Chapter 62: A Fortunate Mistake

Li Jingche’s words had indeed been prescient, for when Jian Qing returned home from Jiaohai Bay the next day, the Xiao family was already waiting in the villa.

Mr. Xiao and Xiao Yunchen sat on the sofa, both looking displeased. Ren Tianchuan and Ren Yishan sat on either side, wearing awkward expressions that only softened a little when Jian Qing entered. Immediately, Ren Yishan directed all the attention toward Jian Qing:

“Qingqing, where have you been? Yesterday, Father showed me that video. Old Master Xiao and Yunchen were so worried about you. Why did you push me at the welcome party that day?”

She stood up, eyes brimming with tears, looking every bit the fragile, pitiable white flower.

Jian Qing’s gaze swept over the four of them, uncertain what tricks they were plotting. “I saw that video too. The angle was from behind me. All it shows is you falling down the stairs. Just like with the ring incident, it’s all rather ambiguous. There’s no need to pin the blame on me so quickly.”

She spoke while settling into the single armchair to the side, her gaze lingering on Xiao Nan.

Setting down his teacup, Xiao Nan spoke with grave sincerity. “Jian Qing, I hear you’re seeing Du Yu?”

No doubt this rumor had come from Ren Yishan.

With this, Jian Qing immediately understood—the Xiao family was here for the sake of collaborating with the Li family. Ren Yishan and Ren Tianchuan had failed to resolve the matter themselves, so now they hoped to use her relationship with Du Yu to curry favor. That unclear video was nothing more than leverage for blackmail.

Though the video’s evidence was flimsy, it could still bring unwanted trouble to her family. Jian Qing didn’t want to worry her mother, so she merely nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Xiao Nan smiled with relief, then patted Xiao Yunchen’s hand. “Jian Qing, you and Yunchen grew up together and were always close. But fate has run its course. I am sorry, truly. Your sister now carries Yunchen’s child, and we can’t stand in the way of their relationship. Still, I hope, for the long friendship between our families, you might put in a good word for us with the Du family.”

The real estate market was in a slump. The Xiao company had already been protested by construction crews demanding their wages, and public opinion worsened by the day. Jian Qing had seen such news online.

She moistened her lips, but before she could speak, Xiao Yunchen was quick to distance himself and Ren Yishan from the scandal.

“Qingqing, what happened with Ren Yishan was truly an accident. If she hadn’t gotten me drunk that night, there wouldn’t even be a child! Please, I’m asking for your help.”

Li Jingche’s warning was still fresh in his mind, and Xiao Yunchen didn’t dare to overstep. Ever since that incident, he’d felt as though the Li family had eyes on him everywhere, constantly under surveillance.

After speaking, he even glanced nervously around, then hinted further, “Jian Qing, you’re talented and beautiful. If you get to know Master Li, your future will be bright. I only let you go to give you freedom.”

He spoke humbly, as if his infidelity had been for Jian Qing’s sake.

Jian Qing almost wanted to suggest Xiao Yunchen open a class on how to dodge responsibility.

Finally, the silent Ren Tianchuan spoke. “Jian Qing, you must help your Uncle Xiao with this.”

He didn’t mention Xiao Yunchen, making it clear he wasn’t pleased with Yunchen’s excuses.

Lounging back and playing with her hair, her lips parted in a delicate smile, Jian Qing replied generously,

“Frankly, my relationship with Yunchen doesn’t trouble me much. After all, every lock has its key. But since Uncle Xiao has asked, I’m willing to say a few words to Du Yu on your behalf. Still, you must understand, this will be the last time my family helps yours.”

At these words, Ren Tianchuan wanted to salvage his pride, but Jian Qing immediately invoked her mother:

“After what Yunchen did between me and Ren Yishan, my mother also feels the Xiao family has gone too far. This is truly our last time offering a helping hand.”

Then, as if suddenly recalling something, Jian Qing’s gaze slid from the Xiao family and landed on Ren Yishan, her smile sultry and wicked.

“But it shouldn’t be a problem—didn’t Ren Yishan want to repeat her old tricks and climb into Du Yu’s bed? If she succeeds in the future, Yunchen won’t need to come begging me.”

“Jian Qing, how dare you!” Ren Yishan, her past failures suddenly exposed, jumped to her feet in agitation.

