The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Sis Has a Wife, and She Loves Me Very Much

April slipped quietly through their fingers, and soon enough, it was time for the business trip. The trip was only five days long, not too lengthy—just enough for Chu Jiayan and Yu Yao to get their work done.

This collaboration had been Chu Jiayan’s idea from the start. Yu Yao, on the other hand, felt it was somewhat optional.

Chu Jiayan’s family ran a bank, but he wasn’t in line to inherit it, nor was he interested. So instead, he opened a talent agency. The company had signed a few artists, and not long ago, they’d gone semi-viral thanks to some avant-garde promotions. Their popularity was currently on the rise.

Yu Yao’s studio, meanwhile, was a moderately well-known jewelry brand. It focused on high-end niche designs—fresh, unique pieces mainly promoted through word of mouth. Among the socialite circles of Yanjing, it had gained quite a reputation, and each season’s new product lines sold quite well.

That day when she caught Lu Zhili falling from the tree, she’d actually been delivering a new collection to a loyal client.

At the moment, the studio had no shortage of customers. Still, Yu Yao wasn’t partnering with Chu Jiayan just for the sake of friendship. She had been seriously thinking about the studio’s future path. They couldn’t just coast on current trends forever—even the most niche products eventually blend into the mainstream. The smart move was to expand.

The question was whether to expand upward or downward. Upward meant continuing along the high-end route and branching into the fashion and entertainment circles. Downward meant designing affordable, high-quality products that could win over a broader market.

So, this cooperation mainly involved letting Chu Jiayan’s young celebrities model their promotional photos.

What Yu Yao valued most was the celebrities’ public presence. Although none of them were A-listers, their names were still recognized within the industry. Some of them were even regulars on variety shows, which meant her studio’s accessories would get exposure on TV—a definite plus.

Normally, a job like this wouldn’t require Yu Yao’s personal involvement. But because the new products were under wraps and because Chu Jiayan had arranged everything specifically for her, she had no choice but to join the trip herself.

That morning, Lu Zhili didn’t need a servant to wake her. Her internal clock snapped her awake at 7 a.m. sharp. Like a robot, she opened her eyes and immediately jumped out of bed to wash up.

She moved with the precision of someone who had rehearsed her schedule dozens of times. Even her suitcase was placed by the villa door at the perfect angle to be grabbed on the go.

By the time she got to the airport, it was just the right time. Yu Yao and Chu Jiayan were already waiting in the departure lounge—but to Lu Zhili’s surprise, she also spotted a familiar face: Qin Yue.

“Huh? Xiao Yue?” Lu Zhili didn’t hesitate to take the seat next to Yu Yao. Looking at Qin Yue, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Qin Yue knew that Aunt Fu hadn’t told Lu Zhili about this, so she had no choice but to repeat what she had already explained to Yu Yao and Chu Jiayan earlier.

“Aunt Fu was worried about you. She was also afraid Miss Yu might be too busy with work to take care of you, so she asked Yan Qing to call me and have me come along.”

Lu Zhili pouted, clearly annoyed that her mother had kept this from her.

Seeing her expression, Qin Yue smiled gently. Even with her expressionless frameless glasses, her face seemed noticeably softer. “Lili-jie, I also happen to need some material for a project, and Su City fits perfectly. You’re not going to say I’m not welcome, are you?”

Even though she said that lightly, Lu Zhili instinctively looked toward Yu Yao, ignoring the actual planner of this trip—Chu Jiayan—entirely.

“It’s fine. I was worried about not being able to take care of you anyway. With Miss Qin here, maybe you’ll even get a proper tour of Su City.” Yu Yao gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, signaling her not to worry.

This whole collaboration wasn’t super formal to begin with, so the trip itself didn’t feel particularly tense either. In fact, Yu Yao was kind of glad Lu Zhili was coming along—because Chu Jiayan could be extremely persistent.

Right now, the ever-persistent Chu Jiayan sat diagonally across from Lu Zhili with a look of sheer grievance on his face.

This was supposed to be his romantic getaway with Yu Yao. Why did it turn into a group trip?

Still, no matter how much he sulked, the trip now officially had four people.

For them, this five-day work trip was basically just a company-sponsored vacation.

The plane took off at 9:30 sharp, landing two hours later at Su City Airport.

Su City wasn’t far from Yanjing, so the climate was fairly similar. When they stepped out of the airport, the weather felt perfectly comfortable—no real difference or discomfort.

Since Chu Jiayan had arranged the itinerary, he naturally took on the role of “tour guide”: booking the hotel, organizing transportation, picking restaurants—all his job now.

Inside the black van, the group made small talk.

“Technically, Su City is like my hometown,” Yu Yao said. “My actual hometown is a little county between Su City and Jingcheng. I’m registered in Jingcheng, but my mom always said half my bl00d came from Su City.”

It was the first time Lu Zhili had heard Yu Yao talk about her family. She lit up, excited. “So do you know any fun places in Su City?”

“Can’t say I do,” Yu Yao replied with a small smile. “Last time I came here was back in college.”

