She's Crazy, I Love Her - Chapter 13

The sweet, delicate liquid slid down her throat, rolled through her esophagus, and settled at the bottom of her stomach.

Zhou Wei took Qi You’s glass again, stopping the approaching waiter with a gesture.

Qi You glanced at her and placed her hand on the table.

Zhou Wei’s voice was firm: “Something’s off with you.”

“What do you mean?” Qi You asked.

Zhou Wei leaned closer, her eyes scanning Qi You’s face.

Qi You remained composed.

Every time, Zhou Wei was the first to notice when something was wrong with Qi You.

She was used to it.

Zhou Wei and Qi You’s bond was closer than family. When Qi You discovered her father, Qi Shouye, had an illegitimate child, Zhou Wei was the one who accompanied her to confront him.

They cornered the child in an alley, beat him mercilessly, took bl00d samples, and sent them along with Qi You’s bl00d for DNA testing to confirm their familial relationship.

After that incident, Qi You’s personality changed drastically. Zhou Wei always believed it was because she couldn’t cope with her father’s betrayal. Throughout high school, she showered Qi You with concern and care, and even after they grew up, they remained close, often spending time together.

Finding no clues on Qi You’s face, Zhou Wei retreated with a sigh, indulging in self-pity: “You’ve grown up and started hiding your girlish secrets. You don’t even tell your big sister anymore.”

Qi You tugged at the corner of her lips.

After a pause, Zhou Wei continued, “Actually, I thought something was off when you said that last time. ‘Sexual desire’? Tsk! It’s rare to hear you even utter those words.”

Zhou Wei let out a couple of strange laughs before turning to look at her. “Qi You, be honest with me. Are you finally sexually mature now?”

“Hey, I should throw you an adult party to celebrate! What do you think?”

This was Chi Yue’s first time attending such a lavish event.

In the past, her manager had been Liu Yifang, who could never secure invitations to gatherings of this caliber. Even the more formal occasions, like company year-end parties or platform victory celebrations, didn’t require such careful navigation.

The smile Chi Yue had been maintaining faltered under the man’s teasing.

She was utterly out of her element in this social arena, where she needed to flatter and ingratiate herself with everyone.

This was a mistake—a complete and utter mistake. She shouldn’t be here. No, she shouldn’t have ever entered the entertainment industry.

Chi Yue thought of her homeroom teacher.

The teacher was a young woman who rarely smiled at her students but had a charming set of fangs and always wore bright, cheerful outfits.

“Your introverted personality and lack of connections… it might not be the best fit,” the teacher had hesitated, “for becoming a star…”

In the digital age, people’s views had long since shifted. Parents who racked their brains to get their children in front of screens were everywhere, and even teachers hesitated to judge whether the traditional path of studying and exams would offer ordinary people a better future than becoming a celebrity.

Chi Yue was still so beautiful.

In the end, Chi Yue made the decision herself—a terrible mistake.

She should have persevered. If she had, she would have just graduated from university now, with a degree that would allow her to find a normal job. Anything would be better than her current situation.

Lost in these thoughts, Chi Yue felt Sun Zhiping nudge her arm with his elbow. She snapped back to reality and mechanically raised her hand, fingers pressed together and palm slightly cupped. But it wasn’t enough to stop the man’s thumb from scraping across the back of her hand.

“Miss Chi, you’re so beautiful. Your future is limitless…”

How disgusting.

Chi Yue stared at his flat face, thinking she should say “Thank you for your kind words,” but her gaze drifted away, past the crowd, until she found Qi You.

Qi You stood with another woman beside a white-draped table, where an exquisite bouquet of flowers adorned her black gown.

Her long hair was pulled back, revealing her slender neck. The curve of her profile resembled mountains veiled in morning mist.

The woman exuded effortless grace. Her radiant smile lit up her face as she leaned in to speak to Chi Yue, her posture intimate and natural, creating an aura of self-contained elegance that deterred others from interrupting.

Chi Yue turned her head.

Her mind suddenly went blank.

Sun Zhiping subtly nudged her again.

Chi Yue hastily withdrew her hand, her movement too forceful, almost a flinch. Unaware of her own reaction, she glanced briefly at the man’s face and said stiffly, “Thank you…”

The banquet hall’s bright lights made the air feel stiflingly hot. Chi Yue gripped a corner of her skirt, yet the invisible pressure still weighed heavily on her.

