This Doesn't Look Like a Mosquito Bite

It wasn't until Yun Huaizhu heard Ji Quanying's voice that she remembered that matter.

For months, Su Yurong had believed that Yun Huaizhu was the one who had been with Su Yutang that night.

Just thinking about it made Yun Huaizhu furious. The pill Su Yurong had given her had been incredibly potent; if Lin Meng had been an omega, she would have gotten pregnant long ago.

Everything had gone wrong by sheer coincidence. She no longer wanted to bring it up, yet someone just had to come looking for trouble and force her to remember.

Yun Huaizhu couldn't say such things in front of Lin Meng, so she said, "I've been feeling a bit unwell lately. Steward Ji, you can come with me to the hospital for a check-up. But I have something extremely important to do right now, so I need to hang up. Come to the address I send you later."

After forming her alliance with Su Yurong, Yun Huaizhu had always presented herself as obedient and compliant. It was precisely because of this that Su Yurong had granted her a degree of freedom in return, but lately she had been growing more and more disobedient.

Ji Quanying could only urge, "Then please make it quick. Madam has already run out of patience."

At those words, the pressure came down on Yun Huaizhu like a mountain. She gripped her phone tightly. "I understand. I'll be quick."

Lin Meng had overheard part of it from the side. Anxious, she stood up. "Zhuzhu, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? If you're going to the hospital, is someone going with you? Do you want me to come?"

Only when Yun Huaizhu heard Lin Meng's voice did she snap out of her anger. The look she turned on Lin Meng quickly softened. "No... it's just a business partner who insists on seeing my health report. I've already arranged for her to come with me. Don't worry."

The trace of suspicion in Lin Meng's heart didn't entirely fade. "Are you really all right?"

Seeing the concern on her face, Yun Huaizhu couldn't help but feel a flicker of comfort. She stepped forward and took Lin Meng's arm. "I'm really fine. It's just that my company is preparing for its listing ceremony next week, and there's so much to do. I'm afraid I won't be able to come see you. You need to take good care of yourself at home and eat breakfast on time."

This was the second time she had reminded Lin Meng.

Lin Meng nodded vigorously. "Mm! I'll take care of myself, Zhuzhu. Don't worry."

Seeing her like this, the anger in Yun Huaizhu's heart gradually subsided. It was because she had met Lin Meng that she could withstand so much pressure and face those people. She had to protect Lin Meng; she had to become strong.

At this thought, Yun Huaizhu couldn't help but step forward, her lips grazing Lin Meng's forehead, light as a dragonfly skimming water.

All Lin Meng felt was that fleeting softness. She stood frozen, still dazed, as Yun Huaizhu picked up her bag and opened the door to leave.

Lin Meng sat at the dining table, staring into space at the table full of steaming dishes.

She reached up and touched her forehead where Yun Huaizhu's lips had just brushed. Last night, she seemed to have heard Yun Huaizhu's voice too; the feeling had been so real.

She had been drowning in surging waves of tenderness, with Yun Huaizhu holding her, and no matter what she did, she couldn't break free.

She knew it was just the alcohol, but why had she dreamed of Yun Huaizhu while drunk?

Did she really care about Yun Huaizhu that much?

Countless questions surfaced in her mind. She couldn't figure it out, couldn't come up with a precise answer.

She didn't know how much time had passed. The bowl of food had gone lukewarm in her palm; if she didn't eat soon, it would get cold. At the thought, Lin Meng snapped back to reality, picked up her chopsticks, and ate the dishes Yun Huaizhu had brought, alone.

This scene felt familiar, reminding her of how she used to eat alone as a child.

In the past, whenever Yun Huaizhu brought food over, she would always stay and eat with her. Over time, she had come to think of it as a habit. Today, with Yun Huaizhu gone, she suddenly felt a piece of her heart had been hollowed out; her chest felt cold and uncomfortable.

She had little appetite. After only half a bowl, she couldn't eat anymore. Lin Meng packed all the dishes into containers and put them in the refrigerator.

Barring the unexpected, these would be her rations for the coming week.

