A Real Heiress Quits (GL) - Chapter 29

Qin Qing naturally knew about Qingshuo.

The list Qin Xuanhuang sent over a few days ago was almost entirely composed of Qingshuo’s people. This was Ji Fu’s first time taking over a company; he simply wanted to use Searching for the Voice to launch a group of people and rake in money, hoping to save face in front of the Old Master. He had spent every day begging Qin Xuanhuang for help. As for the eldest Qin brother, since Tianyu wasn’t in his hands anyway, he didn’t care at all if the brand’s reputation was ruined.

What troubled Qin Qing wasn’t just that, but rather the fact that Qin Xuanhuang’s reach was too long. Tianyu had already rotted to the core; it couldn’t return to normal without a complete reshuffle.

She sighed inwardly. “Why do you ask about this?”

Yu Xinyue replied, “You know my sister, right? In Jianghan has signed with Qingshuo.”

Qin Qing had known this for a while. Thinking of something, her expression darkened slightly. “Is someone making things difficult for you during the competition?”

Yu Xinyue tilted her face up with a smile, looking like a proud little kitten. “I’m not afraid of people making things difficult. Strength is my reliance.”

Seeing her so innocent and bright, Qin Qing said helplessly, “You don’t understand these things…”

But Qin Qing didn’t want to explain just yet. A child didn’t need to understand the friction between adults. She didn’t want to pollute the child’s nature, which was as clear as water.

Yu Xinyue took a large gulp of milk. “Sister is my greatest reliance!”

It was as if she were saying she had no backing, when her backing was the CEO of Tianyu. What was there to fear?

Qin Qing burst out laughing. “I won’t open the back door for you.”

And there was no need to.

Yu Xinyue crinkled her eyes and propped her head on her hand, looking at Qin Qing with a smile. Her eyes were remarkably bright, like they were filled with a river of stars. Facing such an expression, few could refuse. Qin Qing’s heart softened. “What do you want to do?”

The girl blinked and said mysteriously, “Sister, I can help you.”

The preliminary rounds of Searching for the Voice concluded, and the edited videos were broadcast across various TV stations and the internet, generating significant buzz.

Among them were many stunning voices, and several potential-filled contestants began to enter the public eye. Those who had previously mocked the show began to flip their stances—perhaps this talent show really could unearth the so-called “voice of the people, the youth, and the era.”

However, only those behind the scenes knew that all the editing was meticulously arranged and manipulated. For example, they deliberately kept contestants with particularly exaggerated or comical performances to act as “clowns” for laughs, or used mediocre contestants as filler to highlight the excellence of a later one.

The logic was simple: if a restaurant served nine consecutive dishes of plain boiled vegetables and then brought out a stir-fried pork, it would surely dazzle—provided the customer didn’t flip the table and beat the owner before leaving. Of course, the production team wouldn’t let that happen; even the worst performers had enough highlights or humor to keep the audience watching.

Using this “selective” style of editing, after a few days, the people Qingshuo was promoting gained significant traction, including In Jianghan. Under excessive marketing and packaging, even cow dung can be touted as a flower.

Twenty years ago, the simple-minded netizens had no concept of “marketing.” They found it hard to distinguish truth from lies among the various online information. After watching for a while, they felt this girl actually sang quite well, played the guitar nicely, and was so young—she deserved the title of “musical prodigy.”

Naturally, Yun Junping’s segment of questioning was never shown.

The moment In Jianghan arrived at school and heard the voices of praise, she couldn’t help but feel a bit smug. Qingshuo truly had power; they had deleted the part where Yun Junping questioned her. Now, only the praise and thunderous applause were broadcast on TV. As for Yu Xinyue, whom she feared most, there was no trace of her.

“Hanhan, you sang so well!” Zheng Pin said with a smile, handing her a bottle of Wangzai milk. “Everyone online is praising you. Don’t forget me when you’re famous.”

In Jianghan’s lips curled up. “It was just so-so. I didn’t perform that well.”

Zheng Pin said enviously, “I didn’t even know you played the guitar so well. You’ll definitely advance, right? If you go to the finals, can you get me an autographed photo of Chen Ziyu?”

In Jianghan agreed perfunctorily.

