The Sickly Girl Becomes a Scum Alpha - Chapter 24

Chu Ci was in a deep sleep.

Jian Sui waited and waited. It was almost noon, and there was still no sign of Chu Ci. She couldn’t help but get up.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Jian Sui looked at her own tightly furrowed brow, unsure what she was so bothered about.

Wiping her hands, she looked at her reflection again—stern and cold, looking completely unapproachable.

She thought back to last night. Was my attitude too cold?

It made sense. Chu Ci had hinted and clearly expressed her feelings repeatedly, yet Jian Sui had always vaguely dismissed it as if nothing happened. Before the marriage, she was extravagant with gifts. After the marriage, she was careful and protective. Chu Ci had used every method, subtle and direct, but Jian Sui had offered no feedback and treated it as invisible. Anyone would feel frustrated and disappointed.

Just like last night, after she left without a word, Chu Ci stood alone in the garden for so long.

I already agreed to marry Chu Ci, but am I still unable to accept her?

Thinking this, Jian Sui felt a suffocating tightness in her heart. Maybe a little more time is all I need.

What should I do now?

Jian Sui felt distressed about making Chu Ci so miserable. She decided they needed to have an honest talk.

With that decision, Jian Sui prepared to go to the study to see if Chu Ci was there.

While Jian Sui’s emotions were on a rollercoaster, Chu Ci was sleeping soundly, finally jolted awake by a barrage of phone calls from Cao Xi.

Her eyes were slightly swollen from sleep, and her face was blank. Chu Ci groggily answered the phone, her thick nasal voice muffled. “You better have a good reason.”

“You made peace with Old Man Li Sinan? You’re incredible, Chu darling! You’ve dominated half the trending topics from last night to today!”

Cao Xi’s voice was excited. It was obvious she had just finished an all-nighter. Chu Ci wondered how she had managed to fool Qian Quan’s group last night.

Chu Ci weakly lifted her head and rubbed her swollen temples. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re beautiful and trending!” Cao Xi thought Chu Ci was bragging, so she shouted in agreement.

The sudden loud volume made Chu Ci’s eardrums ache. She moved the phone away. Unable to process the information, she mumbled a response, ready to hang up.

“Chu darling?”

Cao Xi finally sensed something was wrong and sounded anxious. “What is it? Don’t scare me!”

Chu Ci finally felt a moment of quiet. The hand holding the phone rested on the edge of the sofa. With no strength in her fingers, the phone slipped.

Jian Sui, who had been knocking with no result, hesitated and then opened the study door, witnessing this exact scene.

The heavy, solid wood bookshelves in the study gave the room an oppressive feel. The thick curtains on both sides were pulled back, and one window was open. As the door opened, a gust of wind, carrying rain and the fresh scent of earth, blew in, lifting Chu Ci’s dress.

Pale-faced, Chu Ci lay on the hard, solid wood sofa beneath the window, her eyes slightly closed, her head tilted weakly toward the door. Her slender wrist hung over the edge, and the phone, still on the call screen, slipped from her long fingers and dropped onto the thick carpet.

“Chu darling! Are you there!”

Cao Xi’s anxious voice came from the phone, pulling the momentarily stunned Jian Sui back to reality. Jian Sui rushed over and knelt beside Chu Ci, reaching out to touch her, only to find Chu Ci’s body frighteningly cold.

In an instant, all the worst-case scenarios flooded Jian Sui’s mind. She felt a large hand gripping her heart, a dull pain making her speechless. It was as if all the warm blood was instantly drained from her body and replaced with ice water.

The doctor arrived quickly, standing before Chu Ci within ten minutes. But after only one glance, his face changed, and he immediately ordered her sent to the hospital.

Chu Ci was completely unaware of what had happened. She just felt like she had slept exceptionally deeply. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw a familiar ceiling.

Huh?

Did I switch back?

Chu Ci was intimately familiar with hospital ceilings and the smell of disinfectant. She forced her eyelids open a little more. She moved her eyes, intending to see if her parents were there, but instead saw Jian Sui sitting beside her.

