TNSFC – Chapter 10

The same words can feel different when spoken by different people.

If Gu Shanxue had heard these words from someone else, she might have thought it was just deliberate politeness or flattery. But coming from Que Yining, it seemed so natural and sincere.

As if bumping into her here was genuinely something to be very happy about.

Gu Shanxue found it very strange.

The person before her didn’t seem to be hiding her intentions at all. Or rather, she was openly displaying her intent to get to know her or build a good relationship with her.

Gu Shanxue had looked into this Miss Que Yining last night. Besides understanding her identity and background, what she heard most was how deeply and relentlessly devoted she was to another person.

Why would such a person, who shouldn’t have had any dealings with her, appear before her and greet her for three consecutive days?

Gu Shanxue couldn’t figure it out and decided to wait and see. So, after Que Yining greeted her, she gave a slight nod.

Que Yining: “Shall we go in together then?”

After Gu Shanxue nodded, Que Yining immediately took Gu Shanxue’s arm, pressing lightly against her side.

Bian Boyan, standing not far away, who had overheard the entire conversation: …

Women truly are liars.

She clearly came here deliberately, even pulled some strings for it, yet when she approached the person, she pretended it was a pleasant surprise encounter. How had he never noticed Que Yining was so scheming before?

“Huh, since when did Yining Jiejie become so close with my sister? I had no idea.”

Gu Qianqian got out from the back seat of the car, linking arms with a middle-aged man.

That middle-aged man was undoubtedly Gu Qianqian and Gu Shanxue’s father, Gu Chongheng.

The scene was rather ironic. Que Yining didn’t know why he had brought Gu Qianqian along. Did he think Gu Shanxue wasn’t being gossiped about enough?

Que Yining chuckled lightly. “There are many things you don’t know.”

Que Yining started walking, her fingertips gently pressing Gu Shanxue’s arm. “Let’s go in.”

Que Yining and Gu Shanxue took rather large strides. After they had put some distance between themselves and the others, Que Yining spoke in a low voice, “You don’t seem to mind at all.”

Although both were his biological daughters, Que Yining felt Gu Chongheng’s actions were a slap in the face to Gu Shanxue, truly showing no regard for his other daughter’s feelings.

Que Yining was very close to her, so close that Gu Shanxue could smell a citrusy fragrance from her, not overpowering, but carrying a sense of cleanness in the winter chill.

Her gaze remained fixed ahead. Hearing Que Yining’s words, her voice was cool and clear: “Just a frog in a well.”

She didn’t care that Gu Qianqian had come, nor did she even care about Gu Qianqian’s existence.

Que Yining smiled. “I thought you’d at least consider her an obstacle, but I didn’t expect that in your eyes, she’s merely a buffoon. Miss Gu, you truly are magnanimous.”

Her last sentence had a teasing tone, and in her heart, she liked Gu Shanxue’s pride even more.

When people are not on the same level, or rather, when there’s a vast difference between them, in the eyes of the superior one, the other person isn’t an enemy, an obstacle, or a thorn in the side, but an insignificant thing that can be kicked aside at any moment.

The ridiculous thing was that Gu Qianqian was still bent on showing off in front of Gu Shanxue, flaunting everything she had gained through her status.

Gu Shanxue remained noncommittal, her face revealing nothing. No one could tell what she was thinking at that moment.

“I haven’t formally introduced myself yet. My name is Que Yining. Que as in ‘heavenly palace’, Yi as in ‘one against ten’, Ning as in ‘skin like creamy jade’. That last idiom is definitely not me boasting; if you don’t believe me, you can feel for yourself.”

Que Yining, arm in arm with Gu Shanxue, walked through the courtyard, strolling unhurriedly forward while introducing herself.

As she finished her last sentence, her hand slid down from Gu Shanxue’s arm and clasped Gu Shanxue’s palm.

Her face held an undisguised smile. Her actions were clearly overly flirtatious, hiding a teasing intent, yet it didn’t make one feel uncomfortable as if it were deliberately forced; it was so natural that it didn’t arouse any aversion.

Gu Shanxue unexpectedly felt the texture of skin that wasn’t her own. Apart from last night, this was the second time.

