TNSFC – Chapter 89

Gu Shanxue couldn’t withstand Que Yining’s advances at all. Seeing the beautiful woman’s red lips approaching on the screen, she immediately thought of last night’s intimacy.

Because of that kiss, Gu Shanxue had barely slept.

She tossed and turned, sometimes joyful, sometimes worried. Looking at her smiling self in the mirror, she felt like a stranger.

Now, even her rationality was leaning towards Que Yining, making her unable to control herself.

Today, she was so shy she hadn’t dared to message Que Yining. But Que Yining acted as usual, as if nothing was out of the ordinary, which made Gu Shanxue antsy and unable to concentrate even while working.

Que Yining looked at the silent phone for a while, then at her own face on the screen, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Even though Gu Shanxue hadn’t turned on her camera, she could imagine the other person’s helplessness and embarrassment.

“Shanxue, do you see? They’re a little chapped,” Que Yining pouted slightly, her tongue darting out to lick her rosy lips. “Do you see? Do you see?”

She insisted on getting a response from Gu Shanxue before she would stop.

“You can drink more hot water and apply some lip balm.”

Gu Shanxue gave this answer, which she considered effective, in a very serious tone, her gaze somewhat afraid to look at the screen.

“But I don’t think any of those methods are as effective as one particular method. Guess what it is?”

Que Yining continued to tease Gu Shanxue. Gu Shanxue’s ears turned red unconsciously. Of course, she understood what Que Yining was implying, but it was absolutely impossible for her to say those words, so she could only play dumb and ask along.

“I’ll tell you next time we meet. I have to go out for a dinner party now.”

Que Yining turned off the camera and said goodbye with a smile.

For Que Yining, just flirting verbally wasn’t enough; this kind of thing, of course, had to be done in person.

Gu Shanxue instantly understood her meaning and couldn’t help but cough lightly, a strange sense of anticipation rising in her heart. But she quickly shifted her attention.

“A dinner party?”

“Yes, with colleagues from the company’s project team. I’m treating them to a meal.”

“Remember to have someone accompany you.”

“Of course, the bodyguards are always with me. You be careful too.”

After exchanging reminders, Que Yining hung up the phone.

Zhang Shiyu had already booked a place and informed the colleagues of the address.

For a dinner gathering, a Que family restaurant was naturally the first choice. Que Yining chose one from their mid-to-high-end consumer brands.

The atmosphere in the private room was very harmonious. Que Yining was never stingy with her employees, and an encouraging work environment would always lead a team into a positive upward cycle.

After dinner, Que Yining treated them to singing and entertainment at a cleaner, high-end club. The group was extremely excited.

Que Yining didn’t join them. She watched from the side for a bit, said she would cover the bill for the night, and then had her bodyguard push her wheelchair to leave.

What she hadn’t expected was to run into Fu Wenjing here, of all places.

Perhaps because she had finished processing the original owner’s memories, this time, when facing Fu Wenjing, her body didn’t show any signs of pain or abnormality.

This was a good thing for Que Yining. At least she could carefully observe Fu Wenjing, a person who might be quite useful to her in the future.

After all, Fu Wenjing’s work ability was indeed outstanding, and the group he controlled held a significant position in the business world. Cooperating would undoubtedly be very good, but the prerequisite was that she first needed to see if this person was a love rival.

Gu Shanxue hadn’t fallen for Fu Wenjing like the character in the book, but it was hard to say about Fu Wenjing. What if he fell for Gu Shanxue as in the original plot?

If he was a love rival, then she had to nip Fu Wenjing’s ideas in the bud.

Fu Wenjing seemed a little surprised to see her too. His gaze fell on the wheelchair she was sitting in, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

Rationally speaking, Que Yining didn’t dislike this man. After all, looking back, he had been quite gentlemanly towards the original owner, speaking clearly and never accepting any favors. Que Yining quite admired his character.

“No need to look at me like that. It’s not like I can’t stand up anymore.”

Que Yining wanted to exchange a few words with him, so she started the conversation.

Fu Wenjing composed his expression and said, “No offense intended.”

“It’s alright. I was planning to make an appointment with you in a few days to discuss the Yunjin Mountain project. Since we happened to meet today, I’ll give you a heads-up. I’ll still pay a formal visit later.”

