Thirty-First Blood Orange

Dark clouds swallowed the sun as Shen Qiancheng emerged from the parking garage. A sleepless night had left her dazed, dark circles shadowing the skin beneath her sunglasses.

The Shen Corporation building was bustling with activity. Shen Qiancheng wore her sunglasses, still in yesterday's trench coat, her legs long and straight in jeans.

It had been a while since she'd last come to the office. The receptionist at the front desk gave a faint smile while inwardly shrieking.

Miss Shen is here!!!!

Soon every chat group in the Shen Corporation buzzed with the news.

[Why is Shen Qiancheng here? I haven't had a few good days yet!]

[We're about to fall back into endless hell. Someone save me!]

[Don't worry, word has it that Shen Qiancheng's disappearance these past few days...]

[Spill! Sister!]

[...she was discussing marriage matters with Su Zeye of the Su family.]

[If that's true, then Shen Qiancheng will soon leave the Shen Corporation, and we'll finally see the light.]

...

The elevator doors opened, and those queuing for the elevator watched enviously as Shen Qiancheng, with a long stride, stepped into the private elevator.

As the doors slid shut, Shen Qiancheng removed her sunglasses and pressed her fingers to her brow, her mind churning like the sea.

Shi Jianren had agreed to the shareholders' meeting—a double-edged sword.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Sui Shi, dressed in professional attire, waiting at the entrance. Seeing Shen Qiancheng, she greeted respectfully, "President Shen, here are the documents you requested."

Shen Qiancheng took the documents, giving the coffee Sui Shi offered a cursory glance before lowering her head to peruse the papers.

Sui Shi withdrew the coffee and followed Shen Qiancheng toward the office.

Once inside, Sui Shi asked, "You have an appointment with Madam Fei today. What time will you set off?"

Shen Qiancheng sat down, placing the documents on the desk. At Sui Shi's words, her temples throbbed faintly.

"You may leave first; we'll depart shortly."

Sui Shi nodded with the professionalism of an experienced assistant and exited.

Alone in the office, Shen Qiancheng called someone on her private line.

"Dean Li... yes, Liao Xue, snow as in snowfall." Her fingers hovered idly over the armrest, her mind flashing to Liao Xue's pale face that morning. "Just a minor cold? Alright, I'll add you on WeChat. Yes."

Steadying herself, she pressed the intercom: "Sui Shi, are the gifts ready?"

A knock sounded at the door. Shen Qiancheng said, "Come in."

Sui Shi entered, holding two boxes. "The qipaos arrived yesterday."

Madam Fei had few hobbies, but the qipao was her favorite.

To cater to her taste, Shen Qiancheng had commissioned two qipaos from the most renowned atelier.

The boxes were sealed. Sui Shi asked, "Would you like to open them for a check?"

Shen Qiancheng decided firmly, "No need."

Two beautifully wrapped boxes with bows were placed in the car. Shen Qiancheng pushed her sunglasses atop her head. Sui Shi opened the car door, shielding Shen Qiancheng's head with her hand, then closed the door gently after she got in, before taking the driver's seat.

With the two boxes resting beside her, Shen Qiancheng frowned, "Why did you bring them all?"

Sui Shi replied, "Aren't they all for Madam Fei?"

Shen Qiancheng: "Who said they're all for Madam Fei?"

The authority of a superior filled the cramped space, and Sui Shi barely dared to breathe.

After a long moment, Shen Qiancheng said, "Let's go."

Sui Shi cautiously started the car, heading toward the Fei residence.

Having skipped breakfast, Shen Qiancheng felt a gnawing pain in her stomach, pulsing like a heartbeat. She had to press her chest to endure the spasms.

From the rearview mirror, Sui Shi saw Shen Qiancheng's dark expression, her aura like that before a summer storm.

Madam Fei was the wife of Fei Mingli, an important shareholder of the Shen Corporation. Sui Shi still remembered accompanying Shen Qiancheng to meet Fei Mingli.

In an elegant private room, Shen Qiancheng had reluctantly called him "Brother" and even negotiated shares with him.

At the time, Fei Mingli swirled his red wine glass, his tone like that of scolding an arrogant junior: "A woman is best off marrying into a good family."

Fei Mingli was immovable, so Shen Qiancheng found another way—through Madam Fei.

Madam Fei's maternal family had a century-old heritage and lived in a classical mansion. A similar one had been auctioned for three hundred million yuan.

Sui Shi had never seen such an extravagant residence. The car stopped before a wooden gate, and Sui Shi, carrying the qipao box, followed Shen Qiancheng, not daring to look around too much.

