Pretending To Be Affectionate [Transmigration] - Chapter 23

The outcome of Jiang Wei’s first hearing had been far from satisfactory.

Although they had managed to secure a postponement, given the dramatic reversal in court that morning, Jiang Wei would almost certainly be imprisoned after the next trial.

Ling Yu had considered that practically inevitable.

However, not long after returning to the firm, she encountered Jiang Wei again.

He was following behind Jiang Bochuan.

The ferocity that usually covered his face had disappeared. He obediently trailed his father like a domesticated mutt, concealing all his viciousness behind a mask.

Ling Yu swiftly turned aside to avoid their attention.

She stood near the printer at the corner of the corridor. Only after confirming that she had entered their blind spot did she slowly breathe a sigh of relief.

A large procession soon passed through the first-floor lobby.

Once they had completely disappeared, Meng Xi, an HR intern standing in the hallway, widened her eyes and covered her mouth.

“Was that…Jiang…Jiang—the one from the rape case? Shouldn’t he be in custody—”

Before Meng Xi could finish, Sister Wang covered her mouth.

Meng Xi was Sister Wang’s cousin and had most likely obtained her position at the firm through Sister Wang’s connections.

Seeing Meng Xi speak without restraint, Sister Wang first glared at her warningly. Then she surveyed their surroundings.

Only after confirming no one else was present did she scold her.

“Don’t mention that person again.”

“You’ve already graduated. Can’t you learn from Xiao Ling?”

After lecturing Meng Xi, Sister Wang smiled at Ling Yu.

“Xiao Ling, don’t let her influence you. Some matters shouldn’t even be mentioned, much less questioned.”

In Sister Wang’s eyes, Ling Yu was obedient, elegant, intelligent, and quick-witted.

She could swiftly evade sensitive subjects and respond appropriately to anything anyone said, always returning the other person’s goodwill in precisely the right measure.

A young woman like her was far cleverer than Sister Wang’s reckless cousin.

She had assumed Ling Yu would nod obediently as usual.

Unexpectedly, Ling Yu tilted her head.

Her foxlike eyes filled with the sort of impulsive confusion expected of a young woman her age.

“Sister Wang, I also find it somewhat unreasonable. At present, the Jiang family’s case has almost no possibility of being overturned. Now that the head of the Jiang family has personally come to the firm…could there still be some way to salvage it?”

Sister Wang froze, uncertain how to explain the matter.

Aside from Cai Dong and Director Li, nearly every employee at the firm privately despised the case, even if they said nothing openly.

Thus, everyone tacitly avoided discussing Jiang Wei.

Had the two inexperienced young women before her not stared with such innocent confusion, Sister Wang would never have responded.

Since the criminal-law team returned by bus, the heads of every department had gathered for a meeting on the top floor.

The corridor was much quieter than usual.

Under the confused gazes of both women, Sister Wang hesitated before sighing.

Even then, she cautiously surveyed their surroundings before speaking.

“This matter is difficult to explain. When I delivered some documents this morning, I heard from someone at the courthouse that Cai Dong personally submitted the information for today’s new witness.”

“He also used his connections and persuaded the relevant people at the courthouse to keep it confidential…”

Meng Xi made a startled sound.

“Attorney Gu used to make every major and minor decision at the firm. Could Attorney Cai really bypass her and submit a new witness without permission?”

“Lower your voice.”

Sister Wang scolded her in exasperation before sighing again.

“He couldn’t have done it before. But now that Director Li has returned from abroad, that may have changed. Based on what I observed, Attorney Gu may not have known that a new witness would appear today.”

Ling Yu lowered her eyes, surprise flashing through them.

She had originally assumed it was Gu Qing…

“That doesn’t sound right.”

Meng Xi tugged at Sister Wang’s sleeve.

“My department head said that Old President Li personally assigned this case to Attorney Gu. The Jiang family promised to pay her three hundred million yuan once it was resolved.”

“After all, she’s the only person capable of winning such a difficult case. Wouldn’t Attorney Cai be afraid of being dismissed for concealing the witness?”

Sister Wang shrugged awkwardly.

She had already heard the rumors about the three hundred million yuan.

