Rich Woman, But Got Dumped By A Jerk Three Times. - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Come Closer, and I’ll Give You…

“Jiejie,” Yun Xiao pursed her lips, finally voicing the frustration that had been stifling her all afternoon: “Why did you keep that drummer with you this afternoon?”

After being dismissed by Yun Jiushu at the door, Yun Xiao had constantly monitored the private room’s activity.

The moment she saw the low-class band members come downstairs, muttering complaints, the knot in her heart tightened completely.

All those messy hair colors were present, except for the splash of black.

The tallest, most conspicuous presence in the crowd.

Was she really kept by Yun Jiushu?

But what did a person with such obvious physical flaws, someone who couldn’t even show her full face, possess to warrant that attention?

“Hmm?” Yun Jiushu was surprised by the question: “That was a gift from Boss Nuo. Why wouldn’t I keep it?”

Yun Xiao’s query only served to remind Yun Jiushu of the confrontation from noon.

Nuo Ye was perceptive. Seeing that Yun Jiushu didn’t ask the person to pour wine again, she quietly ushered the person out without a word.

Yet, the red mark left on Yun Jiushu’s ankle remained firmly for the entire afternoon. I don’t know what that person eats to be so absurdly strong. It only faded by evening.

Now, brought up by Yun Xiao, the burning sensation spread through her again.

Next time I see her, I will definitely get my revenge.

Yun Jiushu thought to herself, completely oblivious to the fact that the gaze fixed on her was gradually taking on a different meaning.

“But, Jiejie, that person being sent to you as a gift is a complete insult to you,” Yun Xiao sounded a little wronged. She lightly squatted down, looking up at Yun Jiushu with a pitiful expression: “She doesn’t deserve you at all. Please don’t keep her around, okay?”

Listening to Yun Xiao’s pitiable plea, Yun Jiushu couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “So, you’ve been unhappy about this the entire evening?”

She was momentarily dazed by the laugh.

Unprepared for Yun Jiushu to know her emotions so thoroughly, Yun Xiao blinked, her ears subtly turning red: “How did Jiejie know…”

“I didn’t even need to look at the ledger; someone has already reviewed it three times,” Yun Jiushu gently stroked the head of the person by her leg, teasingly: “It’s so detailed that even the expenditure for an egg is written down.”

The palm resting on her head was light and gentle. The faint scent of jasmine lingered in her breath.

Yun Xiao felt a firework explode in her mind. All the frustration that had been blocking her up all afternoon dissipated.

“I was just afraid Jiejie would keep her,” Yun Xiao looked at Yun Jiushu with yearning eyes, her expression full of childish innocence: “And that person gives me a really uncomfortable feeling.”

“Like Ye Ge.”

Yun Jiushu pointed out the reason for Yun Xiao’s discomfort, whispering: “She makes me feel exactly like Ye Ge.”

When hearing Yun Jiushu speak that name, Yun Xiao’s breath hitched. She even forgot to blink.

Memories from three years ago flooded back.

Since the age of six, when Yun Xiao was picked up from the streets by Yun Jiushu, she had never experienced hardship again.

Except for that early spring three years ago.

At that time, Yun Ji Restaurant was ranked number one in Yeyu’s catering industry.

Fame attracts trouble. There were countless envious enemies working in the shadows.

After the umpteenth time she found a lethal dose of ‘Three Waters’ in cigarettes and alcohol, Yun Jiushu realized the danger. Sensing the signal, she decisively chose to cut off the threat, closing Yun Ji for half a year.

It was during those six months that Yun Ji was closed.

Many restaurants in Yeyu were shut down for privately selling ‘Three Waters.’ Fortunately, the closed Yun Ji managed to save its reputation and survive.

It was because of this upheaval that Yun Jiushu withdrew all external suppliers and officially transitioned the restaurant to an exclusive private cuisine establishment.

Which led to the grand opening of this new restaurant in Chuncheng today.

“So, Jiejie was using her as a test because you thought she was Ye Ge?” Yun Xiao asked cautiously, her expression reflecting her care: “Does Jiejie suspect that Ye Ge was involved in the incident back then?”

The floodgate of memory turned.

Even the evening breeze carried a hint of the initial chill.

“Impossible.” Yun Jiushu’s tone was firm, and her eyes turned cold: “Ye Ge did lie to me, but not about this matter. Besides, traces of ‘Three Waters’ being sold in the restaurant remained even after Ye Ge left.”

Three years ago, Yun Jiushu was only twenty-one.

It was the first time she had approached a relationship with an attitude beyond just playing around.

So, Yun Jiushu deliberately chose the Gregorian New Year’s Day to officially define her relationship with Ye Ge.

After all, they had known each other for half a year—kissing, holding hands—they were just short of the most intimate step.

However, Yun Jiushu never expected that the moment the New Year’s fireworks soared into the sky, Ye Ge, who should have been standing beside her, would walk away against the crowd.

The confession she had deliberated over all night was just uttered, but the person who had received all her love walked away decisively.

To this day, Yun Jiushu still feels like everything that happened that night was a dream.

Why the coincidence? Why did Ye Ge leave precisely when she decided to seriously confess and define their relationship?

Why the coincidence? Why did everyone that night seem to conspire against Yun Jiushu? The surging crowd was impossible to push through.

At that moment, the entire world seemed to be a resistance.

