Treacherous! Scheming! Villain!
Jiang Ruoning inwardly cursed as she lowered her head and messaged Qin Zheng. Qin Zheng had just finished dinner and was video calling Yun An when Jiang Ruoning’s message popped up on the screen. She asked: 【What’s up?】
Jiang Ruoning: 【Do you know who I ran into at dinner tonight?】
Qin Zheng replied without thinking: 【Shi Sui?】
Jiang Ruoning: 【…】
Jiang Ruoning: 【How did you know?】
Was the world really this small?
In a massive city like Shangjing with countless restaurants, they had to end up at the same one.
It had been the same at Liming Grand Hotel last time too.
Fated enemies were truly tenacious.
Qin Zheng didn’t want to know, but Jiang Ruoning’s displeasure practically leaped off the screen—it was impossible to ignore.
Perhaps Jiang Ruoning hadn’t noticed it herself, but every time she encountered Shi Sui, her emotions ran high.
Either thrilled.
Or furious.
Right now, Jiang Ruoning was furious.
She messaged Qin Zheng: 【Do you know who she is?】
Qin Zheng, uncharacteristically not following her train of thought, sent a question mark.
Jiang Ruoning gritted her teeth as she typed: 【She’s the general agent for the brand I’m collaborating with!】
Qin Zheng got it.
Her expression shifted from furrowed brows to sudden understanding. Yun An asked, “Who are you chatting with?”
Qin Zheng glanced at the screen. “Ruoning.”
She said, “Do you know what Shi Sui’s job is now?”
Yun An shook her head.
Qin Zheng met her gaze through the screen and saw Yun An’s clear eyes—she truly seemed unaware.
Qin Zheng said, “She’s going to collaborate with Ruoning.”
Yun An responded indifferently, “Oh.”
“Oh, what!” Qin Zheng exclaimed. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I said Shi Sui is collaborating with Ruoning!”
Yun An nodded. “I heard you.”
Qin Zheng grew annoyed. “How dare she? What gives her the right?” Then she turned her ire on Yun An. “You heard me and didn’t react at all. What, do you approve of her doing this too?”
Yun An, inexplicably scolded, paused. “I didn’t…”
“There’s no ‘didn’t’ about it,” Qin Zheng snapped. “You two are in cahoots!”
Yun An stared blankly at the suddenly disconnected video call.
Qin Zheng tossed her phone onto the sofa, thought for a moment, then picked it up again and messaged Jiang Ruoning: 【Did you agree?】
Jiang Ruoning frowned at Qin Zheng’s message and gazed out the window.
Only Zhao Miaomiao hadn’t drunk any alcohol, so she was driving. Wu Jie sat in the passenger seat, while in the back, Jiang Ruoning occupied the right side by the window, Shi Sui sat in the middle, and Jiang Nuan was on the left. The car interior was pitch black, with streetlights occasionally flashing through the windows, casting fleeting beams of light. Jiang Ruoning had dimmed her phone screen to the lowest setting before huddling by the window to vent to Qin Zheng.
Agree?
The photoshoot was a done deal; it was definitely happening.
But she hadn’t agreed to be the lead model for the winter show.
No contract had been signed yet.
So Jiang Ruoning wasn’t keen on agreeing.
But Wu Jie…
Wu Jie had done so much for her, running around tirelessly. If it all came to nothing in the end, Wu Jie would be devastated.
But she was already devastated now.
If they continued collaborating…
She wouldn’t just be devastated—she’d suffocate!
Jiang Ruoning stared at the darkened screen, biting her lower lip. A faint, elegant fragrance wafted from her side, teasing her nostrils. Suddenly, a hand reached over without warning. Jiang Ruoning’s body tensed instantly. Shi Sui did nothing more than brush past her lower back as she pressed the window button slightly.
A cool breeze flowed in, dissipating the stuffy heat inside the car. As Shi Sui withdrew her hand, fine beads of sweat prickled Jiang Ruoning’s back.
