Chapter 50

Yu Sui'an had come tonight to dine with her wealthy patron and the patron's client. The patron had always indulged her every request, so when necessary, Yu Sui'an fulfilled her duties as a pet.

For example, helping the patron warm up the atmosphere at dinners, draw in business, and seal deals.

Yu Sui'an had always excelled at this, and the patron trusted her more and more, happy to bring her along to any occasion. And so Yu Sui'an accompanied the patron from negotiating small projects worth a few million to massive contracts worth hundreds of millions.

The projects she helped the patron close grew bigger and bigger. By now, whenever there was any business dinner, the patron called her first, and Yu Sui'an almost always agreed, whether or not she actually had the time. If she didn't, she pushed her own affairs aside and put the patron's side first.

The patron always paid her breach-of-contract fees without being asked, so over time Yu Sui'an grew even less scrupulous.

There were still commercial events and other shoots, but a patron who treated her this well was one of a kind. The other party didn't want her body or her looks, only her ability to liven up the atmosphere and negotiate business at dinners. To Yu Sui'an, that was already a very good situation.

What she feared was a patron who wanted not only her help with business but also her body, her looks, her money, every last thing, no different from a bandit.

Tonight Yu Sui'an had come with the patron because the patron had a deal to discuss with President Jiang, Jiang Banxia's father.

Because of Jiang Banxia, Yu Sui'an didn't particularly like President Jiang. So just now she had spared no effort setting a trap for him, coordinating with the patron to take advantage of his drunkenness and fleece him for a large sum.

President Jiang's losses meant Jiang Banxia's days ahead would be difficult. Thinking of Jiang Banxia's attitude toward her back on set, Yu Sui'an had even deliberately recorded a video of President Jiang losing his composure, saving it as ammunition for later use against Jiang Banxia.

Now the project was settled, and Yu Sui'an had accomplished her goal. After a word with the patron, she left first. She still had a shoot tonight; thanks to the patron, she had been moving from one production to the next almost seamlessly—no sooner had one drama wrapped than the next began filming.

It was easy to imagine how frequently she would dominate the screen next year with so many shoots, and how her popularity would explode.

Yu Sui'an had made up her mind to strive hard in her career until her popularity and reputation were as stellar as Xu Chun's.

She privately believed that once she and Xu Chun were evenly matched, Xu Chun would surely be willing to let bygones be bygones and take her hand again as before. Then the two of them, reconciled, would become an enviable pair of lovebirds in the entertainment industry.

So she threw herself recklessly into all kinds of activities, all so that one day she could stand before Xu Chun with confidence and dignity, begging her for one more chance. But who would have thought she'd run into Xu Chun by chance now!

A faint smile rose unbidden on Yu Sui'an's pure, bare face. “Sister, what a coincidence.”

Her pale lips curved gently, her voice clear: “I never thought we'd still run into each other here.” Her eyes shone with delighted surprise; she was so excited that for a moment she didn't know what to do with her hands.

Nervously tugging at the hem of her clothes, Yu Sui'an's heart raced, and a faint blush spread unconsciously across her cheeks. “It's been so long. I missed you so much.” After a pause, a hint of grievance appeared on her small face. “I sent you messages before and you didn't reply; I called and you didn't answer… Do you really dislike me that much?”

Her eyes reddened, immediately welling with a faint shimmer. “I know I was wrong. Don't ignore me, don't give me the cold shoulder anymore, okay? If there's anything I did poorly, just tell me—as long as you're happy, I'm willing to change.”

“Really.” As if afraid Xu Chun wouldn't believe her, she hurried forward a step. “I'm willing to change anything for you.”

Yu Sui'an's sudden approach made Xu Chun instantly feel Qin Yao's gaze on her turn sharper. Her scalp tightened, and she hastily stepped back half a pace, doing her utmost to distance herself from Yu Sui'an. “I've been too busy lately, no time to look at my phone.”

“Besides, we're completely over. There can't be any future for us.” Bracing herself against Qin Yao's dangerous death glare, Xu Chun pressed on. “Don't come pestering me anymore. It only makes me think worse of you.”

