Control (Futa) - Chapter 1

1. Reunion

“Remember her? The one in the blue dress in the middle is Tang Mingling.” Xu Junshan held his wine glass and quietly gossiped to the woman beside him. “She had a big, splashy wedding, saying she was marrying for love. I never thought her husband would run off with the maid a few years ago.”

Ji Xun didn’t reply, quietly sipping her wine, her gaze discreetly fixed on the mature and alluring woman in the crowd not far away.

“Speaking of which, aren’t you and she classmates? Although you weren’t in the same social circle.” Xu Junshan suddenly recalled the past between Tang Mingling and Ji Xun. “Tang Mingling was very popular back then. Although she was a bit arrogant, she certainly had the right to be. I just never expected her marriage to end so messily.”

“You’re a senior executive at the company, and you still love to pry into gossip so much.” Ji Xun finally put down her glass and spoke, though it was only to scold him.

“Isn’t it because you just came back to the country that I’m giving you a rundown on what’s happened in the last few years?” Scolded by her, Xu Junshan felt as if he was back in the memory of being bullied as a child. After an awkward explanation, he changed the subject. “Are you free in a few days? My parents heard you were back and asked me to invite you over for a meal. They haven’t seen you in a long time and really miss you.”

Speaking of Xu Junshan’s parents, a hint of emotion finally appeared in Ji Xun’s eyes, and her tone softened slightly. “I just started the job and am still dealing with the handover procedures. I’ll definitely come by to visit when I’m free in a few days.”

“They’ve been praising you for being smart and successful ever since they heard you became a university professor.” Xu Junshan was relieved that she agreed, thinking he could finally give his parents an answer. Before he could finish, an acquaintance from a collaborating vendor came over to greet him.

Ji Xun shrugged, allowing him to leave first, and stood discreetly by the table.

Tang Mingling laughed and chatted naturally with familiar guests, yet her gaze involuntarily kept flicking toward the person by the bar on the right.

Ji Xun. She silently repeated the name in her heart, a surge of resentment rising for no reason.

They had been in competition since childhood. Whatever skill one learned—whether it was music, chess, calligraphy, or painting—the other would follow suit. Although it was never explicitly stated, they had to compete for the number one spot in everything between them.

The rivalry only eased slightly when they attended the same university but in different departments. Their names were always ranked first in their respective departments, but Tang Mingling still secretly competed with her, refusing to drop from the top spot. This competition lasted until graduation, finally ceasing only when Ji Xun went abroad for advanced studies.

Even though they belonged to different social circles, they shared some mutual friends. So, even when Ji Xun was overseas, Tang Mingling often heard how outstanding she was, how she’d won full scholarships. She even heard that Ji Xun was hired by her alma mater for a teaching position right after getting her Ph.D., which was why she had returned to the country.

This made her even more envious and hateful—this admired life was the life she should have owned: going abroad for advanced studies, being the excellent successor everyone talked about. Instead of her current life, raising a child and living vulgarly. Everyone knew that those who were friendly to her on the surface were all mocking her behind her back.

“She used to be so arrogant, looking down on everyone, but didn’t she still get abandoned by a man? She’s even stuck with a child, how pathetic.”

The lingering shadow fueled Tang Mingling’s negative emotions, and the smile on her face stiffened slightly. She excused herself, saying she needed a bite to eat, and left the small group. She turned and walked toward that person.

She took two glasses of wine from a passing waiter and walked over to the bar. “Long time no see.”

Ji Xun turned around, her eyes meeting the sight of a sapphire blue silhouette. She looked up and smiled carelessly, “Long time no see.” She took the wine glass from Tang Mingling’s hand. At Tang Mingling’s gesture, they toasted.

“After all these years, why are you suddenly back?” In contrast to Ji Xun’s restraint, Tang Mingling drained her glass and set it on the table. She was already slightly tipsy before coming over to say hello, and now with another strong drink down, her voice wavered slightly. The question carried a hint of condescension and displeasure.

Ji Xun naturally noticed it but remained unperturbed, replying with calm politeness, “The time was right, so I came back.”

