A Real Heiress Quits (GL) - Chapter 25

What kind of relationship?

Qin Qing froze slightly. Thinking of that child, she couldn’t help but reveal a shallow smile. It was like touching a ray of warm, brilliant sunshine in the middle of continuous rainy weather.

“Eldest Miss?”

Qin Qing composed herself. “No relationship. Just a nodding acquaintance.”

Yan Yuan: “…”

I’ll believe you when pigs fly.

When the secretary pushed the door open and entered, she saw her usually expressionless boss with her chin propped in her hands, a smile hanging on her face. Her beautiful features were relaxed under the light, like clear snow-melt from a high mountain.

The secretary’s heart skipped a beat. She roared inwardly: She smiled! She smiled! She finally smiled!

One must know that her boss was famous for being an “ice beauty.” Since they started working together, the secretary had almost never seen her smile. After Qin Zhu passed away, a low-pressure aura surrounded her; getting close felt cold. Her exquisite, peerless features seemed sealed in frost, without a single trace of life. Even when speaking to her, the secretary often felt a sense of unreality.

The person before her was clearly making decisions and issuing orders with lightning efficiency—a standard career-driven “strong woman.” She wasn’t entirely heartless, but she always wore an expressionless face. When you were with her, you could feel a distinct coldness, detachment, and high-and-mighty air. It was as if you were crawling in the dust while she was drinking dew on the moon.

The secretary had assumed this was simply the natural “keep-away” aura that came with such a prestigious family background. But the moment she looked up just now, all her inherent impressions of Qin Qing vanished like smoke.

The secretary had followed Qin Qing for so long, yet seeing such a smile on her face was a true first. It was completely different from a perfunctory or polite, distant smile; it was a smile from the heart—she smiled because she felt happy.

The secretary looked at that beautiful face. No matter how many times she saw it, she was stunned every time. Especially seeing the woman smile so gently under the lights.

Qin Qing was genial. After putting down the phone, she said softly, “Is it about Searching for the Voice? Bring it over for me to see.”

Hearing her boss’s tender voice, the secretary was overjoyed, but she maintained a serious, respectful face as she handed over the newly delivered materials.

As Qin Qing flipped through them, the smile on her face gradually froze.

The secretary said apprehensively, “This is the list the Eldest Young Master just sent over. There will be a few of our own people among the contestants. He wants to…”

Qin Qing didn’t continue reading. She fed the list into the paper shredder.

The secretary understood her stance and lowered her head, remaining silent. Qin Qing wasn’t angry; she just looked at her deeply, a glimmer flickering in her black eyes. “If we don’t want Tianyu to collapse completely, we must stop bringing the old tactics to the stage. Don’t always think about fooling the audience; they can feel our sincerity.”

The secretary nodded repeatedly. “I’m sorry.”

Qin Qing knew this wasn’t her fault. Deep-seated habits are hard to change, and “backdoor deals” had become the norm. There was still much to do to completely overturn Tianyu’s culture. “Alright, you may leave now. It’s late; go home and rest early.”

The secretary’s eyes welled with moved tears. She bowed deeply. “Then please rest early as well.”

As she left, she stole a glance back. Under the lamp, the woman was still hunched over her work, toiling through the night as she always did. The difference was that the corners of her mouth were unconsciously upturned, wearing a gentle, intoxicating smile.

The next day, when Yu Xinyue opened her bedroom door and saw the piano in the living room, she was stunned.

She dropped her schoolbag at the door, ran downstairs to the piano, and touched it cautiously. It had a smooth, silky feel, and the notes it produced felt shrouded in a layer of mist—the tone was soft and ethereal. It was a rare, high-quality instrument, clearly very expensive.

After her initial surprise passed, Yu Xinyue frowned suspiciously. Who had brought this piano into the house? Yin Hongfei? Grandma? Impossible; they wanted nothing more than for her to give up music.

Could it be her aunt? But this hadn’t happened in her previous life. Even if her aunt bought her a piano, Yin Hongfei would surely throw it out. How could this piano be sitting here so perfectly? Furthermore, Yu Xinyue caressed the piano lovingly, thinking that given Ji Zhaohua’s understanding of music, she likely couldn’t have selected such a flawless instrument. This was the “dream piano” of all musicians.

As she was thinking, Ji Zhaohua happened to walk down from the second floor. In one hand, she held the schoolbag Xinyue had just dropped; in the other, she held a gaudily packaged book with a prominent, bold title:

“Relationship Guide! Full of Practical Tips! Teaching You How to Pursue Your Goddess!”

