Princess Syndrome - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: The Rift

Su Lingyue wasn't one to be coy. When Xie Lan first joined Su Qi, she had welcomed her. Both professionally and personally, she had no reason to dislike Xie Lan, and had even taken her out to dinner. When dropping Xie Lan home after that meal, she met a girl.

That girl lived with Xie Lan; they were high school classmates. In their second year of university, the girl had been in a car accident that left her wheelchair-bound. Her family saw her as a burden and left her to fend for herself. It was Xie Lan who had taken her in.

At the time, Su Lingyue thought Xie Lan was truly kind-hearted, and because of this, she had visited Xie Lan's home a couple more times.

Once when Xie Lan wasn't there.

The girl was sketching a design—a high-heel shoe design. Though rough, the concept was clear. She never imagined she would later see this sketch among the competition entries.

Even less did she expect to see it signed under Xie Lan's name.

She withdrew Xie Lan's design submission and told her father that this wasn't Xie Lan's design, that someone else was the true designer. Her father demanded she bring the real designer before him, otherwise she was just making trouble.

She had no choice but to confront Xie Lan.

Xie Lan adamantly insisted it was her design.

At the height of their argument, Xie Lan lowered her voice and whispered in her ear: "Stop making a fuss. Does it really matter who designed this piece? What matters is that Su Qi needs my work."

Su Qi needs it.

She doesn't.

She insisted on withdrawing it and telling others about this incident.

But no one believed her.

Her father scolded her, and colleagues thought she was targeting Xie Lan. Later, when Su Lingyue calmed down and thought about it.

If it were her.

Without any evidence, how could anyone believe?

How could she tell Ji Zhiyi about this?

Make Ji Zhiyi believe her?

Su Lingyue clutched the contract, silent. After a few seconds, Ji Zhiyi asked, "Something to say?"

She hesitated, then shook her head.

Ji Zhiyi sat on the sofa, with her beside her.

Su Lingyue's eyes were full of text, but she couldn't take any of it in. She turned her head to look at Ji Zhiyi.

Whether to believe or not was Ji Zhiyi's matter.

Her not speaking up was her own problem.

Su Lingyue said, "President Ji, Xie Lan's design—" She bit her lip, then stated firmly: "There's a problem with it."

Ji Zhiyi looked at her. "A problem?"

Su Lingyue said, "She once used her roommate's design to enter a competition."

Ji Zhiyi was silent for two seconds: "Are you suggesting that her current design is her roommate's?"

"I..." Su Lingyue said, "I don't know."

She only knew Xie Lan had a 'prior record', but whether this design was her roommate's, she truly didn't know.

Ji Zhiyi pressed her lips together, nodding after a moment.

Su Lingyue felt somewhat anxious and distracted, even forgetting to sign. It wasn't until she was about to close the contract that Ji Zhiyi reached out and pointed to the signature line. Her fingers were slender with distinct knuckles—normally, Su Lingyue would have admired them.

But now she wasn't in the mood.

Though Ji Zhiyi didn't talk much, she was actually quite open with her, even willing to discuss the new factory and plans regarding Su Qi. But she hadn't said whether she believed her or not.

Su Lingyue wasn't even sure what answer she wanted.

Did she want Ji Zhiyi to explicitly say she believed her? Or that she didn't?

Neither—she knew this design was for the Arno Autumn Exhibition, and the autumn exhibition directly affected Baoshun's choice, so of course they would be cautious. Perhaps what she wanted was just for Ji Zhiyi to say she would investigate.

But Ji Zhiyi hadn't said that.

Su Lingyue bit her lip, her breath sweeping across her tongue tip, her anxious feelings transforming into a dull heaviness.

She glanced at Ji Zhiyi, seeing her expression remained bland, her gaze fixed on the contract. Unable to pinpoint the source of her frustration, she simply handed the contract to Ji Zhiyi, dropping a quick "I'll head out first."

Not waiting for Ji Zhiyi's response, she strode out of the office in her high heels.

Ji Zhiyi watched her departing figure, then looked at the contract in her hands, turning to the last page where Su Lingyue's signature flew across the page—completely different from her usually elegant handwriting.

