Chapter 122 - What Is An Outsider Like You Yapping On About
Chapter 122: What Is An Outsider Like You Yapping On About
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As his mind was still processing his thoughts, the elevator door opened and a young couple walked out. As they came closer, they cast a weird glance at Cheng Ziming, a hint of caution in their eyes.
The lady took her keys out of her bag, and just as she was about to insert the key into the door’s keyhole, Cheng Ziming turned around with surprise written all over his face.
The lady tugged on her husband’s arm, and the man frowned slightly. “Excuse me, are you looking for someone?” The man asked as he looked at Cheng Ziming.
“I’m here to see my friend, but she’s not home and her phone isn’t going through. This is her house though, so why are you guys…” Cheng Ziming asked as he pointed to the door.
The man’s expression immediately relaxed, thinking that this friend did not seem to very close with the man in front of him. “The tenant before us had moved away before we moved in, so the landlord has rented the house to us.”
Cheng Ziming was stunned for a moment, seemingly in a light trance. His final trace of Lin Chu was now gone.
He chuckled to himself, then left with his head held low, leaving the couple wondering about this weird man.
…
Instead of returning home, Cheng Ziming headed to the hospital. Wang Jinglin was resting in bed whereas Cheng Jindong sat on a chair beside her, peeling an apple for Wang Jinglin.
At the sight of Cheng Ziming, Wang Jinglin’s face lit up. She greeted Cheng Ziming with a soft laugh and waved him over. Seeing that nobody was behind him, a sneering look appeared on her gentle face.
“I know she’s unable to bear children now, but that doesn’t hinder her walking, does it? She’s the reason I’m in the hospital now and she doesn’t even want to come and visit me?” Wang Jinglin’s eyes turned red as she slowly spoke. She was even trembling slightly, tears at the edge of her eyes.
When Lin Yuwen went home for dinner last night, Wang Jinglin got a line on some remedy somewhere and decided to prepare the medicine before dinner. As soon as Lin Yuwen stepped into the room, she immediately smelled the bitter taste that filled the air. The stench pervaded the entire house, and God knew what unknown objects were added into the black inky medicine.
Wang Jinglin giddily asked Lin Yuwen to finish the medicine. With a disgusted look on her face, how was Lin Yuwen supposed to drink this unknown thing that had an extremely repulsive stench? Furthermore, Wang Jinglin brought this out because of her infertility, so was the old woman trying to humiliate her?
Lin Yuwen refused bluntly, giving the reason that her parents already had professionals helping her. As much as she restrained herself, the expression on her face was still evident that she was upset.
However, Wang Jinlin felt that her hard work and effort were not understood by Lin Yuwen. “Yuwen, this is good medicine. Please, just drink it. I know it doesn’t taste good, but just hold your breath and gulp it down. I’ve even prepared some candied fruits and hawthorn rolls, you can eat it after the medicine.”
“I’m not drinking this!” Lin Yuwen was boiling with rage at this point. Wang Jinglin was being hopelessly foolish! How could the old woman not understand her words?
“Yuwen, I got this remedy after asking around many people from an extremely famous old doctor. This is the doctor’s exclusive remedy and it’s not usually shared to outsiders. I even pulled some strings to visit the doctor and only managed to get my hands on the medicine after going back and forth for more than four hours by car. Please just drink it, there’s no harm trying anyway,” Wang Jinglin persuaded.
Lin Yuwen responded impatiently, “My parents have found a famous doctor to take care of me. The doctor’s a professional, so I believe that he’s more trustworthy. I don’t even know what kind of bare-footed grand immortal did you manage to find, but I’m sure he’s just trying to cheat you of your money! The most important thing right now is for me to take good care of myself and nurse myself back to good health. If I’m drinking random medicine like this, what should I do if something bad happens to me?”
“How can you say this? Forget it! If you can’t even appreciate my effort, but how dare you speak of it this way!” With tears in her eyes, Wang Jinglin pushed the medicine towards Yuwen and screamed, “Just close your eyes and drink it all up! I’m telling you, you’ll be alright! Nothing bad will happen!”