Ji Zhaohua’s expression was heavy—very heavy. She didn’t even notice the extra piano. She placed the book on the coffee table and looked at the child quietly, waiting for an explanation.

However, before she could speak, her little niece suddenly turned and smiled at her, her eyes curving into crescents. The smile was so sweet it seemed soaked in honey. “Aunt! Did you buy this piano for me?”

Ji Zhaohua took a deep breath. Unsurprisingly, she was dazed by the “cuteness” again. Instantly, everything else was thrown to the back of her mind. “Piano? What piano?”

Looking at her reaction, Yu Xinyue knew the answer and fell back into deep thought. If it wasn’t her aunt, then who could it be? In this Yin family, who else respected her wishes or recognized her dreams? It couldn’t be Yin Hongfei. Did he have a change of heart?

Ji Zhaohua finally saw the piano and was also astonished. “Who got this?”

Yu Xinyue shook her head. “I thought it was you.”

Ji Zhaohua crossed her arms and studied it for a while. Her hand unconsciously reached out to the girl’s cheek again, “kneading” her frantically. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t get back until the middle of the night. Lately, I’ve been busy with…” She suddenly stopped talking and smiled.

Yu Xinyue was itching to try it. Her fingers unconsciously danced across the keys. The crisp sound was like a mountain spring splashing on stones.

Ji Zhaohua let out a sigh.

Yu Xinyue stopped. “Aunt, why are you sighing?”

Ji Zhaohua: “The day before yesterday, you said your ‘wife’ was the piano and your ‘goddess’ was the Muse.”

Yu Xinyue said as a matter of course, “That’s right.”

Ji Zhaohua held up the Relationship Guide. “Then did you buy this book to pursue the piano, or to sleep with the Muse?”

Yu Xinyue’s smile froze.

Fortunately, someone came to her rescue. In Jianghan rubbed her eyes and opened her door, shouting, “Aunt Xu, what music are you playing so early in the morning?”

When she realized Yu Xinyue was standing in the center of the living room, In Jianghan froze for a few seconds. Then, she retreated the way she came and slammed her door shut with a loud bang.

Ji Zhaohua burst out laughing. “It seems that slap really made her behave.”

Yu Xinyue thought: Not necessarily. People like In Jianghan never stop on the road to causing trouble and seeking death.

But In Jianghan’s shout had woken everyone in the house. There were rustling sounds in the villa: cleaning, cooking… an hour passed before they sat at the table for breakfast. Yu Xinyue took the chance to play the piano. To her surprise, Yin Hongfei passed by her several times, appearing to hesitate, but ultimately said nothing.

Did he really have a change of heart?

At the breakfast table, Ji Zhaohua asked the question directly. Yin Hongfei’s face was unappealing. “Yan Yuan sent it.”

Since it was a gift from Yan Yuan, he naturally couldn’t refuse. Moreover, since Yan Yuan thought so highly of Yu Xinyue, perhaps this business deal would depend on the girl to succeed. His attitude toward Yu Xinyue had improved unknowingly.

Ji Zhaohua: “Yan Yuan? He’s quite a nice guy. But mostly, it’s because my Yueyue’s playing is too beautiful!”

In Jianghan suddenly gave a start, covering her still-swollen face. She said with tears in her eyes, “I’m not eating. It hurts to move my mouth.”

Yin Hongfei silently picked up his knife and fork, saying nothing.

In Jianghan looked at him in disbelief, unwilling to let that day’s events be turned over so easily. How could she take a slap for nothing? She appeared on the verge of tears and turned her gaze toward her grandmother. “Grandma…”

Ji Zhaohua was curious. “Then doesn’t it hurt to talk so much?”

Blocked by this remark, In Jianghan’s prepared words were stuck in her throat. Her small face was red in some places, blue in others, and purple in others—like an overturned paint palette. It was quite a sight.

Grandmother Yin felt sorry for her and sighed. “Let Hongfei take you to the hospital today. Isn’t Ziyu there too? We should have a good talk with him.”

After proposing the breakup that day, Shu Ziyu had sent a text seeking reconciliation that night. His words were sincere and tearful; naturally, In Jianghan “forgot the pain once the scar healed” and forgave him immediately. Grandmother Yin took this as children bickering. They were so young, still students—what could they know of love? Breaking up and getting back together was normal, wasn’t it?

