Wait, I Got in the Wrong Car (GL) - Chapter 19

Tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap.

Ni Xinyu’s high heels clicked on the bluestone pavement as she walked home, their sharp rhythm echoing familiarly in the quiet night. She quickened her steps, then suddenly halted. The unique melody of her heels came to an abrupt stop. With the moon hanging above the willow branches and the surroundings cloaked in silence, Ni Xinyu stared nervously toward the distant end of the path where dim lights cast a strangely ambiguous glow. Her heart pounded as she feared someone tall might suddenly emerge from the shadows at this hour.

She paused for a moment, perhaps for two seconds or even longer, though she could not be certain. Then she gently tapped her forehead in an effort to clear her thoughts.

Under the faint light, tree shadows danced on the folded walls, their clawing forms resembling the vengeful ghosts in horror movies.

“Who’s there? Come out!”

Thump.

Thump.

The overly quiet night made Ni Xinyu’s heart race as if it would burst from her chest. She hurried forward, the rapid clack of her high heels pounding like a torrential storm. Within those frantic taps, she caught fleeting sounds, like someone chasing behind her.

She looked back repeatedly. Her phone’s screen flickered, and as her fingers flew across the keys, a long string of dialing tones rang in her ear. Each second stretched painfully long, and she needed somewhere to release the mounting pressure.

“Hello?”

“I think someone is following me.”

She was panting, her breaths heavy and uneven. When she turned again, a dark figure suddenly darted out from the lawn.

“Ah—!”

“Sister Ni, are you okay?”

Meow—

…

“Sister Ni, I’ve told you many times. Those deadly heels in your shoe cabinet are just asking for a twisted ankle. This path to your house is paved with uneven stone, too. Do you even remember how many times you’ve sprained your ankle this month?”

“Hiss—go easy. It hurts. Can’t you see it’s already swollen like a steamed bun?”

“Didn’t you hear the nurse earlier? Keep this up, and you’ll develop a habitual sprain. Then you won’t just be ditching heels. Even slightly raised shoes could do you in. Just stick with flats for now.”

Chu Shu expertly applied ointment and replaced the bandage, then, as if performing a magic trick, pulled out an unbelievably tacky pair of bright pink plastic slippers from her backpack. The design was the most basic you’d find in any carpet store, and they only cost ten yuan.

“Here. I heard you were hurt the moment I landed. I grabbed these for you at the airport. Try them.”

“Rejecting that with every fiber of my being.”

“You don’t want to end up in orthopedic rehab, do you? Those long legs of yours deserve better than flat-footed misery.”

Ni Xinyu rolled her eyes but said nothing. No matter how hard Chu Shu pleaded, she stood her ground. In the end, Chu Shu gave up.

“Fine. What style do you like? I’ll order you a pair.”

Ni Xinyu waved her off and gingerly propped her injured foot on the coffee table. She reached for her work tablet from the sofa and casually asked, “How was the taxpayer-funded European tour? Did you have fun?”

Chu Shu’s playful eyes lit up. She adjusted imaginary glasses on her nose bridge. “It was quite the adventure. I almost, almost never wanted to come back.”

Ni Xinyu squinted at her exaggerated tone and gave her a side-eye. “Three days without discipline and you’re already tearing the roof down. You need a spanking, Chu Shu.”

Chu Shu immediately waved her hands. “No, thank you. But Sister Ni, you won’t believe it. The legendary fashion master Kong Rulan, known for his long flowing hair and refusal to give interviews, surprisingly has a serious stutter. But let me tell you, that man is so handsome, the kind that makes your legs go weak. His aura covers all his flaws.”

Ni Xinyu saw the dreamy look on her face and could not help but deliver a verbal jab. “Men that perfect either have wives or fiancées. And if they have neither, nine out of ten times, they’re gay. Reference your dear boss, Lou Xiaohei.”

Chu Shu let out a fake sob and sighed dramatically. “All the good men get snatched by other men. And as for good women, well, my boss doesn’t count.”

As she opened her email, Ni Xinyu spotted several messages from the same sender lying dead in her spam folder. She sneered. “Persistent scumbag.”

Chu Shu quickly packed up her things and glanced at Ni Xinyu’s poor, swollen foot. “Sister Ni, are you sure you don’t want someone to come take care of you for a few days?”

Ni Xinyu waved it off. “By the way, when you see Lou Anran today, pass along a message for me.”

“What message?”

“Tell her that Yu Xuan poses a serious threat to Anchen Entertainment’s core interests. If she doesn’t step in, the company could lose an employee worth potentially hundreds of millions. She’d better treasure what she has and act fast.”

