Big Miss and White Moonlight, Stop Fighting! - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Whole Point Was To Make Her Your Public Weakness

He Jing’s expression faltered for a moment. She had long heard of Jiang Qingyue’s reputation as a playgirl, but for Jiang Qingyue to say such a thing in front of her and Jiang Qiange was certainly bold.

Jiang Qiange, however, showed no reaction. She simply hummed in acknowledgement and continued her conversation with He Jing.

He Jing took a sip of her black tea. Although it was common for the rich to have unsavory secrets, Jiang Qingyue’s actions were exceptionally reckless, even among the rebellious younger generation.

Jiang Qingyue didn’t take long to deal with the minor celebrity’s issue. The others had to back down out of respect for her. Before the celebrity could even thank her, Jiang Qingyue was already rushing home.

By the time she returned, two hours had passed, and He Jing had already left the Jiang family’s residence.

“Miss,” the butler called out to Jiang Qingyue as she was about to go upstairs. “The madam would like to see you in her study.”

Jiang Qingyue paused for a moment, then responded, “Alright.”

She couldn’t think of what her mother would want to talk about. If it was about work, she had completed everything perfectly today without any mistakes.

“Mom.”

Jiang Qingyue knocked on the door and, without waiting for a response, walked in.

Jiang Qiange was still reviewing a contract. Without looking up, she asked, “Did you handle everything?”

Jiang Qingyue nodded.

Scanning the page with a glance, Jiang Qiange finally looked up. “What are your thoughts on the company’s future development?”

Jiang Qingyue chuckled. “Mom, is it appropriate for us to talk about grand plans in the middle of the night? I don’t have any thoughts. I’m just taking things one step at a time.”

Jiang Qiange closed the contract. “Many things need to be planned in advance. But it’s true that tonight isn’t the right time for this. Let’s talk about something else.”

Jiang Qingyue sat in the chair opposite Jiang Qiange. “I’m all ears.”

Looking at Jiang Qingyue’s nonchalant demeanor, Jiang Qiange let out a soft sigh.

“With you acting like this, what will happen to the Jiang family?”

Jiang Qingyue’s expression remained unchanged, and she smiled wryly. “You should be asking what would happen to the Jiang family if I didn’t act this way.”

If you can’t win in one blow, you must lie low, conserve your strength, and wait for the right moment.

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Qiange spoke again. “I understand your approach. It does help reduce their vigilance. However, what happened at Wen Wuxin’s exhibition today was a wake-up call for our family.”

The thought of it made Jiang Qingyue clench her teeth. “Those bugs in the gutters should come for me directly. If I hadn’t ended my meeting early and rushed to the exhibition hall today, then…”

Wen Wuxin had said she couldn’t imagine what would happen if Jiang Qingyue were to get hurt saving her.

Jiang Qingyue felt the same way.

She couldn’t and wouldn’t accept Wen Wuxin getting hurt because of her.

“Qingyue,” Jiang Qiange interrupted with a puzzled look. “Are you scared?”

Jiang Qingyue couldn’t believe her mother would ask such a ridiculous question. “Of course I’m scared!”

Jiang Qiange rubbed the contract cover and said calmly, “But Qingyue, have you forgotten? The whole point of you choosing Wen Wuxin in the first place was to make her your public weakness, to be a shield for you at a critical moment.”

Jiang Qingyue was speechless. “I…”

Jiang Qiange pressed on. “You told me before that your affection for her, and for all your other lovers, was just an act.”

Jiang Qingyue turned her head away and didn’t answer.

Jiang Qiange’s voice grew sterner. “It’s just an act, don’t take it seriously. You need to be clear that their greatest use, including Wen Wuxin’s, is to give you the reputation of being a reckless, prodigal heiress.”

“…How do you know that my love for her is an act?”

After a long pause, Jiang Qingyue countered.

Jiang Qiange was confident. “You’ve lived with her for two years, Qingyue. You’ve just gotten too deep into your role.”

At twenty-five, Jiang Qingyue was too young to distinguish between genuine love and a performance.

Jiang Qingyue stubbornly said, “I’m going to get engaged to her.”

Jiang Qiange wasn’t angry. “Do you have a plan? Or did you get some information about those people?”

Jiang Qingyue shook her head. “Neither. I love her, so I’m going to get engaged to her. After everything with the Jiang family is settled, I’m going to marry her.”

“I don’t agree,” Jiang Qiange replied bluntly.

Jiang Qingyue looked at her left hand, which was wrapped in a bandage. “Mom, I’m informing you, not asking for your permission.”

Jiang Qiange chuckled softly. “Qingyue has grown up and her wings are strong now. Fine, I won’t object to your engagement. It’s between the two of you anyway. But have you asked Wuxin what she wants?”

Jiang Qingyue’s mouth twitched. “Are you just trying to find something to say? Do I need to ask Xin Xin what she wants? Of course she would be 100% willing to get engaged to me. Anyone with eyes can see how much she loves me.”

A pure, sincere love, without any regard for gain or personal interest.

Jiang Qiange’s expression looked odd for a moment.

But she quickly regained her composure. “Qingyue, you still need to respect her feelings, no matter what.”