“I’m not drinking it!” Lin Yuwen screamed back impatiently, shoving the medicine back.
Both of them continued arguing, pushing the medicine back and forth. All of sudden, Wang Jinlin lost her grip on the bowl, and as the bowl toppled, the boiling hot medicine splashed on Wang Jinglin’s body.
Fortunately, her clothes protected her body so only her hands were scalded.
Stuttering, Wang Jinglin fainted and was then admitted into the hospital.
Thinking of the incident last night, Cheng Ziming’s head throbbed. Now that Wang Jinglin was ranting about Lin Yuwen once more, Cheng Ziming could not refute but only remain silent. With that, his mood darkened even more.
How was he going to live like this?
…
At work on Monday, Lin Chu bumped into someone she had never expected to see at Lin Yi – Lu Weining.
After learning about Jiang Changdai and the Lu family, her feelings towards Lu Weining was now even more complicated. To be frank, she disliked her even more now.
It was not because she liked Yan Beicheng too, but the fact that Jiang Changdai was willing to love someone who had no blood relation with herself just to please Lu Zhenting, and still unwilling to share that little bit of love for her flesh and blood.
Lin Chu even detested Lu Weining now.
She knew that she was being irrational and unreasonable, but it was impossible for her to keep the right mind when it came to any affairs related to Yan Beicheng.
Once Lu Weining entered Wei Zilin’s office, the public relations department immediately began their discussion in hushed whispers.
“Who’s that? She’s got class, she doesn’t look like an ordinary person.”
“Can it be that she’s President Wei’s girlfriend? It’s not every day we see such a young and beautiful lady here to see President Wei.”
“Hmph!” Hu Yuesha snorted unhappily.
“Stop guessing around! That was the general manager of Xing Chuang. There was news that Xing Chuang just recently signed two very popular actors. One of them is Wang Haiyue, an actor who’s currently popular after the young adult film he starred in blew up; the other one’s Shu Yuxin, an actress exploited from Tang Yi who became famous after starring in a few idol dramas. Apparently, they promised Shu Yuxin a special personal studio and team just to scoop her over. I guess they’re here to settle Shu Yuxin’s own public relations team.”
After a while, Lu Lixin was called into the office, and everyone knew right away that they guessed right.
After Lu Lixin was gone for almost an hour, he finally came out with Lu Weining.
Unexpectedly, Lu Weining went to Lin Chu and said, “Miss Lin, I didn’t expect us to meet again so soon.”
Lin Chu had no choice but to stand up and respond with a nod. “Miss Lu.”
“I only came because Lin Yi’s the best public relations company in this line, but I didn’t expect to see you here. Turns out you work here as well.” Lu Weining paused for a moment and giggled as if she suddenly thought of something. “Oh my stupid brain, how did I not make the connection sooner? President Wei’s Beicheng’s best friend, so there’s no surprise that you’re working here.”
From what was and was not said, she was clearly trying to point out that Lin Chu used her relationship with Yan Beicheng to worm her way into the company.
In other normal companies, she might be disliked by her colleagues or secretly isolated by groups under such circumstances. After all, nobody liked nepotism, and if the person who was favored was incompetent on top of that, that person would naturally be looked down upon.
If Lin Chu’s colleagues in the public relations department were unaware of her relationship with Yan Beicheng before this, they might be convinced and would look down on her now that Lu Weining had suddenly exposed her.
However, they already knew all this beforehand, so they have had time to process this information. Moreover, Lin Chu did not receive any special treatment or sort in the company just because she was Yan Beicheng’s girlfriend, neither did she use her status to bully her colleagues. On the contrary, she was just like any other ordinary employee. She got along well with her colleagues and they always had lunch at the cafeteria. On days when they were tired of the cafeteria food, they would even go out for lunch. There was really no difference in her world and theirs.
