Chapter 8 : Drink More Hot Water 🙂

Yu Zhi sneered at the chat interface.

Hehe, pretending to be righteous.

She could imagine the other person frowning, very displeased, as they typed those four words.

I guess no one has ever dared to send color images to him in such an offensive manner before.

The few pictures Yu Zhi sent to Jiang Qianchen were carefully selected from online bloggers, neither showing faces nor revealing heights, specifically focusing on curves that were both provocative and low-key.

For example, those abundant career lines, slender and fair forearms, and delicate waistline, although in her eyes they were obviously edited, it didn’t prevent Jiang Qianchen, a straight-laced man, from seeing through the mystery inside and feeling a surge of blood.

Such boldness and alluring charm would surely be a refreshing change for Jiang Qianchen, who usually only focuses on work, and successfully attracting his attention.

Yu Zhi really wanted to ask why he added her on WeChat if he’s going to pretend to be an old monk who’s not interested in women, but in the end, she suppressed the urge to complain, pretending not to understand what Jiang Qianchen said, and continued:

Vivian Waiting for Love: [Gege, why do you say that? Isn’t this good-looking?]

[This is the hottest A4 waist challenge right now, see how awesome I am!]

She constantly hinted that the two pictures above were her, Vivian’s body, leading Jiang Qianchen to fall into the trap of beauty. Regardless of how he responded next, Yu Zhi was prepared to screenshot and distort the facts. However, to her surprise, Jiang Qianchen paused for a moment, and then the text “the other party is typing” appeared in the upper left corner, followed by an unexpected message on the left side of the chat box.

Jiang: [I’ll come find you later.]

Yu Zhi was shocked and immediately closed the book in her hand.

What?!

Could it be? Are they going to have a passionate face-to-face meeting so soon?

According to her plan, Vivian’s alias still needed to flirt with Jiang Qianchen for a while longer, until the time was right to arrange a real-life meeting. By then, she should have completed all the preparations, including but not limited to taking screenshots of the alias, practicing to improve her acting skills, and undoubtedly performing the anger of catching an affair and the pain and helplessness of discovering her beloved’s infidelity.

Finally, she would cry with evidence and perform a scene of deep love and hatred, making Jiang Qianchen unwilling to leave even if he wanted to.

Yu Zhi had already planned that the first thing she would do after divorcing in the future was to throw a celebration party for being single, inviting her close girlfriends to have fun, and then selecting ninety-nine different men to experience the thrill of choosing a consort like an emperor.

Yu Zhi: Just thinking about it is very exciting, hehe.

However, given the current situation, it’s a bit too early for “Vivian” to have a face-to-face meeting with Jiang Qianchen.

From the screenshots she had in hand, it can be seen that apart from acknowledging the flirtatious messages from outside, Jiang Qianchen’s tone in his messages remained as indifferent as usual, giving her no opportunity to act coquettish. The second point is that she has not yet arranged the final meeting place. This annual drama must be personally directed by her as the director.

Now, “Vivian’s” response was crucial. She not only needed to politely decline while maintaining the persona of “waiting for love” but also needed to dangle a hook in front of Jiang Qianchen, keeping him intrigued at all times.

So Yu Zhi speculated for a moment about Jiang Qianchen’s possible reactions to the message, prepared in advance in her notes, and finally copied and pasted:

Vivian Waiting for Love: [Gege, are you also from Ningcheng?]

[I really want to see you too, but unfortunately, I have some other important matters recently, so I can’t meet up right away [crying].]

[Let’s plan for next time [blushing][blushing]~]

[If we meet next time, I have a surprise for you! I’m really looking forward to that day~~]

Yu Zhi ended the conversation with an embarrassed expression covering her mouth.

She adeptly switched to her main WeChat account and saw the notification from her best friend Lin Ruixuan:

[Hey, my wealthy lady Zhizhi! Want to go out and have fun together?]

…

…

As the morning meeting ended punctually, Jiang Qianchen briefly pointed out the content of the entire meeting, and it was time for lunch.

