After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 77
by Little PandaHiding Something
Cheng Jiqing actually wanted to endure it too, but when she saw Bai Xin standing opposite the two of them through the glass window, she couldn’t. The winter leaves had fallen, and the wind was biting; Bai Xin’s figure from behind exuded a kind of delicate frailty.
So solitary, as if a gust of wind could topple her.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t want to leave her there alone.
She walked over, and seeing Zhou Ping’s hand about to rise, her gaze was shockingly cold. “It’s been so long, and Madam Zhou still hasn’t changed her habit of resorting to violence?”
She walked to stand parallel with Bai Xin, and right in front of Bai Zhaoliang and his wife, she took Bai Xin’s hand.
Cheng Jiqing’s appearance stunned Bai Zhaoliang and his wife.
Bai Zhaoliang: “You two…”
Bai Zhaoliang, after all, had weathered storms before and quickly recovered. “Little CEO Cheng, so you and Xiao Xin… I had no idea. Then, from now on, we’ll all be family.”
“Don’t.” Cheng Jiqing interrupted. “I can’t aspire to such connections, and there’s no need to put on an act in front of me. Everyone knows what role they’re playing.”
Before Bai Zhaoliang could finish, Cheng Jiqing said coolly, “You two came because of the debt, right? Then you should be here to beg for help. Have I been out of touch with the world for too long, or do people asking for favors nowadays all act this aggressively?”
“Don’t misunderstand, her mother was just anxious…” Bai Zhaoliang tugged at Zhou Ping. Now, Bai Xin wasn’t just connected to XM; it was important to remember that part of the debt was owed to the Cheng family, and especially concerning Y2, Cheng Jing’s investment was no small sum.
People they hadn’t dared to offend before, they dared even less now.
Cheng Jiqing cut him off again. “There’s something I hope I’ll never hear from CEO Bai’s mouth again.”
When she wasn’t smiling, her face was particularly cold and suffocating.
The word ‘mother’—Zhou Ping wasn’t even worthy of uttering it in front of Bai Xin.
After Cheng Jiqing spoke, she felt the hand in her palm tighten slightly, and she squeezed back with even more force.
Bai Xin turned her head, looking at Cheng Jiqing under the pale white streetlights. She suddenly remembered.
That time at the Cheng family villa, she and Cheng Jiqing had just had a little unpleasantness beforehand, but when Cheng Jiqing saw her message, she still came.
That time, too, Cheng Jiqing had protected her just like this.
Dominatingly, unyieldingly standing by her side.
She didn’t have to do anything; someone had already built the strongest fortress in the world for her.
No matter how wronged and stifled Bai Zhaoliang felt inwardly, he still maintained an understanding attitude on the surface. “I understand. We’ve let Xiao Xin down all these years. What did I tell you at home? You just can’t change this temper of yours. Quickly apologize to Xiao Xin. We’re family; let’s not hurt our harmony.”
The latter part was said while pulling at Zhou Ping.
Zhou Ping sensed the threat in Bai Zhaoliang’s eyes. She also knew this wasn’t the time to act out of momentary anger. All her savings, her and her daughter’s future, were tied to the Bai family. If the Bai family truly fell, she would have to repay the debts alongside Bai Zhaoliang.
The hatred for Bai Xin deep in her heart surged again like an unstoppable, churning tidal wave.
She gritted her teeth. “It’s my fault.”
“Hm? Madam Zhou doesn’t even understand what an apology means?”
Cheng Jiqing didn’t relent just because Zhou Ping showed weakness. Her tone was even harsher than before. “I was originally thinking, for Xinxin’s sake, I could offer some ideas about the debt. But it seems that won’t be necessary. Xinxin, let’s go.”
“Zhou Ping! Apologize quickly! Do you want to watch the Bai family die? When Xingxing gets out, how do you want her to face this situation?” Bai Zhaoliang threatened and cajoled.
Bai Xin watched from the side as if observing a play. Benefits could always reveal a person’s truest face.
“I’m sorry.”
As Zhou Ping said this, her entire body was trembling.
