A Real Heiress Quits (GL) - Chapter 23.2

Yan Yuan laughed apologetically. As a “smelly man,” he tactfully walked away.

On his phone was an apology text from Yin Hongfei; the project they discussed today would have to be put on hold. Yan Yuan expressed understanding, consoling him that every family has a skeleton in the closet.

However, closing his phone, Yan Yuan sank into a single sofa, his long legs propped on the coffee table, and began to reconsider his cooperation with Yin Hongfei.

If Qin Qing didn’t like him, or even showed a hint of disgust, there was no need to continue this business. There were plenty of people who wanted to cooperate with Tianhui; there was no need to offend Guangyun over this.

Ji Zhaohua sprinkled sugar into her coffee as if it were free. Qin Qing asked Yu Xinyue, “Do you want some?”

Yu Xinyue shook her head. “I’m used to drinking black coffee.”

Qin Qing slowly broke into a smile. The sunlight falling into her deep black eyes neutralized the cold temperament on her, making her appear unexpectedly soft. “What a coincidence, me too.”

Yu Xinyue’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly withdrew her gaze, staring at the black coffee in front of her without speaking. Ji Zhaohua thought she was afraid of bitterness and added several spoonfuls of sugar without a word. “What black coffee? How can you drink it without sugar?”

Yu Xinyue took a small sip and her face wrinkled from the sweetness. Ji Zhaohua wanted to add more, but she hurriedly stopped her: “No more, it’s sweet enough already.”

Only then did Ji Zhaohua reluctantly put down the silver spoon. “Why don’t you people like sweets? You prefer bitterness, making me look like the most childish one.” Even though she was the oldest!

Qin Qing smiled slightly. “Tong Song will likely be staying in Hanjiang for a long time.” She looked at Yu Xinyue. “If you wish, I can introduce you.”

Ji Zhaohua was slightly surprised. Even if she had no interest in music, she knew Tong Song was very difficult to invite and wouldn’t give face to anyone. For Qin Qing to say this so casually meant that Guangyun truly had immense power.

Yu Xinyue, uncharacteristically, shook her head. Tong Song’s style was too oppressive and heavy; she respected this senior greatly but didn’t want to be his disciple.

Qin Qing: “You went to find that girl because…” She saw the child run over to chat with Tong Ya and thought the child wanted to be Tong Song’s disciple, thinking of several ways to bridge the gap.

Yu Xinyue said with a smile, “I think she looks cute and likeable.”

Clink.

The coffee spoon fell onto the bone china, making a crisp sound. Yu Xinyue and Qin Qing turned back at the same time, their movements surprisingly synchronized. Ji Zhaohua recovered from her dazed state and hurriedly cleaned the table. “Sorry, my hand slipped.”

What is this little niece of mine thinking? How many suspicious objects of childhood romance does she have? How did another ‘cute and likeable’ girl suddenly pop up? It’s truly impossible to guard against!

Qin Qing continued to ask, “Do you want to pursue further studies in music in the future?”

Yu Xinyue held her coffee cup. “Yes, I have that intention.”

“If you need anything, you can come to me.” The words Qin Qing spoke were almost identical to Yang Fang’s.

Yu Xinyue couldn’t help but laugh and nodded again. “Yes!” She tilted her head. “Why does Sister want to help me?” But in her heart, she was thinking, Praise me, praise me quickly! Just like Yang Fang did—praise me for being cute!

Qin Qing’s eyes curved, her ethereal features softening and spreading like a lotus standing tall on the water. “Because you…” Like Ji Zhaohua, she pinched the cheek that still had a bit of baby fat; the feel was excellent—no wonder Ji Zhaohua loved it so much. “You have a good feel.”

Yu Xinyue pouted, unhappy at not receiving the desired answer. Ji Zhaohua burst out laughing. She had never seen her little niece make such an expression—like a kitten desperately wanting its owner to pet it but too embarrassed to ask. Seeing this, her heart felt strangely jealous; Yueyue had never acted so spoiled toward her!

As if thinking of something, Ji Zhaohua suddenly spoke: “Miss Qin, did you recently take over Tianyu?”

Qin Qing: “Yes.”

Ji Zhaohua realized something. Was this the reason the child had her invest in Tianyu?

Yu Xinyue knew what she was thinking. “Aunt, it’s not what you think.”

Ji Zhaohua shot her a temperless glare, feeling worried. She had invested all her cash; she might lose everything down to her underwear. She gave a long sigh. “Sigh.”

Yu Xinyue didn’t know how to explain, so she sighed along. “Sigh…”

Qin Qing didn’t understand what they were up to. “Sigh?”

