd played the aggrieved, fragile victim to win Jiang Zhaolie's sympathy and compliance, but at some point she had completely bared her true nature, like a pig that no longer feared boiling water, utterly unconcerned with Jiang Zhaolie's opinion or preferences, just relentlessly exposing her own goals and intentions without reservation.

Yu Sui'an's undisguised true nature was something Jiang Zhaolie couldn't avoid fast enough.

“How did you take care of Sister?” The moment Jiang Zhaolie answered, Yu Sui'an unleashed a torrent of abuse. Her attitude was nasty, her tone hostile. “You're a grown adult standing right there—how could you let someone like Sheng Yigui get near Sister?”

Yu Sui'an's voice was low, fury suppressed in her throat. “Did you do it on purpose?”

“You can't have Sister yourself, so you don't want me to have her either.”

Jiang Zhaolie had just been cursed at, then wrongly accused, and her mind instantly fell into chaos. Flustered and furious, the calm, composed facade she usually maintained crumbled. “You have the nerve to say that about me? If you care about her so much, why don't you stay by her side and watch over her yourself?”

“Yu Sui'an, stop putting on your fake act here. I don't think you like her as much as you claim.” Jiang Zhaolie was so incensed that the words in her heart tumbled out unchecked. “If you really liked her that much, then go apologize publicly, in front of the media cameras, for all the things you did to her before.”

“Go on—admit the despicable things you did to her in secret, then quit the entertainment industry and never appear before her again. Then she won't have to see you and remember how you hurt her, or relive those shadows.”

Jiang Zhaolie finished in one breath, leaving Yu Sui'an no dignity at all. Her sharp words stabbed into Yu Sui'an's heart like a knife, and for a long while Yu Sui'an made no sound.

Yu Sui'an was stunned for a long time. When she finally came back to herself and digested Jiang Zhaolie's accusations, an unbearable, violent pain surged in her chest. The other woman's words completely shattered her self-deceiving psychological defenses; she collapsed utterly under the weight of those charges, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.

“What do you mean by that?” Yu Sui'an bit down hard on her trembling lip, her breathing labored. Her face was pale, her knuckles white from gripping the phone too tightly. “Are you trying to push all the blame onto me now?”

Jiang Zhaolie kept silent, unwilling to engage. But Yu Sui'an seemed to snap, screaming into the phone like a madwoman: “If you hadn't seduced me back then, how could I have been so blinded, so eager to abandon Sister and throw myself into your arms? If you hadn't chased me so relentlessly, painted me such a beautiful future, how could I have set my heart on you?”

“If it weren't for you, I never would have done those things to Sister!”

Jiang Zhaolie was seething. “So it's all my fault, is it?”

“Of course it's your fault! If you hadn't appeared before me, I never would have separated from Sister.” Yu Sui'an was beyond reason. “You're the one who tore Sister and me apart!”

She was hopeless. Jiang Zhaolie dug her nails into her palm. “In that case, let's block each other now and never contact each other again. We'll write off the past. From now on, we owe each other nothing—”

“In your dreams!” Yu Sui'an let out a cold laugh, cutting her off. “Until I've won Sister back, Jiang Zhaolie, don't even think about shaking me off.”

She laughed softly. “You won't shake me off in this lifetime.”

“Unbelievable!” Jiang Zhaolie jabbed the phone dead. Ignoring Yu Sui'an's frantic redialing, her face ashen, she blocked every one of Yu Sui'an's contacts.

Yu Sui'an soon realized she'd been blocked, and with tireless persistence she switched to several new numbers and kept calling. She didn't mind that the other woman wouldn't pick up; she carried on as before, stubbornly harassing Jiang Zhaolie. As long as she hadn't won Sister back, Jiang Zhaolie would have no peace.

Jiang Zhaolie could forget about cutting ties with her. It wasn't going to be that easy.

Jiang Zhaolie slumped, phone in hand, somewhat regretting that she'd ever provoked Yu Sui'an. She was no gentle, considerate, simple, kind girl. She was a hysterical, personality-disordered lunatic!

