After the Top Idol Omega and I Started Living Together - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Sunlight passed through the green trees’ cover and fell generously into the room.

Without drawing the curtains, a bird flew past the window for the umpteenth time, its smooth wing shadows teasing Lu Zhao’s eyes.

Annoyed by the disturbance, Lu Zhao frowned slightly and opened her eyes heavily.

Her consciousness was unclear, and her memories were fragmented.

A dry sensation filled Lu Zhao’s throat, making it hoarse and unbearable.

Just waking up, Lu Zhao’s eyes were empty.

Then her mind replayed the last scene before she closed her eyes: the hotel corridor swayed unsteadily, and the dazzling, indulgent light rushed toward her.

Someone drugged her.

Her hand, hanging by the bedside, clenched tightly, veins bulging.

Lu Zhao recalled the glass of wine Chen Ruozhi handed her before she went to the bathroom, using some excuse.

Even he couldn’t be that kind and considerate, pulling her along with full courtesy.

Lu Zhao gritted her teeth tightly.

Despite Chen Ruozhi ignoring her and even rejecting her personal resources over the years, Lu Zhao never imagined he would one day use her as a bargaining chip to curry favor, pushing her toward those in power.

In her anger, Lu Zhao maintained a trace of calmness.

She reached toward her gland, her fingertips brushing over the intact suppressant patch, and the wrinkles between her brows eased slightly.

This was the same suppressant patch she applied yesterday, untouched by anyone.

Although her head still felt somewhat uncomfortable, her body bore no extra marks or strange sensations, suggesting no one had done anything filthy to her.

Lu Zhao couldn’t remember what happened afterward but vaguely recalled fainting into someone’s arms, then thought of the message from Chenchen she received before going to the bathroom.

Over the past two years, Lu Zhao and Chenchen relied on each other, with Chenchen handling everything for her.

So, for a moment, Lu Zhao didn’t think of a second person in her life, assuming that person was probably Chenchen.

But now, the most urgent matter was how to retaliate against Chen Ruozhi.

She didn’t want to endure it anymore.

She couldn’t endure this matter.

Lu Zhao thought darkly in her heart.

But then, a sound forced her to hold back temporarily.

“Gurgle~”

Despite her anger and desire to plan revenge, Lu Zhao’s stomach protested first.

Last night, Lu Zhao was supposed to have a late-night snack to reward her body, which didn’t eat well at the dinner, but her stomach waited until now without being fed anything, growing very upset.

Helplessly, Lu Zhao patted her uncooperative stomach, slipped on a skirt casually, and went downstairs to find food.

Downstairs was very quiet, with the room filled with the warmth of the kitchen fire.

As Lu Zhao walked down, she saw Chenchen standing at the stove.

The clay pot emitted white steam, and the drifting aroma had an enticing freshness.

But Lu Zhao wasn’t enticed; a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes.

Her steps paused slightly, and she looked closely at Chenchen, who stood motionless, then smiled faintly and teased naturally: “Yo, it’s rare to see you here so early in the morning.”

Hearing her voice, Chenchen turned around immediately and asked with concern: “Ah Zhao, you’re awake. How do you feel?”

“Nothing feels wrong,” Lu Zhao replied, then asked about the important matter, “Do you have anything going on today?”

Chenchen shook her head, curious about Lu Zhao’s question: “What’s up?”

She seemed to recall something, nervously grabbing Lu Zhao’s hand: “Are you feeling unwell? Should I go with you to the hospital for a checkup?”

“No,” Lu Zhao said, feeling both helpless and warmed by Chenchen’s reaction. She gently lowered Chenchen’s hand and explained: “I want you to contact some big influencers. Don’t we still have some stuff on hand? I think they’ll be interested.”

Chenchen’s mind reacted quickly, realizing with some surprise: “Ah Zhao, are you going to…”

“We can’t just let someone set us up and not fight back,” Lu Zhao nodded, her low voice speaking lightly, “Since he cares so much about Si Liaoliao, we’ll start with her.”

Chenchen was already furious yesterday and, hearing Lu Zhao’s words, immediately said: “Perfect, I just met a big shot who can help!”

Lu Zhao was somewhat surprised: “Not bad, expanding your network.”

Chenchen shyly touched her head: “It’s thanks to you. If you hadn’t fainted yesterday, I wouldn’t have met her.”

Lu Zhao grew curious: “Who?”

“Chen Annie from Vinyl Music,” Chenchen said.

Lu Zhao knew this person, a top manager who had brought out many famous artists.

The most impressive among them, and the only artist she still managed, was Jing Yuan.

Lu Zhao’s lackluster eyes suddenly lit up: “Wow, what kind of dumb luck did you stumble into?”

Chenchen, however, was puzzled.

Looking at Lu Zhao, who seemed clueless about Chen Annie, she asked back: “What dumb luck? She was at your dinner yesterday. Didn’t you know, Ah Zhao?”

“Huh?” Lu Zhao froze, “What does she look like?”

“Thin, tall, with a neat low ponytail,” Chenchen described while gesturing, “And she wore a black suit.”

At this, Lu Zhao suddenly realized: “Her!”

Seeming a bit wise after the fact, she sighed: “No wonder, I thought she was the only normal person there!”

Chenchen snorted, exposing her: “Hindsight.”

But this time, she didn’t bicker with Lu Zhao and added seriously: “Also, Sheng Jingyu seems to know her.”

“She took you out of the hotel yesterday and handed you to Sheng Jingyu.”

This completely contradicted the memory Lu Zhao pieced together upon waking.

Her brows furrowed tightly, and she asked: “Wasn’t it you who brought me back? Where were you last night?”

Hearing Lu Zhao’s question, Chenchen seemed slightly guilty, mumbling: “I-I… When I got there, Sheng Jingyu had already taken you away. I wanted to follow, but I couldn’t catch up.”

