Chapter 19 – Discovering the Peculiarity of the Transmigrated Woman

【……】
The system played dead.

“Miss Shu, fancy meeting you here.” Lin Wenran, seeing her system was useless, decided to address Shuhui directly—though her eyes kept darting to Qin Yushen.

Shuhui finally spared her a glance. “And you are?”

This was indeed her first time meeting Lin Wenran in this life. The question was natural.

Judging by Wenran’s office-lady suit, she was clearly out on a work assignment.

But the secretaries of Hongxing Group, while on duty, were allowed to casually chat up the boss?

Shuhui cast a sideways look at the man beside her, leaving Qin Yushen momentarily puzzled.

For Lin Wenran, having transmigrated into this world, the thing she was most satisfied with was this body’s family background and appearance. She wished people would ask about her identity every single day.

She lifted her chin proudly. “I’m the second daughter of the Lin family of Hong Kong, Lin Wenran. Master’s degree from the University of Nottingham, just returned from the UK this year. And may I ask about Miss Shu’s background?”

Surely Shu’s humble background and education would pale in comparison.

When Shuhui didn’t immediately respond, Wenran sneered, “No answer? I suppose that makes sense. If you can’t show off family or academics, then there’s nothing to say.”

Her voice grew more arrogant. Shuhui, listening, found it amusing.

But Qin Yushen frowned, his voice cutting coldly, “My wife comes from a military family. She graduated from Jing University, which ranks a hundred places higher internationally than Nottingham. In what way is she inferior to you? What exactly are you proud of?”

His tone was openly impatient. Did the Lin family have people at this banquet? Why were they letting their daughter run wild, without restraint?

Qin Yushen’s blatant disdain struck Lin Wenran like a knife.

Was he insane? She was the heroine! How could he be siding with someone else against her?

Her illusions of his “cold outside, warm inside” nature had already shattered—after these humiliating encounters and her repeated failures even to get close to him at work.

If not for Qin Yushen’s unrivaled status, wealth, and looks, she would never have bothered pursuing such an arrogant, cold, and rude man.

“Shen-ge, you don’t understand. Of course you don’t—you’re just ordinary people. You can’t comprehend me. That’s normal.”

Her tone dripped with contempt for everything around her. “The destiny of the chosen isn’t something everyone can enjoy.”

“……”

The sofa area fell into a heavy silence. Qin Yushen, Zhang Sheng, and the rest of the staff behind him all exchanged glances, silently concluding Lin Wenran might not be mentally stable.

Zhang Sheng immediately pulled up her employee file on his phone.

How had her pre-employment medical check missed it—was she mentally ill?

Only Shuhui’s gaze sharpened. Sitting upright, then leaning back ever so slightly, she studied Wenran with a probing look.

There was something off about this woman.

On Wenran, Shuhui sensed a familiar abnormality—something restless and unnatural.

She decided to test her.

Shuhui beckoned a waiter carrying red wine. “A glass, please.”

“Of course, madam. My honor.”

She accepted the glass of red, but her hand began to tremble uncontrollably. The liquid sloshed, nearly spilling multiple times.

The onlookers were startled—except for Lin Wenran, who watched with wild anticipation.

“It’s working! It’s working, right?!”

【…Probably.】

The system felt uneasy but couldn’t explain why.

At the last violent tremor, a few drops of red wine splashed onto the sofa.

Qin Yushen quickly seized the glass from her hand. “Are you cold?”

He set the glass firmly on the table. Shuhui caught Wenran’s gleeful reaction from the corner of her eye.

So, Wenran knew about the red wine incident from the previous life.

Rebirth had already stirred countless butterfly effects, making outcomes uncertain. Shuhui had long accepted she could only take things step by step.

But why was Wenran so sure—so confident—that she’d inevitably spill wine?

What exactly was giving her this assurance?

Shuhui couldn’t unravel it. Suddenly, a large warm hand clasped hers, steadying her.

Qin Yushen’s low voice murmured, “I’ll have someone fetch your coat.”

“No need!” Shuhui yanked her hand away, tone sharp.

Her mind was a storm—disrupted by Lin Wenran, annoyed with Qin Yushen for being tangled into it. She stood abruptly to leave.

But Wenran stood too, wine glass in hand, following closely. Shuhui narrowed her eyes, unsure of her intentions.

Their paths converged, closing distance until they were face-to-face.

Wenran swung the glass slightly, making taunting feints. Shuhui’s disgust mounted. She raised a hand as if adjusting the sapphire necklace on her chest.

Her hand brushed against Wenran’s glass—then deftly pushed inward.

The red wine tilted, spilling in a sudden gush.

“Ahhhh!!!”

Wenran’s shriek pierced the hall. Heads swiveled instantly.

Shuhui gasped, trembling as if terrified, retreating step by step until she stumbled into Qin Yushen’s arms.

He rose quickly, supporting her shoulders. Her delicate face was pale with fright, her eyes wide with confusion.

His voice was soft but clear enough for everyone nearby:

“Are you unwell? I noticed your glass was unsteady—you kept shaking it toward me.”

“You bitch! You poured it on me!”

Red wine streamed down Wenran’s shoulder, soaking her jacket and blouse underneath. Her fury twisted her features.

She had hesitated, still debating how best to splash Shuhui. And yet this bitch had beaten her to it—leaving her drenched, with no chance to react.

“You just wanted to humiliate me, bitch!” Wenran screamed, lunging to claw at Shuhui.

Gina came running in, heels pounding, dragging Wenran back. Zhang Sheng moved fast too, blocking the way.

Sweeping the growing crowd with a sharp eye, Zhang Sheng raised his voice—damage control mode.

“Miss Lin, you were the one holding a wine glass and following right behind our Madam. Motive is obvious.

Not only did you frighten her, you also insulted her verbally. If you continue this hysteria and slander, we will hold you fully accountable.”

Murmurs rippled through the onlookers.

“So that’s what happened…”
“Just look—Mrs. Qin’s so shaken she’s trembling.”
“Yeah, she looks so gentle and kind. Who’s that lunatic cursing her?”
“Never seen her before… I think I spotted her sitting with Hongxing’s team earlier.”
“Tch, a secretary? Seriously? With a wife like that, why would Qin always stray?”
“Men. Who knows…”

Whispers multiplied—loud enough for the people involved to hear fragments.

Qin Yushen’s expression darkened. Since when was Lin Wenran an employee of his company?

His cold eyes swept toward Zhang Sheng and Gina. Neither dared meet his gaze, bowing their heads low.

They still clutched the thrashing Wenran tightly.

Security soon arrived, along with two of the banquet’s co-hosts—the event manager and the senior executive.