Princess Syndrome - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Don't Move

Yang Zhizhi wasn't really familiar with Su Lingyue before. Although their social circles overlapped, Su Lingyue had been avoiding such gatherings lately. Moreover, Su Lingyue had hardly attended any galas in the past two years, so Yang Zhizhi's impression of Su Lingyue was still based on what others said.

"Su Lingyue isn't coming again? She's really putting on airs."

"Why invite her? Does anyone in the Su family still listen to her?"

"You can't say that. After all, she's the Su family's only beloved daughter. Zhou Shiyu can't have children. Won't all of this eventually belong to Su Lingyue? If you say these things now, aren't you afraid the princess will settle scores with you later!"

The gossiper was intimidated. In their complex circle, there was no such thing as true friendship.

Profit was the most important thing.

So, even though Su Lingyue had left the Su family, in everyone's mind, she was still the high and mighty precious jewel of the Su family. They still had to invite her to every gala and dinner. Su Lingyue would occasionally attend, and whenever she did, Yang Zhizhi would leave early.

So, she hadn't met Su Lingyue face-to-face in the past two years.

She had assumed she still had that overbearing princess personality.

But now it seemed—

It was a little different from what she imagined.

Yang Zhizhi held the script. Her assistant had rehearsed these lines with her several times, and she knew them by heart. The reason she wanted Su Lingyue to read this part was to humiliate her properly.

Su Lingyue's expression was calm. "Who do you think you are?"

Yang Zhizhi looked at Su Lingyue over the script. "Then who do you think you are? If it weren't for your last name being Li, you'd be nothing! Do you think your friends really like you? No, they like the Li family behind you. You're just a stepping stone for them. Do you know what a stepping stone is? It's something specifically used to be stepped on..."

"Shut up!" Su Lingyue slightly raised her head, looking at Yang Zhizhi. In that instant, it felt like Yang Zhizhi wasn't talking about the character in the play but about Su Lingyue. "What? Can't take it anymore? Do you know what they say about you behind your back?"

Su Lingyue stood up abruptly.

She raised her hand to slap Yang Zhizhi's face. Yang Zhizhi was very familiar with this part of the script, but when she met Su Lingyue's eyes, she still hesitated for a second. She also stood up and grabbed Su Lingyue's hand according to the script.

Then, she raised her own hand.

When her palm was next to Su Lingyue's cheek, she stopped.

There was no fear in Su Lingyue's eyes, only a calmness like a stagnant pool. She had maintained this emotion from the beginning, without any fluctuations. To those in the acting profession, this lack of emotion seemed like utter despair.

She finally understood the uncomfortable feeling she had when she watched Su Lingyue drink last night.

No arguing, no refuting, just accepting it readily.

It wasn't because she admitted defeat.

It was because she didn't care.

She didn't want to argue, didn't want to refute. Her calmness wasn't due to restraint or suppression but because she genuinely didn't care.

She didn't care if the person standing in front of her was herself or someone else she had a feud with.

She didn't care how many glasses of wine she drank last night.

She didn't care about her 'torture'.

Which made her actions last night seem like those of a clown, pale and powerless.

Yang Zhizhi instantly felt a surge of anger, a fire rushing to her head. She couldn't explain why, but she knew she was very unhappy. Yang Zhizhi released Su Lingyue's hand and sat down in her chair. The assistant asked softly, "Zhizhi, what's wrong?"

Su Lingyue also looked over.

Yang Zhizhi said, "Take her to change clothes."

The assistant was confused. "Change clothes?"

Yang Zhizhi said, "I can't get into character when she's wearing those clothes to rehearse with me."

The assistant forced a smile. "Okay."

Yang Zhizhi wasn't the type to throw tantrums without a reason. She was usually gentle with the crew. This time, Su Lingyue had come on her own initiative, and many people were already talking about it. The stagehands heard that they needed another set of clothes. Although confused, they quickly provided them to the assistant.

The assistant was trying to figure out how to explain it to Su Lingyue.

Su Lingyue asked, "If I wear these clothes to rehearse with her, will she look at the letter of intent?"

The assistant was also unsure of Yang Zhizhi's intentions. "Probably."

Fine then.

Su Lingyue took the clothes to the changing room. As soon as she changed, she received a message from Ji Zhiyi: [Where are you?]

She quickly replied: [Discussing the cooperation intention with Miss Yang.]

Ji Zhiyi sat on the sofa. Having arrived home at six thirty, she kept looking out the window. The sun was setting, dusk was falling, and the sky was gradually darkening. Yet, there was no news from her.

She resisted the urge to call, again and again.

She guessed Su Lingyue needed time to pack, but after waiting until seven o'clock and still not hearing anything, she couldn't help but send Su Lingyue a message.

Soon, she received a reply: [Discussing the cooperation intention with Miss Yang.]

What?

Ji Zhiyi frowned.

She immediately called. "Where are you?"

Su Lingyue said, "I'm at Second High." It was noisy outside the changing room. She covered one ear with her hand. She heard Ji Zhiyi say, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Su Lingyue hesitated for a few seconds.

Ji Zhiyi continued, "As an assistant, don't you need to report your itinerary when contacting business partners?"

Yes, I do.

Su Lingyue readily complied. "President Ji, I'm currently at Second High meeting with Miss Yang to try and get her to agree to this collaboration."

See how professional I am?

I do whatever the boss says.

Ji Zhiyi felt a lump in her throat upon hearing this. She gripped her phone tightly. Su Lingyue heard an assistant calling her. She said, "President Ji, I'll talk to you later," and hung up.

Ji Zhiyi scoffed at the blank screen.

Without changing her clothes, she left the apartment again. She sat in the car for a few minutes before driving to Second High.