Zheng Pin cupped her face, full of longing. “I really want to participate too.”

In Jianghan threw cold water on her. “Do you think the preliminaries are that easy to pass? You wouldn’t even get in if you went.”

Zheng Pin’s enthusiasm was dampened. She pouted, feeling unhappy. She was just talking; she didn’t have to go. And if In Jianghan could do it, why assume she couldn’t? They knew each other’s roots—who was really better than whom?

“By the way,” Zheng Pin said, deliberately bringing up a topic to annoy In Jianghan since she was unhappy, “Yu Xinyue also skipped class that day. Did she participate in the auditions too?”

Sure enough, In Jianghan’s face darkened instantly. She gave a light snort. “Who knows if she went? Anyway, her performance wasn’t even broadcast. How good could it have been?”

Zheng Pin’s eyes darted around. “Don’t be mad. I was just asking. That bumpkin obviously can’t compare to you. Even if she did pass, so what? In the end, she’s no match for you. Even if she wins, won’t your family’s money still be yours? She’s just an adopted daughter; she can never beat you in that regard.”

Every word felt like a knife in In Jianghan’s heart. She frowned, scrutinizing her best friend, suddenly thinking she might be an undercover agent sent by the other side.

At the same time, Tong Ya was also asking, “Yueyue, you didn’t come to class that day. Did you go to participate in Searching for the Voice?”

Yu Xinyue nodded. “Mainly to eat hot pot. I found an especially delicious hot pot restaurant. Shall we go together this weekend?”

Tong Ya was easily distracted and completely forgot what she originally intended to ask. “Yes, let’s go!”

When Sunday arrived and Tong Ya proposed going out, Tong Song was startled. “What?”

Tong Ya smiled, light in her eyes. “Yueyue said we should go out to eat hot pot together.”

Tong Song froze; it was the first time he had heard this child suggest going out to play. After not hearing him speak for a long time, Tong Ya panicked and asked cautiously, “Master, do you not want me to go?” Her deer-like eyes were downcast, looking like a frightened little animal. She felt a bit aggrieved and said softly, “But I already promised Yueyue.”

Tong Song laughed and rubbed the girl’s head. “I’m just so happy. I’ve never seen you like someone this much. I’ve been wanting to meet this ‘good friend’ anyway. I’ll drive you.”

Tong Ya nodded. As they were about to arrive, she suddenly stole a glance at Tong Song. The man’s profile was sharp, his thin lips pressed tight, and his graying hair and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gave off a melancholy, gloomy air.

Tong Ya hesitated for a few seconds and whispered, “Master, later, could you… could you…”

“Could I what?”

Tong Ya: “…Could you smile a bit more?” She muttered softly, “I’m afraid you’ll scare Yueyue.”

Tong Song fell silent. He felt a bit stifled, like his disciple was being kidnapped. But he could also see the change in Tong Ya; the once reserved and shy girl had slowly become cheerful and optimistic lately, smiling from time to time with a sparkle in her eyes.

That child called Yueyue was like a beam of sunshine shining into their lives. Thinking of this, Tong Song’s lips curled up slightly. For some reason, the accumulated clouds in his heart seemed to dissipate a lot.

Although they had never officially met, he felt like he already knew the child. These days, Tong Ya couldn’t stop talking about Yueyue—for example, while practicing the piano, she would suddenly say:

“Master, let me tell you, Yueyue can play too, and she sounds even better than me.”

“Master, let me tell you, when I hold a concert in the future, Yueyue said she wants to accompany me.”

“Master, Yueyue…”

Tong Ya sat up straight, clutching the edge of her small bag—a light blue cloth handbag with a cloud embroidered on one corner. “Master, do I look good today? Do I look a bit rustic?” She had changed through several outfits before leaving, finally choosing a linen shirt with a skirt, a very popular look among students lately. But even with all the preparation, watching the tall buildings fly past the car window, she couldn’t help but grip her bag tightly, feeling both nervous and excited.

Tong Song said, “You look very good.”

Tong Ya gave a soft “Hmph” from her nose. “You didn’t even look at me. Master, let me tell you, Yueyue is super beautiful. she’s the school belle!”

Tong Song couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve repeated those words more times than I can count.”