The wooden gate opened from within, and a woman in a long black robe, with her hair coiled in a round bun, stepped out.

Shen Qiancheng waved, taking the box from Sui Shi and handing it to the woman.

The woman neither took it nor spoke. Her plain face was cold and restrained, exuding an unassailable dignity.

Shen Qiancheng forced a smile, suppressing the irritation at her brow, then turned to Sui Shi. "Wait for me in the car."

Sui Shi glanced at the mansion, worthy of a Republican-era drama, thinking she wouldn't see the inside.

As Sui Shi returned to the car and drove off, the woman in black smiled without warmth. "Miss Shen, please follow me."

The wooden gate opened a crack, and a faint fragrance drifted out.

A path of bluestone wound forward, flanked by shade and floral scents. The ornate corridor was carved and painted, red pillars standing like guards, with flower branches occasionally stretching out.

Shen Qiancheng brushed aside a branch. The woman leading her was Zhang Lanlan, one of Madam Fei's attendants, who had been with her for many years and was closer to her than Fei Mingli.

Shen Qiancheng asked casually, "How long has Miss Zhang been with Madam Fei?"

Zhang Lanlan rarely spoke, and Shen Qiancheng's question was to ease the atmosphere, but unexpectedly, Zhang Lanlan did respond.

"Eleven years," Zhang Lanlan said. "Please, Miss Shen."

The red-lacquered door was tightly shut. Zhang Lanlan stood aside while the doorkeeper opened it.

Inside, darkness obscured the scene.

Shen Qiancheng stepped in with a long stride; the unknown only fueled her excitement.

In the dim light, she first saw an octagonal table with a mirror and a vase, and two chairs with no one seated.

Zhang Lanlan said, "Madam, Miss Shen is here."

The light inside suddenly switched on, and Shen Qiancheng blinked to adjust.

To the right of the octagonal table was a vast space. The curtain over the moon gate was lifted, and Zhang Lanlan hurried in.

Madam Fei was simply dressed: a silk blouse paired with a black A-line skirt, with only a single gold earring on her left ear, complementing the champagne tones of her attire.

In the dreary space, she seemed quite vibrant.

A string of Buddhist beads hung around Madam Fei's neck, and she even kept a shrine.

Shen Qiancheng lowered her gaze: she should have brought a Buddha statue.

Madam Fei gave a faint smile, and Zhang Lanlan brewed tea and served it.

"Mingli isn't home. As I told President Shen, he rarely returns to this house..."

Shen Qiancheng's eyes shimmered as her fingers traced the rim of the teacup. The tea was clear and fine—a good brew.

Madam Fei's family had been wealthy since the last century, though it had declined by her father's generation, yet remained notable in Tang City. Madam Fei's father had only her as his daughter. To secure her future happiness, he entrusted her and their fortune to Fei Mingli, hoping he would treat her well.

Unfortunately...

As soon as Madam Fei's father passed, Fei Mingli revealed his true colors, indulging in wine and women. He even became infatuated with a young girl and wanted to divorce Madam Fei.

Madam Fei's dismissal was expected. Shen Qiancheng smiled faintly, "I'm here specifically for you, Madam Fei. Are you sure you don't want to see the gift I prepared for you?"

She opened the box on the table, revealing a light pink qipao embroidered with layers of crabapple blossoms, resting quietly inside. Even the room's dimness couldn't diminish its allure.

Shen Qiancheng tapped the box, feigning nonchalance, "Miss Lin, how long has it been since you last wore a qipao?"

Lin Ruwen's trembling hand touched the qipao. Her eyelids drooped, her shoulders quivered, and the Buddhist beads slipped down onto the fabric's folds.

"Eleven years."

###

Lin Ruwen, her black hair tied back, walked gracefully along the bluestone path, remarking, "Miss Shen is quite different from what the rumors suggest."

Walking alongside her, Shen Qiancheng said, "Madam Fei is as gentle and lovely as the rumors say."

The bluestone path eventually came to an end. The gate was open, and under the blue sky and white clouds, Sui Shi waited outside for Shen Qiancheng.

As the car engine started, Zhang Lanlan rushed out, draping an outer garment over Lin Ruwen's shoulders, and gazed into the distance with an unreadable expression. "You agreed to her."

Lin Ruwen turned and placed her hand on Zhang Lanlan's wrist. "For us."

Zhang Lanlan sighed deeply. "It's good this way..."

Lin Ruwen said, "Call him and tell him to come home for dinner."

###

Shen Qiancheng had just gotten into the car when Sui Shi in the front glanced back at her, noting her complexion seemed acceptable.