She couldn't help but rake a hand through her hair, eyes closed, heart in turmoil. Only after a long while did her mood recover a measure of calm. But the calm didn't last long. Qiao Wan sent her a link. Jiang Zhaolie thought for a moment, then clicked in. It was a Weibo post Yu Sui'an had just published: 【Sister is a good person. It's all my fault for failing to judge people clearly, for letting someone else bewitch me and losing Sister so regrettably because of it.】

【If time could turn back, I would never let such a tragedy happen again.】

It was Yu Sui'an's usual tactic. Though she named no names, anyone with any understanding of the whole affair could guess that the “someone else” who had bewitched her was none other than Jiang Zhaolie, who had shown off their ambiguous relationship with her on the dating show.

What made it interesting was that Jiang Zhaolie was currently filming a variety show with Xu Chun. The moment Yu Sui'an's words came out, they thrust Jiang Zhaolie into the line of fire.

【Why is this drama like an old lady's foot-binding cloth, long, stinky, and tedious? I'm sick of eating this melon.】

【I'm confused. Jiang Zhaolie's looks, figure, and money aren't bad, so why has Yu Sui'an suddenly tossed Jiang Zhaolie aside and gone all devoted to my Sister Xu?】

【Obviously. The one you can't have is always stirring up trouble. I suggest the entertainment industry blacklist Yu Sui'an before she corrupts the atmosphere.】

【Yu Sui'an has crashed and burned so many times and she still gets roles, still hops around Weibo openly. I strongly suspect she has some incredible backer behind her.】

【Is that even a question? Which star in the entertainment circle doesn't have a backer?】

【My Sister Xu doesn't—wait, no... judging by how Sister Xu and President Qin interact, my Sister Xu should have a backer soon too. President Qin, would you look at my Sister Xu? Beautiful, kind-hearted, and a huge sucker.】

Jiang Zhaolie's heart churned as she read. To make matters worse, Qiao Wan added fuel to the fire: 【Sister-in-law... no, Sister Xu is such a good person—you didn't cherish her, you had to treat Yu Sui'an like a treasure. Now look how Yu Sui'an turns around and slanders you in front of everyone.】

【If I were you, I'd go apologize properly to Sister Xu right now, then blacklist that menace Yu Sui'an.】

Jiang Zhaolie was already miserable; being scolded by Qiao Wan made it worse. She'd considered blacklisting Yu Sui'an before, but Yu Sui'an had somehow found a powerful backer. Even Jiang Zhaolie was helpless against her.

It suddenly occurred to her that perhaps Yu Sui'an dared to be so brazen and make waves precisely because she had backing.

Jiang Zhaolie returned indoors, frustrated and dejected, and Xu Chun immediately shot her a look of pity. She'd just learned about all of Yu Sui'an's maneuvers from the livestream comments, and she felt deep sympathy for everything Jiang Zhaolie had suffered today. “My condolences.”

Xu Chun patted Jiang Zhaolie's shoulder with a solemn expression. “The wheel of fortune turns; no one can escape the retribution they've earned.”

Having been comforted, Jiang Zhaolie somehow felt even worse. “...” Thank you, my little grim reaper. Knowing you is truly the greatest blessing of my life.

In no mood to talk, Jiang Zhaolie sat alone in a corner drinking in silence.

Qin Yao's gaze rested lightly on her without asking why. In her view, Jiang Zhaolie was already an adult; she should have been mentally prepared long ago for the choices she made and the consequences she reaped.

Throughout the whole affair, only Xu Chun was truly the victim.

Yet the victim's face now showed not a trace of sorrow or hurt. Qin Yao thought back carefully. From beginning to end, she had rarely seen any dejection or loss on Xu Chun's face.

The few times she had seen it, it had been deliberately put on.

Her deep eyes unblinking, she thought: Xu Jixian had repeatedly entrusted his granddaughter to her care, but Xu Chun seemed... not to need it. Even without her, Xu Chun could live well, live brilliantly.

