Pretending To Be Affectionate [Transmigration] - Chapter 24

Ling Yu tactfully rejected the short-haired woman’s confession.

After watching her leave, she turned and saw Gu Qing standing beneath an old banyan tree ten meters away.

Darkness arrived early during winter, and most of the decorative lights surrounding the food street had already been illuminated.

Their glow filtered through the mottled shadows of the tree and fell across Gu Qing.

She had changed into casual clothes: a solid-colored blouse paired with a dark skirt and an ankle-length coat.

She looked like a queen who had stepped from a vintage painting. Although she stood casually with her long, slender legs beside the tree trunk, her relaxed posture only made her appear even colder and more beautiful.

When Ling Yu looked over, Gu Qing held her phone in her right hand, while a simple scarf hung from her left.

Her usually indifferent eyes now contained a trace of merciless coldness as they stared ominously at Ling Yu.

Despite the ten meters separating them, Ling Yu keenly sensed her inexplicable anger.

She made a questioning sound, and a question mark gradually appeared in her eyes.

Gu Qing merely lowered her gaze and glanced at Ling Yu.

Then, with mockery in her eyes, she turned her back.

That meaningful glance displayed her disgust so openly that even Ling Yu, who ordinarily ignored such things, could not pretend she had not noticed it.

Gu Qing placed both hands in her pockets.

Her slender fingers removed what appeared to be a restaurant queue ticket. She crumpled it into a ball and casually tossed it into a nearby trash bin.

Afterward, she silently began walking away from the food street.

Ling Yu watched Gu Qing’s figure retreat.

The woman did not even greet her before striding toward the university exit.

She intended to break her promise.

That fucking woman.

The smile Ling Yu had finally managed to produce disappeared completely.

Still carrying the milk tea, she caught up to Gu Qing in several quick steps and grabbed her arm from behind.

“Hey.”

Ling Yu used her free hand to block Gu Qing’s path.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Few emotions could be seen within Gu Qing’s ice-blue eyes.

She seemed to be in an exceptionally foul mood.

She raised her lashes. Her snow-laden gaze slid inch by inch from Ling Yu’s eyes toward the milk tea hanging from her wrist.

A moment later, she looked away and coldly offered a seven-word explanation:

“You were three minutes late.”

Ling Yu followed Gu Qing’s gaze toward the milk tea, then heard her absurdly harsh excuse.

Remembering why she had scanned the other woman’s QR code and purchased the milk tea, Ling Yu’s mood toward Gu Qing became even worse.

She raised her eyelids irritably.

“Could you try being reasonable? Hmm? I rushed here through the freezing wind to speak with you. Just because I was three minutes late, did you really need to be so petty that you turned around and left?”

“That young woman waited in the cold for an entire afternoon. Did you see her turning around and leaving?”

Ling Yu was genuinely angry, causing her to speak without considering her words.

The moment the final sentence left her mouth, she regretted it.

There was nothing technically wrong with what she had said. However, the comparison made her sound like she was acting spoiled toward a girlfriend during the passionate stage of a relationship.

Imagining herself coyly whining to Gu Qing immediately covered Ling Yu’s body in goosebumps.

She released Gu Qing’s arm and rubbed her chilled skin.

At the same moment, those words seemed to ignite some hidden anger inside Gu Qing.

She abruptly turned and stared intimidatingly at Ling Yu.

Their gazes collided.

Ling Yu felt as though Gu Qing might raise a hand and strike her.

She clicked her tongue inwardly and rotated her slender wrist.

It was not the first time she had asked this question, but it was the first time she confronted Gu Qing without the slightest attempt at concealment.

“Want to hit me?”

Gu Qing glanced at Ling Yu’s delicate hand and scoffed contemptuously.

In her usual coldhearted tone, she countered, “Do you genuinely believe I need to waste so much time on an insignificant person with ulterior motives?”

Her implication was clear:

Who do you think you are?

Gu Qing had repeatedly rejected Ling Yu for two months.

Had she said something like this before, Ling Yu would have instantly squeezed out two tears and forced Gu Qing to surrender.

Unfortunately, Ling Yu had accidentally destroyed her fabricated persona several days ago.