Bai Xin’s lips curved into a cold sneer, her disdainful gaze fixed on Zhou Ping. “What? I didn’t hear clearly.”
The next second, Zhou Ping’s true nature erupted. “You!”
Cheng Jiqing narrowed her eyes. An Alpha’s pressure emanated from her, carrying a targeted aggressiveness straight towards Zhou Ping.
Rank suppression is a natural law in the ABO world.
Zhou Ping’s ears buzzed, and she stumbled back two steps in terror. Cheng Jiqing, as if she hadn’t seen, said, “She said she didn’t hear. Since Madam Zhou can’t speak clearly, I think CEO Bai’s articulation is clear and his voice is sonorous; it must be very suitable…”
Bai Zhaoliang froze, his expression changing slightly.
Cheng Jiqing was also forcing him to apologize to Bai Xin.
He looked at Bai Xin, only to see she had no intention of speaking up. Bai Zhaoliang’s face was ashen. “I am, at least, Xiao Xin’s biological father…”
“Unwilling? Fine, then forget it.” Cheng Jiqing wasted no more words this time, pulling Bai Xin and walking directly towards the building.
Seeing that they were really leaving, Bai Zhaoliang gritted his teeth. “Fine! Xiao Xin, if you’re really that upset, Dad apologizes to you. I’m sorry, I was wrong. You’re my child, how could I not dote on you? All these years, I’ve been busy with work and neglected you. It’s all my fault…”
“Save the rest of that performance for yourself.” Cheng Jiqing stopped, still facing away, then turned around, holding Bai Xin’s hand. “Alright, although it’s not very sincere, our Miss Bai is kind and soft-hearted, so I won’t make things difficult.”
Bai Zhaoliang: “…”
Hearing this, Bai Xin’s dimples faintly appeared.
Kind and soft-hearted? This was truly the first time in her life she’d heard someone describe her that way.
The disgust and anger in her heart gradually transformed into a fluttering affection at the sound of Cheng Jiqing’s voice.
What was she to do?
It seemed she really—couldn’t leave this person.
“Little CEO Cheng, you just said you had an idea…”
Cheng Jiqing suddenly remembered. “Ah, right… No matter how much this debt is delayed, it seems very difficult for Bai Corporation’s current situation to pay it all off. I thought about it, and rather than helping you delay, it’s better to find a way to help you earn more money.”
“What way, Little CEO Cheng?” Bai Zhaoliang’s eyes lit up.
“Back then, Bai Corporation paid Bai Xin a monthly salary of ten thousand. How about this: Cheng Corporation is short two errand runners on the first floor. I’ll give you ten times that. That’s 200,000 a month for the two of you.” Cheng Jiqing said thoughtfully, “Work five hours a day, and you can use the rest of your time to raise money in other ways…”
Bai Zhaoliang listened halfway and finally couldn’t bear the humiliation:
“Little CEO Cheng, don’t push people too far. I am, after all, your elder.”
“Push people? I never push people,” Cheng Jiqing denied.
They don’t even count as people, so how could it be considered bullying?
This remark made Bai Zhaoliang’s face even uglier.
Cheng Jiqing said seriously, “It seems you’re not satisfied. Then you’re truly too greedy.”
When the Bai family is at the end of their rope1, when they’ve sold everything down to the last inch, they’ll know how kind Cheng Jiqing’s proposal was, Bai Xin thought.
“You never intended to help me. Or rather, Xiao Xin, you never intended to help the Bai family.” Bai Zhaoliang still couldn’t understand why. Even if Bai Xin had latched onto Cheng Jiqing and gained XM’s appreciation, what good would it do Bai Xin if the Bai Corporation didn’t fare well?
“Why? You’re a member of the Bai family! Bai Xin!”
Bai Xin stared coldly at Bai Zhaoliang and said slowly:
“Then you’ll have to ask yourself what you did back then.”
As if struck by lightning, Bai Zhaoliang’s whole body stiffened. His body temperature rose almost reflexively, and the scene of the fire from that year resurfaced in his mind—when he shook off Lu Man’s hand and turned to run, he could almost still hear Lu Man’s tearing questions and curses.
