Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 170-171

Chapter 170: The End

Qiao Rubai’s question almost gave the dozing investigator a heart attack.

He helpfully suggested calling the police, if the person wasn’t dead yet.

Seeing Qiao Rubai’s pale face and her silence, he said that if they destroyed the receiving device, even if the listening device was found, it couldn’t be traced back to them.

Xue Yi, who had killed Mi Hongdou and her in her previous life, was about to die… Qiao Rubai felt a chill.

He was dying, not by her hand, but because of her actions. She had bribed Ke Minglang’s psychiatrist, but she hadn’t expected that Ke Minglang, described as merely moody and temperamental, would… murder his partner of ten years.

He’s insane!

If she had to choose between Xue Yi and Ke Minglang, she would choose Ke Minglang. A mentally unstable man, a murderer, with a history of psychological problems, he might not even go to jail. That psychopath, the one who had Lu Gaoshi spy on Ji Junxin… if he didn’t go to jail, he would be even more dangerous than Xue Yi. If even murder couldn’t put him away, then neither would Wan Nan’s other crimes… the law was too lenient with the mentally ill.

Through the earpiece, Xue Yi’s hoarse voice repeatedly asked if he was dying, while Ke Minglang just laughed, talking about raising Xue Yi’s “bastard son.” Xue Yi stopped asking about the ambulance. His last words: “Okay… I’m tired, you must be tired too, I… still care about you…”

Then, heavy footsteps, the crashing of objects, a man’s screams and curses, a thud…

Qiao Rubai knew what was happening, her face expressionless, only her hand, tightly clutching her coat, betraying her emotions.

Finally, only ragged breathing and soft moans.

Xue Yi.

Qiao Rubai removed the earpiece, turned off the device, and told the investigator to destroy the receiver and leave, immediately.

A murder in a luxury villa, it made the news.

Ke Minglang was dead, and so was Xue Yi.

Qiao Rubai had nightmares for three days. Then, on the fourth day, she sent Xue Yi’s wife and child abroad. There had been no kidnapping, just a pawn wanting freedom. Qiao Rubai had simply facilitated it, Xue Yi’s wife playing along, her intention to create conflict, not murder… but it was another kind of freedom for her.

She then leaked information about Wan Nan’s illegal activities, turning the news from a murder case to corporate corruption and infighting.

Whether it was the whole truth or not, Qiao Rubai didn’t care.

She now had a clearer picture of what had happened in her past life, just a few missing pieces…

A few days later, she received a new report. She studied it, thought about it for a week, then locked it away.

She thought she had made the decision for Ji Junxin.

But two months later, this decision was overturned.

Reality Online aired on TV, its popularity unaffected by the live stream. The ratings were high, the online buzz constant, a success.

Unexpectedly, a student of Ji’s mother, having learned that Ji Junxin was her daughter, asked if she and Mi Hongdou were a couple. Ji’s mother, usually not interested in Ji Junxin’s career, watched two episodes with Ji’s father, then called Ji Junxin home and confronted her. Seeing Ji Junxin’s silence, her parents, although not dwelling on the show, presented her with a long list of potential husbands: teachers from her father’s school, former students, even eligible male staff… Ji Junxin, seeing the list, wanted to run.

But her parents, accusing her of being unfilial, forced her to stay and meet them, fifteen a day. Fifteen blind dates a day, this isn’t matchmaking, it’s a fire sale! Ji Junxin, having never experienced such parental “concern,” panicked. Before her phone was confiscated, she called Qiao Rubai, begging her to create a work emergency and rescue her.

She hadn’t wanted to explain the details, but Qiao Rubai quickly figured it out.

And Qiao Rubai was furious. She made some quick arrangements and rushed to Ji Junxin’s place, grabbing the file from her safe before leaving.

Ji’s mother opened the door. “Junxin is unwell, she’s not working for the next two days,” she said with a forced smile, and was about to close the door.

Qiao Rubai was a frequent visitor, and Ji’s parents, although not particularly warm, had always been polite. This unusual behavior… Qiao Rubai knew, they’re planning to keep her here. I just risked my life, and now this! What’s the difference between them and that lunatic Ke Minglang, making her go on blind dates! Infuriating!

