After a Disabled Alpha Marked a Yandere Female Lead - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: VIP

Zhu Qingluo was unable to move on her own, so she had contacted Assistant Wu in advance, asking her to come to the Jiang family’s residence after 9 p.m. When Assistant Wu arrived, the entire house was unusually quiet. She looked left and right, adjusted her black-rimmed glasses, and then froze when she saw the person at the top of the stairs. She smiled and said, “Miss Zhu, it’s so late… be careful not to catch a cold. Remember to wear more clothes.”

Zhu Qingluo’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you for your concern.” She was wearing a thick coat for the trip, and a small suitcase sat beside her. Assistant Wu, taking the hint, stepped forward to help her. Her expression was a little surprised when she picked up the luggage, as it was much lighter than she had expected. The two of them went upstairs. The night sky hung low, and a hint of coolness was in the wind. On the helipad, a private helicopter was ready. Before boarding, Assistant Wu looked at Zhu Qingluo and then at the suitcase in her hand. She hesitated a little and took out her phone, ready to confirm the itinerary with Jiang Yun.

Zhu Qingluo slowed her wheelchair and turned to look at her. “Xie Ke has already spoken with Miss Jiang. They both know I’m going to an auction in a couple of days.” When she had contacted Assistant Wu, Zhu Qingluo’s excuse was that she had been invited by Xie Ke to attend an auction. Since she had an invitation letter, it didn’t seem strange. At her words, Assistant Wu’s hand, holding the phone, paused. “O-okay…” she stammered. She felt she had been overthinking it. How could someone as upright as Zhu Qingluo do something behind Jiang Yun’s back? Assistant Wu chuckled awkwardly, then resumed her professional demeanor. She first put the luggage on the helicopter, then came back to help Zhu Qingluo.

Once Zhu Qingluo was on the helicopter, Assistant Wu returned to the cockpit to check the data. She had been with Jiang Yun for many years and was skilled in various things, including getting her pilot’s license. Zhu Qingluo had successfully fooled her. She lowered her head and checked the time. She hadn’t received any new messages. Everything was going smoothly, which seemed like a good omen. Soon, with a powerful gust of wind, the helicopter lifted off the ground. She looked at her itinerary. She planned to land in Yu City, which was a thousand miles away, and the auction would be held on the first night.

Three hours later, she arrived at her destination. By the time Zhu Qingluo had checked into the hotel and settled in, the sky was already faintly lit. The outline of Yu City was gradually becoming clear. Trees grew deep and houses were scattered in a beautiful arrangement, a perfect blend of human and natural environments. Feeling the crisp morning breeze and looking at the vibrant scenery in front of her, Zhu Qingluo was in a good mood. Just then, she heard the steady sound of footsteps from the doorway. Assistant Wu had finished the check-in procedures, ensuring the trip was correct.

“Thank you, Assistant Wu.” Zhu Qingluo’s expression was gentle, and her tone was warm. “You should get some rest now. I’ll find you if I need anything.”

Assistant Wu was taken aback, a little overwhelmed. She scratched her head and said, “No, no, it’s what I’m supposed to do.” Just as she was about to leave, she bent down to put away the luggage. A thought suddenly flashed in her mind. Miss Zhu had come in a hurry today, but after landing in Yu City, she hadn’t proactively contacted anyone… Although she had no evidence, based on her professional intuition, Assistant Wu felt that there was a misjudgment in this trip to Yu City. Assistant Wu broke out in a cold sweat. She nervously looked up at Zhu Qingluo’s silent back. She swallowed and briefly hesitated. Since things had come to this, she decided it was better to turn a blind eye to avoid causing more trouble.

After the sound from outside disappeared, Zhu Qingluo withdrew her gaze and turned to look at the luggage beside her. She knew Assistant Wu was suspicious. But as long as she didn’t interfere with her now, there was no need to be on guard against her. Zhu Qingluo went to her luggage, opened it, and took out her laptop. She went to the auction website, which posted real-time information. From there, she saw the data images of some of the items for sale. Among them was a crystal chess jar called “Moon Soul.” It was made from a single piece of natural crystal. The inside was polished to a mirror finish, and when filled with water in the sunlight, it created the spectacle of a “jade rabbit pounding medicine,” a priceless piece. This item was the biggest selling point of the entire event, and many guests were there for it. As for Xie Ke, she was determined to get it. Her grandmother had a fondness for chess, and since it was her 80th birthday this year, Xie Ke intended to give the item as a birthday gift to please her. Unfortunately, Xie Ke would not get her wish. “Moon Soul” would be taken by another mysterious buyer. As the rich and powerful fought tooth and nail, the other items went unnoticed. So Zhu Qingluo continued to scroll down the list and saw a few unique pieces.

She planned to make a move on them later. Finally, she closed her laptop. The morning light poured in through the window, and the horizon was in the distance. After a night of travel, she felt drained. Zhu Qingluo closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She had to rest to calm her tense nerves.

After a while, she went back to the bedroom as usual. She thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but she was so tired that she fell asleep soon after her head hit the pillow. In a half-dreaming, half-waking state, Zhu Qingluo felt hot all over. The air in the bedroom was still, and she was unable to turn over. She felt like she was being roasted over a fire, in agony. She tried to open her eyes with great effort, but her eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. The thought made her anxious, and the air in her chest became suffocating. Her breathing became difficult, and she felt dizzy.