For all her airs as a lost heiress, Ren Yishan lacked composure and quickly lost her cool.

But Jian Qing merely raised a slender finger to her lips in a “shh” gesture, then dialed Du Yu.

On the other end, the man’s tone was attentive and sincere. “What is it, Qingqing?”

Since Jian Qing had helped Du Yu clean up after Ren Yishan’s schemes, he listened to her every word. She’d done him a great favor—without her help, he might have been removed from the Du family’s list of heirs.

“Ah Yu, could you arrange a meeting between me and President Li soon? There’s something I’d like to ask of him.”

“Jingche? Of course, don’t worry. I’ll set a time with him right now.”

Even though the phone wasn’t on speaker, the room was so quiet that everyone heard every word. Not to mention the intimacy of their conversation, but the final assurance put both Xiao family members at ease.

Seeing Jian Qing hang up, Xiao Nan stood excitedly and shook her hand. “Jian Qing, if this works out, I’ll be sure to have Xiao Yunchen make a proper apology to you!”

Xiao Yunchen quickly echoed, “Qingqing, if this succeeds, and since I know you’ve always wanted to get back together, I will say yes.”

Jian Qing: …

Xiao Nan’s words had already irked her. Clearly, it was Xiao Yunchen who had wronged her, but if not for their own interests, the Xiao family would never have considered an apology. Xiao Yunchen’s remark left her speechless—truly, shamelessness, when well-practiced, is just a matter of nerves.

No matter. Since the matter was in her hands, the Xiao family could look forward to worrying themselves sick.

Jian Qing had no intention of engaging further. She was about to go upstairs to rest when Du Yu called back, sooner than she’d expected. She’d heard from Li Shuang before that it usually took at least a month to book a meeting with Li Jingche.

“Hello, Ah Yu?”

“Qingqing, I’ve spoken with Jingche. He’s coming over this afternoon to discuss a downtown business project. You can come by for afternoon tea with me—he’s been wanting to meet my girlfriend anyway.”

Jian Qing pursed her lips, surprised at how smoothly things were going.

At that moment, the eyes of the two Xiao family members beside her lit up.

“All right, I’ll come over this afternoon,” Jian Qing replied, and Xiao Nan nudged Xiao Yunchen with his elbow. Xiao Yunchen quickly chimed in, “Qingqing, I’ll go with you this afternoon.”

Jian Qing had never intended to help the Xiao family; even with her mother’s request, she was only there to make introductions. Since Xiao Yunchen insisted, she agreed smoothly. “Fine.”

The four exchanged excited glances, especially Xiao Nan, who rubbed his hands together and said, “The Li family has already sent the project proposal to the invited companies today—only ours hasn’t received it. Without the proposal, we can’t participate in the bidding. We’re not asking for special treatment, just a fair chance to compete.”

Though Xiao Nan put it that way, Jian Qing couldn’t help but chuckle as she headed upstairs. What strength did the Xiao family have left? They couldn’t even pay their workers.

No sooner had she entered her room than Number 33 called, almost as if he had surveillance set up in her room.

“Jian Qing, are you home?”

His voice was low, the background quiet, lending a touch of pressure to his tone.

Jian Qing hummed in reply. “What is it? Only a few minutes apart and you miss me already?”

By now, Li Jingche had figured out her tricks—her flirtatious remarks only meant she was feeling guilty.

Du Yu had called him earlier, and Li Jingche had specifically asked him to emphasize “business project” when replying to Jian Qing.

Twisting a pen in his hand, Li Jingche looked up as Qin Jin entered with a stack of documents. Signing as he spoke, he said, “This afternoon, I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine. Do you have time?”

He wasn’t lying—Du Yu was indeed a friend.

Jian Qing sucked in a breath, guilt rising within her. “This afternoon… I’ve got something to do. Maybe another day? How about tomorrow? It’s been a while since I’ve been to Haiyan Heqing—maybe I’ll invite Yan Jin to join us?”

Jian Qing felt she was better off stirring up trouble than letting Number 33 find out she was taking Xiao Yunchen to plead with the Li family. If he got jealous, she’d be in for a rough time.

“What are you up to this afternoon?” Li Jingche asked, feigning ignorance.