“You should go find someone new, instead of wasting your time on me—” Before she could finish, Yu Sui'an interrupted excitedly, “No! In this world, I only want you, sister!”

“I don't want anyone but you!” She clenched her fists, her chest heaving slightly with emotion. “Even if you don't like me anymore, even if you have no feelings for me left, I won't give up so easily.”

“I know you're someone who values relationships. We were together so long—I don't believe you could forget me so easily!”

Xu Chun's heart lurched again and again. She wanted nothing more than to rush over and cover Yu Sui'an's mouth. Please, stop talking! Can't you see there's someone behind me silently watching you?! You're courting death by saying this in front of Qin Yao!

“You're just still angry with me, you just still resent me, that's why you're deliberately saying this to provoke me, to make me angry.” She bit her lip tightly, and when she spoke again, her tone had lost its earlier certainty, replaced by utmost caution, as if begging for a nod of confirmation: “Sister, isn't that right?”

Qin Yao's aura had dropped several degrees. Xu Chun shivered involuntarily. “Of course not.”

For the sake of her own life, Xu Chun denied it without hesitation. “From beginning to end, I never liked you.” Her face was stern. “So I hope you won't come pestering me anymore and causing me trouble.”

“I don't want even the last bit of affection I have for you in my heart to be destroyed by your own hands.” Xu Chun kept her expression taut. “You don't want that either, right?”

Yu Sui'an's face went deathly pale in an instant, her lips trembling slightly, unable to speak.

All those days and nights of tossing and turning, sleepless nights, and deep hopes were shattered by Xu Chun's cold ruthlessness in this moment. Yu Sui'an's mind went blank; she retreated two steps involuntarily, her head dropping in a daze, unwilling to believe it.

She couldn't believe Xu Chun could truly be so cold to her, and even more, she couldn't believe Xu Chun could actually say these words out loud.

When they were together before, she wasn't like this.

Xu Chun had given in to her every whim, utterly indulgent. No matter what unreasonable request Yu Sui'an made, Xu Chun wouldn't refuse. Even if Yu Sui'an deliberately provoked her, Xu Chun stayed gentle and patient, never angry.

How could someone who had doted on her so much possibly say such cold, heartless words?

She didn't believe it.

Yu Sui'an clenched her teeth. She refused to believe it even if it killed her.

Devastated, Yu Sui'an retreated to the side. Xu Chun seized the chance to slip past her and fled with large strides. Qin Yao watched Xu Chun's retreating back unhurriedly, then glanced at Yu Sui'an, who had raised her head to meet her gaze. Her usually unapproachable face wore a rare, faint smile.

The moment their gazes clashed, Yu Sui'an involuntarily clenched her hands, trying not to let her aura be crushed by the other's. But how could she, a grassroots starlet, defeat Qin Yao's years of domineering authority?

In an instant, Yu Sui'an's defenses crumbled, and she lost utterly.

She couldn't control herself and averted her gaze, turning her head to stare fixedly at the ground. She wanted to ask what Xu Chun and Qin Yao were doing alone here. But Xu Chun had long since vanished, and Qin Yao clearly wouldn't answer such a boring question.

Yu Sui'an could only swallow her frustration and watch as Qin Yao disappeared in the direction Xu Chun had gone, unable to do a thing.

But… Xu Chun hadn't been linked to any new romance yet, so she still had a chance, right? Compared to others who had never dated Xu Chun, she still had an advantage.

At least she knew Xu Chun's private temperament, hobbies, and so on.

As long as she was patient, sincere, and persevered a little longer, she would eventually get what she wanted.

Yu Sui'an's gaze, full of determination, fixed on Qin Yao's unhurried departure. In this world, no one could stop her from having her sister. If anyone tried—Yu Sui'an slowly lowered her lashes—she would remove them one by one.

Xu Chun dashed far away and only stopped when Yu Sui'an was out of sight. She panted slightly, and after confirming Yu Sui'an hadn't followed, she leaned against the wall and waited for Qin Yao.

Her head was splitting. Why hadn't Yu Sui'an given up yet? How long had it been? A whole year since she and the original host broke up, and she still hadn't let go? And she was the one who initiated the breakup, yet now she was clinging so desperately, disregarding all dignity.