Jian Sui’s face held a cold seriousness that Chu Ci had never seen before. The extremely low pressure in the room made her feel momentarily disoriented.

Jian Sui noticed Chu Ci was awake. The coldness instantly disappeared from her face as she leaned closer. “How do you feel? Is anything uncomfortable?”

“I’m fine,” Chu Ci assumed she was just groggy and mistook Jian Sui’s look. “What happened to me?”

At that, Jian Sui’s eyes went red for a moment, then she forced a smile. “It’s nothing. You caught a chill. You forgot to close the window yesterday and caught a cold in the rain.

Chu Ci was too familiar with that expression. Her parents always used it to lie to her after checkups.

Chu Ci wiggled her fingers. Didn’t she know her own body best?

However, Chu Ci knew Jian Sui meant well and didn’t expose her. She just blinked. “Then don’t worry about me.”

As they were talking, a doctor in a white coat with a neat, low ponytail walked in. Chu Ci looked up, and two words appeared over her head: Jiang Xun.

Chu Ci remembered. This was a character from the original novel, the doctor friend that every CEO had. Although the original host was a criminal, she still needed a friend like this.

The Jiang Xun in the novel was young but extremely skilled, practically the peak of medical technology in this world. Like the original host and Cao Xi, they had grown up together. She had saved Jian Sui multiple times after being abused by the original host. Later, she developed feelings for Jian Sui, which made the original host so jealous that she murdered Jiang Xun and gift-wrapped her corpse for Jian Sui—one of the most classically twisted scenes in the book.

But Jiang Xun wasn’t a good person either. She suffered from an emotional disorder from childhood, lacking normal human joy, anger, or sadness, and was only devoted to medicine. Later, in her quest to reach the peak of medical skill, she was willing to do anything.

However, the early Jiang Xun was relatively normal. She was currently twenty-five, a doctoral student interning at the hospital. Aside from being extraordinarily gifted and obsessively devoted to medicine, there was nothing abnormal about her.

Used to the fact that there were few normal people around the original host, and since Jiang Xun’s impact wasn’t as great as Bai Qingqing’s, Chu Ci remained calm.

“Jiang Xun, why are you here?”

Chu Ci greeted her.

Jiang Xun glanced at Jian Sui. Her cold, clinical gaze settled on Chu Ci. “You are not in immediate danger, but all your organs are failing to varying degrees. I can’t find the cause. I’m very curious, so I came to take a look.”

Jian Sui looked at the young doctor in disbelief. Didn’t she just agree not to tell Chu Ci about her condition for now?

Chu Ci had been told about her condition by doctors in various regretful tones many times, but this was the first time she had been addressed as a fascinating specimen. She found it novel and spoke lightly. “Can you save me?”

“I’m very interested in the pathology of your illness. I’d like to try.”

A glint flashed in Jiang Xun’s eyes, like a mad scientist in a horror movie.

Chu Ci shrugged indifferently. Might as well see the medical peak of this world.

Just as Jiang Xun turned to leave, Chu Ci’s phone rang. It was Chu Xiong. Jian Sui was still stunned by Chu Ci’s calm reaction to the news of her illness. She came back to herself and quickly answered the call for Chu Ci.

“Little Ci, how is your health?”

The family doctor must have told Chu Xiong something.

Chu Ci’s mind raced. Her health problem absolutely could not be known by the Chu family. Otherwise, she and Jian Sui would have miserable lives, having lost her status as heir.

“Cough, it’s nothing serious. I just accidentally fell asleep in the study last night, left the window open, and caught a chill in the rain. Combined with my existing underlying health issues, it caused a minor complication.”

Knowing a simple cold wouldn’t pass muster, Chu Ci linked it to her past illness.

Chu Xiong clearly believed her. “And the matter of going to the company tomorrow?”

“It won’t be delayed. I’ll just get an IV drip and take some medicine.”

She couldn’t have anything happen at this crucial time. Chu Ci would go to the company even if she only had one breath left.

“That’s good. Take good care of yourself.”