The girl was like a vine, seemingly delicate and fragile on the surface, needing careful tending and protection, yet inwardly firm of mind, indestructible, unyielding to the bone.

Even in the harshest environment, she could still pull off a beautiful comeback.

Xu Chun seemed to sense something and looked up, meeting Qin Yao's gaze head-on by accident. She blinked a few times, then a revelation struck her. She hastily put on the same dazed, forlorn expression as Jiang Zhaolie and said softly to Qin Yao, “Sister, I don't understand why things ended up like this.”

She fluttered her lashes lightly, and her clear eyes instantly welled with a faint shimmer. “Seeing everyone so hurt, I'm truly so sad.”

Xu Chun could turn on the drama at the drop of a hat, and Qin Yao had adapted nicely. After thinking for a moment, she didn't ignore Xu Chun's words. “You're owed that much, after all you've been through.”

Xu Chun was stunned. A subtle electric current slowly spread through her limbs, leaving her whole body tingling and light-headed.

She had never imagined Qin Yao would put herself in Xu Chun's shoes and share her feelings. She'd assumed Qin Yao would at most make a gesture, tell Jiang Zhaolie not to go too far. Today's response caught Xu Chun entirely off guard.

Amid her gratitude, Xu Chun didn't forget to shamelessly throw herself at Qin Yao. Breathing in Qin Yao's faint, delicate fragrance, she said, “Sister, you're so good.” She clung to Qin Yao pitifully and wouldn't let go. “You treat me so well, I don't even know how to thank you.”

Qin Yao was somewhat helpless against Xu Chun's habit of flinging herself at her at every turn. “No need to thank me.” She said softly, “When we're back, just do a few livestream sales for me.”

Xu Chun couldn't help but: “?”

Was the love of a capitalist rich lady really this practical?

Since Qin Yao had actually made a request, Xu Chun straightened up at once and nodded earnestly. “Rest assured, Sister! Never mind a few livestreams—I'd stream for you every single day! What do you want to promote? The company's medicines, or yourself? I'll pat my chest and guarantee it'll be done on time and in full.”

“I will not let you down!”

Qin Yao automatically ignored the second half. “We'll discuss it when we're back.”

“Yes ma'am!” Xu Chun agreed happily.

Because Qin Yao hadn't brushed aside how she'd once felt, Xu Chun was elated the entire night, a stark contrast to Jiang Zhaolie. Watching Xu Chun chat and laugh so merrily with Qin Yao, Jiang Zhaolie felt an ever more bitter taste in her mouth. If she hadn't been blinded by Yu Sui'an's facade back then...

She and Xu Chun might not have been deeply in love, but at least they'd have been respectful and harmonious—how could things have turned out like this?

Her mind churned, and the glass in her hand rose again of its own accord, the liquor sliding down her throat. As if numb, she drank glass after glass, until her cheeks flushed faintly and her eyes, fixed straight on Xu Chun's figure, grew increasingly blurred.

She seemed drunk, yet perhaps not; her head throbbed and her body had no strength, but her consciousness was exceptionally clear.

So clear that all the things she'd once done to Xu Chun paraded before her like a lantern show, vivid as yesterday. She remembered Xu Chun's past resistance, her disgust, every subtle change of expression that showed how much she'd hated her.

Jiang Zhaolie was dead drunk. Qin Yao's brows knitted almost imperceptibly, and she called the bodyguards to escort Jiang Zhaolie back to her room.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Jiang Zhaolie struggled and refused to leave, her eyes fixed intently on Xu Chun as if she wanted to bore holes through her. The bodyguards looked to Qin Yao, who didn't even blink and waved a hand.

The bodyguards understood at once and forcibly restrained Jiang Zhaolie, carrying her away.

Xu Chun had no time to bother with Jiang Zhaolie's disgraceful behavior tonight. She greedily admired Qin Yao's beauty, breathed in her faint fragrance, and took the opportunity to say all sorts of cheeky things.

Perhaps influenced by Jiang Zhaolie, she too drank a couple extra glasses. Dizzy and muddled, she didn't notice the several times Qin Yao's deep, startling gaze fell upon her.

