Pretending To Be Affectionate [Transmigration] - Chapter 44

Ling Yu had initially planned to tell Q that she would be returning home soon.

But the conversation unconsciously shifted to jewelry appraisal.

Towards the end of the conversation, Ling Yu casually asked: [Are you in the jewelry appraisal industry?]

Q: [No.]

As expected, Ling Yu wasn’t surprised.

Since the rare jewelry appraisal manuscript Q provided tonight was very helpful for her writing.

After enjoying someone else’s generosity, Ling Yu obviously couldn’t say goodbye immediately, which would seem too eager to discard them after use.

After some thought, Ling Yu didn’t hesitate to compliment her, praising her: [Sister. You’re really amazing. You know so much even though you haven’t studied jewelry appraisal. What did you do before? Your extensive knowledge makes me feel incredibly impressed.]

The chat box didn’t respond for a long time.

Ling Yu didn’t feel awkward. She raised her hand and checked her watch.

The time was still early for Ling Yu, but it was already 2 a.m. for Q.

Ling Yu felt a bit bad. After all, the other party was just an online friend she had never met. It wasn’t very considerate to take up their sleeping time.

She stood up, stretched, and was about to say goodbye to the woman on the other side.

The message popped up again: [Guess?]

Guess what?

Ling Yu was confused. She looked at the chat box again. Under the light blue background, the messages were concise. The number of words in each line wasn’t many, but they hit the key points accurately.

Ling Yu took three seconds to read the context. After a simple reading comprehension, her lips twitched. The other party wanted her to guess her profession.

This was the first time their conversation involved personal matters.

Ling Yu didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she pulled open the drawer, took out a strawberry-flavored hard candy from the candy box, peeled off the wrapper, and put it in her mouth.

After slowly taking her time for a minute.

She replied: [Sister must not be married.]

[Based on your conversation, you are mature and thorough, with wisdom in your heart and extensive knowledge across various fields. I guess Sister is around forty years old.]

Gu Qing spat the mouthful of coffee she had just swallowed onto the keyboard.

Her? Forty years old?

Gu Qing narrowed her eyes: [smile.jpq]

Ling Yu looked at the smiley face on the screen, assuming she was right. She continued with enthusiasm: [Based on your age and usual style of conversation, I guess you are a respected university professor? Or a top researcher at a research institute.]

Ling Yu felt her statement was very tactful. In fact, she suspected that a woman with such gentle tolerance, profound wisdom, and great intelligence as Q was probably over fifty years old.

After all, some knowledge required the accumulation of years.

But Ling Yu certainly couldn’t make the person sound so old. She also considered that a fifty-year-old could be her aunt.

It would be inappropriate for her to call the person “Sister.” So she deliberately reduced her guessed age, making it sound like she wasn’t intentionally complimenting her while subtly praising her youthful spirit.

Gu Qing, the old woman who was praised for her youthful spirit, stared at the “forty years old” flashing on the screen and couldn’t speak for a long time.

Until Ling Yu chatted briefly about daily life and then said goodbye: [It’s getting late. Sister, drink some milk and go to bed early.]

Ling Yu sent this “drink milk” message every time.

Gu Qing, who was naive and didn’t understand before, now understood. What did milk mean? Ling Yu was worried that she was getting old and that staying up late would cause premature aging.

After all, she was forty in Ling Yu’s eyes!

Gu Qing closed the computer screen and turned to the bathroom.

The bathroom was large, with a floor-to-ceiling glass mirror. The woman reflected in it.

Had long legs, a good waist, and a shapely body.

Compared to two years ago, Gu Qing had lost weight. Her oval face had shed the softness of two years ago.

Her brow bone was high, her features were sharp, and her mixed-race look made her an immediately striking, cold beauty.

Because of the two years of staying up late to chat with Ling Yu, she often had faint dark circles under her phoenix eyes.

Gu Qing scooped up some water and splashed it on her face.

Water droplets rolled down her forehead and nose, falling onto her dry lips.

Gu Qing looked in the mirror for a long time. Apart from the large dark circles, she didn’t see any signs of aging on her face.

The only change compared to two years ago was that she was even colder and more indifferent.