Chu Xiong was relieved and hung up.

After hanging up, Chu Ci gave Jian Sui a reassuring pat, ignoring Jian Sui’s disapproving look, and turned to Jiang Xun, who was standing a short distance away.

“Doctor Jiang, could I trouble you to keep this matter confidential?”

“Yes,” Jiang Xun agreed readily.

But Jian Sui heard the familiar words and looked at Jiang Xun distrustfully. “That’s what you told me earlier.”

Chu Ci immediately understood.

“If this matter is known by anyone outside of the three of us, I absolutely will not cooperate with your treatment. I trust Doctor Jiang can keep my condition a secret from the outside world, right?”

Having read the novel, Chu Ci knew Jiang Xun’s obsession with medicine and interest in difficult cases. Framing it this way would ensure Jiang Xun, no matter how weak her morals, would keep the secret.

Jiang Xun was more serious this time and nodded.

“Thank you.”

After Jiang Xun left, Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci in the hospital bed, her expression complicated.

She had always thought she was the only one who worked too hard, but Chu Ci was even more extreme. The words Zhao Rong used to try to persuade her suddenly came to mind, but remembering her own reaction whenever she heard those words, she swallowed them back.

Just then, a loud bang was heard from the room next door, followed by wails so loud they could be heard in this room.

Chu Ci was too familiar with that sound. She looked pained. That must be another life lost.

Jian Sui also fell silent. That sound truly brought tears to the listener’s eyes…

Wait.

Chu Ci and Jian Sui exchanged a look, frowning. Why does that sound so familiar?

The loud commotion outside continued. Jian Sui went to open the door. Chu Ci also craned her neck to look, and they both saw Cao Xi being thrown out of the room next door.

Chu Ci & Jian Sui: …We don’t know her.

Cao Xi, with her bird’s nest hair, looked slightly dazed, glancing around until she spotted Jian Sui, who was trying to close the door.

“Jian Sui!”

Cao Xi quickly grabbed the door, crying genuinely. “Is Chu Ci still alive?”

Chu Ci couldn’t stand it anymore. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Hearing Chu Ci’s voice, Cao Xi immediately let go of Jian Sui and launched herself onto Chu Ci’s hospital bed. “You scared me to death! I thought you were gone!”

Chu Ci: “…”

Fine. Since Cao Xi was genuinely worried, Chu Ci decided not to hold it against her.

But Cao Xi was the type to push her luck. Seeing Chu Ci was in good spirits, she started telling her story through tears and snot. “God knows how scared I was when your family doctor said you weren’t going to make it! I nearly had a heart attack! That terrible family doctor! We need to fire him!”

Chu Ci listened, occasionally responding, but for some reason, the more Cao Xi talked, the more her hand hurt.

Thinking this, Chu Ci looked down at her hand, and her eyes instantly widened—

“Get off me! You’re pressing on my IV line!!”

It had already back-flowed a huge amount of blood! No wonder it hurt so much!

Cao Xi was startled and scrambled to get up, but her leg gave out. The second before she fell, she grabbed Chu Ci’s blanket, but the momentum was too great. The blanket not only failed to save her but also dragged Chu Ci with it!

“Ah!”

Chu Ci felt the needle fly out of her hand as she and the blanket were dragged onto the floor by Cao Xi.

Jian Sui, standing at the foot of the bed, was stunned by the sudden turn of events. She frantically tried to help Chu Ci but didn’t know where to start in the chaos.

A nurse who had just calmed the patient next door rushed over to rescue Chu Ci, quickly helping her back into bed, treating the needle mark, starting a new IV drip in her other hand, and replacing her blanket.

Lying on the bed, Chu Ci’s eyes were sharp daggers aimed at the corner where Cao Xi was attempting to hide like an ostrich. If looks could kill, Cao Xi would have been dismembered.

After the chaos subsided, Jiang Xun, standing in the doorway with her hands in her pockets, walked in. She looked at the cowering Cao Xi. “Not bad. You nearly killed the patient next door, who was only getting an appendectomy. Your skills haven’t diminished.”