Now that Gu Qing’s every word mocked her as a two-faced garbage bag constantly pretending to be something she was not, Ling Yu could only expose her true nature.

Narrowing her eyes, she caught Gu Qing’s arm with one hand and pressed it downward, dragging her toward an alley near the eastern gate.

Transparent polish covered Ling Yu’s nails.

She was not particularly interested in manicures. However, while pursuing Gu Qing, she had needed to emphasize her beautiful, pitiful, and miserable circumstances.

Thus, she had packaged herself as a cheerful young woman from an ordinary family.

As a result, she had nowhere to spend the money Ling Taiguo gave her over the past several months.

She could not maintain her spoiled-heiress persona before Ling Taiguo and Yu Xin if she stopped spending lavishly. To prevent the couple from becoming suspicious, Ling Yu asked someone to purchase the newest set of sparkling diamonds from an Australian jewelry exhibition.

Tiny diamonds now decorated her transparent manicure.

When Ling Yu carelessly tightened her hand, the sharp edge of one diamond pressed into Gu Qing’s skin.

A faint numb itch spread through Gu Qing’s fingers.

She lowered her eyes and happened to see Ling Yu’s diamond-studded nails.

Ahead of her, Ling Yu pushed up the glasses on her nose and smiled.

“You’re always breaking your promises. You once promised that if I could drive a Porsche to the university, you would allow me to ride with you.”

“Afterward, I worked three jobs every day…and even now, you remain the same. You repeatedly go back on everything you promise.”

Ling Yu’s tone abruptly changed, and her lips curved provocatively.

She wrapped herself around Gu Qing’s slender arm and placed her other hand on the woman’s waist.

Leaning slightly forward, Ling Yu brought her lips beside Gu Qing’s ear and breathed:

“Sister, even my patience has limits… Don’t force me…”

A cloying fragrance entered Gu Qing’s nose.

It smelled like candy.

Gu Qing’s cool brows twitched violently.

She knew perfectly well that the woman before her was lying, yet she did not immediately push her away.

The ends of Ling Yu’s hair brushed Gu Qing’s neck. Her soft, slender body would press completely against Gu Qing’s if she moved even one centimeter closer.

Their breaths mingled at such close range, filling the air with suggestive temptation.

Gu Qing drew a deep breath, unable to understand why her behavior toward Ling Yu had recently grown increasingly strange.

She simply ignored the irritation inside her and forced two hoarse words through clenched teeth.

“Let go.”

Ling Yu raised an eyebrow and tightened her hold instead.

Gu Qing tugged incredulously at the corners of her lips.

“Ling Yu, don’t you find yourself ridiculous right now?”

She repeatedly examined Ling Yu’s slender wrist with a harsh rather than polite gaze.

Then she laughed softly, her contemptuous eyes looking down upon an ant marching willingly toward its death.

The two confronted each other for several moments.

Sparks seemed to flash between them, and they appeared capable of simultaneously raising their hands and slapping each other at any instant.

They were approximately the same height.

Ling Yu looked refined and elegant, her beautiful face combining youthful innocence with a trace of seduction.

Gu Qing had fully unleashed her imposing presence, appearing cold and intimidating.

Standing together, they naturally created a striking scene, even though equally intense anger was concealed within them both.

They attracted particular attention.

The area surrounding the food street was ordinarily filled with H University students.

Classes had just ended, and passing students nearly filled the narrow street.

Ling Yu and Gu Qing’s argument had grown so intense that they appeared moments away from greeting their “date” by slapping each other.

Several courageous students hurried over and began offering overlapping advice.

“Senior Gu, please discuss this calmly. Don’t fight. We’re all students here.”

After attempting to pacify Gu Qing, one mediator hurriedly turned toward the other participant.

“Ling Yu, what are you doing? Everyone knows your confession was rejected and you’re heartbroken, but you can’t lose control and do something foolish! You can’t for-force…”

The student did not dare finish the word “force” and began stammering.

They glanced at the icy beauty Gu and genuinely could not imagine someone as refined as Ling Yu doing anything to the cold, noble, and exceptionally talented woman.

One mediator after another approached.

The crowd watching them continued growing.

Ling Yu finally withdrew her gaze and tossed the milk tea toward Gu Qing.

