Rich Woman, But Got Dumped By A Jerk Three Times. - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Second Mission

“No.”

Recalling the musicians she had ignored in the break room who refused to leave, Yun Xiao lied without batting an eye: “The one with the black hair wasn’t there.”

“No?” Hearing the answer, Yun Jiushu frowned imperceptibly. The spoon stirring the porridge in her hand subconsciously slowed down.

Noticing her slight distraction, Yun Xiao suppressed a flicker of displeasure in her eyes, pursing her lips to ask: “Does Jiejie want to meet them?”

When she heard the word “no,” Yun Jiushu had already lost interest, so she shook her head and refused: “You can handle the arrangements.”

The memory of last night gradually became clearer in her mind.

The person who intentionally came late, yet approached willingly with a slap mark on her face; the seemingly bold but truly clumsy flirting technique; the back that bent lower and lower; and the eyes filled with tears when pushed to the limit.

The Ye Ge of memory was quickly being eroded by these new impressions.

Yun Jiushu, who had always been supremely confident in her judgment, was having a rare moment of self-doubt.

Especially since Chen Ruoyang had meticulously introduced the identities of those musicians. Although Yun Jiushu hadn’t listened closely, she remembered where they had graduated and where they were from.

Only Ye Ge was missing.

No, according to the others, Ye Ge’s new name was A-Ci.

What exactly happened three years ago that caused Ye Ge to suddenly vanish, only to reappear with scars and a changed name?

Is she refusing to acknowledge the identity of Ye Ge because it’s tainted with something it shouldn’t be?

Yun Xiao’s initial suspicion suddenly surfaced in her mind. The spoon clinked back into the bowl. Yun Jiushu had no further interest in eating.

“What’s wrong, Jiejie?” The confused Yun Xiao looked up, her expression full of concern: “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Startled by her own thoughts, Yun Jiushu’s face was slightly pale. She shook her head, “No, I’m just a little sleepy.”

Ye Ge could never be involved with ‘that thing’.

Besides, after Ye Ge left, the sales of ‘Three Waters’ in the restaurant became even more rampant.

If it wasn’t involvement with ‘Three Waters,’ what was the reason for her departure?

Her thoughts were a mess. Her post-hangover headache returned. Yun Jiushu rubbed her temples wearily.

“Then Jiejie should sleep a little longer!” Yun Xiao stood up and collected the bowl. She walked a few steps toward the door, then turned back, as if she had something to say.

Noticing her mood, Yun Jiushu looked at her but remained silent.

“Jiejie, are you sure you want those people to perform at our restaurant?” Yun Xiao pursed her lips, a little hesitant: “I heard from my classmates that people who hang around in bars often pick up bad habits. What if someone among them is using ‘Three Waters’…”

“I’ve considered that.”

Recalling Chen Ruoyang’s unusual enthusiasm last night, Yun Jiushu’s internal defenses had already been raised: “Have a few reliable employees keep an eye on them. The band members are not allowed to enter commercial banquets, not allowed to conduct transactions in the restaurant, and everything they bring in must be inspected.”

Hearing Yun Jiushu’s assurances, the worried look on Yun Xiao’s face instantly disappeared. She nodded obediently: “Then Jiejie should go back to sleep. I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”

…

The Second Mission

“It’ll be dinner time soon,” Box listened to the sounds outside, frantic with impatience: “Are we going to play or not?”

The band members followed Chen Ruoyang’s arrangement and arrived at Yun Ji around noon, only to be told the boss wasn’t awake yet. They were then led to the lounge.

Little did they expect to spend the entire afternoon confined in the lounge.

“Who knows,” Natsuki pulled the hood off her face and opened her eyes: “I have a gut feeling that this Boss Jiu is trouble. I hope she causes less drama.”

“Hey, I suddenly remember that this Boss Jiu looks really familiar to me,” Box rubbed her head, unable to recall where she’d seen her: “It feels like I’ve met her more than just on opening day.”

Tangtang, who had been silent on the side, coughed, reminding them in a low voice: “Alright, discussing the boss in her own restaurant—I don’t know if people will praise you for being genuine or just plain crazy.”

Box and Natsuki exchanged glances and made a face at the rebuke, showing tacit understanding.

The long wait was a form of torture, eroding rationality and patience.

The person sitting in the corner, arms crossed and eyes closed in meditation, remained detached from the group, as if the surrounding events had nothing to do with her.

In reality, the earpiece, disguised as a hearing aid, was constantly echoing with stern reprimands.

The target has appeared for a month, and you still haven’t made any progress?!

It had been half a month since the earpiece last delivered a voice message.

The organization hadn’t contacted Yi Chengsong at all during this time, nor had they provided her with any new information.

She tapped her fingers to respond. The voice continued in the earpiece.

Lieutenant Yi, I hope you will treat this mission seriously and know that this is your last chance.

According to intelligence from our informant, a batch of ‘Three Waters’ will be shipped out of Yeyu on the eighteenth of next month. This is the largest inventory transaction in three years.

You must quickly gain the target’s favor, stay by her side at all costs, and earn her trust.

Following the target’s appearance, Yi Chengsong received her second mission.

She lightly tapped her fingers, signing [Received]. The voice in the earpiece silently ended, returning to that of a normal hearing aid.

Yi Chengsong lowered her head, burying her face deeper into her collar, letting out an almost inaudible sigh.

Since Yun Jiushu’s arrival in Chuncheng, Yi Chengsong hadn’t gone a day without trying to get closer to her.

