TNSFC – Chapter 48

The call was from Bian Ji’an.

He rarely took the initiative to call Que Yining. Que Yining had initially thought he wanted her to return a favor by helping him with something, but Bian Ji’an spoke of something else.

“Yining, has your little company been having some trouble recently?”

His voice carried a hesitant uncertainty, and even his usual exaggerated, teasing way of addressing her had become more subdued.

News traveled fast in their circle. Everyone knew Que Yining had started her own company. Initially, it was treated as a joke; no one thought she was going to achieve anything significant. Bian Ji’an had noted it at the time but hadn’t inquired further. However, he had just heard something, unsure if it was true, so he called Que Yining to give her a heads-up.

“How do you know? Did this news spread that quickly too?”

Que Yining wasn’t surprised Bian Ji’an knew, but she hadn’t expected him to find out so quickly.

Bian Ji’an: “Is it about a virus or something?”

Que Yining raised an eyebrow. “It seems you know something. Do you know who did it? It couldn’t be Wang Ruiyuan, could it?”

The police hadn’t yet found out who paid the half a million. The other party probably knew Geng Liyun had been caught, as there was no movement on the remaining half million.

Bian Ji’an was startled. “You know it was him?”

Que Yining: “It really was? How did you find out? Don’t tell me Wang Ruiyuan boasted about it himself?”

Compared to what happened yesterday, this matter seemed less important. But this person wouldn’t stop, and she happened to be looking for an outlet for her anger. Hadn’t he just walked right into it?

Bian Ji’an: “Yes, but I didn’t know if it was true. Now it seems it most likely is. Yesterday, Wang Ruiyuan was drinking with Dongzi and the others. Wang Ruiyuan got drunk and told them. He said he didn’t know if the virus got in, but the person got caught, and he was fuming about it. Dongzi came back and told me as a joke, so I called to ask you.”

Bian Ji’an: “You didn’t suffer any losses, did you?”

Que Yining narrowed her eyes. “Not really a loss. It seems he’s still holding a grudge from when I took his photos last time.”

Hearing the change in Que Yining’s voice, Bian Ji’an quickly said, “You’re not planning to take photos again, are you?”

Que Yining: “I never use the same trick twice.”

Bian Ji’an had a bad feeling. “Then what are you going to do? Don’t tell me you’re going to put a sack over his head and beat him up. After all, his parents’ status is still there. If it blows up, it’ll be hard to handle. Besides, even if he spilled the beans while drunk, everyone might know it in their hearts, but there’s no evidence. Those people who heard it won’t testify for you.”

Que Yining: “I know. I don’t plan to do that. Don’t worry, this has nothing to do with you. I appreciate you telling me. It won’t affect you, and I certainly won’t beat him up.”

Que Yining chuckled, but her eyes were cold. “I’m not such a crude person.”

Knowing it was Wang Ruiyuan, Que Yining had no intention of going through legal channels.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the police or the law, but realistically, sending Wang Ruiyuan to prison was impractical. As Bian Ji’an said, there was no evidence, and witnesses wouldn’t come forward. It would be too easy for the Wang family to protect their son and find a scapegoat. In the eyes of the rich and powerful, laws were things that could be manipulated.

She would retaliate in her own way, but not by planting a virus in Wang Ruiyuan’s companies. Que Yining wouldn’t do anything illegal.

She had previously investigated and found that Wang Ruiyuan had several companies under his name, two of which were his main money-makers. Que Yining planned to get her hands on them.

Que Yining didn’t intend to borrow strength from the Que family for this. She began to review her network of contacts.

Looking around, it turned out Gu Shanxue was the most suitable.

However… Que Yining hesitated, looking at her phone, unsure whether she should choose Gu Shanxue as a transaction partner.

After all, privately, she didn’t really want to involve Gu Shanxue in a relationship based on interests. When feelings were mixed with vested interests, they didn’t seem so pure anymore. Furthermore, she secretly only wanted Gu Shanxue to see her good side. If she were to use Gu Shanxue’s power to accomplish this, she would inevitably reveal her true nature.