Therefore, her colleagues were indifferent as they heard Lu Weining’s words.
They had been in this line for some time already, so they have seen plenty of things. After working with many agencies, they have understood the twists and turns of the industry. They had witnessed plenty of schemes and sketchy means, so how could they possibly not see through Lu Weining’s true intentions?
On the other hand, they were a bit curious as to why was Miss Lu so eager to provoke Lin Chu’s relationship with her colleagues. If grievances between the colleagues grew and they ganged up to isolate Lin Chu, Lin Chu could not possibly survive in the company anymore.
It was evident that Miss Lu knew about Lin Chu’s status, but they just could not understand why was Miss Lu being so foolish. Even if Lin Chu resigned, Yan Beicheng would still take care of her. The young lady just did not want to idle away without anything to do. However, she did not exactly need this job either.
Even if the worst happened, Yan Beicheng would simply start up another company for her, so no matter what, she still had a way out.
This was also one of the reasons why they have never commented anything bad about Lin Chu. Everyone knew that no matter what they did, Lin Chu would still end up on top, so why should they not just build a good relationship with her in the first place?
They were not trying to take advantage of her anyway, just that if they needed help, Lin Chu would still lend a helping hand when possible.
Zheng Yuntong was the perfect example. Her residence problem was easily solved, was it not?
They just could not understand why Lu Weining, the general manager of Xing Chuang, could not understand such a simple idea.
Was she not supposed to be able to overlook the overall situation since she was so high above?
Apart from that, she had so many artists secretly plotting against each other under her watch, was she not supposed to understand this even better since she had seen plenty of similar situations?
As Lu Weining spoke, she observed Lin Chu and her fellow colleagues’ reaction, and she was surprised at her unexpected observation.
The colleagues at the public relations department did not show any sign of surprise, and even Lin Chu remained extremely calm.
Lin Chu was not bothered at all. After all, Lu Weining was right. She did go through the back door to enter the company, and everyone in the company knew it.
“Yeah, thank goodness for Beicheng that I’m here today. Otherwise, it’d be very hard to get in this company with my qualifications,” Lin Chu responded with a nod, completely unabashed.
Lu Weining snorted. ‘How thick-faced is this woman!’
It made sense though. If she was not as thick-faced as she was, how could she have possibly succeeded in chasing Yan Beicheng? Who knew what kind of tricks did she use?
Lu Weining smiled gently. “I saw you just now so I have already told President Wei that I hope that Xing Chuang’s long-term collaboration work can be assigned to your group. Mr. Lu will brief you on the details.”
Lu Weining cast a glance at Lu Lixin before continuing, “Anyhow, I personally know Beicheng so I must give you priority if there’s anything I can help with in terms of business.”
Since she had put it so bluntly, it was obvious that she was trying to mislead the colleagues in the public relations department to think that Lin Chu had snatched away a business deal, and to also let Lin Chu’s mentor, Lu Lixin, feel that he had gotten a business deal just because of Lin Chu. Most of all, to let Zheng Yuntong think that Lin Chu had stolen the spotlight and focus of attention.
Of course, this was all just Lu Weining’s thoughts.
Lu Lixin and Zheng Yuntong continued minding their own business, not expressing the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.
Instead of Lin Chu, the other colleagues continued to stare at Lu Weining with a weird look in their eyes.
Even Hu Yuesha whispered to a colleague behind her, “She’s being such a tattletale, she’s Lin Chu’s rival isn’t she?”
“Thanks for the offer Miss Lu, but every group in our company is equally excellent, so there’s no need for you to pay special attention to whoever you prefer. Every mentor of each group has a pretty good reputation outside, so naturally, when outside companies come over, they’re always eager to collaborate. Therefore, nobody’s bothered about grabbing a business opportunity or whatsoever,” Lin Chu responded softly, not intending to leave face for Lu Weining.
After all, she had Yan Beicheng, so there was no need for her to worry about Lu Weining.
