TNSFC – Chapter 6

Bian Ji’an quickly found out from his older brother where he was going that night and immediately told Que Yining.

【Bian Ji’an】: At Xiang Qing Waterside Pavilion, sometime after seven tonight. I don’t know the exact time or which floor. If I ask my brother more, he’ll find it strange.

【Que Yining】: OK, thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal some other day.

【Bian Ji’an】: A meal doesn’t matter, we see each other all the time. But tell me honestly, are you trying to get to Fu Wenjing through Gu Shanxue?

【Bian Ji’an】: If that’s what you’re thinking, I’d advise you to drop that idea quickly.

【Bian Ji’an】: That’s not how you get into the circle. You and he are from two different worlds.

Que Yining looked at the text on her phone, thinking that the original owner’s crush on the male lead was truly common knowledge.

【Que Yining】: I do have other plans, but not what you’re thinking.

【Que Yining】: From today onwards, don’t mention that man’s name in front of me again.

【Bian Ji’an】: ??

【Bian Ji’an】: Blink if you’ve been kidnapped.

【Que Yining】: Seriously, I’m not kidding.

【Bian Ji’an】: Have you finally seen the light? Planning to escape the sea of suffering?

Although Bian Ji’an wasn’t particularly close friends with Que Yining, he still considered her a friend. Having watched her all this time, he knew Que Yining really liked Fu Wenjing. He had even made bets on whether she could successfully pursue Fu Wenjing. But after all these years, he thought Que Yining might as well give up.

【Que Yining】: Yes.

【Bian Ji’an】: That’s right! There are plenty of fish in the sea; why be fixated on just one flower?

Que Yining replied with an agreeable emoji sticker and didn’t continue discussing the matter with Bian Ji’an.

After all, she had no feelings for the male lead, so there was no need to make a big deal out of denying it beforehand. If someone asked, she’d mention it. Anyway, when they inevitably met, wouldn’t it be obvious whether she liked him or not?

After 7 PM, Xiang Qing Waterside Pavilion.

Que Yining memorized the location and began choosing clothes to wear tonight.

She had to make contact with the other person first to understand their preferences and sexual orientation.

Que Yining didn’t know if Gu Shanxue liked women. Although she knew she herself probably liked women, she had never been in a serious relationship, let alone with a girl, so she didn’t have any sort of “gaydar.”

After choosing her clothes, Que Yining ate something and then stayed in her room to take stock of all the assets she currently possessed, or rather, those under the original owner’s name.

After checking, Que Yining found that, considering the Que family’s wealth, the money in the original owner’s bank account, including real estate, was more than she had expected.

Que Yining carefully recalled the limited memories she had of this body’s owner and understood why there was so much money in the account.

Based on Que Yining’s own experiences, she felt the original owner wasn’t an indulgent, extravagant, or pleasure-seeking person. She didn’t go on wild luxury shopping sprees, wouldn’t squander money for fun, nor would she attend so-called parties in shady places. Her family would buy her clothes. With few avenues for spending, her pocket money in the account accumulated into a considerable sum.

The person she spent the most money on was probably Fu Wenjing. Although most of the expensive gifts she sent were returned, she never got the outcome she desired.

All her thoughts were focused on the male lead. Thinking this, Que Yining’s expression became somewhat complicated.

Because Que Yining suddenly thought, since this was a book, was the original owner genuinely and spontaneously infatuated with Fu Wenjing, or was she simply written to be that way?

However, Que Yining didn’t dwell on it. After all, delving too deeply into such complex questions about human nature could easily lead into the realm of philosophy, causing one to doubt their own real life.

Que Yining didn’t know what the original owner did as a female supporting character, but if the corpse in her memory was indeed the original owner’s, then did it foreshadow an ending, or perhaps the beginning of this matter?

Her memories became jumbled again for a moment. Que Yining composed herself and started using the internet to research other aspects of this world.

Que Yining wanted to understand this world better and then do something. Although the Que family was wealthy, and she was now nominally their child, Que Yining wouldn’t feel entirely justified in enjoying everything.

This era wasn’t lacking in opportunities. As long as things were managed properly and backed by capital, there would surely be considerable returns.

Que Yining looked at the computer for several hours until her eyes felt slightly strained. Only then did she stop and look out the window.

It was winter now. The trees outside the window had long since become bare branches, filled with a silent stillness.

Que Yining opened the window, letting the cold wind flow into the room, dispelling some of the stuffy heat from the air conditioning.

Her mind seemed to clear a bit from the wind. Que Yining, wearing slippers, walked into the hallway and asked Butler Chen to prepare her a hot coffee.

When Que Yining returned to her room, she found the phone on her bed ringing.

She had changed the noisy ringtone to instrumental music last night. Seeing the caller ID, Que Yining answered the call.

Qiao Yuchu’s voice sounded somewhat urgent: “Yining, have you really thought it through? You really don’t like Fu Wenjing anymore? Is it really, really true this time?”

Although Qiao Yuchu had guessed this from Que Yining’s reaction yesterday, she still found it hard to believe. After all, as Que Yining’s close friend, she had watched her pursue him fruitlessly. Moreover, Que Yining had said more than once that she would stop liking Fu Wenjing, but after getting drunk late at night, she would invariably go back to pestering him a couple of days later. So, for Qiao Yuchu, the credibility of Que Yining’s statement was questionable.

Que Yining: “Yes, but why are you suddenly asking this?”

Que Yining’s phone was connected to Wi-Fi, so she could see app notifications while on a call. Noticing many new messages on her WeChat, she found it a bit strange and opened it.