Ling Yu’s departure had taken away the few remaining joys and sorrows she had.

Even with her long, curly hair spread out, she didn’t look seductive.

She naturally possessed an air of arrogance, surrounded by a subtle, ethereal energy, and an appearance of being aloof.

Gu Qing gave a bored “tsk” at her reflection in the mirror, her mood indescribable.

She repeatedly warned herself. It didn’t matter who Ling Yu thought she was.

Her purpose was merely to be a careful listening tool when the other party needed it.

She wouldn’t easily step into Ling Yu’s life again, nor would she deliberately appear in front of the other person, bringing her unnecessary trouble and disaster.

Perhaps as long as she didn’t get too close and didn’t pry into all her information.

Gu Qing could control her continuous impulses and indecency…

Just like now, Ling Yu wouldn’t reveal her address to the online friend Q, nor would she tell Q what she was busy with every day.

All their conversations revolved around the challenges Ling Yu faced with her half-understood problems.

Gu Qing thought, This is enough.

Her only advantage was probably knowing how to suppress herself. As long as she remained sober, Ling Yu would be safe.

Gu Qing couldn’t afford to stare blankly in the mirror for too long. The phone on the bed rang sharply in the middle of the night.

“Lawyer Gu, the Zong family’s case involves a data export list from Michael’s company… I’m in M Country now, but it’s hard to get it.”

Wei Minjun’s tone was hesitant. As one of QY Law Firm’s gold-medal legal team, the Zong family’s financial case wasn’t a major case, and her team could easily handle it. There was no need for the boss to personally intervene.

However, this case involved foreign exports, and gathering evidence was difficult because the exporting company wasn’t in the country.

Even after Wei Minjun personally stayed in M Country for a week, she couldn’t manage to pull the strings and get that export list.

She was truly desperate. With the court date approaching, she had no choice but to call her boss, Gu Qing.

Gu Qing frowned and gave a low “mm”: “Got it.”

The evening news on July 8, 2022. The host, as usual, delivered the latest updates.

In the last five minutes, two stories were reported consecutively.

“Our report: On July 7th, the Ministry of Education decided to reform compulsory education textbooks. It is proposed that the student Lin’s Commentary on Human History be included in middle school history textbooks.”

“Asia’s richest man, Gu Zongping, is seriously ill and currently in the emergency room. It is rumored that the massive Gu family enterprise will be inherited by his eldest son, Gu Zeming.”

Ling Yu was watching the news when she suddenly received a notice to return home early.

Three hours later, she quickly completed her graduation procedures and dragged her suitcase to board the flight back home.

According to Ling Yu’s original plan, she wouldn’t return until the end of the month.

She had several copyright contracts pending recently because her book, Commentary on Human History, had been adopted by multiple countries for their middle school textbooks.

Ling Yu’s public academic pen name was Lin, and she had become famous both domestically and internationally in the last two months.

She had been extremely busy. Due to copyright issues, the contracts had been delayed.

Ling Yu had planned to consult a local lawyer, handle the matters at hand, and then return home.

She didn’t expect Ling Taiguo to be so urgent, even booking her flight in advance.

Ling Yu had called Old Mr. Xu last night.

Ling Taiguo had developed the Ling Corporation quite well in the past two years. With Yu Xin’s encouragement, he was currently entering the Hong Kong City market.

And while Ling Taiguo was focused on market expansion, Yu Xin was secretly collaborating with Ling Taiguo’s special assistant—the man who was cuckolding Ling Taiguo—to gradually erode the company.

Of course, this was just the beginning because the amount involved wasn’t huge.

Old Mr. Xu’s intention was to wait another month.

But Ling Taiguo was too anxious. He completely focused his ambition on Hong Kong City. To expand his network, he practically ordered Ling Yu to return home over the phone.

Ling Yu had played the role of the shallow, spoiled rich second-generation daughter for five years in front of Ling Taiguo and his wife. At such a critical moment, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Ling Yu quickly packed her bags and left right after Ling Taiguo’s call.

M Country’s airport had been expanded last year.

The area was large. Ling Yu took a few minutes to follow the signs, retrieve her two large suitcases from the baggage claim, and went to the counter to check them in.