Xu Chun propped her chin on her hand and thought: was it because what you can't have never stops stirring your heart, and that was why she'd refused to let go for so long?

Wasn't that just like Jiang Zhaolie?

Xu Chun couldn't help shaking her head and sighing. The female lead lived up to expectations. The two of them thought exactly alike.

Anyway, she didn't want anything to do with either of them anymore, especially Yu Sui'an. Best to keep her distance, so she wouldn't cause more trouble for herself or add fuel to that love-triangle fire.

Just as she was thinking this, Qin Yao's tall figure slowly approached. Xu Chun immediately stood up straight, hands properly clasped in front of her, the picture of a model student. But Qin Yao had no intention of letting the matter slide so easily. Her voice was magnetic, pleasant, and dangerous. “Missed you?”

Xu Chun's brow twitched. Qin Yao spoke again, her tone unhurried: “Sent you messages and you didn't reply, called and you didn't answer?” Her tone was devoid of emotion, yet it made Xu Chun's heart pound with fear. “Only want you, sister?”

She was probably doing it on purpose. She bit off the word “sister” heavily. Xu Chun's scalp tingled, and she awkwardly turned her face away.

I'm doomed. If Qin Yao keeps talking like this, I really won't be able to hold up.

“I didn't know you were such a deeply emotional person.” Qin Yao's words had turned dangerous. “And I never expected that what you did before was all deliberate. All to provoke her, make her angrier, so she'd be even more unable to forget you.”

“Is that right?” Qin Yao leaned in close, regarding Xu Chun's panicked expression with interest.

“What? Do you still want her to chase you back?”

Of course not! Xu Chun wanted to explain, but somehow, a scene from an old melodramatic novel flashed through her mind, the male lead dealing with an unreasonable female lead.

Her brain short-circuited. She lifted her fair, slender swan-like neck and kissed Qin Yao, completely cutting off any possibility of the other speaking.

Silence fell instantly. Xu Chun watched as a flicker of surprise crossed Qin Yao's eyes, then her gaze darkened in an instant, becoming deep and unfathomable. Xu Chun instinctively wanted to run.

But Qin Yao was faster. She scooped Xu Chun up and carried her straight to the underground parking garage.

In the pitch-black environment, every sense was amplified. Xu Chun couldn't see Qin Yao's figure or face, but the other's burning breath on her face was exceptionally clear.

The unfamiliar warmth of the other's body through the fabric, the soft panting, each one plucked at the string called reason in Xu Chun's mind.

Like a spark falling onto dry hay, everything ignited in an instant.

How long she drifted in the sea of desire, Xu Chun didn't know, but finally she came back to her senses. Her mouth was hot and numb; half the buttons on her shirt were undone, her bra hanging loosely on her shoulders, held up only by the straps.

Qin Yao was no better. Her meticulous clothes were crumpled from Xu Chun's grip, and several strands of her elegantly pinned hair had come loose, clinging to her feverishly hot cheek.

Even without seeing, one could imagine how irresistible Qin Yao was beneath her stern exterior.

Xu Chun panted softly, her voice a little hoarse as she reminded Qin Yao, “I still have a livestream.”

She was uncomfortable from Qin Yao's attentions, but both she and Qin Yao were public figures; the slightest abnormality would be magnified, dug up, and held against them relentlessly.

So even if her heart yearned, she could only suppress those urges that brought both joy and sorrow.

How many times had they stopped just short of the line now? Xu Chun's mind was too muddled to count. But that didn't stop her from thinking that if this happened a few more times, she'd surely break out in acne from all the unvented frustration.

She struggled in Qin Yao's arms, and the other immediately held her tighter, voice equally hoarse: “Don't move.”

Xu Chun obediently stilled, eyes wide open in the darkness.

They stayed like that for a long while, until both their emotions had calmed somewhat. Then Qin Yao leisurely helped her tidy her appearance and reminded her, “Don't forget you have work tonight.”

At the mention of that, Xu Chun immediately grumbled, “Working overtime so late—when the show ends, you'd better pay me more, sister.”

“Alright.” Qin Yao nodded without hesitation. “Do you want it in a lump sum, or in installments?”