In the next second, however, she sensed an inexplicably intense scent of gunpowder erupting from the woman again.

Ling Yu wondered what was wrong with her.

Who would continue indulging someone this unbearably proud?

She smiled without warmth.

“I also think I look ridiculous. The way I wasted my time buying milk tea for you was exceptionally ridiculous.”

“If I hadn’t bought it, I wouldn’t have arrived three minutes late.”

Her voice was filled with mockery.

Ling Yu released Gu Qing’s wrist and calmly waved.

“Goodbye.”

Ling Yu found herself rather pointless as well.

The previous night, she had clearly decided to play for high stakes.

She would ruthlessly tear away Gu Qing’s self-righteous superiority, cruelly watch her fall into the mud, then apply medicine to her wounds.

The process would be bloody, but it would work quickly.

Ling Yu could complete her mission rapidly, then leave this cold woman destined to remain single forever without bearing any responsibility.

However, because of the umbrella from the previous night, the Porsche in the rain, and the woman who had stood outside the Xu family’s old residence extinguishing one cigarette after another…

Ling Yu had even kindly speculated that perhaps Gu Qing had stood beneath her window during such heavy rain because she was lonely.

Perhaps she had hoped Ling Yu would discover her and lead her out of the frigid darkness.

If that were true…

Ling Yu merely wanted to speak with Gu Qing and have a calm conversation.

Now, however, it was obvious that Gu Qing refused to allow anyone into her world.

She erected towering iron walls against anyone who attempted to approach her.

Ling Yu had stubbornly thrown herself against those walls again and again.

But even she eventually became tired.

The rebellious pride in her bones would only encourage her to pick up a weapon, demolish the walls, knock Gu Qing unconscious, and drag her outside.

Ling Yu strode away on her slender legs without hesitation.

She had taken only two steps when Gu Qing’s hoarse voice sounded behind her.

“You bought this milk tea…?”

Even with her back turned, Ling Yu could hear the doubt in Gu Qing’s voice.

If Ling Yu had not purchased it, what did Gu Qing think had happened?

Did she believe Ling Yu had accepted it as a gift after agreeing to the short-haired woman’s confession?

Gu Qing never wasted words.

If she asked this question, it meant she had already reached that conclusion herself.

Ling Yu laughed in anger.

“What sort of person do you think I am? Would Attorney Gu like to examine the payment record?”

Ling Yu assumed their dinner was now impossible.

However, Gu Qing suddenly seemed to lose her mind.

She removed a pair of silver tweezers from her briefcase, reached into the trash bin, and retrieved the crumpled queue ticket she had just thrown away.

Ling Yu: […]

Gu Qing avoided Ling Yu’s questioning gaze and pressed her lips together.

Condescending to return to Ling Yu’s side, she seized her arm and dragged her through the crowd.

The students who had attempted to mediate stared in confusion.

“Damn. That’s so sweet.”

“Could Ling Yu genuinely be dating Senior Gu?”

“Oh my God! Just looking at their profiles is making me grin like an auntie watching her favorite couple.”

…

H University was located in Yuncheng’s old district.

Several years earlier, emerging industries gradually relocated to the new district.

After many factories and commercial businesses moved away, the old district slowly became deserted. The municipal government later redeveloped it into the current university town.

Perhaps because of the area’s distinctive history, many inconspicuous restaurants near H University had operated for decades or even more than a century.

One of the most famous eateries was hidden inside an alley in the university’s eastern district.

It was called Li’s Clay Pot.

The restaurant was difficult to locate, but its clay-pot dishes ranked among the top ten foods in Yuncheng.

Ling Yu had visited many times. However, every visit required an advance reservation and a long wait.

A middle-aged married couple owned the restaurant.

They were honest and unpretentious, and business was excellent. A long line formed outside the small establishment every day.

Concerned that expansion might affect the quality of their food, the couple had always refused to enlarge the restaurant.

Gu Qing forcibly dragged Ling Yu there.

Ling Yu assumed they would need to wait at least three hours.

Unexpectedly, Gu Qing unfolded the crumpled queue ticket she had retrieved from the trash and expressionlessly handed it to the owner before leading Ling Yu inside.

