Whoever Falls in Love First is the Dog - Chapter 12

Chapter 12:  I Changed Careers to Hunt Demons

When Chen Yanxing walked in, the private room fell silent for a brief moment.

But only for a moment—everyone quickly went back to doing their own thing.

She swept a glance around. Fewer than twenty people in the room—some were singing, some playing games, some cuddling with their partners while chatting, and others simply drinking and eating.

Chen Xingxing shot her a glance and sneered before turning her head away. Chen Yanqing, however, kept her eyes fixed on Chen Yanxing.

Ren Qi was also watching them—but her eyes were on Ren Zhou. When she saw her enter, Ren Qi frowned.

Ren Zhou shrugged indifferently and ignored her, greeting Du Junyi with a quick hello before dashing off to play games with someone else. She lived by the motto: “Staying away from Ren Qi is the key to survival.”

Ren Qi had raised Ren Zhou. Compared to her parents, Ren Qi had a much more intimidating presence in Ren Zhou’s life.

Chen Yanxing avoided Chen Yanqing’s gaze and turned her attention to Du Junyi, who was carefully slicing a cake.

The woman was dressed in a teal qipao that hugged her figure perfectly. Her long black hair was partially tied up, and the piece of green jade hidden among the strands glinted under the light.

The Du family had royal roots and a scholarly legacy. Their venture into business only began three generations ago, but they’d risen fast—enough to compete on equal footing with long-established merchant families like the Chens.

Especially Du Junyi—she looked gentle and refined, and her manner was always calm and measured. Yet, her presence was impossible to ignore. During business negotiations, people couldn’t help but acknowledge her.

Some used to call her “Jiangcheng’s Noble Lady,” originally as a form of mockery. In the world of business where bold moves were admired, her refined and proper demeanor seemed like just a show. Critics said she was all posture, no substance.

But as Du Junyi began demonstrating her bold tactics and growing influence, that nickname slowly turned into a compliment.

The original sneer behind the phrase was long forgotten, while Du Junyi’s reputation only soared.

Chen Yanxing walked over, bypassing Chen Yanqing, and sat on Du Junyi’s other side. Reaching out for a piece of cake, she said, “Happy birthday, Junyi-jie.”

“I just got back and didn’t get the memo, so I didn’t bring a gift.”

Du Junyi chuckled and handed her a slice of cake. “Welcome back. Last time we met, you were still a kid, right? It’s been so many years.”

“Mmm…” The cream melted instantly in her mouth, sending a chill down her spine. She frowned. “Ice cream?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Chen Yanxing put down the cake. “I’m on a health kick lately. No cold stuff.”

Hearing that, Chen Xingxing snorted. “Just recently started taking care of your health? What were you doing all those years in the temple? Drinking and eating meat while keeping Buddha in your heart?”

Chen Yanxing didn’t even bother sparing her a glance. She kept her eyes on the prayer beads around her wrist, slowly taking them off.

“Cursing you,” she said casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “Even Buddha thought I was too vicious.”

She held the beads in her hand. Chen Xingxing frowned at her and was about to explode, but Chen Yanqing stopped her with a look. She could only sit down angrily and take a big gulp of liquor.

Chen Yanxing handed the beads to Du Junyi. “They’ve been blessed. I’m giving them to you.”

Du Junyi paused for a moment, smiling just as she was about to thank her, when Chen Yanxing added, “I learned a bit of face reading from an old Taoist. These suit your energy well, Junyi-jie.”

Her words made little sense together, but Du Junyi examined the beads and smiled again. “You’ve come a long way, Yanxing. Much better than when you only knew how to fight.”

Chen Yanxing smiled faintly and said nothing. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the table was covered with alcohol and frowned.

In every friend group, there’s always that one thing you can’t escape. In her case, it was a fight from long ago—just one. She’d cracked open the head of a much older boy, and it was for helping Du Junyi. Afterwards, she was dragged away, but Du Junyi had never forgotten the incident and always brought it up with a teasing tone.

