The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 174

Chapter 174: I’ll Support You By Handing Out Flyers Part 19

It was the third day since Tao Rencheng had been admitted to the hospital, the second time within a year for the head of the Tao Corporation.

The previous time, he had been discharged after half a month, but now, barely two months later, he was back, reportedly acting erratically, his face pale and his demeanor anxious, often waking up from nightmares.

The head of the company seemingly losing his mind, his ability to manage compromised, his remaining intelligence used to incite infighting among the board members, wasn’t a good sign for a large corporation.

Somehow, the news leaked, affecting the company’s stock price.

With the Tao Corporation facing both internal and external troubles, Tao Rencheng no longer had the energy to bother with Tao Ning, focused on regaining control.

During these three days, Tao Ning’s life had been peaceful.

The events of the birthday banquet didn’t affect her, and she ignored the online discussions.

A few days later, she received a call.

It was Song Yanshu, still infatuated with her junior, her tone excited.

Song Yanshu: “Guess what? After you left that day, things got interesting at the Tao family, my sister said Tao Rencheng’s position is in jeopardy, he might be removed.”

Tao Ning, sitting by the window, looking at the clear blue sky, replied, “I know.”

If the Tao Corporation wanted to survive, the best option was for Tao Rencheng to step down and let someone else take over, to stabilize the situation.

He was too stubborn and unsuitable for the position. If he had just been a carefree playboy, the company wouldn’t be in such a state.

But he had fired the entire management team left by Old Madam Tao, easily swayed by others, giving his competitors an opportunity.

But this had nothing to do with Tao Ning anymore.

Song Yanshu: “You know? Well, it’s not surprising, it’s all over the news.”

Tao Ning chuckled as the door opened, but the person didn’t approach, instead going to the kitchen.

Song Yanshu, unwilling to be outdone, continued, “But there’s something you definitely don’t know, I’m planning to confess to my junior, I’m not sure if it will work, I’m so worried.”

Someone approached, sitting down beside her, the faint scent of grapes wafting towards Tao Ning, a slender, pale hand offering her a grape.

Tao Ning ate it, her voice muffled: “Didn’t you say your junior also likes you? You almost kissed that night, isn’t that enough?”

Song Yanshu lamented: “You said ‘almost,’ we didn’t actually kiss, my sister called right then.”

Recalling that night, she still felt regretful: “The atmosphere was perfect, we were both tipsy, the lights dim, just the two of us, but we didn’t kiss!”

Fu Guanyue, enjoying the feeding game, found Tao Ning’s muffled voice amusing and offered her another grape.

It was a well-known fact that people rarely refused food while on the phone, and Tao Ning instinctively ate it, her voice even more muffled, her breath now carrying the sweet scent of grapes: “Then remember to put your phone on silent next time, eliminate all distractions.”

Song Yanshu was curious: “Are you eating? What is it? Let me try some.”

Tao Ning switched her phone to her other hand, finally able to refuse the offered grape: “It’s nothing, just grapes, my girlfriend is feeding me.”

Song Yanshu: “…???”

Her sharp hearing had registered the words before she could stop herself.

She stared at her phone, confused, checking the contact name, it was indeed Tao Ning.

What grapes?

What girlfriend?

Silence.

Tao Ning, to break the silence, ate another grape, quite sweet, but not too sweet, clearing her throat, preparing for Song Yanshu’s barrage of questions.

As expected, Song Yanshu exploded: “What?! When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me? I didn’t see anything on your social media!”

Tao Ning: “You forgot? I never post anything.”

Her social media was practically a ghost town, not even a peacock display during her pursuit of someone, more like a deserted side account.

“…” Song Yanshu calmed down slightly. “That’s true, but you can’t escape punishment, here’s your chance to redeem yourself, don’t refuse, 7:30 PM tonight, at Qiu Xiangsi’s bar.”

Tao Ning: “A drink and we’re even?”

Of course not. Song Yanshu explained, “You forgot again, it’s Xiangsi’s birthday today, and she said you have to be there, or she’ll send your exes’ list to my junior, which is too embarrassing, but I couldn’t refuse, so I agreed. But don’t worry, I’ll be there too, we can discuss my confession plan.”

Tao Ning: “That’s your real motive, isn’t it?”

Song Yanshu chuckled awkwardly: “Of course not!”

Then, before Tao Ning could refuse, she hung up.

Tao Ning tossed her phone aside, burying her face in Fu Guanyue’s embrace, ruffling her hair.

Fu Guanyue: “It’s messy, your hair is messy… stop rubbing…”

She tried to stop Tao Ning’s restless movements, holding her hands, her face flushed, her breathing slightly ragged.

She hadn’t realized that holding Tao Ning down was more tiring than exorcising evil.

Fu Guanyue: “What happened? What’s wrong?”

Tao Ning stopped, lying down on Fu Guanyue’s lap: “My friend wants me to celebrate her birthday with her, will you go with me?”

