After Transmigrating as a Scumbag Alpha, I Marked the Crazy Hotshot – Chapter 99
by Little PandaThe Worst Crime
The relationship between Cheng Jiqing and Lan Qi was suddenly exposed late one night in Copenhagen.
Someone reposted an exposé from a Zhihu1 group to Weibo, and under the heat of Cheng Jiqing’s relationship reveal, it quickly fermented.
‘Regarding Cheng Jiqing from 《Let’s Go Together》, her image in the industry has always been that of a profligate heir, with a terrible reputation. I myself disliked her immensely (in the past!!). Later, when I found out she sold her Cheng Corporation shares and cashed out a billion2 yuan, I felt even more that this person was useless and short-sighted… until I came into contact with Lan Qi’s internal staff due to work and inadvertently learned that the person who had secretly invested in Lan Qi back then was Cheng Jiqing! All I can say is, what you think you know isn’t what you know. When no one was optimistic, Cheng Jiqing sold her own shares to invest in another industry… And she hit the bullseye every time. Lan Qi went public in just a few months. Let’s put it this way, even without the Cheng Corporation, Cheng Jiqing’s net worth in Beicheng is one of the best. With this kind of courage and vision, you just savor that… When the rumors about her being a kept woman came out, Cheng Jiqing herself was probably dumbfounded.’
The next morning, Cheng Jiqing finally saw this trending topic.
She made a cup of coffee, added two and a half spoonfuls of sugar, and walked out to the balcony to hand it to Bai Xin.
The weather was different each day. Yesterday’s gloom had dissipated today, giving one the feeling of clouds parting to reveal the bright moon3.
Cheng Jiqing frowned as she read: “This ghostwriter Song Ling found…”
She almost believed she was an investment genius herself.
Bai Xin took a sip of coffee, a smile playing on her lips. “The praise is quite good.”
You could tell Bai Xin was in a good mood.
Hearing this, Cheng Jiqing turned her head to look. Bai Xin was wearing a thick, white down jacket, holding the coffee, a faint smile on her fair and captivating face.
She brushed her thumb against Bai Xin’s dimple and said, “If you say it’s good, then it’s good.”
The previous plan discussed with Cheng Jing was that Bai Zhaoliang wouldn’t be able to get money from the Cheng Corporation, and another party needed to appear to lure Bai Zhaoliang.
And now, the timing of her and Bai Xin’s public announcement had become that opportunity. At this moment, by relying on this trending topic to reveal the chips in her hand through the netizens, it wouldn’t seem too abrupt.
But this was just the beginning.
“How are things on Zhou Yushu’s side?”
“Everything has been arranged.”
On Zhou Yushu’s side, they had already started putting pressure on Bai Zhaoliang before yesterday, forcing him to look for funds.
As expected, Bai Zhaoliang would contact Fu Rongjun again, and Fu Rongjun, having no other choice, would eventually go to Cheng Jing.
“Do you really believe that Cheng Jing will help you, and not her own mother?” Bai Xin suddenly asked.
Cheng Jiqing couldn’t guarantee it, of course.
Feelings cannot be underestimated, especially familial affection.
But Cheng Jiqing said, “I’m willing to believe that Cheng Jing truly wants everything to calm down.”
Just like her own thoughts.
In the morning, she had actually been on the phone with Cheng Jing, also about the Lan Qi matter.
Besides Bai Xin, no one around her knew about her investment in Lan Qi; even within Lan Qi, it was a tightly kept secret that no one knew.
Even this Zhihu article, she had Song Ling’s side release it.
To her, concealing the investment in Lan Qi back then was simply to avoid being in the spotlight. When it comes to making money, it’s best to get rich quietly4. Things around her were a mess at the time, and she didn’t want to cause trouble for herself either.
Although Cheng Jing was surprised on the phone, she didn’t say much.
They talked about something from a long time ago.
It was probably the first time she went to the Cheng Corporation after transmigrating.
Cheng Jing had taken her to meet a few shareholders and proposed a recent investment plan. At the time, when she said Lan Qi had great potential, no one was optimistic.
Including Cheng Jing.