Qiao Rubai, usually polite, now filled with a sudden aggression, blocked the door and pushed her way in.

Ji’s father came out, frowning. “Xiao Qiao, today…”

“Fang Yiqin,” Qiao Rubai said, her voice low, seeing that Ji Junxin wasn’t there, dropping the name like a bomb.

Their faces instantly changed.

Just then, Ji Junxin came out of her room, and seeing Qiao Rubai, ran over excitedly. “Is there a job for me?”

Qiao Rubai’s earlier frustration at the forced blind dates almost vanished.

“Go, go play with Mi Hongdou,” she said, dismissing Ji Junxin. “I need to talk to your parents.”

Ji Junxin glanced at her parents, their faces grim, but they didn’t object.

She quickly left. No way am I going on fifteen blind dates!

With Ji Junxin gone, her parents’ faces darkened.

“Where did you hear that name?” her father asked, his brow furrowed.

Knowing that they weren’t Ji Junxin’s real parents explained their strange behavior all these years. Thinking about Ji Junxin’s childhood, her longing for her parents’ love and attention, Qiao Rubai looked at them, her stomach churning with anger.

“Fang Yiqin, Ji Junxin’s father, a con man, died in a car accident before she was born. Her mother, after giving birth, entrusted her to you, telling you about the deception and asking that her daughter not be given the Fang surname, not wanting to honor that con man. And you two… are her aunt and uncle.” Qiao Rubai answered his question.

“Don’t talk nonsense! What if someone hears you!” Ji’s mother said anxiously.

Qiao Rubai sighed and patted the file. “Don’t worry, I can afford to silence everyone. I’ve already taken care of it, the doctors and nurses who overheard, your neighbors back in your hometown, the people at the registration office, everyone.”

“What… what do you want?” Ji’s father asked, his voice calmer.

“Stay out of Ji Junxin’s love life,” Qiao Rubai said, placing a check on the table. “This is… a token of my gratitude.”

“What do you mean! Even if she’s not our biological daughter, we raised her, we have the right to be concerned about her!” Ji’s father exploded.

Qiao Rubai laughed. “Raised her? You paid for a nanny. After kindergarten, she was a latchkey kid, you didn’t even care about her transportation, just her tuition and living expenses. Takeout for dinner, she never had a home-cooked meal, right? You just… spent money on her? And now, the money is repaid, what else do you want? You think raising a child is just about money. Then money is your reward.”

“Raising a child takes effort and care, you’ve never raised a child, you wouldn’t understand!” Ji’s mother’s face was livid. “If I had known you were this kind of child, I wouldn’t have let Junxin befriend you! Look at her now, an actress! She should quit and become a teacher, get married, have children, like a normal person!”

“Like Fang Yiqin, marrying just to have a son?” Qiao Rubai sneered. “Effort and care? When she was in third grade, she went to school with a high fever, who took her to the hospital? When she injured her knee in fourth grade, who took care of her, who drove her to school? When she had her first period in sixth grade, thinking she was dying, who comforted her, who gave her a book about puberty?”

“What are you talking about!” Ji’s father looked uncomfortable.

Qiao Rubai chuckled. “I’ve been taking care of her since elementary school! I’m the one who put in the effort, not you! Now I’m even paying you, what else do you want? Don’t tell me you don’t even remember those things, or I can list even more.”

“Don’t…” Ji’s mother did remember the awkward attempt to explain menstruation to Ji Junxin in ninth grade…

“Fine.” Qiao Rubai placed the check on the table. “We all agreed not to tell her about her past, and I won’t. But who she loves, how she lives her life, that’s her decision. You, as her… aunt and uncle who only provided financial support, you’ve done enough. I’ve been taking care of her since we were young, and I’m not complaining. And you don’t even like her, why do you care who she loves…” She emphasized the last sentence. Ji’s parents didn’t immediately refute her words, confirming Qiao Rubai’s suspicion. A bitterness welled up in her heart. “So, it’s because of your sister, being deceived and then dying after childbirth, that you dislike Ji Junxin.”

Ji’s mother remained silent. Ji’s father coughed, his face annoyed. “What nonsense are you talking about! We decided to dedicate our lives to education, to our students. We didn’t plan on having children, we’re not good with children, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love her!”