Preventing Yun Jiushu from reaching Ye Ge.

Yun Jiushu, immersed in past memories, rarely showed a moment of vulnerability, but it was only for an instant.

Yun Xiao hadn’t even had time to feel sorry for her when she heard Yun Jiushu speak again: “So, the store accounts must be checked meticulously. The ‘Three Waters’ incident must never happen again.”

“Yes, Jiejie.” Yun Xiao nodded and agreed: “I’ll come to the store whenever I don’t have class, and I will inspect all incoming goods.”

Looking at the seriousness in Yun Xiao’s eyes, Yun Jiushu couldn’t help but chuckle gently: “Be good. Your studies are the priority. You can live the life you want.”

“This is the life I want,” Yun Xiao reached up and held Yun Jiushu’s hand firmly: “I only want to stay by your side, forever.”

“That won’t do,” Yun Jiushu patted her cheek, teasing with a smile: “If you meet a girl you fall for and want to leave Yunnan, Jiejie will absolutely not…”

“Jiejie!”

“There will be no one else by my side,” The previously firm expression of Yun Xiao frowned, her highly aggressive eyes tinged with a coldness: “You picked me up, so don’t drive me away, okay?”

“Alright, alright.” Seeing that another tease would make her angry, Yun Jiushu appropriately changed the subject: “I’m exhausted from a long day. Clocking out. Let’s go home.”

She stood up and stretched, no longer minding the ledger or the unfinished hot water.

Yun Xiao, still crouching in place, didn’t move. Her eyes followed Yun Jiushu’s retreating figure, silently repeating her words in her heart.

There will be no one else by my side.

And I won’t let anyone else be by yours.

…

Chuncheng’s brief rainy season ended, and the city returned to its year-round spring-like beauty.

And the business of Yun Ji Private Cuisine flourished like the weather, with the restaurant fully booked every day.

Yun Jiushu’s life suddenly became very busy.

Moving from a tourist ancient city to a provincial capital meant the number of competitors she had to contend with had increased tenfold.

She needed new connections to expand resources, so dinners were scheduled one after another, and drinking parties were non-stop.

Back in Yeyu, Yun Jiushu could sneak in a game of cards to pass the time, but now, she couldn’t even squeeze in time to have a drink with Nuo Ye.

She received a new message from Nuo Ye a week later, which was also the second time Yun Jiushu had returned to the restaurant since the opening.

Boss Nuo: Boss Jiu, my busy woman, would you honor me with your presence tonight to listen to a song at ‘Decay’ (Tui)?

Boss Nuo: Do you want to add some new liquor business to Yun Ji?

Since the last time Nuo Ye took the liberty of trying to introduce the drummer to Yun Jiushu, her attempt to curry favor had failed miserably.

Yun Jiushu didn’t have feelings for the drummer, even holding a bit of distaste.

Coupled with Yun Jiushu’s recent busyness and reduced time for socializing, Nuo Ye had been constantly thinking of ways to regain her favor.

Eventually, she decided to focus on introducing connections to Yun Jiushu.

Indeed, seeing the popped-up message, Yun Jiushu slowed her steps toward the restaurant.

Introducing new liquor business?

Jiu: Are you introducing the owner of ‘Decay’ to me? When did Boss Nuo’s network extend this far?

After replying, Yun Jiushu looked at her phone while glancing toward her restaurant entrance.

She could see cars parked all the way down the street from Yun Ji Private Cuisine.

Since Yun Ji landed in Chuncheng, the entire operating model had completely changed from Yeyu. To enter, one had to make a reservation one day in advance. Even if the restaurant wasn’t full, Yun Jiushu would never accept walk-ins.

This reservation-only model was extremely risky, but it greatly eliminated the risk of Yun Jiushu being exposed to ‘Three Waters’ again.

So, even though new reservations were already booked for next month, the entrance was clean and tidy, with no chaotic crowds waiting for tables.

This perfectly aligned with the high-end direction Yun Jiushu desired.

She walked all the way to the entrance, and Nuo Ye still hadn’t replied. Yun Jiushu simply put her phone away.

Just as she was about to enter, an unexpected visitor darted out.

The person was dressed in white, her bronze skin wrapped under a hooded sweatshirt. Her exposed neck and the collarbone rising and falling with her breath were extremely conspicuous. She was just too tall, forcing Yun Jiushu to tilt her head up to meet her eyes.

“My payment.”

Yi Chengsong signed, her face slightly pale from waiting too long: “The payment for my performance that day was not settled with me.”

Yun Jiushu, unable to understand sign language, frowned.

She had been too busy these past few days, focusing entirely on business, and hadn’t had time to pay attention to her. She hadn’t expected this person to come to her doorstep.

Likely sensing the confusion in Yun Jiushu’s eyes, Yi Chengsong stopped wasting effort and pulled out her phone to type her demand.

My payment for the performance that day was not settled with me.

My teammates all received it, only I didn’t.

Yi Chengsong handed the phone over, pointing at the two lines of text in silent accusation.

Looking at that palm, the fluttering fingertips ignited a flame in Yun Jiushu’s heart, inexplicably reminding her of the chaos this hand caused to her in the private room that day.

“So, you want your payment?” Yun Jiushu looked at the text typed in the memo, then let out a soft laugh: “Then come a little closer, and I’ll give it to you.”