But back then, in front of everyone, Cheng Jing had still stood by her side, protecting her. If she had insisted on investing in Lan Qi at that time, perhaps Cheng Jing would have agreed.
Setting aside their past emotional connection, Cheng Jing was conscientious in her treatment of the ‘Cheng Jiqing’ identity.
On the phone this morning, Cheng Jing said “I never expected” once.
And once, she said she was happy for her.
Her voice was very soft, unlike Cheng Jing’s usual forceful tone.
Cheng Jiqing liked to discern a person’s sincerity from their eyes and tone of voice.
Perhaps because of this, Cheng Jiqing sensed the change in Cheng Jing’s heart and felt her sincerity.
Therefore, she was willing to trust Cheng Jing.
What she hoped for even more was that this would be an opportunity for them to truly let go.
This matter required Cheng Jing’s cooperation.
As long as Fu Rongjun couldn’t get money from the Cheng Corporation, Bai Zhaoliang wouldn’t get the funds, and only then would he waver in his current situation.
In the afternoon, news came from Beicheng.
Fu Rongjun had sold a villa in the center of Beicheng for a one-time cash payment.
Without a doubt, this money ended up in Bai Zhaoliang’s hands…
The sun was overhead. Bai Xin had been sick for two days and was finally energetic today.
Cheng Jiqing led her by the hand down the street. The sunlight was like scattered gold dusting the city’s buildings. The wind was still chilly, and she took Bai Xin’s hand and tucked it into her pocket.
“Fu Rongjun still doesn’t understand Bai Zhaoliang. If you don’t feed him his fill in one go, after taking these tens of millions, Bai Zhaoliang will just keep asking for more money.”
Bai Xin’s voice was clearly cold, yet her gaze was tinged with warmth.
Because Cheng Jiqing was looking at her.
Cheng Jiqing looked down at her and smiled. “But Fu Rongjun won’t be able to give any more money in the short term.”
No one is a fool, and Fu Rongjun even less so.
Even if it’s leverage, even if it’s enormous leverage.
There’s always a point where one is pushed too far. Fu Rongjun loves her face5 more than anything; selling the house was her bottom line.
No matter how much more Bai Zhaoliang pressures her, he won’t be able to get anything for the time being.
“That’s right.” Bai Xin stopped, moved around to face Cheng Jiqing, and slipped her other hand into Cheng Jiqing’s pocket as well, hugging her. “There’s one last step.”
Finally, they had to leak the news to Bai Zhaoliang that Cheng Jing was handing over the shares and control to Cheng Jiqing.
They had to make Bai Zhaoliang understand the current situation: not only had Cheng Jiqing married his daughter, but she also possessed the treasure that was Lan Qi, as well as the Cheng Corporation—the only person who could now satisfy his greed, the only person who could give him a new lease on life, was Cheng Jiqing.
He would never be able to get another cent from Fu Rongjun.
It was time for him to give up on Fu Rongjun.
Cheng Jiqing lowered her head slightly, pressing her forehead against Bai Xin’s. The cold, stifling air made the tip of her nose tingle, yet she could still smell the woman’s captivating fragrance.
She said softly, “Miss Bai, take a guess, will Bai Zhaoliang contact you first, or come find me directly?”
“Little CEO Cheng, want to make a bet with me?”
“How do we bet?” Cheng Jiqing asked.
“If I win, you have to promise me one thing, and you can’t refuse anything. The same goes for me if you win.”
Why does that sound so familiar?
Cheng Jiqing thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, as you wish.”
Bai Xin smiled in satisfaction, saying confidently, “I bet he’ll come find you directly.”
Cheng Jiqing had no choice.
But she thought it was still very likely that Bai Zhaoliang would go to Bai Xin first. After all, Bai Zhaoliang should know in his heart that with her, he had no face.
The bet was made.
Outside, the wind blew with a shua shua sound. The people around were wrapped in heavy cotton coats and scarves, walking briskly.
The orange-yellow afterglow was like a giant spotlight, illuminating the entire city.
The two of them stood by a fountain in the center of a square, their shadows elongated by the light.
Cheng Jiqing asked, “Are you cold? Should we go back?”