Que Yining simply treated Fu Wenjing as a potential business partner, unrelated to any of the original owner’s emotions. She wore a business smile, her attitude calm and open.

The last time Fu Wenjing had seen her was when Gu Shanxue had her accident. He had heard about Que Yining’s car accident before but hadn’t paid much attention. Que Yining’s current attitude also lessened the awkwardness of recalling the past for him, and he nodded politely at her.

The door of a nearby private room opened, and someone looked at Fu Wenjing, smiling, “Lao Fu, who are you talking to out here? You haven’t come in for ages.”

He saw Que Yining, his expression knowing. He didn’t say anything teasingly, just waved a greeting to Que Yining and extended an invitation.

“Eldest Miss Que, it’s rare to meet you. Want to come in and join us?”

Although the matter between Que Yining and Fu Wenjing had ended a long time ago, and people around Fu Wenjing had gone from gossiping about it to no longer mentioning it, seeing the two of them together still brought a teasing look to their faces.

“No, thank you. I won’t disturb you. Goodbye.”

Que Yining politely said goodbye, glanced at her bodyguard, and had him take her away.

Que Yining returned to the Que residence and started working as soon as she entered her room.

Time passed particularly quickly amidst the busyness. Early summer foliage grew rapidly, and the increasingly sultry weather had the people of Lu Su City putting on short sleeves.

Nearly half a month passed in a flash. Que Yining and Gu Shanxue were both so busy they barely had time to meet. Que Yining had thought she would soon be able to tell Gu Shanxue in person about the method she mentioned in the video call, but who knew so much time would pass without them being able to see each other.

Gu Shanxue was focused on her new project and was often away from Lu Su. Que Yining was also busy handling Que Corporation’s new project: selecting sites, purchasing storefronts, renovating, hiring new chefs with sufficient sincerity and high salaries, researching new dishes, and after choosing the main offerings, having the research department continuously improve recipes, flavors, and preservation methods, and contacting factories. The entire department was incredibly busy; almost no one was idle.

To prevent Que Linyang from making any sneaky moves, Que Yining had to be extremely vigilant to avoid any information leaks, personally reviewing everything to prevent oversights.

While strengthening her own defenses, Que Yining also didn’t forget to continuously create interference and trouble for Que Linyang. Hou Manni had recently found out that the person contacting her was Que Yining and was providing her with Que Linyang’s movements and clues.

At the same time, she also had to oversee the operations of her own company, Lingyao.

A few days ago, there was a major move. Qingyun Studio had already moved to a new office building. The renovation of the headquarters building wasn’t complete yet, so the headquarters staff were temporarily working at Qingyun’s location. Meanwhile, the newly signed Yeluo Studio, which was currently planning and programming, had moved into the previously rented office building.

In addition to her busy work schedule, Que Yining also had to undergo rehabilitation.

“Slowly, slowly, don’t rush, don’t rush.”

You Lanqing stood on the other side of the rehabilitation equipment, nervously watching Que Yining slowly walk while holding onto the railing, her face encouraging.

A large patch of light shone in through the open glass doors of the balcony, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.

Que Yining had originally wanted to live at her own home, but the Que family wouldn’t allow it. You Lanqing insisted on keeping her there, occasionally cooking for her and accompanying her during rehabilitation.

The Que parents still treated her like their own daughter, though sometimes when they looked at her, their faces would show a fleeting, mournful expression.

Que Yining stopped, nodded at her, and then gritted her teeth and moved forward. The feeling of her legs lacking strength made her feel helpless despite her will. Her face was pale, and her palms were sweaty.

After finishing one round, she leaned against the sofa, somewhat exhausted. You Lanqing brought her water. She wiped her sweat, drank the water, and rested, panting.

“The doctor said you’re recovering very quickly. If you keep at it, you’ll be able to walk normally.”

You Lanqing looked at Que Yining, feeling a sense of admiration for this child.

Although she didn’t know what Que Yining had been through, she felt that she must have endured a lot of hardship to still be so calm and composed after encountering so many things.

From the time of the car accident, she had sensed this child’s calmness. It wasn’t an optimistic, positive desire to survive. Looking back now, she realized it was a kind of indifference, as if not taking those pains seriously, or perhaps, being accustomed to them.

“Mm.”

Que Yining smiled at her, her smile full of brightness.

The faint sound of a car was heard from outside, causing You Lanqing to look out.

