Don’t Chase Me, It Won’t Work Out - Chapter 4

Zhou Yirou wondered if her ears were deceiving her—Tao Youqing had never mentioned those two words before. Yet today, the person who had adored her for five years actually proposed breaking up.

…Was she serious?

Tao Youqing seemed to see through her doubts and smiled nonchalantly. “President Zhou, I’m not like you. You can’t let go of Jiang Yaling, but I can let go of you.”

Even the form of address had grown distant.

Things that weren’t hers would never belong to her—no amount of forcing would change that. Her uncle Tao Qing had taught her this long ago, but she hadn’t listened, stubbornly persisting.

It was only after Tao Qing’s sudden passing that she realized the preciousness of those around her, leading her to pour twice the affection onto the person she loved—so much so that she was willing to give unconditionally. That was why she had complied with every one of Zhou Yirou’s demands.

She had been blinded, remembering only the blow of her uncle’s death while forgetting his teachings—don’t force what isn’t yours.

Now it was time to heed his words. For someone who had chilled her heart, there was no need to grovel or offer her dignity to be trampled upon.

Zhou Yirou stood silently by the entrance, her deep, abyss-like eyes betraying nothing of her thoughts.

Tao Youqing no longer cared to guess. She’d tried so many times before, yet Zhou Yirou had never spared her a second glance. She continued calmly, “Don’t worry, President Zhou. This is your home—I’ll move out tomorrow and won’t overstay. Oh, and the monthly allowance you gave me… I haven’t spent much. It’s all saved up, and I’ll return it to you.”

In a way, she had been Zhou Yirou’s caged songbird. Aside from being unable to sing and dance freely, her life had indeed been peaceful and carefree—Zhou Yirou had at least ensured her quality of living. No, wait—Zhou Yirou had been ensuring the quality of life for her second Jiang Yaling.

After all, Jiang Yaling was the Jiang family’s little princess. How could her life be anything less than perfect? Anything less wouldn’t be fitting.

Noticing Zhou Yirou’s slight frown, Tao Youqing spoke firmly, “If I wish, we can end this relationship at any time. Those were your exact words, President Zhou. I trust you haven’t forgotten?”

Theirs wasn’t a pure romantic relationship but a secret affair built on conditions and money. Zhou Yirou provided the funds and terms; Tao Youqing contributed her acting skills—and accidentally, her uselessly sincere heart.

Or perhaps they were more like employer and employee—Zhou Yirou paying her to play the role of Jiang Yaling.

The only silver lining was that Zhou Yirou had some conscience, granting her the privilege to “end this relationship anytime.”

Now, all it took was Zhou Yirou’s nod, and their clandestine ties would be severed for good.

“Do as you please.” Zhou Yirou coldly tossed out these three words before turning to grip the doorknob. She had said it herself—there was no reason to go back on her word. And if anyone were to regret this in the future, it certainly wouldn’t be her.

Without any attempt to stop her or show concern, Zhou Yirou’s attitude remained as cold as ever. Tao Youqing took it as agreement. Fortunately, she was already used to this disinterested demeanor, and since her feelings for Zhou Yirou had completely vanished the day before, she could now face her with a calm heart.

Then Tao Youqing suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out, “Wait.”

Zhou Yirou turned back indifferently. “What now?”

Her tone was truly grating. Tao Youqing maintained her smile. “I just wanted to remind President Zhou that my eight-year contract with Xinglan Culture is about to expire.”

A flicker of confusion passed through Zhou Yirou’s eyes.

Eight years.

So, eight years had already passed.

Tao Youqing waited for her response, only hearing a soft sigh after a long pause. “Yaling’s contract is also expiring soon…”

Tao Youqing was speechless, “…”

Damn!

She couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

Zhou Yirou, you’re really something—even this makes you think of Jiang Yaling!

Tao Youqing — I salute you.jpg

After saying this, Zhou Yirou left, showing no further interest in Tao Youqing’s expiring contract, her indifference as unwavering as ever.

Tao Youqing felt even more relieved that she had woken up.

What was the point of being someone else’s lapdog? Five years of devotion hadn’t even earned her a single glance. It was better to be her own lapdog—at least she’d never end up with nothing.

Embracing her newfound self, she proudly flipped her long hair, then paused. Her slender fingers ran through the smooth, straight black locks, her eyes shimmering with thought.

This needed to change too.

…

The next day, 9 AM, Moon Chant Entertainment CEO’s office.

Jiang Yaling placed a carefully prepared cake on the coffee table, adorned with a girlish pink ribbon. She smoothed her dress and hair, her heart brimming with anticipation as she waited for Yuan Chucui to return.

The next moment, the office door was pushed open by Huo Mingen, and Yuan Chucui strode in with steady steps, her poised demeanor radiating authority. The irregular fringe earrings dangling from her earlobes glinted with metallic brilliance.

Jiang Yaling looked up at her eagerly. Yuan Churui’s lips always carried a faint, unreadable smile, giving her an air of approachability at first glance. But those who had dealt with her called her the “Smiling Tiger”—beneath the friendly surface lay a sharp, calculating mind, making her someone not to be trifled with, much like her father, Yuan Yaowen.

The moment Jiang Yaling saw her, her eyes lit up, and she greeted sweetly, “Sister Churui, you’re back~”

The Yuan and Jiang families were close, so their children naturally knew each other. Yuan Churui was a few years older, so Jiang Yaling had always affectionately called her “sister.”

Jiang Yaling loved addressing her this way, but Yuan Churui was indifferent to the term. She turned to Huo Mingen and said, “I’ll speak with her alone. You may leave. If anything urgent comes up, come in and let me know.”

Huo Mingen nodded obediently and closed the door behind him. Yuan Churui took a seat on the plain white single sofa opposite Jiang Yaling, crossing her legs and meeting her gaze directly, not even glancing at the cake box.

Resting her elbow on the armrest and propping her temple with her fingers, her commanding presence made her seem distant. She skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. “What did you want to discuss about the contract?”

Jiang Yaling tried to close the distance between them, “No need to rush, we can chat while having cake. Sister Churui, come see the cake I specially prepared.”

Yuan Churui, lacking interest, stopped her from opening the box and inexplicably asked, “Isn’t Zhou Yirou good enough?”

Jiang Yaling was momentarily stunned. Though she didn’t understand the meaning behind the question, she obediently replied, “Sister Yirou is very good.”

Zhou Yirou’s treatment of her could be described as giving her the stars if she asked for them, or the moon if she desired it—no one could find a single fault in it.

Yuan Churui lazily lowered her eyelids, gazing at her own slender, well-defined fingers, and said meaningfully, “So you do know she treats you well.”

Jiang Yaling didn’t understand why she suddenly brought up Zhou Yirou and asked in confusion, “Sister Churui, why are you suddenly asking about Sister Yirou?”

Yuan Churui answered frankly, “Because I’m curious.”

Jiang Yaling tilted her head, a question mark popping up above her. “Curious… about what?”

Yuan Churui said sincerely, “Curious about why you’d ignore someone who’d give you their heart and soul, only to like someone like me, who has zero interest in you.”

Jiang Yaling instinctively looked at her, about to defend herself, but Yuan Churui cut her off first, “You should understand—I won’t be like Zhou Yirou, who’d do anything for you with just one phone call.”

Yuan Churui smiled faintly, her red lips parting as she slowly added, “Including suppressing artists from the company—”

“Tao Youqing.”