The two ate dinner in silence.

“How did you get a queue number for this restaurant? Did you make a reservation this afternoon?”

Ling Yu had provided the address, but her thesis delayed her.

She had assumed they would need to find another location that night.

The woman opposite her carefully wiped the corners of her lips with a wet tissue before finally raising her eyes.

Gu Qing clearly did not want to continue the earlier subject.

She tapped the table and said unhurriedly:

“Stay out of Li Juan’s case.”

“Why?”

Ling Yu scoffed, tore off a napkin, and turned to request a cup of hot soy milk from the proprietress.

Only then did she meet Gu Qing’s deep gaze again.

Gu Qing’s long lashes were half-lowered, concealing the complicated emotions in her eyes.

She adjusted the hair beside her forehead and slowly called her name.

“Ling Yu.”

“Hmm?”

A layer of mist seemed to cover Gu Qing’s eyes.

She said faintly, “If you feel that my rejection embarrassed you, I can compensate you. But you must stop interfering in Jiang Wei’s case.”

Ling Yu had never heard Gu Qing plead so humbly.

Had the woman not remained elegantly seated opposite her and negotiated in the same tone she used in court, Ling Yu might have believed Gu Qing was admitting defeat.

“Why are you so desperate to persuade me?”

Ling Yu recognized the determination in Gu Qing’s eyes and scoffed.

“Is it because the Jiang family offered you three hundred million yuan?”

Gu Qing froze.

The emotion in her eyes faded bit by bit.

She braced herself against the table and stood. Leaning forward, she stared unwaveringly at Ling Yu.

“If you insist on opposing me—”

Ling Yu laughed.

“If a rapist like Jiang Wei can escape conviction, Gu Qing, I promise you that you…and everyone helping you will end up in prison.”

Ling Yu’s eyes were distinctly black and white.

She met Gu Qing’s gaze without flinching.

A moment later, Ling Yu’s eyes curved at the corners, holding an equally intense anger that resembled stars spreading across the sky.

Gu Qing’s heart moved.

She concealed it with a cold laugh.

“Then you’re welcome to try.”

Ling Yu gave a faint hum.

Then she vaulted over the table.

Her slender fingers swiftly caught Gu Qing around the waist.

Gu Qing irritably retreated until her back struck the edge of the table.

She narrowed her eyes.

During that instant of lost control, she watched Ling Yu’s exceedingly fair face approach inch by inch.

Their breaths intertwined, and Ling Yu’s milk-candy fragrance washed over her.

Gu Qing stared darkly at Ling Yu’s approaching orange-red lips.

Her chest rose and fell violently twice.

Her gaze uncontrollably fixed upon Ling Yu’s exceptionally delicate neck, reminding her of puncture marks from needles.

Her eyes darkened as something threatened to emerge from deep inside her.

During that instant of distraction, pain suddenly pierced her neck.

Ling Yu had bitten her viciously enough to draw blood.

She tossed her ponytail behind her, her eyes pitch-black.

“You lost.”

Gu Qing’s gaze remained on the woman’s crimson lips, and her eyes gradually became unfocused.

She did not even understand what Ling Yu was saying.

Her thoughts stopped entirely for a moment.

Gu Qing instinctively touched the small glass-bottle pendant against her chest.

Only after ten full seconds did her pounding heart gradually calm.

She expressionlessly glanced at Ling Yu and abruptly extended one long leg.

She mercilessly kicked Ling Yu’s calf away.

While Ling Yu evaded the blow, Gu Qing braced one hand against the table and easily stood upright.

“There’s something I didn’t tell you last night.”

Gu Qing lowered her eyelids and indifferently examined Ling Yu.

“Your harassment disgusts me just as much as Gu Ting’s does.”

After speaking, Gu Qing meaningfully glanced toward the transparent umbrella Ling Yu had placed beside the table.

“Nurse Wang borrowed that from Gu Ting. Return it to her.”

Ling Yu raised an eyebrow, and the smile on her lips faded.

Gu Qing continued:

“The personal villa the law firm purchased for me is in Xishan.”

“Ling Yu.”

Gu Qing looked at her as though she were mentally ill and pointed toward her forehead.

“There is seriously something wrong with you here.”