Her round eyes lifted nervously as she explained, then changed the subject: “Also, Sheng Jingyu told me to watch this porridge and call you to eat in half an hour.”

Lu Zhao’s eyes lowered, completely missing Chenchen’s guilt.

A gap appeared in her once-seamless memory, flickering with strange, intermittent lights.

“Where’s Teacher?” Lu Zhao looked up and asked.

“When I came, she handed me the porridge and went to the backyard,” Chenchen said. “She said the flowers there are blooming nicely but will wilt in a couple of days, so she wanted to cut a few for a vase.”

“Okay,” Lu Zhao nodded and walked off.

Chenchen looked at the small clay pot beside her and shouted: “I’ll call you when the porridge is ready!”

Without turning back or stopping, Lu Zhao heard Chenchen and raised her hand, responding with her back: “Got it!”

It wasn’t yet noon when the sun was at its harshest, and the camellia trees in the backyard wore a deep green under the sunlight.

The flowering branches were lush, with small clusters of white blossoms dotting the dark green wall, standing vibrantly as a woman stood among them.

The breeze blew, slightly lifting her skirt.

The white skirt swayed, its silver-white embroidered lace layered like cascading camellia petals, very beautiful.

Lu Zhao noticed Sheng Jingyu seemed to love white; every skirt she wore was this color.

But no one thought she was pretending to be aloof; instead, they felt this color suited her perfectly.

Sheng Jingyu held scissors, skillfully cutting a flower.

Her movements were unhurried, and she held the dew-kissed flower to her face, lightly touching it to her nose.

Her thin lips parted slightly, as if sniffing gently.

Lu Zhao watched, somewhat entranced.

A strange desire arose from somewhere unknown.

As if she had tasted the marrow and knew its flavor.

But where did this feeling come from?

At that moment, Sheng Jingyu noticed a slight sound and looked toward Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao quickly snapped back, calling out as usual: “Teacher.”

Sheng Jingyu gazed calmly at Lu Zhao, observing her eyes, and asked evenly: “How’s your body?”

“It’s fine, no big issues,” Lu Zhao answered smoothly, without restraint.

Sheng Jingyu lowered her eyes slightly upon hearing this.

She knew Lu Zhao forgot what happened last night, but her eyes showed no trace of relief.

Still unhurried, Sheng Jingyu placed the flower in the basket and instructed Lu Zhao like a teacher: “In the future, remember that at dinners outside, you must keep drinks within your sight, whether they’re opened or handed to you. Stay vigilant.”

Lu Zhao nodded seriously: “I understand.”

“Before yesterday, I thought these things were far from me. After all, I’m not a threat to anyone in my current state. But I’ll be cautious from now on.”

Hearing this, Sheng Jingyu paused briefly, then said: “You’ll become famous, and more people will like you. You’ll gain countless titles and fame, but more filthy things will come at you, trying to destroy you.”

“This is an unavoidable price. You must hold on.”

Lu Zhao didn’t expect Sheng Jingyu to say these things and felt somewhat flattered.

She didn’t know if all teachers placed such high hopes on their students or if she could reach the heights Sheng Jingyu described, but she didn’t want to let her down: “I will, Teacher.”

The words of advice ended, and the camellia tree fell quiet again.

Sheng Jingyu looked at Lu Zhao standing in the sunlight, suddenly feeling that the her from last night and the her now weren’t the same person.

Yes, she was drugged back then.

Sheng Jingyu thought卑劣ly and selfishly.

Perhaps she should let this incident remain unspoken, kept only with her as a reckless mark.

Amid the breeze, a soft sigh blended in.

Sheng Jingyu looked up at the camellia tree, where a particularly beautiful flower bloomed at the topmost branch.

She had seen it earlier but couldn’t reach it.

Maybe this flower was never meant for her.

“Is that the one?”

Lu Zhao’s voice came from Sheng Jingyu’s side, familiar and warm.

Sheng Jingyu looked up and saw Lu Zhao pointing at the flower she wanted.

The sunlight was radiant, and this person’s eyes were full of brightness.

Sheng Jingyu didn’t know how she noticed she wanted that flower, but once she did, she acted: “Teacher, wait, I’ll pick it for you.”

The tree was a bit tall, and Sheng Jingyu didn’t want Lu Zhao to take the risk.

She gestured “forget it,” but Lu Zhao had already nimbly lifted her skirt and climbed the trunk with ease.

Before Sheng Jingyu could finish her gesture, she stopped herself.

For the first time, she felt worry for someone, and her raised hand quickly steadied Lu Zhao’s leg on the trunk, a person who disliked touching others now actively making contact.

The dense leaves overlapped, casting dappled light and shadow.

Sunlight stretched into long shadows, falling from above into Sheng Jingyu’s eyes, surrounding Lu Zhao.

Whether it was her action or the sunlight’s perfect timing, it was unclear.

Despite being in her twenties, she had a youthful air, crisp like the morning sea breeze.

Lu Zhao carefully looked for the flower Sheng Jingyu wanted, the moving green leaves casting flickering marks on her face.

Her thick, dense lashes were bathed in golden light, even the stray hairs by her temples turning golden, like a personified sun.

The sunlight was dazzling, yet Sheng Jingyu didn’t want to look away.

“Teacher!”

Lu Zhao’s voice came again from Sheng Jingyu’s ear.

She got the flower Sheng Jingyu wanted, holding the long branch in her hand, then moved to jump down from the tree.

But the branch was thin and couldn’t bear much weight, snapping as Lu Zhao applied slight force.

Her gathered strength vanished, and Lu Zhao lost her balance.

Then, she fell headfirst into Sheng Jingyu’s arms.

The matter of the kiss won’t just pass like this~