After staring blankly at her chair for several tens of minutes, Que Yining came back to her senses.

“What am I thinking…”

She pressed her temples, suppressing her hesitation.

There was no one more suitable than Gu Shanxue, Que Yining thought.

In every aspect, what she was about to do was tantamount to earning benefits for Gu Shanxue. Instead of letting others profit and sharing with them, wouldn’t it be better to give it to Gu Shanxue?

As for revealing her true face, if Gu Shanxue really fell for her and they could truly be together, Gu Shanxue would find out her true nature sooner or later. Que Yining wasn’t one to live life wearing a mask.

But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, when Que Yining called Gu Shanxue, she still felt an unconscious trepidation.

That emotion was beyond Que Yining’s rational control. Could it be that when you like someone, you unconsciously lose confidence in front of them?

Dark clouds hid the moon, the stars were dim, and only a few bright lamps shone.

The ringing of her phone distracted Gu Shanxue, who was processing documents. She glanced at the caller ID, answered, and put it on speaker.

Que Yining’s voice filled the room. Gu Shanxue leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and had the illusion that Que Yining was standing in front of her, speaking.

Upon hearing Que Yining’s purpose, Gu Shanxue’s posture unknowingly relaxed a little, her eyes curving with a light, pleasant ease she herself hadn’t noticed.

“No problem, I’ll help you.”

Her voice was still cool, masking the slight eagerness with which she had spoken the moment Que Yining finished.

Que Yining: “Can I take over and handle it myself? Consider it something I’m borrowing from you. You don’t need to exert much effort. After it’s done, all of it will be yours. I won’t take a penny. Just consider it my thank-you gift.”

Gu Shanxue frowned slightly. “You can rest assured.”

Que Yining had been bullied twice in a short period, and she had only found out yesterday. She had thought Que Yining approaching her meant she saw her as someone trustworthy to rely on, but she hadn’t expected her to use such distant words like “borrow.”

Que Yining chuckled lightly. “Shanxue, how could I not trust you? I trust you the most. It’s just that, you know, I want to take revenge. Of course, doing this kind of thing myself is more satisfying.”

Gu Shanxue: “Then the benefits are unnecessary. It can be registered under your name later. I won’t take the money.”

Que Yining: “That’s even more unacceptable. I borrowed from you, so that’s your benefit. You mustn’t refuse. Besides, Shanxue, we’re so close, why distinguish between you and me?”

Her voice was like hidden honey, making one’s tongue tingle with sweetness upon hearing it.

Gu Shanxue let out a soft breath, dispelling the heat from her face, and responded softly.

Que Yining: “So, it’s settled then?”

Gu Shanxue: “Okay.”

Que Yining: “Hmm…”

Gu Shanxue detected the hesitation in her voice and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Que Yining’s voice became a little softer than before as she said in a low tone, “Don’t you think I’m being particularly… excessive?”

The other party had tried to harm her and failed, yet she was going to take down their two most profitable companies and claim those benefits for herself.

Gu Shanxue frowned. “Why would you think that? I don’t think you’re being excessive. The marketplace is like a battlefield. Although they didn’t succeed this time, if they had, they might have seized your lifeline. There’s no need to be soft-hearted with such people.”

“Did someone say something to you? Don’t pay attention to those gossips who advise others to be magnanimous at others’ expense. If it’s someone close to you, stay away from them as soon as possible.”

Gu Shanxue detested those hypocrites who urged others to be magnanimous and accepting. Years ago, when she accompanied her mother abroad, many people had tried to persuade her mother, and her too.

Telling her mother to accept that woman, to accept that woman’s child, saying things like all men make mistakes. Utterly ridiculous.

It’s just that the needle hasn’t pricked them, so they don’t know the pain. The world has a hundred kinds of suffering, and a hundred kinds of people have a thousand kinds of pain. To accuse someone of not being kind without having been in the same situation is truly shameful.