‘Bai Zhaoliang, why? Why are you doing this to me?! Are you abandoning me?’
‘Come back, save me!’
‘Bai Zhaoliang, may you die a horrible death…’
Cold sweat broke out on Bai Zhaoliang.
Impossible, Bai Xin couldn’t possibly know.
Back then, when Lu Man was rescued, she couldn’t even open her mouth, so how could she have said anything… Both sides had leverage over each other regarding what happened that day. The Cheng family’s people wouldn’t have revealed anything either.
So Bai Xin shouldn’t know.
Bai Xin didn’t spell things out. She saw Bai Zhaoliang’s fear, suspicion, and cowardice.
She wanted Bai Zhaoliang to live in suspense, to live in a nightmare from which he could never recover.
Before leaving, Cheng Jiqing said abruptly.
“Don’t go looking for her anymore. If you have the guts, come find me.”
Cheng Jiqing led Bai Xin upstairs.
Neither of them spoke during the ascent.
The evening wind rustled desolately. The temperature in Beicheng grew colder by the day, and it was even lower on days when the snow melted.
The door opened, and the two changed their shoes, standing silently at the entrance for a moment.
Cheng Jiqing reached out and held Bai Xin tightly in her arms.
Bai Xin instantly smelled the delicate fragrance of peach blossom wine mixed with the crisp, cold air from outside. She heard a gentle reassurance by her ear: “You’ve already done very well. Your mom will be very happy.”
Bai Xin’s eyelashes trembled. Her previously composed expression momentarily broke. The tip of her nose tingled. “Really?”
“Really.”
Cheng Jiqing said, “So don’t be sad anymore… I remember you told me, before you asked your mom if it was related to Bai Zhaoliang, you told your mom that you wouldn’t be able to go on without her.”
Bai Xin took a light breath. Cheng Jiqing’s scent made her feel at ease. She replied, “Yes.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe your mom never wanted you to take revenge? It was because you said you couldn’t go on that she had to give you hope to live, so she chose to tacitly acknowledge it. But now that you’ve avenged her and you’re living well, she must be very gratified in heaven. However, she also must hope that you will never be burdened by hatred again, and she must hope that you can live well in this world. From now on, in peace and happiness.”
Cheng Jiqing’s voice, full of consideration and doting affection, was like a spring breeze caressing Bai Xin’s body, reviving her melancholic spirit.
A layer of moisture gathered in Bai Xin’s eyes but didn’t fall, just shimmered there.
She knew. How could she not know her mother’s true intentions after countless nights of waking from dreams over these years?
It was just that she couldn’t, and couldn’t let go.
She hugged Cheng Jiqing tighter.
Peace, happiness.
She had never thought about it, never before meeting Cheng Jiqing. She never cared how long she lived, as long as her revenge was achieved, nothing else mattered.
But after meeting Cheng Jiqing, she began to hope that she could live a little longer.
To be entangled with Cheng Jiqing a little longer.
She said, “Stay with me.”
Cheng Jiqing said, “I’ll stay with you.”
They hugged quietly for a moment.
Cheng Jiqing lowered her head and nuzzled Bai Xin’s neck. Her nose, frozen for too long, was now warming up. The enticing fragrance from the person in her arms drilled into her breath like a lure.
She lifted Bai Xin’s chin, meeting those eyes still misty and not yet cleared. “Crying?”
Bai Xin shook her head.
Although talking about her mother still made her sad, over time, it was as if she had developed an immunity; she didn’t cry much.
She wasn’t one to cry, and hadn’t cried much over so many years.
“You say it like I cry often.”
“Isn’t that so?” Cheng Jiqing said.
Hearing this, Bai Xin’s eyelids lifted slightly, her gaze alluring and charming, a hint of softness in her cool voice. “That was all because you bullied me until I cried.”
Cheng Jiqing moved closer, her warm breath brushing past Bai Xin’s ear. “Don’t you like it when I bully you?”
Cheng Jiqing’s occasional teasing, and her letting go, was exceptionally captivating.
Like an ascetic breaking their vows, filled with a sense of the forbidden.