As she brought up her student days, the smile faded slightly from her face, and her voice turned cooler.

Chu Jiayan, who’d been eager to join their chat from the front seat, immediately jumped in, “What, you didn’t go out to have fun when you were here? College wasn’t that demanding, was it? Not exploring Su City back then sounds like a waste!”

Qin Yue, always sharp, didn’t wait for Yu Yao to answer. She smoothly cut in, “Not necessarily. For students, studying is the main priority. I, for one, don’t like thinking back on my school days—too exhausting. I imagine Miss Yu feels the same.”

Yu Yao simply smiled and nodded. “Mm.”

As soon as Lu Zhili heard that Yu Yao didn’t want to talk about school, she instantly said, “Then let’s not talk about it. I don’t like studying either!”

And just like that, the topic was dropped.

Chu Jiayan began sulking again, his handsome face filled with frustration. He shut his eyes and pretended to sleep.

The van fell quiet. Lu Zhili opened her mouth to say something but was stopped by Qin Yue, who gently tugged on her arm and gave her a slight shake of the head.

Lu Zhili paused, then followed her gaze to Yu Yao, who sat by the window, head turned to look outside—her entire posture heavy with exhaustion.

Lu Zhili closed her mouth, deciding to let her rest. It didn’t matter—there’d be plenty of time to talk later.

Yu Yao stared out the window, watching the endless stream of traffic flow past—cars heading toward them, then slipping away into the distance.

Just like in school. Familiar classmates would walk by as if they couldn’t see her at all, leaving her alone to face the cruelty in their youthful expressions.

“You b1tch, who told you to seduce Feng Anhe? Don’t you know he’s my boyfriend!” The girl had shouted and raised her hand to slap her. But even back then, Yu Yao wasn’t one to submit quietly. She immediately dodged backward.

“Damn! You even dare to dodge? Hold her down!”

What followed was a solo fight against many. Yu Yao couldn’t remember whether she’d won or they had. She only remembered coming home, hair a tangled mess, and running into her drunken father.

That part was clearer. Her beaten self, her mother huddled in the corner protecting her younger sister, and her father’s ferocious glare.

Outside, the traffic never stopped. The sunlight was bright, yet Yu Yao shivered.

But the very next second, a fresh scent of lime enveloped her in warmth, instantly sweeping away the cold.

It was Lu Zhili’s jacket.

She’d been watching Yu Yao the entire time. The moment she noticed Yu Yao trembling slightly, she immediately took off her jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Yu Yao didn’t move or speak. But under the jacket, her hand clenched the fabric tightly—as if grasping the only lifeline in the middle of a river.

An hour later, the business van stopped outside a photography studio in Su City. Chu Jiayan and Yu Yao got out first. As for Lu Zhili’s jacket? It was now properly worn by Yu Yao—and neither of them thought anything of it.

Qin Yue, standing behind them, calmly pushed up her glasses without any change in expression. She was used to seeing things like this. As a freelance photographer, it was practically instinct to appreciate beauty.

“Yu Yao,” Chu Jiayan said, scratching his head, “I originally planned to let you rest at the hotel for the day and start work tomorrow, but this artist is only available today, so we have to shoot now.”

“That’s fine. I already got some rest in the car. Let’s finish early and go eat.”

“Alright, let’s go.” He turned to the others. “You two want to head to the hotel or come see the shoot?”

Lu Zhili quickly raised her hand. “I want to go! I want to go!”

Qin Yue, playing the role of her bodyguard today, calmly pushed her glasses again and said, “Then we’ll be intruding.”

Chu Jiayan led the group into the photography studio. The staff clearly recognized him, greeting him with a chorus of “President Chu!” As their eyes fell on the three women behind him, whispers started.

“Whoa! Are those the new artists Chu is signing? Their looks are out of this world!”

“Bro, god-tier visuals right here!”

“With faces like that, our company’s top girl might have competition.”

“Nah, they don’t look like signed talent. There’s no hierarchy in how they walk with President Chu. Maybe they’re his friends.”

“Yeah, and the last girl’s wearing the newest LURI piece—not even released yet, and impossible to buy.”

“I heard Chu’s from a big Yanjing family. Could be one of those rich second-gen friends.”

“My bad—greetings, young ladies!”

None of the four heard the gossip, but Yu Yao could certainly feel the attention—especially when standing beside Lu Zhili.

In normal life, people might admire her beauty and move on. But here, surrounded by entertainment industry folks, Lu Zhili’s face was like a dose of adrenaline. Especially to a certain photographer who was obsessed with beautiful faces.

“Oh! My! God!!!”

In a flash, the head photographer—who had been testing lighting—sprinted up to them like a teleporting ghost.

The eccentric man shoved boss Chu Jiayan out of the way, glanced at Yu Yao, then at Qin Yue, before finally locking eyes on Lu Zhili.

He trembled as he reached out with both hands, eyes shining in ecstasy. “Hello, may I—”

Lu Zhili took a cold step back and raised her arm in a “stop” motion. She said:

“I have a wife. Please don’t.”