Sixteenth Blood Orange

The hospital had been quiet, and now home was quiet too. Shen Qiancheng went to work and came back at the same time every day, like clockwork.

Shi Jianren, still clinging to his little fiefdom, watched her like a hawk, terrified she'd touch the company's core business.

At the office, Shen Qiancheng spent most of her time on the company computer, checking her stock portfolio—a sea of red and green. She was so bored she could scream.

She'd only been back for four days when she got summoned to the Su family for dinner.

As if a Su family dinner were some great honor. Still, she had no choice but to show up obediently.

She wore a dark green blazer over wide-leg trousers, soaking in the spring sunshine, her whole body relaxed.

The willows along the road swayed their delicate fronds in the breeze, and the scents of earth and fresh leaves filled her nose.

It wasn't until she was settled in the passenger seat of Su Tongqin's car that she came to her senses and said, "You came to pick me up?"

The car took a graceful turn. Su Tongqin didn't look at her. "Did you think I'd be your chauffeur? If you're going to the Su residence, it's only fitting that I fetch you."

Shen Qiancheng shrugged. "You? My chauffeur? The last time I got a ride from someone, I ended up in a car accident."

Su Tongqin rolled her eyes. "Hey, was that my fault? I could just shoot you."

Shen Qiancheng: "Can you tone it down? Isn't the higher-ups watching us closely enough?"

"Even if I go to jail for killing you, it'd be worth it."

They bickered like that until they reached the Su residence.

The Su family's background was too tangled. Their century-old mansion was tucked halfway up a small hill, hidden by clusters of birch trees, like an ancient castle.

Three years ago, the government had its eye on the land, but the Su family had spent a fortune to keep it.

The car glided to a stop before the castle gates, and Su Tongqin got out.

A woman approached—white shirt, dress pants, leather gloves, and a communication device at her ear. Her long face bore a cold, ruthless expression, like a zombie.

"Miss, who's this?"

Su Tongqin tossed her the car keys. "Fu Rong, this is Shen Qiancheng."

Fu Rong showed no reaction. She caught the keys, nodded, and said, "Miss Shen."

Then she walked off. Shen Qiancheng felt utterly disregarded. Not one to take such treatment lying down, she shot back at Su Tongqin, "Where did you dig up that ice block? Hasn't she frozen you to death yet?"

Su Tongqin headed inside, too lazy to bicker. "A subordinate the Su family assigned me. She's useful."

The courtyard flowers were blooming brilliantly, even in early spring. Shen Qiancheng followed Su Tongqin through the entrance.

The first floor opened into a grand reception hall, with twin staircases spiraling up to the second floor.

Laughter and chatter drifted from a room on the first floor. Before Su Tongqin could move, Shen Qiancheng made a beeline for the noise.

The room was done in Western style, with abstract paintings on the walls and equally abstract figures seated in the chairs.

As soon as she walked in, the heavy stench of tobacco hit her. Shen Qiancheng frowned at the woman in the seat of honor.

The woman was dressed entirely in black, hair coiled high with a red bean hairpin, revealing a long, smooth neck.

Pearl necklace, pearl earrings, pearl bracelet. Su Yuling truly did adore pearls, just as the rumors said.

Su Yuling had noticed Shen Qiancheng the moment she entered. Those in power never rose for newcomers; she waited for Shen Qiancheng to speak.

Shen Qiancheng had no intention of marrying into the Su family, but Su Yuling held plenty of cards to force her hand.

"Auntie Su, smoking is bad for your health."

Su Yuling glanced at the thin cigarette in her hand, ember flickering in her eyes, and couldn't help but smile.

Shi Jianren snapped, "Shen Qiancheng, how dare you speak to an elder like that!"

Only then did Shen Qiancheng bother to look at him on the sofa. Her eyes were naturally contemptuous. She gave a cold snort. "I was just concerned about Auntie Su's health. Did I say something wrong?"

Shi Jianren was speechless with rage, glowering at her.

His discomfort was pure delight for Shen Qiancheng, and in Su Yuling's eyes, it only proved she'd chosen the right person.

"Enough," Su Yuling said, her voice a little hoarse. "Chengcheng means well, doesn't she? Standing's tiring; sit down."

What a pity Shen Qiancheng wasn't born into the Shen family... if she'd been Su Yuling's own daughter, with such a temperament, she wouldn't have had to tolerate Su Tongqin, who shared no blood with her.

Shi Jianren quickly forced a smile. "Yes, yes, Madam Su is right."

At its peak, the Shen family might have been able to fight the Su family to a standstill. But since Shen Ya's death, Shen Corporation had been in decline. Forget contending with the Su family—with a flick of its finger, the Su family could drive them out of Tang City's elite circles entirely.

