After Awakening Consciousness, I Was Entangled by the White Moonlight Female Supporting Character - Chapter 24

Two large characters flashed on the call screen.

Jiang Ciqiu answered the phone, “Dad, hold on a second. I’ll get back to you right away.”

Without waiting for a response, she hung up and quickly pressed and held the message she had sent, intending to recall it.

But before she could tap the “recall” option, Chu Han had already replied.

Annoying Woman: Mm

Just a single word, without even a punctuation mark.

Now recalling it would be awkward. Jiang Ciqiu moved her finger and tapped the screen beside it.

Whatever, she thought, exiting the chat and calling her father back.

After two rings, Mr. Jiang picked up. “Why the rush? Got something important to do?”

“Not anymore.”

“You’re grown up now, so I won’t pry into what happened. You need to learn to make your own decisions.”

Jiang Ciqiu leaned back. “I’ve been making my own decisions for a long time. It’s you, Daddy, who still treats me like a kid.”

“If you’re not a kid, then who is? Only a kid would go around bullying others for no reason.”

“That’s not bullying. Those people just don’t know how to talk properly. I’m teaching them a lesson on behalf of their families.”

Mr. Jiang shook his head. “Every family should discipline their own children. As adults, we just need to manage ourselves. Don’t make excuses for your lack of self-control.”

“…” Jiang Ciqiu pressed her lips together and started whining, “Daddy~ Did you call this early just to lecture me?”

“Don’t try that. It won’t work.” His tone was stern, but on the other end of the line, Mr. Jiang’s lips were practically curling up to his eyes.

“Remember what you promised me yesterday when you asked for the apartment?”

Jiang Ciqiu thought, of course. That’s why he called.

“Daddy~”

“No use whining. You said it yourself—no takebacks.”

Pouting, Jiang Ciqiu relented. “Fine, I get it.”

After a few more words, the father and daughter hung up.

Bai Chen’an noticed her sullen expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“My dad wants me to go inspect the South Factory,” she said reluctantly, “as part of the deal for moving out.”

Bai Chen’an kept his eyes on the road as he replied, “Well, that’s on you. You agreed to it.”

Jiang Ciqiu let out a long sigh. “The South Factory… what even is that place?”

“It’s short for Nanchunjiang Manufacturing Plant. They process electronic components. I think they’re on the verge of bankruptcy, and the boss is considering whether to acquire them.”

When she didn’t respond for a while, he glanced over. “Why so quiet?”

The woman, resting her chin on her hand, relaxed her furrowed brows. “I was just thinking—I know nothing about the family business. Why is Dad insisting I go inspect it?”

“Even if I go, I won’t understand anything. My judgment wouldn’t be a deciding factor in whether we acquire it or not. Isn’t that just a waste of time?”

Bai Chen’an smiled faintly. “Maybe that’s exactly what he doesn’t want.”

The conversation ended there. Jiang Ciqiu usually appreciated their measured, restrained exchanges, but this time, she didn’t feel relieved—just more unsettled.

Truthfully, her parents had always protected her. But often, Jiang Ciqiu felt like she couldn’t understand them at all.

They respected themselves, but given the chance, they would pull her back.

Bai Chen’an only escorted her to the building’s entrance before waving goodbye.

Standing among a crowd of similarly dressed office workers waiting for the elevator, Jiang Ciqiu was pushed to the very back.

It was rushing hour, and everyone was in a hurry—any slower, and they’d be late.

Someone shoved against her, making her uncomfortable. She shifted slightly, pressing her bag in front of her, and tilted her head up to breathe the slightly less chaotic air.

“Move! Move! I’m gonna be late!”

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand shot out to stop them.

The woman’s voice was sharp, made even more piercing by her urgency.

Jiang Ciqiu found the distorted voice oddly familiar and glanced over, locking eyes with none other than Su Huaijin, who was about to step inside.

The young woman was dressed in an elegant skirt suit, carrying a high-end handbag, and wearing towering silver stilettos.

Her neatly trimmed short hair brushed against her fair neck as she moved.

Jiang Ciqiu smirked. “Miss Su, you cut your hair?”

Su Huaijin’s eyes widened instantly, her foot freezing mid-step. “I—I’ll take the next one. You go ahead.”

She tried to back out, but the people inside who recognized her moved even faster.

Someone even helpfully held the door open for her, calling out, “Miss Su, come on in.”

This building had only one elevator, so employees from both the Su and Jiang branches had to share it.

Su Huaijin had been frequenting the Su offices lately to chase after Jiang Wanhe, and nearly all the Su employees had seen her by now.

Those who hadn’t had at least heard of her.

Combined with her haughty demeanor and refusal to acknowledge anyone, she was unforgettable to anyone who had ever laid eyes on her.

Compared to Su Huaijin, Jiang Ciqiu’s “face recognition” wasn’t nearly as high.

Everyone knew of the Jiang family’s eldest daughter, but few knew what she actually looked like.

So the Su employees in the elevator eagerly made space for Su Huaijin, completely ignoring the Jiang heiress squeezed into the corner.

Annoyed by the crowding, Jiang Ciqiu finally snapped, “Stop shoving!”

Seizing the moment of stunned silence, she stepped forward and yanked Su Huaijin—who was still hesitating at the door—inside.

“If we don’t go now, we’ll be late.”

Then, with a polite smile at the person holding the door, she added, “Sorry, but we’re leaving now. Mind letting go?”

She pressed the close button before anyone could react.

As the doors shut, Su Huaijin stood frozen in shock.

So did everyone else in the elevator.

Jiang Ciqiu turned to her, opening her mouth to speak, but Su Huaijin immediately raised a hand to shield her face.

“Jiang Ciqiu, I’m warning you—you hit me once already! You can’t do it again!”

Jiang Ciqiu?

The crowd might not have recognized the Jiang heiress’s face, but they definitely knew her name.

Especially when it came from Su Huaijin’s mouth, paired with such an accusation.

Eyes widened in curiosity on both sides.

Jiang employees: What? This is our supposedly terrifying eldest daughter?

Su employees: What? Our terrifying eldest daughter got hit by the Jiang heiress?!

Jiang Ciqiu was beyond exasperated, nearly grinding her teeth as she spoke. “Su Huaijin, I already told you—that was a misunderstanding…”

Please stop making things worse and ruining my reputation.

If this matter were to spread widely, she truly wouldn’t be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

She definitely didn’t want her employees spreading rumors about her like this.