Chapter 38 I Really Dislike You

Chapter 38: I Really Dislike You

Jiang Yuzhou scratched his head and grinned foolishly. "I just wanted to tell you that Sister Shuyi doesn't like people who are too proud to say what they feel. She prefers directness and open, passionate affection.

Also, Aunt Zhou said our family is a decent one. We don't let our girls be used as pawns in some business deal, and we certainly don't allow them to be someone's kept woman without any status. In the future, both Youyou and Sister Shuyi are going to have proper, joyful weddings. My aunt and uncle can't wait to come back and help with the grandkids someday."

That's all he could say.

If they couldn't bridge that chasm themselves, there was nothing more he could do.

Jiang Yuzhou waved his hand and quickly jogged away.

Left behind, Ling Jue stood there, stunned, for a long time.

Qin Shuyi and the people close to her all possessed a straightforward, candid quality. But the Ling family was not like that. He had known since childhood that to yield in matters of love meant handing the knife that could hurt you to someone else. The slightest lapse could lead to utter ruin.

He could discuss money and interests with people, but never love.

A marriage based on weighing pros and cons was what a dutiful heir should pursue.

He had never considered marrying Qin Shuyi, believing it to be an irrational choice.

But could he really let her go?

Just hearing that she was no longer under the same sky as him was already torture.

Xie Muchen had also said that after the breakup, Qin Shuyi would have new boyfriends, a husband, the father of her children. Could he guarantee that he wouldn't, late one night, be unable to resist snatching her back from the hands of some faceless man?

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his eyes clouded with a deep, murky fog.

...

Qin Shuyi never expected to run into Tao Wangxi in S City.

Her parents were visiting old friends today, so she took the opportunity to meet up with an old classmate also in S City. She never expected to overhear Tao Wangxi arguing with her brother, Tao Yusheng, at the restaurant.

In the hallway leading to the restroom, Tao Wangxi's face was pale, and she couldn't stop coughing. Her voice held both anger and resentment. "Ling Jue hasn't even made his stance clear yet, and you're already so eager to push me out?"

Tao Yusheng's voice was filled with irritation. "Outsiders might not know, but you should. The Tao family isn't as shiny as it looks on the outside. The cash flow problem will be exposed soon. Ling Jue is too tough a nut to crack; we can't wait that long."

Tao Wangxi's expression was sarcastic. "And whose fault is it that the company has problems?"

Tao Yusheng was silent for a moment, then softened his tone. "Wangxi, we're siblings, in this together. Saving the Tao family from this crisis is the most important thing now. Have you thought about living a penniless, miserable life, having to count your savings just to afford medicine?"

Tao Wangxi didn't respond.

But Tao Yusheng knew she was wavering.

"You're my sister, so you see, I've chosen a promising young talent from S City for you. I'm not mistreating you. With your wits, you could easily control someone like him after marriage. Isn't that better than pining for Ling Jue, who has someone else on his mind?"

The man who had seemed so charming and refined at their first meeting at the banquet now appeared utterly detestable.

Tao Wangxi didn't agree immediately. She remained calm. "Ling Jue and I still have a chance. If it truly comes to that, I'll choose someone myself."

Tao Yusheng was dissatisfied but didn't dare push her too hard.

After saying a few more words, he left in a huff.

Turning the corner of the hallway, he saw Qin Shuyi hesitating about whether to proceed to the restroom.

After all, no one wants their moment of weakness witnessed by others.

"Miss Qin." Tao Yusheng's smile was icy.

When she was under Ling Jue's protection, he had given her some face. But now, away from formal settings and having heard about her breakup with Ling Jue, he couldn't hide his malice.

"I never imagined Miss Qin not only had a knack for seducing men but was also really adept at eavesdropping."

If it weren't for Qin Shuyi, the alliance between the Tao and Ling families might have been secured long ago.

Qin Shuyi smiled innocently, offering no defense or explanation. She simply said, "I suppose that's a bit better than being incompetent enough to sell off one's own sister."

Tao Yusheng's face turned terrifying, as if he wanted to devour someone.

Qin Shuyi pointed to the surveillance camera above. "If it's truly a shameful secret, you should discuss it in private. Who knows how many ears are listening besides those present? If Mr. Tao wants to threaten someone, perhaps you should delete the surveillance footage first."

Tao Yusheng snorted coldly but, ultimately wary, didn't pursue it.

Since she'd already been discovered, Qin Shuyi didn't hide anymore and continued toward the restroom. However, her expression changed when she pushed open the door and saw the situation inside.

"Tao Wangxi?"

She rushed over, supporting the person who was sitting on the floor, deathly pale, leaning against the base of the vanity and struggling for breath.

Qin Shuyi knitted her brows. "Where's your medicine?"

Tao Wangxi struggled, one hand clutching her chest, the other pointing weakly to the handbag that had fallen nearby.

Qin Shuyi opened the bag, found the pills sorted into a container inside, confirmed it was correct, and helped Tao Wangxi take them.

Fortunately, her attack was brought on by stress and wasn't too severe.

Just in case, Qin Shuyi stayed crouched beside Tao Wangxi, keeping an eye on her until her complexion improved.

Tao Wangxi was clearly surprised by her presence, but her first words weren't thanks. Instead, she said, "If it were me, I wouldn't save you."

Qin Shuyi nodded. Everyone makes different choices; that's understandable. But such hypotheticals are meaningless.

Tao Wangxi is Tao Wangxi, but Qin Shuyi is Qin Shuyi.

Confirming the woman was okay, she moved her numb feet and slowly stood up.

Tao Wangxi continued, "You heard, didn't you? I haven't given up on Ling Jue. I still believe I'm the one most suited for him. You'll regret saving me."

Qin Shuyi replied, "Setting aside that he and I have already broken up, he's just a man. He's not worth me carrying the psychological burden of standing by and watching someone die."

She saved people for her own peace of mind, regardless of who they were.

Tao Wangxi hung her head, her expression unreadable. "You know what? I really dislike you."

You're just an ordinary person, insignificant as an ant, yet you live freely, following your own heart. You only brushed shoulders with high society by being the 'extra baggage' your remarried aunt brought along, yet you remain neither servile nor overbearing, never bending your spine.

She also disliked Zhao Jinyu, disliked her vibrant brightness, disliked her audacity to laugh, scold, fight, and compete openly under the sun.

Qin Shuyi curved her lips slightly. "I'll take that as you envying me."

Tao Wangxi clenched her fists.

She suddenly looked up, malice flashing in her eyes. "Ling Jue changed his mind and refused the marriage alliance with me. I've had my misfortune. But do you think you've won?"

She picked up her phone and held a photo in front of Qin Shuyi.

The picture showed a dimly lit private room. A man on the sofa looked like he had his arm halfway around a beautiful woman in a cheongsam, their postures intimate and their faces drawn close together.

It was Ling Jue, and someone whose silhouette somewhat resembled Qin Shuyi.

The photo bore a timestamp—just half an hour earlier.

Tao Wangxi curled her lips. "Found a new one so fast… It seems Jue really has a type."

She looked at her with pity. "I want to become Mrs. Ling, so I can tolerate other women around him. But can you? Qin Shuyi, for a man accustomed to wandering, love is just a spice."

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