Thus, Bai Xin’s passion was easily aroused. She didn’t suppress her breathing, letting it pant wantonly. “I like it, especially that day you tore my stockings…”
“…”
Cheng Jiqing choked, remembering how Bai Xin had shed tears while enduring it that day. Her own breathing grew heavy, and desire surged quickly.
She removed Bai Xin’s coat and swept her up by the waist.
It wasn’t a gentle feast.
They went at it three times, finally ending with Bai Xin’s low sobs. She clung tightly to Cheng Jiqing, her nails leaving several red marks on Cheng Jiqing’s scapula.
Cheng Jiqing knew Bai Xin was finding it hard to bear.
But Bai Xin never begged for mercy in such matters, nor would she ever take the initiative to say no.
Cheng Jiqing’s eyes were dark. She had tried several times, wanting to force Bai Xin to show weakness, but while Bai Xin could yield in other matters, she seemed unwilling to do so in this.
A deep-seated obsession.
Every time Cheng Jiqing saw those tears, her heart would soften.
However, an obsession gradually grew in her heart too, thinking that one day, she would inevitably make this person beg for mercy in bed…
The room quieted down.
Outside the window, it started snowing again. Cheng Jiqing, wearing pajamas, pulled open the curtains. Neon lights flickered in the distance, casting vibrant colors on the glass, which flowed into her eyes, tinting her pupils.
I hope it doesn’t snow heavily on Christmas Day, she thought.
She was afraid that if the snow was too heavy, the flight to Beiyu Town wouldn’t be able to take off.
That would be a real shame.
The heavy snow stopped the day before Christmas.
The weather forecast showed clear skies for Beicheng and Beiyu Town for the next three days.
My luck is always good, Cheng Jiqing thought.
Filming for 《Cat and Mint》 had concluded. Due to various incidents, it had become a hot topic. Even the wrap-up party made it to the hot search because Tong Yanxi got injured.
Fortunately, Tong Yanxi’s injury wasn’t serious, and she was discharged smoothly the next day. Bai Xin mentioned that Tang Jia handled the discharge.
In any case, she had now made a name for herself as a newcomer in the industry.
Ada had sent her some scripts. They were good scripts, but after reading them, none particularly moved her. She didn’t care much about fame, so she chose to wait.
It was perfect timing to rest for a few days without distractions.
She had arranged to meet Bai Xin at the mall around three in the afternoon to see what they needed to buy. Not wanting to wait at home, she left after lunch.
The sunlight and the snow on the road were dazzling, yet it inexplicably put her in a good mood.
Perhaps it was also because of the upcoming trip, and that Bai Xin would be on this trip too.
The wind reddened her cheeks slightly. Her hands were tucked into her beige coat, and she walked onto the street with a graceful, upright posture.
Her outstanding aura inevitably attracted attention from those around, who felt as if a beautiful scene was walking past.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Cheng Jiqing took it out and glanced at it—an email from someone unknown. She paid it no mind and put it back. Cheng Jiqing looked up again, her eyes filled with good humor. Her gaze unintentionally fell on a building not far away—the Cheng Corporation tower.
After looking for two seconds, she turned and walked into a coffee shop by the street.
She really liked her current life.
Cheng Corporation, Fu Rongjun, Cheng Jing—she didn’t want to bother with any of it anymore.
The time difference between Beicheng and Denmark was about 7 hours.
At night, Denmark also welcomed its heaviest snowfall of the month.
The streets featured Northern European architectural styles. Beside Zealand Avenue2, large blocks of color filled the entire street with a unique style.
A not-so-large theater on Zealand Avenue had added drama performances a few years ago, attracting many foreigners and Chinese people.
At that moment, a woman on stage in a cyan gown was singing a melodious Jiangnan3 folk tune.
Among the audience, some could understand, while others were drawn by her graceful figure.
In just a month, Tu Xiuxiu’s name had become somewhat famous in the local circle. On stage, her voice sang of all the world’s vanities, joys, angers, and sorrows; off stage, the Jiangnan beauty spoke with a soft, delicate voice, clad in a qipao.
A mere thought conjured countless charms.
