After Divorcing the Beautiful Richest Woman, She Fell in Love (GL) - Chapter 14

Lin Feiruo froze, her brows knitting together instinctively. That question had pierced right through to her core—she truly, deeply loathed Yan Shan!

Setting aside the original owner’s perspective, even if Yan Shan were just someone she encountered in her own life, she would find such a person despicable.

Lin Feiruo was not a master of disguise; the few days spent around Jian Xiyan had already pushed her acting skills to the limit. Now that Jian Xiaomin had suddenly dropped this question, Lin Feiruo struggled to hide her micro-expressions in an instant.

Seeing her reaction, Jian Xiaomin already knew the answer. She lifted her chin proudly, looking overjoyed.

She was as excited as someone who had finally found a comrade-in-arms. “Since you hate her too, why don’t we—”

Lin Feiruo’s eye twitched a few times, guessing exactly what Jian Xiaomin was about to propose.

If it weren’t for Jian Xiyan, Lin Feiruo wouldn’t actually want to stop Jian Xiaomin. People like Yan Shan only take an inch and demand a mile if they aren’t taught a lesson.

The problem was having to consider Jian Xiyan’s reaction. Furthermore, while the current situation existed because of the original owner, the consequences of any action would ultimately fall on the “current” Lin Feiruo.

Lin Feiruo lightly scratched her eyebrow, interrupting Jian Xiaomin’s “grand plan.” “Don’t. Your sister wouldn’t be happy about that.”

Jian Xiaomin paused, her lips tightening. “I know, that’s why I wanted your help. You guys have such a good relationship; my sister is much more likely to listen to you. If you coax her a bit and soften her up, I can go in and light the final spark.”

Lin Feiruo gave a wry, helpless smile. “You really overestimate my influence.”

In her state of excitement, Jian Xiaomin took those words as mere modesty.

She began to explain with heartfelt sincerity: “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. My sister has been like a still pond since we were kids; she’d receive stacks of love letters and never open a single one. But when she brought you home and said she decided to get married, she was incredibly firm.”

Jian Xiaomin recalled that shocking afternoon two years ago. “I still remember it clearly. My sister held your hand and said she had to marry you. I’ve never seen her so serious about anyone, and she’s always been so accommodating toward you.”

Lin Feiruo gave an awkward smile. This was something she couldn’t explain. Even for the original owner, what they received wasn’t Jian Xiyan’s love.

Seeing her still “resisting,” Jian Xiaomin brought out even more convincing evidence: “If she didn’t love you to the bone, I’d never believe my sister would be willing to live in Pear Orchard with you.”

She gave her shoulders a shudder. “Sister Feiruo, you’re a great person, but your taste sometimes is really…”

Jian Xiaomin made a helpless, indefinable expression, one that Lin Feiruo actually felt a deep sense of agreement with. I didn’t want to live in that gaudy villa either!

“So, if you just say it a few times, my sister will definitely give in to you.”

Seeing her persistence, Lin Feiruo knew she couldn’t just brush her off. She pushed her lemon tea aside and looked at Jian Xiaomin seriously.

Jian Xiaomin instinctively straightened her back, as if sensing the preamble to an elder’s lecture.

“You should understand your sister’s personality better than I do. She just took over the company; she’s so busy she doesn’t even have time to sleep properly. We can’t help her much with the business, but we can’t drag her down either, right? You know better than anyone how she treats you. Since she told you not to do it, she must have a reason. She wouldn’t upset you over someone insignificant unless that person—or the situation—would have a negative impact on you or the Jian Group.”

Hearing this, Jian Xiaomin felt a wave of regret alongside her gratitude.

“I was only thinking about Jiang Wanru and ignored my sister.” Jian Xiaomin recalled the fatigue in her sister’s eyes and felt a pang of pity. “My sister really does have it hard.”

Lin Feiruo breathed a silent sigh of relief. She thought to herself that Jian Xiaomin’s straightforward personality was much easier to handle than Jian Xiyan’s. She pulled her lemon tea back and took a sip.

“I understand more and more why she loves you so much,” Jian Xiaomin added.

Lin Feiruo nearly choked. Jian Xiaomin truly had inherited her mother’s “talent” for seeing everyone as being “in love.”

The topic of Yan Shan finally wound down, and it seemed Jian Xiaomin had temporarily abandoned her plan to rush to the film set and kick her out.

“Then let’s go visit the set together tomorrow! Jiang Wanru is breathtakingly beautiful!”

Lin Feiruo shook her head without a thought. “I can’t. I have things to do.”