Xu Chun doubted her ears for a moment, then realized Qin Yao was once again steering the conversation straight toward the edge of the city. She couldn't help muttering, “If you've got the guts, give it to me now.”

The air went silent for a moment. Then Qin Yao's low, controlled voice sounded by her ear: “Xu Chun.”

“Don't think I don't dare.”

Xu Chun's scalp went numb, and her heart suddenly clenched tight. Desperate to explain, she couldn't help raising her voice, full of panic: “I was joking!”

If Qin Yao really took her right here… it wasn't entirely out of the question.

It was just that the experience wouldn't exactly be pleasant.

Xu Chun's mind wandered as she seriously considered: if conditions allowed, she would naturally prefer the best possible experience.

Qin Yao's gaze was deep and intense in the darkness, the shifting shadows in her eyes impossible to see. “You'd better be.”

Xu Chun didn't dare respond, staying quiet as Qin Yao tidied her up. It took ages to finally get it done, but then Qin Yao, for some reason, came at her again, dawdling and dragging things out. By the time they finally sat in the car, she had no idea how much time had passed.

After she fastened her seatbelt, Qin Yao pulled down the vanity mirror and handed her bag to her. “Touch up.”

Xu Chun initially thought she was being sweet, until out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of her messy reflection in the mirror, like she'd been thoroughly ravaged. Only then did she realize Qin Yao had probably reminded her because she couldn't stand looking at her anymore.

She couldn't help but glare resentfully at her. Whose fault was this…

Qin Yao kissed her so eagerly, then stoked the fire without putting it out. It was utterly inhuman.

Sitting in the passenger seat with nothing else to do, and thinking she'd be on camera soon, she focused on the mirror, patting and primping. Qin Yao turned her head and watched her quietly, the emotions in her face and eyes impossible to fathom.

Her gaze seemed to be looking at Xu Chun, yet also seemed to be seeing through her to something else.

When Xu Chun returned to the company, the Qin Group office building was still brightly lit. Thanks to the variety show, Qin Group had now thoroughly raised its profile across the entire country. From eighty-year-olds to three-year-olds, everyone could say a thing or two about Qin Group, let alone the other age groups that made up the main consumer force.

Qin Group's research and sales covered an extremely wide range. Besides basic medicines, it also offered a full array of medical devices needed for various illnesses.

A recent one-line summary of Qin Group online perfectly demonstrated the breadth of its business: At Qin Group, from the moment you're born to the moment you step into your coffin decades or centuries later, they have everything you could need for birth, aging, illness, and death.

Everyone agreed wholeheartedly with this statement.

Over the past twenty-some days, from the moment the variety show began livestreaming, Qin Group's official account had been broadcasting daily, introducing the company's corporate culture, product types and uses, and so on, without pause.

Even those who hadn't watched the livestream or followed Qin Group could see bits and pieces of news about it all over the internet.

Over half a month, everyone had been silently, imperceptibly won over by Qin Group, labeling it in their minds as “Qin Group has a complete range, reliable and guaranteed.” On top of that, the company had suddenly announced a half-price sale on all products on the final day of the show to thank the guests, which sparked an incredibly heated discussion online.

It even briefly overshadowed the show itself.

Qin Yao was undoubtedly an excellent businesswoman. From the moment she agreed to appear on the show, she had turned the tables, making the program a weapon for growing even stronger.

If anyone was the biggest winner of this show, it was undoubtedly Qin Yao.

Since Qin Group was already the show's sponsor, even if some in the directing team were unhappy, Qin Yao showered them with generous gifts, and the group immediately had nothing to say.

Qin Yao's maneuver was a complete victory.

Xu Chun sighed as she browsed online. Why was the gap between people so huge? Some people were young and accomplished; others were full of nothing but romance and love, unable to tell right from wrong. Truly, comparison made one despair.

She got a bit absorbed in reading and barely exchanged a few words with Qin Yao the whole way.

Casually scrolling to her own Weibo, Xu Chun thought about herself… she seemed a bit lazy. But she'd already signed for her next drama; after finishing this variety show, she'd have only one day to rest before going to her teacher for professional training, then seamlessly joining the new production.

She could foresee what hardships she'd endure while filming the next drama.