Tong Ya stuck her tongue out and made an excuse: “I’m just letting you prepare mentally, so you don’t freeze when you see her.”

Tong Song laughed. “I saw her once before.” Though that day he had only seen the girl’s back from a distance. He mused, “Fortunately, Yueyue is a girl, otherwise I’d be driving over to settle an account with her now.”

Tong Ya asked curiously, “What account?”

“To calculate how much a head of cabbage costs.” (Slang for a daughter being “stolen” by a boy).

Tong Ya’s eyes went wide. “Why calculate cabbage…” She realized and said angrily, “I’m not a cabbage!”

Tong Song burst into hearty laughter. He hadn’t laughed so freely in many years. Tong Ya’s lips curled up. “Master is so happy today.”

“Indeed,” Tong Song said, looking at the petite figure ahead. “That truly is a child who makes people happy.”

When he saw Yu Xinyue, Tong Song was momentarily dazed. Tong Ya pulled on his sleeve. “Master, Master, I told you not to freeze.”

Yu Xinyue was wearing a red dress. When she ran, the hem of her dress flew, looking like flames scorching toward them. The red dress made her skin look even more fair and translucent—stunningly beautiful, like the sun and the moon. Everything around seemed to pale in comparison instantly. Some passersby even took photos.

Yu Xinyue took Tong Ya’s hand. “Yaya!” Noticing the man behind the girl, she took a few steps back and looked up with a smile to greet him. “Hello, Uncle Tong.”

Only then did Tong Song snap out of it. He nodded and looked away.

Yu Xinyue lowered her head slightly. “Yaya, I invited someone else too. You won’t mind, right?”

Tong Ya smiled. “Of course no—” The next second, her smile froze.

The girl walking out of the shop was tall and thin with exquisite features, wearing a high ponytail—both cool and beautiful. But Tong Ya couldn’t be happy. She pouted and shot Yu Xinyue a displeased look.

The “child” hung her head, her face full of “I’m sorry,” looking like someone who apologized but would dare do it again next time. Tong Ya’s voice softened. “Don’t be like that. I… I don’t mind.”

The girl instantly looked up, hugged Tong Ya, and nuzzled her. “I knew Yaya was the best~” Seeing this attitude, Tong Ya knew she would definitely do it again next time.

Since Tong Song’s presence would stiffen the atmosphere of a kids’ gathering, he went out to buy milk tea for them, leaning against a wall to smoke a few cigarettes.

During the meal, Yu Xinyue kept winking at Yan Ji, wanting her to be smart and perform well. But Yan Ji didn’t appreciate it at all, just burying her head in her food, completely ignoring Yu Xinyue’s painstaking efforts.

Yu Xinyue gave a long sigh. Why is this A-Ji so dense? She gently tugged Yan Ji under the table. All you do is eat! You’re gaining fat but losing a wife!

Yan Ji looked up blankly. “Huh?”

Yu Xinyue winked: Did you forget? You agreed to apologize to Yaya.

Yan Ji: “Did something get in your eye…?”

Tong Ya immediately took a tissue, worried. “Does it hurt? Let me blow on it.”

Yu Xinyue: “My heart hurts.”

Fortunately, Yan Ji remembered her mission. “Sorry, the food was too good; I forgot just now.” She sat up straight, took out that copy of Don Quixote from her backpack, handed it to the girl opposite her, and apologized sincerely: “I’m very sorry. It was my fault for treating your gift that way.”

Tucked inside the thick book was the bookmark Tong Ya had thrown away that day. Thinking of that day, Tong Ya’s expression turned a bit dejected, her cherry lips biting white. She had been genuinely upset for many days; the feeling of having her sincerity trampled was like guarding a flower and finally giving it to someone she thought she could trust, only for them to take it and stomp on it.

Yu Xinyue smoothed things over: “Isn’t this the book you wanted most, Yaya? It seems this person truly knows they were wrong. Why not forgive her?”

Yan Ji frowned. One moment she was “A-Ji,” and now she was “this person.” Heh, women.

Tong Ya took the book and said softly, “Mhm, it’s okay.”

