Ming Li continued, “I currently serve as the CEO of Xingwan. If your shop ever needs a spokesperson, you can contact our company. we’ve recently signed Qin Wan; her temperament would suit your brand quite well.”
“Mine is just a tiny little shop; I can’t afford a spokesperson,” Zhongli Shi admitted, pointing to her sister. “If you want to talk business, talk to her. She’s the one with the deep pockets.”
“Long journeys test a horse’s strength,” Ming Li said with a gentle smile. “Even small shops have the potential to grow large one day.”
“I’ll take that as a good omen then,” Zhongli Shi said, cupping her hands in a playful salute.
Zhongli Shu watched their interaction, speaking up only when the chatter died down. “What brings you here, Miss Ming?”
“Traveling with a friend,” Ming Li replied. “She hasn’t woken up yet, so I’m eating alone.”
“Ah. I’m here to negotiate a project.” Zhongli Shu checked her watch and hurried her sister along. She chatted with Ming Li for a few more minutes, her manner impeccable and perfectly measured.
Ming Li selected a few delicate breakfast items and sat by a window bathed in sunlight, quietly enjoying her meal.
Once the Zhongli sisters left, Zhongli Shi whispered eagerly, “What did she mean just now? Not the Gu family’s Young Madam? What, did she divorce Gu Qingshuang?”
Zhongli Shu nodded. “It seems to be true.”
Secrets never stayed secret for long in their social circle. No one knew where the rumor had started, much like how everyone had known Gu Qingshuang was with the “fallen princess” of the Ming family before it was ever made official. It was the same now.
Zhongli Shu had heard the news a few days ago but hadn’t bothered to verify it. She had only mentioned it briefly during a bedside chat with Shen Chu.
Shen Chu’s response had been indifferent: I don’t know, I didn’t ask.
Zhongli Shu knew her sister-in-law probably had a hand in the situation, but she didn’t care to pry. The Shen family’s mess was for Shen Chu to deal with; she had no desire to exert effort for no reward.
“What do you mean ‘it seems’?” Zhongli Shi grumbled. “You’re married to Shen Chu! My sister-in-law should have first-hand info! She’s best friends with Gu Qingshuang, and her sister used to be with her… You don’t think the divorce happened because of her sister, do you?”
Zhongli Shu shot her a helpless look.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Zhongli Shi huffed. “Think I talk too much?”
“It’s not like I just met you today. I’ve always known you talk too much.”
“Then what?”
“I was just thinking… you really are my sister. We’re thinking the same thing.”
“…”
Realizing she wouldn’t get any more gossip out of her sister, Zhongli Shi shared what she did know—that Ming Li had a younger sister who was hard of hearing. They weren’t blood-related, but they were close. Zhongli Shu hummed in acknowledgment but said no more.
Later, Zhongli Shi sent a message to her friend, Luo Chaoxue: I saw that deaf girl’s sister again.
Luo Chaoxue was at home, dutifully cleaning up after her dog. She was confused by the cryptic message. After Zhongli Shi explained the context, she dropped the bombshell: She’s divorced! And she got the assets!
Luo Chaoxue: …
To Luo Chaoxue, this was news from an entirely different world. Zhongli Shi gossiped a bit more, but when she realized her friend couldn’t relate, she dropped the subject.
Ming Li knew the Zhongli sisters were likely discussing her behind her back, but she didn’t mind. Especially after she had explicitly distanced herself from the Gu family name.
Before long, the entire circle would know she had divorced Gu Qingshuang. There would undoubtedly be opportunists who would come to provoke, gloat, or insult her, just as they had when her family first went bankrupt. Ming Li didn’t care. She would meet them as they came; there was no use worrying about it now.
Once Hanxing woke up, they visited a museum and had a meal of mutton hot pot before heading to the airport to return to Jingan.
The trip was brief, but to their surprise, they ran into the Zhongli sisters again in the business class cabin.
Zhongli Shi was cradling a novel—the same one Ming Li had read a few days ago. It was a short story titled Crossing a Thousand Seas by “Snowy Mountain,” written in the author’s signature ethereal, fantasy style. Ming Li had wanted to buy the rights to that book, only to be told they had already been sold for a high price.
Zhongli Shu nodded to her. A moment later, she had a flight attendant deliver a small box to Ming Li. Inside was a translucent white pendant. It looked like an ancient jade piece.
Confused, Ming Li checked her phone. Zhongli Shu had sent a WeChat message: I was planning to invite you out to give this to you once we returned, but seeing as we’re on the same flight, this is easier.
Ming Li felt that communicating via WeChat when they were only a row apart was a bit much. There were only the four of them in the business cabin. Ming Li stood up and moved to the seat behind her to thank Zhongli Shu. “I didn’t think to get you anything, and yet I’m receiving a gift.”
“I bought it on a whim,” Zhongli Shu said. “After my meeting, my sister dragged me shopping. When I saw this, I thought of you. It suits your temperament perfectly. Don’t worry about it.”
“It’s a generous gift,” Ming Li smiled. “I’ll be sure to return the favor when I find something suitable.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Zhongli Shu replied smoothly.
The two began to chat, mostly about work. Ming Li didn’t know much about Zhongli Shu’s background; to the former Gu family, the Zhongli family had been insignificant. But to the current Ming Li, they were a potential client. Even so, Ming Li didn’t grovel or flatter. She remained warm and humble.
