The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

“Think it over. I’m waiting for your answer anytime.” Xie Zhifei finished wiping Fang Ningshu’s face, stood up, and pulled Wen Pinghan out of the room.

Back in the living room, Xie Zhifei leaned close to Wen Pinghan’s ear and whispered, “So, how was I? Pretty good, right? Think I convinced her? Will she say yes?”

Wen Pinghan laughed. “Where’d all that confidence go?”

“Pfft, you’re not an outsider. No need to put on a show for you.” Xie Zhifei turned to the aunt. “Auntie, bring some food up to our guest later.”

“Got it.”

Xie Zhifei washed some fruit and led Wen Pinghan downstairs to watch a movie.

Wen Pinghan picked a heartwarming film. Once settled, Xie Zhifei casually flopped onto her, resting her head on Wen Pinghan’s lap while playing with her phone.

“Didn’t you say we’re watching a movie? Why’re you on your phone?”

“Got a bunch of messages to reply to. You watch first—I’m listening. I’m great at multitasking,” Xie Zhifei said.

As they watched, the movie hit a small climax, and suddenly, a sob broke out.

Wen Pinghan looked down in disbelief, seeing tears streaming down Xie Zhifei’s face. She sat up, grabbed tissues, and wiped her eyes nonstop.

“Was it… that touching?” Wen Pinghan asked, incredulous.

“Of course it was! So moving, I can’t handle it!” Xie Zhifei wailed.

Wen Pinghan, torn between laughter and tears, handed her more tissues. Xie Zhifei wiped her eyes, blew her nose, then noticed the movie was paused. “Why’d you stop it?”

“To let you catch your breath.”

“You’re so sweet, it’s too much!” Xie Zhifei’s tears surged again.

“…” Hit her emotional spot, and now she can’t stop?

“Miss, the guest wants to see you,” the aunt said, appearing at the door with Fang Ningshu behind her.

“Come in.”

Fang Ningshu walked in, noticing Xie Zhifei’s red eyes and the pile of tissues in front of her. Wen Pinghan held one too, as if she’d just wiped Xie Zhifei’s tears.

What happened in the short time she was gone?

“Have you decided?” Xie Zhifei asked, voice hoarse from crying.

“I want to know, what’s your real motive for wanting me as your secretary?” Fang Ningshu pressed.

“What else? To make money, obviously!” Xie Zhifei said, as if it were obvious.

“That simple?” After all the fake niceties and setting her up to get kicked out by Gu Zhizhang, that’s it?

Xie Zhifei: “What, you think I’m after your money or your looks?”

Fang Ningshu: “…”

“Be serious,” Wen Pinghan said, nudging Xie Zhifei.

Xie Zhifei nodded, cleared her throat, and said earnestly, “I know you think I’ve got ulterior motives, but it’s really that simple. I’m not out to get you or use you to spy on Brother Gu. I’m not interested in Gu Corporation or making you leak secrets. Your skills are way better than my current secretary’s. You know I’m new at Qisheng—I need a capable assistant.”

Fang Ningshu stared at her for a long moment, then asked, “Aren’t you worried I’ll sabotage you? Mess up your work?”

“Don’t hire someone you doubt; trust the one you hire,” Xie Zhifei said. “You’ve got no reason to sabotage me. If you join Qisheng to make Gu Zhizhang regret, I’m your best shot. Why would you harm your new boss before succeeding?”

After a long silence, Fang Ningshu gave a bitter laugh. “I underestimated you. Thought you were just a brainless, flashy heiress. Turns out, you’re pretty cunning.”

“She said my chest is big!” Xie Zhifei bragged to Wen Pinghan.

Fang Ningshu: “…”

Wen Pinghan glanced at her, then looked up. “Can you act normal?”

“We’re not at work. What’s the big deal?” Xie Zhifei grinned, turning to Fang Ningshu. “Being cunning might not make me a good rival, but doesn’t it make me a great boss?”

Fang Ningshu didn’t reply.

“No rush, take your time to think,” Xie Zhifei said, patting the sofa beside her. “Want to watch a movie first?”

Fang Ningshu: “…” A movie, now?!

“I’m going home,” Fang Ningshu said.

“No way, I’m not letting you go yet,” Xie Zhifei blocked her.

Fang Ningshu looked at her, puzzled, as did Wen Pinghan.

“Why not?” Fang Ningshu asked.

“I’m worried you’ll do something reckless, like drunk driving and crashing,” Xie Zhifei said.

“Stop jinxing me!” Fang Ningshu snapped.

“You’ve got no job, no Gu Zhizhang to revolve around. What’re you going to do at home? It’ll be boring. Stay here, have a sisters’ night with us,” Xie Zhifei invited.

Fang Ningshu: “…” Sisters? With you?!

Wen Pinghan suddenly understood Zhao Xiaojing a bit.

Back when Zhao Xiaojing saw Xie Zhifei calling every half-stranger “sister,” was she just as confused, maybe even a little jealous?

“Come on, after the movie, I’ll take you both for a spa,” Xie Zhifei said with a smile.

Fang Ningshu: “No thanks.”

Xie Zhifei: “What do you want to do then?”

Fang Ningshu: “Nothing.”

“Then sit here and rest,” Xie Zhifei said, patting the sofa.

Fang Ningshu sat, closed her eyes to clear her mind… but couldn’t.

The movie blared. Before long, Xie Zhifei started crying again!

Fang Ningshu finally understood why her eyes were red earlier.

She opened her eyes, giving Xie Zhifei a disdainful look. Her gaze briefly met Wen Pinghan’s, who ignored her, gently wiping Xie Zhifei’s tears with a tissue, her eyes full of amusement.

Was it her imagination?