Chu Ci, Cao Xi, and Jiang Xun had known each other since childhood. Although their relationships were debatable, they knew each other’s embarrassing stories inside and out.

Cao Xi’s head was practically buried in the wall, but Jiang Xun wasn’t the type to be considerate.

She walked up to Chu Ci, looked at the bruised hand and the large pool of blood mixed with medicine on the floor. “You should stay away from this good friend of yours. She’ll kill you sooner or later.”

At that, Cao Xi was indignant. “Hey! Jiang Dog, what are you saying? Don’t try to ruin my relationship with Chu darling!”

Jiang Xun rolled her eyes at her. “Illiterate.”

Cao Xi: “!!!”

Chu Ci rubbed her temples. Does anyone care about the patient here?

A cup of warm water was offered to her. Chu Ci looked up and met the calm gaze of Jian Sui. She felt a sudden warmth. Isn’t this better than those two kindergarteners?

As Jian Sui carefully helped her sit up to drink the water, a thought flashed in Chu Ci’s mind. Although Cao Xi was loud and dramatic, that last comment she made was somewhat true.

The family doctor at home should probably be replaced.

Her medical skill aside, the way she had handled Chu Ci’s illness both times was likely very poor. Furthermore, she couldn’t let anyone know her true condition. To prevent any unforeseen incidents, the most suitable candidate was—Jiang Xun.

First, Jiang Xun’s medical skill was novel-approved, definitely top-notch. Second, she now knew Chu Ci’s true condition. Finally, she was unlikely to side with the Chu family, making her trustworthy.

Overall, Jiang Xun was the most suitable candidate. The only problem was…

Chu Ci looked at Jian Sui, who was sitting quietly beside her.

The only problem was Jiang Xun developing feelings for Jian Sui, as happened in the original novel.

Chu Ci would inevitably die or return to her original world. She would eventually leave this world. If Jiang Xun were a normal, good person, she wouldn’t mind letting them develop a relationship naturally. But the key was that Jiang Xun was not normal. She was one of the dangerous characters, too.

What should I do?

Jian Sui watched Chu Ci’s gaze shift between her and Jiang Xun, looking very troubled. She couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking of replacing the family doctor.”

Chu Ci, focused on her thoughts, blurted it out. Immediately, all three pairs of eyes turned to her.

Cao Xi was all for it. That irresponsible family doctor had nearly given her a heart attack by saying Chu Ci was dying. He had to go.

Jian Sui had no objection. If Chu Ci didn’t want anyone to know her condition, replacing the family doctor was necessary. But her choice was…

Jiang Xun pointed to her own nose. “You want me to be your family doctor?”

Chu Ci hadn’t even confirmed it, but everyone guessed it.

Since things had come this far, Chu Ci simply nodded. “Do you agree?”

Jiang Xun was currently a doctoral student interning at this hospital, but her schedule wasn’t a huge issue. The hospital actually belonged to Jiang Xun. Her family’s corporation was prominent in the pharmaceutical field and owned many hospitals. This was a private, high-end hospital, expensive but flawless. It had been hers since she was eighteen.

The schedule wasn’t an issue, leaving only Jiang Xun’s personal willingness.

Jiang Xun looked Chu Ci up and down, then proposed a condition.

“I can be your family doctor, but you must sign a directed body donation agreement. When you die, your body belongs to me for dissection.”

Just like a psychopath, her requests are different.

Cao Xi immediately rolled up her sleeves and started cursing Jiang Xun. Jian Sui’s face instantly paled. The mere thought of that possibility made it difficult to breathe.

“Fine. I’ll sign it.”

Chu Ci was the most indifferent. She would be dead anyway. Donating it to someone like Jiang Xun might lead to a medical breakthrough and save more lives. It would be a good deed.

Cao Xi was speechless. Jian Sui frowned. Even Jiang Xun was slightly surprised. “Are you sure?”

Chu Ci met Jiang Xun’s gaze calmly. “Yes.”