“I’ll keep you hidden! The family won’t find out.”

“I need to go do some market research.”

Jian Xiaomin looked at her skeptically, clearly not believing a word.

“Xiaomin, it’s boring always being cooped up at home, and the atmosphere at the Jian Group is too stifling. I want to try doing something of my own.”

Jian Xiaomin had an epiphany. “You want to start your own business!” Many of her friends and classmates did the same, though mostly out of interest or as a hobby.

“I’m just giving it a try.”

Thinking about her “Salted Fish Alliance” losing a member, Jian Xiaomin sighed. “I didn’t expect even you to start working on a career.”

“Don’t tell your sister yet. I’m afraid—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. I know, you want to give her a surprise, right?”

“???”

Lin Feiruo blinked, then slowly nodded. Jian Xiaomin’s habit of finding a positive spin for everything Lin Feiruo did was actually quite convenient.

Lin Feiruo had expected Jian Xiaomin to pester her about her business plans, but the girl just looked down at her phone, occasionally chatting about Jian Xiyan. Luckily she didn’t ask; Lin Feiruo hadn’t actually decided what to do yet.

After they finished eating, Jian Xiaomin waved goodbye and left in a hurry, her eyes glued to her phone as she exchanged messages. Lin Feiruo guessed she was arranging to visit the set with someone else; she wouldn’t give up until she saw Jiang Wanru.

Returning to the hotel, Lin Feiruo lay on the bed and began thinking about starting a business.

She had never thought about this before because, at twenty-four, things like buying a house or starting a business seemed far too distant and expensive. But things were different now. She had some money; she could try to reach for things she once wouldn’t have dared to imagine. She also felt a newfound sense of confidence.

In the past, she was exhausted but didn’t dare to make mistakes because the margin for error was so slim. Poor performance in the lab meant not graduating; no degree meant no professional job; without a professional path, her options were limited. Despite working so hard, she had to be incredibly cautious. She had often questioned her choices: Why does it feel like the more I move forward, the fewer paths I have to choose from?

As her thoughts drifted, a new message notification popped up.

Her first thought was Jian Xiyan, but she immediately dismissed it. They were no longer connected, and Jian Xiyan should have arrived at that remote island by now, far too busy to deal with her.

It was an unsaved number, no name provided, but the tone was strangely familiar.

[What are you doing?]

Lin Feiruo felt a sudden tightness in her chest. She quickly closed her eyes. She remembered—this was the number the original owner used to contact Yan Shan. By not saving the name, they ensured no one would discover the connection; they would delete the messages immediately after chatting, leaving no trace.

“She really thinks she’s a big star,” Lin Feiruo muttered as she deleted the message. She had no intention of entertaining Yan Shan.

Today was the film’s opening ceremony. All the main actors were present, with Jiang Wanru naturally at the center.

Yan Shan couldn’t catch much of the spotlight, so while everyone was surrounding Jiang Wanru, she sent Lin Feiruo a message. Yesterday was Lin Feiruo’s birthday, but Yan Shan hadn’t received a single word from her—not even by nighttime. She assumed Lin Feiruo was preparing a special gift; three months ago, the woman had mentioned she would have a surprise ready.

In previous years, Yan Shan barely remembered the day, but this year she had some expectations for that surprise, so she kept it in mind.

Lin Feiruo had performed well in getting her into the Ambience crew, and she had also promised to lend her six million to boost her promotion and compete for a new role. All of this was exactly what Yan Shan needed right now.

But as of today, the six million hadn’t arrived, and there was no word from Lin Feiruo. Yan Shan felt a sudden surge of uncertainty. After waiting a bit longer with no reply, she irritably tossed her phone to her assistant and walked toward the crowd.

At the heart of the crowd was the dazzling Jiang Wanru. The looks surrounding her—adoration, infatuation, awe, and even jealousy—made Yan Shan’s heart race with longing. She wanted so badly to stand where Jiang Wanru stood and feel that glory just once.

Jiang Wanru had her hair simply pinned up today. Her jet-black, elegant hair was no less charming for its simplicity; everyone around her seemed captivated by the stray locks at her neck.

In truth, Jiang Wanru didn’t enjoy the feeling of being worshiped. But ever since she had won two prestigious Best Actress awards back-to-back, peace was no longer hers.

It had been a long time since she felt a gaze as sharp as a blade; at least, since becoming a Best Actress, few people had dared to look at her that way to her face.

Today, however, she noticed someone using such a gaze to strike a “blow” at her from across the room.