After learning the full context of what had happened, Min Min’s mind spun with disbelief. Her first question was simple: Why had Zhou Yuwen chosen Qu Jing instead of her?
It all made sense now—Qu Jing’s recent silence, her secretive behavior—it was because she’d been conspiring with Zhou Yuwen all along.
Had Qu Jing told Zhou Yuwen everything Min Min had said in private?
Panic set in.
Min Min didn’t care how much Tao Tian was suffering. What enraged her was the idea that Qu Jing might replace Tao Tian as Zhou Yuwen’s go-to girl.
That can’t happen. She can’t hog all the benefits!
Without thinking, Min Min dialed Zhou Yuwen’s number. She needed to explain herself, to clear her na.
“This has nothing to do with ,” she rehearsed. “It was all Tao Tian’s idea! I even tried to stop her! I kept saying how good Zhou Yuwen was, but she wouldn’t listen!”
But when Zhou Yuwen saw Min Min’s call, he declined it without hesitation.
“Why aren’t you answering?” Liu Shuo asked, curious.
“There’s no need to,” Zhou Yuwen replied calmly. “One useful person is enough—too many are a liability.”
Min Min’s panic intensified when her call didn’t go through. It confird her worst fears: Qu Jing must have badmouthed her to Zhou Yuwen. She had already been sentenced in his mind.
It’s over. Everything’s over.
Min Min seethed with rage. Qu Jing, you backstabbing btch!
Unable to reach Zhou Yuwen, she called Tao Tian instead.
“Tao Tian, we’re finished! That btch Qu Jing screwed us all over!”
Min Min’s furious tirade left Tao Tian stunned. When she finally grasped the situation—that Qu Jing had betrayed the Arts Departnt girls and allied herself with Zhou Yuwen—she refused to believe it.
“There’s no way,” Tao Tian murmured. “Qu Jing is my best friend. There must be so misunderstanding!”
Min Min scoffed. “Misunderstanding? She’s taken all your resources and cozied up to Zhou Yuwen. Open your eyes, Tao Tian!”
Tao Tian felt her world crumbling. If Min Min’s words were true, she had lost everything—not just Zhou Yuwen, but even her trusted friend.
“I need to see Zhou Yuwen,” Tao Tian said, her voice trembling with desperation.
After hanging up, Tao Tian’s obsession with Zhou Yuwen only deepened. She was determined to explain everything and win him back.
She called Min Min, who quickly agreed to accompany her. Together, they pooled their contacts to locate Qu Jing. Within minutes, they were in a cab, racing to the exhibition center.
---
anwhile, the exhibition events continued smoothly under Zhou Yuwen’s managent.
At one of the venues, Su Qing was flourishing, her polished appearance enhanced by Zhou Yuwen’s financial support. Her tailored business attire—a fitted blazer paired with a coffee-colored pleated skirt—gave her a confident, professional air. Even Chen Wan, a third-year senior, was content to assist Su Qing.
The South Arts students’ elegance and training stood out. Their poised smiles and flawless posture made them naturals for the job. Zhou Yuwen was thoroughly impressed, particularly with Su Qing and Chen Wan.
“Chen Wan, have you started looking for internships?” Zhou Yuwen asked.
“No, not yet,” Chen Wan replied respectfully.
“How about this?” Zhou Yuwen offered. “You can intern with us now. Three thousand yuan a month during the trial period, and five thousand after you’re hired full-ti. Plus, I’ll cover your social insurance and housing fund.”
Chen Wan was stunned. “Is that really okay?”
Zhou Yuwen smiled. “You’ve been a trendous help. I’ll be relying on you even more moving forward.”
Grateful and flustered, Chen Wan nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Zhou. I’ll do my best.”
Su Qing, not one to be left out, imdiately piped up. “What about ? This whole thing is a success because of !”
Zhou Yuwen gave her a playful glare. “What success? You’re always losing things left and right.”
“Co on, follow ,” he added, motioning her to step outside.
The two slipped into a quiet corner, and Su Qing wasted no ti wrapping her arms around him from behind.
“See? I told you you’d always need ,” she teased.
Zhou Yuwen sighed. “You’re amazing, sure, but if only you weren’t so scatterbrained.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white garnt—a pair of cotton underwear.
Su Qing burst out laughing. “You sniffed it, didn’t you?”
“Sniffed it? Are you insane?”
“Then how do you know it slls?”
“Because it’s been sitting in my pocket since yesterday! You should thank
for picking it up.”
The two bantered back and forth, their teasing exchanges filled with warmth.
---
anwhile, at the exhibition center, Qu Jing was diligently managing her responsibilities. Dressed in a sleek pink qipao that accentuated her curves, she exuded professionalism and charm.
Suddenly, she felt a piercing gaze and looked up—only to et Tao Tian’s tear-filled eyes.
Qu Jing froze.
---
Outside, Qu Jing led Tao Tian and Min Min to a secluded area. Her deanor was haughty as she snapped, “What do you want? I don’t have ti to waste with you.”
Tao Tian’s heart ached at Qu Jing’s indifference. Grabbing her hand, she pleaded, “Qu Jing, please tell
where Zhou Yuwen is! I need to explain everything to him.”
“Explain what?” Qu Jing asked coldly.
“It’s all a misunderstanding! I never intended to betray him—I swear, it was all a mistake! Please, help
fix this!”
Qu Jing smirked. “Why should I help you? You got yourself into this ss. You betrayed Zhou Yuwen, and now you want my help?”
Tao Tian was stunned.
Qu Jing crossed her arms and added, “Zhou Yuwen doesn’t need you anymore. He has
now. I’m everything he wants.”
Tao Tian’s face went pale. Her voice quivered as she whispered, “You slept with him, didn’t you?”
“Ugh, you’re so nosy,” Qu Jing replied, blushing but smug.
That was the final straw. Tao Tian lunged at Qu Jing, grabbing her hair and screaming, “Give Zhou Yuwen back to !”
Qu Jing yelped as Tao Tian’s nails dug into her scalp.
“You have no right to take him from ! Give him back!” Tao Tian shrieked, her voice raw with pain and desperation.
Reviews
All reviews (0)