She lowered her gaze, then lifted her eyes, darting them left and right in a frantic, aimless search.

Finally, her gaze settled on Qi You.

Their eyes met and lingered.

Chi Yue hadn’t come unprepared. He Wen had even called Sun Zhiping to arrange for jewelry to be delivered to her.

Sun Zhiping had been thrilled at first, then regretted wasting his precious invitation card, which he’d begged and pleaded for. He should have let Chi Yue ask Qi You for one.

When Chi Yue refused to attend, he lost his composure, shouting and ranting in the dressing room like a madman. After a chaotic ordeal, he finally got her to the banquet. After presenting the birthday gift, his first order of business was to urge Chi Yue to find Qi You, hoping Qi You’s presence would elevate their social standing.

Fortunately, they’d been delayed by other guests and only crossed paths now.

Chi Yue’s slender shoulders slowly straightened.

Qi You hadn’t been wrong. Chi Yue was indeed afraid of her.

Just being watched by her sent an inexplicable sense of losing control surging through Chi Yue’s body like a tidal wave, overwhelming her and making it hard to breathe.

Chi Yue pressed her lips together, the silent eye contact leaving her throat parched and slightly sore.

Perhaps a dozen seconds passed, or perhaps it was only an instant, before Qi You broke the gaze first, her expression indifferent, as if the intense stare had been nothing more than a casual glance.

Chi Yue couldn’t decide whether to relax or feel something else.

But she didn’t have time to relax. The very next moment, Sun Zhiping followed her gaze and spotted Qi You.

“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

As if afraid Qi You might slip away, Sun Zhiping abruptly interrupted the man he was talking to.

“President Qi—”

He called out loudly after only two steps, drawing the attention of several nearby people.

Chi Yue felt a surge of despair, her palms beginning to sweat.

Zhou Wei stopped her nonsensical chatter, her brow furrowing rapidly into a clearly displeased expression at the interruption. She glanced at Sun Zhiping, then her gaze swept over Chi Yue without pausing before returning to Qi You.

“Who’s this?”

Qi You replied, “President Sun.”

Sun Zhiping smiled warmly. “President Qi, what a coincidence to run into you here!”

Qi You glanced behind him.

“It’s Old Man Pei’s hundredth birthday. I brought Chi Yue along to pay our respects,” Sun Zhiping blurted out, eager to introduce her. “We even ran into Assistant He earlier. President Qi, you’re so generous to your friends—giving away such valuable jewelry on a whim! I suggested Chi Yue wear it today, but she insisted it was too extravagant…”

The middle-aged man’s polite chatter flowed endlessly.

Qi You remained silent, her gaze lingering briefly on the delicate, translucent skin beneath Chi Yue’s collarbone before drifting upward.

A slender chin, full, rosy lips, and round, unadorned eyes with barely visible double eyelids that curved slightly upward at the corners.

Chi Yue’s eyes were exceptionally luminous, even in ordinary moments, as if filled with shimmering light.

Now, as she looked at Qi You, a hint of unease flickered in her gaze.

Qi You had arranged for He Wen to deliver the necklace earlier.

She wasn’t wearing it.

Qi You asked her, “Why aren’t you wearing it?”

Sun Zhiping’s voice abruptly stopped.

Chi Yue, caught in Qi You’s unwavering gaze, felt a nerve at the back of her neck tighten, stretching thin as if on the verge of snapping.

She curled her fingers slightly, her voice hesitant. “It’s too valuable—”

A flimsy excuse.

Qi You remained silent, but the atmosphere instantly turned icy, even the usually boisterous Sun Zhiping glancing sideways uneasily.

After a long moment, Zhou Wei finally broke the awkward silence with a laugh. “What’s with the silent treatment? Qi You, introduce your companion.”

Qi You finally shifted her gaze.

“President Sun of Ji Mei Entertainment,” she said tersely. “Chi Yue.”

Zhou Wei nodded, turning to Chi Yue with a smile. “Hello, I’m Zhou Wei, Qi You’s friend.”

“Hello.”