Unlike yesterday’s brief contact, today’s touch seemed exceptionally long, so much so that Gu Shanxue could clearly feel the warmth of Que Yining’s palm and the smoothness of her skin.

Girls’ hands are generally soft, but Gu Shanxue felt Que Yining’s hand was exceptionally smooth. She again smelled the faint citrus fragrance on her, exuding a scent that was just like its owner.

Que Yining’s fingers didn’t linger too long. They slowly slid up Gu Shanxue’s forearm, then loosely linked her arm again. Her tone was gentle: “Miss Gu, and you?”

Que Yining had originally wanted to introduce the ‘Yi’ in her name as ‘Yi for self-righteous’, but on second thought, she decided against being so audacious, lest she leave a bad impression, even though the emphasis of her self-introduction was on the last sentence.

She hoped that in the future, whenever Gu Shanxue heard her name, she would remember the touch of her hand.

She had deliberately applied a thick layer of cream before bed last night and had also made thorough preparations before going out today, determined to ensure her skin was soft and smooth even in winter.

Gu Shanxue snapped out of her momentary daze and said, “Gu Shanxue. Shan for mountains, Xue for snow.”

Compared to Que Yining’s introduction, hers was much more direct and concise, making Que Yining suspect that if she hadn’t added a whole bunch of descriptive suffixes, Gu Shanxue might have only told her her name.

Que Yining: “It matches your temperament very well, Miss Gu.”

Gu Shanxue politely thanked her and complimented Que Yining’s name, ending the conversation.

Que Yining found her increasingly interesting. Was this person’s aura cold? Yes, it was. Proud? Yes, also proud.

But it wasn’t an indifferent coldness, nor an aloof arrogance.

She didn’t make people feel uncomfortable; it was as if she was naturally meant to be that way.

Her superficial efforts were actually executed beautifully. Though her expression seemed unchanged, she always reacted appropriately, drawing others into her rhythm.

Que Yining grew increasingly curious, wanting to dissect her inner self to see if it was a fiery passion contrasting with her exterior, or an untouchable iciness.

The invitation had already been checked when the car drove in. Que Yining, arm in arm with Gu Shanxue, walked through the courtyard and into the banquet hall.

The place was decorated in a very Chinese style, with red silk hangings that looked very festive. In the center of the banquet hall was a long table covered with various items, presumably for a child’s ‘zhuazhou’ ceremony.

Besides the usual items like brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, as well as needles, thread, knives, and swords, there were other things. Guests coming and going would also place small items on it. Que Yining could tell at a glance that many had been painstakingly arranged by someone.

After all, if Elder Chen’s granddaughter picked up something placed by a guest during the zhuazhou ceremony, that guest would have a chance to make an impression on Elder Chen. This was an opportunity many coveted.

Que Yining had also prepared a gift, but she didn’t intend to steal the show today. In a relatively unfamiliar environment, she preferred to observe for a while first. So, she only brought a conventional gift, and her attire today was deliberately understated and not meant to stand out.

Gu Shanxue withdrew her hand, indicating her intention to leave, and nodded to Que Yining. “Excuse me.”

Que Yining tactfully retracted her hand and waved at Gu Shanxue.

There were already many people in the banquet hall, talking in twos and threes. Que Yining didn’t know any of them, but that didn’t hinder anything.

Que Yining stood beside a group of people who were talking, listening to their greetings. After those people moved on, she smoothly positioned herself in front of her target and began to greet them.

Even if she didn’t know who the other person was, anyone standing here definitely had the credentials to be here. Que Yining wasn’t flustered at all by the original owner’s reputation and appeared very confident as she chatted with people, collecting business cards. When the conversation turned to areas she excelled in, her smile would become even brighter.

Gu Shanxue watched the woman weaving through the crowd, chatting and laughing, a trace of doubt surfacing in her heart.

This person was completely different from the rumors she had heard. Whether in conversation or interaction, she was very assertive and liked to control the pace, yet surprisingly, she wasn’t unlikable. Moreover, there was always something about her that Gu Shanxue couldn’t quite figure out.

Gu Shanxue withdrew her gaze, reminding herself not to have unnecessary curiosity.