“Your friend…” Fu Guanyue hesitated, “Is it appropriate for me to attend your friend’s birthday party?”

While a quick learner in cultivation, Fu Guanyue was clueless about relationships, her practical skills maxed out, but her theoretical knowledge not even as good as a high school student’s.

But being eager to introduce her girlfriend to her friends was a novel experience.

Tao Ning cupped Fu Guanyue’s face in her hands, sitting up and kissing her, her movements smooth and effortless.

This surprised Fu Guanyue, no one had told her Tao Ning was so energetic, she herself was exhausted, but Tao Ning would always ask for more.

And if refused, she would ask, Then can I use my hands?

Fu Guanyue, her lips captured, tasted the faint sweetness of grapes as Tao Ning whispered against them, “You’re my girlfriend, what’s inappropriate about it?”

Fu Guanyue, unable to resist, agreed, then found herself being pulled towards the bed, the curtains drawn, her clothes removed, tears streaming down her face.

However, in the afternoon, Fu Guanyue said, “I suddenly have something urgent to attend to, how about you go to the party alone tonight?”

Tao Ning, who had been excitedly choosing an outfit: “…”

As night fell, Tao Ning arrived at the bar, and Song Yanshu came out to greet her.

Seeing Tao Ning alone, Song Yanshu looked around, even checking inside her car.

Tao Ning grabbed her arm, pulling her back: “Stop looking, I came alone.”

“Ah…” Song Yanshu was disappointed. “Is your girlfriend shy?”

Tao Ning shook her head: “No.”

Song Yanshu: “Then what happened?”

Having witnessed Tao Ning’s first successful relationship, she was eager to meet the other person.

Tao Ning, choosing her words carefully, said, “She’s busy, maintaining social order, she’ll probably be back tomorrow, it’s Miss Fu from the other day.”

Weren’t rampaging ghosts a threat to social order?

Song Yanshu misunderstood: “Miss Fu is a police officer?”

Her job was somewhat related, but not exactly, and Tao Ning: “…No.”

This only piqued Song Yanshu’s curiosity: “Then what does she do? She seems so righteous, different from us, is she a government official?”

“Stop thinking about it, Xiangsi is about to throw someone out,” Tao Ning said, entering the bar.

Song Yanshu followed: “Oh, there’s something I need to tell you, Xiangsi’s friend is here.”

Tao Ning was puzzled: “Is there anyone here who isn’t her friend?”

Qiu Xiangsi was a social butterfly, always surrounded by people.

Song Yanshu shook her head: “No, no, not that kind of friend, I mean that friend, the one who likes you.”

Tao Ning stopped, uttering a single name: “Gu Lin?”

Song Yanshu nodded.

Tao Ning wanted to leave immediately: “Sorry, Yanshu, I just remembered something I have to do, wish Xiangsi a happy birthday for me, and give her this gift.”

She handed Song Yanshu the bag, eager to leave.

Song Yanshu, her hands full, knowing about Gu Lin, didn’t stop her.

It was better for Gu Lin to give up, especially with Fu Guanyue not here tonight.

Who would have thought Gu Lin would suddenly appear? Song Yanshu, seeing her, didn’t dare stay long and came out to find Tao Ning.

Gu Lin was reportedly stubborn, needing medication regularly, someone to be avoided.

Qiu Xiangsi’s voice came from behind: “Yanshu, Ningning, you’re here! Why are you standing outside?”

They froze, Tao Ning looking at Song Yanshu, her eyes pleading: Do something!

Song Yanshu’s gaze darted around: I can’t, I shouldn’t have called you.

Within seconds, Qiu Xiangsi reached them, dragging them inside, oblivious to their silent communication.

Qiu Xiangsi: “I’ve been waiting for you, it’s my birthday, let’s drink till we drop!”

Tao Ning and Song Yanshu: “…”

Qiu Xiangsi, enthusiastic: “I haven’t seen you out drinking in a while, where have you been?”

They had been friends since childhood, Tao Ning and Song Yanshu often escaping school with Qiu Xiangsi to go to internet cafes.

They were comrades in arms.

Tao Ning, having calmed down, said, “Nowhere, just staying home, my father has been looking for me everywhere, I didn’t dare go out.”

Qiu Xiangsi agreed: “Then don’t leave so soon now that you’re finally out.”

Tao Ning: “I can’t, I promised my girlfriend I would be home early.”

Song Yanshu silently gave her a thumbs-up, that was a good excuse.

And Qiu Xiangsi was a loudmouth, the news would spread quickly.

Qiu Xiangsi was shocked: “You have a girlfriend?!”

Tao Ning nodded, the happiness in her eyes undeniable, and Qiu Xiangsi immediately believed her.

As expected, Qiu Xiangsi pushed open the door to the private room and shouted, “Tonight, we’re not just celebrating my birthday, but also Tao Ning, our eternal single lady, finally finding a girlfriend!”