“Miss Chi, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Zhou Wei ignored Sun Zhiping’s outstretched hand, focusing instead on Chi Yue. “Miss Chi, you’re stunning. Are you an actress? You’re truly beautiful. Qi You even gave you a gift—what is it?”

Her enthusiasm was a stark contrast to Qi You’s aloofness.

“It’s a necklace,” Chi Yue replied.

Sun Zhiping interjected, seizing the opportunity. “The Rose Flame.”

Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, her surprise barely concealed. She glanced at Qi You before smiling and saying, “It’s quite valuable, but Miss Chi should wear it. The Rose Flame complements your dress perfectly.”

Chi Yue forced a smile, avoiding Qi You’s gaze.

After a while, Zhou Wei, having failed to extract any useful information from Chi Yue, decided to be direct. “How did you two meet? You’re so beautiful, you should have introduced me!”

She addressed Qi You, but her eyes remained fixed on Chi Yue.

Sun Zhiping couldn’t help but turn to look at her as well. He had asked Chi Yue countless times in private, but she had never revealed the answer, leaving him equally curious.

Chi Yue pursed her lips, then relaxed them. “We met at a dinner party.”

“The drama series I’m about to film is a collaboration with President Qi’s company. I met her during the initial negotiations.”

Zhou Wei nodded, her smile unwavering, leaving it unclear whether she believed the explanation.

Sun Zhiping clearly didn’t believe it, but he didn’t call her out.

As for Qi You, she remained silent beside them, her expression cold and detached, like an outsider observing the scene.

Chi Yue struggled to maintain her smile.

For a long moment, Chi Yue felt as if she had been split into two people. One stood among the crowd, speaking, socializing, and behaving normally.

The other was completely captivated by Qi You, her gaze fixed on every movement, every expression, even the slightest flicker of her eyes.

Qi You glanced up, and Chi Yue abruptly fell silent.

Zhou Wei was asking her if filming had been fun.

Qi You’s voice was faint. “You two chat. I’m going to rest for a bit.”

Zhou Wei asked with concern, “Didn’t drink too much, did you?”

Qi You shook her head.

Seeing that she seemed fine, Zhou Wei waved her off without offering to accompany her and continued chatting with Chi Yue, looking thoroughly engaged in their conversation.

As Chi Yue watched Qi You turn and leave, she felt a delicate nerve in her mind finally snap under the pressure—snap!

I’m not happy, Chi Yue thought.

The banquet’s rest area was located on the second floor. A waiter led Qi You to the room, opened the door, and politely asked if she needed any assistance.

Qi You thanked him and declined.

The Pei Family had spared no expense in preparing for the banquet. This rest area had been converted from a study; the heavy desk had been removed and replaced with plush sofas, while only half of the bookshelves remained filled with books, the other half occupied by exquisite decorative objects.

Qi You rose and pushed open the balcony door.

This was the only rest area with a balcony, an arched platform extending from the mansion. Soft wall lamps cast a gentle glow on the pristine white railings, and potted geraniums in full bloom sat serenely in celadon porcelain planters in the corners.

The courtyard lights were on, illuminating clusters of orchids and roses. A gentle night breeze carried a faint fragrance.

This tranquility contrasted sharply with the revelry below, making it seem like a mirage.

Qi You leaned against the railing, lazily stretching her legs, savoring the moment of peace.

Occasionally, someone would pass below—staff members, guests stepping out for fresh air, alone or in pairs.

After an indeterminate amount of time, she heard muffled voices drifting up.

“…mistake…not…”

“…!”

Qi You rested her arm on the railing and lowered her gaze.

The night wasn’t yet deep, and she could see pink tassels swaying in the breeze. As they drew closer, she recognized the other person beside her.

Qi You stared at them for a long moment before moving. The geranium at her feet wobbled under the pressure, inching forward, tilting, and falling.

Though the first floor was over five meters high, the fall was swift.

Smash!

Shattered.

Someone collapsed to the ground.

Chi Yue’s scream caught in her throat as she lifted her head, still shaken.

Qi You stood behind the pristine white European-style railing, looking down at her. Seeing no panic on Chi Yue’s face, she instead curved her lips into a breathtakingly beautiful smile.

She beckoned to Chi Yue, her red lips parting slightly as she mouthed a single word.

“Hi.”