After Transmigrating, I Lived with the Charismatic/Beloved Female Lead - Chapter 26
Chapter 26
The Main Mission was now half-completed, and the branch concerning Zhou Yue’s drowning, presented as a tree diagram, was finished.
Zhou Yue’s cause of drowning…
Even without being a medical student, Wei Yue knew from basic common sense that falling into the water while intoxicated dramatically increased the risk of an accident.
So, even if Zhou Yue was known to be an excellent swimmer, she still met this end.
In that case, the incident seemed even more like an accident, as no one could have predicted this situation.
But even with this autopsy report, Lu Yuanqiu couldn’t completely overturn the current public opinion regardless of the circumstances, Zhou Yue died trying to save her.
The Zhou family avoiding mentioning Zhou Yue’s intoxication was likely for the sake of their so-called family face; dying purely while saving someone sounded better than drowning due to being drunk.
And because of this, they would inevitably let Lu Yuanqiu become the “villain.”
Zhou Ling, across the table, had also finished reading the proposal. She had been frantically studying related knowledge recently, but due to time constraints and limited ability, she could only tell that the proposal was both ingenious and incredibly meticulous.
She had only provided some limited data and internal information, yet Lu Yuanqiu managed to produce something of this caliber. This left Zhou Ling feeling both admiration and a degree of jealousy.
If… if she had been properly nurtured since childhood like Lu Yuanqiu, she might have achieved this level too!
Like Zhou Jing, who was pampered by her father since birth and groomed with all kinds of resources. Otherwise, how could he be where he is today?
Thinking this, the resentment in Zhou Ling’s heart burned hotter. She looked at Wei Yue, who had an equally serious expression: “Staring at that report won’t change anything. My sister’s death is inseparable from Lu Yuanqiu.”
“If you genuinely respected Zhou Yue, you wouldn’t have hidden the cause of her drowning,” Wei Yue retorted mercilessly.
“You…” Zhou Ling was silenced, and then her expression became complicated. “If I hadn’t found this autopsy report from my dad, I wouldn’t have known she drowned because of this.”
Suddenly, her expression turned somewhat frantic as she stared at Wei Yue: “So, Wei Yue, among all of us, you’re the luckiest! No matter how much trouble you cause, your mother will still be tolerant and love you. Whether it’s Zhou Yue, Lu Yuanqiu, or even me, none of us get a happy ending!”
What use was it that Zhou Yue was so excellent and beloved by the Old Madam?
For the sake of “family face,” her death was treated as a taboo, not to be mentioned, and even her tomb couldn’t be visited. Instead, Zhou Jing and their father brazenly became the family’s power holders.
Zhou Ling’s words somewhat surprised Wei Yue. She had initially thought the other party was a standard villainess side character, just like the original owner, who held malice towards Lu Yuanqiu for some strange reason.
Now it seemed… there were more complex thoughts involved.
Zhou Ling’s outburst reminded her of how Lu Yuanqiu looked when she proposed the partnership last night.
So confident, so dazzling.
When Lu Yuanqiu woke up from her coma and found that everything familiar had been turned upside down, she must have doubted everything around her in that instant.
But she endured her recovery from a serious illness, investigating her friend’s cause of death herself, and even managing to cooperate with her former “nemesis” to secure family support, putting aside old grievances.
When everything around her could no longer be relied upon, she became her own reliance.
She didn’t know whether to marvel that Lu Yuanqiu was indeed worthy of being the female lead, or simply that someone like Lu Yuanqiu was destined to be the female lead…
Zhou Ling hadn’t received a reply from Wei Yue for a while, and the latter looked completely lost in thought, which thoroughly infuriated her: “Wei Yue!”
Now looking at Zhou Ling, Wei Yue could roughly understand why the other party, despite having no direct conflict with Lu Yuanqiu, kept opposing her everywhere.
Raised in a patriarchal environment, Zhou Ling yearned for preferential treatment and attention, but her family didn’t provide it, so she acted ostentatiously to gain attention from others.
Since Lu Yuanqiu, also female, had seemingly been raised with everyone’s affection since childhood, Zhou Ling subconsciously used Lu Yuanqiu as her benchmark, breeding competition and jealousy.
“Don’t shout. I’m listening,” Wei Yue replied, shrugging her shoulders. “Even if you say I’m comfortable and carefree, look, right now, aren’t I still running errands for Lu Yuanqiu?”
“Tch, that’s why I’m wondering… how did you two ever team up?” Zhou Ling curled her lip.
“No, this is called a wise person adapting to the circumstances!” Wei Yue said seriously. “Lu Yuanqiu, putting everything else aside, is reliable in terms of character. She usually follows through on what she promises.”