Jiang Xun went out to get the forms. Jian Sui remained silent. Only Cao Xi looked devastated. “Chu darling, tell me the truth. What is really wrong with you?”

“A cold.”

Cao Xi: “…”

“Are you sure?”

“What else could it be? Look, besides the IV drip, I have no other machines. Can it be anything serious?”

Chu Ci didn’t tell Cao Xi the truth. It wasn’t that she was afraid Cao Xi would tell anyone, but Cao Xi seemed careless but was deeply loyal. There was no need to make her worry, and since she wore her heart on her sleeve, someone with malicious intent might notice something.

As expected, Cao Xi believed Chu Ci, let out a huge sigh of relief, and then jumped up. “You just have a small cold, and Jiang Dog is already planning to dissect you? I’m so angry! I’m going to challenge her to a duel!”

“Stop it. You know what Jiang Xun is like. She means no harm.”

Chu Ci completely believed Jiang Xun meant no harm. She was simply obsessed with research.

Cao Xi settled down, muttering under her breath.

Through it all, only Jian Sui remained silent. She remembered the frank and open way Chu Ci talked about life and death at Li Sinan’s banquet. Did Chu Ci already know something back then?

After the donation agreement was signed, Chu Ci rubbed her stomach. “Is it lunchtime yet?”

Cao Xi volunteered to buy food. Jiang Xun also left, having other things to attend to. Only Chu Ci and Jian Sui remained in the hospital room.

Chu Ci looked at Jian Sui’s still pale face. Among the three who knew her condition, Jian Sui was the most distressed. Unlike Chu Ci, who was already aware and used to it, and Jiang Xun, who was emotionally deficient, Jian Sui was a normal person. It was hard for her to accept this. She would have reacted the same way even if Chu Ci were a stranger. This was normal human empathy.

“Don’t worry. There’s no immediate danger, and with active treatment, there’s hope.”

Chu Ci reached out. Jian Sui held her hand, which was still bleeding slightly beneath the cotton swab. The thought that Chu Ci was the one facing all this, and that Chu Ci was still comforting her despite Jian Sui having just ignored her feelings, made Jian Sui’s heart feel like it was being pricked by countless fine needles. The pain was dense and sharp.

[Ding! Torment and Abuse progress +6! Current score is 9/100. Host, please keep up the good work!]

[Ding! Torment and Abuse progress +1! Current score is 10/100. Host, please keep up the good work!]

[There was a slight lag just now, but the results are gratifying! Host, keep up the good work!]

The system’s excited voice came to mind. Chu Ci couldn’t help but think that getting sick this time was worth it. The last time she spat blood, it only added one point. This time, fainting added six plus one. Victory was in sight.

But she still had a score to settle with the system.

[Didn’t you say that as the progress increases, my illness will improve and my health will get better? Why did catching a cold make me this sick?]

[Of course, it’s because your condition is constantly deteriorating! You’ve been bouncing around just fine recently. Who told you to sleep on a hard sofa and catch a cold? With your constitution, you’re lucky to be alive. We add health points based on progress, we don’t ‘lock’ your health so you can abuse yourself without consequence. The health points you lose will not be recovered unless the progress bar increases, which grants you a certain amount of recovery.]

She understood the system’s explanation. To gain progress, she had to push her health down. Health decreased, progress increased, and she would gain some health back. It was essentially jumping back and forth on the edge of death.

[Then tell me clearly, if the progress bar is full and I go back to my original world, will my illness be completely cured and my health maxed out, or will it remain at the level it is in this world?]

[It will be maxed out. However, we don’t ‘lock’ your health. You will still experience normal aging, sickness, and death.]

Chu Ci understood. That was all she needed to know.

After Cao Xi returned with the food and they finished eating, Chu Ci prepared to be discharged. Thanks to the increase in progress, she had mostly recovered and was fine.

Jiang Xun rushed in when she heard the news and circled Chu Ci three times. She had truly never seen anything like this.

Chu Ci smiled awkwardly. “Maybe it’s a medical miracle.”

