Chapter 37
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
After Li Xin found a suitable pastry chef, she returned to her medical profession. Later, she called Zuo Qinghuan to inform her that her family had arranged for her to study in the United States for three months, and she hurriedly left for the U.S. Although she would occasionally call Zuo Qinghuan, the conversations were always brief and rushed, seeming very busy. Li Xin, who usually had boundless energy, also sounded tired. Zuo Qinghuan suspected that Li Xin's life back at home wasn't easy. Li Xin had talent in medicine, but after neglecting it for many years, catching up wasn't easy. She slept less than five hours almost every day, with a schedule packed to the brim. Li Xin was so busy that she didn't have time to think about Yan Ruowen. This was perhaps the only comforting aspect of Li Xin's life.
Being used to Li Xin's companionship, her abrupt departure left Zuo Qinghuan feeling somewhat lost for a while. However, she quickly adjusted; adaptability had always been one of Zuo Qinghuan's strengths.
That night, after Zuo Qinghuan settled the bills and saw that there were few customers left, she instructed the staff to prepare for closing. Planning to finish early for the night, as she was about to pull the door shut, two or three women barged in.
"We're closing," Zuo Qinghuan said with a slight change in expression as she looked at the three women. Then she spoke coldly, “Zuo Qinghuan, I finally found you. Sister Qi wants to see you," Du Xiaoli spoke first, having spent over a month finally locating Zuo Qinghuan.
It seemed they wouldn't take no for an answer. Zuo Qinghuan had no idea why Wang Qi was looking for her. She really didn't want to encounter old acquaintances.
"I'll be out for a while. Close the shop, and you can finish work," Zuo Qinghuan told the staff as she saw the situation escalating. She then followed Du Xiaoli out, not wanting these people to cause a scene in her shop.
Du Xiaoli brought Zuo Qinghuan to a nearby parking lot where Wang Qi stepped out of her car.
Wang Qi observed Zuo Qinghuan. Zuo Qinghuan's makeup was light; she used to wear heavy makeup, presenting herself as mature with thick, smoky eyes, almost unrecognizable. Now, Zuo Qinghuan looked pure and almost fairy-like. This contrast made Wang Qi feel like Zuo Qinghuan was a stranger.
Looking at the person who was nominally her sister, someone who used to like confronting and causing trouble for her on the streets, Zuo Qinghuan noted that, apart from the habit of confrontation, Wang Qi had changed a lot. After so many years, Zuo Qinghuan almost forgot what Wang Qi looked like, only remembering her penchant for dressing in a cute pink style. The present Wang Qi appeared sharp and professional, dressed entirely in black. Zuo Qinghuan couldn't be sure if the person in front of her was Wang Qi.
"You've changed a lot," Wang Qi remarked as she approached Zuo Qinghuan, deep in thought.
"And you haven't?" Zuo Qinghuan responded dismissively. Who wouldn't change? She couldn't let herself linger in that past world.
"With this appearance, you look truly innocent, like a fairy..." Wang Qi extended her finger, lifting Zuo Qinghuan's chin to make her meet her gaze.
Zuo Qinghuan displeasingly turned her face away, avoiding Wang Qi's touch. This version of Wang Qi was even more irritating than the one who used to follow her like a shadow.
"Was your kindness towards me back then all fake?" Wang Qi asked.
"It doesn't matter if it was fake or not. I just wanted to live a better life," Zuo Qinghuan said indifferently. In her mind, Wang Qi was neurotic, causing her endless troubles. Eventually, Zuo Qinghuan learned to please her like everyone else, and unexpectedly, Wang Qi fell for it, going out of her way to please Zuo Qinghuan.
"Zuo Qinghuan, you're truly detestable!" Realizing that Zuo Qinghuan's kindness was insincere, while her own feelings for Zuo Qinghuan were genuine, Wang Qi felt anger building up.
"What do you want from me?" Zuo Qinghuan asked.
"I want you to come back with me," Wang Qi said. Having finally found Zuo Qinghuan, she naturally hoped for her to return with her.
"Impossible, I have left my past life and will not go back." Zuo Qinghuan flatly refused.
"Do you really think that by dressing up like this, you've undergone a complete transformation?" Wang Qi mocked, gripping Zuo Qinghuan's hand.
Trying to free her hand, Zuo Qinghuan found Wang Qi's grasp tightening. Growing angry, Zuo Qinghuan snapped, "Let go! I can do whatever I want, and I don't need you to interfere!"
"Haha, born as a wild chicken, still dreaming of becoming a phoenix?" Wang Qi sneered.
This remark struck a nerve deep within Zuo Qinghuan, infuriating her. "Say that again if you dare!" Zuo Qinghuan's gaze turned menacing.
"You were born as a wild chicken. Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, but a wild chicken will always be a wild chicken…" Wang Qi continued provocatively, enjoying the sight of Zuo Qinghuan's sinister look.
“Pa!" Enraged, Zuo Qinghuan delivered a slap to Wang Qi. Wang Qi, no longer the same as before, had developed a reflexive counterattack habit over the years. She returned a slap, but the impact wasn't the same for both. While Wang Qi's face only showed the palm lines, Zuo Qinghuan's face not only turned swollen but also had traces of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Seeing the blood on Zuo Qinghuan's face, Wang Qi felt regretful. She didn't want to fight Zuo Qinghuan, but her body seemed to have its own reaction.