Ji Zhaohua now looked at Qin Qing as if looking at her God of Wealth, her eyes sparkling. The future of Tianyu and her own money were all tied to this person. “I heard Tianyu is about to hold a music talent show?”

“It’s still in preparation.”

Ji Zhaohua was enthusiastic. “I haven’t seen this kind of show in the country yet. It’ll definitely be a hit, right? It must be a hit!” Otherwise, she’d be in trouble. “By the way, are there any conditions for participating in this show?”

Qin Qing: “None.” This show aimed to find music scattered in the streets, letting soul-stirring voices enter thousands of households.

Yu Xinyue remembered that Search for the Sound created a miracle in the music industry, making music not just belong to a small circle of experts, not just to golden concert halls or opera houses draped in red velvet. It was more mainstream and popular. It could be highbrow or lowbrow. At the same time, it was like starlight in a cold night, giving hope to many young people who loved music.

Since Search for the Sound became a hit, the industry scrambled to imitate it, and countless copycat music talent shows popped up. Twenty years passed in the blink of an eye. By the time Yu Xinyue had her car accident, many music talent shows on TV had nothing to do with music; they were more like shows meant to grab attention. The burning, sincere dreams of the past were used as capital for eye-catching displays. Things linked to capital find it hard to remain pure. However, even after decades, countless people would still remember the excitement of guarding the TV to watch those figures on stage struggling for their dreams. Watching them recount past setbacks and persistence, seeing the tears in their eyes and the sweat they shed. The people on TV were crying, and how many people outside the TV were also moved to tears. There are always dreams not accepted by the mundane world; there are always people bent by the pursuit of sixpence, yet what they carry in their hearts is still the clear moonlight of their youth.

Yu Xinyue once had such moments of being moved to tears and having surging emotions. But In Jianghan’s blatant plagiarism erased all her beautiful memories.

Ji Zhaohua pushed the dazing child in front of Qin Qing. “Look, can my Xinyue participate?”

“Eh?”

In the car on the way home, Yu Xinyue was still a bit dazed. “Aunt, why did you suddenly push me to go?”

Ji Zhaohua analyzed slowly and earnestly: “Yueyue, think about it. Tianyu is practically throwing everything they have into this show. If it’s a hit, Tianyu comes back to life; if it flops, we all go down together, right?”

Yu Xinyue nodded. “But what does that have to do with me?”

Ji Zhaohua shot her a look and said crossly, “Of course it matters. I listened to you that day and gave all my money to Tianyu. If Tianyu dies, won’t we have to sleep on the streets?”

Yu Xinyue: “…You didn’t buy stocks in any other companies?”

Ji Zhaohua started off defensively, “Didn’t you say to buy it?” As she spoke, she felt more guilty, stealing a glance at the girl, her voice growing smaller, “So I just bought that.”

Yu Xinyue rubbed her forehead. In a way, Ji Zhaohua had stumbled into making the most correct choice. The return rate on investing in Tianyu would be the highest; one could imagine they would have a considerable income in the future. Initially, she was afraid her aunt would be suspicious, so she deliberately wrote down several more companies; now it seemed completely unnecessary. It turned out Ji Zhaohua’s guiding principle was just one word—reckless. No matter the situation, just being reckless would do.

Ji Zhaohua continued, “You have to perform well; I’ll be rooting for you!”

Yu Xinyue: “Does my participation have anything to do with whether this show becomes a hit?”

Ji Zhaohua winked and solemnly presented her theory: “Of course! My Yueyue is so cute and plays the piano so well—who wouldn’t want to see more of you? Even if the show is terrible, plenty of people will stay for you.” She was full of confidence. “Just based on this face, it can draw a lot of ratings.”

Yu Xinyue: “…I get it, I’m just a tool.”

That said, Ji Zhaohua was just joking; whether to participate in Search for the Sound still depended on the person involved. She would never force Yu Xinyue to do anything. Except for not being allowed to have a childhood romance! So young, and she already has a domineering president “Sister” and a violin-playing little sister—how come she hadn’t noticed before that her little niece was so capable?

Song Wei had been waiting outside the gate for a long time. When he saw them return, he called them over with a nervous face and tipped them off in a timely manner, telling Yu Xinyue everything In Jianghan had said in the car.

Ji Zhaohua almost laughed in anger. “Send her abroad? What was she thinking?”

Yu Xinyue wasn’t angry. She looked at Song Wei and said seriously, “Thank you.”

Song Wei was overwhelmed, waving his hands repeatedly. “No, you spoke up for me that day; I’ve always been grateful. This is what I should do.” In the Yin house, In Jianghan seemed polite and courteous, but she was actually two-faced, acting imperiously toward those of them working here. In modern society, the word “servant” no longer exists, yet the distinction between superior and subordinate is very clear. That time Song Wei didn’t dare offend In Jianghan and drove away early, feeling very guilty.