Cheng Jing sat in a corner, a cup of green tea untouched since it was served.
She wasn’t used to drinking it.
She was originally on a business trip in a neighboring city and had made a detour on her way back. She didn’t have many thoughts, just came to take a look.
Watching the talented beauty singing on stage, she suddenly remembered those years in Beicheng when Tu Xiuxiu, because of that one jest—‘only sing for me’—had truly not performed on stage again for all these years.
At this moment, an indescribable complexity filled her.
It seemed she had almost ruined a good opera singer.
The song ended.
Secretary Liu also happened to approach her side then, saying in a low voice, “Something has been discovered in Beicheng. It’s very serious. You should take a look yourself.”
Cheng Jing gazed at the person bowing on stage. The next second, that person suddenly looked over. The moment their eyes met, they shifted away again. It seemed like an illusion.
She paused silently, then stood up. “Let’s go.”
The wind outside was bitingly fierce. Cheng Jing bent down to get into the car, and the secretary handed her a tablet.
“Tang Jia’s assistant lost a fortune gambling in Macau and is desperate for money, so we didn’t have to put in much effort. This person spilled a lot. This is the transcript of the recording.”
Cheng Jing scanned it page by page. Every word on every page made the atmosphere around her turn colder.
“She doesn’t know the specifics, but she vaguely knows it’s a kind of relief agent for Omega needs. Bai Xin is using her compatibility rate with Little CEO Cheng to make this drug.”
‘Peng—’ Cheng Jing slammed the tablet onto the seat. “How dare they!”
Due to her anger, Cheng Jing’s chest heaved violently.
Secretary Liu said, “This assistant mentioned that it suddenly stopped a while ago, but she’s sure this matter was hidden from Little CEO Cheng.”
Cheng Jing gritted her teeth, her hands already clenched into fists.
“Bai Xin…”
“Shouldn’t we inform Little CEO Cheng immediately?”
Cheng Jing had already taken out her phone. It was afternoon in Beicheng at this time. She found the contact in her address book but paused slightly before tapping.
A few seconds passed.
Cheng Jing took a deep breath. “Chengcheng likes her very much.”
Secretary Liu didn’t understand. So, shouldn’t they tell her right away?
Cheng Jing: “If Chengcheng hears about this from someone else, she won’t believe it. She’ll still go ask Bai Xin. If that happens, she’ll be hurt even more.”
She understood the feeling of being hurt all too well. She still hadn’t forgotten the look of utter devastation on Cheng Jiqing’s face when she had unintentionally overheard her conversation with Fu Rongjun back then.
A chilling aura emanated from Cheng Jing. “Call Bai Xin. I want to meet her.”
At the same time, one o’clock in the afternoon in Beicheng.
Cheng Jiqing sent Bai Xin a rough location, a daily routine.
Then she opened Weibo.
Her followers had grown to over ten thousand after several trending topics. She picked some private messages to read, ignoring the anti-fan4 messages. She saw several asking her to post selfies or daily life updates.
She saw one that said: 【Beauties should “do business5” more! Post photos quickly!】
A smile touched Cheng Jiqing’s lips. When people were in a good mood, they were always easier to talk to.
She thought for a moment, picked up her coffee, found a good angle, and took a picture.
She posted a Weibo with the picture and a caption—Peace, happiness.
After posting, she suddenly remembered something. She opened her photo album and found the picture she had taken with Bai Xin on the Beicheng Bridge last time from her saved photos.
The night was hazy, the wind blew through dark hair, and Bai Xin’s lips gently touched her cheek.
She smiled, opened Bai Xin’s WeChat chat window, and set that photo as the background.
She also sent the selfie she had just taken to Bai Xin.
She didn’t wait for Bai Xin to ask, but proactively said: 【Thinking of you.】
After sending the message, an email notification suddenly popped up on her phone screen again.
Because she occasionally received emails from film crews, she had never disabled notifications.
It was the same unfamiliar email address from before. Cheng Jiqing clicked on it.
【Your blood is only for making medicine for Miss Bai. 300,000, and I can tell you everything.】
Cheng Jiqing was taken aback, wondering who else besides Tang Jia and Bai Xin would know about the inducer medication.
