Beautiful Woman, You Have Another Express Delivery! (GL) - Chapter 38
“Cheng Tianhong, do you know the person Shen Wenqin originally wanted to kill was me?” Cheng Qiuyi asked.
Cheng Tianhong stammered, “She’s a weak woman, how could she hurt you.”
“Cheng Tianhong, you are truly a talent.” Cheng Qiuyi was speechless.
Cheng Qiuyi was waiting outside the examination room for Liu Shuhan, and she could not do anything about Cheng Tianhong lingering around, so she deliberately avoided looking at him, adhering to the principle of “out of sight, out of mind.”
After a while, Cheng Tianhong took the IV drip bottle from the little nurse, dismissed her, and then asked Cheng Qiuyi, “Qiuyi, how is the Cheng Group doing?”
“What do you think?”
“Although the Old Master and they have kept it hidden so I wouldn’t know, it surely can’t be worse than when I fell ill.” Cheng Tianhong closed his eyes and reminisced, “The glory of the Cheng Group back then, tsk tsk, who could compare? A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. This huge Cheng family can’t just disappear.”
Cheng Qiuyi secretly laughed at Cheng Tianhong’s naivety. A man in his fifties could still say such self-deceiving foolish things. Cheng Qiuyi was even too lazy to puncture his illusion and agreed, “The Old Master is still hale and hearty. Don’t worry about the Cheng Group.” Although he said ‘the Cheng family,’ those collateral branches of the Cheng family had long since planned their escape. The entire Cheng family was now only left with the Old Master and Cheng Boming.
Cheng Tianhong was indeed satisfied. He stood up and shuffled back to his ward. His back was so hunched it almost looked like a curled-up shrimp, and a section of his uncovered bald head was visible beneath his hat. Cheng Qiuyi suddenly felt a little unbearable. Even a stranger would feel sorry seeing Cheng Tianhong like this. Cheng Qiuyi claimed she had nothing to do with Cheng Tianhong, but it was not something that could be made true just by saying it.
Cheng Tianhong had been her father for seventeen years. When she was little, he had lifted her high above his head, letting her ride on his neck. He had also secretly shielded her and saved her from some physical punishment when she was disobedient and was being chastised by her mother, though such times were rare.
Cheng Qiuyi still remembered one summer when Mother Cheng was severely whipping her with a ruler because she could not master some difficult ancient texts. The very first strike was shielded by Cheng Tianhong, who had just returned from outside, and Mother Cheng, without any regard for his feelings, ended up hitting Cheng Tianhong with the ruler entirely.
See, even if Cheng Tianhong was so bad, he still had some good points. But these few faint memories were too insignificant compared to the frustrating things he did later.
The smile on Cheng Qiuyi’s face suddenly vanished.
Liu Shuhan came out after her dressing was changed. Cheng Qiuyi had already composed her expression, but Liu Shuhan still noticed something was off. “Qiuyi, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Cheng Qiuyi smiled and stood up, noticing that the bandage on Liu Shuhan’s right hand was significantly smaller than last time. “What did the doctor say about your recovery?”
“He said I’m recovering very well!” Liu Shuhan was elated, “The wound has already scabbed and healed, and it will be almost completely better in another week! Oh my goodness, it’s finally getting better.” She recalled the suffocating week she had just gone through, feeling a bit scared. “It’s finally better, not having a right hand is too inconvenient.”
Cheng Qiuyi also nodded in agreement. “It is indeed inconvenient. Your left hand isn’t as skilled as your right hand.”
If this comment had been made three months ago, Liu Shuhan’s face would have turned red from her forehead to her neck. If it had been two months ago, Liu Shuhan would have quietly cursed Cheng Qiuyi for being improper. A month ago, Liu Shuhan would have given her an eye-roll. Now, Liu Shuhan could squint her eyes and retort, “What, are you complaining that my skill is lacking now?”
“This little one wouldn’t dare.” Cheng Qiuyi made a bow. “Your skill is outstanding, Milady, this little one is simply insatiable.”