“Didn’t plan on having children? I was practically raising your child since elementary school! You love being teachers, fine, but as teachers, don’t you understand a child’s needs at different ages? The impact of family? That everyone needs love and care? Don’t you even understand what it feels like for a child to have no allowance when all the other children do?”

Ji’s father was about to speak, but Qiao Rubai stopped him. “I know you were strict, afraid she would waste the money, but… you knew what a child needs, allowance, love, companionship, care, but you didn’t give her any of that. Because you were busy, and because you didn’t think she was… important enough. Okay, I’m not here to criticize your parenting, I’m here to pay you.” She pointed at the check. “Whether you use it or not, I consider this child support. And we won’t tell Junxin about this conversation. But if you continue to force her, I’ll bribe your students to accuse you of… inappropriate conduct, incompetence… anything that would ruin your precious careers.”

Her casual tone infuriated them. “Are you threatening us?!”

“Yes,” she nodded seriously. “My relationship with you depends on Ji Junxin’s happiness. If you continue to force her, we’ll be enemies. I’m serious, I have the resources to make you lose everything you care about, I have the money.”

“You!” They were speechless with rage.

Qiao Rubai smiled and, as she was leaving, turned back. “By the way, in all these years, did you ever take her for street food? Did you ever take her to those… goldfish scooping stalls? Did you know how troublesome those elementary school craft projects were, that everyone else’s parents helped them? You didn’t record this conversation, did you? Even if you tell Junxin, she’ll believe me. Goodbye!”

Walking out of their building, Qiao Rubai took a deep breath, finally understanding Jiang Lingling’s carefree attitude. I need to earn more money…

She had initially wanted to have a calm discussion, but… their lack of genuine affection for Ji Junxin, just fulfilling a dying sister’s wish, angered her. And after the villa incident, she had become more… aggressive, she wouldn’t have threatened them before. But judging by the outcome, it had been effective. She had become a little… ruthless.

Ji Junxin’s past… I won’t tell her for now. She was finally happy in this life, and although she had no right to interfere, Qiao Rubai still chose to keep it a secret.

But Mi Hongdou deserves to know.

A few days later, she met with Mi Hongdou, telling her everything, even about Ji Junxin’s past.

Their speculations were similar, especially after Qiao Rubai remembered the rumor about Jiang Duo injuring her face during a fight scene, just days before the accident. It had just been a rumor, quickly suppressed by Dajin, but now… it seemed plausible.

Ke Minglang had said he wouldn’t live past ten years. So, in their past life, perhaps as he neared his death, with Ji Junxin still unmarried, not having fulfilled Fang Yiqin’s wish for an heir, and after they discovered, or suspected, that she was interested in women, they had targeted Mi Hongdou, who was close to Ji Junxin, and Qiao Rubai, who had always protected her. As for Jiang Duo… perhaps seeing no chance of reconciliation with Ji Junxin, they had just… punished her, not killed her.

And Xue Yi, wanting Ke Minglang to die with him in this life, perhaps, after killing them in their previous life, he had also died with Ke Minglang. But that was just speculation, the closest they could get to the truth.

Overwhelmed by the information, Mi Hongdou’s mind was still reeling when she returned to Ji Junxin’s apartment.

She had wanted to rest, but Ji Junxin, her eyes shining with excitement, presented her with a large box.

Not a birthday, not an anniversary… Mi Hongdou carefully opened it.

Inside, two dolls, exquisitely crafted, similar to the ones given to Jiang Lingling and Bao Yueqiao in Dengjia Village.

“Do they look like us? I asked the craftsman who made those dolls for Reality Online to make these, they just arrived today!” Ji Junxin snuggled closer to Mi Hongdou, smiling. “See, this one in the moon-white dress is you, and this one in the green dress is me, do they look like us?”

“They do. Our outfits from Imperial Secrets. Why not the empress’s robes?” Mi Hongdou touched the dolls.

“I thought… the palace scenes were too sad, I prefer the estate scenes, simpler, but happier. Do you like the robes? I could have ordered those.” Ji Junxin carefully held the dolls. “Should I order another set?”

“No, I like these.” Seeing Ji Junxin’s “you’re lying” expression, Mi Hongdou picked up Ji Junxin’s doll. “This one is so cute, and the clothes are so detailed. Can I take them off?”

