Transmigrating into the Rival's Fanfiction - Chapter 46

Meanwhile, Qin Zhi had originally planned to spend her holiday at home.

But a phone call from her mother summoned her back to the Qin family’s ancestral estate. Qin Zhi tried to refuse, as she had done in the past, but Qin Chengyi bluntly stated that it was their grandmother’s death anniversary and that her presence was required.

The words of refusal caught in Qin Zhi’s throat, and she couldn’t bring herself to speak them.

Since their grandmother’s passing, Qin Zhi had rarely returned to the ancestral estate. But their grandmother had raised her and Qin Li single-handedly. Even if Qin Zhi desperately wanted to avoid facing those memories, she had to return to pay her respects.

“I understand. I’ll be there.”

She had been deliberately avoiding that day.

Qin Zhi had always considered herself a coward, even when it came to her illness, which she had been deliberately ignoring. But her mother’s direct announcement that their grandmother’s death anniversary was the day after tomorrow shattered her self-deception.

Dressed in a formal black suit, Qin Zhi stepped out of the car to find the servants lined up to greet her.

“Welcome home, Second Miss.”

The parking area of the ancestral estate was filled with luxury cars, indicating that the Qin family’s extended relatives had gathered. Qin Li stood beside Qin Chengyi, her presence radiating an equally imposing aura.

Hearing the commotion outside, everyone turned to look.

“Oh, it’s A-Zhi.”

“Sister A-Zhi!”

A woman with a seductive air approached, a relative from her father’s side who had often played at the Qin family’s old mansion as a child. Qin Zhi subtly evaded the girl’s attempt to take her arm.

“Mother.”

Qin Zhi glanced sideways at Qin Li, who was smiling at her, but offered no greeting. Instead, she stood beside Qin Chengyi, following the Qin family’s customs.

The girl left standing pursed her lips, clearly displeased but even more disappointed. Many students at their school, including herself, were smitten with Qin Zhi.

“Sister…”

“Xiao Rou!”

The elegant woman beside the girl tugged at her hand, signaling her to be quiet in such a solemn setting.

“A-Zhi is still as charming as ever. Why are you ignoring your little sister Xiao Rou?” Qin Li teased, tilting her head to look at the silent Qin Zhi, seemingly enjoying the drama. Qin Zhi grew even more uncomfortable, turning her head away and deliberately ignoring her.

“Mother, A-Zhi is still as closed up as an oyster.”

“Truly, you’re so dull.”

“Is that so? I’ve noticed A-Zhi’s complexion has improved recently. Is there something pleasant on your mind?” Qin Chengyi also turned to look at Qin Zhi, her words carrying a deeper meaning. Her mother rarely spoke to her like this, and Qin Zhi’s nerves immediately tensed.

Could Mother have found out something?

Unlike Qin Li’s usual petty squabbles, Mother’s methods were always swift and decisive. Could she have discovered my relationship with Sheng Mingluo?

“Nothing, thank you for your concern, Mother,” Qin Zhi replied blandly, showing no emotion. She worried that any sign of panic would only arouse Qin Chengyi’s suspicions, so she forced herself to act as she always had.

Qin Chengyi said nothing more. Old Madam Qin’s cemetery wasn’t far from here; after the family gathered, they would set off to pay their respects and sweep the grave.

The younger generation rode in one car.

Qin Li, finding the car too noisy, chose to ride with their mother instead. Qin Zhi, fearing further questioning from Qin Chengyi, stayed with the younger group.

Without the adults’ restraint, the atmosphere in the car immediately livened up. When Old Madam Qin was alive, they had been too young to truly grasp the weight of grief.

They chattered and bickered noisily.

“A-Zhi, you’re back today.”

“Mm.”

The speaker was Ning Li, a childhood friend. Though not related to Old Madam Qin by bl00d, their families had been close for generations, their ancestral homes located near each other. Thus, Ning Li had come to commemorate Old Madam Qin’s death anniversary.

Qin Zhi and Ning Li had been friends since kindergarten, though they weren’t exactly bosom buddies. Ning Li was one of the few people, aside from Qin Zhi’s older sister Qin Li, whom Qin Zhi would actually talk to.

“Are you… troubled by something, A-Zhi?”

Her expression didn’t look like sadness or grief, but rather like panic, as if she were afraid something would be discovered.

Having known Qin Zhi since childhood, Ning Li could instantly see through her cold facade and discern what she was really thinking.

As expected, Qin Zhi shook her head in denial.

“A-Zhi, you don’t need to hide it. Everyone pretty much knows already.”

As a true friend, Ning Li didn’t want to deceive Qin Zhi. Sheng Mingluo, an obscure starlet in the entertainment industry, would never be considered worthy by the Qin Family.

Although the Bai Ling Group had subsidiaries involved in the entertainment industry, they were only small, emerging companies still finding their footing. Yet their momentum was undeniable.

As rising stars in the industry, both investors and celebrities alike fawned over Bai Ling Group’s executives and shareholders.

Though Qin Zhi rarely interacted with her family, her noble lineage meant even Bai Ling Group’s major shareholders bowed deeply and addressed her respectfully as “Second Miss.”

“You… you really like her, don’t you?”

Based on Ning Li’s understanding of Qin Zhi, she couldn’t be the type to be fickle or lust after others’ bodies. She and Qin Li were polar opposites in character.

Their conversation was quiet, and with the noisy train compartment, only Qin Zhi heard it. Her pupils constricted sharply, as if a secret buried deep in her heart had been exposed to the world.

Moreover, it was a truth Qin Zhi had always refused to acknowledge: she had taken this story—a tale casually scribbled down by someone—to heart, and she had fallen in love with it.

How absurd and ridiculous was that?

Tang Rou desperately wanted to hear what they were saying, but she was too far away. Unable to make out the words, she glared resentfully at Ning Li, wondering why she got to sit so close to Sister A-Zhi.

Qin Zhi shook her head in denial.

She couldn’t tell if this was her illness acting up or if she truly liked Sheng Mingluo.

Outside the train window, a light rain began to fall, softening even the earth. Suddenly, Sheng Mingluo sent her a message.

Teacher Qin, I think you left your hair tie at my place.

The accompanying photo showed Sheng Mingluo’s bedroom bed. A black rubber band lay on the master bedroom’s sheets, held in Sheng Mingluo’s hand. A portion of her slender, fair arm was visible, and her long black hair cascaded over it.

Seeing that bed, the ambiguous desire she had suppressed earlier now flared anew, like a raging fire engulfing her.

This was terrible. She truly desired Sheng Mingluo. Her lips, her body, even her emotions—everything about her was irresistibly alluring to Qin Zhi.

She felt like a human who had taken their first bite of the apple under the serpent’s temptation. But who was the serpent, and who was the apple?

Should I bring it to you next time?

Though it was just a small hair tie, Sheng Mingluo swore she was only asking if Qin Zhi still wanted it.

There was no ulterior motive.

And she wasn’t thinking about her.