“Seeing that she went to such great lengths to avoid Lan Shangui, leaving me an opportunity, I figured it’s not impossible to peacefully coexist and even help each other, putting aside past grievances.”
Zhou Ling frowned: “Didn’t you used to say you found everything about her irritating?”
Wei Yue: “…Ahem, that’s why I said I’m a wise person adapting to the circumstances now! Besides, did you find her pleasant before? Now you still need to seek her cooperation for help.”
“I was desperate!” Zhou Ling immediately countered.
After the BBS incident, Zhou Jing cut off all her financial sources with a single phone call, making her deeply realize how worthless she truly was in the Zhou family.
Because of this, she became anxious.
The old Zhou Ling would use rebellion to gain the attention of her elders. But now that she was an adult, she gradually realized that true affection was rare in the upper class. You only truly gained attention by demonstrating your value.
It was at this moment that Lu Yuanqiu sought her out.
“Even if you’re desperate, she has to be willing to cooperate with you. Zhou Ling, think about it yourself. If you had continued to be hostile towards Lu Yuanqiu, would you have gotten a satisfactory proposal in such a short time?” Wei Yue continued to extend the conversation in a casual tone.
“…What are you trying to say?” Zhou Ling’s voice became hesitant.
Wei Yue’s earlier groundwork was all for this moment: “We both made a choice: to cooperate with Lu Yuanqiu and get what we needed. From the looks of it… you and she successfully cooperated, and mine is still in progress.”
“And if we had chosen to be hostile towards her, what would we have gained? Nothing but continuing to fight like cats and dogs, ending in mutual defeat.”
Zhou Ling gritted her teeth: “Then how do you know she’ll definitely bring benefits?”
“Just look at your proposal, and you’ll know,” Wei Yue tilted her chin.
Indeed, Lu Yuanqiu’s personal capabilities were obvious to all. Moreover…
Zhou Ling looked up at Wei Yue across the table, her internal balance already starting to tilt.
The way Lu Yuanqiu managed to bring Wei Yue, the legendary troublemaker, into such obedient cooperation was truly unbelievable.
Whether those words were prompted by Lu Yuanqiu or spoken by Wei Yue to prevent her from ruining their plans, they were highly rational—now was not the time for her to continue clashing with Lu Yuanqiu.
“I understand what you mean,” Zhou Ling pursed her lips, giving Wei Yue a response.
Wei Yue subtly breathed a sigh of relief. If her current effort could truly make Zhou Ling, the number two “villainess side character,” abandon the idea of messing with Lu Yuanqiu, that would be a huge help to her.
She was just lucky that Zhou Ling’s attitude toward Lu Yuanqiu was complicated and open to change.
If it had been the original owner, she could probably talk until her mouth was dry, and the original owner would still only seek an endless feud with Lu Yuanqiu.
“So, are you going to eat here?” Wei Yue felt that she and Zhou Ling weren’t close, and now that they had finished their business, they could go their separate ways for lunch.
To her surprise, Zhou Ling looked puzzled: “Of course I’m eating! Lu Yuanqiu said this meal is on her!”
Wei Yue: “…”
She thought Lu Yuanqiu was just covering her own meal expenses. She didn’t realize she was paying for Zhou Ling’s meal all along.
Why didn’t she offer to treat me to a meal!
I was going to save Lu Yuanqiu some money and eat a cheap lunch at the cafeteria later!
Wei Yue maintained a casual expression on the outside but was internally venting like crazy.
“You… what’s wrong?” Zhou Ling sensed that Wei Yue was somewhat dangerous right now.
“Nothing, nothing. Have a seat,” Wei Yue said, still smiling, waving her hand at Zhou Ling. “I’m going out to buy some drinks. Feel free to scan the code and order whatever you want first.”
Under Zhou Ling’s perplexed gaze, Wei Yue walked out of the private room, planning to ask the front desk to serve the most expensive dishes on the menu.
However, when she reached the restaurant lobby, she saw two unexpected people.
“Wei… Wei Yue?” Lan Shangui didn’t expect to run into her here. He had finally waited for Wei Yue to leave and approached Lu Yuanqiu, ready to explain and apologize properly. Why was Wei Yue here too!
Behind him was Lu Yuanqiu, looking composed.
Seeing Wei Yue, she showed a slight smile: “Wei Yue, have you eaten?”
Hearing this, Wei Yue also smiled: “Not yet. Why don’t we share a table?”
System: …Host, you triggered a mission, and I haven’t reported it yet…
(Wei Yue: I’ve helped you so much! I deserve credit, even if only for effort! Where’s my food!)
(Lu Yuanqiu: I was just being polite asking…)
(Zhou Ling: I think I should be the one asking about my meal, right?)