Yan Ji breathed a sigh of relief, the guilt that had been weighing on her heart finally dissipating. Tong Ya took out the bookmark and handed it back. “This is still for you.” She smiled slightly, the clear sunlight making her small face look pink and tender, her eyes sincere and gentle. “Don’t give it to others again. There won’t be a next time.”

Yan Ji tucked it away carefully.

When Tong Song returned, the girls were almost finished eating and were discussing going shopping. So, after paying, he continued to act as the “tool,” carrying several shopping bags for the kids. A grand musician, whose slender and powerful hands were worth a fortune, and for whom many nobles would pay a king’s ransom for a single song, was now carrying three or four bags behind the girls like an ordinary, humble father. Yet he seemed quite content, and even felt a bit of attachment when the girls reluctantly parted.

“Master, did you smoke today?” In the car, Tong Ya smelled a faint scent of smoke on the man.

Tong Song nodded. “I had a few while I was out.”

“But hasn’t Master quit for a long time?” The girl was very sensitive to the emotions of those around her. “Are you… unhappy today?”

Tong Song turned the steering wheel, eyes on the road, but he smiled unconsciously. “I thought of some things from the past. Today is the happiest I’ve been in a long time. Yaya, thank you, and thank your friend.”

Tong Ya was overwhelmed. “I’m the one who should thank you, Master. You adopted me from the orphanage and have been so good to me, just like a father.” She hung her small head, her voice gentle. “I… I’m a person with problems. Only you and Yueyue are good to me.”

Tong Song smiled. “Isn’t there another friend? That child Yan Ji?”

Tong Ya’s small face scrunched up. “She isn’t good to me at all.”

“Oh?”

Tong Ya: “If it weren’t for Yueyue’s sake, I wouldn’t have forgiven her. I hold grudges!”

The person being held a grudge against was completely unaware, still smacking her lips with a stoic face. Yu Xinyue turned her around. “I say, A-Ji, don’t you have any thoughts?”

Yan Ji turned her body back with a cold face.

“A-Ji?”

“Don’t call me A-Ji. Call me ‘this person’.”

Yu Xinyue: “…”

What is wrong with you! She felt a massive headache. These two were so difficult to handle. Rebellious teenage girls were truly a nightmare.

“I was winking at you so much—didn’t you see? I said today was for you to perform well and earn some points with Yaya. Why did you just bury your head in your food?”

Yan Ji smacked her lips, recalling the fragrant taste of the hot pot. “I know, but the hot pot was just too delicious.”

Yu Xinyue also froze. “It was quite good, but not as good as yesterday.”

Yan Ji: “What? Yesterday was better?”

Yu Xinyue nodded. “Probably because you weren’t there, so it tasted better.”

Yan Ji: “…I’ll remember that.”

Yu Xinyue: “If you don’t perform well now, you’ll regret it later.”

“Regret what?”

“What if I said Yaya is the destined lover of your life?”

Yan Ji snorted. “Stop talking nonsense. How could I fall in love with a woman?”

Yu Xinyue rubbed her forehead. “Just keep being stubborn. You’ll see.”

“Where’s the evidence?”

“I did a reading for you. Your fate has ‘fire’.” (Slang for a messy pursuit).

Yan Ji had been interested in mysterious things since she was a child. Hearing this, her eyes went wide. “What does ‘fire’ in my fate have to do with what you just said?”

Yu Xinyue patted her shoulder. “A crematorium-style pursuit of a wife, young lady.”

The drivers from both families were waiting at the roadside. They had agreed to chat a bit more and then leave, but before they knew it, they were chatting for “ages.” As the sun set and the lights came on, Yan Ji looked at her watch and realized how time had flown. “Strange. I haven’t known you long, yet it feels so familiar, with endless things to talk about.”

Yu Xinyue’s eyes curved. “That’s because I’m handsome, cute, can act coy, and am very cool!”

Yan Ji shook her head and muttered, “Maybe the hot pot was just so good it gave me hallucinations.”

As Yu Xinyue was about to get into the car, Yan Ji called out: “Next time, if you can’t handle spicy, don’t order ‘extra spicy’.”

Yu Xinyue refused to back down. “Who says I can’t handle spicy? I’m a pro.”

Yan Ji sighed. “Your voice is already hoarse.”

