Pretending To Be Affectionate [Transmigration] - Chapter 16

The following day, Ling Yu received a call from the Human Resources Department at Kaihe Law Firm.

They informed her at short notice that she was expected to begin work that very day.

The call arrived before seven in the morning while Ling Yu was having breakfast with Xu Miao.

Back in Jiangcheng, Xu Miao’s second uncle had beaten up her eldest uncle.

The old master was thoroughly furious, and the family might truly be divided this time.

Xu Miao’s flight departed at nine that morning. She had gotten out of bed at six and awakened Ling Yu as well.

Part of the reason was to entrust the elderly matriarch to Ling Yu’s care.

The other reason was that Xu Miao’s father wanted her to speak with Ling Yu in advance so she would understand what was about to happen.

The division of the Xu family was now practically inevitable.

Several years ago, Second Uncle Xu had secretly used the power of his wife’s family to conceal his ambitions and acquire thirty percent of the Xu Group’s shares.

The family’s separation could no longer be avoided.

The Xu family was about to split into two corporate groups. This meant the Xu corporation, previously regarded as Jiangcheng’s leading enterprise, would lose its position to other families for a considerable period.

Ling Taiguo had treated Ling Yu relatively well only because the Xu family stood behind her.

Once the Xu family separated and its commercial empire was divided in two, her circumstances would change.

Xu Miao’s father would still protect her, but Second Uncle Xu would never offend Ling Taiguo for the sake of an unrelated niece.

Anyone could imagine how difficult Ling Yu’s life would become afterward.

Seated at the dining table, Xu Miao swallowed the final bite of her sandwich.

When Ling Yu ended the call, Xu Miao carefully considered her words before frowning.

“Yuyu, Sister knows you like Gu Qing. In the past, no matter how recklessly you pursued her, I allowed you to do as you pleased.”

Xu Miao paused, her expression becoming solemn.

“But you’ll eventually have to return. You and Gu Qing aren’t walking the same path. Being with her will only give Ling Taiguo and his wife an opening to exploit and something to hold against you. Grandfather has hired an attorney. The Xu family is probably about to undergo a complete upheaval. You likely haven’t heard about it yet.”

Naturally, Ling Yu already knew.

Before Old Master Xu made his decision last night, he had discussed it with her.

In truth, the Xu family’s separation had become inevitable several years ago. Had the old master not remained healthy and forcibly suppressed the younger generations with his powerful methods, the Xu family might have divided into two groups five years earlier.

Those directly involved were often blinded, while outsiders saw everything clearly.

Ling Yu had already held an in-depth discussion with Old Master Xu several years ago regarding the matter that now shocked Xu Miao.

She gave no response and quietly waited for Xu Miao to finish.

“My father wants you to prepare yourself. Ling Taiguo will certainly have another move waiting. If you continue staying in Yuncheng, I suspect Yu Xin will find some excuse to eliminate you.”

Xu Miao glanced at Ling Yu. Seeing her remain unmoved, she continued persuading her.

“Yuyu, are you genuinely going to stand by and watch that mistress and scumbag seize the inheritance your aunt left behind?”

Ling Yu poured Xu Miao a glass of warm milk and smiled pleasantly.

“Sister, please thank Eldest Uncle for me when you return.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ling Yu patted Xu Miao’s shoulder.

“Several years ago, Grandfather planted certain pieces in preparation for dealing with Ling Taiguo. The proper time simply hasn’t arrived yet…”

Xu Miao stared at her in astonishment.

Ling Yu gave her a confirming look.

Xu Miao released a long breath.

“Fine. Since you know what you’re doing, I won’t ask any more questions. When are you planning to return? Even if you successfully obtained an internship at Kaihe Law Firm, you have only six months until graduation. Afterward, you’ll have no reason or opportunity to remain beside Gu Qing, will you?”

Her unspoken meaning was clear:

Ling Yu had to return and inherit the family business.

Ling Yu had little interest in Ling Taiguo’s property.

However, regarding graduation, she did not plan to complete all her studies domestically. She genuinely had plans of her own.

The previous year, her novella Obsession, published in a renowned literary magazine in Country M, had been shortlisted for a literary award taking place in August.

After discovering the true identity and age behind her pen name, the organizers sent her an invitation to undertake postgraduate studies at the School of Literature of TJ University, a prestigious institution in Country M, after the new year.

Frankly, Ling Yu was greatly tempted.

In her previous life, she had written online novels for more than a decade and always believed she was exceptionally skilled.

Only after gradually entering the screenwriting industry did she discover that the literary ability readers frequently criticized truly limited her further development.

Therefore, if she could win Gu Qing over within a month and finish her mission before the deadline for accepting TJ University’s offer, Ling Yu would most likely study abroad.

As for Ling Taiguo and his wife, Old Master Xu had given her four words the previous night:

“Remain calm and be patient.”

