Cat and Mint
More than half a month passed unknowingly.
Cheng Jiqing’s shares were successfully transferred internally. The rules in the ABO world differ somewhat from real-world procedures; anyway, the process didn’t involve too much hassle.
Cheng Jiqing invested the money she received into Lan Qi1.
Lan Qi’s founder was named Yuan Sheng2. She had met him; a male Beta, in his thirties. He was well-spoken and quite insightful3.
They agreed that unless it was extremely important, Cheng Jiqing wouldn’t handle affairs4 at other times, only collect profits.
As for the shareholder who accepted the shares, meeting him was just a coincidence.
The day after telling Bai Xin she wanted to invest, she ran into him unintentionally at a restaurant. That person was unassuming5; he just held a nominal position6 at the Cheng Corporation. Who would have thought he’d shell out over a billion in one go?
In the ABO world, share changes exceeding 5% require public disclosure, so this matter caused some ripples within the Cheng Corporation and their circle7. It even made it into financial magazines.
Needless to say, Cheng Jing came looking for her that very evening.
It happened to be a rainy day. When Cheng Jing arrived, the heavy rain outside was still being blown against the glass in gusts. Her suit was stained with water, and her calm face showed slight nervousness, and of course, a trace of anger.
“What are you trying to do? Did you transfer the shares because you want to leave the Cheng family?”
Cheng Jing asked her at the time.
She only opened the door a crack, for no other reason than Bai Xin having just arrived moments before and having just entered the bathroom.
Initially, she didn’t want to open the door, but Cheng Jing must have confirmed with property management that she had returned home. Cheng Jing wanted to see her, sending a message saying she just wanted a few words.
So she stood talking with Cheng Jing at the doorway.
The other person was drenched from the rain, and Cheng Jiqing felt a little bad. Setting aside Cheng Jing’s past actions, setting aside the connection through Fu Rongjun, Cheng Jing had actually been quite good to her.
If it weren’t for the sound of water already running in the bathroom, she probably would have let the person in.
Fortunately, the sound of the rain outside was loud; even standing at the door, she couldn’t clearly hear the sounds from the bathroom.
“It’s not that I want to leave the Cheng family, it’s that the Cheng family can’t tolerate me,” Cheng Jiqing said.
Cheng Jing: “Mom won’t do that again.”
Cheng Jiqing shook her head: “I don’t want my life to always be changed because of others. I’ve said it before, I want to live my own life.”
“Why didn’t you even discuss it with me?” Cheng Jing’s eyes held their usual sharpness, disappointment and nervousness overlapping within them. “In your heart, do I not even have the right to know anymore? Chengcheng, are you still blaming me for that incident?”
Cheng Jiqing recalled hearing Cheng Jing and Fu Rongjun talking in her dream. She had thought this was the conflict with the original body’s owner that Cheng Jing had mentioned several times.
But now it seemed not entirely that.
More like something between Cheng Jing and the original owner, not involving Fu Rongjun.
“No, you’re overthinking it,” Cheng Jiqing said. “I just want to achieve financial freedom, do some things I want to do.”
She and Cheng Jing talked at the door for quite a while that day, until she heard a faint sound behind her—
It was the sound of the bathroom door opening.
Cheng Jiqing’s heart jumped, but luckily Cheng Jing didn’t notice.
After Cheng Jing left, Cheng Jiqing turned around and saw Bai Xin standing at the bathroom doorway, having changed into pajamas she brought herself.
She carried a matching robe over her arm.
Underneath was a dark green slip dress with lace at the chest, barely concealing those proud curves.
Yet, the snowy white scenery half-hidden beneath was the most captivating.
Bai Xin’s dark tea-colored curly hair was loosely tied up. Damp strands rested softly on her collarbone, water droplets sliding down from the tips…
Cheng Jiqing’s gaze flickered, shifting away to land on Bai Xin’s arm. On the skin, fair and pink like lotus root segments8, there was still a dark mark.
The arm injured by the porcelain shard hadn’t fully recovered, possessing a visual, fragmented sense of beauty.
Bai Xin let the robe fall open, her soft, slender white hands slipping into its pockets, her gaze turning to Cheng Jiqing: “What was said?”
Cheng Jiqing turned and poured a glass of water: “Asking about my shares.”