……

Yun Huaizhu went back specifically to change into formal clothes before meeting Ji Quanying. She knew better than anyone whether she was pregnant. What mattered most now was finding an excuse to placate Su Yurong.

If she wasn't pregnant, Su Yurong would definitely grow suspicious and make her undergo a check-up. Only once her health returned completely normal would this arrogant Madam Su begin to suspect her own daughter.

Yun Huaizhu didn't know whether Su Yutang was capable of it, but the test results likely wouldn't show any problems.

She had heard that Su Yurong had confined Su Yutang on Xia Island. That place was an uninhabited island surrounded on all sides by the sea. If Su Yurong went mad and locked her there too, keeping her until she became pregnant—what then?

The company's listing ceremony was next week. Should she tear off the mask now?

The weather outside was exceptionally gloomy today, as if a storm were about to break.

With such unease in her heart, Yun Huaizhu met Ji Quanying at the hospital entrance.

Ji Quanying smiled. "Miss Yun, to ensure there's no error in the examination results, Madam has specifically ordered me to take you to the Su family's private hospital for the check-up."

Those words were like a death knell, shattering the last thread of hope in Yun Huaizhu's heart.

The check-up was supposed to be her own business, yet Su Yurong had sent Ji Quanying to monitor her the entire time. She was like an object to be manipulated at will, whose only value was bearing the Su family's child.

At this thought, the anger Yun Huaizhu had accumulated for so long finally erupted. She looked at Ji Quanying, her voice low and calm. "There's no need. I'm not pregnant at all. That night I was indeed in the same room as Su Yutang, but Su Yutang would rather forcibly suppress her pheromones than touch me. I lied about having slept with her because I wanted Madam Su's sponsorship."

Her frank confession instead stunned the usually composed Ji Quanying, leaving her wide-eyed.

Ji Quanying had served at Su Yurong's side for decades. Aside from the Young Miss, she had never seen anyone so brazenly provoke the Madam.

Ji Quanying stood frozen for a moment before recovering. "Very well, Miss Yun. Then come with me to see Madam directly."

Yun Huaizhu had long anticipated this day would come, so when Ji Quanying said those words, she instead felt a sense of relief.

Su Yurong's methods were even more ruthless than Su Yutang's. Mother and daughter held all of Jing City in their grip. If Su Yurong set her mind to destroying her, the days ahead would be hard indeed.

……

The same familiar Su family mansion.

When Yun Huaizhu first came, she had been dazzled by its magnificent exterior. In truth, this mansion was nothing but a giant cage. Within these walls, only its master was free; everyone else was merely a vassal under her power.

Yun Huaizhu was brought by Ji Quanying to a study. As soon as she entered the exquisitely carved and painted study, the first thing she saw was a plaque hanging on the wall—Yuan Zhen Li Heng.

Su Yurong was holding a wolf-hair brush two fingers thick, writing on the desk. After Ji Quanying brought Yun Huaizhu in, she quietly withdrew.

Su Yurong continued practicing calligraphy without acknowledging her. Yun Huaizhu, living under someone else's roof, could only stand and wait for the master of the house to finish. Standing to the side, she caught sight of four large characters Su Yurong had written in cursive script: "Hidden Dragon in the Abyss."

After finishing, Su Yurong set aside her things. "You've come."

Yun Huaizhu nodded. "Actually, Madam, you knew all along that Su Yutang never touched me, didn't you? Waiting until now to settle accounts with me—you truly are magnanimous."

Su Yurong tossed the brush into the porcelain brush-washing basin and looked up at Yun Huaizhu. Though no anger or pleasure showed on her face, her presence pressed down until it was hard to breathe. "Yes. I am so magnanimous that you should indeed be grateful. In truth, I've always known the type Tangtang likes. You merely have a decent face; in everything else, you're nothing like what Tangtang prefers. If Tangtang had been thinking clearly, she never would have touched you."

She spoke as if appraising a vase—pretty, but worthless.

Yun Huaizhu clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms hard enough to draw blood. She bit her lip, her eyes bloodshot, and spoke through gritted teeth. "It's my fault for being useless. I failed your trust, Madam."

