Chapter 38

Without hesitation, she set Yu Sui'an's messages to Do Not Disturb. Jiang Zhaolie exhaled sharply, her temples throbbing with anger. She never would have imagined that Yu Sui'an, the woman she'd once thought was fragile and helpless, so delicate she seemed to need constant protection, the kind of woman who made you want to give her every beautiful thing in the world, was actually such a ruthless woman.

Remembering how presumptuous and self-important she'd been, Jiang Zhaolie laughed in sheer fury.

She really could act. She acted so well that everyone around her was fooled. And Jiang Zhaolie had been played for a fool, toyed with in the palm of Yu Sui'an's hand. In Yu Sui'an's eyes, was she just a plaything to be picked up whenever the mood struck?

And if she was no longer needed, or if she accidentally got in the way, Yu Sui'an would kick her aside without a second thought, just like before.

Just as she'd lost interest in Xu Chun and kicked her away, almost as if she wanted to destroy her completely.

Jiang Zhaolie hung her head, uncertain and uneasy, the stray hairs on her forehead hiding all emotion in her dark eyes. She suddenly understood what Xu Chun must have felt. When Xu Chun watched Yu Sui'an decisively toss her aside and turn to laugh and chat with Jiang Zhaolie instead—had it torn her heart to pieces? Had she been unable to bear it?

Xu Chun knew exactly how heartless Yu Sui'an was, yet she still couldn't control her deep love for her or let go—until, after being hurt again and again, she finally gave up in despair.

Just putting herself in Xu Chun's shoes made Jiang Zhaolie feel awful.

She was immensely relieved that she hadn't been involved with Yu Sui'an for long, that she hadn't fallen too deep. Relieved that Yu Sui'an had only been briefly interested in her before growing bored and turning back to Xu Chun, wanting to reconcile. Relieved that she'd run fast enough to avoid being torn to pieces.

But amid the relief, a strange feeling lingered. Yu Sui'an had only been with her a short while before shifting her attention back to Xu Chun. Did that mean, in Yu Sui'an's heart...

She wasn't as good as Xu Chun?

She had actually lost to Xu Chun?

This realization left Jiang Zhaolie with a complicated, indescribable feeling coiling around her heart. Her gaze settled on the darkened phone screen on the desk. Where exactly was she inferior to Xu Chun?

She didn't dwell on it long. All her past mistreatment of Xu Chun came rushing back, flooding her mind and vision. She desperately tried to block it out, but the harder she tried, the clearer and more vivid the scenes became, playing automatically like a film she couldn't escape.

After her initial resistance proved futile, Jiang Zhaolie could only grit her teeth and watch.

By the time it ended, fine beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead, the tip of her nose, and her slim cheeks. The sweat dampened the stray hairs by her face, curling them against her pale skin.

Xu Chun tilted her head and watched for a moment. Noticing Jiang Zhaolie drenched in sweat, she hesitated, one foot raised mid-step. Had this woman seen a ghost this early in the morning?

At the thought that getting close to Jiang Zhaolie might let her bad luck rub off on her, Xu Chun immediately pulled her foot back and, before Jiang Zhaolie could notice, turned and ran. She ran fast, disappearing quickly, leaving the doorway empty as if she'd never been there.

Jiang Zhaolie vaguely sensed movement nearby and struggled to lift her eyelids, catching only a blurry afterimage. She clenched her damp palm, her mind hazy for a moment—was that Xu Chun... or a hallucination?

Between Xu Chun's avoidance of Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui'an's late-night call to Xu Chun, the internet inevitably started gossiping about the relationships among Xu Chun, Jiang Zhaolie, and Yu Sui'an again.

【Didn't Yu Sui'an and Xu Chun break up? Didn't Jiang Zhaolie call off the engagement with Xu Chun? So why aren't Yu Sui'an and Jiang Zhaolie together yet? Not only are they not together, they're practically throwing themselves at Xu Chun—is this my imagination? I really can't keep up with this love triangle anymore.】

Yu Sui'an's fans immediately jumped in: 【Hands off our Suisui—no thanks. If you like Suisui, please watch her upcoming dramas Secret Crush, Midsummer Crush, First Snow...】

【Is the fan above kidding? Why is a Yu Sui'an fan watching Xu Chun's variety show? There's no Suisui here.】

【LOL, this show isn't just Xu Chun. Can't I watch for Jiang Banxia or Fu Xin?】

Just as the comments were about to erupt into all-out war, the livestream moderators stepped in and banned a slew of accounts, gradually calming things down: 【Everyone, please keep the discussion rational and civil.】

Since arguing in the livestream got you banned, the crowd moved to Weibo, where a fierce battle instantly broke out. The remaining viewers in the livestream shook their heads. 【They've been fighting for so long and still haven't had enough. What's there to argue about? Gossip is way more fun than fighting.】