“You two don’t get along well?”
“Hard to describe,” Cheng Jiqing took a sip, looking towards the window. She noticed wind seemed to be blowing in from the balcony. She walked over, saying as she went, “Actually, she’s quite good to me, just controls too much. She’s a good person.”
Bai Xin watched her back. Cheng Jiqing hadn’t showered yet, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, her hair tied in a bun9. She had the youthful air of a university student.
Though Cheng Jiqing was indeed university-student age.
23 years old, wasn’t that young?
The window indeed had a small gap. Cheng Jiqing closed it. Some rainwater had splashed onto the balcony floor and the area near it.
She grabbed a mop and bent down to clean it up.
“Aren’t you going to shower?”
Cheng Jiqing paused, then said, “Cleaning up first.”
Bai Xin also poured a glass of water, stopping not far behind Cheng Jiqing, watching her quietly for a while. Nothing particularly changed between them after that night.
However, it was evident that Cheng Jiqing wasn’t resisting their contact as much anymore.
The ten minutes of contact each day was indeed very useful. Her condition had improved significantly recently, especially after being soothed by Cheng Jiqing that night.
It was just that she had been busy with company matters recently, and only had this brief moment…
Cheng Jiqing quickly mopped the area. A shadow fell over the floor. She started to turn, but felt a touch on her back.
She had been very close to the balcony glass just now, and her back had gotten damp; it was still cool now.
Bai Xin’s hand was on her damp back: “It’s damp.”
Her fingers brushed, intentionally or unintentionally, against the bra clasp.
Cheng Jiqing’s back stiffened. “Yeah, I’ll wash up after mopping.”
Bai Xin said, “After washing… then what?”
Cheng Jiqing replied, “Watch a movie for a bit, then sleep.”
“What movie?” Bai Xin asked her.
“Haven’t decided yet.”
After saying this, she turned sideways: “What are your hands doing? Hey, watch it.”
Cheng Jiqing couldn’t stand the danger; she constantly felt like her bra would snap open any second.
Bai Xin: “We’ve touched directly before, but through clothes isn’t okay?”
Cheng Jiqing: “…”
Getting to know Bai Xin, she had gained some understanding. Indifferent was still indifferent, aloof was still aloof, but this person could calmly say things that were incredibly suggestive.
She fell silent for a moment.
“Cheng Jiqing, does contact with me burden you?”
Cheng Jiqing said, “No, it’s my personal issue.”
Bai Xin: “Then are you afraid I’ll make you take responsibility again?”
After a few seconds, she said, “You don’t need to take responsibility for this kind of thing, nor do you need to feel any burden.”
Cheng Jiqing was slightly stunned. ‘No need to take responsibility’—anywhere else, this would be a huge blessing10. But for some reason, Cheng Jiqing’s attitude towards these words was hesitant.
In other words, whether it was marking or contact, or the other way, they didn’t need to have feelings.
From Cheng Jiqing’s perspective, this was for the best.
Originally, she was also afraid of overthinking things. As an outsider11 to this world, maintaining freedom and peacefully reaching her birthday was enough.
“Mm, I don’t feel burdened. You need me, I understand.”
Cheng Jiqing nodded crisply and decisively.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Although the issue had been clarified, the ambiguous atmosphere from moments ago actually subsided.
Bai Xin returned to her room. After cleaning up, Cheng Jiqing also returned to her own room.
That night, Cheng Jiqing didn’t watch a movie; she watched 《Shang An》12.
That evening, Song Ling also called her.
However, unlike some other gossiping13 people, her call was more about scolding her for being disloyal14, not sharing the good fortune15, getting a huge sum yet claiming to have no money.
She insisted Cheng Jiqing invest together with her.
That little princess’ temper was different from Bai Xin’s cold sharpness; she could give people a headache with her arguments, completely the style of a young girl pestering unreasonably.
Cheng Jiqing was annoyed endlessly by her, so she simply had someone send over a hotel project proposal.
A few more days passed.
The September weather remained hot, the temperature showing no signs of dropping.
These past few days, Bai Xin seemed very busy. Apart from the fixed ten minutes of contact each day, they communicated very little—though it had always been infrequent.
