The Sickly Girl Becomes a Scum Alpha - Chapter 42

Upon waking up, Chu Ci found no sign of Jian Sui; only a set of prepared clothes hung on the rack.

Jian Sui must have risen early. Chu Ci had slept remarkably soundly, not hearing a single sound.

She put on the outfit Jian Sui had prepared—another design from Bamboo Dream Original. It was a royal blue crossover long dress with a satin jacquard pattern, paired with a structured long coat made of the same material.

On an ordinary person, the style would certainly be considered overly flamboyant, but on Chu Ci, it was just right. Her naturally exquisite features and figure carried it effortlessly, appearing bold and deeply personal with a defiant beauty that others could never replicate.

Putting on the accessories Jian Sui had laid out, Chu Ci took the elevator downstairs.

When she reached the dining room, she saw Jian Sui in the kitchen wearing an apron. Standing beside her was the chef, who looked lost after having his job taken over.

Chu Ci blinked at Jian Sui. Didn’t we agree yesterday to let the chef handle it?

“Why are you—”

“I’m currently teaching him,” Jian Sui interrupted, answering before Chu Ci could finish. “It’s just that time is tight today and there isn’t enough time for him to practice, so I did it myself. It’s just finished; come sit down and eat. I’ve scheduled a stylist to come over soon.”

Chu Ci didn’t doubt her. Cooking was indeed not simple, and it couldn’t be taught in a single session. “Then you’re working too hard. It won’t be too late to teach him after we’re done with this busy period.”

“This isn’t hard at all. Quickly, try this; it’s to warm your stomach.” Jian Sui served the breakfast, removed her apron, and sat across from Chu Ci.

The meal consisted of several refreshing side dishes and a porridge with a faint, sweet fragrance. Chu Ci didn’t know how Jian Sui brewed it, but it was soft without being mushy, sweet without being cloying, and clear without being bland.

Rarely, Chu Ci managed to finish a whole bowl of porridge and several side dishes for breakfast—a huge improvement compared to her previous habit of just drinking a little milk.

After breakfast, the stylist Jian Sui had booked arrived. Today’s events were critical, and a proper professional image was key. Furthermore, Chu Ci didn’t want anyone to discover her illness, so her sickly complexion needed to be concealed.

Chu Ci and Jian Sui got ready separately. Once the styling was complete, Chu Ci’s already peerless features looked vibrant and intense; she looked full of energy, with no trace of illness visible.

Jian Sui was ready as well. By comparison, she was more understated, with the only highlight being the royal blue fabric on her cuffs and collar tips, which matched Chu Ci’s outfit—a subtle, deliberate touch of coordination.

On the drive from the Chu residence to the company, Chu Ci felt quite anxious. She didn’t care much about the eventual fate of the company itself, but she worried about whether Jian Sui could adapt to it smoothly.

Jian Sui was also lying if she said she wasn’t nervous; after all, this was a massive undertaking. However, she couldn’t let Chu Ci see it. She pinched her palm to steady herself.

The car was silent until they stopped below the Shengyun Investment building. Located in a prime area near the city center and not far from the Chu Group, the street was filled with a constant stream of sharp-looking elites.

As she stepped out of the car, Chu Ci extended her hand to Jian Sui. Jian Sui looked at the hand, caught Chu Ci’s subtle nod of encouragement, and placed her hand in hers. She gripped it as she exited and did not let go.

Chu Ci had originally intended only to help her out of the car, but feeling the tightness of the grip, she realized Jian Sui was actually nervous beneath her calm exterior.

In that case, we’ll just keep holding hands.

Chu Ci squeezed Jian Sui’s hand back, signaling that she was right there and there was no need for nerves. Together, they walked inside.

Cao Xi was already there waiting for them. From a distance, they could see her in a conspicuous red outfit, surrounded by a group of people. To be fair, Cao Xi looked quite intimidating when she was being serious.

The moment Chu Ci and Jian Sui entered, Cao Xi, who had been watching the door, spotted them. Her eyes lit up. Had she not been mindful of the many people around and her need to maintain a professional image, she likely would have sprinted over.

“You finally arrived. Arriving exactly on the dot—that really is your style, Little Mr. Chu.” She grumbled, though her expression showed no real annoyance.

The three converged. Chu Ci looked at Cao Xi, who nodded back, indicating everything was arranged.

In the elevator, Chu Ci noticed many curious gazes. Although these people were Cao Xi’s team, they hadn’t known who the true person behind the scenes was until now. Finally, it was time for the reveal.

When they reached the designated floor, the elevator doors slid open. The three walked side-by-side, followed by a formidable group of staff carrying laptops and various documents.

The doors to this conference room were much more normal. As the heavy doors opened, they saw that more than half the seats were empty. Those present turned their heads to watch them enter.

The group walked to the empty head seat in the center. Chu Ci didn’t stand on ceremony and sat directly down. Jian Sui sat to her right, and Cao Xi stood to her left with a genial smile.

“Since everyone is here, let’s begin the proceedings,” Cao Xi said. They already held over 51% of the shares; the people sitting here were essentially just going through the motions. Even if they all opposed the changes, they couldn’t change the outcome.

Of course, once those present saw that the newcomer was Chu Ci, they had no intention of opposing anything.

At its root, Shengyun Investment was a spinoff from the Chu Group. Seeing their former employer again reminded these people of their glorious past, giving them a feeling of being struck by a “lucky break from heaven.” Heaven knew how anxious they had been when they heard Zhao Zhu was liquidating her shares and that a mysterious figure was buying up all the floating stock.