Bai Xin refused, leaning half her body into Cheng Jiqing’s embrace.
She knew they had all the time in the world, but when she was with Cheng Jiqing, she always wished time would slow down.
She was mesmerized by her time alone with Cheng Jiqing.
Cheng Jiqing could only hold her tighter.
She said, “Xinxin, we have a lot of time.”
Cheng Jiqing understood what was in Bai Xin’s heart.
“Cheng Jiqing.”
“Hm?”
“Didn’t that bet just now remind you of anything?”
“…Huh?”
“Think again?”
A mouthful of cold wind rushed into her mouth. For the first time, Cheng Jiqing experienced just how profound the warning of the saying “leave a line when doing things, so you can meet again on good terms in the future6” was for the world.
Can I choose not to think about it?
The way Bai Xin was poking her palm told her, no, she couldn’t not think about it.
It was before Bai Xin’s birthday, during the time before they had broken up.
Bai Xin had made a wish with her in advance.
That wish was—for her to promise her one thing on her birthday.
“That day was my birthday. I went to Jiangcheng to find you…”
Cheng Jiqing pressed her lips together, listening to Bai Xin’s accusation. “I went to find you with a cake I made myself, just wanting to see you. You clearly said you would promise me anything, and all I wanted was to see you. But do you remember what you said that day?”
Cheng Jiqing: “…”
“You said, I’m sorry, I have to break my promise7 this time.”
Bai Xin recited the text message from that time, word for word.
Cheng Jiqing: “…”
Logically speaking, from the perspective of the situation at the time, its special nature, and objectively speaking, her reply was not wrong.
But hearing the sudden drop in Bai Xin’s tone, Cheng Jiqing couldn’t refute it.
She could only listen to this ‘ledger’ of grievances.
“Mm… it’s all in the past now.” Cheng Jiqing just wanted to end this topic quickly, for no other reason than she had a premonition of what Bai Xin was going to say next.
“Breaking your promise was one thing, but you just had to go and have dinner with another woman on that day.”
Bai Xin thought of the scene at the time. She had been sitting in the car, watching with her own eyes as Cheng Jiqing and Qin Yufu sat face-to-face in the restaurant.
She was like a passerby, like a stranger, unable to even get close.
“…Weren’t I also angry at the time?” Cheng Jiqing’s words held no power.
Even though she was innocent and blameless at the time, faced with the woman’s aggrieved resentment now, she accepted it as if it were sweet.
Thinking back on it, she did indeed feel a pang of heartache for Bai Xin.
Bai Xin didn’t listen, growing angrier the more she thought about it, her breathing growing heavier as she spoke.
“You even gave Qin Yufu a gift!”
Cheng Jiqing: “…? What gift?”
Cheng Jiqing was completely unaware.
Bai Xin said, “You broke your promise on my birthday, yet you gave something to someone else on my birthday. Cheng Jiqing, be honest, had your heart changed even a little bit back then? Tell me now.”
Cheng Jiqing: “…Um, wait a minute, what gift?”
How could she have no impression of it at all? What gift did she give Qin Yufu?
Bai Xin was lost in the unpleasant memory, which had practically been her inner demon during that period. That breath of anger hadn’t dissipated, and she hadn’t received Cheng Jiqing’s comfort, only to find that Cheng Jiqing’s next reply was also unsatisfactory.
She suddenly pushed away from Cheng Jiqing’s embrace, her expression changing. “Shouldn’t you have first answered that your heart hadn’t changed?”
Cheng Jiqing choked. For a moment, she only knew that this atmosphere was exceptionally familiar, as if she had dreamed her way back into the shadow of the ‘Face-Changing Master’.
So, tender affection and soft whispers had an expiration date with Miss Bai.
Cheng Jiqing hooked an arm around Bai Xin’s waist, pulling her back into her embrace. After a moment’s thought, she found it amusing and said patiently, “If my heart had changed, how would I be in front of you right now?”
Cheng Jiqing actually knew that this sudden attack was, to put it bluntly, just Bai Xin settling old scores with her. If she didn’t let it out, it would probably just keep weighing on her mind, and she wouldn’t be able to feel at ease.