When Bai Xin stayed at Nanjing, she always left very early. A few times, when Cheng Jiqing woke up, the guest bedroom was already completely empty.
Today, past nine o’clock, Cheng Jiqing came out of her room.
She had suffered some insomnia last night, dreaming of scenes she had dreamt before, especially that fire—a woman bending down, a bracelet on her wrist flashing back and forth before her eyes.
But she just couldn’t recall the woman’s face.
She originally thought Bai Xin would likely have left already today too, but as soon as she stepped out, she saw Bai Xin sitting at the peninsula counter16, wearing a light blue slim-fitting long dress, holding a slice of bread.
“You’re off today?”
Cheng Jiqing rubbed her sore eyes. She hadn’t slept well, making her eyes very uncomfortable.
Bai Xin looked up. Cheng Jiqing had simply tied her hair up, wearing light gray silk pajamas, completely different from her own style. Cheng Jiqing rarely wore dresses.
Especially tight-fitting ones.
Cheng Jiqing actually suited them well, especially since her collarbones were very beautiful, her neck long and well-proportioned, and particularly those legs, suited for short skirts.
Of course… Cheng Jiqing wrapped up like this had a different kind of charm.
Bai Xin suddenly thought, speaking of which, the only one who had seen Cheng Jiqing completely exposed was her.
Bai Xin’s thoughts quickly rolled through her mind as she answered: “Going to the company after eating. Didn’t sleep well?”
Cheng Jiqing was still yawning: “Yeah, I’ll wash up first.”
A few minutes later, Cheng Jiqing came out of the bathroom, went to the water dispenser17 to pour a glass of warm water, and heard Bai Xin say: “Come eat breakfast.”
Cheng Jiqing heard the toaster ‘ding’. Bai Xin knew how to cook, but preferred quick solutions in the morning, unlike her who had the patience to cook porridge or something.
She sat down opposite Bai Xin, drank her milk first. An egg was passed to her.
Cheng Jiqing said in surprise, “I’m honored, Miss Bai boiled an egg for me.”
The corners of Bai Xin’s eyes lifted: “I looked at that project contract yesterday. Hotels aren’t doing well18 right now. It might earn a little, but investing in this to make big money is meaningless.”
The egg rolled in her palm. Cheng Jiqing nodded: “It’s fine as long as it can break even.”
Last night, not understanding the hotel industry, she had asked Bai Xin about it.
Bai Xin had then asked her to send the contract over.
She didn’t lack this bit of money now. Song Ling was the most favored daughter of the Song family; she didn’t really lack several million either, she was just purely making a fuss with her friend.
And Song Ling was the only person the original owner could confide in19, so Cheng Jiqing thought, as long as it wouldn’t lose money, investing was fine.
Just consider it putting eggs in the basket20.
Cheng Jiqing took a bite of the egg.
Hearing this, Bai Xin said: “You’re quite good to Song Ling.”
Cheng Jiqing said: “Well, I don’t have many friends.”
Bai Xin looked at her, took a sip of milk, and said nothing more.
Buzz buzz—her phone vibrated. Cheng Jiqing picked it up; it was a WeChat message from Qin Yufu.
【If you find you can’t endure it anymore, but also can’t become strong immediately, what would you choose?】
Cheng Jiqing nibbled the egg white, typing a reply: 【Clearly there’s no choice then, ah. You can only grit your teeth and endure. I would believe in myself, that I can definitely wait for it, and definitely achieve it.】
Ever since the incident at the Qin Family Villa, she hadn’t contacted Qin Yufu.
Qin Yufu messaging her stemmed from a Moments21 post a few days ago.
That day, she read a very good book at the library and casually posted about it on Moments—Sheryl Sandberg’s 《Option B》22.
She screenshotted a sentence from it.
Since Option A is not available, let us kick the sh%t out of Option B.23
It was also that time Qin Yufu sent her a WeChat message, asking her—
【But Option B is also very risky, how do you overcome the feeling of fear?】
At that time, she was catching up24 on a director’s movies. The female lead in one particularly liked rabbits, and the movie always loved doing close-ups of the rabbits’ eyes.
So she casually replied: 【Fear is fear, charging is charging25.】
As a result, that night she had a nightmare about entering a rabbit warren.