Su Yurong walked over from behind the desk. She looked at this young woman who made no effort to hide her ambition. "Failing my trust is secondary. The real issue is that you deceived me for so long. Tell me, what price should you pay?"

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu immediately lowered her head. She could almost taste the metallic sweetness of blood spreading from the corner of her mouth. Sure enough, compared to an old fox like Su Yurong, she lacked experience. Her schemes lay bare before this person. Even if she tried to argue her way out, Su Yurong would never believe her.

At this thought, Yun Huaizhu suddenly seemed to reach a decision. She raised her head and looked directly at that viper-like woman. "Then what do you want to do, Madam?"

Su Yurong saw that instead of being humble and lowering her head, this person's attitude hinted at wanting to oppose her. Su Yurong suddenly smiled without warmth. "Miss Yun, all our cooperation was premised on your pregnancy, but clearly you haven't fulfilled your end of the bargain."

As she spoke, she suddenly studied Yun Huaizhu with a strange look. "And yet, you really are something. I thought the person who set up that scheme at the charity dinner, who made Tangtang bid on that worthless necklace, would be someone else. After all, the Su family has never been one to suffer losses. If anyone tries to scheme against the Su family, we repay it a hundredfold, a thousandfold, no matter the cost."

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu could no longer keep her composure. Her arms began to tremble involuntarily.

Su Yurong continued, "So after that night, I had people investigate. They traced the account that submitted that auction item to a foreign account. And coincidentally, the account holder has some connection to you, Miss Yun. Beyond that, I also found a photograph."

As the words left her mouth, Su Yurong pulled open a curio cabinet beside the desk and took out a slightly yellowed photograph.

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu's bloodshot eyes turned toward the photograph in Su Yurong's hand.

One glance was all it took for her whole body to start trembling violently, beyond her control.

The photograph showed a woman.

She wore an elegant, luxurious silver-thread qipao, looking like a beautiful pure white camellia. More importantly, the woman's face bore a seven-or-eight-tenths resemblance to Yun Huaizhu. Even someone who knew neither of them could tell at a glance that they were blood relatives.

Around the woman's neck was the very necklace Yun Huaizhu had auctioned off at the gala.

Yun Huaizhu stared at the photograph, tears of humiliation and rage instantly flooding her eyes. She no longer wished to play along with Su Yurong. "What exactly do you want?"

Su Yurong placed the old photograph on the desk. "Your mother and I weren't close, but we met a few times in the past. And you used Tangtang's competitiveness to trick her into spending a hundred million on your mother's necklace. You truly are despicable."

In this world, no one had ever called her despicable. Su Yurong couldn't even discipline her own daughter—what right did she have to call anyone despicable?

Yun Huaizhu let out a cold laugh, then stepped forward and carefully picked up the photograph from the desk. "Thank you, Madam Su, for taking the trouble to collect my mother's photograph."

When she raised her head again, her expression suddenly turned mocking. "And thank you for the compliment, Madam. But when it comes to being despicable, how could I compare to your daughter? Your daughter loves to use money to oppress people, to treat them like dogs. And you—you want your daughter to have a superior heir while also marrying into a family of equal standing, so she can have both a child and a wife without sacrificing either. I'm afraid I can't agree with the ways of you and your daughter."

Su Yurong's expression changed drastically. Her phoenix eyes narrowed as she stared at Yun Huaizhu. "Didn't you benefit? If your pride was so great, you could have refused from the start. You were the one who put a price tag on yourself. If you want the benefits, don't go building a monument to your own virtue."

Yun Huaizhu let out a cold laugh. "Yes, that's right. At first, yes, it was voluntary. But now I no longer want to play such a filthy game. So, Madam, have you decided how to punish me?"

Seeing her wearing such a fearless expression, Su Yurong suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Originally, I intended to take back everything you gained from me. But since you now dare to tear off all pretense with me, it seems you've already thought of a way out. The Su family won't quibble over what was once given to you, but from now on, don't expect to fare well in Jing City."

Yun Huaizhu sneered. "I've long since experienced the methods of you and your daughter. Whatever tricks you have left, bring them on!"

