TNSFC – Chapter 19

The photo Wang Ruiyuan posted, along with that sentence, would anyone believe it? Most likely not.

Was Wang Ruiyuan’s goal to spread rumors about this? Of course not.

It was merely to belittle and humiliate Que Yining. If this matter were to be taken seriously, he would most likely brush it off as a joke.

It was an obvious provocation. A counterattack was certain; it just depended on what method would be used.

This level of humiliation wasn’t enough to anger Que Yining. She closed the picture, her expression calm.

Qiao Yuchu, on the other hand, was furious. She was so angry she didn’t even want to type, so she simply called Que Yining.

“That bastard Wang Ruiyuan must still be holding a grudge because you hit him last time. What kind of damn photo did he take? His whole group is using it to laugh at you. Maybe next time they invite you for drinks, they’ll bring it up again. You really went easy on him that day.”

Qiao Yuchu was just saying that in the heat of the moment. Actually, Que Yining had used just the right amount of force that day. If Wang Ruiyuan had really been seriously injured, the situation wouldn’t be this superficially calm; the two families would definitely have come to blows.

Que Yining was already home by now, leisurely crossing her legs on the sofa. “Don’t get yourself worked up. It’s a small matter.”

Seeing that the person involved wasn’t agitated, Qiao Yuchu calmed down too. “How do you plan to get back at him? Beat him up again?”

Que Yining’s lips curved upwards. “That won’t do. Last time there was a reason. I don’t want his mother coming to argue with my mom again. Just wait and see. There are plenty of ways.”

Naturally, Que Yining didn’t need to post a clarification on her Moments. Those who knew about their feud understood what was going on, and those who didn’t would find out with a little inquiry. Making a special clarification would instead give the impression that she was easily provoked and couldn’t take a joke.

Qiao Yuchu became curious. “What way?”

Que Yining: “Wait and see. I’ll have Bian Ji’an organize a drinking party. Doesn’t Wang Ruiyuan just want me to apologize to him? Then let’s see if he can handle it.”

Que Yining uncrossed her legs, patted non-existent dust off her clothes, her eyes glinting with a meaningful light.

Qiao Yuchu got excited. “Great! When?”

Que Yining: “Today’s business, today’s end. Tonight.”

Que Yining thought about the time. She had plans with Gu Shanxue tonight, so the drinking party would have to be after her dinner.

Qiao Yuchu rubbed her hands together eagerly. “Alright, I’ll be waiting then. Is there anything I can help with?”

Que Yining: “Get him drunk. As much as he can drink.”

Qiao Yuchu: “Got it.”

After finishing the call with Qiao Yuchu, Que Yining went to find Bian Ji’an.

Bian Ji’an was currently being lovey-dovey with his new girlfriend at her place. A phone call made him almost jump. He reassured his girlfriend with a look and answered the phone.

“Eldest Miss Que, what made you think of calling me at this hour?”

Que Yining got straight to the point: “Are you free tonight?”

Bian Ji’an: “I guess so. Depends on what it is.”

Que Yining: “Organize a gathering tonight. Invite Wang Ruiyuan.”

Bian Ji’an had also seen that Moments post and suddenly understood. Then, his voice tinged with alarm, he asked, “It’s because of that, isn’t it? You’re not going to grab a bottle and hit someone again, are you?”

Que Yining: “I never use the same trick twice. Don’t worry, I’m definitely not going to hit him. Just go ahead and arrange it. If anything happens, it won’t be your responsibility. You just have to say you didn’t know.”

Bian Ji’an swallowed. “You saying that actually makes me more scared.”

Que Yining: “Are you helping or not? If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll make the arrangements myself.”

Bian Ji’an thought for a moment. The desire to watch the drama unfold won out. He nodded. “I’ll help!”

Bian Ji’an: “What if he doesn’t come?”

Que Yining’s voice was playful. “Do I need to teach you this? If he doesn’t want to go, you entice him. Tell him there’s something absolutely fun and exciting that will open his eyes. Would he refuse to go?”

Que Yining chuckled, the hint of disdain in her voice hitting Bian Ji’an directly through the phone.

Bian Ji’an rubbed his nose. “A master, indeed.”

Who among their group could refuse such an invitation? Even if they initially wanted to decline, being egged on like this, they would definitely come out of curiosity.

Bian Ji’an: “Alright, I’ll say that then. What time should we set it for?”

Que Yining: “Nine in the evening. The usual place. See you then.”

Before hanging up, Bian Ji’an curiously asked, “Is there really something absolutely fun and exciting?”