Chu Shu gave her a thumbs-up, slung on her backpack, and rolled her suitcase out the door.

But as she exited the complex, she noticed a strikingly familiar woman walking past. The woman wore oversized sunglasses and had a long cascade of wine-red hair wrapped in a Hermes scarf. She floated in a Bohemian dress, oozing ethereal elegance.

Speak of the devil.

Chu Shu inhaled sharply and crouched down to tie her shoelace, watching as the graceful figure passed her by and walked toward the building she had just left. A sweet, sharp fragrance lingered in the breeze.

She took a deep whiff. “No wonder. Sisters, huh? Their perfume smells nearly identical.” Then she sniffed again, frowning. “Weird. Isn’t this the same scent Mr. Kong wears?”

Could this perfume be trending now?

She kept dragging her suitcase forward, then three seconds later, whipped her head around and nearly jumped.

“Oh my god, she’s coming straight to the door?”

Chu Shu was one of the few who knew about the never-ending war between Ni Xinyu and Yu Xuan over their ‘wife-stealing’ feud. Her gossip instincts flared for a second, only to be smothered by a hint of conscience. She fumbled for her phone and dialed Ni Xinyu.

Ding dong—

Ding—

The doorbell and phone alert chimed almost simultaneously. But under the relentless pounding of the doorbell, the phone notification seemed pitifully weak.

Ni Xinyu was sprawled on the sofa, skimming the list of contestants who passed auditions. She scanned three lines at once, searching for her sweetheart’s name. The doorbell rang again, yet she didn’t move an inch, waiting for the person outside to give up.

Unfortunately, the visitor showed no sign of retreat. In fact, they pressed the button tirelessly, every few seconds, until the chime began to sound hoarse.

“Who is it?”

She thought Chu Shu had come back. Peering through the peephole, she found Yu Xuan outside, applying makeup with a compact mirror. She looked effortlessly glamorous, dressed as though she had just returned from a beach vacation.

“Clingy little ghost, aren’t you?”

Ni Xinyu leaned against the wall, balancing on one leg like a crane, planning to make her wait half an hour. But her cheap doorbell was too loud, shrieking like a banshee in her ears.

She endured a whole painful minute before deciding to end the torture. That strategy was only hurting her.

Besides, she had seen through this woman’s manipulative tactics.

Outside, Yu Xuan adjusted her large sunglasses, revealing part of her porcelain-like face. She heard Ni Xinyu’s usual sarcastic drawl.

“Well, well. The famous diva Miss Yu has graced my humble abode. We don’t even have any business dealings, do we?”

She stood behind the door, one leg awkwardly bent with no space to stretch, her body leaning forward as if scrutinizing her guest. Yu Xuan graciously took half a step back, maintaining a respectful distance.

“I’d like to discuss Xiao Wu’s contract.”

Ni Xinyu lost her temper. “Miss Yu, are you deaf or just ignoring me? I already made it crystal clear in my reply.”

Dream on.

All her email responses were identical, each consisting of only two curt words. Through the screen, Yu Xuan had felt her resistance loud and clear. Holding onto Xiao Wu like this was exactly something Ni Xinyu would do.

Yu Xuan kept her composure. “I consulted a lawyer about Xiao Wu’s contract. As long as I pay the penalty, the agreement can be terminated. What part of my compensation do you find lacking?” She glanced behind her. “Discussing a singer’s contract at your front door isn’t exactly discreet.”

Ni Xinyu didn’t hesitate to slam the door. “Then we’ll talk when I’m in the mood.”

The door didn’t close.

Yu Xuan’s slender leg wedged itself into the gap, her aggressive stance riling up Ni Xinyu, who was already in a foul mood. “This has to be resolved eventually. Since you won’t let me in, how about coming to my place? Xiao Wu is there too.”

The mention of her sweetheart instantly doused Ni Xinyu’s fury. “She’s with you?”

Yu Xuan didn’t blink. Her voice remained calm and slightly amused. “Agent Ni must be joking. Xiao Wu is my beloved younger sister. Isn’t it normal for her to be at my place? Since you questioned my intentions before, why not let the three of us sit down and talk things through? If we settle this, I won’t bother you again.”

That final sentence hooked her curiosity.

Ni Xinyu had been pestered to death recently. She had considered calling her sweetheart to confirm but her phone wasn’t nearby. She scrutinized Yu Xuan’s expression, trying to detect a lie.

Yu Xuan noticed her guarded posture and smirked. “Agent Ni, are you scared? I thought you were fearless, but turns out you’re just an ant.”