As the door of the meeting room opened from the inside and the management team members left one by one with their documents, Secretary Xu came in to confirm Jiang Qianchen’s schedule and asked, “President Jiang, will you have lunch as usual, delivered by Shuiyue Restaurant, or do you have other arrangements?” Secretary Xu carefully chose his words and then relayed Yu Zhi’s message, “Madam has already left the company.”

Perhaps feeling surprised by this situation, the man’s indifferent expression, which he had maintained throughout the meeting, changed slightly, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Only at this moment did Jiang Qianchen finally pick up his phone, preparing to check the message on WeChat that he hadn’t had time to read earlier.

Secretary Xu took a step back, standing nearby with his head down, not daring to peek at his boss’s phone privacy.

He couldn’t help but notice that the boss sitting at the head seemed to have opened a green icon(WeChat app) on his phone, which puzzled him. President Jiang has always disliked spending unnecessary time on these social apps, but today, it seems like he’s checking his phone more than usual?

When Jiang Qianchen saw Yu Zhi’s message saying [I have some other important matters recently,] his gaze paused for a moment.

After reading all the messages, he didn’t immediately lock his phone and leave the conference room. Instead, he sat there, quietly contemplating.

Jiang Qianchen rested his fingertips against his chin. His wife, three years younger than him, had married him right after graduating from college and had been a full-time housewife ever since. From the ivory tower of the campus to the empire he had built, Yu Zhi had never worked outside in society. From the messages he received, she enjoyed cooking, flower arranging, frequently visited various styles of art exhibitions, and liked appreciating antiques and calligraphy from different dynasties. During the two years he was abroad for business, Yu Zhi would inquire about his work status and health from Secretary Xu almost every day, yet she never complained or suggested him to come back. She always stood silently behind him, as if she would be delighted all day if he just turned around to look at her.

Yu Zhi’s life was as simple and transparent as a blank piece of paper, very easy to understand.

So Jiang Qianchen couldn’t have anticipated that when he allowed her a bit of playful indulgence within reasonable limits, breaking his unspoken rules for the first time, and bring her to the company. Why didn’t Yu Zhi wait obediently for him in the office this time, but instead left early due to “more important matters”?

Since taking over the family company at a young age, the man’s eyes had never revealed a hint of confusion.

Jiang Qianchen glanced down at the dragon-patterned clip on his tie, the pure silver material gleaming under the light, capturing the attention of those who saw it.

—Everything was just as usual last night.

As he waited by the elevator, watching the red numbers on the wall, Jiang Qianchen asked Secretary Xu beside him, “What happened before she left?”

‘he’? Which ‘he’?^[1]Secretary Xu is confused because gender differentiating pronouns like “he(他)”, she(她)and it(它) all have the same sound, tā, but different written characters. What President Jiang said … Continue reading

Accustomed to only discussing work matters with superiors, Secretary Xu initially thought the boss was referring to some major project underway in the conglomerate. For a moment, many faces flashed through his mind that might need special attention, but he couldn’t think of anyone leaving or departing. Secretary Xu was a beat slow, only just realizing from his boss’s brief distraction:

“You mean Madam?” 

The boss responded with a nonchalant “Hmm.”

Secretary Xu was always grateful that he worked with President Jiang. In his professional career, he only took on projects that seemed impossible to complete, writing one impressive resume after another. Unlike other secretaries, he never had to fret over handling his boss’s personal life. Madam Jiang herself was very knowledgeable and always timed her calls just right, never interrupting other work. With Madam Jiang’s guidance, she made President Jiang’s daily life more comfortable and healthier.

Secretary Xu’s thoughts raced within seconds as he tried to provide an objective account:

 “Madam first inquired if she could borrow a book from the bookshelf, then requested a cup of tea, and sat in the office for over an hour.”

“We’re not sure what exactly happened, but then Madam called for Mr. Chen and informed everyone that she would be leaving first.”

“She didn’t seem overly anxious, so we assumed it was just a regular visit to the company, and we didn’t want to disturb your meeting without prior consultation.”

…Yet now, the message from Lan Ting Yuan Villa says Madam has packed her bags and is preparing to board a plane to Huacheng.

Regarding the final outcome, Secretary Xu pondered for a moment on what words to use for the report when Jiang Qianchen’s phone rang suddenly, and a call came through: “Brother Jiang, come to Jinghe Restaurant tonight for a gathering.”