Jiang Xun said nothing, watching them leave.

Cao Xi, meanwhile, was dismissive. “I had a cold last time, and I was fine two hours after taking medicine. Chu darling, you’re just too delicate.”

Everyone viewed Chu Ci’s situation differently. Jian Sui simply thought Chu Ci was putting on a brave face.

If I were stronger, would Chu Ci not have to work this hard?

Qian Quan’s group called Cao Xi. Cao Xi parted ways with Chu Ci to attend to business, while Chu Ci and Jian Sui returned directly to the Chu family mansion.

Chu You’s behavior at the banquet had displeased Chu Xiong yesterday, and Zhao Zhu had thrown a tantrum. But Zhao Zhu was also adaptable. She had already buttered up Chu Xiong this morning and had gone out for an outing with Chu Xiong and Chu You.

Chu Xiong cared about Chu Ci as his heir, but beyond that, he rarely considered her feelings. As long as things weren’t brought to his attention, he pretended not to know. Family matters were entirely dependent on his mood. As long as they flattered and supported him, there were usually no major issues.

Zhao Zhu clearly understood this principle, which was how she managed to maintain her standing in the Chu family and her position as Mrs. Chu all these years.

But Chu Ci didn’t care about any of that. Both she and the original host knew that the most important thing in this family was the real power held in their hands, not Chu Xiong’s temporary favor.

With the family of three gone, Chu Ci found the house quiet and peaceful.

Just as she was about to head to the study for a nap, Jian Sui stopped her.

“Could I borrow your study? I have some company work…”

Chu Ci immediately agreed to Jian Sui’s small request. “Use it all you like. It’s your study too. Don’t be a stranger.”

Jian Sui nodded. “Then you go rest in the bedroom.”

Chu Ci was more than happy to sleep in a big bed and immediately turned around to go back to the room.

Jian Sui actually had no company work and didn’t need to borrow Chu Ci’s study. She simply sat on the sofa in the study. The sight of Chu Ci lying there still left her with lingering fear. She couldn’t let Chu Ci sleep in a place like this again.

Jian Sui sat in the study for over an hour. She tried to look at company documents but couldn’t focus. This was the first time she couldn’t get into work mode. She could usually process documents anywhere—on planes, on high-speed trains—but now, sitting quietly here, she couldn’t. Her mind was filled with images of Chu Ci lying here, sitting here…

I can’t go on like this. Jian Sui stood up, wanting to clear her head. In the hallway, she looked at the quiet bedroom door. Is Chu Ci asleep yet?

The image of Chu Ci sleeping peacefully and innocently flashed through her mind…

I should just go back and look at the documents.

Chu Ci’s sleep quality was excellent, especially on the soft, large bed. She slept until dinnertime, waking up with a yawn. Chu Xiong and the others had also returned.

Calling Jian Sui to come downstairs for dinner, Chu Ci noticed Zhao Zhu’s eyes fall on her the moment she appeared. After a careful assessment, Zhao Zhu’s eyes flashed with disappointment, finding that Chu Ci was perfectly fine, except for being a little pale.

Chu Xiong was also observing Chu Ci. He was silently relieved once he confirmed she was okay.

During dinner, they casually chatted about Chu Ci’s health and then about going to the company tomorrow. It was the same conversation as before. Chu Ci simply nodded.

After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms. Chu Ci was about to make another excuse to sleep in the study, but Jian Sui spoke first.

“You should get some rest. You’re going to the company for the first time tomorrow, so you need to be energetic.”

Since Jian Sui had put it that way, Chu Ci agreed. She washed up, changed into her pajamas, and lay down on one side of the bed, occupying less than a quarter of the space on the huge mattress.

Chu Ci was confident in her sleeping posture. She barely moved all night and would definitely not touch Jian Sui. She could rest assured.

Jian Sui lay down on the other side. Although they were on the same bed, a full half of the space was left empty, like an insurmountable chasm.

This is fine. Both of them sighed softly once they were settled and closed their eyes.

Both were confident in their sleeping habits, and the night passed peacefully. In the temperature-controlled room, neither of their blankets moved.