The senders were unfamiliar yet vaguely recognizable. Almost all of them were asking the same thing: was it true she was no longer pursuing Fu Wenjing?

Qiao Yuchu: “Bian Ji’an posted it on his Moments! Good news, he called it! I stayed out too late last night and just woke up. I only just saw it. People are asking me if it’s true, and some are even telling me to tell you not to give up. Damn, a bunch of people who love drama and don’t mind stirring things up.”

Qiao Yuchu: “Oh, right, everyone pretty much knows about you hitting Wang Ruiyuan yesterday. Although I didn’t see it, people described it so vividly! They said you went up and cracked his head open, that you were running your mouth, and said other things. It made me so angry I started arguing.”

Que Yining sat on the soft chair and said nonchalantly, “Don’t bother with them. It’s not worth it.”

Que Yining didn’t even need to think to know that her public image had just reached a new low. Before, people might have called her stupid and brainless; now, they’d probably add violent and ruthless to her reputation.

Qiao Yuchu disagreed: “Hey, sis, that’s our reputation at stake! Are we just going to let people gossip like that?”

Que Yining curved her lips: “Actually, it’s perfect. If I have a fierce reputation, then if I slap that Little White Lotus in the future, people will just think it’s my usual style.”

Que Yining felt that every persona had its advantages. The original owner’s bad reputation was actually quite convenient. Regardless of whether she was in the right or wrong, no one would think she was easy to bully.

Qiao Yuchu chuckled on the other end: “You have such a big problem with the Little White Lotus now? I thought you used to believe her sometimes.”

Ostensibly, Gu Qianqian and Que Yining had no feud. Sometimes, Gu Qianqian was quite good at currying favor, and her demeanor was adept at deceiving people; many couldn’t see through her.

Qiao Yuchu didn’t dislike her at first either. She started disliking her because Gu Qianqian stole her ex-boyfriend. To be precise, it wasn’t exactly stealing; Gu Qianqian’s skill lay in getting other people’s boyfriends to speak up for her. After that, Qiao Yuchu became very annoyed with Gu Qianqian. But Lu Su City was only so big, and their social circle was only so big; they were bound to run into each other. So, Qiao Yuchu only made a few sarcastic remarks to her face.

Que Yining: “That was before. It’s different now.”

Qiao Yuchu became interested: “How is it different?”

Que Yining: “I’ve taken a fancy to her older sister.”

Que Yining had nothing she couldn’t say out loud. She was an adult in her twenties; why play at secret crushes like a child?

If Gu Shanxue heard from others that she was interested in her, Que Yining would be more than happy. Wouldn’t that add a bit more credibility?

Qiao Yuchu choked on her own saliva, momentarily thinking she was hearing things: “What? What did you say? Did I hear that right? Is it what I think it means?”

Qiao Yuchu’s series of questions fully expressed her shock and immense confusion.

Que Yining said unhurriedly, “It’s exactly what you think it means.”

A servant knocked softly on the door. Que Yining brought the hot coffee back, blowing on the steam.

Qiao Yuchu’s voice was rather cautious: “You haven’t been driven mad by some shock, have you? This change is a complete 180-degree turn. There’s no need to rush into hitting another wall just to forget a past relationship, right?”

Que Yining responded frankly, “No, I’m just simply attracted by her looks.”

Qiao Yuchu on the other end was stunned, not knowing how her friend could just decide to be gay all of a sudden.

Que Yining: “Accompany me to Xiang Qing Waterside Pavilion at seven.”

Qiao Yuchu: “…Where’s that?”

Que Yining: “Sounds like a place to eat.”

Qiao Yuchu: “What are we going there for?”

Que Yining: “Be my wingman. Don’t make a big fuss. Right now, only you know. Understand?”

Qiao Yuchu: “…I think I understand. Let me process this.”

Seven o’clock, Xiang Qing Waterside Pavilion.

This was a high-class, antique-style restaurant. It covered a large area, featuring winding streams for floating wine cups, pavilions, rockeries, and artfully arranged screens, looking quite elegant.

Qiao Yuchu hadn’t arrived yet. Que Yining stood at the entrance waiting for her, but unexpectedly, she first encountered the person she wanted to see.

Gu Shanxue was wearing an off-white long coat over a white knitted sweater. These should have been gentle colors, but on her, they carried a hint of coldness.

When Gu Shanxue saw her, her steps noticeably slowed.

Que Yining thought, she might not know who I am, but she definitely has an impression of me.

Just as Que Yining was about to go over and strike up a conversation, another voice interjected.

“Tsk, our Miss Que is certainly well-informed. Didn’t you say this morning you had no interest? Why are you here now, looking so eager?”

The voice had a teasing tone. Que Yining followed the sound and saw Yan Zishu, who had spoken, and Fu Wenjing standing beside him.

Que Yining felt as if her head had been struck hard. Something else surfaced, flashing quickly before her eyes. Before Que Yining could register it, it was gone.

But an extremely unwilling and resentful feeling still welled up in her heart, an emotion completely beyond Que Yining’s control.

Que Yining suppressed the emotions in her heart and walked towards her target.

Fu Wenjing’s expression was indifferent, but he frowned slightly when he saw Que Yining walking in his direction.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw Que Yining walk straight past him, to the person behind him.

“Are you here to eat too?”

Que Yining’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked up at Gu Shanxue, who was slightly taller than her.

Her eyes held an obvious, bright surprise, and their spring-water-like gaze made Gu Shanxue pause slightly.

“Then let’s go in together.”

She extended the invitation naturally, making Gu Shanxue nod in a way she couldn’t refuse.