“Madam, the Young Madam is here.”

The butler walked in and said. You Lanqing’s expression froze for a moment before returning to normal.

Regarding the couple Linyang and Hou Manni, You Lanqing had gone from hoping for their visits to now completely not wanting them to come. You Lanqing even directly called Que Linyang ‘Linyang’; before it was out of affection, now it was because she didn’t want that beast to bear their family name.

Even before Que Yining told her some of the inside story, You Lanqing suspected Hou Manni also knew something. After getting Que Yining’s confirmation, her aversion to them grew even stronger. The thought that these people, who were once so close to her, were actually plotting to harm their family made You Lanqing’s skin crawl.

“Mom, I’m here to see you and Xiaoxiao.”

Hou Manni placed the gifts on the table and walked over to You Lanqing’s side.

She saw Que Yining sitting there and greeted her with a rather reserved attitude.

After she found out that the person who had been contacting her was Que Yining, and after hearing some things from Que Chuling, she felt a little creeped out by this Que Yining, who had seemed brainless in the past but was now unfathomable.

You Lanqing’s attitude towards her was lukewarm; she merely nodded.

She didn’t sit too close, nor did she offer an eager smile.

They both knew certain things now, shared a common disliked person, and had a tacit understanding about some matters. Neither of them was pretending.

“He asked me to use visiting Xiaoxiao as an excuse to gauge Mom and Dad’s opinions and attitudes, and he also wants me to bring Xiaoxiao back.”

Hou Manni said bluntly, her expression somewhat sarcastic.

The current Que Linyang only thought the Que parents were rejecting her because they wanted their biological daughter to take over the family banner, and that’s why they disliked him. He didn’t know the truth at all and still thought he controlled everything, still thought she was obedient to him. Hou Manni found it extremely amusing.

Que Yining saw Hou Manni’s expression and also found this person quite amusing.

Hou Manni thought they disliked Que Linyang only because they knew the truth about the car accident and Que Linyang’s ruthless ambition. She portrayed herself to them as a victim, a pitiful woman deceived and used by her husband, unaware of how ugly her act looked in the eyes of the Que family.

Hou Manni was helping them wholeheartedly not just out of hatred for Que Linyang, but also because of the benefits promised by Que Yining and the Que parents.

If Que Linyang was a cunning, cold-blooded, greedy, and insidious snake, then Hou Manni was a selfish, short-sighted, stupid fox. She enjoyed the benefits, profiting from others’ suffering, yet genuinely believed herself innocent. Que Yining had promised the benefits, but she wanted to see if Hou Manni would dare to take them.

“I won’t let you take Xiaoxiao back.”

You Lanqing’s attitude was firm. Linyang was not a decent person; who knew what he might do to Xiaoxiao later? Although she detested the couple, the child was innocent, and she was the granddaughter she had watched grow up. You Lanqing would never send her back to the wolf’s den.

“I know, Mom. I don’t plan to take Xiaoxiao back either, to prevent Xiaoxiao from being further deceived by him. But I want to see Xiaoxiao. I haven’t seen her for many days.”

After all, it was her own flesh and blood. Hou Manni still missed her daughter. The thought of the bitch Que Linyang kept outside and the bastard child that bitch bore made her seethe with resentment. Seeing her daughter walk towards her, her heart filled with even more pity.

You Lanqing didn’t trust Hou Manni and stood by while she talked and played with Xiaoxiao. Que Yining leaned lazily on the sofa, basking in the sun, waiting for Hou Manni to finish seeing Xiaoxiao and come talk business with her.

Hou Manni played with Xiaoxiao for a while, then walked over to Que Yining and told her about Que Linyang’s recent activities.

After being told what to say and do when she returned, Hou Manni sat on the sofa in a daze for a while, then got up to leave.

Xiaoxiao watched her leave with some disappointment, her eyes fixed on the departing car. As if deflated, she ran to Que Yining’s side and sat down.

Que Yining patted her head, silently comforting her for a moment, then went to the bathroom in her wheelchair to take a shower.

She had dinner with Fu Wenjing that evening to discuss work matters. Fu Wenjing was also a very busy person; her appointment, made half a month ago, was scheduled for now.

Her project proposal and other materials had already been emailed to Fu Wenjing, and they had had some preliminary communication. Today, they just needed to meet again to finalize some details.