【So Jiang Zhaolie and Xu Chun went through all that, and now they have to see each other every day on set—doesn't that feel awkward?】

【Awkward? I'd say Jiang Zhaolie is probably thrilled.】

【I get the feeling Jiang Zhaolie regrets it but can't bring herself to apologize to Sister Xu, so she just watches her from afar and stews in her own thoughts.】

【Huh? She doesn't like Yu Sui'an anymore? Didn't she break off the engagement with Xu Chun because of Yu Sui'an?】

【Who knows what goes through these rich kids' heads? Yu Sui'an broke up with Xu Chun too, but calling Sister Xu late at night like that. Seems like she's still hung up on her.】

【Interesting. This is getting more and more interesting.】

Yu Sui'an kept constant tabs on the online chatter. Lately she was riding high. Her wealthy patron valued her especially, showering her with major brand deals without blinking and letting her pick whatever she wanted. Beyond that, the patron made no excessive demands. She filmed when she needed to film, shot commercials when she needed to shoot them. Life was no different from before.

While enjoying these benefits, Yu Sui'an also had enough freedom to do whatever she pleased.

But no matter how many novel and interesting things the world offered, none could compare to seeing Xu Chun.

Yu Sui'an's heart stirred restlessly, desire barely contained. But thinking of Xu Chun's recent attitude, she didn't dare act rashly. She feared that if she went running over on her own, it would only deepen Xu Chun's disgust and revulsion.

The distance between them was already great; Yu Sui'an didn't want to push her further away. Every day she went online to look at Xu Chun's photos, or watched her variety shows and dramas to pass the time, so her life wouldn't feel so lonely and dull.

Yu Sui'an didn't know how long this cold standoff would last. She could wait quietly for Xu Chun to come around, but she didn't want to. There was Jiang Zhaolie, just as scheming, and a fierce, decisive Jiang Banxia watching like a hawk, both of them so close to Xu Chun...

Proximity had its advantages. The thought that those two could see Xu Chun every day, get close to her, and deepen their feelings kept Yu Sui'an from sleeping.

But she was currently busy filming elsewhere. Never mind that she couldn't leave—even if she could fly to Xu Chun right now, with all those cameras around, she couldn't do anything.

If she lost control, every word and action would be screenshotted and spread online, maliciously twisted to cause Xu Chun trouble. And if Xu Chun saw that she was still the same headache-inducing person as before, she'd surely never want her again.

Yu Sui'an was in agony, tormented and helpless, able only to stare unblinkingly at Xu Chun on screen and let her mind wander.

If only I hadn't suggested the breakup, Yu Sui'an couldn't help thinking.

If only I'd held on a little longer, secured Jiang Zhaolie's heart completely, and then broken up with Xu Chun. Then I wouldn't have lost my sister; Jiang Zhaolie wouldn't have turned against me to compete for her, and we wouldn't have gone from ambiguous friends to hateful rivals.

But there was no medicine for regret in this world—and the more impossible it was, the more one regretted.

As soon as Xu Chun returned to the office, Bai Xianxian called her over for an energetic round of work. Halfway through, Secretary Zhao came by to tell her to go see Qin Yao. Secretary Zhao didn't say what it was about, so Xu Chun dawdled a bit before knocking on the President's Office door. "President Qin, you wanted to see me?"

Qin Yao hummed softly and looked up. "Go home and pack some things. Meet back at the office in an hour and a half."

Xu Chun stared at her blankly. Pack in the middle of the day?

As if reading her confusion, Qin Yao parted her red lips and slowly uttered two words: "Business trip."

At that, Xu Chun perked up instantly. Without a second thought, she dashed back to her desk and dumped all her work on Bai Xianxian. "Assistant Bai, please help me with my work. I'll treat you to a meal another day."

She was beaming, and anyone could tell something wonderful had happened. Bai Xianxian looked at her, then at the work shoved her way, and asked calmly, "What are you going to do?"

The words "business trip" nearly slipped out, but remembering Qin Yao's explicit instruction not to reveal the news early, Xu Chun leaned in mysteriously, lowering her voice so only Bai Xianxian could hear: "You'll find out when the time comes."

She hadn't said it outright, but Bai Xianxian guessed.

A shadow flickered in her eyes. Before, when Qin Yao and Jiang Zhaolie went on business trips and meetings out of town, it had always been either Secretary Zhao or herself accompanying them, without exception, in all the hundreds of trips since she'd joined the company.

Bai Xianxian understood that Xu Chun was a guest who needed more exposure, but would one more person really be such a hassle? Besides, Xu Chun knew nothing—how could she possibly help?

Bai Xianxian bit the soft flesh inside her lip, gazing at Xu Chun's receding figure with an unreadable expression.