She was familiar with this road. Not only during her school days, but she had also come here alone a few times later. The few streets, intersections, and traffic lights near the school were all clear in her mind. Although she hadn't been back in years, the area hadn't changed much. There was a traffic light at the school gate and a wide pedestrian crossing. It was summer vacation, which was probably why they chose this place for filming.

Ji Zhiyi drove to the school gate. The security guard saw another boss driving over and immediately asked the stage manager. A staff member from outside ran to the gate. He was stunned when he saw Ji Zhiyi in the car. Of course, he recognized her, but he didn't know why she would come. He quickly said, "President Ji, are you here to see someone?"

Ji Zhiyi nodded. The staff member asked the director for instructions and then asked the assistant director to greet Ji Zhiyi after apologizing on the phone.

Ji Zhiyi said, "I apologize for the intrusion today. I just happened to be passing by and wanted to see Miss Yang. I hope Director Yu doesn't mind."

Director Yu smoothed things over. Seeing that Ji Zhiyi wanted to find Yang Zhizhi, he asked someone to take her there.

Yang Zhizhi was still locked in a staring contest with Su Lingyue.

Su Lingyue had changed her clothes as requested. The assistant thought her previous hairstyle wasn't suitable for a student and worried that Yang Zhizhi wouldn't be able to get into character, so she had given her a high ponytail, tied with a simple hair tie at the back of her head. The makeup on her face was so light it was almost nonexistent. Her skin was fair and smooth, her features quiet and delicate. Standing next to Yang Zhizhi, she looked more like the female lead in a student drama.

Yang Zhizhi was annoyed. "Who did her hair?"

The assistant was confused. "What's wrong, Zhizhi?"

Yang Zhizhi was speechless. What's wrong? Her new hairstyle makes her look even more like a student, even prettier than me!

Why haven't I noticed how clueless my assistant is before?

She sat in her chair, finding everything about Su Lingyue displeasing. She couldn't explain where this annoyance came from. It felt stifling. She reached out and grabbed the lemonade from the table. Just as the assistant was about to call out, "Zhi..."

Yang Zhizhi spat it out!

She put down the lemonade, suddenly realizing that she had asked the assistant to prepare it. She was really furious. Yang Zhizhi rubbed her temples and put down the script. "I don't want to rehearse anymore."

Su Lingyue said, "Then, Miss Yang, this letter of intent..."

Yang Zhizhi tossed it to her. "Take it away."

Su Lingyue took a deep breath. "Okay. Also, President Ji would like to invite you to dinner."

Yang Zhizhi said, "Talk to my assistant."

Su Lingyue accepted her sudden change in temper. Instead, the assistant apologized profusely, fussing over Yang Zhizhi. Seeing Su Lingyue still standing there, she waved her hand discreetly. Just as Su Lingyue was about to speak, the assistant hurriedly pushed her away.

Ji Zhiyi arrived at the set and saw Su Lingyue being ushered out by the assistant. Su Lingyue was wearing a school uniform, carrying her bag, with a long ponytail. Her features were exquisite and beautiful. From the side, she looked like a porcelain doll. Ji Zhiyi stood there, letting the surrounding light pass by Su Lingyue. Time seemed to freeze, and Su Lingyue was the only thing in her eyes.

Su Lingyue from her student days.

Every time she came for a competition, she would deliberately pass by that classroom door. Sometimes it was during class, and Su Lingyue would be looking at the blackboard, her fingers tapping a rhythm on her cheek. Sometimes it was after class, and Su Lingyue would be surrounded by many classmates, sitting in the crowd, smiling and chatting.

Her desk was never short of gifts and love letters. Every time she went to a competition, Su Lingyue was always part of the conversation.

"Su Lingyue from your class is so pretty. I just saw her. She's like a little princess."

"Is Su Lingyue from your class dating someone? Someone said they saw them going out together last weekend."

"Su Lingyue from your class..."

She was like an outsider, piecing together fragments of information. For example, Su Lingyue's temper wasn't very good, her grades were good, and many people confessed their feelings to her, but she said she wasn't interested in dating.

She couldn't deny that she felt a secret joy when she heard that.

A despicable elation.

Despicable that if she couldn't have her, then no one else could.

Back then, how much she wanted to know Su Lingyue, wanted to bump into her at the corner of the hallway, wanted to meet her on the stairs. But Su Lingyue was always surrounded by so many people. Her silence was like a weight, and with every accidental brush, the feelings hidden in her heart grew heavier.

Until her heart and mind were filled with Su Lingyue.

Su Lingyue looked up and saw Ji Zhiyi standing by the flower bed. Although she didn't know why she had come in person, she knew she had to greet her boss. She walked forward, stood in front of Ji Zhiyi, and called out, "President Ji."

Ji Zhiyi snapped out of her thoughts and met her gaze. The humid air and the chirping of cicadas and croaking of frogs rushed in. Staff members from the props department carrying furniture shouted, "Make way! Make way!"

Su Lingyue turned her head. Ji Zhiyi grabbed her wrist and pulled her back a couple of steps. Su Lingyue was next to the flower bed, and behind her, staff members carrying furniture brushed past her. Her upper body leaned forward, very close to Ji Zhiyi. Ji Zhiyi's nose was filled with Su Lingyue's scent.

It hadn't changed in all these years.

This fragrance seemed to emanate from Su Lingyue's very being, light and alluring.

She tightened her grip on Su Lingyue's hand.

Seeing that the people behind her had passed, Su Lingyue wanted to step back and stand up straight, but Ji Zhiyi said, "Don't move."

Her tone was serious.

Su Lingyue was nonchalant. "What's wrong?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "Don't step on the frog..."

Su Lingyue froze, her expression changing drastically, and she suddenly clung to Ji Zhiyi!

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