The dinner was set at a high-end Western restaurant with a quiet and secluded environment. The spacing between seats was quite large, and there were partitions in between, ensuring guests’ privacy.

They were mainly there for business. Given their prior acquaintance, neither of them beat around the bush; they got straight to the point.

Que Yining indeed wanted to cooperate with him. Over the past half month, Que Yining had subtly probed Gu Shanxue many times and knew that Gu Shanxue and Fu Wenjing had very little interaction and almost no personal relationship. Therefore, she was now very relieved and talked to Fu Wenjing without any reservations.

Fu Wenjing generally didn’t mix personal feelings with work. Que Yining’s cooperative attitude was excellent, and what she said also interested him, so the conversation was quite pleasant.

After discussing business, Que Yining brought up personal matters, asking about some questions she had been puzzled by and couldn’t figure out.

“Mr. Fu, do you remember a few years ago, probably two or three years ago…”

Que Yining mentioned the time and place, and Fu Wenjing’s expression immediately turned cold and grim.

“Weren’t those things done by you? Including even earlier, four years ago…”

Seeing Que Yining’s confused expression, Fu Wenjing, with an incredulous look, mentioned some things Que Yining didn’t know.

It wasn’t just that one time when the original owner got drunk and went to Fu Wenjing’s house, and Fu Wenjing was knocked unconscious. Before that, there had been instances where Fu Wenjing inexplicably ended up with the original owner, including but not limited to getting drunk, chance encounters, and various other incidents. But Fu Wenjing had only thought those were the original owner’s fervent pursuits.

Que Yining mulled it over. Some actions indeed seemed to be done by the original owner, but some were very strange, as if someone was deliberately trying to set them up.

But who would so deliberately try to set them up, so sincerely help the original owner get Fu Wenjing?

Could it be… Que Linyang again?

Besides him, there seemed to be no one else.

Que Yining’s first reaction was that it was impossible. Fu Wenjing, after all, came from a wealthy and influential family. If the original owner got together with him, it would be an instant rise in status. If the original owner wanted to fight for the family inheritance, wouldn’t Que Linyang be directly creating a rival for himself?

But soon, Que Yining dismissed her own understanding and felt her initial thought was correct.

After all, from Que Linyang’s perspective at that time, the original owner was his completely obedient and compliant good sister. If he had Fu Wenjing as a brother-in-law, Que Linyang wouldn’t be far from achieving great success.

If this was true, Que Linyang’s disgusting nature had reached a new level.

Fu Wenjing looked at her somewhat strange expression, his mood gradually calming. He, on the other hand, felt a bit curious, wondering if there was some inside story to this.

“Do you have something you want to tell me?”

“Here’s to our pleasant cooperation ahead.”

Que Yining glossed over the previous matter, followed Fu Wenjing’s lead, and extended her hand to him.

She didn’t intend to say anything more to defend or explain for the original owner. After all, regardless of whether the original owner acted actively or passively in those matters, she had once genuinely liked him and also resented him. However, those things had nothing to do with the current Fu Wenjing.

Fu Wenjing also extended his hand to her, and they shared a brief handshake.

In a private room on the second floor, the steak in front of Gu Shanxue had been cut to shreds by her.

The business partner seeking cooperation watched her knife almost scrape the plate, thinking with trepidation whether the contract wasn’t satisfactory to her.

“Miss Gu, regarding the profit margin, we can still discuss it…”

The partner, enduring heartache, wiped the sweat from his forehead and tremblingly said this.

Hearing this, Gu Shanxue put down her knife and fork, elegantly wiped her lips, looked at the person sitting opposite her, and ruthlessly bargained down the price.

She had been sitting in this restaurant for some time, meeting several clients consecutively, from lunch, afternoon tea, to dinner. So, when Que Yining and Fu Wenjing came in, she saw them at a glance.

After all, Que Yining was in a wheelchair, and Fu Wenjing beside her was tall and upright. Such a distinctive pair was very conspicuous.

From the moment they started talking, Gu Shanxue had been somewhat restless. She thought of a rumor from a few days ago, from who knows where, saying that Fu Wenjing and Que Yining had met before, the atmosphere seemed quite good, and perhaps there was a chance for them again. After all, Que Yining had liked Fu Wenjing so much in the past; they might hit it off and get together someday.