Ling Yu’s looks had become more striking in the past two years.

Perhaps due to her self-cultivation, she had a certain literary and artistic quality.

It was hot in the summer. She deliberately chose a loose, round-neck, sleeveless linen dress. Her long, black hair was loosely tied into a ponytail.

Revealing her prominent, swan-like neck.

Because the neckline was low, the large area of fair skin on her collarbone looked like porcelain under the fragmented light.

It wasn’t that Ling Yu deliberately dressed so plainly. Her looks had become increasingly alluring over the years, especially her eyes. A casual glance could easily be mistaken for a come-hither look.

To avoid unnecessary trouble and suppress the seductive charm of her foxy eyes, Ling Yu even wore a pair of rimless gold-wire glasses over the bridge of her nose every day.

This gave her a certain artistic quality, like Gu Qing, to appear more “aloof.”

She was extremely eye-catching the moment she appeared at the airport.

Countless eyes were fixed on her. Many were eager to help her with her luggage.

But because Ling Yu was using the VIP high-speed lane, many people hesitated.

Ling Yu was used to this kind of attention and walked straight to the VIP lounge.

At the next corner, her suitcase was stopped by a woman with an incredibly beautiful smile and two small canine teeth.

The woman wore a baseball cap, and only half of her face was visible.

She spoke in clumsy, Korean-influenced Chinese: “Annyeonghaseyo.”

“Ajumma!”

“Jal mot haesseumnida.”

…

Ling Yu lifted her eyelids, her lips twitching.

She then saw the woman looking frustrated: “Damn it, what if I don’t know Korean?”

After saying that, the woman took out her phone, tapped around, as if looking for a translation. Then, she said to Ling Yu: “Saranghaeyo.”

She lowered her head and happened to see the meaning of the phrase she had just looked up on Baidu. Her face instantly flushed red.

Ling Yu was amused. Have the ways young women flirt evolved now?

Ling Yu watched the scene unfold for a long time and laughed unkindly: “I’m Chinese.”

The young woman’s beautiful face became even stiffer.

She gave a dry laugh: “Beautiful Miss, do you need help with your luggage?”

Ling Yu was about to say no, but she saw the fresh-faced, innocent young woman staring at her pleadingly.

Ling Yu avoided the hand the woman reached out and smiled politely: “Thank you.”

She had always had a low resistance to beautiful young women.

After checking in her luggage, Ling Yu went to the VIP lounge with the young woman.

They were on the same flight and both in first class.

After introductions, Ling Yu learned that the young woman opposite her was a celebrity named Luo Huihui.

She boasted that she was a double Best Actress winner.

Ling Yu didn’t follow celebrities, but she glanced at her student-like face and didn’t take it seriously.

After all, one should have dreams. What if the dream came true one day?

There were no paparazzi in the VIP lounge. Luo Huihui took off her baseball cap and used a small mirror to draw her eyebrows.

“Sigh, Yuyu, help me check. Is my eyebrow shape crooked?”

“No, it’s not,” Ling Yu lazily leaned back on the sofa and only glanced at her.

Luo Huihui pouted: “Not that way. You need to lean closer and look carefully…”

Ling Yu thought, Why is she so much trouble? But she couldn’t refuse the delicate young woman. The latter had helped her carry two large suitcases, huffing and puffing.

Ling Yu had wanted to do it herself, but the other party wouldn’t allow it.

She was obviously a sincere person.

Ling Yu leaned forward an inch. Up close, she could see that Luo Huihui’s makeup was impeccable. The light scattered on her cheeks, and the transparent fine hair was dyed gold.

She had a sweet look.

Ling Yu gave her an internal compliment and smiled: “No problem.”

However, as soon as she spoke, Luo Huihui suddenly gave a mischievous smile, grabbed Ling Yu’s hand, and pulled it toward her curled eyelashes.

Ling Yu raised her eyebrows. At this close distance, she immediately saw the other party’s intention.

Ling Yu pulled back. Her slender fingers pressed against Luo Huihui’s shoulder. She circled her hand around and applied a gentle pressure, politely pushing her away.