Ling Yu had gathered considerable evidence over the past several years, but ultimately, it was not enough to bring Ling Taiguo and his wife down completely.

The Xu family would divide, and Ling Yu would leave the country.

Retreating now would allow her to advance later.

Naturally, these complicated schemes could not be clearly explained to Xu Miao in a short conversation.

Ling Yu smiled and gave her a reassuring look, avoiding the most important details as she answered, “One month at the latest. No matter how urgent things become, I still need to remain beside Great-Grandmother and accompany her through the final part of her journey, don’t I?”

After receiving her answer, Xu Miao finally relaxed.

“Yuyu, please help me take care of Great-Grandmother. I’ll return as soon as possible.”

The weather was pleasant that day.

After many consecutive days of heavy snowfall, some of the gloom had finally disappeared from the sky.

The snow outside was melting.

Ling Yu had just crossed the icy slush and reached the entrance of the law firm’s office building when the HR assistant she had encountered previously appeared to be waiting nearby.

The young woman’s face was bright red from the cold. Upon seeing Ling Yu approach, she hurriedly waved.

“Over here…”

Ling Yu followed the HR assistant through the employees’ entrance.

When the assistant scanned her access card and pressed the button for the top floor, Ling Yu raised an eyebrow.

“Do all newly hired employees meet the executives on the top floor during their first day?”

After repeatedly delivering food to Gu Qing, Ling Yu had memorized Kaihe Law Firm’s entire office layout.

There were only two offices on the top floor.

One belonged to the firm’s founder, Li Jun. The other was Gu Qing’s luxurious office.

When Ling Yu directly identified the important point, the HR assistant, Xiao Tao, stiffened.

She rubbed her frozen palms and looked deeply at Ling Yu.

Her tone was far more respectful than it had been during their first meeting.

“Here’s the situation. Early this morning, Attorney Gu specifically requested that you come to work today. She said something belonging to her had been left with you.”

Ling Yu immediately understood and touched the recording pen inside her pocket.

“She didn’t say anything else?”

Xiao Tao thought carefully, then shook her head.

“However, you should be cautious when you enter Attorney Gu’s office. She became extremely angry with Xiao Wang, one of the trainee attorneys, early this morning. She appears to be in a poor mood.”

Ling Yu hummed and thanked Xiao Tao.

“Miss Ling, did you already know Attorney Gu and Director Li?”

Xiao Tao seemed to realize her question was insufficiently tactful. She laughed awkwardly and added, “People at the firm have been saying that you’re Director Li’s ‘friend.’”

She emphasized the word “friend” with particular suggestiveness.

Leaning against the elevator wall, Ling Yu naturally understood what the woman was attempting to discover.

She smiled.

“I’ve met them, but I’m not particularly close to either.”

At that moment, the elevator doors opened with a ding.

The woman standing outside wore a light-colored wool coat over a three-piece business suit. The clothing closely followed her figure, emphasizing her slender waist.

Sunlight fell behind her at a forty-five-degree angle.

Her lips were lightly pressed together, and she held a stack of documents while standing within the natural light. Her posture was distant and indifferent, while her features were cold, beautiful, and sharp.

Even from three meters away, one could feel the inexplicable pressure radiating from her body.

Xiao Tao cried out softly and instinctively retreated.

“Attorney Gu, why are you personally taking the documents downstairs?”

Gu Qing said nothing.

Her gaze remained on Ling Yu for a long time, and the air fell deathly silent.

“Is there something dirty on my face?”

Ling Yu instinctively touched her smooth, exceedingly fair cheek.

Gu Qing scoffed.

“There is something.”

Ling Yu blinked.

“Hmm?”

“After eating barbecue, acne can appear the following day. According to the human body’s metabolic detoxification process, those marks on your face are a normal reaction.”

Gu Qing withdrew her gaze and added harshly, “Don’t worry. They don’t diminish your distinguished appearance.”

Ling Yu froze for a second and inwardly exclaimed, What the fuck?

She had carefully examined herself that morning. There was nothing on her face. Her skin had been as flawless and beautiful as ever.

There was no reason acne could have appeared within a single hour.

Ling Yu suspiciously glanced at Gu Qing, then gave Xiao Tao a questioning look.

The young woman was so frightened that she had pressed herself against the elevator wall.

It was evident how fierce Gu Qing ordinarily was if even a young woman like Xiao Tao feared her this much.

Ling Yu looked pityingly at Gu Qing, the female lead of a novel without a romantic pairing who was destined to remain single forever.

She was about to offer Xiao Tao a few comforting words when Gu Qing suddenly stepped forward and tossed the stack of documents into her arms.

“Take these to the archives department.”

After speaking, Gu Qing turned and walked away from the elevator.

When she had taken several steps and realized Ling Yu was not following, she impatiently looked back.

“Come here!”