[Gold Powder GL] True Elegance Comes with Knowledge - Chapter 29

The meeting went smoothly. The other two “investors”, were wives of high-ranking government officials, capable of offering considerable convenience and support.

Of course, calling them “investors” was more symbolic than literal. In truth, it was more of a tribute—they didn’t contribute any capital, only received dividends from their dry shares and occasionally helped resolve thorny issues. Gaining benefits without cost—how could they not be delighted?

The dinner lasted until eight in the evening, with a round of mahjong and a brief opera performance in between.

By the time the guests left, everyone was quite exhausted. Huichang and Xiuzhu were picked up by their own escorts. Qingqiu and Yan Hui took it upon themselves to see Peifang home. She had a driver of her own, of course, but they didn’t feel comfortable letting her return alone.

On the road, Yan Hui smiled and said, “I thought you were going to bring Mrs. Jin into the partnership.”

“We’re divorced now. It’s better to keep some distance,” Peifang replied. “Otherwise, people might think this cast-off wife is still clinging to her ex-mother-in-law, trying to win her favor.”

She wasn’t cutting ties with the Jin family altogether, but when it came to money matters, that was an entirely different boundary.

“You’re right,” Yan Hui nodded. “You’ve really thought this through.”

“You’re not married yet, so you probably don’t understand the subtlety of these relationships.” Peifang sighed lightly. “For women like us… neither our natal home nor our in-laws ever truly feel like home. It’s only at my age that I finally feel like I have a place of my own.”

She used to think the small family she had built with her husband was her home. But after everything that happened, she realized that even such a family centered around the husband—not the wife. The wife could be replaced at any time, even have multiple successors.

“Things will only get better from now on,” Yan Hui said gently.

“I believe that wholeheartedly,” Peifang replied with quiet certainty.

After all, if a woman’s life after divorce doesn’t surpass what came before, wouldn’t that just make her a laughingstock? This was exactly why she continued working hard, even while heavily pregnant. Pride may not feed you, but sometimes it’s essential to survival.

Peifang’s home was closer to Yan Hui’s, so after she got out of the car, Yan Hui turned to Qingqiu and asked, “Want to stay at my place tonight?”

Qingqiu nodded, neither eager nor reluctant.

Yan Hui glanced over and smiled. “You’ve been so quiet today—it’s throwing me off.”

“It’s my first time at an event like that. Naturally, I thought the less said, the better,” Qingqiu replied dismissively.

Yan Hui nodded but didn’t take her eyes off Qingqiu. “That makes sense. Still, I feel like there’s something else. Am I wrong?”

“You are.” Qingqiu turned her face away. “I’m not like you. I can’t talk to just anyone and make it look easy.”

“Oho—” Yan Hui dragged out the syllable, sensing something strange in her tone. An absurd thought suddenly crossed her mind. She tried to shake it off but couldn’t help asking, “Wait… don’t tell me you’re jealous?”

Qingqiu had been feeling uneasy, and hearing Yan Hui’s teasing tone only made it worse. Irritated, she snapped, “That’s right, I’m jealous. Is that not allowed?”

A counter-question—the ultimate weapon in any argument—left Yan Hui momentarily speechless.

Since things had already come this far, Qingqiu didn’t bother hiding it anymore. She went straight to the point, “Be honest with me. Do you like Miss Bai?”

“What kind of question is that?” Yan Hui asked, surprised.

Qingqiu pressed on, “Every time you meet, you two seem to get along wonderfully. At the Jin family banquet, you even danced with her. Isn’t that a sign of affection?”

“Well, by that logic, I’ve danced with you too, and we always talk happily. So, I should like you even more, shouldn’t I?” Yan Hui tried to make light of it, not realizing she had unwittingly struck at the heart of Qingqiu’s inner turmoil. Qingqiu fell silent, staring out the window.

“Ah…” Seeing her reaction, Yan Hui quickly tried to explain. “I just think someone like Miss Bai—with her beauty and character—marrying Jin Yanxi was a real waste. Isn’t it better for her to be doing something meaningful now?”

But that only made Qingqiu feel worse. “Is that what you thought when you met me?”

“Of course. A woman like you, married to Jin Yanxi? What a waste.” Yan Hui replied without hesitation, completely unaware of the damage her words were doing.

