The Sickly Girl Becomes a Scum Alpha - Chapter 22

Chu Ci sat down next to Li Sinan and greeted him. Clearly, he was a bit surprised.

Fortunately, after the scene on the stairs, Li Sinan had revised his opinion of Chu Ci and didn’t immediately turn away upon seeing her.

“Miss Chu, is there something I can help you with?”

“There is a small matter I wanted to ask Mr. Li about,” Chu Ci leaned in and spoke quietly, making sure no one was listening. “May I ask about the process and precautions for drawing up a will?”

Chu Ci didn’t want to be so intrusive. After all, the Chu family had a very professional legal team, but the problem was she couldn’t let anyone in the Chu family know about this. The Chu family was precisely who she was guarding against.

Li Sinan raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. He looked Chu Ci up and down, confirming she wasn’t joking, and grew even more puzzled. “Miss Chu is still very young. Why are you considering this so soon?”

“No one can escape death, and no one knows when their time will come, sooner or later. Is Mr. Li willing to tell me about it?”

Given Li Sinan’s approach to writing his will, Chu Ci figured he wasn’t someone who would shy away from the topic of death, so she spoke plainly.

As expected, Li Sinan laughed when he heard this. “Miss Chu has a healthy outlook.”

Chu Ci just smiled without commenting.

Since the conversation had reached this point, Li Sinan was generous and shared the entire process of writing his will. The main difficulty was the asset allocation. Beyond that, a will was simply a person’s final instructions regarding their affairs. Everything was based on personal wishes. Within legal boundaries, one could plan the disposition of their assets after death. Just like Li Sinan leaving all his money to his little turtle, no one could legally object.

Chu Ci listened intently, practically taking notes. As she listened, she realized that leaving her entire inheritance to Jian Sui was even simpler than Li Sinan leaving everything to a turtle. Since she and Jian Sui were legally married, Jian Sui was already her primary legal heir.

However, there was still the issue of choosing a reliable public notary.

The Chu family’s power was considerable. If Chu Ci couldn’t completely neutralize the Chu family before she left, there was a high chance the will could be invalidated or challenged.

Once she understood everything, Chu Ci sincerely thanked Li Sinan. She didn’t forget to add a final instruction. “Thank you so much, Mr. Li. But could I trouble you to keep this confidential? This is just my own whim, and I don’t want to worry the people around me.”

Li Sinan understood. He wasn’t a talkative person anyway.

With a shared secret, their relationship quickly became closer. Of course, this was mainly because Li Sinan realized that Chu Ci was very different from the person he remembered.

“If Chu Xiong didn’t have only one daughter, I’d suspect you weren’t Chu Ci.”

Li Sinan’s joke made a bead of cold sweat break out on Chu Ci’s forehead. She maintained her composure. “People grow up, you know.”

“You’re right. Time flies…”

As they chatted, they attracted many onlookers, though no one dared to interrupt. Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, people saw Jian Sui finally without Chu Ci and their networking instincts flared up.

There was almost no one in attendance more distinguished than the Chu family. Some who had a slight acquaintance with the Chu family wanted to appear closer to them. Others who had been trying to climb the social ladder saw an opportunity. However, they didn’t dare approach the high-status Chu Xiong, and they kept a three-foot distance from the infamous Chu Ci. This left Jian Sui as the best option.

But there was still a question: What was Jian Sui’s actual status in the Chu family?

Rumors claimed Jian Sui was treated worse than a servant, evidenced by the news that Chu Ci didn’t come home on her wedding night. Yet, at this event, Chu Ci held Jian Sui’s hand the entire time and showed deep care, a devotion that starkly contrasted with the rumors.

Was her status high or low?

Furthermore, Jian Sui’s family background was very ordinary. If she wasn’t truly recognized by the Chu family, approaching her would only lower their own status and potentially displease the Chus.

Just as everyone hesitated, unable to commit to making a move to schmooze with Jian Sui, one person walked out of the crowd and went directly toward her.

Jian Sui and Zhao Rong, who were talking, noticed her. It was none other than Bai Qingqing, whom they had met earlier.

Her simple white dress looked non-threatening. Her elegant and sophisticated makeup made her look poised, and the silk scarf wrapped around her neck was a perfect accent, making her all-white outfit vibrant rather than flat.

“Miss Jian, do you mind if I sit here for a moment?”

Bai Qingqing’s smile always felt intimate yet distant, without coming across as offensive or annoying.

The word “approachable” popped into Jian Sui’s mind, but the word itself felt heavy with condescension.

She subtly lowered her eyes, masking her true feelings. “Of course not.”

When Bai Qingqing sat down, the surrounding glances shifted again.

Although the Bai family was slightly inferior to the Chu family, it was still a major powerhouse comparable to the Chus. When a member of the Bai family sat next to Jian Sui, others should have been more encouraged to join in. But this Bai family member was Bai Qingqing.

Not everyone born into a wealthy family gets everything they want like Chu Ci. When wealthy families have many children, there’s always preferential treatment. Some are favored; others are marginalized. But usually, as long as they behave, things don’t get too crazy. Bai Qingqing, however, was different.