As if afraid of rejection, the caller hastily added, “Don’t hang up yet! There’s a gathering in Huacheng tonight by Huiying Entertainment. Are you interested?”

…

…

Upon receiving the message from Lin Ruixuan, Yu Zhi readily agreed.

Now the large-scale boy group talent show she’s chasing is approaching its end. Lin Ruixuan’s overnight bald career is also finally coming to an end. After recording the latest episode, it’s basically just the final live broadcast left.

In this final stage of advancement and farewell, the program team, for once, generously changed the recording venue from the crowded dormitory to the beautiful and pleasant neighboring city of Huacheng, as the location for outdoor shooting.

As the top investor on the leaderboard, Yu Zhi naturally received the most sincere invitation from the program team, and they even specifically invited Lin Ruixuan to accompany her to the actual shooting location in Huacheng.

“You have no idea how crazy those fans are now.” Meeting Yu Zhi at the airport, Lin Ruixuan put on a duckbill cap and lowered her voice, saying, “If I shout ‘He Mengxin is here’ at the airport, ninety-nine percent of the young girls will turn around to see who made the sound, and some will even surround us and ask about his whereabouts.”

Lin Ruixuan sighed, “At the beginning of this show, no one expected it to be as popular as it is today.”

This summer, the variety show “Perfect Heartthrob Idol” unexpectedly became a sensation on the internet, sparking discussions among young people and even trending among non-target demographics.

“Perfect Heartthrob Idol” aims to select the top ten boys with the most potential to form a successful group out of a hundred trainees. From being unknowns in the entertainment industry, these one hundred boys have gained attention and discussion, whether it’s due to their looks, personalities, or other noteworthy aspects.

Among this group, the most distinctive, controversial, and popular figure is Yu Zhi’s top pick, He Mengxin.

“That just goes to show that talent will always shine,” Yu Zhi said, pushing up her sunglasses to prevent them from sliding down. “Xiao He has been dancing since he was young. Even without this stage, he would have been noticed sooner or later and become popular.”

However, being moderately popular is about skill, while being wildly popular is a matter of timing, opportunity, and fate. During the “first impressions” of the one hundred boys, jokingly referred to as the selection of concubines, Yu Zhi immediately singled out He Mengxin. Indeed, her judgment has always been excellent. As expected, in the second episode, He Mengxin captivated the mentors and everyone else with his explosive breaking performance, earning him the title of C-position in the initial stages.

Inside the VIP corridor at the airport, the staff reminded them that they could board the plane. Yu Zhi handed her luggage to him and boarded the plane with her small handbag. Lin Ruixuan followed behind, settling into the adjacent single seat, saying, “So, this is the world of wealthy women? I’m loving it.”

Lin Ruixuan adjusted her seat backward, stretching her legs unabashedly forward. “I’ve heard that this airline’s facilities and services are top-notch, and first class is the holy land for celebrities. Only today’s trip made me realize how cramped the planes I used to fly on were. Although the price is indeed not affordable.”

“If it weren’t for welcoming you, our boss wouldn’t have been willing to let me fly first class,” Lin Ruixuan joked.

“Last time too, it was because they were afraid some extreme sasaeng fans^[2]Sasaeng fans, in internet slang, refer to fans who intrude on the private lives and work of celebrities. Sasaeng fans are a type of extreme fan behavior among fans of celebrities. In order to … Continue reading might sneak in, and they had to spend money to increase security, so they just canceled the gathering at Longting,” Lin Ruixuan said. “I originally wanted to invite you to join.”

In fact, ever since finding out that the wealthy woman topping He Mengxin’s support list was her friend, her boss had been in a hesitant state, wanting to invite her as a friend but also fearing that the corresponding measures weren’t in place, risking the program’s reputation in its shining moment.

And upon learning the identity behind this wealthy woman, everyone became even more cautious about inviting her casually, fearing offending a VIP, which none of them could afford the consequences of.

It wasn’t until their program suddenly received a huge sponsorship, with the support of a wealthy benefactor, that they had enough funds to unleash their creativity and pursue any ambitious plans.