It was intentional.
Cheng Jiqing thought carefully about the so-called gift.
Finally, she remembered and explained, “I was traveling around that time, and Qin Yufu did indeed ask me to bring back two hand-braided cords for her. For peace and safety. I just happened to be giving them to her that day.”
Bai Xin: “But you still ate with her that day, ignored me, and broke your word.”
Cheng Jiqing hugged her again, saying innocently in a low voice, “That’s not my fault, is it?”
Bai Xin fell silent, pulled her hands out of Cheng Jiqing’s embrace, and turned around. “Let’s go back.”
Cheng Jiqing saw her posture. It was clear that Bai Xin knew she didn’t have reason on her side and couldn’t start a real fight, but she was still unhappy thinking about it and could only sulk.
She followed her.
“Wife.”
Bai Xin reacted, seeming to have responded, but it was so faint that Cheng Jiqing wasn’t sure if she had misheard.
So she called out again.
As if coaxing her.
Cheng Jiqing said, “The cake was delicious.”
Cheng Jiqing said, “The chicken soup and orange juice were very good.”
Cheng Jiqing said, “The dumplings were also very tasty.”
Bai Xin stopped and looked at Cheng Jiqing.
A gentle breeze stirred, and particles of dust danced in the air.
Cheng Jiqing remembered that day in Jiangcheng. In her hotel room, she could see the orange lights of the tallest building opposite her light up.
When the clock struck twelve, as Bai Xin’s birthday passed.
She walked to the table, on which sat the cake she had packed to-go from the restaurant—no one knew that she had gone back and brought back the cake that was about to be thrown away by the waiter.
Ignoring the waiter’s surprised gaze, ignoring her own dignity.
She tasted a bite of the cake. It was delicate and faintly sweet, a level of sweetness she could accept.
That day, she had seen Bai Xin from outside the restaurant window.
That day, while eating the cake, she thought of Bai Xin in her heart.
She missed her, so much.
Cheng Jiqing also remembered that the property management had brought the chicken soup and roses up to her.
She forced herself to think that she only drank it to not let it go to waste, but in reality, she cherished it so much that she wasn’t willing to let even a speck of bone go.
She told the property management not to accept any more deliveries, yet she found herself hoping day after day…
For a next time.
During that time, she couldn’t even tell herself whether each act of cruelty was a punishment for Bai Xin, or for herself.
Cheng Jiqing also remembered that New Year’s Eve night.
Song Ling brought friends over to keep her company. The room was as lively as a marketplace, and while she seemed to be part of it, her heart was emptier than anything.
She stood alone at the kitchen island, watching the lively scene on Song Ling’s side, thinking that the sofa cover they were sitting on was bought by Bai Xin.
She was thinking that she should have spent this New Year’s Eve with Bai Xin.
Later, her phone rang.
She was startled, inexplicably8 nervous, when she saw the message from Tong Yanxi.
It was disappointment, yet also sudden anticipation.
Because she knew her relationship with Tong Yanxi wasn’t at a point where Tong Yanxi would specially come downstairs to give her a gift on this holiday.
Sure enough.
The moment she took the thermos from Tong Yanxi, she knew it was from Bai Xin.
She gazed into the distance.
Under that broken streetlight, a black car was parked.
Her eyes were blurred by the wind and snow, making it hard to see.
But her heart knew that Bai Xin was right there.
That night, after Song Ling and the others left.
She sat in the living room, boredly scrolling through Weibo.
Then she inadvertently saw a snippet of lyrics.
The worst crime in this world is called being too easily moved, but I like this crime. —《Unmanned Territory》.
Although the song’s mood was different, this one line shook her to the core at the time.
With Bai Xin, even ‘too easily moved’ felt like an understatement.
She had never let go.
How could she dare speak of a change of heart…?
The temperature had dropped.
Cheng Jiqing once again pulled the person into her arms, used her thumb and forefinger to pinch Bai Xin’s chin, and leaned down to kiss her. It was a good while before she let go, only when Bai Xin was breathing with difficulty.
Bai Xin said, “You tasted all of them?”
“Of course.”