“Who knows? Perhaps my guess is wrong… I simply feel that Attorney Gu isn’t that sort of person.”

Ling Yu thought the same.

She hoped the Gu Qing she had witnessed that night had merely been part of a nightmare.

Because of her thesis, Ling Yu arranged to meet Gu Qing on H University’s food street.

She left work two hours early and visited the university.

Her original plan was to submit her thesis and immediately reserve a table at one of the small hole-in-the-wall restaurants on the food street.

However, when she reached Professor Wu’s office, she discovered his former mentor sitting inside.

The visitor was Mr. Gu Bingcheng, one of the leading figures in the contemporary literary world.

Through an unexpected series of circumstances, Ling Yu received writing guidance from Mr. Gu.

As their conversation continued, the elderly man openly displayed his admiration for her. He even invited Ling Yu to undertake further studies at the University of Gangcheng.

Ling Yu merely smiled and tactfully declined his kindness.

Mr. Gu possessed exceptional refinement—the sort cultivated by a distinguished family and deepened by the passing years.

Wisdom filled his aging eyes.

Perhaps because he cherished talented young people, Mr. Gu left Ling Yu his contact information before departing.

For the first time, embarrassment and guilt appeared on Ling Yu’s fair face.

Studying at the University of Gangcheng’s School of Literature would be no less valuable than going abroad.

However, the Xu family was currently dividing, while Ling Taiguo was gaining power.

Both her grandfather’s intentions and Ling Yu’s own plans required her to avoid direct confrontation for the time being.

She needed to allow matters within the country to develop further. Studying abroad remained her best option.

Seeing the undisguised desire to retain her in the old man’s eyes, Ling Yu felt even more guilty.

“Young lady, there’s no need to reject me so quickly. I’ll be staying in Yuncheng for quite some time.”

Ling Yu assumed the elderly man was remaining because of her.

She hurriedly waved her hands.

“Sir, you don’t need to delay your schedule because of me. If I encounter academic difficulties in the future, I’ll certainly trouble you for guidance. But regarding my studies after university—”

The young woman’s eyes were clear and lively. She spoke calmly and methodically.

More importantly, her literary insights were even more distinctive than those of her advisor, Professor Wu.

Mr. Gu regarded Ling Yu with considerable satisfaction.

Seeing her anxiously refusing him, he placed his hands behind his back and interrupted with a smile.

“Don’t feel burdened. I’m staying in Yuncheng for a private matter.”

Mr. Gu paused and smiled affectionately.

“If my niece can be found, she should be around your age. You…are both still children.”

Ling Yu was thoroughly confused.

Fortunately, the elderly man was not remaining in Yuncheng because of her.

Relieved, she tactfully stepped forward and thanked him.

Professor Wu stood nearby with his eyes widened throughout the entire exchange.

An invitation from his mentor practically guaranteed boundless future prospects.

Even Professor Wu himself could call Gu Bingcheng “Teacher” only by shamelessly forcing the title upon him. In truth, the elderly man had never acknowledged Professor Wu as his student.

With this thought, Professor Wu’s gaze toward Ling Yu became even more complicated.

He had such a talented student, yet she refused to submit her thesis, failed her examinations, and cared only about pursuing female students.

Even more outrageously, someone had recently reported her for working as a hostess in the red-light district.

Such an exceptional talent had somehow gone astray under his supervision.

Professor Wu was heartbroken.

Naturally, Ling Yu could not understand the love and frustration mingling in his eyes.

The truth was that the sky was rapidly darkening, and the appointed time for her meeting with Gu Qing was approaching.

Ling Yu rapidly dealt with the remaining matters. After saying goodbye to both men, she rushed from the academic building as though wind propelled her feet.

She encountered many younger students on the way back to her dormitory.

Ling Yu was beautiful.

Although she lacked Gu Qing’s cold, room-dominating beauty at first glance, she had a pleasant temperament and smiled at everyone.

To emphasize how approachable she was, she had deliberately placed gold-rimmed glasses on her nose.

She wore a pink shearling jacket over a light-colored knitted top. The sweater was tucked into her jeans, revealing a narrow waist that could be encircled with one hand and a shapely figure.