Wen Pinghan’s expression seemed just like how she used to look at Gu Zhizhang.

The thought made Fang Ningshu shudder. She quickly dismissed the absurd idea and closed her eyes again.

Finally, the movie ended. Xie Zhifei’s eyes were nearly swollen. Holding an ice pack, she suggested, “Xiaojing’s coming over tonight. We should have a sisters’ night.”

“You guys have fun. I’ve got to head home,” Wen Pinghan said. She’d come to make sure Xie Zhifei could handle Fang Ningshu, but clearly, there wasn’t a woman Xie Zhifei couldn’t handle.

“Why? Got plans tonight?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“Not really, but there’s nothing to do here either.”

“Nothing? Aren’t you happy hanging out with me?”

“It’s alright.”

“Don’t make me put you on overtime.”

“That’s a bit much.”

“Hehe, come play games with me then.” Xie Zhifei grabbed her hand and headed out.

A few steps in, Wen Pinghan looked back. “Wait, what about Fang Ningshu?”

“Leave her be. She’ll come find us when she’s ready. I’m not letting her leave today.”

“Isn’t that… kidnapping?” Wen Pinghan asked weakly.

“Don’t say that. It makes it sound like some forbidden drama’s about to unfold.”

“…” Did this girl sneak-read— “Mmph!”

Fang Ningshu, eyes closed, couldn’t block out their voices… Were they really this sleazy in private?!

Xie Zhifei covered Wen Pinghan’s mouth, half-hugging her, and quickly explained, “Novels, just novels! I don’t watch those films.”

“Mmph…” When she let go, Wen Pinghan gasped, only for Xie Zhifei to lift her hand toward her mouth again.

She instinctively dodged.

“Your lipstick’s smudged,” Xie Zhifei explained.

“Oh…”

Xie Zhifei leaned closer. Seeing Wen Pinghan didn’t pull away, she gently wiped the lipstick around her lips with her thumb.

Wen Pinghan looked down, watching her fingers move, and murmured, “Done yet?”

“Not quite, it’s stubborn,” Xie Zhifei said, leaning closer to inspect her lips.

Wen Pinghan’s breath hitched, barely daring to exhale, as if afraid to startle her.

Xie Zhifei finished wiping, but her gaze lingered on Wen Pinghan’s lips. Her thumb unconsciously traced their shape, then lightly pressed the peak of her lip when she heard Fang Ningshu’s footsteps. She dropped her hand, smiling. “All good.”

“You two…” Fang Ningshu saw Xie Zhifei turn, looking completely open, and realized she’d misjudged the angle again. Still, she couldn’t help muttering, “So clingy.”

Xie Zhifei laughed.

In Fang Ningshu’s mind, Xie Zhifei was only befriending Wen Pinghan to curry favor with Gu Zhizhang. That level of scheming showed some depth—not someone to make an enemy of. Besides, in her current situation, Xie Zhifei was her best option.

“Decided yet?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“When can I start at Qisheng?” Fang Ningshu asked.

“Anytime.”

“I need to handle my resignation at Gu Corporation first.”

“Naturally. Want me to take you there tomorrow?”

“No need to trouble you.”

“No trouble, it’s not far. It’s settled—you stay here tonight, and I’ll take you tomorrow. Don’t want you crying and making a scene.” Truthfully, she was more worried Fang Ningshu’s lovesick brain would flare up again if she saw Gu Zhizhang.

It took so much to snap her out of it—she couldn’t relapse now.

Fang Ningshu thought it over. Having Xie Zhifei there might save face, so others wouldn’t gossip about why she was suddenly fired.

“Fine, that works.”

At dinner, Fang Ningshu barely ate before returning to her room.

“It’s not that your cooking’s bad, Auntie. She’s heartbroken, no appetite,” Xie Zhifei explained, not wanting the aunt to feel bad.

“That’s a relief.” The aunt smiled, urging Wen Pinghan to eat. “Ms. Wen, dig in. Watching you eat makes me feel accomplished.”

“Me too,” Xie Zhifei grinned.

Already mostly full, Wen Pinghan ate another bowl of rice, finally too stuffed to move. After dinner, she paced the living room.

Xie Zhifei’s phone rang. She checked it—Gu Zhizhang.

“Hey, Brother Gu? What’s up?”

“How’s… Fang Ningshu doing?” Gu Zhizhang asked hesitantly. “She’s okay, right?”

“She’s fine, at my place,” Xie Zhifei said with a smile.

“Good, that’s good.” Gu Zhizhang sighed in relief.

“I know you feel bad about firing her,” Xie Zhifei said, sounding comforting. “So your little sister’s got your back—she’ll come work at my company.”

Wen Pinghan: “…” Impressive.

“That’s great. Her work ability’s solid. Ah Fei, thank you, you’re so understanding,” Gu Zhizhang said. “Oh, don’t tell her I called.”

“Of course.” Xie Zhifei smiled sweetly. She definitely wouldn’t tell Fang Ningshu.

Glancing over, she saw Wen Pinghan pacing nearby and deliberately said, “Brother Gu, calling so late to check on Sister Fang? Don’t tell me you’ve realized her worth and caught feelings.”

Before Gu Zhizhang could respond, she continued, “Ugh, how can you be so fickle? No wonder Sister Wen doesn’t like you.”

Sister Wen: “…”

“No!” Gu Zhizhang started, but the call cut off.

Gu Zhizhang: ?

Ah Fei hung up on him?

“Ugh, Brother Gu, seriously, calling to check on Sister Fang?” Xie Zhifei teased. “If I were him, I wouldn’t do that. If you’re done, make it clean~”

To her surprise, Wen Pinghan didn’t care for her playful jab and instead asked, “Sister Fang?”