Sui Shi ventured, "President Shen, Miss Liao came to the company looking for you."

Shen Qiancheng raised an eyebrow. "What time?"

Sui Shi: "An hour ago. She's still in the building now."

The Shen Corporation is fraught with factions—Shi Jianren's people, Su Zeye's people... and her own... Shen Qiancheng's fingers curled. She ordered, "Stop the car. I'll drive."

Forced to pull over and relegated to the backseat, Sui Shi clutched her seatbelt desperately, enduring Shen Qiancheng's breakneck speed.

After another hard brake, Shen Qiancheng tossed a key at Sui Shi.

"Park the car, then come find me upstairs."

Sui Shi got out, leaning against the car for a moment to steady her stomach.

The elevator climbed rapidly, and Shen Qiancheng almost burst out.

Liao Xue wore a snow-white thin sweater, holding a bag to her chest, with a light blue wool skirt and a thick scarf tied around her neck. The vivid purple made her small face appear starkly pale.

Shen Qiancheng frowned. The hospital said it was a minor cold, but how could she look so terrible from a minor cold?

Furrowing her brow, Shen Qiancheng unlocked her phone and sent a message.

The profile picture showed a person in a white coat with arms crossed. Shen Qiancheng clicked on it and sent a message.

[Quack.]

When Dean Li got off work and opened his phone, that was the message. Who would dare provoke Shen Qiancheng?

Panicked, Dean Li called to explain, but Shen Qiancheng didn't answer.

[Miss Shen, it really is just a minor cold!]

[Can you come to the hospital?]

[Where are you? I'll come immediately!]

The Dean added that she also had slight hypoglycemia.

Shen Qiancheng walked toward Liao Xue. The window was open—she didn't know who'd opened it. She stood in front of it, her lips trembling with distress. "Why didn't you go inside?"

A phone rang.

Liao Xue coughed twice. "I don't have the key."

The office was surrounded by employees. Shen Qiancheng, exasperated, said, "Couldn't you ask them for it?"

A phone rang again.

It was Dean Li, scratching his head as he asked the doctor who'd seen Liao Xue. The doctor pulled up the test results—just a blood draw, but she did have slight hypoglycemia.

Dean Li breathed a sigh of relief and sent a message to Shen Qiancheng, only to find he'd been blocked.

Shen Qiancheng unlocked the door with her fingerprint, then grabbed Liao Xue's hand. It was cold, and she pressed it against the fingerprint scanner.

Liao Xue gasped softly. "What are you doing?"

Shen Qiancheng insisted, pressing Liao Xue's finger onto the lock. "Registering your fingerprint. From now on, you can come in whenever you want."

Liao Xue's finger pressed onto the keypad lock, and with a chime, the registration succeeded.

The door opened, and they entered. Shen Qiancheng closed it behind them, then, as if sneaking around, said, "Why did you come? Why didn't you wait for me at home?"

Liao Xue set the bag on the desk and took out an insulated thermos. "Your breakfast."

Shen Qiancheng glanced at it—mung bean millet porridge, sliced cucumber, and preserved eggs.

The aroma teased her palate and taste buds, and her stomach began to ache faintly again. "Just leave it there."

Liao Xue set it down but didn't move.

Shen Qiancheng, suspicious, asked, "Why are you still standing here?"

"I want to watch you eat," Liao Xue said.

Shen Qiancheng: "Did you drug it?"

Liao Xue was known to have drugged many people, including Shen Qiancheng.

Liao Xue said fiercely, "Yes, I did. The cold medicine the doctor just prescribed is fresh, and I put it in there."

Shen Qiancheng laughed. "You wouldn't..."

Liao Xue said quietly, "Who says? I would."

Shen Qiancheng still had work to do, so Liao Xue didn't linger. "Clean up and remember to come home tonight... the lunchbox."

A knock came from outside. Sui Shi's voice: "President Shen, you left something in the car."

Shen Qiancheng said, "Come in."

Sui Shi entered, startled to see Liao Xue, then asked, "How should I deal with this?"

Shen Qiancheng lifted her chin toward Liao Xue. "Give it to you, as a reward for bringing me breakfast."

Liao Xue lowered her eyes. "Do I get one alone?"

Shen Qiancheng said stubbornly, "It's a gift for the shareholders. An extra piece is 20% off."

Sui Shi couldn't help but twitch her lips. With that qipao studio booked out over a year in advance, if a second piece really was 20% off, Sui Shi would drag her best friend along to get one made!

Liao Xue calmly said, "Thank you."

Leaving the Shen Corporation building, Liao Xue walked to the bike-sharing station, scanned a bicycle, and rode home.