The destination was neighboring City A, not far. But since the trip would last five days, Xu Chun packed an enormous suitcase full of things. This was a rare chance to be alone with Qin Yao, so she stuffed all sorts of odds and ends into the suitcase.

She was determined to win Qin Yao's favor within the week.

She glanced up at the clock. About time. With a firm tug, she zipped the suitcase shut, went downstairs, and took the production crew's car back to the office. As she got out, she happened to run into Jiang Banxia, who glanced at her luggage and tilted her head. Xu Chun gave her a brief, perfunctory explanation.

Jiang Banxia didn't ask much, only said, "Stay safe."

She was in a hurry, disappearing from Xu Chun's sight as soon as she spoke. Xu Chun watched her go and suddenly realized: Jiang Banxia had been very busy lately. Even in the office these past two days, Xu Chun had rarely seen her.

Secretary Zhao urged her on, and Xu Chun snapped out of it. She followed her to the parking lot and loaded her suitcase into the car first. "When is President Qin coming down?"

Her tone and expression were full of anticipation. Secretary Zhao's face didn't change. "Soon. Get in."

Since she said so, Xu Chun had no choice but to suppress her excitement and wait quietly in the car. She was playing on her phone when she heard faint footsteps outside. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled open the door and poked her head out to look, calling excitedly, "Sister Qin—" Then her tone abruptly shifted to deep disappointment. "Why is it you?"

She frowned, her expression thoroughly displeased.

Her face changed like the flip of a switch, turning from joy to impatience in an instant. Jiang Zhaolie's temple twitched, and she couldn't help retorting, "Why can't it be me?"

Xu Chun couldn't be bothered to argue. She straightened up and tried to look past her for Qin Yao, but there was no one behind Jiang Zhaolie. Her gaze dropped back. "Where's President Qin?"

"What's the rush?" Jiang Zhaolie's eyes fixed on her, feelings tangled. "She's behind. She'll be down soon."

Usually she seemed so cold and indifferent, as if she didn't care for women at all. So why was she now like a lovesick fool, restless the moment she couldn't see Mother? How long had they been apart?

Jiang Zhaolie opened her laptop expressionlessly, trying to pour herself entirely into work.

But the faint fragrance lingering in the air kept distracting her, making it hard to concentrate. Was it the scent of Xu Chun's hair, or her body? Light, with a hint of coolness and a faint floral sweetness, it filled the whole space, utterly bewitching.

Jiang Zhaolie belatedly realized: had Xu Chun gone home specifically to dress up and seduce Mother?

She couldn't help sizing Xu Chun up. Compared to the morning, she had changed into a more girlish dress; her hair was curled slightly, draped over her shoulders against skin like snow, alluring and intimate. With that light makeup, she gave off an air of gentle harmlessness.

Anyone meeting her for the first time would surely be fooled by this appearance.

But Mother wasn't familiar with Xu Chun. Clearly she wouldn't be able to tell... Jiang Zhaolie suddenly grasped the seriousness of the situation. She whipped her head around, her burning gaze fixed intently on Xu Chun. Xu Chun immediately scooted aside warily. "What are you doing? Don't forget, you unfilial child, I'm your future mother!"

Xu Chun frowned. "Don't get any ideas about your mother."

Jiang Zhaolie was speechless. Maybe out of a desire to spite her, or just to tease her, she sneered without expression. "My mother?"

Then the corners of her mouth curved into a mirthless smile. "Wouldn't that make it even more thrilling?"

Xu Chun: "?" You're shameless.

Jiang Zhaolie kindly reminded her, lest she get too immersed in her fantasy: "You and my mother aren't even a thing yet." She looked Xu Chun up and down. "Besides, my mother wouldn't necessarily like someone like you..."

"Then what kind does your mother like?" Xu Chun suddenly leaned in close, eyes gleaming greedily. "Tell me."

Her sudden closeness made the faint fragrance intensify, invading Jiang Zhaolie's nose without warning. Every muscle in Jiang Zhaolie's body instantly tensed, frozen stiff.

Jiang Zhaolie had never been this close to Xu Chun, not as a child, not even after they'd grown up. They had never had such close, intimate contact. She had spent years avoiding Xu Chun, and Xu Chun, fearing her, had never dared approach deliberately. Though they'd known each other for years, they were worse than strangers.

Xu Chun's sudden movement made Jiang Zhaolie feel like she was facing a major threat.

How could she not know boundaries? Didn't she know she shouldn't get this close to people? What if someone had ill intentions toward her...

"Don't you know how dangerous this is?" Jiang Zhaolie said seriously.

Xu Chun let out a soft "Ah," clearly misunderstanding. Being with Qin Yao was dangerous? Her thoughts ran wild—would she be assassinated? Targeted and framed by various suitors?