When Xu Chun woke the next morning, her eyes snapped open in alarm; she almost thought she'd gone and stolen someone last night. She raised her pale fingertips to rub her temples, lingering in bed unwilling to move, but then Secretary Zhao called to remind her, “Miss Xu, at nine o'clock this morning you're to accompany President Qin to meet with President Zhao.”

Xu Chun's hand paused mid-rub. So there was such a thing today.

She couldn't resist pulling the phone away to check the time. It was already a quarter past eight. Xu Chun's breath caught, and she scrambled out of bed. “I'll get ready right now.”

She brushed her teeth, washed up, and did a quick touch of makeup. By the time she was done, it was already eight fifty. Fortunately, the meeting room was right next door to the hotel, so Xu Chun could still arrive on time.

When she got there, neither Qin Yao nor Zheng Jinchan had arrived yet; only Jiang Zhaolie, Secretary Zhao, and two other hotel staff were present. Jiang Zhaolie's awful complexion mirrored Xu Chun's own. She'd clearly drunk heavily last night too.

Hearing Xu Chun's footsteps, Jiang Zhaolie lifted her eyes and glanced over, the hangover pounding harder in her skull.

“Morning.” Xu Chun flashed a bright smile. She stood by the window, golden sunlight spilling over the fine strands of her hair, wrapping her whole person in a soft, luminous glow. Her pupils looked very pale in the strong light, and her skin appeared even fairer, nearly transparent. Her beauty struck the soul, breathtaking and almost unreal.

Jiang Zhaolie remained dazed for a long time.

The thoughts that had lingered in her heart last night seemed to stir again, and regret and helplessness nearly drowned her.

Xu Chun set the meeting materials on a table. Jiang Zhaolie forced down all those stray thoughts and struck up a conversation. “Have you eaten breakfast?”

She already knew the answer. Xu Chun had hurried in, making it obvious she'd gotten up late and nearly been tardy.

Sure enough, Xu Chun shook her head. “Not yet.” She glanced at Jiang Zhaolie, and her tone betrayed a rare flicker of expectation. “You brought me breakfast?”

Jiang Zhaolie was silent. “...No.”

Then what the hell are you asking for?

Xu Chun hadn't felt hungry before, but Jiang Zhaolie's question set her empty stomach growling. Jiang Zhaolie's gaze turned toward her, and Xu Chun felt embarrassed. She shot Jiang Zhaolie a fierce glare. If this culprit hadn't brought it up, her stomach wouldn't have reacted at all.

As the meeting time drew near, footsteps sounded behind them again. Zheng Jinchan came in carrying a bag with bread and milk. After a glance at Xu Chun, she handed it to her. Xu Chun looked at Zheng Jinchan like a savior, her face full of gratitude. “President Zheng, how did you know I was still hungry?”

She took the things and let the flattery fly. “President Zheng, you're simply the best person in the world!”

Zheng Jinchan's interest was instantly piqued. “Oh? Then compared to Qin Yao?” she asked slowly. “Who's the best person in your heart?”

Xu Chun hesitated.

...Why did Zheng Jinchan have to compare herself to Qin Yao about everything?

As she thought, her mouth took the opportunity to run free, slipping past her usual restraint for a moment: “Of course it's you, President Zheng. You're naturally the most beautiful and kind-hearted person in the world.”

Zheng Jinchan was thoroughly satisfied. Beaming, she turned toward the doorway and said, “President Qin, good morning.”

Xu Chun's mouth twitched at the sound. She finally came back to her senses. “...No way. No way?!”

TL Note:

golden thigh (金大腿) = slang for a powerful person you rely on for protection or success.

like a pig that no longer fears boiling water (死猪不怕开水烫) = idiom for someone so shameless or hardened they no longer care what happens to them.

old lady's foot-binding cloth—long, stinky, and tedious (老太太的裹脚布又臭又长) = idiom for something long-winded and annoying.

eating melon (吃瓜) = internet slang for spectating drama or gossip.