Gu Shanxue was angry inside but couldn’t directly ask Que Yining if she had met with Fu Wenjing. She could only sulk by herself. Because she was busy and hadn’t been able to meet Que Yining, she felt even more suffocated.

Although she couldn’t hear what they were saying, she could see from their gestures that they were having a pleasant conversation, which made Gu Shanxue’s mood worsen.

After finishing the contract discussion, Gu Shanxue couldn’t hold back any longer and left the private room before her partner.

Que Yining was also preparing to leave. Seeing Gu Shanxue coming down the stairs, she was pleasantly surprised and waved at her.

“Are you eating here too? What a coincidence! If I had known, I should have asked you. If we hadn’t seen each other, we would have missed each other, wouldn’t we? I’ve missed you to death.”

Que Yining ignored Fu Wenjing opposite them, grabbed Gu Shanxue’s hand, and said with a joyful expression, not hiding her emotions at all.

They hadn’t seen each other for half a month. Although they could video call, it was still different from being face-to-face and actually feeling the other person’s warmth.

Fu Wenjing looked somewhat surprised at Que Yining’s open display of emotion and greeted Gu Shanxue.

Gu Shanxue also nodded slightly at him in response but quickly averted her gaze.

She looked at Que Yining and said, “Are you leaving? I’ll take you.”

“Are you going home? Can I go to your place tonight?”

Que Yining was helped into her wheelchair by Gu Shanxue and looked at her, asking.

In front of outsiders, Que Yining wasn’t usually so bold and expressive, but in front of Fu Wenjing, she wished she could cover Gu Shanxue with ‘Que Yining’s property’ marks, acting as enthusiastically as possible.

“Okay.”

Gu Shanxue glanced at Fu Wenjing expressionlessly and nodded in agreement.

Que Yining held Gu Shanxue’s hand, waved at Fu Wenjing with a radiant smile, and whispered and laughed with Gu Shanxue as they walked out.

Fu Wenjing sat in his chair, feeling a subtle sense of being doubly hinted at. He seemed to understand something, yet also seemed to understand nothing, and left the restaurant somewhat bewildered.

Outside the restaurant, Que Yining had her bodyguards go home first and got into Gu Shanxue’s car herself.

Que Yining actually had a basketful of teasing words she wanted to say to Gu Shanxue, but after getting into the car and seeing Gu Shanxue’s somewhat weary expression, she didn’t speak, merely holding Gu Shanxue’s hand and letting her rest a bit.

The car engine was turned off in the underground garage. Que Yining opened the car door, and Gu Shanxue carefully helped her out and brought her home.

As soon as the door opened, they heard soft, delicate meows. Ningning followed them to the sofa and jumped onto it. Que Yining stroked its back, and it tilted its neck, exposing its chin, asking for affection.

“I think Ningning recognizes me now. Look how affectionate it is with me.”

Que Yining took the cup from Gu Shanxue’s hand, said this with a smile, and took a sip of water.

A sheen of water appeared on her lips, making them look soft and moist in the light.

Gu Shanxue nodded in agreement, rubbed the cat’s head, and sat down beside it.

Que Yining stopped petting the cat, leaned towards Gu Shanxue, propped her head on her hand with her elbow on the sofa, and smiled at her.

“You and I have known each other for a long time too. Will you kiss me or not?”

The distance suddenly closed, sounding an alarm of ambiguous intimacy.

The end of Que Yining’s sentence was light, swaying and landing right on one’s heart.

Her bright eyes were captivating, the charm rippling in them bewitching.

It was clearly what she had just said, but with a change of subject and atmosphere, the meaning of the words changed.

She launched her offensive, ardent and direct.

“I’m still thinking about what I didn’t tell you last time. I said I would tell you the best way in person.”

Truly telling her with her own mouth, with no other medium, not feigning at all.

Gu Shanxue couldn’t refuse the first time, and similarly couldn’t refuse the second time.

She heard a sigh in her heart, and that sound turned into a low reply, drowned in the waters of intimacy.

The overflowing longing was triggered at a touch, and in the passionate entanglement, a silver thread emerged, repeating itself.

Ningning, squeezed with no space, meowed unwilling to be lonely, but neither of its close mistresses paid it any attention.

It had no choice but to jump off the sofa, completely yielding the space to the engrossed humans.

A shirt flew and landed on it. It yelped in surprise and leaped away.

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