When Yin Hongfei shifted the blame to him, he almost thought he was going to be fired; he didn’t expect the one to help would be the victim, Yu Xinyue.

At that moment, Song Wei was almost ashamed to death. So today, after hearing In Jianghan’s words, he waited at the gate for several hours just to tell Yu Xinyue so she could prepare early.

Ji Zhaohua stood at the entrance of the Yin house, calculating whether she should enter. She had an apartment in Jiujiang; there was no need to take the child here to endure the temper of the Yin family. Before she could decide, Yu Xinyue took her hand and walked forward.

Ji Zhaohua: “Hey, hey, hey?” Why did the child suddenly start taking the initiative today?

Yu Xinyue pushed the door open expressionlessly. She had a clear conscience—why should she feel guilty, why should she hide?

The atmosphere in the living room was heavy, and the expressions of those few people were not good. In Jianghan’s eyes were swollen, and she was nestled in Grandmother Yin’s embrace. Yin Hongfei cast a cold glance at them, stubbed out his cigarette, and said nothing.

“Ahem, had enough fun?” Grandmother Yin looked up and was suddenly stunned.

The girl walking in from outside had skin as white as snow, was strikingly beautiful, and her chin was slightly raised, her face full of pride and confidence. For a moment, she thought her daughter had returned to the world, and she unconsciously loosened her grip on In Jianghan.

Yu Xinyue walked straight up to In Jianghan, looking down at her as if looking at an ant. “Take out your phone.”

In Jianghan felt inexplicably cowed. “What do you want to do?!”

Yu Xinyue: “Don’t you keep calling me a homewrecker? Call Shu Ziyu and ask him directly in front of everyone.”

Grandmother Yin, facing this face, couldn’t utter a word of rebuttal; what’s more, after hearing it, she felt Yu Xinyue’s words were reasonable. “Hanhan, go ahead and ask.”

In Jianghan looked unwilling. After taking out her phone, she refused to press the button. “Why don’t you call him yourself?”

Hearing this, the corners of Yu Xinyue’s mouth pulled up into a mocking expression. “How would I know his number? Not everyone treats trash as a treasure.”

Ji Zhaohua burst out laughing, practically wanting to applaud her. In Jianghan’s face turned red with anger, and tears were swirling in her eyes again. But she had no other choice; she could only slowly dial Shu Ziyu’s number in front of everyone.

Shu Ziyu didn’t hang up. In a moment, the boy’s impatient voice came from the phone— “What are you doing? Are you going to play the ‘aggrieved wife’ card again? I said we broke up, don’t you understand?”

In Jianghan couldn’t help but sob softly. “Why… why did you propose breaking up?”

Shu Ziyu: “Do you really want me to tell the truth? I don’t think much of you…” The voice stopped abruptly.

In Jianghan ended the call and threw herself into her grandmother’s arms, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Yin Hongfei was furious upon hearing this and immediately decided to settle the score with the brat. “Bastard!”

Yu Xinyue took the phone, redialed, and turned on the speaker.

“Are you finished yet…”

“Shu Ziyu.” The girl’s voice was soft and sweet.

“Sss————” Shu Ziyu gasped, as if hearing a death knell. He sat up abruptly from his hospital bed, the movement so large it tugged at his wound, making the phone drop onto the floor with a clatter. His vision went black, but he endured the pain to pick up the phone, replying tremulously, “Y-you… what is the matter?”

This child was terrified from being beaten, and he unconsciously used honorifics. His attitude switched from arrogant to cautious in a second. The change was so obvious the Yin family also sensed something was wrong. But from Shu Ziyu’s tone, they couldn’t hear even a hint of anything romantic between him and Yu Xinyue. Rather than ambiguous lovers, it was more like… a subordinate’s fear of a boss?

Yu Xinyue was straightforward: “Did you break up with In Jianghan because I interfered?”

Shu Ziyu cursed In Jianghan countless times in his heart—That woman is looking for death, why drag me into it!

“Is it?”

“No, no, no, of course not!” Shu Ziyu almost cried. “How could I be worthy of you? I wouldn’t even dare to think about it.” Now he didn’t dare sleep at night; as soon as he closed his eyes, he remembered the fist coming at him—it was practically a psychological shadow.

Yu Xinyue gave a light laugh. “But someone said it was because I was the other woman.”

Shu Ziyu was truly terrified of being beaten. Plus, he had long been tired of In Jianghan, so he had taken the opportunity to propose breaking up. If he had known earlier that he’d be sought out by the King of Hell, he wouldn’t have proposed it—at least not now. “Who said that? They’re talking nonsense!”