Bai Xin’s heart instantly lightened. This matter had indeed stayed in her heart for a long time, not as a barrier, but simply as a small, lingering breath of resentment.
She naturally knew Cheng Jiqing’s heart hadn’t changed.
It was impossible for it to change.
It was just that thinking of that scene, thinking of that day.
She would want to stir up a little trouble with Cheng Jiqing, to make Cheng Jiqing coax her a bit.
And Cheng Jiqing’s patient words, one by one, were more like small firework bombs, blooming one after another in her heart.
Blooming into the most brilliant flowers of winter.
So brilliant that she no longer looked forward to spring.
“Speaking of which, let me ask a question,” Cheng Jiqing said.
“…Hm?”
“Those dumplings that day, did you deliberately add extra salt?”
Hearing this, Bai Xin couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Cheng Jiqing knew just by looking at that expression. She pursed her lips. “…Do you know how much water I drank that day?”
Salty enough to choke on.
“I just wanted you to remember me, so that you’d have to think of me whenever you ate dumplings in the future, and you’d never be able to forget me.” Bai Xin didn’t hide her intentions at all.
A triumphant look.
Cheng Jiqing reached out to pinch Bai Xin’s nose. How could this person have so many little nine-nines?9
This worry is truly unnecessary, she thought to herself.
Because as long as she existed in this world, she could never possibly forget.
Never again possible.
If such a day ever came, it would surely be the day her □□ and soul died.
The next day.
It was another brilliant, sunny day.
Another step closer to spring.
On this morning in Copenhagen, the call from Bai Zhaoliang came.
It was a direct call to Cheng Jiqing.
Thus, Bai Xin was very smug as she claimed her ‘spoils of war.’ “Bai Zhaoliang knows it’s already difficult to play the sentiment card with me, and besides, he’s already played that card, so he’s unlikely to try that move again.”
Instead, the possibility of him contacting Cheng Jiqing directly for a transaction is much higher.
After hearing the analysis, Cheng Jiqing raised an eyebrow. “Alright, I admit defeat in our bet.”
She indeed didn’t understand Bai Zhaoliang as well as Bai Xin did.
“Twice.”
“Hm?”
After Cheng Jiqing responded, she saw Bai Xin’s face on the verge of displeasure and immediately remembered: “Alright, alright, twice, twice.”
The one from her birthday, if not made up for, would also be a hurdle they couldn’t cross.
Cheng Jiqing only sent Bai Zhaoliang an address.
It was the same café where Fu Rongjun had met her last time. The place was booked by Bai Xin.
She got a private room.
It was already evening when Bai Zhaoliang arrived.
He was wearing a brown overcoat and looked several years older than the last time she saw him. When his eyes curved slightly to look at her, the ravines at their corners became particularly obvious.
Cheng Jiqing looked at him but felt no sense of sorrow. A brief thought of the things Bai Zhaoliang had done, especially his act of abandoning Lu Man, made her feel this face deserved to have suffered more.
Bai Zhaoliang walked in, carrying two gift boxes in his hand, as if he had already forgotten the embarrassment of their last meeting. He smiled shamelessly and said:
“I brought you some small gifts. I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you yet. Look at me, having to find out about my own daughter’s marriage from the internet…”
As he spoke, he looked toward Bai Xin. “And Xinxin, your identity, you actually hid it from Dad for so long.”
“That’s enough.”
Just as Bai Zhaoliang was about to start his sob story, Cheng Jiqing cut him off.
“CEO Bai, if you came here to reminisce, we don’t have time to listen. You said you had an urgent matter and had to see me for it to be certain. If you can’t explain yourself today, then there’s no need for us to meet again.”
Hearing this, the smile on Bai Zhaoliang’s face faded, and he seemed to be hesitating, thinking about something.
He glanced at the indifferent Bai Xin and said, “Xinxin, why don’t you step out for a bit? I’d like to talk to Little CEO Cheng alone?”
Bai Xin lifted her eyes to glance at him. Before she could speak, Cheng Jiqing said, “It seems there’s no need to talk anymore.”
After saying that, she put down her teacup without the slightest hesitation, preparing to leave.