Ni Xinyu had lost face over a cat just the day before. To top it off, she had twisted her ankle. She absolutely hated being called timid. She flung the door open, revealing her miserable little foot. Hands on her hips, she scoffed. “Go ahead and try me. I’ve got no objections.”

Yu Xuan, “…”

The moment they reached Yu Xuan’s seaside villa, Ni Xinyu was cursing her in her heart. She was just as black-hearted as Lou Anran. Anyone with an ounce of empathy would hesitate to talk about contracts after seeing her leg wrapped like a rice dumpling.

But Yu Xuan didn’t even bat an eye. She went downstairs and summoned two mysterious strangers who kindly lifted a stunned Ni Xinyu into the car and whisked her away.

“Get out.”

“Miss Yu, with your boundless charm, maybe flash a bit more and lure a couple of strong arms to carry me to your doorstep again?” Ni Xinyu lounged lazily in the back seat, burning with frustration.

Yu Xuan’s villa was by the sea, where traffic was scarce and passersby even scarcer. Even if she tried to charm someone, she would barely find a fish willing to surface in broad daylight.

She opened the back door of the car and grabbed Ni Xinyu’s injured foot, still propped up. Her fingers casually kneaded the back of her calf.

The touch of those hands was unexpectedly soothing, cool and sculpted as if crafted by divine hands. Yet Ni Xinyu, who was into women, felt as if a current had surged through her body the moment Yu Xuan’s fingers grazed her. Goosebumps shot up everywhere. “Yu Xuan, have you no shame? Why are you touching me!”

Yu Xuan showed a perfect row of white teeth as she yanked her out of the car with deliberate strength. “Naturally I need to help you inside. You’re my guest, and I plan to treat you well. I want you to feel right at home.”

Ni Xinyu had no interest in this woman’s fake hospitality. She would rather hop in on one foot. But after struggling for a few seconds, she discovered that both Yu Xuan and her darling really were sisters. Their strength was equally terrifying.

Yu Xuan half-pushed, half-carried her into the villa, through an opulent hall so large it startled Ni Xinyu. The walls glittered with colorful embedded stones that shimmered strangely under the light. She had been too busy bickering with this black-hearted lotus last time to notice, but now she realized just how enormous the place was.

She tried to pause for a better look, but the woman behind her kept urging her forward without giving her a moment’s rest. Ni Xinyu finally sensed something off. “Where exactly are you taking me? Where’s my sweetheart?”

Yu Xuan’s smile turned sharp, tinged with malice. Without any resistance, she guided Ni Xinyu into her private space, the indoor swimming pool.

The air was thick with humidity. Both the ceiling and floor were slick with condensation. Ni Xinyu stumbled, nearly slipping. Her injured foot landed hard on the floor, sending a jolt of pain straight to her bones.

“Yu Xuan, did you bring me here just to mock me?” she snapped, her patience gone.

Yu Xuan’s smile bloomed, but her eyes remained cold. “Of course not. I brought you here to talk about your relationship with Xiao Wu.”

What relationship? What could I possibly have with my sweetheart?

Splash.

With no warning, Ni Xinyu fell straight into the pool. Completely stunned, she barely had time to register Yu Xuan standing at the edge, watching her with eyes as deep as black holes. That look made her skin crawl.

She flailed, managed to grab the pool’s edge, and choked on several mouthfuls of water. Her coughing echoed painfully. When she looked up again, the unsettling gaze had vanished as if it had never been there.

“Are you insane? I can’t swim. Are you trying to drown me?”

Yu Xuan glanced at her lazily. “If I really lost my mind, I’d throw you into the ocean. You should be grateful that you’re still useful to my Xiao Wu.”

Ni Xinyu could not tell what her real intentions were. But from the moment she had entered, she had not seen Mo Ying even once. A cold realization dawned on her.

“You tricked me! You used her name to lure me here, didn’t you?”

Yu Xuan did not bother denying it. “Not entirely stupid, I see.”

Ni Xinyu, “…”

Yu Xuan stood above the pool, looking down in silence. That cold, calculating stare sent another chill through Ni Xinyu’s body. The water was warm, but she broke out in cold sweat anyway.

This woman plots every move. She’s terrifying.

“Was that you last night?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Were you the one following me?”

The thought took root and grew fast. She remembered the earlier stalking, the shadow in the night. “What the hell, Yu Xuan, are you a psycho?”

Yu Xuan had heard worse and did not react. “Agent Ni, I don’t care what you did in the past or what kind of mess you left behind. Right now, there’s only one thing you need to do. You must be with my Xiao Wu. Take responsibility for her.”

Ni Xinyu’s brain short-circuited.