Wang Qi's companions, witnessing her being slapped, immediately grabbed Zuo Qinghuan's hair, attempting to teach her a lesson. However, Zuo Qinghuan was not one to be trifled with. She seized Wang Qi's hair with one hand, employing her usual strategy from the past when surrounded. Even though she would suffer more from the others, her primary focus was on attacking the leader, Wang Qi. However, the current Wang Qi effortlessly held Zuo Qinghuan's hand, it hurt so much that she had to release Wang Qi's hair.
Wang Qi looked at Zuo Qinghuan's enraged yet helpless struggle like a trapped animal, a smug smile lifting at the corners of her mouth. She wanted to see Zuo Qinghuan in this state – the Zuo Qinghuan she knew.
"Look at yourself now. Do you think you have any differences from the past? How are you different from me?" Wang Qi sarcastically remarked.
….
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Let's go grab a cup of coffee before heading back," Shi Yunyang suggested. She found the coffee and desserts last time quite enjoyable and was somewhat eager to see Li Xin again, that enchanting woman. Since it's close by, why not tease her a bit and ease the busyness of the day?
Due to other projects on hand, Qin Yu often delegated work to Qin Wanshu for collaboration with the Shi and Qian families. Therefore, Qin Wanshu has been busy with this project lately. Shi Yunyang has also become a frequent guest at the Qin residence, especially tonight, working late and just finishing her work now.
"Sure," Qin Wanshu agreed. She has indeed been busy lately, postponing several plans with Zuo Qinghuan. After that, it seemed like Zuo Qinghuan was playing a game of silent treatment, not calling to make plans anymore. So, when Shi Yunyang suggested going to Zuo Qinghuan's coffee shop, Qin Wanshu readily agreed.
Qin Wanshu and Shi Yunyang parked in the parking lot next to Zuo Qinghuan's coffee shop.
"Hey, isn't that the little lily from the coffee shop? Looks like they're having a dispute over there," Shi Yunyang keenly observed Zuo Qinghuan and Wang Qi not far away and couldn't resist approaching for a closer look.
Qin Wanshu leaned over to take a look and indeed saw Zuo Qinghuan. She followed Shi Yunyang as they approached a bit, stopping at a distance where they could overhear the conversation. It seemed that the argument on the other side was too intense, and they didn't notice Qin Wanshu and Shi Yunyang approaching.
Shi Yunyang looked at Qin Wanshu with some surprise. Qin Wanshu was usually someone lacking curiosity, never interested in spectacles. In normal circumstances, she would just walk away, leaving Shi Yunyang to enjoy the scene alone. Today, however, Miss Qin seemed in a good mood, unexpectedly showing interest in watching the commotion.
Qin Wanshu remained expressionless, quietly listening to their conversation. It was evident that the woman on the other side had a strong possessive desire for Zuo Qinghuan.
“I didn't expect that Little Lily is not as simple as she appears. Turns out she's a wild chicken. Can she really rise from the mud and remain untainted?.” Shi Yunyang remarked nonchalantly, adopting a heartless bystander's attitude with a touch of disdain.
Qin Wanshu felt a slight discomfort in her heart. She could see that when Zuo Qinghuan heard those words, her eyes turned red.
With a sharp sound, Qin Wanshu witnessed Zuo Qinghuan being slapped. She had thought that the woman wouldn't harm Zuo Qinghuan, but seeing the faint traces of blood at the corner of Zuo Qinghuan's mouth, Qin Wanshu's eyes narrowed.
"I can't believe Little Lily is quite fierce. However, one against four, she might end up at a disadvantage," Shi Yunyang remarked nonchalantly, having no intention of intervening, purely enjoying the fun.
However, Qin Wanshu walked up, and Shi Yunyang, witnessing this unexpected action, was once again surprised. Despite Miss Qin's appearance as a seemingly good person, when it came to conflicts and brawls among these unruly people, Qin Wanshu was more indifferent than anyone else. Usually, she wouldn't even spare a glance. Why would she step in now? Qin Wanshu's behavior was unusually out of character.
"Let her go," Qin Wanshu's voice sounded somewhat cold.
Upon hearing Qin Wanshu's voice, Zuo Qinghuan froze, her hand poised for a counterattack, and came to a halt. She felt as if all her vitality had been drained away. Despite experiencing numerous embarrassing moments in her life, none compared to this one. She dared not meet Qin Wanshu's eyes, fearing a disdainful look. In that instant, all her dignity crumbled. Zuo Qinghuan's most disheveled and humiliating moment was not one she wished Qin Wanshu to witness, as she knew that version of herself was truly pitiable.
Author's Note:
Comrade Wang Qi is definitely cannon fodder...
The image of the fairy sister that Zuo Qinghuan has worked hard to maintain has now collapsed. Poor Zuo Qinghuan is feeling really uneasy...
Updates are relatively late; from now on, buddy, go to sleep before twelve. There's a high chance there won't be an update, just in case, it's the same as reading in the morning if there is.
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