Jiang Qingyue crossed her arms. “Didn’t you just say she’s a shield for me? Why are you telling me to respect her now? You’ve gotten along with her so well these past two years that it’s as if she’s your own daughter. You should be happy that you’ll have two daughters after I get engaged.”

Jiang Qiange didn’t say anything, she just thought to herself—

Because I owe her.

So she answered with a question. “Before He Jing left, she showed me the painting Wuxin did at the exhibition today. It’s very beautiful. I think you look even better in her eyes than you do in real life.”

Jiang Qingyue laughed in frustration. “Mom, what kind of mother says that about her own daughter? Your loyalty has strayed a hundred miles away.”

Jiang Qiange waved her hand. “Alright, you’re hurt. Get some rest.”

Jiang Qingyue turned to leave.

“Wait,” Jiang Qiange called out, and after a few seconds of hesitation, she asked again, “Are you sure you want to get engaged to Wuxin?”

Jiang Qingyue didn’t turn back. “I’ve already bought the engagement gift. I’ll go to the designer to customize the engagement rings in a few days.”

Bang.

After the study door closed, Jiang Qiange sat in a daze for a while, then picked up her phone and dialed a number.

…

Two hours earlier.

After Jiang Qingyue left, Wen Wuxin quickly fell into a deep sleep, but it was not a peaceful one.

The people she thought about day and night were standing in front of her.

A middle-aged woman with fine lines around her eyes waved to her. “Xiao Xin, you’re here? Your dad and Xiao Yue’s parents and I are getting the camping gear ready. Go play with Xiao Yue first.”

Wen Wuxin nodded, but as she was about to walk past her family, her body stopped against her will.

It was as if someone was telling her she couldn’t go any further.

Wen Wuxin’s mother pushed her on the shoulder. “Why are you just standing there? Don’t keep her waiting.”

Wen Wuxin then continued to walk forward.

The scenery on the side of the road had unknowingly turned into a colorful field of flowers, and the mountain breeze carried a refreshing floral scent.

“Xin Xin.”

A gentle, distant voice called out. Wen Wuxin blinked, and a woman in a white dress appeared before her.

The woman was holding a white camellia in her left hand. The breeze rustled her hair, carrying her gentle presence to Wen Wuxin.

The golden sunlight shone on the woman, making her look incredibly noble and divine. Wen Wuxin felt a sense of retreat; she was afraid.

She felt that if she got any closer, she would desecrate this woman who seemed like a goddess.

“Xin Xin, why aren’t you coming closer?”

The woman’s voice was soft and questioning.

But Wen Wuxin was so scared that she took a step back, shaking her head frantically. She felt a lump in her throat. “I can’t… I can’t do that.”

“Why can’t you?” the woman seemed puzzled. “Could it be that you’ve done something to hurt me?”

Wen Wuxin bit her lip. She was biting so hard, yet for some reason, she felt no pain.

“Then… do you hate me?”

The woman’s expression was hurt.

Big tears rolled down Wen Wuxin’s face. She sobbed, “How could I hate you? I just…”

Hate myself.

The woman smiled gently. “It’s okay. If you don’t want to come to me, I’ll come to you.”

With elegant steps, the woman calmly walked toward Wen Wuxin.

Her vision blurred without her realizing it. Wen Wuxin was crying uncontrollably. “I’m sorry, but I’ve really tried so hard. Just wait for me a little longer. I’ll find the truth soon, soon—”

Wen Wuxin was trying to reassure herself. “I’ll find you all. You’re all still alive, right?”

“Xin Xin, what are you saying? We’re all perfectly fine,” the woman said with a laugh and a cry.

It wasn’t until the woman got close to Wen Wuxin that she finally felt a sense of reality.

Wen Wuxin had become completely lost in this dream.

The woman tucked the white camellia she was holding in her left hand behind Wen Wuxin’s ear. “It’s beautiful.”

Wen Wuxin smiled with her lips pressed together. “In my eyes, Sister Qingyue is the most beautiful.”

But as soon as she said that, the smile on Wen Wuxin’s face faded.

Something was wrong. This wasn’t right.

A person might not grow taller after the age of eighteen, but their bone structure changes over time.

The Jiang Qingyue standing in front of her was no longer the slightly naive and young girl she was at eighteen. She was now like a blooming flower, mature and beautiful.

The person in front of her wasn’t her Sister Qingyue.

“Jiang Qingyue” seemed to have read her mind and said softly, “Xin Xin, seven years have passed. You’ve grown up, and I’ve changed too. Everyone moves forward.”

Once the seed of doubt is planted, it quickly takes root and grows.

Wen Wuxin backed away, shaking her head. “No.”

But fate didn’t give her a chance to think. In an instant, the clear, sunny sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds, and a heavy rain was about to fall.

“Xin Xin, it’s going to rain,” the woman reminded her.

Wen Wuxin didn’t react and could only instinctively say, “But I don’t have an umbrella.”

Her hands were empty. She had nothing.

“It’s okay. I’ll protect you, Xin Xin. Even if…”

After a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder, the rain poured down. The raindrops in the air turned into sharp blades, all of which shot toward everyone.

Wen Wuxin watched with wide eyes as the silver blades pierced the chests of the four adults. She was about to run to them when she was hugged tightly.