Her black hair was tied high, while her graceful swanlike neck appeared even fairer and cleaner against the winter snow.

Ling Yu attracted attention throughout her entire journey.

Many people looked at her admiringly, yet no one approached.

The main reason was that when Ling Yu pursued Gu Qing, she had made her feelings known to the entire university.

At the entrance to the food street, Gu Qing was arranging something over the phone.

She was a prominent figure at the university. The moment she appeared on the food street, people gathered to watch her.

Gu Qing frowned, found a relatively deserted tree, pulled a bucket hat over her head, and continued her call with her gaze lowered.

Nearby, two young women watched Ling Yu approaching along the tree-lined path.

The long-haired woman caught her short-haired friend’s arm.

“Xiao Xue, I’m warning you not to go over there. You aren’t from our School of Literature, so you probably don’t know this, but everyone at the university knows Ling Yu loves Gu Qing…”

“A month and a half ago, Ling Yu confessed to Gu Qing in front of the entire university.”

“And then?”

“Ling Yu annoyed Gu Qing so much that she couldn’t get rid of her. So Gu Qing said she would consider it only if Ling Yu drove up in a Maserati.”

The short-haired woman made a surprised sound.

“Didn’t you say Ling Yu’s family wasn’t particularly wealthy? You also said she once applied to work as a female security guard at Kaihe Law Firm.”

The long-haired woman slapped her thigh.

“So you remember! Ling Yu usually dresses just like us, so she clearly doesn’t have money. But for Gu Qing’s sake, she stopped eating at the cafeteria for two months and worked at three places in a single day, rushing between bars and restaurants.”

“Other students saw her. Apparently, she did it all to earn enough money because of Gu Qing’s casual joke.”

“As a result, after Gu Qing made that promise about the Maserati, Ling Yu worked herself as thin as a bamboo stalk. Later, she genuinely arrived in a Maserati.”

“But that day, I personally saw Senior Gu shove Ling Yu away near the restroom and leave in disgust.”

The long-haired woman sighed.

“That’s why I’m telling you not to waste your effort confessing to Ling Yu. I can responsibly assure you that she won’t respond.”

The long-haired woman tried every possible argument, yet her short-haired friend continued staring unwaveringly at Ling Yu’s face.

She objected indignantly.

“So what? You said it yourself—Senior Gu is straight. She’ll never fall in love with a woman…”

As the short-haired woman continued, her tone became increasingly dejected.

“And why shouldn’t I confess? I simply can’t accept it. Gu Qing already has everything—talent, beauty, and people confessing to her every day.”

“She’s always so far above everyone. Whenever she appears at the university, she’s like a queen surrounded by admiring stars.”

“She already possesses so much, while I have nothing. I merely want to confess. Am I not even allowed to do that? Has Gu Qing’s name been stamped in front of Ling Yu’s as a mark of ownership?”

The long-haired woman choked on the question and remained speechless for a long time.

Realizing she could not dissuade her friend, she sighed and released the short-haired woman’s arm.

“Fine, fine. Just don’t come crying to me afterward.”

Gu Qing ended her call.

Narrowing her eyes, she watched the short-haired woman walk toward Ling Yu with a cup of steaming milk tea in her arms.

The weather was not particularly pleasant.

Perhaps because it had rained the previous night, a layer of ice covered the ground beneath the gray sky.

As night approached, the temperature dropped several degrees. Every breath Ling Yu exhaled condensed into white mist.

A couple behind her was confessing their feelings to each other.

Fireworks exploded across the sky behind Ling Yu, their multicolored silhouettes scattering over her face.

Gu Qing watched Ling Yu smile gently at the woman offering her milk tea.

Those foxlike eyes—which Gu Qing considered thoroughly dishonest—curved into crescents and became illuminated by the glasslike radiance covering the sky.

Gu Qing’s gaze remained fixed on Ling Yu’s eyes for a long time.

Then the short-haired woman said something unknown, and Ling Yu’s smile became even gentler.

She lowered her head, scanned the QR code the woman offered, and accepted her milk tea with a smile.

She actually agreed?

Gu Qing removed the scarf from her neck and revealed a cold smile that was both incredulous and distinctly lacking in dignity.