Stairwell
“Let’s go, Cheng Jing’s side is a bit less crowded now, let’s head over.”
Bai Zhaoliang, speaking gently beside Bai Xin as if discussing: “When we go over in a bit, just explain things briefly. It was just a rumor to begin with, once it’s cleared up… at most, you’ll just have to endure a little unpleasantness, and this matter will be over. Xiao Xin?”
What a way to put it—’at most, endure a little unpleasantness.’
Bai Xin curled her lip coldly, hiding her disgust, and replied casually: “I’m just afraid Cheng Jing won’t see the Bai family as tactful, but rather as easy to bully.”
She noted the subtle change in Bai Zhaoliang’s expression but said no more.
Stopping just short was enough.1
Her phone vibrated slightly in her clutch. Before following Bai Zhaoliang to meet Cheng Jing, Bai Xin took it out for a look.
Tang Jia: 【That’s fine then.】
Tang Jia: 【Irritability is just one of your usual symptoms.】
Bai Xin: “…”
According to the novel’s progression, the female lead at this stage was still in the early phase, relatively naive and weak, though her kindness occasionally made her inherent stubbornness quite apparent.
For instance, her worry about Bai Xin made the conversation with Cheng Jiqing less than smooth.
“I understand if you don’t believe me either.” She picked up a glass of red wine and drained it in large gulps. All that talking had made her thirsty.
Just as Cheng Jiqing finished speaking, that figure clad in off-white suddenly appeared in her line of sight. The key point was, besides Cheng Jing, there were several other people around.
Bai Xin stood amidst the crowd, her eyes lowered, resembling a delicate, helpless stray cat. The shadows cast by her eyelashes seemed to interpret her somber inner world.
Cheng Jiqing knew there was an element of pretense in this version of Bai Xin; when the time was right one day, she would pay it all back—but Cheng Jiqing still felt strange inside.
Cheng Jiqing retracted her gaze and said: “Miss Qin, you can head off work with peace of mind. I need to find my sister now… and Bai Xin. Ah… you shouldn’t come.”
Qin Yufu followed her line of sight and also saw Cheng Jing and Bai Xin. She frowned: “…What are you planning to do?”
Cheng Jiqing worried that if people followed, the scene would become even more complicated.
She resorted to the simplest, crudest method: “What can I possibly do in broad daylight2? But if you follow me and make me unhappy, I might go crazy and who knows what I’ll do to Bai Xin.”
Cheng Jiqing’s words were effective.
Anger and worry surfaced on Qin Yufu’s face, yet she truly didn’t dare to follow. She feared she couldn’t help, feared Bai Xin would face even more embarrassment.
The marriage back then was something she and Bai Xin had discussed; after she was forced to propose divorce, it was Bai Xin who endured the ridicule. Adding to that the incident at the villa that day, and the text message sent to Bai Xin—she hadn’t known about it, but it had ultimately been sent from her phone…
Qin Yufu was filled with guilt; she didn’t know what to do.
“Everyone says it’s just a rumor, who would actually take it seriously? But how could your daughter speak so carelessly?”
Bai Zhaoliang: “Yes, my younger daughter is young and insensible, she posted something misleading. I’ve already disciplined her thoroughly.”
“I watched Xiao Cheng grow up, how could she possibly like an Alpha? It’s more likely someone framed her.” One of the middle-aged women looked towards Bai Xin: “Someone with good abilities also needs to learn about character and how to conduct oneself… In this industry, you have to know what should and shouldn’t be done.”
Bai Xin heard this but kept her head down the entire time, offering no explanation.
Though no names were mentioned, the implication was that she had framed Cheng Jiqing, that she had instructed Bai Xingxing to make that post on Moments. In just two sentences, everything had been pinned on her.
This time, Bai Zhaoliang merely offered an apologetic smile.
As for Cheng Jing, she held her red wine glass from start to finish, her gaze disdainful.
Bai Xin remained silent for too long. Cheng Jing eventually found it rather laughable that she had actually taken her seriously… Before she could finish that thought, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
“Everyone’s here.”
Cheng Jiqing appeared from behind and to the side of Cheng Jing, arriving just in time to hear the last sentence.