Tang Mingling bit her lip, her heart growing more unsettled. If she was arrogant, then Ji Xun was someone who didn’t even notice anyone else. It had been this way when they were students. Their rankings went up and down, but even when Ji Xun lost, she would only offer a faint, impassive “congratulations” and move on.

Ji Xun was like a perfectly programmed robot, meticulously following her steps and plans, achieving her goals, and living her own life, impervious to outside judgment. Ji Xun was such an independent woman.

She, too, should have been this proud.

But that pride was shattered by her rash ignorance, and now her life was a mess. Years of competitive rivalry made Tang Mingling unwilling to lose to anyone, especially Ji Xun, as it would make her seem even more like a failure. A mysterious fire ignited in her heart. She forced a smile, “Is that so?”

Ji Xun’s emotionless eyes stared fixedly at her.

There it was again, that expression. Tang Mingling already felt inferior when facing her. Ji Xun looking at her like this reminded her of the time she finally got first place and ran to show off to Ji Xun, who had the same reaction—a dismissive “congratulations,” and then she walked away.

Tang Mingling couldn’t articulate her current feelings. Ji Xun was like a mirror, reflecting her ugliness, failure, and pitiful state, yet she insisted on showing her most flawless appearance in front of this mirror to prove she was not a failure.

Adopting the posture of a hostess, she was about to tell Ji Xun to enjoy herself when, unexpectedly, the other woman spoke first.

“I heard you have a child? How old?”

With one sentence, she easily shattered Tang Mingling’s pride, digging up the one topic Tang Mingling least wanted to discuss with Ji Xun. Her smile crumbled for an instant, and she subconsciously took a step back. “She… just started elementary school. We have a nanny at home to look after her.”

The fire in her heart seemed to be burning her body. Tang Mingling’s face was flushed, and she touched her cheek uncomfortably. She struggled to maintain her composure as she told Ji Xun, “Welcome back. I won’t talk any longer. Enjoy yourself.” As she tried to turn and leave, her legs suddenly gave out, and she stumbled a few steps, barely steadying herself by grabbing the bar. Immediately following was a warmth pressing against her back and a pair of hands supporting her.

“Are you alright?”

Ji Xun’s voice was very close to her. Tang Mingling’s thoughts were a little hazy, and she felt dry and parched. She didn’t understand why her body felt this way and thought it was just the alcohol. Not wanting to embarrass herself in front of this person, she tried hard to stand up. “I’m fine, thank you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she completely went limp against Ji Xun.

Ji Xun frowned, looking at the person in her arms. She sensitively realized that she, too, felt slightly unwell. Ignoring Tang Mingling’s protests, she called a waiter to help support the woman to a room she had pre-booked upstairs.

As she left the ballroom, she overheard a few unfamiliar men by the door discussing how to get the women they fancied at the event. She suddenly realized what was happening, frowned in disgust, and quickened her pace while supporting Tang Mingling.

Tang Mingling was brought into the room and collapsed onto the bed, her body burning hot. The remaining sliver of her consciousness knew what had happened to her and that Ji Xun was taking her away, so she didn’t resist. Although she disliked Ji Xun out of personal spite, she ironically trusted the other woman’s character.

However, when she heard Ji Xun calling a doctor, she suddenly cleared up and shrieked to stop her, “No, don’t call a doctor.”

Fearing that more unsavory rumors would spread, Tang Mingling objected to Ji Xun’s attempt to help. “Don’t call a doctor over, absolutely not! I can handle this myself.”

Ji Xun paused, instructed the person on the phone to be ready for her call, and then hung up. She spoke to Tang Mingling in a cold tone, “I drank your wine too… Never mind.” Seeing Tang Mingling’s panicked expression, she couldn’t say anything harsher. Since the other woman claimed she could handle it, Ji Xun didn’t want to stay and prepared to book another room.

“W-where are you going? Don’t leave.” Tang Mingling stopped her when she saw her about to leave. She was afraid of Ji Xun going out.

“…I’m going to book another room.” Ji Xun was already gritting her teeth slightly.

“No, just stay here, stay with me…” Her voice turned into a plea toward the end.

Ji Xun was silent for a moment, then turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door and separating them into different spaces.