Because the subject matter was positive and uplifting, and held tremendous positive significance for a female actress's prestige and influence, Xu Chun was determined to do her absolute best.

She didn't plan to make acting her lifelong career, but she believed in loving whatever work you do. Since she was doing it, she would do it to the best of her ability.

The original Xu Chun had been forced out of the entertainment industry, losing the career she loved, never able to pursue what she loved for the rest of her life. So Xu Chun wanted to completely shatter the shackles of the original plot.

Not only would she stay in this industry and act well, she would become the best, an undefeatable legend.

Only then would she be completely different from the “herself” in the book.

They were different people, so their fates would be vastly different. She would never end up like the her in the book.

Qin Yao handed Xu Chun the work she needed to do, and Xu Chun found herself slowly getting used to this pace. Realizing this, Xu Chun immediately sprang to her feet. No! She couldn't be boiled like a frog in warm water!

So after finishing overtime, late at night, she made a hundred-meter dash with her phone in hand to the gym and worked hard lifting weights. The viewers watched in confusion: “…?” Sister, do you really not need sleep?

Her fans in the crowd held it in for a long time before finally forcing out: “Wow! Sister Xu is so disciplined! Love her, love her!”

The other viewers: “…” So fake.

Xu Chun worked out hard at the gym, first to strengthen her body and maintain her figure, second to vent. Only when she felt thoroughly comfortable did she take a quick wash, change into clean casual clothes, and head home with her things.

The show would end in about a week. Though it was only seven short days, with Zheng Yanran around, those seven days felt like years to Xu Chun. Every day she'd count on her fingers from time to time, wishing she could close her eyes and open them to find this hellish period over.

After Zheng Yanran chased after Jiang Banxia that night, she returned to Qin Group the next day, but Jiang Banxia didn't follow.

Though Jiang Banxia was a guest on the show, she had later learned bad habits from Xu Chun, occasionally disappearing mid-broadcast. Now it was even worse. She simply didn't show up at all, handing her livestream camera directly to Zheng Yanran.

The viewers who camped in her livestream room felt a bit complicated, but since Zheng Yanran was somewhat interesting, they tolerated it.

They thought they could hold out until Jiang Banxia returned, but little did they know Zheng Yanran could ramble endlessly, from grocery shopping to Marxism, from Schrödinger's cat and quantum entanglement to spring having arrived and the animals needing to mate. It left people speechless.

That alone would have been bearable, but when she accidentally ended up together with Xu Chun, every minute and every second challenged the viewers' tolerance to its limit.

Xu Chun also found Zheng Yanran extremely annoying, yet Zheng Yanran shamelessly insisted on following her, reasoning: “Mom says you're very cunning, so she told me to follow you and learn more.”

“We've known each other for forty-eight hours now. Calling each other besties isn't too much, right?”

Xu Chun stared at her expressionlessly. “Who wants to be your bestie?”

Zheng Yanran hesitated for a moment at that, then asked uncertainly, “Then we… become family?”

Subway grandpa staring at his phone.jpg

Xu Chun was full of question marks. “Who wants to be family with you?” She really couldn't understand Zheng Yanran's thought process. “And what kind of relationship do you think we'd have if we were family?”

The question stumped Zheng Yanran a bit. She thought about it and answered, “You're older than me, so of course you'd be my sister. Isn't that obvious?”

Xu Chun raised an eyebrow. “Sisters with different fathers and mothers?” Then she nodded. “Fine. But since we're sisters now, shouldn't you show some sincerity? For example…”

At that, Zheng Yanran answered without thinking: “No such thing.”

“You don't have a sister anymore.”

“Just now, I severed ties with this family and drew a clear line.” She smiled faintly. “You and my mom can keep each other company and stay warm together.”

“If you marry a wife, then the three of you can depend on each other and share your hardships. It's fine, don't worry about me. I'll chase my romance and wander the world.”

Xu Chun: “…” 6.

“Then I'll marry Qin Yao and bring her into the family.”

Zheng Yanran froze: “???” Marry Qin Yao? Wouldn't that mess up the family hierarchy?

She glared at Xu Chun. Are you deliberately trying to make this family restless? Are you deliberately trying to break this family apart?