The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Is That So? Then Maybe Miss Lu Should Find Someone with a Prettier Smile Than Mine.

The next two days of filming went smoothly. Every day when Yu Yao and Chu Jiayan arrived on set, the artists acting as models were already there and ready.

Recalling how Chu Jiayan had stormed back to the company that first night, Yu Yao could easily guess what had happened.

Thanks to Chu Jiayan’s firm hand as their boss, the remaining artists were all very cooperative. What was originally a five-day shoot wrapped up in just three, even allowing time for a couple of off-site scenes on the last two days.

Yu Yao stood beside Louis reviewing the footage, feeling fairly satisfied with the collaboration. Although those artists weren’t particularly famous, their looks, figures, and on-camera presence all exceeded her expectations.

“President Yu, can I ask you something?”
After finishing the footage review, Louis rubbed his hands together nervously.

Yu Yao asked, “What is it?”

Looking a bit embarrassed, Louis said, “I wanted to ask—does Miss Lu have a partner? I know what she said that day was probably just a joke.”

Yu Yao paused for a second, her expression calm as she turned to look at Louis with a smile. “I thought you didn’t like women. What’s with the sudden interest?”

Relieved that she wasn’t angry, Louis quickly explained, “Not me—it’s a friend of mine. A woman. She saw Miss Lu’s photos the last time she visited the studio and has been hounding me for her contact ever since.”

“I swear, my friend is a really good person. Her family owns a company, she’s highly capable, and she hasn’t been in a relationship since college. That one ended cleanly, no lingering baggage. She saw Miss Lu’s photos and was absolutely captivated—she wants to try pursuing her.”

Louis genuinely felt like he was sacrificing a lot for his friend’s happiness.

Luckily, he and Chu Jiayan weren’t just employer and employee—they were friends. And since Chu Jiayan and Yu Yao publicly claimed to be friends too, he figured a friend of a friend counted as a friend… which is why he worked up the courage to ask.

Louis had tried asking Chu Jiayan first, but as soon as the question left his mouth, the man’s expression darkened. He transformed from a person into a raging dog in an instant—who knew what nerve he’d struck?

Yu Yao’s smile gradually faded. A strange emotion rose in her chest—like she’d discovered a hidden treasure, only for some random passerby to start eyeing it.

A terrible thought surged up inside her.

She wanted to say Lu Zhili wasn’t all that special. She wanted to say Lu Zhili was a fool—one who only liked her, Yu Yao. She wanted to list every flaw, every shortcoming, to make the girl sound unworthy—so she could keep her by her side forever.

After all, no one else would accept the love of a fool… except her.

But she couldn’t say that. Lu Zhili hated being called a fool. And she didn’t want to become the kind of person Lu Zhili would grow to hate.

Louis, oblivious to Yu Yao’s emotional shift, continued speaking on his own. “I know you and Miss Lu are close friends. That’s why I came to ask you first.”

As he spoke, he took out his phone and pulled up his friend’s WeChat profile, tapping on her Moments to show Yu Yao a clear photo.

“President Yu, look—this is my friend. She’s not bad, right?”

Yu Yao looked down at the screen.

A woman with chestnut-colored curls spilling over her shoulders sat on a park bench, a lazy expression on her face. Judging by the European architecture in the background, the photo was probably taken abroad. Her long legs were crossed, pointed boots angled aggressively toward the camera. Though she was smiling, it was a smile brimming with confidence and control.

Yu Yao had to admit—even in a still photo, this woman’s presence was undeniable.

She and Lu Zhili really did look like a good match.

A poised, experienced older woman, and an innocent, naive little fool—no one could deny they made a compelling pair.

Yu Yao’s hands, hanging loosely by her sides, clenched into fists. Her nails dug so deep into her palms that sharp pain radiated up her arms.

But she didn’t even feel it.

Suppressing the turmoil inside her, Yu Yao took a deep breath and smiled calmly. “She’s not seeing anyone. As for her contact info—you’ll have to ask her yourself. Her situation’s a bit… special. I can’t just hand out her number.”

With that, Yu Yao gave Louis a polite nod, picked up her things, and walked out of the set without looking back, ignoring Louis’s calls behind her.

It wasn’t until she reached the roadside that she finally unclenched her hands. Her palms were marked with deep, purplish-red welts.

Yu Yao couldn’t even tell what exactly she was feeling.

She knew Lu Zhili liked only her. But the moment she saw that woman’s photo, her mind couldn’t help but conjure images of the two together.

Maybe that woman would spoil Lu Zhili more than she could. Maybe she’d be better at comforting her. Maybe, just maybe… their backgrounds were more compatible.

The weather wasn’t great today. Yu Yao was wearing a tailored trench coat, the cold wind slipping into her collar. But she didn’t feel the chill at all.

She could feel jealousy burning in her chest.