Furthermore, with Lin Yi’s position in the industry, there was no need for them to please any other company. When the time comes where problems arose in a company requiring help in terms of public relations, they would always come crawling back.
Lu Weining did not expect Lin Chu to respond like this, but after thinking about it, she felt that Lin Chu was merely praising everyone on purpose in case she lost her place in the company in the future.
She looked briefly at the expensive ladies’ watch on her wrist. “It’s almost lunch break. Miss Lin, would you kindly accept my invitation for a meal? I have something to talk to you.”
“…” Lin Chu did not want to talk to her, but she knew what the lady was thinking. She would rather make it clear to Lu Weining than have Lu Weining act behind her back later on.
“There’s no need for lunch, I’ve made plans with my colleagues,” Lin Chu responded coldly and turned to Zheng Yuntong. “Yuntong, please save a seat for me, I’ll join you guys in a bit.”
…
Both ladies selected a spot in an inconspicuous corner in the cafe downstairs. Lu Weining ordered a cup of green tea, whereas Lin Chu, who did not want to have coffee on an empty stomach, ended up just getting a glass of water. Besides, she was going to have lunch soon.
Lu Weining looked at the glass of water in front of Lin Chu and felt that Lin Chu was drawing the line between the both of them, deliberately not giving her face. She thought that Lin Chu was pretending to be noble and not as a nice person as she pretends to be.
It all made sense though. She had done her research on Lin Chu and found out that Lin Chu was an orphan adopted by the Lin Family. Lin Chu lived an unbearable life under the Lin Family and they have never educated her well enough. It was no surprise that she turned out to be so unsophisticated, completely unaware of how to charm people, hence always offending people with her words.
However, this showed that Lin Chu was a white-eyed wolf. 1 Although the Lin Family did not treat her well, there was no denying the fact that they raised her, but she only remembered the evil deeds and not the help they have given her, ultimately forcing the Lin Family into their current situation.
Who knew what kind of means she used to fool Yan Beicheng too.
“Miss Lu, is there something you’d like to say?” Lin Chu asked softly. As she drank from her cup, the faint lemon taste in the water made her a little hungry.
Lu Weining sipped her cup of tea and wiped the lipstick print off her cup with a paper towel. In addition to the soft smile plastered on her face, she seemed very professional and it was as if there was no hostility towards Lin Chu.
“I just want to apologize to you for the other day. I shouldn’t have come over abruptly and said all those inappropriate things.” Lu Weining smiled apologetically. “I didn’t expect Beicheng to have such a big reaction towards Aunt Jiang either. It may be because you were there and he didn’t want you to know about —”
Lu Weining suddenly paused and looked at Lin Chu with a pitiful look in her eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand, but still careful enough not to touch the lipstick on her lips. “I didn’t mean it that way, just that the issue between Beicheng and Aunt Jiang —”
“He told me everything,” Lin Chu said bluntly and cast an icy look at Lu Weining, “Miss Lu, you don’t need to overthink it though. Beicheng said he just doesn’t like an outsider commenting on him and his mother’s matters. No matter what happens between them, it’ll just be the Yan Family’s affairs. It has nothing to do with anyone else, let alone the Lu Family.”
Lin Chun emphasized the words “Lu Family” as she spoke, making it sound especially sarcastic. Lu Weining’s expression changed right away when she realized Lin Chu’s words meaning.
“The Lu Family certainly has nothing to do with the Yan Family, and Miss Lu has nothing to do with Beicheng. This is something Beicheng has told me and has made it clear to you the other night. Therefore, Miss Lu, I hope that you’ll be careful with your words from now on. Don’t address him as Beicheng making it seem that the both of you are so close and affectionate. As his girlfriend, I won’t be happy if someone else misunderstands you. Besides, Beicheng has never given face to irrelevant people. If Miss Lu were to forget her position and address him as Beicheng in public, he might just call you out straight away. That wouldn’t make you look good, would it? In order to prevent a slip of the tongue, I think it’s best if Miss Lu starts to pay proper attention now. Master Yan, Mr. Yan or whatever, it doesn’t really matter, but you’re not qualified to call him Beicheng.”