Que Yining narrowed her eyes. “Absolutely interesting.”

In Que Yining’s plan, she could have dinner with Gu Shanxue at seven, perhaps even take a walk together, and then arrive at Chun Chao at nine.

However, the other party’s plan was different. Gu Shanxue invited her to dinner at eight. Although it was an hour later than Que Yining had anticipated, there was still enough time.

Before the appointment, Que Yining took a shower, changed her clothes, did thorough moisturizing, and put on makeup that leaned towards a soft and alluring look.

Gu Shanxue had chosen a Western restaurant. When Que Yining arrived, she was led to her seat by a waiter.

The restaurant had a great atmosphere, with soothing light music playing and a warm fragrance filling the air.

Gu Shanxue wasn’t wearing the more professional attire Que Yining had seen her in that morning. She was wearing an off-white knitted sweater, which softened her cool demeanor somewhat under the light.

Her long black hair was tied into a low ponytail at the back of her head. When she looked up, her delicate and beautiful eyes met Que Yining’s.

So beautiful, Que Yining sighed inwardly.

The more she looked, the more she liked her appearance. Even that touch of coldness in her demeanor was perfectly stirring her heartstrings.

Facing Que Yining’s undisguised gaze, Gu Shanxue seemed to have an inkling about Que Yining’s consistent enthusiasm towards her.

Perhaps the other person simply admired her looks and was therefore enthusiastic about her, wanting to be friends. Gu Shanxue had encountered such situations before, but those people would gradually find her uninteresting and drift away due to her coldness.

“This is a thank-you gift for you, Miss Que, for what happened before. I hope you can accept it.”

Gu Shanxue handed over a beautifully wrapped box, waiting for Que Yining to take it.

“You’re too kind.”

Although she said that, Que Yining still accepted the gift.

Que Yining asked with a smile, “Can I open it now?”

Gu Shanxue nodded. “Of course. I hope you like it.”

Que Yining unwrapped the gift box and saw the beautiful item placed in the middle.

Que Yining: “Perfume?”

A dark red liquid flowed within the beautiful glass bottle. The bottle itself shimmered and refracted light under the lamps, and the nozzle was a golden rose, exuding a luxurious beauty.

Que Yining saw the brand name engraved on the bottle. Although she was relatively unfamiliar with the luxury brands of this world, Que Yining knew it must be quite expensive.

She gently sniffed the nozzle and curved her lips. “It smells good.”

The top note was rose, but it seemed to be mixed with some other scents that Que Yining couldn’t immediately identify. However, the fragrance wasn’t overpowering, possessing a perfectly balanced magnificence. Que Yining was sure it was a scent that suited her very well.

Que Yining: “Thank you, I like it very much.”

Seeing the genuine smile on her face, not just a polite one, Gu Shanxue’s expression also relaxed a bit.

When she first smelled the sample, she knew this alluring, beautiful fragrance would suit Que Yining.

A rich fragrance mixed with floral and sweet notes; the top notes were stunning, the middle notes captivating, and the base notes lingering—just like the beautiful, complex, and inscrutable woman before her.

Que Yining quite liked this thank-you gift. This meant that for some time to come, she would probably favor this perfume often, wearing it to places where she might meet Gu Shanxue, allowing her to recognize her by scent.

The restaurant was quiet, and the guests’ conversations were kept low.

Que Yining didn’t intend for this outing to be just for a meal. When the atmosphere was just right, she brought up a topic as if she were interested.

For example, Gu Shanxue’s preferences, what kind of music she liked, and then they chatted briefly on this topic.

Gu Shanxue listened to her views on classical music and mentioned the name of her favorite musician, not a famous, well-known figure, but one she had a special fondness for.

Que Yining thought for a moment and expressed her opinion in an uncertain tone, “I don’t know much about him. If I say something wrong, please don’t mind, Miss Gu.”

Gu Shanxue was very surprised inwardly and looked at her with admiration. “No, you’re quite right.”

“Miss Que’s insights are beyond my expectations, very different from what I’ve heard.”

Que Yining poured herself some wine, her expression unchanged upon hearing this.

“Rumors can’t be entirely believed,” she picked up the wine bottle. A drop of wine that hadn’t yet flowed back dripped from the bottle onto her fingertip. She extended the tip of her tongue and licked it lightly, then smiled at Gu Shanxue. “Miss Gu, don’t you agree?”

Her fingers were slender and pale, the tip of her tongue a vivid red. In that instant, there was an alluring charm that could bewitch one’s heart.

Gu Shanxue was momentarily dazed and nodded, a little stiffly.