“Honey, I don’t like women…”

Luo Huihui had met countless people. Most of the women she was interested in were lesbians.

But Ling Yu’s type, to be honest, she wasn’t very sure about.

She glanced at Ling Yu’s soft, boneless hand. Although she was unwilling, Luo Huihui knew how to gauge the situation.

She clicked her tongue, leaned back on the soft sofa, and yawned dramatically, pretending to be bored: “I was just joking…”

Ling Yu gave her a light glance, which was both a warning and a sign that she wasn’t taking it seriously.

Her peach-blossom eyes tilted upward at the corners, looking like hooks, completely captivating.

Luo Huihui thought to herself, I don’t care. This woman is completely to my liking.

At the same time, in a secluded booth in the VIP lounge.

Wei Minjun brewed a cup of coffee and returned to her seat.

She handed the coffee to Gu Qing.

“Boss, time for your poison.”

Wei Minjun jokingly called the coffee “poison.” Gu Qing drank two cups a day, an action that was referred to as “taking drugs.”

Gu Qing didn’t speak. Her deep blue eyes, covered in the dampness of seaweed, were slightly contracted, fixed on a booth not far away.

Wei Minjun called Gu Qing’s name again, but still got no response.

Wei Minjun followed Gu Qing’s gaze.

In the booth not far away, two women were sitting face-to-face, looking like they were about to kiss.

Wei Minjun was momentarily stunned. She looked back at Gu Qing, seeing her staring at the young women like a school dean, frowning.

She thought, Typical Lawyer Gu. She can’t accept lesbians, so is she going to interfere with others?

Thinking this, Wei Minjun reminded her: “Hey, don’t stare at the young people. It’s just two girls kissing. Being a lesbian isn’t illegal anymore. It’s perfectly normal.”

While speaking, Wei Minjun glanced over there. She suddenly paused: “Wait a minute, Gu Qing, doesn’t that woman in the baseball cap look familiar? She looks like the Best Actress Luo Huihui!”

Wei Minjun couldn’t help but strain her ears to listen. The two were already deep in conversation.

“Ling Yu, let’s exchange WeChat IDs. I’m going to Hong Kong City next month for a fan meeting. Come, and I’ll sing for you.”

…

“What brand of lipstick are you wearing? I want to buy it too.”

“I’m not wearing any makeup.”

The woman wearing the rimless gold-wire glasses smiled gently. Her voice was soft, like a whisper close to the ear.

As expected, the face of the woman in the baseball cap, who was an arm’s length away, was flushed.

Wei Minjun clicked her tongue and sighed: “Damn, the glasses girl is so smooth. Lawyer Gu, this is the only woman I’ve seen so far who I think can rival your beauty.”

Wei Minjun flattered her and turned back with a smile. Half of Gu Qing’s face was hidden in the shadow. She pulled out a cigarette from her pocket and bit down on it, looking displeased.

Sensing that the atmosphere was wrong, Wei Minjun wisely kept quiet.

Lawyer Gu’s personality was always unpredictable. If she wasn’t speaking, it was best not to provoke her.

Gu Qing pulled her long, curly hair forward to cover her expression. She had intended to smoke a cigarette, but this was a non-smoking area. She held the lighter in her slender fingers, opening and closing it restlessly, using the action to mask her absurd anger.

On the other side, Luo Huihui brought up countless topics. She saw that Ling Yu was always smiling, answering her probes flawlessly, and giving away no crucial information. Yet, there was no awkwardness.

Luo Huihui frowned in frustration. She glanced at Gu Qing’s table and said to Ling Yu, “Yuyu, do you want some dessert? Look, they have coffee and cake at that table. I’ll go get some from the bar for you.”

Ling Yu wasn’t interested and refused: “No need.”

“Just take a look,” Luo Huihui pouted.

Ling Yu had always had a zero resistance to a beautiful young woman’s charms. She believed that every delicate and soft girl deserved gentle treatment, which was why she was being so polite today.

But if the other party continued to badger her, Ling Yu couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t grab the person by the collar and throw her out.

Ling Yu decided to give Luo Huihui one last chance at a friendly interaction. She slowly turned her body, following her gaze.