In the morning, the two woke up naturally and, without needing to speak, began their separate but synchronized routines of washing up.

In formal business attire, Jian Sui stuck to her usual all-black look, with a matching silk blouse.

Chu Ci was much bolder: a sapphire blue satin blazer over an unbuttoned blouse, revealing her pale collarbone, paired with exaggerated earrings. Her style was one of carefree swagger.

Jian Sui hesitated, then suspiciously looked down at her own unchanged outfit.

“Jian Sui, look at this.”

While Jian Sui was lost in thought, Chu Ci, rummaging through her jewelry cabinet, seemed to have made a major discovery.

Chu Ci showed Jian Sui her find: two gemstone brooches, one black and one blue. They were clearly from the same series, looking similar but distinct. “They match the colors of our outfits. One for you, one for me.”

Thinking it was a coincidence, Chu Ci handed the black one to Jian Sui like a child sharing a snack. But seeing that the black gemstone didn’t stand out against Jian Sui’s dark clothes, she withdrew her hand and offered the blue one instead. “You wear this one.”

It looked much better that way.

Chu Ci was excited, feeling cheerful about her first day of work in both lifetimes. She happily pinned on her brooch.

Seeing Chu Ci so happy and expectant, Jian Sui couldn’t bear to refuse and put on the other one.

“I’ll see you after work tonight.”

Chu Ci went to the Chu Corporation headquarters with Chu Xiong, while Jian Sui drove herself to her company. They parted ways at the gate.

When Chu Ci and Chu Xiong arrived at the group’s headquarters, they saw many media personnel but didn’t pay it any mind.

Jian Sui, arriving at her company, also noticed the media outside but, unaware of the situation, ignored them for now.

Upstairs, the moment Jian Sui walked into her company, Zhao Rong pulled her into the office.

Zhao Rong’s face was indignant. “This is absolutely atrocious! Zuo Fei and Mr. Witts are using every disgusting, underhanded method they can think of!”

“What happened?”

Jian Sui frowned.

Zuo Fei and Mr. Witts were the representatives of the international luxury brand Tiss in China and the primary source of Jian Sui’s company’s current trouble.

The trouble started when Tiss launched its new season’s main design, which was identical to Jian Sui’s “Bamboo Dream Original Design” first-anniversary commemorative piece. The plagiarism was obvious, but Tiss shamelessly claimed it was their original design, acting utterly arrogant.

As an original apparel design company, Jian Sui naturally prioritized the protection of design copyright. She immediately contacted Tiss, but they were uncooperative, even proposing to acquire Jian Sui’s company.

Negotiations broke down, and Jian Sui, refusing to tolerate them, decided to sue directly, prepared to fight the legal battle to the end.

While the lawsuit procedures were being prepared, the opposition clearly wasn’t going to sit idly by.

“Look at this.”

Zhao Rong handed Jian Sui a nearby tablet.

Rumor-mongering was cheap. On the tablet was a PowerPoint presentation released by so-called “industry insiders.” It claimed that Tiss had planned to acquire Bamboo Dream Original Design six months ago. Both sides were in close negotiations, and the deal was practically sealed when Jian Sui suddenly backed out. The presentation used pictures of Jian Sui at a fashion week, claiming they were of her visiting Tiss headquarters, and alleged that at the same time, a design leak occurred at Tiss.

Although they hadn’t explicitly said it, they were heavily implying that Jian Sui had stolen Tiss’s design. This was clearly preparation for the upcoming lawsuit. If Jian Sui won, they would launch a massive campaign to influence public opinion. Regardless of the court’s verdict, a large number of netizens, based on this initial impression, would believe that Jian Sui had rigged the system, deceived judicial fairness, and would even start claims that the local court was suppressing foreign companies and favoring local ones.

This series of attacks would completely shift the narrative.

This was blatant bullying. Their brand recognition was higher, so they were targeting Jian Sui’s little-known company, attempting to crush her with public opinion.

It was outrageous.