Gu Shanxue spoke seriously, but Que Yining on the other end laughed again.

“Shanxue, you’re so good.”

Her final syllable was drawn out, carrying a soft, fluffy feeling.

Gu Shanxue was slightly stunned by her sweet voice, pursed her lips, feeling a bit flustered, not knowing how to respond.

“No one said anything to me. I was just worried you’d think I’m very bad, very vengeful.”

Gu Shanxue replied without hesitation, “No, you’re very good.”

This was the Que Yining she knew. If she were a soft person who didn’t know how to fight back, Gu Shanxue would have been suspicious.

Que Yining smiled even more happily. That undisguised joy was transmitted through the electric current to Gu Shanxue.

Que Yining: “In my heart, you’re very good too.”

Gu Shanxue’s heart had just fluttered at these words when she heard Que Yining speak again, “Shall we meet tomorrow to discuss the details then?”

Gu Shanxue: “Okay.”

Que Yining: “Then, see you tomorrow.”

Gu Shanxue: “Mm, see you tomorrow.”

The farewell words, perhaps due to their mood, seemed to have an added, inexplicable tenderness.

After the call ended, Gu Shanxue stared at her phone, somewhat lost in thought.

She refocused her attention on her documents, tapping her brow.

Now, she couldn’t quite articulate her own feelings. Her past self had been prescient, knowing that Que Yining was like a whirlpool, best kept at a safe distance. Yet, she had now stepped into it, unable to pull away, but still resisting being completely drawn in.

She couldn’t figure out Que Yining’s thoughts. She was as cunning as a fox, sometimes as soft as a cat, as sweet as honey, elusive and ambiguous.

Of all worldly emotions, love was the easiest to misinterpret.

Once such a conclusion was drawn, then that person’s smile was for you, their tears were for you, every action held a deeper meaning, like weaving a sweet trap for oneself.

Gu Shanxue didn’t want to step into that trap. She forced herself to be more clear-headed, hoping she could always remain good friends with Que Yining.

Que Yining, however, was unaware of Gu Shanxue’s turmoil. She was immersed in a joyful mood, and amidst her excitement, she didn’t forget how to dig a pit and set a trap for Wang Ruiyuan.

This wasn’t a short process, just as Wang Ruiyuan had waited so long, holding back from making a move.

After meeting Gu Shanxue, exchanging information, and seeing her people, Que Yining first went to the police station to handle Geng Liyun’s matter. She indicated that she no longer needed to pursue the person who might be untraceable, and after Geng Liyun was sentenced according to the law, she began to deal with Wang Ruiyuan.

Intercepting high-level clients, cutting off supplies from lower-level factories, and releasing false information to make the other party’s investments fail—Que Yining, in a very short time, pushed one of his companies into a state where its capital chain was broken.

When Wang Ruiyuan tried to move liquid funds from other companies to fill the gap, Que Yining secretly used methods to report him for tax evasion. This wasn’t slander; Xie Yanhuai had hacked into the other party’s company computer, and Wang Ruiyuan had indeed evaded taxes.

After his funds were frozen due to the tax investigation, Que Yining had Qiao Yuchu go and taunt Wang Ruiyuan, saying he couldn’t do anything right and could only run home to his mother.

As Que Yining expected, Wang Ruiyuan was indeed provoked. He didn’t ask his family for money. Faced with the company’s broken capital chain, he had no choice but to sell off equity to keep the company running.

Que Yining then used several companies to raise and lower prices before finally withdrawing, delivering a heavy psychological blow to Wang Ruiyuan. When his mentality was on the verge of collapse, she bought up the equity at a low price through various entities, becoming the largest shareholder of that company in one fell swoop.

Que Yining struck steadily, accurately, and ruthlessly. The day before New Year’s, she devoured one of Wang Ruiyuan’s companies. At midnight, she gave it to Gu Shanxue as a gift.

“Happy New Year, Shanxue.”

Que Yining held her phone, looking at her reflection in the glass window, her red lips curved into a smile.

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