She felt annoyed thinking about it. To make such a fuss over a small matter and even spread rumors that her own sister was a “homewrecker”… Grandmother Yin felt In Jianghan wasn’t as cute as before.

In Jianghan shrieked, “No! No! My face hasn’t healed yet! I can’t let him see me!”

Ji Zhaohua acted like an inquisitive child: “If you’re screaming that loud, doesn’t your face hurt?”

In Jianghan was left speechless by the rebuttal, a flash of resentment crossing her face.

Yu Xinyue maintained the tradition of “not speaking while eating” at the table. After silently finishing her meal, she spoke up: “Uncle, please say thank you to Brother Yan for me.”

“Mhm,” Yin Hongfei replied tepidly.

Yu Xinyue: “Also, please ask him if he can arrange for me to meet Yan Ji.”

Yin Hongfei frowned. “Who is Yan Ji?”

“His sister.”

Ji Zhaohua’s eyes widened. “When did you get to know his sister?”

Yu Xinyue thought for a moment. “I always hear her name at school. We’ve been kindred spirits for a long time. I finally met her yesterday afternoon, but unfortunately, she drove away before we could speak.”

Ji Zhaohua looked suspicious. She felt her little niece was very problematic—highly problematic. Relying on a beautiful face to do whatever she wanted and “pick flowers” outside! Now, the list of suspects had grown to include Yan Yuan’s sister. But Ji Zhaohua was no longer afraid of Yu Xinyue being “played” by a scumbag; she was only afraid her niece would “play” everyone else.

Ji Zhaohua thought she had evidence that Yueyue was “multi-threading” her operations! Who was that relationship manual really for? And Yan Yuan suddenly sending a piano… was it because Yueyue had seduced his sister?

Yu Xinyue had no idea how much Ji Zhaohua was imagining. After breakfast, she prepared to go to school. Ji Zhaohua stopped her. “What’s the hurry? Isn’t it still early?”

Yu Xinyue smiled sweetly. “I have to go early. I promised to help Yaya with her English tutoring this morning.”

Yaya? Ji Zhaohua’s expression was complex. She tremulously raised her hand and gave a thumbs-up. Her child was probably, maybe, most likely a “scumbag girl.”

The phone rang. Ji Zhaohua answered it, and a cold voice came from the other end.

“Miss Ji?”

Ji Zhaohua froze. “Eh?”

“It’s me, Qin Qing.”

Ji Zhaohua was surprised. Although they had exchanged numbers, in her mind, Qin Qing wasn’t an “active” person.

Qin Qing leaned back against her chair, rubbing her tired brow. “Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to ask…” She had intended to ask directly if Yu Xinyue was satisfied with the piano, but she paused. Perhaps thinking it was too direct, she changed her tune: “I heard from Yan Yuan that he prepared a piano for Xinyue. Is she satisfied?”

As she spoke, her body unconsciously straightened.

Ji Zhaohua: “Of course she’s satisfied. She’s incredibly happy.”

Qin Qing smiled slightly. “As long as she likes it.” The piano she had cherished for years finally had a suitable owner.

Ji Zhaohua suddenly asked, “Miss Qin, are you close with Yan Yuan?”

“Old friends.”

Ji Zhaohua stood on the balcony and asked melancholily, “Then do you know his sister? What’s she like?”

Qin Qing was slightly surprised. “She’s a good kid. Why?”

Ji Zhaohua was full of helplessness. “I suspect Yueyue is in a secret romance.” She started with the relationship manual and laid out all the evidence from today, finally concluding: “She’s definitely in a secret romance, or on the way to one! Why else would Yan Yuan suddenly send a piano, and Yueyue suddenly want to meet Yan Ji? My child used to be very shy; she never made requests like this before.”

Qin Qing was silent for a long moment. “…Secret romances are not good.”

Ji Zhaohua sighed. “Of course they’re not! I must nip this trend in the bud!” She suddenly remembered Qin Qing was busy and felt guilty for making her listen to so much nonsense. After saying goodbye, she hung up.

Qin Qing sat in her office, processing work expressionlessly. When the secretary entered, she felt a chill. She stole a look—the low-pressure aura surrounding the boss was back!

“What is it?” Qin Qing asked without looking up.

Secretary: “The second young master of the Ji family is here to see you. He’s waiting downstairs…”

“Tell him to scram.”

It was crisp, decisive, and murderous.

The secretary was torn. She plucked up her courage and said, “But he insists on seeing you. He won’t leave otherwise.”

Qin Qing looked up, her eyes narrowing. “Then tell him to go die.”