But what frightened her more was a far subtler emotion — insecurity.

She was stunned to realize she could still feel that way.

And disappointed in herself for it.

She’d come so far—escaped her past, made a name for herself in the capital. She’d bought a home, bought a car, earned the admiration of high society. She was, in many people’s eyes, already a success.

But the moment she was faced with a woman of better background and similar qualities to what Lu Zhili admired, she still felt utterly inferior.

…

When Yu Yao returned to the hotel, Lu Zhili and Qin Yue were playing video games. Instead of sitting on the couch, the two were on the carpet, leaning against the sofa legs.

That was Lu Zhili’s favorite position for gaming.

“Ah Yao! You’re back!”

As soon as she heard the door open, Lu Zhili tossed the controller aside, abandoning the game entirely, and darted over to Yu Yao like a chirping little bird, excitedly recounting everything she did and said that day.

Qin Yue looked at the game over screen, sighed, tossed her controller aside, and rubbed her now-hungry stomach. Just as she turned to invite them to dinner, her eyes caught Yu Yao’s unreadable expression—and she immediately shut her mouth.

She stood up, grabbed her coat from the sofa, and said, “You two talk. I’ve got something to do,” and then quickly slipped out.

Lu Zhili had been talking for a while but got no response. She immediately sensed something was wrong.

“Ah Yao, what’s wrong? Are you upset?”

Yu Yao’s heart clenched. She forced a smile. “No, maybe it’s just cold outside—I feel kind of numb.”

Lu Zhili stopped in front of her, tilting her head earnestly. “Really? But your smile looks kind of… awful.”

At those words, Yu Yao’s mind suddenly flashed with the image of Louis’s friend—the confident, stunning woman in the photo.

A woman who looked like she had the world in the palm of her hand.

The fire in Yu Yao’s heart flared up again. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out:

“Is that so? Then maybe Miss Lu should go find someone whose smile looks better than mine.”

Lu Zhili froze in place, stunned and completely at a loss.

Seeing that dazed look on her face, Yu Yao felt like her chest had been stabbed—sharp pain piercing through her.

Lu Zhili hadn’t done anything wrong. So why had she said something like that?

“Ah Yao… did someone bully you?” Lu Zhili frowned, her amber eyes filled with concern. “If someone upset you, just tell me, okay? I’ll deal with them for you! I’m really good at fighting!”

The room fell silent. The soft glow of the floor lamp cast a warm, gentle circle over the carpet.

Yu Yao didn’t know how to begin. She didn’t know how to explain the dark, selfish thoughts she’d had.

Lu Zhili hadn’t done anything wrong. She hadn’t even done anything.

She didn’t deserve to bear Yu Yao’s negative emotions.

“…Li Li, I’m sorry…”
Yu Yao exhaled deeply, her voice filled with bitterness. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that just now.”

Lu Zhili still didn’t know what had happened. But when she heard Yu Yao’s apology, she instantly panicked, flitting around like an anxious little bee.

She took Yu Yao’s hand and kissed it over and over, pressing it against her face. “Ah Yao, you don’t need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Yu Yao couldn’t hold back the emotions any longer. She dropped her bag and threw herself into Lu Zhili’s embrace, clinging tightly, unwilling to let go.

Her sadness must have been contagious, because Lu Zhili’s amber eyes filled with tears. She gently comforted Yu Yao, her voice full of warmth and pain.

With one broad hand, she rubbed Yu Yao’s back again and again. She didn’t know how to console someone—so she just repeated the words her mother used to tell her when she was upset.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll always be with you.”

“Everything will get better.”

“I’ll punish anyone who hurts you. Don’t be sad.”

Maybe it was the magic of Lu Zhili’s arms. Maybe it was the power of her words. But Yu Yao felt her negative emotions slowly melt away. Her mind became clearer.

She realized she’d been too emotional.

She should’ve approached things more calmly. Found a solution. Not taken it out on Lu Zhili.

Not wasted time being jealous of a complete stranger.

Yu Yao began mentally reviewing the cards she held—her advantages.

A moment later, she lifted her head and rested her chin lightly on Lu Zhili’s shoulder.

Her usual air of quiet confidence had returned.

Her red lips parted, teeth gently nibbling Lu Zhili’s soft, round earlobe. Feeling the girl’s body shiver and a soft moan escape her lips, Yu Yao released it and asked:

“Li Li… do you still like me?”

Lu Zhili didn’t hesitate. “I like Ah Yao the most!”

Yu Yao finally smiled—the first genuine smile since she entered the room.

She said softly:

“Then… can I be your girlfriend?”

Yu Yao didn’t like dating. She hated the uncertainty of it.

But this time was different. She needed this relationship.

She needed the label of “Lu Zhili’s girlfriend” to ward off anyone who dared covet her.

And to bind Lu Zhili firmly—to herself.