Chen Yanxing sighed. She didn’t know how Du Junyi saw her now—good or bad. After all, it had been years since she’d returned, and if Chen Xingxing had been stirring the pot behind her back…

Thinking that, she turned to look at Chen Xingxing. Their eyes met, both scowled, and looked away at the same time.

Chen Yanqing tossed a bottle of water to her and asked, “Where’s your brooch?”

Chen Yanxing paused as she twisted the cap open. After taking a sip, she replied slowly, “Gave it away.”

“You gave it away?” This caught not only Chen Yanqing’s attention but also everyone else’s.

The boss of Yaozhou wasn’t local, and nobody knew who was backing them—but they didn’t bow to anyone’s influence.

Well… maybe a little. Otherwise, these heirs from wealthy families wouldn’t each have a brooch.

Still, the rules were strict: lose it, and it’s gone for good. No replacements, no matter who you were.

Chen Yanxing had just received hers from Chen Yanqing that very day—and now she’d given it away?

Sure, she could still get in if she followed someone else, but it wasn’t the same as having her own badge. It meant less freedom.

“To whom?” Chen Yanqing asked.

Chen Yanxing paused before answering, “A fox spirit.”

“……”

Everyone around them fell silent.

Ren Zhou, who had been happily playing cards, suddenly sensed the change in atmosphere. She dropped her cards and ran over.

“Junyi-jie, I’m hungry. Is there any cake left for me?”

Du Junyi sliced her another piece, then turned to Chen Yanxing. “Who?”

Chen Yanxing smiled and looked at Ren Zhou. “Didn’t Ah Zhou tell you guys? I changed careers. I hunt demons now.”

Cough, cough cough—

Ren Zhou choked on the cream and stared at her in disbelief.

At the same time, everyone else turned their attention to Ren Zhou.

Chen Yanxing grinned and looked away, gazing out the window.

Beautiful moonlight, gentle breeze, clear skies—what a lovely night.

Meanwhile, the “fox spirit” herself had just been dropped off at her residential complex by Fan Shi.

“You sure you want to get out here?” Fan Shi looked around, a bit concerned. She was afraid Shen Mengke might get photographed again.

Shen Mengke looked a little worn out, but she nodded. “I’m starving. I’ve only had a small piece of bread all day.”

In her mind, she was cursing Chen Yanxing—such an irresponsible client! Didn’t send her home, didn’t even ask if she’d eaten!

She turned to Fan Shi. “I’m going to grab something to eat over there and then walk it off before heading back.”

“You don’t want me to come with you?”

Shen Mengke laughed lightly. “I’m not a kid anymore. This neighborhood’s not that dangerous. I just want to be alone for a bit. Go home, Fan-jie.”

After much persuasion, Fan Shi finally drove off.

Shen Mengke stood at the gate, watching the car disappear into the distance and sighed.

The place she was living—Huayuan—was arranged by her company. Many celebrities lived nearby, though Shen Mengke wasn’t around often due to traveling for shoots.

Most of the residents weren’t hugely famous—mostly idols from boy and girl groups. It was rare for actors to need company-arranged housing these days.

She figured the company didn’t know what to do with her. Not quite a flop, but not quite a hit either. Always trending, but never for actual achievements.

In short: somewhat useful, but not exactly valuable.

Last time she saw the boss, he was annoyed that she didn’t want to do variety shows.

He’d been the one to personally bring her into the industry. He didn’t want to waste her, but wasn’t pushing her either. She was still worth keeping around—there was always the chance she’d blow up someday.

They were waiting for that moment.

Under the moonlight, Shen Mengke walked aimlessly, her thoughts drifting who knows where.

She’d always thought her life had gone pretty smoothly. Decent grades, a decent college, and after graduation, an easy entry into the entertainment industry.

Her boss was a true businessman, but at least he wasn’t heartless.

The dramas she’d filmed had decent views—enough to keep her afloat.

The only real disruption was probably Chen Yanxing.

Because… Shen Mengke couldn’t quite figure her out.