Did I mishear that? Did she really just say… be with her? As in, the kind of ‘be with’ I’m thinking of?

She licked her lips and asked, “Are you seriously telling me to be with her? Like, together together?”

Yu Xuan narrowed her eyes, her voice sharp and cold. “You’re unwilling?”

Ni Xinyu slapped the water in frustration. Blue droplets splashed across both their faces. “Of course I’m unwilling. Who do you think I am? You think I’ll get together with whoever you choose? Yu Xuan, you’re completely deranged. You control Xiao Wu, and now you’re trying to control me too? You think I can’t get a girlfriend on my own?”

The memories clawed back at her, making every organ ache with anger. She looked around for a way to climb out but found none. Yu Xuan, arms crossed, just stood and watched with cold indifference. There was no chance she would help her out.

Yu Xuan smirked as Ni Xinyu flailed like a fish with no tail. “You know exactly what you did. After what you’ve done to my Xiao Wu, tossing you into the ocean would be mercy.”

“I don’t even know what the hell I did!” Ni Xinyu screamed.

Maybe it was the light, but she could swear Yu Xuan’s pupils darkened visibly. That eerie shadow stirred something deep inside her, and she felt a very real urge to flee.

“This is your territory,” she said through gritted teeth. “If you want answers, then speak plainly. If I’m responsible, I won’t run from it.”

Yu Xuan sneered. “The hidden rules of this industry. Were they fun?”

Ni Xinyu’s mind raced, and then it clicked.

“You think I slept with her?”

Yu Xuan kept her distance, but the disgust in her eyes said everything. What does Xiao Wu even see in this woman? Her figure is average. Her looks are passable.

Ni Xinyu caught on instantly. “You seriously think I forced myself on Mo Ying?”

She had gone to great lengths to protect the girl, even assigning two assistants to keep an eye on her. The only time she had not been watching closely was when Mo Ying went clubbing with Lou Anran and ended up at the police station.

Even then, Lou Anran had no time to pull anything. Besides, she was not the type to take advantage.

Ni Xinyu still could not fathom why Yu Xuan had latched onto this idea. “Let me make it clear. I have my principles. I’ve never taken advantage of anyone, and I don’t pimp others either.”

Yu Xuan clearly did not believe her. “Then stay in the pool until you figure it out.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Ni Xinyu fumed. She had never met someone so twisted. She tried multiple times to climb out, but the pain in her injured leg sapped her strength. The pool here was even deeper than usual. If she had not managed to grab hold earlier, she could have drowned.

“Yu Xuan, you lunatic. This is attempted murder.”

Yu Xuan called back. “Have you thought it through?”

Ni Xinyu, “…”

She clung to the edge, swapping arms as each one tired. There was no way she could rest them both at once. The pool had to be at least 1.8 meters deep. She looked down at the gently rippling surface as her heart pounded with increasing intensity.

This woman is insane. Who builds a pool this deep at home? One day she’s going to fall in drunk and drown herself.

The headlines would probably read, “Diva Drowns in Her Own Villa Pool.” They might even print a somber black-and-white photo of her facedown.

The thought gave her a bitter laugh. But the laughter faded as she grew dizzy. Strength draining, she muttered, “If you really want me with her, then send me to Mo Ying. If I drown, it’s on you.”

Yu Xuan had not gone far. She reappeared immediately at the pool’s edge. “If you agree, I’ll take you to her right now.”

Screw that.

Ni Xinyu raised her arm weakly. “Just pull me out. I’m out of strength.”

Yu Xuan saw her pale face and purple lips. She frowned, realizing again how fragile humans really were. “You’re so delicate.”

She reached out and effortlessly pulled her up.

As her feet settled onto solid ground, Ni Xinyu finally allowed herself to relax. Her life had nearly ended in the hands of a certified lunatic. Weakly, she asked, “Can you tell me why you think I slept with her?”

Yu Xuan’s gaze dropped to her exposed waist. The drenched clothes clung to her like a second skin, revealing a vivid rose tattoo blooming across her skin, thorns hidden beneath the waistband. That image was sensual enough to make anyone’s mind wander.

Now she understood why her darling had been so willing to take off her clothes.

Ni Xinyu, noticing the shameless stare, looked up and snapped. “Yu Xuan, you pervert. Turn around.”

Yu Xuan snorted. “There’s nothing worth looking at on you. Think you can compare with me?”

Ni Xinyu burned with anger. She puffed up her chest. “Come on then. Let’s see who’s afraid of who.”

Yu Xuan reached out and gave her a squeeze. “A bit small. Not as big as mine.”