She went back and clicked on the first email.
【You’ve been deceived all along.】
Below it was a file. Cheng Jiqing clicked it open with some amusement. This person probably didn’t know she was already aware of these things and was actually trying to trade this information with her?
She opened the file.
She froze. A blood draw report, and another document titled 《Medication Progress Chart》.
Cheng Jiqing sipped her coffee, a mix of bitterness and sweetness. Her mind was already racing.
She naturally knew about the blood draws and didn’t think anything was wrong.
She was looking for details in those two sentences and the file.
The matter of making the medicine was a secret. The only people who could access the report were those at Tang Jia’s hospital. There were many people at the hospital, and quite a few had seen her and Bai Xin.
But to know about the medicine, Bai Xin, and her connection simultaneously, it could only be Tang Jia, or someone in close contact with Tang Jia.
She thought for a moment and clicked on the email: 【If you want money, call me directly.】
This person managed to get her email, so they must know her phone number too.
Cheng Jiqing stared at her phone intently.
A minute later, the screen lit up…
“Hello?”
A male voice, altered by a voice changer.
Cheng Jiqing calmly picked up her coffee and said slowly, “You’re Tang Jia’s assistant. Don’t rush to hang up. It’s useless even if you do. The moment you asked me for money, it became child’s play for me to find you.”
The other side denied, “I’m not. If you don’t want to know, then forget it.”
Tang Jia should only have one assistant, who had been with her for many years. But she had only seen her once; it was a woman. She wasn’t sure at first, but this denial made her more certain.
The tone was too rushed.
Actors study so many characters that sometimes they acquire seemingly useless skills. For example, judging a person’s inner emotions through their eyes, tone, and speed of speech.
She didn’t intend to do anything, but this person had recklessly come to her for money, which clearly indicated they were desperate. She planned to stabilize the person first, then contact Tang Jia to handle it.
“What’s the hurry? You said I’m being deceived. If you’re referring to the inducer relief agent, I can tell you, I’m aware of it.”
“Inducer?”
The tone on the other end was puzzled instead.
Cheng Jiqing paused at this tone. The voice said, “Oh, what I’m talking about has nothing to do with the inducer. Give me 300,000, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Cheng Jiqing didn’t know why, but it felt like unease was reaching out from afar, inexplicably tugging at her good mood. Her tone remained calm. “How do I know you’ll tell me after I give you the money? I don’t like venture investments6, but I’m willing to spend money. Tell me everything now, and I’ll double the price.”
The other end was silent for a moment, seemingly thinking.
“Really?”
This person was either too stupid or had gone mad with desperation.
“It’s only 600,000. What does that count for?”
Cheng Jiqing coaxed, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll lose interest. I’ll go directly to Tang Jia, and then your information won’t be worth anything.”
Cheng Jiqing silently counted to three in her head. “Hanging up.”
The person indeed seemed desperate for money.
“Wait! I’ll talk.”
Cheng Jiqing watched the pedestrians outside the window, listening to the unpleasant, voice-altered male voice. The warm sunlight had made her eyes shine, but after a moment, that light dimmed.
She blinked and asked faintly, “Then what about the inducer relief agent?”
“The academic world developed that long ago. Even with different constitutions, it’s not hard to make. It doesn’t require such large amounts of blood at all.” The lure of 600,000 was too strong. The person racked their brains7 and said, “As far as I know, Miss Bai’s reports haven’t shown any inducer components for a long time. That was just a pretext8.”
Cheng Jiqing’s breathing stilled.
“I’ve told you everything. How will you give me the money?”
Cheng Jiqing only came back to her senses after a moment, listening to the repeated reminders from the other end. She hung up the phone.
Her eardrums were buzzing slightly, but reason told her she couldn’t just listen to one person.
Compared to outsiders, she trusted what Bai Xin said more.
She shouldn’t be letting her imagination run wild right now.
Her mouth tasted a little bitter. She first raised her hand to order a glass of lemonade, forced herself to wait for it to arrive, and took a few sips before calling Bai Xin.
The call was answered quickly.