“No!” Ji Junxin said, stopping her. “You’ll break them!”

“Okay, okay, not this one.” Mi Hongdou always indulged her. “Then… this one?” She reached for Ji Junxin’s clothes.

So… Mi Hongdou finally fulfilled her earlier wish, she slept with… her little wife.

Looking at the sleeping Ji Junxin, her clothes slightly disheveled, Mi Hongdou leaned closer and gently kissed her lips.

She remembered Qiao Rubai’s decision to keep Ji Junxin’s past a secret. She had initially thought it wasn’t right. But now… what harm could it do? It was a secret best left buried, there was no need to reopen old wounds. She would tell her later.

Some truths… are just painful.

Mi Hongdou hoped that when the time came, she would be able to give Ji Junxin enough love and security, a warm and loving home, a home of their own. Until then, she would just… cherish her, love her, even more.

Chapter 171: Extra

Today was Mi Hongdou’s thirtieth birthday.

Half a month ago, Qiao Rubai had arranged for Mi Hongdou’s close protection, just like ten years ago, and she also had her own security detail. The night before, she had gathered Mi Hongdou, Ji Junxin, and their friends who would be celebrating the birthday at a secure location.

Ji Junxin had even joked that after all these years of friendship, Qiao Rubai had never been so cautious about her birthday.

Only Mi Hongdou knew the reason for Qiao Rubai’s meticulous arrangements.

This day was… significant.

Although Ke Minglang and Xue Yi were dead, both Qiao Rubai and Mi Hongdou felt that only after safely passing Mi Hongdou’s thirtieth birthday could they truly escape the shadow of their past lives.

Because of Qiao Rubai’s caution, the guest list was small.

Dong Yuannan was there, of course. Under Jiang Lingling’s supervision, he was now exercising regularly and was in good health. Their partnership had thrived in the past ten years, their combined wealth far exceeding their previous lives.

After Jiang Lingling’s video confession, Pan Xiang, for some reason, had created a new reader account and started leaving adoring comments on Jiang Lingling’s stories. She had even written long reviews and discussed plot points with Jiang Lingling, her online persona much more… childlike. Their author-reader dynamic reversed, they chatted online, but Jiang Lingling was much more aloof towards Reader Pan Xiang than Author Pan Xiang.

After a while, they even exchanged QQ contact information. But then Jiang Lingling, with her usual bluntness, told Reader Pan Xiang, “Sorry, but I’m already in love with someone.”

Reader Pan Xiang almost choked. How did she even get the idea that I was interested in her?!

Mortified, she almost deleted Jiang Lingling’s contact, then, before doing so, asked who Jiang Lingling liked.

And then she didn’t delete it.

Because the person Jiang Lingling liked… was Author Pan Xiang!

For a while, Pan Xiang lived a double life, Author Pan Xiang and Jiang Lingling online friends, Reader Pan Xiang also Jiang Lingling’s online friend, both constantly hearing Jiang Lingling praise Author Pan Xiang.

How… absurd.

Reader Pan Xiang tried to subtly hint that perhaps Author Pan Xiang wasn’t a sophisticated older sister, but a young, cute girl… while Author Pan Xiang tried to show Jiang Lingling that she wasn’t just elegant and refined, but also… a dork. And then one day, Pan Xiang suddenly realized… what am I even doing?

So, she retreated, and Jiang Lingling became… doubly single, losing both a friend and a fan online.

Fortunately, Pan Xiang didn’t hide for too long. After all, writers were more open-minded.

Three years. Author Pan Xiang and Jiang Lingling had an online relationship for three years, and Reader Pan Xiang remained Jiang Lingling’s close friend… until Jiang Lingling insisted on meeting Author Pan Xiang, and Pan Xiang, unable to stall any longer, put away her bun, bought a more mature outfit, and finally agreed.

Now… because Jiang Lingling wasn’t planning to get married, Dong Yuannan was working even closer with Qiao Rubai, to secure Jiang Lingling’s future, and… to perhaps invest in Pan Xiang’s future too, hmph. And Pan Xiang, having successfully captured Jiang Lingling’s heart, had returned to her usual casual attire, but that was another story.

And Reader Pan Xiang… still existed.