This kind of malicious reversal of the facts was deeply wicked.

Jian Sui put down the tablet and rubbed her temples.

If the two companies were on equal footing, Jian Sui would have many ways to fight back, but the disparity in their power was too great. The money they were spending on this marketing campaign alone was enough to buy her company. How could she fight this?

This was what it meant to have no voice in the face of overwhelming odds. No matter how she tried to explain, her voice would be drowned out.

No one would risk offending such a behemoth to help their small company. Even industry bloggers and insiders who knew the truth, if they had any conscience, would remain silent. Some would even follow the trend and kick them while they were down.

It was clearly a crude lie, yet it was so powerful and unbreakable.

A knock on the door interrupted the oppressive silence. The assistant walked in, glancing at Jian Sui and Zhao Rong. “Ms. Jian, Ms. Zhao, Mr. Zuo and Mr. Witts are here.”

Jian Sui and Zhao Rong exchanged a look. They knew in their hearts that they were up to no good.

Sitting in the conference room, Jian Sui looked at the two men across from her. Although she was internally furious, her expression remained calm. Given the previous unpleasantness, her tone was certainly not welcoming.

“Mr. Zuo, Mr. Witts, what can I do for you this time?”

“Ms. Jian, we’ve talked about this many times, so I won’t beat around the bush. I hope you reconsider the acquisition. This is the optimal choice for your company. Other companies would beg for this opportunity.”

Zuo Fei spoke directly, hands clasped on the table.

Zhao Rong coldly curled her lip. Before all this, being sincerely sought out for acquisition by such an international luxury group would have been an honor, and they would have agreed without hesitation. But clearly, Tiss was not being sincere.

They only proposed the acquisition after Jian Sui contacted them about the plagiarism, and the terms they offered were ridiculously low, showing no good faith. They spoke with an arrogant sense of superiority, acting as if Jian Sui was getting a huge bargain, even though the fault was theirs.

For these reasons alone, Jian Sui and Zhao Rong would never agree.

“Don’t be ungrateful and difficult!”

Witts was clearly short-tempered. He was the person Tiss headquarters had sent to resolve this issue. Zuo Fei was the general manager for Tiss in China. If the matter wasn’t resolved, Witts would suffer more consequences than Zuo Fei.

“Weren’t you the ones being aggressive, taking advantage of others, shifting the blame, launching a counter-attack, confusing the truth, distorting the facts, being obstinate, arrogant, and unreasonable in the first place?”

Jian Sui held her ground. Her momentum even surpassed Witts’s.

Witts looked stunned, turning to Zuo Fei.

Zuo Fei, who understood what all those Chinese idioms meant, looked grim. “Ms. Jian, it’s not good to be so aggressive.”

“What, you want to teach me idioms and then lecture me on how to live my life?”

They had already thrown away all pretense. With the opposition bullying them so openly, Jian Sui had no reason to tolerate them any longer.

With no room for compromise, the negotiation once again ended badly.

“Ms. Jian, I hope you think carefully. You still have a chance before midnight tonight.”

Zuo Fei stood up and threw out the final threat.

Jian Sui didn’t spare him a glance. Zhao Rong looked at the two. “You know the way out.”

Watching Witts leave in a huff, Zhao Rong couldn’t help but laugh. She winked at Jian Sui. “Well done!”

Jian Sui also relaxed a little, twirling her pen, but her mood remained heavy. “This doesn’t change our company’s predicament. Zuo Fei mentioning midnight means this is just the appetizer. They already have all sorts of plans to corner and blockade us.”

Zhao Rong also stopped smiling. She fell silent, hesitating, but couldn’t bear to see their hard work go down the drain. “If all else fails, why don’t you ask Chu Ci? She must have a way, right?”

Jian Sui’s pen stopped. Ask Chu Ci for help?

If she involved the Chu family, their crisis would certainly be solved. The Chu family wouldn’t even need to lift a finger. A call from the right person would instantly reverse the narrative, and the truth would be exposed.

She slowly tightened her grip on the pen. How could I ask Chu Ci?