She turned her head and breathed through the window.
Jiang Nuan caught the subtle shift in atmosphere between them and spoke up casually. “Miss Jiang, do you know much about our Less brand?”
Her tone was relaxed, like idle chit-chat.
Jiang Ruoning could ignore Shi Sui, but she couldn’t snub Jiang Nuan—they had no grudge between them, so she couldn’t take it out on an innocent party. She turned her head and replied, “Just superficial stuff from what’s available online.”
Wu Jie chimed in. “I heard Less was a brand President Shi pushed through despite opposition. It must hold special meaning for her.”
Shi Sui looked toward the passenger seat, though her peripheral gaze drifted to Jiang Ruoning.
Jiang Ruoning had turned her head to speak with Jiang Nuan.
The car passed under a streetlight.
Light flooded in.
Their eyes met.
Shi Sui said, “It’s very special.”
Jiang Ruoning averted her gaze.
Ridiculous.
What was the point of looking at her?
Trying to seduce her?
Jiang Ruoning rolled her eyes out the window. Wu Jie flattered, “President Shi truly has vision and boldness. I’m sure our collaboration this time will be a pleasant one.”
Normally, Jiang Ruoning would have chimed in with some polite pleasantries at this point, but tonight she remained unusually silent—silent enough to surprise even Wu Jie. Jiang Nuan smiled at Wu Jie. “Collaborating with Miss Jiang is our honor too. To be honest, I’m a fan of hers. I wonder if Miss Jiang could sign something for me later?”
Wu Jie was surprised. “Really?”
Jiang Nuan nodded. “Of course. I think Miss Jiang has such a great aura.”
In the darkness, Jiang Ruoning felt embarrassed by the praise and let out a dry laugh. Jiang Nuan pulled a postcard and pen from her bag. Even Shi Sui seemed taken aback by her preparedness. Jiang Ruoning paused for a second when handed the pen—she’d thought it was a joke.
She really was a fan?
Jiang Ruoning dropped her playful attitude and took it seriously. She signed the postcard and handed it back.
Jiang Nuan accepted it with both hands. “Thank you, Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Ruoning smiled back. “You’re welcome.”
Jiang Nuan added, “You’re as beautiful and kind-hearted as they say.”
Jiang Ruoning’s smile strained at the corners.
So awkward.
Why weren’t they home yet!
They were dropping off Jiang Nuan first, then Jiang Ruoning, since their places were on the same route. Shi Sui lived farther away. Though Wu Jie had wanted to drop Shi Sui off first, she knew Jiang Ruoning was worried about her mom, so she changed her mind.
Jiang Nuan lived in a villa district. After getting out, she sincerely invited them in to sit. Wu Jie waved it off with a smile. “Next time, when we have the chance.”
“There will definitely be,” Jiang Nuan said. “Thank you so much for the ride today.”
Wu Jie exchanged a few polite words with her. Jiang Ruoning leaned against the right door, her peripheral vision unhappily sweeping over Shi Sui.
Jiang Nuan was already out—why wasn’t Shi Sui moving over? Why crowd her?
But she couldn’t very well shove Shi Sui aside, so she pretended to shift uncomfortably, changing positions now and then.
But the perceptive Shi Sui seemed to have lost her awareness and didn’t move to the other side. Instead, when the car turned a corner, she leaned even closer to Jiang Ruoning.
Jiang Ruoning wore a skirt with her arms bare. When they brushed against Shi Sui’s fabric, a dense wave of sensation prickled her skin, amplified endlessly by the alcohol. She uncomfortably touched the back of her neck.
She was sweating.
Could this woman stay farther away!
It was so hot.
Swelteringly hot.
Jiang Ruoning simply cracked all the windows. Wind rushed in instantly, tousling her long hair. It teased Shi Sui’s cheeks and neck too, strands grazing under her nose with a faint fragrance.
She didn’t move.
Neither did Jiang Ruoning, staring out the window.