…
After replying to the message, Cheng Jiqing felt like she was particularly acting like a life coach at this moment. However, she didn’t have the energy or inclination26 to help the female lead achieve anything major; she herself was only half-baked27.
But providing this level of encouragement was still doable.
Mainly because her abilities were limited, and she already had a ‘person needing support’ beside her.
Thinking this, she looked up at the ‘person needing support’, only to coincidentally meet Bai Xin’s gaze, startling her slightly.
The message vibrated; she lowered her head again.
Qin Yufu: 【Thank you.】
Cheng Jiqing: 【You’re welcome.】
Qin Yufu: 【I didn’t know who to ask, sorry if I disturbed you…】
Cheng Jiqing: 【No bother.】
Cheng Jiqing thought for a moment: 【Miss Qin, keep it up28, everything will be okay.】
She didn’t plan to chat much and was about to put her phone away when the screen showed a notification that someone she followed had posted a new Weibo message.
She clicked into it.
Bai Xin watched the person opposite her, her gaze falling from Cheng Jiqing’s lips nibbling the egg to her typing hands.
She didn’t know whose message it was, but Cheng Jiqing seemed very focused on reading it.
After a dozen seconds or so, Bai Xin swallowed the last bite of bread, licking the milk from the corner of her mouth.
She put down her cup. Cheng Jiqing still had her head down.
Bai Xin had short, neatly filed nails painted with a layer of pale pink polish. She lightly tapped the cup intermittently.
Cheng Jiqing was looking at her phone when suddenly, she heard the sound of a cup hitting the table—it was Bai Xin’s milk cup tipping over onto the table.
Her eyes swept over, her hand quickly put down the phone, first grabbing Bai Xin’s arm covered by the thin long sleeve.
Then she quickly reached for napkins.
Luckily, there was only less than half a cup left, so there wasn’t much of an ‘accident’.
She got up to get a damp cloth and quickly wiped the table, saying, “Did it get on your clothes?”
Hearing this, Bai Xin unhurriedly touched her sleeve, saying lightly, “No.”
Her expression showed no concern at all.
Instead, it was as if her mood had improved29.
Cheng Jiqing said that was good then.
She finished her own egg and milk, then carried both their plates to the kitchen.
Bai Xin stood behind her by the peninsula counter, watching Cheng Jiqing’s back as she washed the dishes, a faint dimple appearing. She said, “I’m heading out.”
“Oh, okay, be careful on the road,” Cheng Jiqing said.
But after a few seconds, hearing no sound of Bai Xin leaving, she remembered something. Turning her head, she indeed saw Bai Xin looking at her, silent, as if deliberately waiting for her to remember.
According to the pattern of the past half-month, since Bai Xin stayed here yesterday, she wouldn’t return tonight, and then they would meet in the car tomorrow around noon.
But usually, before leaving in the morning, they would have ten minutes of contact.
Cheng Jiqing said, “…Wait a sec.”
After speaking, she turned back, intending to rinse the last bowl in her hand.
Because of the running water, she didn’t hear Bai Xin approaching.
Until a pair of hands wrapped around her waist from behind, holding her.
Cheng Jiqing’s body stiffened slightly, then quickly relaxed. She turned off the faucet, dried her hands with a dry dishcloth. Then there was nothing left to do.
As the space quieted, the sound of fabric rubbing against fabric seemed amplified.
After helping Bai Xin that night half a month ago, they hadn’t done that again.
Perhaps the daily ten minutes really worked; Bai Xin’s condition had improved, plus Bai Xin had been very busy during this period, so most of their contact had been relatively normal.
Especially after their conversation on the balcony that night.
Except for two nights later on, when Bai Xin came over after working late, she would hold her tighter.
Just like now.
But nothing else was done.
Cheng Jiqing analyzed her own psychology. After that kind of relationship, it was definitely different from when she first met Bai Xin. At least her mindset had changed.
She hoped she could maintain some rationality.
Yet she couldn’t be an emotionless machine, just like she couldn’t engage in a purely casual 41930 relationship without feeling burdened.
On this point, her thoughts differed from Bai Xin’s.
She wasn’t a completely refined egoist31, but she also didn’t want to develop feelings in a relationship explicitly based on an agreement.
At least—not unilaterally, right?