She was right. It was fine while she was outside, but by the time she got home, Yu Xinyue couldn’t speak at all. This resulted in another verbal lecture from Yin Hongfei. Yu Xinyue slipped behind Ji Zhaohua as usual, but her aunt actually pulled her out for a “tag-team” lecture.

“You can’t eat spicy, so why do you have to order extra spicy every time? Didn’t I tell you to eat less spicy before you left?”

Yu Xinyue pouted, looking like an aggrieved little wife. But it was just so delicious… In her past life, she was busy with work and had irregular eating habits, eventually ruining her stomach and not being able to touch many things. Now that she was young again, she naturally wanted to make up for those regrets.

And she really thought she could handle spicy. It’s just that her throat would swell a tiny bit after eating. Aunt Xu rushed to get the medicine; fortunately, the house always had throat lozenge tablets. Only In Jianghan was secretly gloating nearby. The next two days were for the online auditions, when participants had to post their performance videos. She wanted to see how this person would sing with a ruined throat.

In Jianghan’s work was long prepared—still singing a love song while playing the guitar. The company seemed to want her to take the route of a “literary little goddess,” and several other people they were promoting had their own personas that couldn’t conflict. That video had been meticulously rehearsed and prepared; it was foolproof. In Jianghan wasn’t worried at all; she only wanted to see Yu Xinyue fail. She silently made a wish that Yu Xinyue’s voice wouldn’t get better for these two days.

Yu Xinyue, however, seemed completely unconcerned and went about her life as usual. Just as she was about to close her door and sleep, Yin Hongfei blocked the door.

“…” Yu Xinyue looked at him quietly, thinking he was going to settle an account.

Yin Hongfei’s expression was a bit embarrassed. “I spoke with Teacher Hou. He said you’ve made great progress and got first place on this monthly exam.”

The child still didn’t speak, looking at him silently with a calm face and no trace of emotion.

Yin Hongfei suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness and frustration. It was like throwing a stone into a deep pool; the stone sank with a glug, and not a single splash was made. In the past, when the child looked at him, her eyes were shining, her face full of longing and hope. Every move she made was an attempt to catch his reaction. Unlike now—she was covered in thorns and didn’t care at all about what he said.

Yin Hongfei took out a smartphone. “I said I’d buy this for the midterms, but since you’ve made such progress, I should encourage you early.”

“I’ve been too busy lately and haven’t looked after you. Keep up these grades and study hard.” Yin Hongfei lowered his posture. He had a premonition that if he didn’t do this, the girl would drift further and further away from the Yin family. Her transformation lately was like a “duckling” slowly becoming a “white swan”—eventually, she would spread her wings and fly completely out of the place of bullying and bias to find her own dreams. So he took the initiative to soften his stance toward Yu Xinyue, thinking she would immediately give up her persistence and those people like Qin Qing to return to the Yin family. After all, they were blood relatives.

But the girl took the phone and didn’t show the grateful expression he expected. With a bang, the door was slammed shut. Yin Hongfei’s straight nose hit the door, the pain making him squint instantly, but he was more embarrassed and angry. This child was becoming more and more unreasonable and rebellious.

Once the anger passed, a faint sense of melancholy and loss welled up in his heart. He suddenly realized that this child, who was always overlooked, also had her own pride and temper. He wanted to please her, but he didn’t know what she was thinking or what she liked and disliked… He didn’t understand this child at all.

Yu Xinyue threw the phone onto the bed, opened her computer, and continued her daily tasks. The evidence of Qingshuo’s tax evasion was almost sorted out; she couldn’t hand it over yet, as she needed to wait for the right opportunity. Ji Fu couldn’t have done just this one bad thing. she had to gather all the evidence to ensure she could make him lose his reputation in one go and prevent the marriage alliance with Qin Qing.

When she finished, it was late at night again. She stretched, looking at her face reflected in the glass window, suddenly wondering: Is Sister also hunched over her work right now?

She pushed open the window. A bright moon was overhead, and its cold, clear light spilled onto the world, looking like a carpet of crushed silver. Everything was quiet and peaceful, save for the gentle night breeze passing through the hall.

Or, was Sister looking at this same bright moon with her?