Finally, they arrived. Without thinking, Jiang Ruoning flung open the door. As she stepped out, her hair caught— she yelped and turned back.
Her hair was tangled in Shi Sui’s button.
On her chest button, no less!
Jiang Ruoning eyed Shi Sui suspiciously, wondering if she’d deliberately looped it there when she opened the window. Shi Sui met her gaze helplessly, saying nothing, yet seeming to convey everything.
Wu Jie turned at the noise. “What’s…”
Jiang Ruoning was bent over, fumbling with Shi Sui’s button. Wu Jie nearly bit her tongue in shock.
Seeing her unsteady hands, Shi Sui grabbed her wrist. “Let me.”
The strands were merely hooked loosely around the button. Jiang Ruoning had assumed it was deliberate and insisted on unfastening it to check. But as Shi Sui pulled her wrist, Jiang Ruoning sobered up a bit. She kept her head down as Shi Sui undid the button.
Exposing pale skin.
Chest skin.
And flesh-toned lingerie.
Such white, ample breasts…
Damn.
Jiang Ruoning yanked her hair back from Shi Sui’s hand and said, “Sorry, President Shi. I didn’t mean to offend.”
Shi Sui looked at her and shook her head.
Jiang Ruoning couldn’t tell what she meant.
No problem?
Or don’t go?
Jiang Ruoning’s feet froze in place, her palm sweating around her bag strap as they stared at each other across the car.
Wu Jie said, “We’ll head out then.”
Jiang Ruoning snapped back. “Yeah.” Then, belatedly, “Drive safe.”
Wu Jie nodded and gestured for her to say goodbye to Shi Sui behind her.
Reluctantly, Jiang Ruoning added, “Goodbye, President Shi.”
Shi Sui’s brows furrowed slightly as she continued watching her. After a moment, she said, “Okay.”
Just one word, and Jiang Ruoning’s heart skipped a beat. Wu Jie waved to her.
Jiang Ruoning waved back.
Shi Sui watched her.
Meeting Shi Sui’s eyes, Jiang Ruoning’s waving hand curled and slowly dropped.
Shi Sui’s eyelids lowered too.
The car drove off.
Jiang Ruoning exhaled in relief.
She didn’t know why she’d been so tense, but ever since Shi Sui got in the car, her whole body had been rigid. Now relaxing, she felt aches everywhere, especially her neck. She rubbed the stiff spot and heard someone call from behind, “Ruoning.”
It was Jiang Qin.
Jiang Ruoning’s briefly eased nerves tensed again!
She turned. Jiang Qin walked over from the complex entrance. Jiang Ruoning’s heart pounded in her throat. Before she could ask, Jiang Qin said, “Colleagues dropped you off?”
She hadn’t seen Shi Sui.
Good.
Thank goodness.
Jiang Ruoning felt like a thief who hadn’t even stolen anything yet but was scared out of her wits.
Jiang Qin looked at her puzzled. “Why are you covered in sweat?”
Not just sweat—she looked like she’d been pulled from water. Her thin back blouse was soaked through, and the breeze now brought a chill. Jiang Ruoning said, “It was hot in the car.”
Jiang Qin muttered, “No AC?”
There had been, probably.
But she hadn’t felt it—Shi Sui had been like a blazing fire beside her.
She’d nearly burned up.
Jiang Ruoning said offhandedly, “The AC was broken.”
Jiang Qin took it at face value. “No wonder it was hot. Come on, let’s go home.”
Jiang Ruoning supported her. “How are you? Are you okay? What happened with the sudden faint?”
Jiang Qin chuckled but before she could explain, someone called, “Jiang Qin.”
Not Auntie Lin.
A stranger’s voice.
Jiang Qin waved. “Over here.”
Jiang Ruoning followed her gaze. By the security booth at the complex entrance stood a woman in a red dress, around her mom’s age, smiling warmly with her hair pinned up neatly—a gentle, refined image.