Cheng Jiqing herself hadn’t yet realized that, from a rational perspective, she had already lowered her requirements…
Cheng Jiqing could also distinguish whether Bai Xin needed contact due to physical needs or psychological needs. For instance, right now, she could sense a trace of fatigue from Bai Xin.
She knew Bai Xin hadn’t been sleeping well recently and was waking up very early.
Two days ago, she had even come over in the middle of the night.
Cheng Jiqing asked, “Miss Bai, has work not been going smoothly for you recently?”
Bai Xin hadn’t expected Cheng Jiqing to ask about her work problems. Her face pressed against Cheng Jiqing’s back shoulder, she replied softly, “Sort of.”
Her company had encountered a slip-up on a landmark project, requiring her to supervise32 it daily. For the past half-month, she had barely been able to put down her computer before two in the morning.
Last night was the same. If it weren’t for coming back to Cheng Jiqing’s place, she probably would have just slept at the company.
However, today wasn’t about her company’s issues, but about those few small projects for the Bai Corporation. Since she had accepted them, she would see them through.
She needed to make a trip to the Cheng Corporation.
Cheng Jiqing fell silent for a moment, thinking, Looks like the Bai Corporation isn’t doing well recently.
No wonder Bai Xin’s face has been so pale. Is that Bai Zhaoliang useless trash? Making his daughter do everything?
And he still refuses to behave properly, be a proper father.
Cheng Jiqing then said, “Is there anything you want to eat? If you come tomorrow night, I can make it for you.”
Hearing this, the curve of Bai Xin’s lips lifted involuntarily. Her face tilted up slightly, chin resting on Cheng Jiqing’s shoulder, “Is Little CEO Cheng comforting me?”
Cheng Jiqing raised an eyebrow: “Sort of.”
“Hmm… it’s not written in the contract.”
“Complimentary.”
Bai Xin’s mood, soured by work troubles, miraculously lightened. She smiled silently.
However, she didn’t answer Cheng Jiqing’s question. Her face pressed against Cheng Jiqing’s back again, hot breath spraying into Cheng Jiqing’s neck… Her gaze could directly see the location of the gland behind.
Right now, it was smooth and flat.
Unlike that night when her legs were wrapped around Cheng Jiqing, holding the person tightly, when her lips touched it, it was raised and flushed red, like a rose about to bloom.
Her phone rang on the table. Regret showed in Bai Xin’s deep eyes; she had to leave.
Bai Xin said, “Not tomorrow night. Make it for me tonight.”
After Bai Xin left.
Cheng Jiqing leaned against the peninsula counter and spaced out for a bit.
Picking up her phone again to look at the Weibo notification, it was an image post from director Tong Yanxi announcing casting selections.
From lead roles to supporting roles.
The Weibo content—《Cat and Mint》 is written. ‘Yi Xin’ and I actually prepared for the filming33 work long ago, so it might happen quickly. Here, we welcome companies, studios, and actors to participate in the open auditions34. (See image for specific requirements)
Cheng Jiqing briefly scanned the image. A realistic romance film.
《Cat and Mint》 wasn’t about cats; it told the story of a tango dance teacher running a dance studio and her disillusioned student finding mutual redemption.
Cheng Jiqing definitely had ideas about the lead roles, but compared to those with professional management companies, compared to those with backing35, there was no comparison.
She saved the image.
Having watched 《Shang An》, Cheng Jiqing admired this director greatly. She decided to give it a try.
Perhaps this would become the first step in her acting journey in the ABO world.
She had to go to the audition, send photos, and record videos too, because the directors for these different channels were all different; multi-pronged preparation for multi-pronged arrangements.
Although detailed character profiles weren’t released, she knew how to stand out from the crowd36.
She felt she could film audition tapes for both female lead roles, but the dance teacher role required a professional tango dress, which she didn’t have.
Cheng Jiqing thought, she would have to go out and buy one this afternoon.
✨ Unlock Early Access to Chapters! ✨
Choose your perfect membership at bamboopandatl.net:
📚 Full Access ($4.99)
• Advanced chapters of ALL ongoing novels
• Access to complete finished novels
• Ad-free reading experience
📖 Single Novel Access ($1.49)
• Advanced chapters of ONE specific novel
• Ad-free reading for chosen novel
PayPal is the only current payment option!