Then Xu Chun remembered what Bai Xianxian had said about there being no other women around Qin Yao. Thinking Jiang Zhaolie simply didn't want to tell her, Xu Chun abruptly pulled away. "Fine, don't say it then." She glanced at Jiang Zhaolie out of the corner of her eye. "Even if you don't, I'm still the stepmother you'll never have in this lifetime."

Jiang Zhaolie held herself back, pressing her fingers to her twitching brow. In sheer exasperation, she blurted out, "Mother doesn't like women." Of course, she didn't like men either.

But she deliberately left the second half unsaid, hoping to discourage Xu Chun.

Xu Chun was utterly stunned. "What?"

Just as she was about to press further, the car door was slowly pulled open and Qin Yao appeared in view. Jiang Zhaolie's open mouth snapped shut, and she quietly lowered her eyes to the laptop screen.

Qin Yao's unhurried gaze swept over her. Jiang Zhaolie's scalp tightened, her heart racing, and only when Qin Yao's gaze slowly moved away did she secretly exhale in relief.

Qin Yao's presence was intensely oppressive. Even after all this time together, Jiang Zhaolie still grew dizzy under Qin Yao's gaze, her ears ringing as stiffness spread through her body.

But Xu Chun seemed completely unaffected. Not only unaffected, she looked like she'd spotted a prize delicacy, ready to pounce on Qin Yao and devour her whole.

On that point alone, Jiang Zhaolie had to admire her.

Compared to the timid souls who had desire but no courage, Xu Chun was truly willing to risk her life for beauty. Still, inwardly, Jiang Zhaolie remained dismissive. If Mother could be won over so easily, she wouldn't have stayed single for so many years, without even a romantic interest.

She firmly believed Xu Chun would need at least a year or two to win Mother over.

When Xu Chun saw Qin Yao, her eyes lit with joy. She eagerly made room beside her to welcome Qin Yao, tilting her face up to gaze at her in obvious invitation.

But Qin Yao looked at her and didn't sit beside her. Instead, she went to the front passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and signaled the secretary, "Drive."

It would be a lie to say she wasn't disappointed. Xu Chun shamelessly leaned forward, eyes darting. "President Qin, isn't the front seat cramped? Why don't you sit in the back and let Jiang Zhaolie take your seat?"

Jiang Zhaolie stared at her, speechless. Did this woman have no manners?

Jiang Zhaolie watched Qin Yao nervously, afraid she might agree. But Qin Yao had no intention of switching seats; she merely glanced at Xu Chun through the rearview mirror. "Sit properly."

Secretary Zhao and Jiang Zhaolie both imperceptibly sighed in relief. But Xu Chun was determined not to be defeated by such a small setback. She tirelessly continued persuading Qin Yao: "President Qin, the front passenger seat is so inconvenient for handling business. It's so cramped, and you're so tall with such long legs, beautiful as a flower, a feast for the eyes—it's simply too unfair to you."

Qin Yao listened to her flood of compliments and curved her lips in a smile, still unmoved.

When soft tactics failed, Xu Chun immediately thought of force. She reached out and turned off the livestream, then turned fiercely on Jiang Zhaolie: "What kind of daughter are you? Your mother is sitting so uncomfortably and you don't even care! She raised you through shit and piss for nothing!"

"If I were your mother, my heart would have turned cold eight hundred times over!"

Jiang Zhaolie felt conflicted. What was the use of telling her this? Qin Yao hadn't said anything—how could she dare offer an opinion? Jiang Zhaolie put on the thick-skinned, unbothered air of a seasoned veteran. Xu Chun stared at her for a long while, saw she was getting nowhere, and then leaned glumly toward Secretary Zhao. "Sister Zhao..."

She called sweetly, her voice soft enough to melt bones. "You've worked so hard. Why don't you rest in the back and let me drive?"

Secretary Zhao shivered at the way she said it, terrified Qin Yao might misunderstand something between her and Xu Chun. She shook her head hastily to avoid suspicion. "No need. You rest yourself."

The refusal was crisp and decisive. Xu Chun's vision went dark; she clutched the seat with trembling fingers, the picture of heartbreak.

Jiang Zhaolie's face was blank. All right, enough with the theatrics.

But the next second, Xu Chun immediately regained her fighting spirit and once again sidled up to Qin Yao, speaking pitifully, "Sister, I don't feel well."

Qin Yao glanced at her. "Where doesn't it feel well?"

"Here." She pointed at her heart, then her liver, then gestured at her entire body. "And here, and here, here—everywhere, my whole body feels uncomfortable."

"Only leaning in Sister's arms can relieve it."

Cute.jpg

Qin Yao turned back with a half-smile. "Is that so?" Xu Chun nodded vigorously. But Qin Yao only said, "There's ibuprofen in the first-aid kit in the back seat. Take some."

A row of question marks slowly appeared above Xu Chun's head: "...?" This shouldn't be. This made no sense. This was the kind of thing that left men speechless and women in tears.