Shen Qiancheng couldn't stand Shi Jianren's groveling, fawning manner. She rolled her eyes and sat as far from him as she could.

"Madam," Su Tongqin said, having changed into a different outfit and entered quietly, "Young Master Ye couldn't be persuaded to come."

Shen Qiancheng raised an eyebrow. This was good news.

Su Yuling's gentle, mask-like smile never wavered. She raised her hand and took a sip of coffee. The white ceramic cup bore antique floral patterns that matched the red gemstone on her finger.

Su Tongqin still awaited Su Yuling's instructions. Everyone present hardly dared breathe.

Shen Qiancheng openly studied Su Yuling. "Auntie Su, does Su Zeye not want to marry me?"

"Shen Qiancheng!!!" Shi Jianren hissed.

Shen Qiancheng rolled her eyes. There was an annoying old man around!

Su Yuling said, "Whether he wants to or not, it will happen. Chengcheng, next Saturday is auspicious."

At the evening banquet, the chef's cooking was good, but it fell short of Liao Xue's.

Shen Qiancheng froze. Why am I thinking of her again?

She eyed the boring dishes and Shi Jianren's sycophantic smile. It was all too dull.

Just then, Xiao Sui called, inviting her to the club.

"Auntie Su," Shen Qiancheng stood, uttering the words of apology while showing not a trace of regret on her face. "I'm sorry, I have work matters to attend to."

No one told their parents they were going to a club to party.

Shi Jianren slammed his wine glass on the table, frowning. "What work could you possibly have right now?!"

Annoying old man! Shen Qiancheng rolled her eyes. Su Yuling was right there—how dare he speak?

Su Yuling remained elegantly seated. At his outburst, she gave a soft smile. "Go on, then. It's cold outside; remember a coat."

If one didn't know Su Yuling, they'd be fooled by her gentle, kind facade.

This woman had built her fortune in Southeast Asia, and her connections and power were not to be underestimated.

What a perfect woman, her only flaw being her good-for-nothing son.

As the cool night breeze brushed against her, the wine she'd had at the banquet churned in her stomach, and a sourness rose in her throat.

No cabs came this way. Fu Rong stepped out of the shadows, a coat in hand, and fell into step behind Shen Qiancheng without a sound.

"Miss Shen, I'll drive you."

Shen Qiancheng spun around, startled. Seeing it was Fu Rong, she took out on her all her pent-up frustration with Su Tongqin. "Are you a ghost? You walk without making a sound."

Fu Rong's face was as deadpan as ever. She draped the jacket over Shen Qiancheng's shoulders. "Follow me. I'll take you."

Shen Qiancheng pulled the coat tighter. A leather trench coat—who but Su Tongqin would wear something so pretentious yet so useless for warmth?

It carried a faint scent of mint and tobacco. Su Tongqin's scent.

Tch. Su Tongqin, with her quirks, never lent her clothes to anyone.

So she had Fu Rong to thank for this.

Shen Qiancheng had expected Fu Rong to question her when she heard the club's name, but she didn't. She simply changed the GPS destination to the club.

Shen Qiancheng thought: Su Tongqin certainly knew how to pick a bodyguard—a robot.

The night belonged to the club. By the time Shen Qiancheng arrived, the nightlife inside was just heating up.

She tossed the leather jacket into the back seat and hurried inside, two steps at a time, texting Xiao Sui.

She collided with someone—a person in a plain white server's uniform, carrying a faint scent of fresh grass. Shen Qiancheng looked down, but the person offered no apology and made their way to the staff elevator.

"Ding—"

Xiao Sui: Room 609.

---

After turning down Su Tongqin, Liao Xue found herself in the same rut: online résumés went unanswered, and in-person inquiries led nowhere. After three days of wandering the streets like a headless fly, she decided to take the day off at home.

When you've given up hope, fortune may smile. As she was boiling instant noodles, Liao Xue received an interview invitation from a certain club.

Liao Xue's finger hovered over the screen. This club didn't look reputable. Such places were said to hire young, attractive servers, luring women with high salaries for hostess work, exploiting their vulnerabilities, and leading them astray.

Liao Xue sighed. She'd originally wanted to find a kitchen job nearby, but these restaurants either were family-run, used pre-made dishes, or only did delivery.

Four days, and this was the only interview invitation she'd received.

Liao Xue bit into her soft-boiled egg, lost in thought. She decided: no matter what, she'd go and treat it as a temporary step.

The interviewer, upon seeing her ethereal face, hired her on the spot and, as a special case, let her start without the usual training.