This was Pan Xiang’s secret, shared with Mi Hongdou, who didn’t think she would ever tell Jiang Lingling that her girlfriend and her online friend were the same person…

Writers… their imaginations…

Director Pan was also invited. And because Pan Xiang was there, and Jiang Lingling next to her, he spent the entire dinner frowning. And Dong Yuannan, sitting next to Jiang Lingling, also looked disapproving. So, regardless of sexual orientation, disapproving parents are everywhere.

Of course, Mi’s mother was different. Having doted on Ji Junxin for years, even more so than her own daughter, Mi Hongdou often felt superfluous…

Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao, having become friends with Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin after Reality Online, were also there. Like the enduring “Sweet Red Bean Soup” group, “LuYu” was also a thriving CP fandom. Some relationships, unspoken, but understood, a shared camaraderie that eased the loneliness.

And with Qiao Rubai present, Yang Lianyi was also there, but Yang Miemie, now thirteen, was at school. Qiao Rubai’s life, it seemed, was destined to be filled with… children. Even though she liked women, at her age, she was still taking care of a child. Mi Hongdou had once said that Qiao Rubai was like a cheat code in a reborn protagonist’s story, but Qiao Rubai felt more like… a brick… always there to fill the gaps, to fix the problems.

Like Ji Junxin’s parents, who, after being threatened, had tried to set her up on blind dates again. A few days later, they had received several salted fish, delivered by their students, with notes attached: “I’m serious.” To Ji’s parents, who believed in the sanctity of the teacher-student relationship, having students barge into their office and throw salted fish on their desks… it was terrifying. Remembering Qiao Rubai’s threats, they were truly scared and never mentioned blind dates again. Qiao Rubai felt that her “brick” tactic had been effective.

A year ago, at Mi Hongdou’s insistence, Qiao Rubai had told Ji Junxin about her biological parents. Perhaps because Mi Hongdou had taken such good care of her over the years, Ji Junxin had only been sad for a few days, then quickly recovered. Seeing Ji Junxin solemnly visiting her parents’ graves, Qiao Rubai had to admit, Mi Hongdou was right. A child needs someone to love her.

Mi Hongdou was a great cook, but it was her birthday, she couldn’t be the one cooking. After dinner, the guests started leaving. But Qiao Rubai, dragging Yang Lianyi, Mi Hongdou, and Ji Junxin into a mahjong game, ignoring the couple’s need for… alone time… played until midnight, then, as if suddenly remembering something urgent, quickly left with Yang Lianyi.

Qiao Rubai had been waiting, and so had Mi Hongdou. Past midnight, a new day, the shadow of her past life finally lifted, a sense of relief washing over her.

So much had changed in this life.

After the Wan Nan incident, Qiao Rubai, furious at Lu Gaoshi, had had her investigated, and the unexplained income had landed Lu Gaoshi in jail. The Jiang family, without Lu Gaoshi’s financial support, and with Jiang’s mother’s continued gambling, were struggling, no need for Qiao Rubai to intervene. Zhong Yin, Ji Junxin’s assistant, had requested to work with another artist, saying that Mi Hongdou was too good at taking care of Ji Junxin, and she felt… useless! So, she ended up with Bao Yueqiao.

Some things changed, others returned to their original trajectory. Mi Hongdou’s thirtieth birthday had passed safely.

And the best part was… Ji Junxin’s gift: that sheer pink nightgown… she would never tire of it.

In the car, Yang Lianyi yawned. “Why are you in such a hurry? What was the point of that mahjong game?”

“Let’s be together,” Qiao Rubai said, eager to get home and reveal her own surprise.

“Okay,” Yang Lianyi replied without hesitation, then yawned again, rubbing her eyes. “After almost ten years, I thought you would never ask.”

Not having lived past Mi Hongdou’s thirtieth birthday in her previous life, Qiao Rubai still felt a lingering uncertainty about the future. All her thoughts and emotions, now condensed into two words, “I’m sorry.”

Yang Lianyi wiped her eyes. “It’s okay, just drive faster.”

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Qiao Rubai asked, turning to her. “Is your stomach hurting?”

Yang Lianyi threw the crumpled tissue at her. “I’m feeling great! After ten years, I just can’t wait to make you feel great!”

-The End-