Lin Chu gently pressed her fingers on the rounded edge of the tall square glass she held in her hands and continued, “Besides, you’re neither a member of the Yan Family, nor one of the Jiang Family, so you have no right to talk about their issue behind their backs, and you’re definitely not eligible to stick your nose into the matter for yourself.
Staring back at Lu Weining’s expression that gradually became stiffer, Lin Chu could no longer hold in a snort. “Basically, what is an outsider like you yapping on about? This is none of your business, so please go shove your head up someone else’s ass.”
Lu Weining’s face reddened as she boiled with rage, and shrieked loudly with her finger pointed at Lin Chu, “You… How can you speak in such a vulgar manner! Does Beicheng know about this side of you? I came to apologize to you with a sincere heart, and I even tried to get you to understand the misunderstanding between Beicheng and Aunt Jiang out of good intentions, but you… You…”
“I’m sorry, I’m just worried that you won’t understand my meaning if I don’t speak clearly enough. Otherwise, you might still think that we have concerns about you and you’re still emboldened enough to bring it up again in the future.” Lin Chu got up slowly, swaying the glass of water in her hand.
She had only had two sips of water, so the glass was still almost full at this point.
Lin Chu made an effort to get up slowly as she continued to glare at Lu Weining with her cold eyes. “If you call him Beicheng once more, do you believe that I’ll throw this glass of water at you?”
Lu Weining was completely stunned. “You… How dare you! Miss Lin, don’t you think you’re acting like a b*tch right now? Besides, who are you to make decisions for Beicheng? You haven’t even discussed this with him and you’re — Ah!”
Without hesitation, Lin Chu swung the glass of water across. Like a small waterfall, the lemon-infused mineral water spilled from Lu Weining’s head and down her hair, soaking her to her shoulders.
The white chiffon blouse underneath the sleek blazer immediately became transparent, but fortunately, the blazer covered up a lot.
“Miss Lu, you’re clear of your status, so why do you still have to face to interfere with Beicheng’s affairs? I’ve said it once that I’ll splash my glass of water on you if you address him as Beicheng once more, and I’ve done it. I act on my words, and I suggest Miss Lu to take every word I just said seriously. Do you think I’m all talk?” Lin Chu placed the glass down coldly.
“Look at how vulgar you are, how could you possibly be a match for—” Lu Weining shuddered as she almost called out Beicheng’s name subconsciously, but she was frightened now. She looked at the glass of green tea on the table that was blocking her before continuing, “How could you deserve Beicheng! How dare you splash water on me!”
“Facing someone who has ill-intention, why can’t I?” Lin Chu said indifferently and got up to leave.
Lu Weining stood up as well. Pale-faced with her wet hair stuck on her face, she looked extremely embarrassed and awkward. “Look at your behavior now! You’ll just embarrass Beicheng and the Yan Family! Act all you want as a sweet pleasant girl around everyone else, and turn into a vulgar rude woman behind Beicheng’s back. You’ll just end up making enemies everywhere! This behavior of yours will only drag him down.”
Lin Chu did not want to bother with her anymore, but Yan Beicheng suddenly called her at that very moment.
Lin Chu glanced at her mobile phone’s screen and accepted the incoming call, switching into loudspeaker mode. Before Yan Beicheng could speak, she had already started, “Lu Weining came to talk to me, but she kept addressing you as Beicheng as if you guys are so affectionate with each other. I didn’t like it so I splashed a glass of water on her.”
Lu Weining’s eyes widened in surprise, but she could only hear the sound of Yan Beicheng’s dreamy chuckle from the other end of the call. “It’s fine, she doesn’t have the right to call me that anyway.”
Footnotes:
Ch 122 Footnote 1
A white-eyed wolf is a term used to call ungrateful and vicious people.