She put the contract away carefully in her drawer.

And locked it.

Su Lingyue sat at her desk, turning to see Ji Zhiyi still looking at her computer, her face as peaceful as if nothing had happened. She took a deep breath, grabbed the contract, and heard Wu Meiyan say, "Assistant Su, are you going out?"

She turned her head: "Yes, I need to see Miss Yang."

Wu Meiyan asked, "Is Miss Yang filming at Second High?"

Su Lingyue said, "Yes."

Wu Meiyan smiled, "Could you give me a ride? I'm heading to the factory."

Su Lingyue said, "Sure."

She left the office with Wu Meiyan. Before getting in the car, Wu Meiyan asked, "Miss Yang hasn't given you any trouble, has she?"

Su Lingyue was somewhat distracted, but turned at these words and said, "It's fine."

Wu Meiyan heard the flatness in her voice, saw her expressionless face—Su Lingyue was always like this in public, like a beautiful porcelain doll without much emotional fluctuation. She swallowed her concerned words.

Halfway there, Su Lingyue couldn't help asking, "Has President Ji contacted you?"

She looked confused: "Huh?"

Su Lingyue frowned: "Never mind."

Wu Meiyan gave her an odd look, and Su Lingyue also felt strange about herself. This matter had been weighing on her mind for a long time. From the first day Xie Lan arrived, she had prayed they wouldn't choose her, but contrary to her wishes, she was selected for the exhibition.

After the selection, she had been honest with Ji Zhiyi.

What happened next should have been Ji Zhiyi's business—whether to believe her and investigate, or not believe her. Logically, she should be able to accept either outcome, after all, she hadn't told Ji Zhiyi those things to force her to believe.

But her chest still felt tight.

When her father had criticized her and driven her from the company, she had just given a cold laugh and walked away.

Bad mood? How could that be?

She had long since become indifferent to it all.

That man could no longer stir any emotion in her, which was why she had been so unbothered when coming to the branch company.

But now her indifferent attitude...

Was completely different from before.

She desperately wanted to know if Ji Zhiyi believed her.

This desperation came inexplicably.

"Assistant Su." Wu Meiyan said, "The factory is just ahead."

After saying this, she pointed to the direction. This was Yilin's factory—Su Lingyue hadn't been here before, but she couldn't mistake the company name. She drove to the front gate, watched Wu Meiyan get out, suppressed all those messy emotions, and waved goodbye to Wu Meiyan as she left.

Second High was still some distance away.

When she arrived at Second High, there were many people standing at the entrance, with staff moving equipment. She called Yang Zhizhi, who had just finished filming and was sitting on the side touching up her makeup. Her assistant held the phone: "Assistant Su."

She glanced at the screen showing that annoying name, thought of that face so peaceful it might as well be dead, and reached out to take the phone.

"Miss Yang, I've arrived." Su Lingyue's voice matched her expression—emotionless. Yang Zhizhi said, "Come in."

Su Lingyue asked the staff and went inside. Yang Zhizhi was wearing a school uniform with her hair in a ponytail, sitting with her assistant under a sun shelter with a fan whirring away. Su Lingyue raised her hand to block the sunlight, suddenly remembering the fan Ji Zhiyi had used to shield her from the sun.

Utterly ordinary.

Yet now she remembered it.

Su Lingyue shook her head, quickly walking to Yang Zhizhi's side. The staff was busy preparing for the next scene, moving props, occasionally passing by and curiously looking at them.

Actually, the staff had long heard that Yilin had invited Yang Zhizhi to be their spokesperson, but it wasn't just Yilin—several other companies had too. It was just that Yang Zhizhi had closer ties with Yilin, and Su Lingyue had visited several times.

Compared to the Su Lingyue from previous rumors, everyone was still very curious about her now.

They'd heard she hadn't gotten any of her family's business, had been thrown out penniless. Who wouldn't say her father was ruthless upon hearing that? Some even said her character hadn't been good before either, so being driven from home was reasonable. That's why everyone wanted to see what she had become.

But she was different from what they had imagined.