Bai Zhaoliang grew anxious. “Wait!”
“Why be so hot-tempered? Xinxin is my daughter. It’s not that I don’t trust her, I’m just afraid that revealing this matter will implicate her.” Bai Zhaoliang spouted some nonsense, then looked at Cheng Jiqing’s expression and said, “Little CEO Cheng, what are your thoughts on the matter I told you about on the phone?”
“You were the one who said you had leverage on Fu Rongjun, which is why I agreed to see you. What do you think my thoughts are?”
“I mean, if I give you the leverage… will what you said really count?”
Cheng Jiqing had little patience. “You already know Fu Rongjun and I are not mother and daughter by blood, and you’ve said outright that you know there’s great conflict between us. You must also know what Fu Rongjun and I expect from each other. As long as what you have is solid enough, I can satisfy your requests for a second investment, including delaying your debt repayment…”
Her tone was cold, arrogant, and allowed no doubt.
Bai Zhaoliang now absolutely believed that Cheng Jiqing had this kind of power. With just a single word from her, all his current crises could be resolved.
But he still wanted a guarantee.
“Can we sign an agreement first?” Bai Zhaoliang said with a sheepish laugh. “Even a letter of commitment would do.”
He guaranteed, “Don’t worry, what I have is definitely worth more than the price. The result you want won’t be a problem. You know how it is, businessmen always need a little guarantee. I can’t just hand over all my trump cards with nothing in return.”
Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin exchanged a glance, and the latter gave a barely perceptible nod.
As if encouraging Cheng Jiqing to sign the agreement.
Seeing this, Bai Zhaoliang smiled, his heart settling slightly.
Cheng Jiqing said, “Fine. I’ll have someone draft a letter of commitment right now. As soon as I get your so-called leverage, I’ll immediately have someone transfer the funds to you.”
She paused. “Actually, for Bai Xin’s sake, I won’t make things too difficult for you. I’ll speak with CEO Zhou from XM and ask her to ease up. As for the money, we can talk about it after the Bai Corporation is back on its feet.”
Bai Zhaoliang’s eyes lit up. “Yes, exactly! We should really be of one mind. You and Bai Xin are married, so we’re family now. The reason I thought of telling you this is also because I consider you family and don’t want you to be deceived any longer…”
After just a sentence or two, the man started putting on his vile, petty expression again.
Cheng Jiqing had someone draft the agreement over the phone, affixed her personal seal, signed it, and sent it to Bai Zhaoliang.
Bai Zhaoliang carefully confirmed the signature and seal and let out a long sigh of relief.
Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin sat opposite him, their expressions calm, a stark contrast to Bai Zhaoliang’s state of mind.
They both knew.
The truth was about to come out.
“Little CEO Cheng, you must still remember the fire from fifteen years ago, right?” Bai Zhaoliang put down his phone and, from his briefcase at his side, actually took out a laptop.
Cheng Jiqing said, “Of course.”
“That day, Lu Man—that is, Bai Xin’s mother—and I were also in that fire.” As Bai Zhaoliang spoke, he unconsciously let his gaze fall on the face opposite him, so similar to Lu Man’s, and his memory flashed back to that fire.
At that time, the Bai family business was struggling, and he and Lu Man had already been separated for two years. The Cheng Corporation had heard from somewhere that Lu Man had a prime piece of land and came to him, hoping he could persuade Lu Man to let it go.
This was an excellent opportunity.
That piece of land was actually his goal for marrying Lu Man from the very beginning, but that woman was extremely cautious and never took it out, even until her death.
He begged for a long time. Lu Man cursed him, hit him, and he endured it all.
All just to get Lu Man to go with him to the Cheng residence to talk.
Lu Man finally agreed.
That night, Cheng Lan came back late due to an urgent matter, so it was Fu Rongjun who received them.
In his impression, Cheng Jing was about the same back then, cold and aloof, not fond of paying attention to people.
But Cheng Jiqing was different.
The Cheng Jiqing of that time was still very young, her fox-like eyes not yet fully formed. She loved to laugh and was very lively.
And very mischievous.