“Consider yourself sensible.” Liu Shuhan adjusted her hair with a serious air, and extended her noble right hand to Cheng Qiuyi, “Xiao Qiuzi, ready the carriage, let’s return to the palace.”
“Yes, Milady.” Cheng Qiuyi cooperated by lifting Liu Shuhan’s arm and walking out.
A passerby next to them looked bewilderedly at the clinic sign several times, starting to doubt life. Wait, this wasn’t the psychiatric department.
At the hospital entrance, Cheng Qiuyi tossed the car keys to Liu Shuhan, asking her to wait in the car first, claiming she had left something behind at the clinic door. Liu Shuhan took the keys to the underground parking lot and found someone already waiting there.
Liu Shuhan desperately did not want to see this person, but she had to brace herself and walk forward. “Miss Ye, what a coincidence.”
“Miss Liu, I came here specifically to find you.” Ye Jing said, “How is your injury?”
“The doctor said it’s fine now. Thank you for your concern, Miss Ye.” Ye Jing was a lunatic with overwhelming physical strength. In the dark underground parking lot, Liu Shuhan kept a significant distance from Ye Jing. If something really happened, she would run if she could, and if not, it was fate.
Ye Jing leaned against Cheng Qiuyi’s car with her arms crossed and smiled, “Miss Liu, don’t be nervous, I have no ill intentions.”
“Then you are looking for me because…”
“Miss Liu, has Qiuyi been treating you well lately?”
Of course she has been treating me well! She has never been not good to me! Liu Shuhan was afraid of provoking Ye Jing, so she carefully replied, “So-so, just alright.”
Ye Jing understood, “Seeing Miss Liu so delighted, I assume you and Qiuyi are deeply in love. Congratulations.”
Liu Shuhan was not adept at their cryptic, roundabout speech, so she stiffly said, “Miss Ye, please just say what you want to say directly. I don’t understand you saying it like this, and you’ll have to explain it to me, which wastes time.”
Ye Jing sighed, “Miss Liu, do you still remember Miss Yuan Ying?”
Liu Shuhan certainly remembered. The woman who stunned the whole banquet that day, even attracting Cheng Qiuyi’s gaze. Why was Ye Jing bringing her up out of the blue?
“Miss Liu might not know, but Qiuyi and Miss Yuan Ying have met before. Qiuyi knew Miss Yuan back then, but Miss Yuan thought Cheng Qiuyi was like those other creeps, and flatly refused.”
“…” Liu Shuhan thought this Yuan Ying must have something wrong with her eyes to see everyone as a creep. Cheng Qiuyi herself was a top-notch beauty, much more beautiful than Yuan Ying. She was just trying to make a friend, how did she become a creep? Besides, is homosexuality so widespread these days? Can a woman looking for a female friend also lead to such associations?
“Miss Liu, Qiuyi seems to have a very good impression of Miss Yuan.” Ye Jing spoke with veiled meaning.
So, she was here to sow discord. Liu Shuhan was secretly amused, thinking Ye Jing was some formidable figure, but she, too, would resort to such an intellectually challenged tactic as sowing discord.
“You don’t need to worry about the matters between Qiuyi and me, Miss Ye, but thank you for the reminder.”
“You’re welcome, but I must remind Miss Liu of one thing: people are attracted to novelty and excitement, regardless of gender. Couples even have the seven-year itch. Do you think you and Qiuyi can maintain it for seven years?”
Liu Shuhan and Ye Jing had incompatible values, so talking more was useless.
Ye Jing’s bl00d was cold, harboring only possessiveness and none of the beautiful feelings. Liu Shuhan was too lazy to argue with her.
However, after Ye Jing left, Liu Shuhan pondered, and something felt strange. Cheng Qiuyi had known Yuan Ying before. Why had she never mentioned it? Cheng Qiuyi never talked about her work. If it hadn’t been for Ye Jing today, Liu Shuhan would not have known that the two rivals were also cooperating one day.