Yu Xinyue glanced at In Jianghan. She was buried in her grandmother’s embrace, and even the intermittent sobbing had stopped. Yin Hongfei lit a cigarette, his face dark and silent. For a time, the scene became a bit awkward.

Ji Zhaohua broke the awkwardness: “Is there anything else? If not, we’re going to sleep. Oh, right,” she held the banister, looking back with a shallow smile, “since the misunderstanding is cleared, shouldn’t the person who made up slanders also apologize?”

Yin Hongfei was silent for a long time. “Don’t be so petty.”

Ji Zhaohua laughed instead. “Is your brain hit by a car, or squeezed by a door?”

The veins on Yin Hongfei’s forehead throbbed. “Don’t be disrespectful in front of elders.”

Ji Zhaohua: “Hehe.”

Grandmother Yin looked at Yu Xinyue. The girl had no expression on her face—neither angry nor furious, standing there with a face of indifference, as if no one here could catch her eye. “Xinyue, it was wrong for Hanhan to say that about you. She was also too sad; it’s human nature. Please understand.”

Yu Xinyue’s eyebrows arched. “Oh?”

In Jianghan turned her head, her eyes full of tears. “I didn’t mean to slander you, just…”

Mid-sentence, Yu Xinyue suddenly acted, dealing a loud slap.

Slap————

In Jianghan was stunned, covering her face and staring with wide, disbelieving eyes. Yin Hongfei stood up. “Are you crazy?”

Yu Xinyue shook her hand; the force had been so great that her own hand hurt a bit. “I was just too angry; it’s human nature. Please understand.”

With that, ignoring the earth-shattering crying and roaring behind her, she took Ji Zhaohua’s hand and went upstairs together. Ji Zhaohua smiled: “Beautifully done!”

Yu Xinyue leaned against the railing and watched the drama with Ji Zhaohua for a while. In Jianghan was crying heart-wrenchingly, her voice shrill like nails scratching a blackboard: “Grandma, Grandma!”

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.” Grandmother Yin held her and instructed the man, “Hurry and get some medicine.”

In Jianghan shed her facade, crying and stomping her feet: “I don’t want her in our house! Make her leave! Look at what our home has become since she arrived!”

Grandmother Yin clutched her heart. “What sin have we committed?”

Downstairs was a mess. The people upstairs, however, were leisurely watching the drama.

After a few minutes, Yu Xinyue lost interest.

Perhaps after seeing it for decades, she had long since tired of In Jianghan’s various acts of playing dumb and throwing tantrums. She said goodnight to Ji Zhaohua and prepared to wash up and go to sleep.

When she returned to her bedroom after freshening up, she realized In Jianghan’s phone was on her desk. Picking it up, the screen was lit and the call was still connected. Shu Ziyu hadn’t dared to hang up and had spent a long hour and a half waiting with the phone. Hearing Yu Xinyue’s voice again, he burst into tears with a “waa”: “Sister, I won’t break up! Just don’t come looking for me, okay?”

Yu Xinyue: “Scram.”

Shu Ziyu scrambled away happily.

She ended the call and threw the phone directly outside the door. Aunt Xu, passing by, sighed and silently picked up the phone.

The bedroom door creaked open again, and a fluffy head popped out. “Auntie, have you been in my room?”

Aunt Xu shook her head. “No.”

“So In Jianghan came in?” Aunt Xu didn’t speak but nodded.

“I see. Thank you.” Yu Xinyue closed the door, her gaze deep. After a moment, she began to laugh softly.

She hadn’t expected that in this life, the thief had turned into a robber, not even bothering with a greeting before blatantly snatching others’ results. She was a bit tired today and didn’t want to check the accounts in the “back garden,” so she went to sleep early.

Just as she dozed off, she was awakened by the “ding-dong” of her phone. Yu Xinyue took the phone with her eyes closed, her voice full of weariness. “Hello?”

The person on the other end was silent for a long time. It wasn’t until Yu Xinyue almost lost patience and hung up that a voice spoke softly— “Hello?” The soft, gentle voice was like a feather brushing against her heart.

Yu Xinyue woke up instantly. “Yaya?”

“Mm.” The girl’s voice was very nervous. “Did I wake you?”

“No, no.” Yu Xinyue sat up, lying through her teeth. “I was still reading.”

Tong Ya, also lying under her covers, marveled: “You are so hardworking!”

Yu Xinyue laughed and said, “Study hard and make progress every day.”

Tong Ya paused and spoke tentatively: “You said I could call you… that we could be friends.”

Yu Xinyue laughed, as if seeing a soft, harmless little white rabbit hopping toward her. “Of course.”

“I’m coming to study at Siyuan. Which class are you in?”

Yu Xinyue was suddenly stumped. Which class was Yan Ji in?