The people inside were initially stunned, then cheered, even those who didn’t know her, declaring they would drink till they dropped.

A young woman, sitting quietly in a corner, suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed on the people by the door.

The intense gaze was almost accusatory, and Tao Ning didn’t need to look to know it was Gu Lin.

Qiu Xiangsi had friends from all walks of life, and among them was Gu Lin.

A graduate of the music academy, with her own studio, a melancholic aura, beautiful, from a wealthy family, generous, and easy to please, she seemed like a good catch.

But this Gu Lin…

Was Tao Ning’s mother’s niece!

The niece who would sit at the same table with her during family gatherings, calling her “Aunt”!

Technically, they were cousins, blood relatives.

Tao Ning had been pursued by Gu Lin before, assuming it was just familial affection, until one day, she took a drunk Gu Lin home.

Gu Lin had said to her, “I wasn’t actually drunk, I was pretending, I wanted you to take me home.”

What happened after that was something Tao Ning would never forget.

Gu Lin confessed that she had liked Tao Ning for a long time, since they were young, and she had even been secretly happy about her aunt’s divorce, now that they were older, independent, and she had her own career, she finally had the courage to confess.

Her most famous song was written for Tao Ning, a love song.

Gu Lin had also said, “I didn’t dare tell you then, but now I can finally say it, you said you liked the song, I was so happy.”

She had been so excited, her words rambling, and it took Tao Ning a while to understand.

Gu Lin, thinking she hadn’t understood, said, “Don’t you want your mother to love you more? Everyone says I resemble her, I can love you with her share too.”

These words had shocked Tao Ning to her core.

She had been so terrified that she avoided going out for a long time, afraid of running into Gu Lin again.

Of course, she hadn’t told anyone about this, except for Song Yanshu, who had been equally shocked.

Tao Ning was pushed onto a seat by Qiu Xiangsi, and with the birthday girl’s arrival, the party started.

Initially, Song Yanshu stayed by Tao Ning’s side, promising not to leave, preventing anyone from approaching.

But after a few drinks, she went to play a game.

Tao Ning sat there, sipping her drink. She hadn’t intended to drink, using driving as an excuse, but Qiu Xiangsi had said it wasn’t a problem, she had already arranged for designated drivers.

Unable to refuse, Tao Ning had a few drinks, still relatively sober.

Gu Lin, however, had drunk quite a bit, unable to confide in anyone, using Qiu Xiangsi’s birthday as an excuse, drinking one glass after another.

Slightly tipsy, she saw Tao Ning sitting quietly, seemingly detached from the surrounding revelry.

Holding a glass of wine, Gu Lin finally couldn’t hold back and walked over, her eyes watery and red-rimmed, full of resentment: “Were you avoiding me because of me?”

She already knew Tao Ning’s stance, but she couldn’t help herself.

Tao Ning, meeting her gaze without flinching, said, “Not because of you.”

Gu Lin’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could savor the feeling, Tao Ning continued, “It has nothing to do with you, why would I avoid you?”

The blood drained from Gu Lin’s face: “Do you hate me that much? You don’t want any connection to me at all?”

Tao Ning: “I didn’t before, but we’re already related, you’re my cousin, aren’t you?”

Gu Lin, however, misunderstood, her long-held feelings turning into an obsession: “My aunt has already remarried, she doesn’t care about you, if you can’t stand their judgment, we can go somewhere without the Gu family, I’ve already made all the arrangements, you don’t have to worry.”

Tao Ning finally understood, Gu Lin simply couldn’t take a hint, and she had even made plans for their future.

Gu Lin, slightly drunk, mistaking Tao Ning’s silence for agreement: “Didn’t we promise when we were young that we would get married? Will you be my bride? Why won’t you keep your promise?”

Tao Ning’s eyes were clear and calm, unaffected by her words, and she said indifferently, “That was just childish talk, Gu Lin, how old are you now? Why are you still taking it seriously?”

For someone so persistent, even obsessive, talking about ethics and morality was useless, if Gu Lin could listen to reason, she wouldn’t have said such things.

Gu Lin asked persistently, “Why can’t I take it seriously?”

Tao Ning’s phone vibrated, a new message, and she looked directly at Gu Lin: “You know I’ll never reciprocate your feelings, simply because I don’t like you.”

With that, she put down her glass and left.

Gu Lin, stunned, watched as she left, a look of unwillingness in her eyes, and she followed.

But seeing the scene at the bar’s entrance, she quickly hid, not daring to approach.

Fu Guanyue had arrived to pick Tao Ning up, and Tao Ning, slightly tipsy, hugged her, resting her head on her shoulder.

Nuzzling against Fu Guanyue’s neck, she mumbled, “I missed you so much.”

Fu Guanyue returned the embrace: “It’s only been a few hours, not a whole night… And I missed you too.”