Gone was her previous arrogant nature, no bitterness consumed her, and before those who used to hate her, she neither groveled nor begged. She always maintained this calm demeanor, seeming indifferent to everything, as if nothing could break her.

Everyone found it truly curious and kept stealing glances.

Yang Zhizhi pulled at the corner of her mouth: "Sit down, do I need to invite you?"

Su Lingyue was used to her attitude. The assistant passed over a small stool, and she sat down, smiling: "Thank you, Miss Yang."

Did this person go for some advanced training?

Why was she suddenly so fake?

Yang Zhizhi felt like ants were crawling all over her body hearing her talk, especially with that fake smile.

She really wanted to slap it off her face!

She held back, feeling her emotions were a bit off, but before she could think it through, Su Lingyue said: "Miss Yang, this is the contract modified according to your requirements, please take a look."

Yang Zhizhi took the contract.

Su Lingyue said: "We've sent a copy to Miss Lin as well."

Yang Zhizhi: "Mm, what did she say?"

Su Lingyue said: "Miss Lin said she needs to consider it carefully."

What was there to consider? Wasn't everything about to be settled when Su Qi appeared, willing to offer more money? Of course the management company wouldn't miss this opportunity. To be honest, she wasn't willing to work with Su Qi, even if they offered more.

The ultimate reason was that Su Qi was now working with Lin Fei.

Although Lin Fei hadn't had any works these past two years and her image had been diminished by Su Qi's exploitation, she had genuinely achieved many glorious achievements before. Which artist hadn't watched a few of her TV dramas or movies?

She wasn't very willing to replace Lin Fei.

Moreover, her keen sense developed from staying in this circle told her that replacing Lin Fei at this time was the most unwise move, especially since yesterday, when just a mention that Lin Fei might terminate her contract with Su Qi had caused such an uproar online, showing that many people were secretly watching this matter.

But the management company wouldn't accept any of these concerns.

What waves could a fallen artist create? Besides, even her management company had given up on her. At most, it would cause a stir for two days, and might even help generate publicity for Su Qi.

Yang Zhizhi thought about it, feeling somewhat troubled. She said, "I'm going to the bathroom."

Su Lingyue said, "I'll go with you."

The assistant was about to stand up but sat back down. Having heard so much about Su Lingyue, her impression was different from others—she felt Su Lingyue was rather pitiful, so when Su Lingyue wanted to show initiative, she voluntarily gave up the opportunity.

Yang Zhizhi's expression paused, glancing at her to say: "No need, I'll go alone."

Su Lingyue gave an "oh" sound but didn't move. As Yang Zhizhi turned away, she quietly asked the assistant: "Do you have break times?"

The assistant, seeing her beautiful profile as she leaned in, forgot to respond. Su Lingyue looked at her, and she finally came back to her senses, saying: "You mean the film crew?"

Su Lingyue nodded: "Mm."

The assistant said: "Yes, but everyone doesn't rest at the same time. Why?"

Yang Zhizhi had walked a few steps away when she turned back to see Su Lingyue leaning close to her assistant, speaking quietly about something. Her assistant was staring straight at Su Lingyue's profile, amazement evident on her face. What were they talking about, standing so close?

Her steps faltered, and without thinking, she walked back to stand in front of Su Lingyue, saying: "You come with me to the bathroom."

How sudden was that?

Su Lingyue looked up, stunned for two seconds. This unpolished natural reaction made Yang Zhizhi feel very comfortable. She urged: "Hurry up."

"Oh." Su Lingyue stood up, casually grabbing a parasol from the side. As they left the shelter, she opened it, holding it over Yang Zhizhi. Yang Zhizhi glanced up at the parasol's fabric, her peripheral vision catching Su Lingyue, seeing her calm face, her slender wrist holding the parasol, adorned with a luminous white bracelet that made her skin appear like jade—smooth and delicate. There seemed to be a faint fragrance too.

She couldn't tell if it was coming from Su Lingyue's wrist or her body.

Yang Zhizhi seemingly casually moved closer to her, their shoulders occasionally touching. A strange emotion grew from the bottom of her heart, creating a rift in her calm lake of emotions.

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