Her gaze went towards Bai Xin—
The Omega also lifted her eyes to meet hers. She saw the surprise in Bai Xin’s obsidian pupils, only for it to shift back to cold indifference in an instant.
Just like the look Bai Xin had given her when getting out of the car earlier.
Inexplicable.
Things were fine when they were texting. She didn’t understand—they hadn’t even seen each other these past few days, how could she have offended Bai Xin?
Cheng Jiqing then thought, she probably blamed her for Cheng Jing’s actions.
What a coincidence, she wasn’t pleased either.
Originally, she didn’t hold much personal prejudice against Cheng Jing, but Cheng Jing’s actions manipulating things behind her back now made her very uncomfortable.
She walked forward, stepping up beside Bai Xin under everyone’s watchful eyes3, and smiled at the frozen-faced Cheng Jing: “Why didn’t you tell me Bai Xin was coming too?”
Cheng Jing’s face darkened, but she didn’t speak. Someone else spoke up.
“Little Boss Cheng, long time no see! You’re about to get engaged to Miss Qin, congratulations in advance!”
It was the middle-aged woman who had targeted Bai Xin earlier. Cheng Jiqing’s gaze was indifferent: “Who said I’m getting engaged? Can you take responsibility for that statement?”
Her mood was average, and she had no desire to put on an act.
Cheng Jiqing crossed the half-meter distance to stand before Cheng Jing; they were of similar height.
Cheng Jiqing looked straight at Cheng Jing, then lowered her head slightly to the side, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear: “These past few days, I haven’t caused trouble or opposed you, I’ve been quite well-behaved, right? In the future, I’ll also try my best not to cause you trouble, I won’t go messing around4 anymore, and I’ll live my own life properly. But…”
“This isn’t out of submission to your coercion and arrangements, but stems from my own thoughts—just like my current thought that I don’t like, nor will I marry, Qin Yufu.”
Upon hearing the last sentence, Cheng Jing’s face turned pale: “You think I’m forcing you? I’m your older sister, would I harm you?”
“Self-pitying sentimentality.”5 Cheng Jiqing: “That’s even more detestable.”
She enunciated these words very clearly.
Before Cheng Jing could erupt, Cheng Jiqing’s expression softened slightly, as if her previous words hadn’t been entirely heartfelt.
“Let me be honest, regarding the villa and the parking lot that day, I used the Bai family to force Bai Xin’s cooperation. Furthermore, there’s no so-called AA relationship; I did it to provoke you… As for the reason, you should also be very clear. But now, I’ve thought things through a bit. I want to try and let it go.”
Cheng Jiqing observed the shift in Cheng Jing’s emotions. Her assessment wasn’t wrong; the conflict between the original owner of this body and Cheng Jing seemed more like a handle or a weak spot for Cheng Jing.
Cheng Jing cared for and doted on this younger sister immensely. The original owner knew this too, which is why she retaliated against Cheng Jing by acting out destructively. Harming oneself to retaliate against others—this mentality wasn’t quite normal either.
The two conversed under the crowd’s gaze. No one knew what was said, but Cheng Jing’s expression fluctuated between good and bad, making the situation unclear.
What surprised everyone was that Cheng Jiqing, facing someone like Cheng Jing who possessed such a heavy, murderous aura6, could actually match her in presence, evenly matched7.
Bai Xin could only see Cheng Jiqing’s back. Beneath the V-shaped backless gown was pale white skin. The contrast between the black fabric and the snow-white skin made her think, instead, of texture.
Bai Xin felt her body temperature rising. Her index finger unconsciously moved towards the wine-filled glass, seeking to cool down.
She realized something was wrong with her body.
But her heat cycle8 had clearly already ended…
“You can cancel my cards, kick me out, that’s fine too, but don’t arrange my life according to your ways anymore. I’m not a clay figure9, and you’re not the artisan.” Cheng Jiqing looked up, meeting Cheng Jing’s eyes: “I imagine you don’t want our relationship to worsen either, right?”
Having said the harsh words, with this sentence, Cheng Jiqing chose to play the emotion card.