For example, in the latest episode with themes of separation and growth, the entire production team relocated to the picturesque city of Huacheng, and the twenty boys waiting to be announced into the performance list also moved out of the dorms they had been living in for months.

Now was the most beautiful time of the year in Huacheng, with various flowers blooming everywhere, painting the city with vibrant colors and rich emotions. Huacheng truly had all kinds of flowers, with unique blooms everywhere you looked, whether on residential balconies or in obscure alleyways.

It is said that pedestrians passing by often spontaneously water and fertilize the wildflowers in Huacheng, so the city’s flowers can bloom so brightly and attractively, which is very moving. Visitors to Huacheng are always endless, lingering in the scenery here.

Compared with the fast-paced life and developed economy of Ningcheng, it is simply a paradise for living.

Just after getting off the plane, Yu Zhi was promptly taken to the hotel by the program team’s provided car, and she was greeted by the scent of flowers. Several clusters of flowers all looked up, bathing in the sunlight. A gentle breeze brushed over, unfolding the petals, and layers of flowers bloomed one after another, competing in splendor. She saw the elderly enjoying life, walking along the road, and deeply felt that this would be a nice place to live after she retires.

When she divorces Jiang Qianchen and finishes the script of the supporting role, coming to live in Huacheng would also be a good choice.

Yu Zhi quickly sorted out the aftermath of her “takeaway lunch”: she was heartbroken by Jiang Qianchen’s indifference and infidelity, so she packed up and went out of town to relax. This shining pearl of Ningcheng actively gave up floating in the muddy waters of fame and fortune, staying unstained while leaving at her most beautiful and splendid moment, leaving behind an eternal and beautiful figure in everyone’s hearts.

And then she would be sitting on countless properties in Huacheng, taking a huge amount of divorce settlement, casually dating, living freely and leisurely.

Finally, she could be herself again.

Seeing the scene in front of her, with flowers blooming in full bloom, growing towards the sun, and full of infinite youthful vitality, Yu Zhi couldn’t help but ask:

“System, what do you think is the possibility of me completing the mission?”

Ever since she realized that her life couldn’t escape the control of the plot, she decided to earnestly complete the system’s mission, but she had never felt this uncertain before.

It’s as if something has deviated from her plan.

For example, Yu Zhi noticed that she had just flown from Ningcheng to Huacheng today. At this time, even if Jiang Qianchen is a workaholic, shouldn’t he have seen the message sent by “Vivian”? Even if he doesn’t care much about his wife from a prestigious family, shouldn’t he inquire about her whereabouts? But the result is that he hasn’t replied to her WeChat message, nor has he called, as if she is completely dispensable.

Even Aunt Chen came to ask if she arrived safely and which hotel she booked.

Yu Zhi tapped the screen of her phone, thinking that while Jiang Qianchen treats the female lead warmly and considerately, he’s as cold as an iceberg to others. Isn’t he a bit too indifferent and ruthless?

Fortunately, she didn’t choose the second suffocating task of “making Jiang Qianchen fall in love with her.”

Outside the car window, the sunset on the horizon seemed to be edged with gold, as if a famous painter accidentally spilled the palette in the sky. The entire Huacheng was bathed in a layer of brilliance. Several birds flew across the sky, drawing beautiful arcs in the clouds. As dusk fell, the bustling noise of the city gradually subsided. The lingering sunlight of the setting sun spread evenly on the densely packed buildings. The remaining sunlight penetrated through the thick clouds, shining into the hearts of all the pedestrians walking on the streets. The quietly departing sunset spread warmth in every corner of the mundane world, which was incredibly beautiful and moving.

In the midst of the sunset, Yu Zhi looked out at the scenery outside. It wasn’t the first time that the system customer service hadn’t replied to her. Yu Zhi had grown accustomed to its unreliable nature and didn’t bother to continue pressing for a response.

…

…

Meanwhile, in another city, Jiang Qianchen stood next to Aunt Chen, holding his phone, deep in thought.

Furrowing his brows slightly, the man pushed up his gold wire-rimmed glasses and, with a hint of scholarly inquiry, pointed to the last message he had sent, and asked Aunt Chen:

“Why doesn’t she reply when I tell her to drink more hot water?”

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