Almost everyone had assumed Shengyun was being used as a pawn in a larger game; no one thought someone would pay such a high price to actually save the company. But it was different with someone from the Chu Group—it was their own spinoff, after all, so they wouldn’t likely act in a way that looked bad.

Though they were puzzled by why the family was going through such elaborate maneuvers, who could ever truly understand the internal affairs of the wealthy?

The transfer of power was completed peacefully. From this day forward, Shengyun Investment belonged to…

“Please join me in welcoming our new Chairperson, Jian Sui.”

Chu Ci stood up amidst the expectant gazes and yielded her seat to Jian Sui.

The jaws of everyone in the room nearly hit the floor. After all that, had they been handed out as a “piggy bank” gift by the Chu family again?

Those who chose to stay with the company and hold onto their shares at a time like this did so because they still felt an attachment to the company, beyond just financial reasons. They thought they had finally seen the sun through the clouds, only to be struck by another blow. They hadn’t even been this angry when they first heard the company was being handed to Zhao Zhu.

You Chu family people shouldn’t play with us twice!

Amidst the glares of the crowd, Jian Sui stood up and moved to the position beside Chu Ci. At this critical moment, she saw Chu Ci looking at her with a gaze full of unwavering trust.

With someone trusting her like this, Jian Sui felt she had nothing left to worry about. She retracted her gaze and looked at the assembled shareholders.

“I look forward to working with all of you. I believe Shengyun Investment will go from strength to strength in the days to come…”

Jian Sui’s voice was calm and composed. Although she was saying standard pleasantries without much substance, her ability to remain unfazed and maintain such poise in such a setting was already impressive.

The people present were still skeptical, but the die was cast. They could only watch and wait, hoping Chu Ci wouldn’t be like her father and completely wash her hands of them.

Among the sparse, scattered applause, Jian Sui could only hear Chu Ci’s rhythmic, steady clapping. That was enough. Jian Sui understood their perspective; she knew that talk was cheap and that producing actual results would carry real weight.

The shareholders’ meeting ended quickly. With everything settled, the others dispersed, but their work had only just begun. In the conference room next door, the entire management team of Shengyun Investment had been waiting for a long time.

Chu Ci looked at Jian Sui. “Do you need me to go in with you?”

“No, I can handle it.” Jian Sui let go of Chu Ci’s hand. Chu Ci had led her this far; she had to walk the rest of the path herself.

Chu Ci respected her choice. She watched the door open and close, but her eyes couldn’t hide her worry.

“Relax, Chu darling. You look exactly like a parent dropping their kid off at kindergarten for the first time, you know that?” Cao Xi stood beside her, leaning a hand on her shoulder and shaking her head with a pained expression.

Chu Ci looked at Cao Xi and shook her arm off. “You seem to know a lot about it. I didn’t know you had a child in kindergarten.”

“Oh, I do. I cried so hard when I dropped her off. Sadly, she’s grown up now and isn’t close to me at all!” Cao Xi spoke with extreme exaggeration, even wiping away a non-existent tear.

Chu Ci didn’t fall for it; instead, her eyes narrowed dangerously. Sure enough, a second later, Cao Xi grinned like a rogue. “Chu darling, my dear daughter!”

Chu Ci: !! I knew she was up to no good!

Enraged, Chu Ci moved to hit Cao Xi, but the moment she stepped forward, her head spun. Her heart throbbed violently, and every blood vessel felt overloaded. The sound of her own pulsing blood hammered against her eardrums. After a burst of ringing in her ears, her vision went black.

Three minutes later, in the lounge next door.

A repentant Cao Xi looked at Chu Ci, whose face was pale even through her makeup. “I was wrong. I’ll be your daughter, okay? Don’t scare me!”

Chu Ci held a cup of water and gave her a faint look. “I don’t have such an unfilial daughter.”

Cao Xi was in no mood for bickering. She looked at her nervously. “What is really wrong with you? The way you swayed just now nearly scared me to death. Tell me the truth.”

“Relax, I’m fine.” Chu Ci wasn’t actually angry earlier; it was just normal playful behavior. But she had probably stood for too long and was tired, and the emotional spike happened at the wrong time…

In the end, her physical state was just too unstable. Holding the cup, a trace of gloom and despondency flashed in her eyes. In this state, she was no different from a useless person.

Cao Xi sensed her mood, but seeing that Chu Ci didn’t want to talk, she didn’t dare press her. She could only try to cheer her up by changing the subject. “Chu darling, do you know what Qian Quan and the others are up to?”

Chu Ci’s train of thought was broken. Her attention shifted as she looked up. She had almost forgotten that group. “What are they doing?”

“Zhao Zhu just cashed out all those billions. Guess what they’re doing?” Cao Xi winked at her. “Just wait. I bet your stepmother will be calling your dad soon to ask for ransom money.”

Previously, Cao Xi had suggested “robbing the robbers”—letting them clean out Zhao Zhu and then taking it from them so the money wouldn’t be lost. Chu Ci had firmly refused.

Chu Ci shook her head. It seemed some people were simply destined never to change. “You should associate with them less from now on.” Looking at Cao Xi—the only “good sprout” left in that group—Chu Ci didn’t want her to fall back into her old ways.

“I know. With you around, I’m not like them.” Cao Xi tried to lighten the mood with a stiff smile, but looking at Chu Ci’s current state, she couldn’t truly feel at ease.