Before differentiation, Bai Qingqing was exceptionally talented among the six children of the Bai family. Many boldly speculated she would be the heir. But an accident happened.

Despite her genius, Bai Qingqing wasn’t favored by the family head, Bai Keng. He preferred his mediocre eldest son and never publicly named an heir until Bai Qingqing differentiated at sixteen. To everyone’s shock, she differentiated as an Omega. Bai Keng immediately announced his eldest son as the heir the very next day and became desperate to marry Bai Qingqing off for an alliance.

Parental favoritism is often irrational, but this blatant differential treatment was excessive.

Bai Qingqing wasn’t the kind to meekly accept her fate. At sixteen, she silently carved out her neck gland, appearing at her engagement banquet with bloody hands, shocking everyone.

After that, Bai Qingqing disappeared from the public eye for six years. The Bai family forbade anyone from mentioning her. But for some reason, the Bai family suddenly acknowledged her again this year. Although they didn’t treat her as important, they at least acknowledged her existence.

While the outside world speculated, Bai Qingqing showed up at the banquet. People were hesitant to approach her, wanting to be polite but not overly familiar.

Who would have thought that the two most mysterious figures would end up sitting together? The number of subtle glances toward them immediately increased.

Jian Sui, of course, didn’t know about Bai Qingqing’s past, as no one had told her.

“I just came back from abroad and don’t have many friends. Could we add each other as friends?”

Bai Qingqing was direct and straightforward, without any games.

Her frankness made it hard to refuse. Jian Sui wasn’t the type to be coy, so the two added each other.

“And is this your friend? Hello, my name is Bai Qingqing.”

After adding Jian Sui, Bai Qingqing looked at Zhao Rong and extended her hand.

Bai?

The Bai family?

Zhao Rong was startled, but she shook Bai Qingqing’s hand. Although she wasn’t part of the super-rich elite, the Bai family’s scandals were too numerous to ignore.

But this person in front of her was clearly different from the Bai family members known for scandals: low-key, candid, and beautiful. Zhao Rong’s opinion of her immediately shot up.

“Hello, Miss Bai. My name is Zhao Rong.”

“Please, don’t be so formal. You can call me Qingqing.”

“Then you can just call me Zhao Rong.”

“Rongrong?”

…

Jian Sui felt that nickname was familiar. She looked at the grinning, overly-eager Zhao Rong, then at the composed Bai Qingqing. She touched her forehead, finding the scene unbearable. Why didn’t I notice that Zhao Rong had the potential to be won over in three seconds before?

Bai Qingqing didn’t stay long. Someone from the Bai family came to find her. She politely excused herself and left with the person.

Zhao Rong watched Bai Qingqing’s figure disappear through the entrance. Jian Sui waved her hand, forcing Zhao Rong to look away. “Your eyes are going to pop out if you keep staring.”

“She’s genuinely nice,” Zhao Rong said, still a little excited. “How do you know her?”

“She’s Chu Ci’s friend.”

Jian Sui turned the wine glass in her hand, feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

But Zhao Rong didn’t notice Jian Sui’s expression. “You know, Chu Ci’s friends are turning out to be quite surprising. These wealthy young women don’t seem like the rumors at all. They’re all so beautiful, and they speak so nicely. They don’t put on airs. It’s actually really comfortable to be around them.”

Jian Sui looked at Zhao Rong with mild exasperation. Her original intention had been to bring Zhao Rong along so she could change her opinion of Chu Ci. But before she could even get to know Chu Ci properly, Zhao Rong had already made new acquaintances with both Cao Xi and Bai Qingqing.

My friend, are you missing the point?

Meeting Jian Sui’s gaze, Zhao Rong patted Jian Sui’s shoulder. “I’m starting to believe you now when you say Chu Ci is completely different from the rumors. Rumors really are dangerous!”

Jian Sui: “…”

Well, I suppose this counts as a roundabout victory.

The encounter was just a brief interlude, and Jian Sui didn’t dwell on it too much.

Chu Ci had finished her conversation with Li Sinan. The guest of honor was quite busy, so she didn’t want to overstay her welcome.

“It’s getting late. Should we head back?”

The dance floor was lively, and the crowd was finally starting to let loose, recovering from the somber mood set by the will. Chu Ci didn’t pay any attention to this. She simply felt that everything she needed to do was done, and staying here was pointless.

Jian Sui glanced toward the dance floor. She stood up and nodded, then turned to Zhao Rong. “Are you coming with us, or…”

“No, I need to find my cousin. I’m here as a dance partner, and I haven’t danced yet.”

Zhao Rong hadn’t forgotten her duty and waved goodbye to the two.

Right, they haven’t danced yet.

Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci, whose attention was also drawn to the dance floor. Her heart started beating faster. Will Chu Ci invite me to dance? But I don’t know how to dance.

What should I do? If I refuse, should I say it directly or find an excuse?

Chu Ci was equally nervous.

Looking at the couples moving on the dance floor, given her relationship with Jian Sui, she should be inviting Jian Sui for the first dance. Not inviting her wouldn’t fit their pretense of a loving couple, but what if Jian Sui refused?

She had been too reckless tonight. Jian Sui was already doing her best to play the part of a loving wife. Would inviting her to dance be pushing her luck?