Seeing her youthful audacity, Su Yurong suddenly thought of herself back then. At that time, she had met Jing City's rising star, Yun Jinyu. Yun Jinyu had been far more mature and composed than Yun Huaizhu, who was now recklessly tearing off all pretense before her.

When she first took over the Su family, she had been nowhere near as composed as Yun Jinyu.

So many years had passed, and now Yun Jinyu's daughter stood before her, as unwilling to yield as she had been back then.

At this moment, Su Yurong truly caught a trace of Yun Jinyu in Yun Huaizhu.

She knew a little about what had happened to Yun Jinyu back then, so she had always harbored a sliver of pity for that Yun family matriarch with her fierce pride.

If not for Yun Jinyu's sake, she could have made Yun Huaizhu disappear from Jing City by tomorrow for daring to provoke her like this.

……

After Yun Huaizhu left the Su residence, her legs went weak and she nearly collapsed. Wang Yifang, who had been waiting at the entrance all along, stepped forward to catch her. "Miss, are you all right? What did Madam Su say to you? Does she already know the truth?"

Under the extreme tension and stress, all the strength seemed to drain from Yun Huaizhu's body. Leaning on Wang Yifang for support, she forced herself to walk toward the car. "Mm... that old fox Su Yurong knows everything now. We need to be even more careful going forward. Also, keep a close eye on the Yun family people. If necessary, force them to leave first. After next week's listing ceremony, I'll have my hands free to settle accounts with them properly."

Wang Yifang helped Yun Huaizhu into the car. "Yes, Miss. We've been following your orders all along. The remaining members of the Yun family are willing to submit to you. Only a few who refuse to accept your authority have been stirring up trouble in secret. But they no longer hold any shares and have no access to the company's core operations, so for now they pose no threat to you."

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu let out a heavy sigh of relief. She nearly collapsed into the back seat. "Aunt Fang, sometimes I feel so tired... Is this kind of life almost over?"

Yun Huaizhu had always been strong and never showed weakness to others. Now that she was revealing this side of herself, she must have been under tremendous pressure.

Wang Yifang's face was full of heartache. She spoke in a soothing tone. "Miss, if Madam were watching from heaven, she wouldn't want to see you like this either. If you're tired, get some rest first. By the way, should I take you to Miss Lin's place? Every time you go to Miss Lin's, you sleep especially well..."

Before she could finish, Yun Huaizhu cut her off. "No need. There's a lot going on lately. I won't disturb Mengmeng-jie. Once I've finished what's on my plate, I'll go see her naturally."

"Yes, Miss. I understand."

With that, the black Mercedes parked outside the Su residence drove away.

Wang Yifang had served Yun Jinyu since the age of twenty. She had followed Yun Jinyu for twelve years, and then Yun Huaizhu for ten. She could see that mother and daughter were very much alike in temperament. Beyond that, both had endured heartbreaking experiences.

Yun Jinyu was gone. What could she do to ensure that the only daughter Madam had left behind could find happiness?

Could Miss Lin be the one to make Yun Huaizhu happy?

……

When Lin Meng went to work on Monday, she sent Yun Huaizhu her usual good morning message. Yun Huaizhu replied an hour and a half later than usual. It meant that from today on, Yun Huaizhu would be busy from morning to night, hardly even having time to reply to messages.

With that thought, Lin Meng replied: [Zhuzhu, I know you'll be very busy this coming week, so when I send you messages, you don't need to reply. Once you're done, we can have a proper chat, okay?]

After sending this message, she had to wait until lunchtime before Yun Huaizhu sent back a single word: [Okay.]

Only then did Lin Meng feel reassured.

Although she had turned Tang Xiaoman down last time, Tang Xiaoman still went to the cafeteria with her for lunch every day as before.

But today, as Tang Xiaoman sat across from Lin Meng eating, she suddenly noticed the two band-aids on Lin Meng's neck. She frowned slightly, her face full of concern. "Mengmeng, what happened to your neck?"

Hearing this, Lin Meng's hand unconsciously touched the band-aid. "Oh... it's nothing. I was drinking over the weekend and didn't cover myself with a blanket, so I got two big mosquito bites."