But the woman had also changed more than a little in the three years they were apart.

Before, she was the one being watched, so getting close required no effort. But now, her repeated attempts at seduction were like punching cotton.

Yun Jiushu would indeed respond to her provocations or advances.

But only in the moment. Once they left that atmosphere, they reverted to being absolute strangers with no intersection.

How exactly can I completely gain Yun Jiushu’s favor? And what method can I use to become someone she absolutely trusts?

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Yi Chengsong only felt waves of frustration.

To this day, she still didn’t understand what it was about her that first attracted Yun Jiushu, making the woman unable to take her eyes off her.

So, what am I lacking now? Why can’t I pique Yun Jiushu’s interest?

Just as Yi Chengsong felt she was about to lose control over these questions, the lounge door finally opened.

Almost instantly, Yi Chengsong opened her eyes, looking over with a slight sense of anticipation.

“You all can leave.” The server who came to deliver the message scanned the band: “Our boss said there’s no need to perform today, but the money will be paid anyway.”

The band members, who had wasted an entire afternoon in the lounge for nothing, remained silent, their expressions visibly unhappy.

But the server simply gave them a dismissive glance, pointing a finger: “Our boss said that this person should not come again. Your image negatively affects the restaurant’s style.”

The person being pointed at raised her eyes, giving the server a meaningful look.

“Why?” Box, seeing where the finger was pointed, couldn’t hold back: “Which boss said that? Boss Jiu personally promised us last night. Which other boss is opposing it now?”

“I wouldn’t know about that.” The server shrugged: “I’m just the messenger. How would I know the boss’s thoughts?”

She spoke casually, holding a wad of cash in her hand, flipping it dismissively.

“Hello,” Tangtang closed her eyes to suppress her displeasure, standing up: “Here’s the thing, the collaboration was agreed upon with Boss Jiu. Now, this…”

“Oh, how would I know?” The server was impatient, almost throwing the money: “We’re paying you without a performance, so just take it and leave. Don’t waste my time.”

Her irritated attitude was the final spark for their emotions.

Box snatched the money, sneering: “Is that so? Then tell your boss that we hope she continues to pay us this easily every day.”

The atmosphere in the lounge became tense. Yi Chengsong looked at the finger pointed directly at her and signed to ask why.

Since beginning to play the role of a deaf-mute, Yi Chengsong had become increasingly aware of the difficulties faced by this community.

Voice is the most effective way to draw attention, but she was limited to sign language.

If others didn’t want to look, no matter how intensely you signed, there was nothing you could do.

Just like now.

She had just received the mission to get closer to Yun Jiushu. She had just gained an opportunity to approach her.

Yet, it was dismissed with a single, light sentence.

The server didn’t bother to argue further, scoffed dismissively, and left.

Only they remained in the lounge. Box handed the money to Tangtang, grumbling: “How dare they? Not to brag, but any bar that hears us play specifically asks for our A-Ci. Why would they reject her?”

Natsuki looked at A-Ci with some distress, turning to ask Tangtang: “So what do we do?”

Tangtang, holding the money, didn’t count it for once. Her face was serious as she asked: “A-Ci, do you have a grudge with this boss?”

Unexpectedly, the question was directed at her. Yi Chengsong blinked, her hands suspended in the air, unsure how to respond.

A grudge?

Probably not. But if it wasn’t a grudge, what should she call that time with Yun Jiushu three years ago?

“No.”

Yi Chengsong reconsidered and shook her head, signing her answer: “I’ve never met this boss.”

Seeing her answer, Tangtang pursed her lips thoughtfully, not replying.

“Tangtang, that’s a bit unfair,” Box, having understood A-Ci’s sign language, defended her: “That boss is equally targeting all of us. Why only ask A-Ci? Besides, with A-Ci’s good temper, how could she have a grudge with anyone?”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense. Natsuki patted Box’s back: “Then you should say less.”

Tangtang, having asked the question, remained silent, only looking at A-Ci with pursed lips and a thoughtful gaze.

“Let’s go,” Yi Chengsong raised her eyes, meeting Tangtang’s scrutiny directly, and signed: “Go home.”

…

Rest and Suspicion

“It’s comfortable to be home.” The person who sighed leisurely turned over and slowly sat up.

Thanks to the hangover.

Yun Jiushu, who had been rotating through various drinking engagements for half a month straight, finally had a day off.

Having slept until the night was completely dark, Yun Jiushu finally felt all the alcohol had left her body. Looking at the empty room, her self-spoken words quickly dissipated.

Her phone notifications had already reached 99+, but Yun Jiushu was too lazy to check.

If it was a day off, she should relax properly.

Looking down at her flat abdomen, she realized she hadn’t managed her physique for a while.

For her closet full of cheongsams and the coming summer, Yun Jiushu immediately got up, changed into comfortable clothes, washed up, and went downstairs.

The restaurant business was as usual. With Yun Xiao managing it, Yun Jiushu had almost nothing to worry about.

After giving a couple of casual instructions, Yun Jiushu walked out of the restaurant.

Yunnan’s nightlife was vibrant. Even nearing midnight, the streets, bars, and barbecue stalls were still crowded.

Rarely going out at this hour without a social obligation, Yun Jiushu, wearing her T-shirt and short skirt, decided to enjoy the pleasure of a casual stroll.

But soon after leaving the restaurant, she felt a pair of eyes behind her.

Staring intently at her.