After all, her goal wasn’t to completely fall out with Cheng Jing. Besides letting Cheng Jing know her stance, there was also—
“If you trust me, then there’s no need to keep staring at Bai Xin. We have no relationship whatsoever. The more you stare, the more others will think there’s something wrong with me…”
Cheng Jing stared into Cheng Jiqing’s eyes, unable to find any flaw indicating a lie.
Of course, Cheng Jing also didn’t know that within this younger sister’s body resided the soul of an award-winning actress10.
As Cheng Jiqing finished saying that last sentence to Cheng Jing, Bai Xin’s legs were already weakening. She quietly told Bai Zhaoliang she needed to step away for a moment.
She had suppressants in her clutch, she could go to the car… Her thoughts raced, but unfortunately, she hadn’t yet taken a step.
At that moment, Cheng Jiqing turned around and called her name: “Miss Bai.”
Like a fatal rest note.11
Bai Xin gritted her teeth, thinking that Cheng Jiqing might not be her antidote, but rather her nemesis12.
Cheng Jiqing took two steps towards Bai Xin, but she noticed Bai Xin’s expression towards her looked even worse.
Cheng Jiqing: “…”
They were still two steps apart. Cheng Jiqing took one step closer; the words meant to follow ‘Miss Bai’ were still in her throat when a fragrant breeze wafted before her eyes. Quick-eyed and nimble-handed, she caught Bai Xin.
The Omega still tumbled into her arms, her waist soft and seemingly boneless, fragrant and smooth.
Cheng Jiqing couldn’t help but curl her fingers slightly.
Everyone present was stunned. With the AA relationship rumor still unresolved, the only phrase in their minds was ‘committing the crime against the wind’13.
This didn’t last long. Bai Xin quickly straightened up: “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Then she glanced sideways and said in a low voice:
“Thank you, Little Boss Cheng.”
The low voice made Cheng Jiqing’s eardrums tingle.
The wine had all spilled onto Bai Xin herself. The ruby-red liquid bloomed across the close-fitting, off-white fabric, looking at first glance like a splash-ink painting14, the ‘ink’ spreading down from her taut waist and abdomen…
Cheng Jiqing’s lower abdomen tightened. She averted her gaze, feigning a dismissive attitude: “Forget it. I’m someone who is clear about debts and grudges15. The Alpha-loving business has nothing to do with you. However, tell Bai Xingxing to be careful, lest I sew her mouth shut next time.”
Bai Zhaoliang couldn’t get a word in. Hearing the implication that the matter was settled, he breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
After hearing that, Bai Xin nodded. Her clothes were stained with wine; she excused herself and went to change first.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t let her gaze linger on Bai Xin for even a second: “I’m tired of standing, I’m going to rest for a bit.”
This was said to Cheng Jing.
Cheng Jing also began to wonder if she had been overthinking. The words just spoken echoed in her mind… Cheng Jiqing hadn’t spoken this much to her in a long time, nor would she usually inform her before leaving—at the very least, it indicated her younger sister was starting to be willing to communicate with her.
Most importantly, Cheng Jiqing had said she wanted to try and let it go.
This was what she had hoped for. She chose to believe her, for now.
Cheng Jing’s tone unconsciously softened: “Go ahead.”
She truly didn’t want to make their relationship worse.
Cheng Jiqing left quickly.
She and Bai Xin went off in different directions, one left, one right.
Cheng Jiqing moved through the crowd, quickly taking out her phone to send Bai Xin a message: 【Where are you?】
Just now, when she caught Bai Xin, she had clearly felt the slight trembling in the Omega’s arm, and her body temperature was noticeably high. This reminded her of the situation in the parking lot that day.
Of course, today might be even worse—
People were coming and going.
With so many people around, the slightest misstep and Bai Xin’s identity couldn’t be hidden. An Omega going into heat in public was no joking matter.
Besides that, the wine Bai Xin had intentionally spilled on herself also indicated her urgency to leave.
Something wasn’t right.
Cheng Jiqing couldn’t wait for a response. She called Bai Xin’s phone; twice it went unanswered, until the third try… She heard the woman’s uneven breathing coming from the receiver.
She asked: “Where are you?”
There were two seconds of silence on the other end, then a weak voice replied: “The stairwell…”
The author has something to say:
Cheng 1 Qing: Wifey really knows how to pick a spot
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