Fu Rongjun led them to the study used for receiving guests. Later, for some reason, Fu Rongjun got up and left.
He didn’t wait in the study the whole time and also went out.
It was a wooden house with a very unique layout.
He had originally wanted to look at the house’s construction, but he inadvertently saw Fu Rongjun and a servant standing outside a room, whispering at a corner.
He hid quickly, but because he was at the corner, he happened to overhear a rough sentence.
“Don’t let anyone find out.”
Fu Rongjun said.
“At the time, I thought I had stumbled upon an affair between Fu Rongjun and the servant, and that room was likely their secret meeting spot, so I kept an eye out.” Bai Zhaoliang paused and said, “Before setting out, I brought a miniature camera, which happened to come in handy…”
Noticing the look of contempt from across the table, he said, “It was indeed dishonorable. At first, I was just thinking that if I couldn’t get the investment this time, since Cheng Lan is so formidable, it would be good to get some business intelligence.”
“So what did you record?”
Cheng Jiqing asked lightly.
Bai Zhaoliang returned to the main topic. He looked at Cheng Jiqing and plugged the USB drive into the computer. “Why don’t you take a look, Little CEO Cheng, and you’ll know.”
He muted the computer’s volume and turned the screen toward Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin.
That night.
He also hadn’t expected that he wouldn’t record Fu Rongjun’s affair, but would instead record something far more fatal for Fu Rongjun.
“Before the fire, I never would have imagined that what Fu Rongjun meant by ‘don’t be found out’… was referring to this.”
The fire spread too quickly.
He was originally in the study with Lu Man. Later, Lu Man, having nothing to do, went to the backyard on the first floor.
When the fire started, he was slow to notice, and by the time he went out, it was already too late.
He choked on the thick smoke and fell to the ground. It was Lu Man who came and helped him up.
…
No matter how many years passed, every time he saw Bai Xin’s face, his mind would recall Lu Man, pinned under a burning beam, looking at him with tears and resentment.
As Bai Zhaoliang was thinking this, his gaze unexpectedly met Bai Xin’s in the next second, and a chill shot down his spine.
He averted his gaze.
Looking at the yellowed tabletop, it was as if he was seeing the moment the great fire spread once more.
On the screen, the smoke and raging fire fiercely burned Cheng Jiqing’s eyes.
And in the few minutes before the footage fast-forwarded, she saw her ‘original self’ being pushed into the room by Fu Rongjun, supposedly to make her original self reflect.
Not two minutes later, a thin wisp of smoke rolled out, very faint.
But at this moment, Fu Rongjun appeared in the frame again.
She saw Fu Rongjun reach out, a key faintly visible in her hand.
A cold sweat trickled down Cheng Jiqing’s back.
Fu Rongjun had locked the door.
With the fire already showing signs of starting, Fu Rongjun had deliberately locked the door…
The author has something to say:
Bai Xin: Give me some time, I can definitely remember other old scores!
Chengcheng: …?
Footnotes
- 知乎 | Zhīhū | A Chinese Q&A website, similar to Quora.
- 十個億 | shí ge yì | Literally “ten hundred-million,” which is one billion.
- 雲開見月明 | yún kāi jiàn yuè míng | A common saying meaning “the clouds part to reveal the moon,” used to describe a situation becoming clear or hopeful after a period of difficulty.
- 悶聲發財 | mēn shēng fā cái | A common phrase meaning to make a fortune quietly without attracting attention.
- 面子 | miànzi | A key cultural concept in Chinese society involving one’s reputation, prestige, and honor.
- 做事留一線，日後好相見 | zuòshì liú yīxiàn, rìhòu hǎo xiāngjiàn | A proverb advising against burning bridges, as you may need to interact with the person again.
- 食言 | shíyán | Literally “to eat one’s words,” meaning to break a promise.
- 鬼使神差 | guǐshǐshénchāi | An idiom literally meaning “sent by ghosts and gods,” used to describe an action done inexplicably or as if by compulsion.
- 小九九 | xiǎo jiǔjiu | Literally “little nine-nines,” referring to the multiplication table. Used colloquially to mean petty schemes or tricks up one’s sleeve.
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