But at the same time, an urging voice sounded: “CEO Bai, the meeting can start.”
“What’s wrong?”
Cheng Jiqing’s heart was beating inexplicably fast. She suddenly hesitated. “Are you busy?”
“Yes, I have a short meeting.”
Hearing this, Cheng Jiqing slowed her breathing and asked, “Bai Xin, are you hiding anything from me?”
Bai Xin clearly paused. “What?”
Just a slight pause, just an ordinary rhetorical question.
Yet Cheng Jiqing’s hand was trembling slightly. She heard Bai Xin say, “Chengcheng, I’ll come find you in a bit.”
Cheng Jiqing said okay.
She sat bolt upright in the coffee shop for over ten minutes, as if in a daze. Her phone vibrated several times. She looked down; it wasn’t Bai Xin’s call.
It was a text message from an unknown number.
【You lied to me! Cheng Jiqing, you’re such an idiot. You deserve to be played and deceived.】
【You’re just a little guinea pig used to alleviate someone’s special needs!】
【If you don’t give me the money, I’ll let the whole world know how pitiful you are.】
Cheng Jiqing stood up. Her legs were a bit stiff from sitting for so long. She patted them to relieve it, then walked out.
Leaving the light from the window, the brightness in her pupils dimmed even further for a moment.
She walked out the door.
The street was cold enough to make one shiver. She suddenly remembered a certain morning when she had helped Bai Xin look at a text message from Tang Jia.
【Although research on the medicine has temporarily stopped, thankfully Cheng Jiqing is here and can help you alleviate it.】
She clutched her rapidly beating heart.
On the verge of death, she was still thinking of finding a lifeline in a desperate situation. She couldn’t concentrate on driving anymore. She hailed a cab to the hospital.
The moment the door opened, Tang Jia’s face was filled with astonishment.
Because Cheng Jiqing’s expression was too unfamiliar, one she had never seen in all the time they had known each other.
A bad premonition welled up in Tang Jia’s heart.
“Was the reason for my blood draws because of the inducer, or to alleviate Bai Xin’s original physical symptoms?” Cheng Jiqing gave Tang Jia no time to think. “Let me rephrase: from the very beginning, the inducer was just a pretext you and Bai Xin concocted, wasn’t it?”
Tang Jia’s face changed slightly. “Cheng Jiqing, calm down and listen to me first.”
“Just tell me yes or no.”
“Sit down first, I’ll explain it to you slowly.” Tang Jia stood up.
Cheng Jiqing stepped back.
Tang Jia’s reaction meant she no longer needed to hear an answer.
She thought of more.
Her blood ran cold, bit by bit.
Cheng Jiqing’s expression remained calm, but for some unknown reason, her eyes were red.
She took a shallow breath, her breath trembling, her voice trembling too:
“Very good. All of it, very good.”
Footnotes
- 山窮水盡 | shānqióngshuǐjìn | Lit. “mountains and rivers exhausted.” An idiom meaning to be at a dead end, in dire straits, or at the end of one’s resources.
- 西蘭大街 | Xīlán Dàjiē | Zealand Avenue. 西蘭 (Xīlán) is the Chinese name for Zealand, the largest island in Denmark.
- 江南 | Jiāngnán | Lit. “South of the River (Yangtze).” A geographical area in China, immediately to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, known for its prosperity and cultural refinement.
- 黑粉 | hēifěn | Lit. “black powder/fan.” Refers to anti-fans, people who actively dislike or criticize a celebrity or public figure.
- 營業 | yíngyè | Lit. “to do business” or “open for business.” In fan culture, this term is used to describe celebrities being active, posting updates, interacting with fans, or making public appearances. It’s like they are “open for business” for their fans.
- 風投 | fēngtóu | Venture capital. Here used metaphorically to mean taking a risky chance on an unproven informant.
- 搜腸刮肚 | sōuchángguādù | Lit. “search intestines, scrape stomach.” An idiom meaning to rack one’s brains, to think very hard to find information or an idea.
- 幌子 | huǎngzi | Lit. “shop banner” or “signboard.” Figuratively means a pretext, a cover, or a guise.
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