Qingqiu let out a bitter laugh. “Well, thank you for that. Truly. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Who you choose to befriend is none of my business anyway. Miss Bai really is a good friend—unlike me, who doesn’t understand anything.”

By now, her words were spiraling out in anger and hurt.

This had always been a sore spot for Qingqiu. A woman of her background—neither fully traditional nor entirely modern—without wealth or status to lean on, often found herself in an awkward position. In everyday life, it wasn’t so obvious, but when around those modern, cosmopolitan types, she always felt out of place.

It was a strange blend of inferiority and pride—eager to fit in, yet full of doubt due to her upbringing, constantly torn between two worlds.

Her relationship with Jin Yanxi was a perfect example.

A strange man approaching with flirtation—by her upbringing, she should have avoided him. But when he said, “You’re modern-minded, surely you’re not that prudish,” she had no defense. She gave ground once, then again, until she had nowhere left to retreat.

After meeting Yan Hui, things had gotten better. Yan Hui always said she was wonderful as she was—that her traditional dress was elegant, her long hair beautiful, her scholarly talents rare. After so much praise, Qingqiu started to believe she might really be special.

But then there was Bai Xiuzhu. She was special too.

So, for someone like Yan Hui, what was the real difference between her and Miss Bai?

Yan Hui was beginning to catch on. Slowly, she realized that Qingqiu truly minded Bai Xiuzhu’s presence. That surprised her—she had assumed that without Jin Yanxi in the picture, the two women might become friends.

But seeing Qingqiu so upset, she quickly took a stand. “You’re just saying that to spite me. No matter how nice Miss Bai is, she’s still an outsider to me. You’re the one who’s family.”

Still, Qingqiu kept her gaze fixed out the window. So, Yan Hui added, “How about this? I promise you, as long as I’m around, you’ll always be my most important friend. No one will ever come before you. Okay?”
Okay? Of course it was okay.

Qingqiu ground her teeth. How infuriating! Yan Hui had no idea what she was saying—no idea what those words meant to Qingqiu. That was why she could say them so lightly.

But she didn’t know… that the listener had already sunk too deep.

Though she felt unsatisfied, anxious, and afraid, she still couldn’t help but turn to glare at Yan Hui. “You said it yourself.”

“Alright, alright…” Yan Hui laughed, reaching out to take her hand and giving it a gentle shake. “Don’t get upset over someone who doesn’t matter.”

Qingqiu finally broke into a smile, and Yan Hui let out a long sigh of relief as she drove them home.

It wasn’t very late, but given the alcohol and the day’s events, once they were home, they quickly freshened up and got ready for bed.

But lying there, sleep didn’t come easily.

“Actually… I wasn’t angry at you, or at Miss Bai today. I was angry at myself.” Qingqiu turned over and sighed quietly. “You treat me so well. How could I not be content?”

Hearing that, Yan Hui immediately perked up.

“I don’t like hearing that,” she said. “If we’re best friends, and you feel discontent, that only means I haven’t done enough. I’m careless sometimes, but you can always tell me what you need.”

“Really?” Qingqiu turned toward her, eyes earnest even in the dark.

Yan Hui propped one hand under her head and nodded. “Of course. Unless you’re trying to put distance between us—then how can we still be best friends?”

That finally made Qingqiu feel a bit better.

Then she heard Yan Hui ask, “So what exactly are you unhappy about? You can tell me everything.”

Qingqiu looked at her for a long moment before shaking her head. “There’s nothing.”

“You…” Yan Hui suddenly sat up, pounced on her, and began tickling. “Say it! Say it!”

Qingqiu tried to dodge, but there was no space on the bed, and once Yan Hui found her ticklish spot, she laughed until she was breathless, unable to resist, completely at her mercy.

When Yan Hui finally stopped, she didn’t let go. She stayed right where she was, pressed close, looking directly into her eyes.

“So, what’s really bothering you, hmm?”

Though it was dark, their eyes had adjusted. And with Yan Hui so close, Qingqiu could see the gleam in her gaze.

She hesitated, then asked quietly, “Do you really want to know?”

Yan Hui nodded. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Then don’t regret it,” Qingqiu whispered.

Yan Hui chuckled. “Alright. I won’t regret it. Tell me.”

Qingqiu didn’t answer with words. Instead, she lifted her head slightly… and kissed her on the lips.