Goddess Strategy GL - Chapter 17

This evening was anything but pleasant.

The doormen lined the path, bidding Ye Ruoqing farewell as she descended the long staircase. Ye Ruoqing glanced around, receiving a heap of respectful and courteous looks. The doormen were well-trained, managing to look straight ahead despite Ye Ruoqing’s excessive attention. Ye Ruoqing stepped onto the last step, turning back to look at the grand and imposing venue, feeling only a chill wind.

These doormen, despite so much training, were still a little lacking in professionalism. Ye Ruoqing felt like the RMB symbol was practically flashing in her eyes, yet not a single person here guessed that she actually wanted to borrow money.

Yes, she was broke.

Before coming here, Xiao Yuan had patted her chest and guaranteed to take care of everything for Ye Ruoqing tonight. Ye Ruoqing, trusting their kimchi friendship, set off with a completely empty wallet.

The PR manager and her assistant saw her out, with such expressions as if they were seeing off a plague god, that Ye Ruoqing really couldn’t bring herself to ask if there was a special car service for guests. Utterly helpless, she walked into the parking lot, searching among a dazzling array of luxury cars for the one belonging to her debtor.

After the party ended, Zhao Xin found a small, sleeping animal by her car.

In the cold winter, stray cats would choose to sleep inside the engine compartment or by the exhaust pipe overnight. Zhao Xin had specifically instructed Xiao Yuan to always check for cats before starting the car. She didn’t want these little lives to be harmed due to her negligence; all they sought was that little bit of warmth left on the engine.

Now the weather was warmer, and there were fewer cats, yet Zhao Xin was surprised to find a person leaning against the car, sleeping as blissfully as a kitten by a warm stove in winter.

What was she thinking? Zhao Xin bent down, carefully examining Ye Ruoqing’s face, and for some reason, her heart softened.

She took the shawl off her shoulder, placed it over Ye Ruoqing, and then gently shook her hand: “Ye Ruoqing, wake up.”

The reply was a small snore.

Zhao Xin put a little more effort into shaking her, and Ye Ruoqing suddenly swayed, tightly gripping her hand while her eyes were still closed: “Zeng Jie!”

“Ye Ruoqingqingqing—”

Xiao Yuan couldn’t bear it any longer. She stretched out her little hand to pinch Ye Ruoqing’s face. The sleeping Miss Ye still retained the strength to knock out an ox with one punch. With one hand, she swatted Xiao Yuan’s hand away, and with the other, she pulled Zhao Xin into her arms.

Zhao Xin was wearing ten-centimeter stilettos. With Ye Ruoqing’s sudden use of brute force, she instantly shifted her center of gravity forward and stumbled into Ye Ruoqing’s embrace.

“Ah!” A small cry of pain startled Ye Ruoqing awake. She rubbed her face with her right hand, opening her eyes wide to look at Zhao Xin, who was less than five centimeters away.

“Why is it you?”

“Boss, are you alright?”

Xiao Yuan and Ye Ruoqing spoke simultaneously. One was still holding Zhao Xin, the other was rushing to help her boss. All three were somewhat out of sorts, so much so that after a long struggle, Zhao Xin finally stood up, wobbling.

“I’m so sorry, truly sorry!” Ye Ruoqing apologized profusely. Although Zhao Xin didn’t say anything, her restrained frown and the occasional lifting of her right foot told her that Zhao Xin must have sprained her ankle.

“Let’s get in the car first.”

Shared adversity friendship was far less important than concern for one’s boss and idol. The three got into the car. Xiao Yuan, while looking for the first-aid kit, scolded Ye Ruoqing mercilessly.

“I’m sorry… I…” Ye Ruoqing wanted to say something, thought about it for a moment, then leaned against the window, staring at Zhao Xin’s foot without moving.

“It’s nothing.”

“How can it be nothing? Ren Xi is already so brazen as to issue a challenge. There must be others at the night meeting. If you don’t go, isn’t that clearly admitting defeat without a fight?” Xiao Yuan was furious, recalling Ren Xi’s arrogant demeanor.

“The entanglement between the two of us won’t be resolved just by me accepting her invitation. Call her and tell her that Susan knows about this, and it’s inconvenient for me to go.”

Ren Xi and Zhao Xin had been at odds for a long time. Given Zhao Xin’s strange reactions every time the two met, Susan hoped Zhao Xin would inform her before meeting Ren Xi. After the party today, Ren Xi left first. Susan was catching up with a few old friends, so she hadn’t talked much with Zhao Xin either. Zhao Xin had dismissed the other staff from the studio, taking only Xiao Yuan with her, preparing to keep the appointment.

The pungent smell of medicated oil gradually spread. Xiao Yuan took a sniff and handed the bottle of medicated oil directly to Ye Ruoqing: “I need to call Ren Xi and the doctor. You help Boss with the treatment first.”

After saying that, she took her phone and got out of the car, leaving Ye Ruoqing and Zhao Xin facing each other awkwardly.

“Put your foot on my knee, I’ll massage it for you.” Ye Ruoqing poured the medicated oil into her palm to warm it up. Zhao Xin lifted the hem of her gown, held out her hand, and motioned for Ye Ruoqing to give her the medicated oil.

“I’ll do it myself.”

“How can you apply medicated oil while wearing such an inconvenient gown?”

The snow-white long dress covered the entire seat. Ye Ruoqing reached in and, as expected, felt a hand full of slippery silk. Zhao Xin hadn’t anticipated her being so bold, letting out a gasp that was abruptly cut short.

Ye Ruoqing was quite stubborn: “See, if you don’t let me help you apply the medicated oil, I’ll just have to rub it randomly. This dress of yours is so long, I’ll really have to rub wherever I touch…”

Zhao Xin paused, then gently lifted her right leg and placed it on Ye Ruoqing’s knee.

The car’s dome light was on. The hem of the skirt, draped down from her thigh, undoubtedly gave Zhao Xin’s attire a revealing yet concealing look. Unfortunately, the contrast of the white gown wasn’t strong enough. If Zhao Xin had been wearing a dark gown, these partially exposed, slender beautiful legs would surely have made Ye Ruoqing unable to control herself and flee.

The air was warming up, and the medicated oil slowly seeped into her skin. Zhao Xin felt a little hot, starting from the well-controlled fingers of the other person, that warmth spread like wildfire throughout her body.

She couldn’t see Ye Ruoqing’s lowered face, but she could hear their respective heartbeats.