Tang Xiaoman looked surprised. "Wow, it hasn't gotten better yet? It must be really bad—could it be a poisonous mosquito? I've heard those bites hurt terribly... Wait, I live on the same floor as you. How come I've never had a single mosquito in my place?"

Lin Meng looked up. "Maybe it's because it's gotten hot. There's a big tree below my floor, so the mosquitoes probably flew up from it. I'll order a window screen online when I get home."

Tang Xiaoman nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "I have an ointment for mosquito bites. It works immediately. It's in my desk drawer at my workstation. After lunch, I'll put some on for you."

Lin Meng smiled and nodded. "Okay, thank you, Xiaoman!"

Seeing Lin Meng's smile, Tang Xiaoman couldn't help but look down, blushing. Even though she and Lin Meng couldn't be a couple, being friends seemed nice too... Besides, those two women at Fenghe Xuan that day clearly weren't ordinary people. Even if she wanted to compete, she didn't have the strength.

After the two finished lunch, they returned to the office. There was still an hour and a half before the afternoon clock-in. Everyone in the office was either eating or resting.

Lin Meng sat at her workstation as Tang Xiaoman took out the ointment box—a small brass container. When she saw Lin Meng remove the band-aids, a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.

Seeing her hesitate, Lin Meng asked, "What's wrong, Xiaoman?"

Tang Xiaoman snapped back to reality at her voice. "It's just... Mengmeng, are you sure that mark on your neck is from a mosquito? It doesn't really look like it to me."

Lin Meng nodded firmly. "Yes, it is. In my house, besides a mosquito, who else could bite me there?"

She said it as a joke, but the more Tang Xiaoman thought about it, the more horrified she felt. Because the mark on Lin Meng's neck really didn't look like a mosquito bite—it looked more like a kiss mark.

If Lin Meng had been asleep and didn't know someone had entered her room, then...

At this thought, Tang Xiaoman asked urgently, "Mengmeng, did you lock your doors and windows when you were drinking over the weekend? I've heard there are ill-intentioned people who break into empty homes."

Lin Meng gave Tang Xiaoman a relaxed smile. "Of course. I live alone, after all. I always lock the door first thing when I get home."

Lin Meng's door was a keypad lock, the same as hers. Keypad locks were far sturdier than ordinary ones. A burglar definitely couldn't break one open without making any noise.

If it wasn't a thief, then could it be someone who knew Lin Meng's door code?

Tang Xiaoman pressed further. "Mengmeng, have you ever told anyone your door code?"

Lin Meng shook her head with a smile. "No. Besides myself, I've never told anyone. I live alone, after all."

Hearing this, Tang Xiaoman's suspicions gradually eased.

Maybe she was overthinking. If it really were someone ill-intentioned, they would have taken valuables or done something to Lin Meng. She must have been reading too many mystery novels lately, making herself paranoid.

……

Wednesday, the ninth day of the fifth month. An auspicious day for opening markets and trading.

The listing ceremony for Yun Huaizhu's Mingzhu Technology, with registered capital of five hundred million, was held at the World Trade Financial Building.

To build momentum for her new company, her partner had specially invited many media outlets. Yun Huaizhu wore a crisp gray suit with an A-line skirt of the same material, walking onto the ribbon-cutting stage with impeccable poise.

Like many listing ceremonies, she arranged for the company's core members to introduce the company's creative philosophy, core technology, and target audience one by one. Finally, she invited a dozen or so senior members of the company to join her for the ribbon-cutting.

Just as she took the scissors and was about to cut, a commotion suddenly stirred among the media broadcasting live. Someone rushed up to Yun Huaizhu and whispered a few anxious words in her ear.

Yun Huaizhu's eyes flew wide. As if struck by some immense shock, the scissors clattered from her hand to the floor.

At the same time, below the World Trade Financial Building, a group of people held up a striking red banner and shouted: "The Yun family has broken the law and killed people! We beg you all to give us justice!"

TL Note:

Yuan Zhen Li Heng (元贞利亨) are the four virtues