…
Cheng Qiuyi had not left anything behind. She sent Liu Shuhan away only to go and pay for Cheng Tianhong’s subsequent treatment fees. Cancer treatment was not a small expense. With the Cheng Group on the verge of collapse, let alone Cheng Tianhong, it was uncertain how even the Old Master and Cheng Boming would make a living in C City. Cheng Qiuyi was not suddenly being charitable. It was just that the Cheng family had raised her for seventeen years, and this bit of money could be considered a return for the Cheng family’s kindness.
When Cheng Qiuyi arrived at the parking lot, Liu Shuhan was already sitting in the car. “Did I keep you waiting long?” Cheng Qiuyi fastened her seatbelt and asked casually.
“No.” Liu Shuhan’s eyes darted around, looking as if she had something to say but held back.
“What’s wrong?”
Liu Shuhan rested her chin on her hand and looked at Cheng Qiuyi. “Qiuyi, do you think we will have a seven-year itch?”
Cheng Qiuyi started the car and drove out of the parking lot. “What made you think of asking that?”
Liu Shuhan said, distressed, “Don’t you think we are getting along too well, almost unrealistically?” Liu Shuhan had never been in a relationship before, but she had heard others complain about arguing one day and reconciling the next. Which couple does not argue? Apparently, there is one: them.
“What, do you want to have a fight with me?” Cheng Qiuyi truly did not know what this blockhead was overthinking now.
“No.” Liu Shuhan shook her head. “I just feel that you are too good to me, so good that it makes me a little scared.”
“I’m innocent, Milady. Is it also wrong for me to be good to you?”
Liu Shuhan glared at her. “I’m talking about something serious, be serious!”
Cheng Qiuyi was indeed serious. “Shu Han, if we really do have a seven-year itch, give me a chance to win you back.”
“Why do you take all the blame on yourself? What if you are the one who breaks up with me first?”
“Impossible.” Cheng Qiuyi stated with certainty.
With Cheng Qiuyi’s promise, the anxious feeling in Liu Shuhan’s heart subsided, but the shadow of Yuan Ying was now cast in Liu Shuhan’s mind. Other people’s words, no matter how untrustworthy, still had an impact. Once the seed of suspicion was planted, how easy was it to remove?
The next day, Liu Shuhan received an email in the office with an audio clip inside.
“I like women with soft skin and a sweet scent. This woman can be Liu Shuhan, or it can be Yuan Ying. Master will know sooner or later. Instead of letting him trouble Miss Yuan in the future, wouldn’t it be better to push Liu Shuhan out to take the risk?”
“Good, very good. I’m just worried that Miss Liu will not forgive you when she finds out later.”
“She is just a commoner from the market, how can she not forgive me?”
The audio was recorded from a distance, and the volume was not loud, but Liu Shuhan immediately recognized Cheng Qiuyi’s voice.
It must be fake, right? Technology is so advanced now, synthesizing a few voice clips is not difficult. Liu Shuhan comforted herself, it must be fake.
But then, a few photos followed. In the photos, Cheng Qiuyi and Yuan Ying were sitting next to each other, both looking down and whispering. Yuan Ying, who was usually so expressionless, was actually covering her mouth and chuckling, having been amused by Cheng Qiuyi.
The photos were accompanied by a line of text, [Miss Liu, Miss Yuan’s smile is truly beautiful, isn’t it?]
Liu Shuhan dialed Cheng Qiuyi’s number.
“Shu Han, what’s wrong?”
“Where are you?”
Cheng Qiuyi heard that Liu Shuhan’s mood was off, but she glanced at Ye Jing, who was smiling and drinking coffee across from her, and stubbornly replied, “I’m at home.”
“I’m off work. Come and pick me up.” Liu Shuhan looked expressionlessly at the photos on the computer screen.
“I’m in a video conference. I can’t leave. Go back by yourself.”
Hearing this, Ye Jing hid behind her coffee cup and smiled.
Liu Shuhan’s heart sank halfway, and she hung up the phone.