Zhu Qingluo calmed herself down. As she gradually calmed down, the feeling lessened. She faintly felt someone approaching the bed. She half-opened her eyes and saw the light of dawn pouring through the window. A woman was standing there quietly. Her face was haggard, and she looked much thinner, making one feel a pang of sympathy. Why is Jiang Yun here? Zhu Qingluo was a little confused. The timing didn’t make sense. She couldn’t understand why the other person would appear here. A few thoughts burst into her mind. She was hesitant, wondering whether to admit her mistake or to make an excuse to save face. Before she could figure out a logical reason, she saw Jiang Yun looking into the distance with a hint of melancholy. She whispered as if in a trance, “Luo Luo, it’s time to go home.”

I just ran away… “Do you know how I’ve been for the past two years without you?”

What two years? Zhu Qingluo was dazed and didn’t understand what she meant. At this moment, Jiang Yun turned to look at her. That look… she couldn’t describe its meaning. She only felt a momentary shock, as if she were drowning in a vast, cold, and dead ocean. Suddenly, Zhu Qingluo’s fingers, which were by her side, trembled. She woke up and found that it was already noon.

The scene from the dream faded away like a tide. Although it felt extremely real, it was just a strange dream. After a while, Zhu Qingluo had already forgotten most of its content. She felt a little dazed and wasn’t sleepy anymore, so she quickly got up and washed up. In the hotel room, she was alone. When the wheelchair slid across the floor, it made a slight sound, and then silence returned. She moved back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room by herself. Her surroundings felt even more desolate. Zhu Qingluo stayed in the hotel all day. When evening came, Assistant Wu came on time, and they set off for the auction venue.

…

Night fell, and the sky was dotted with stars. The Hengyu Building was magnificent, standing out like a crane among a flock of chickens in Yu City. Luxury cars appeared one after another in front of the gate. The crowd was bustling and dazzling. Many guests had already arrived in the lobby, including Xie Ke. Led by the manager, Xie Ke looked around the venue, observing the arrangements. She said to the manager with a serious face, “Mr. Dong will be gracing us with his presence today. You must take this seriously and ensure there are no mistakes.” Hearing the name, the manager’s face became even more obsequious. He bowed his head and said, “Yes, our people are ready.”

Although Xie Ke was a newly appointed director, with her superb skills and great personal connections, she was a rising star in the company and was highly valued by the chairman. Therefore, there was no shortage of people trying to curry favor with her. Even this manager was a little more enthusiastic than usual. Xie Ke was in the prime of her success and looked down on everyone. As the staff in the back moved square boxes covered with red cloth back and forth, her gaze was always on one of them. She gestured for the manager to come over. Then, Xie Ke lowered her voice and asked, “Has the count been confirmed?”

The manager smiled, looking like he understood. “It’s all as you said.” The secret code, known only to the two of them, had been exchanged. At this, Xie Ke felt a little more at ease. The manager’s face looked even more pleasant to her.

Just then, another group of people entered the guest area. Xie Ke’s eyes swept over them. She accidentally saw someone and was instantly energized. Her heart was secretly surprised. Zhu Qingluo actually came? Then, she subconsciously looked around and saw that Zhu Qingluo had come alone. Xie Ke was a little confused. She wondered what was going on in the Jiang family. Was there a time when Jiang Yun couldn’t keep an eye on someone? She remembered giving Zhu Qingluo the invitation as a mere formality and not with any sincerity. Who would have thought this person would be so shameless as to come all the way to Yu City…

“Miss Zhu, you’ve arrived so early.” With that thought, Xie Ke proactively stepped forward, her face a flawless smile, to greet Zhu Qingluo. Zhu Qingluo was “conspicuous” in the crowd. The people around her consciously made way, and some strangers gave her looks of sympathy. However, Zhu Qingluo didn’t care. She looked directly at Xie Ke.

“Director Xie invited me to come today. How could you forget?” she said with a cold expression.

At her words, Xie Ke frowned and thought for a moment. “How could I dare forget…” Xie Ke’s face showed regret, and her tone was full of remorse. “Please don’t blame me. If I hadn’t been so busy these past few days, I should have been the one to pick you up today.”

Zhu Qingluo saw through the other person’s fake concern. The two of them maintained a polite facade. When the guests around them saw this, they assumed the two were old friends. Xie Ke’s colleagues, in particular, couldn’t help but take a second look at Zhu Qingluo. When Zhu Qingluo looked over, the colleague turned and asked Xie Ke, “Director, I remember you had three days off. You even went to a club yesterday. How could you not have time?”

At an angle where Zhu Qingluo couldn’t see, Xie Ke glared fiercely at her colleague. The scene instantly became a little awkward.

“I went with Director Wang. You must have remembered wrong,” Xie Ke said.

The colleague’s eyes widened, full of confusion. She was silent for a while, then muttered softly, “That’s not true. Director Wang didn’t go at all.”

Xie Ke’s turning motion instantly froze. She secretly clenched her fists. Zhu Qingluo watched for a while and mentally lit a candle for the colleague. In this kind of situation, to publicly embarrass Xie Ke… the latter was in a high position. After they got back, she wouldn’t let this person off easily.