Chapter 46: 046 Hidden Needle
Translator: 549690339
“Zhu Wentao, I really underestimated how shameless you are.”
“You’re overthinking it. She has to be present as a translator at a very important international conference at ten o’clock.”
“Aside from embarrassing myself, can’t you give your daughter some respect?
Or do you just think everyone is a fool?”
To outsiders, the two appeared to be laughing and talking. Lin Qing casually straightened Zhu Wentao’s collar, affectionate and natural, a perfect couple.
There are no men in this world who don’t cheat, as long as they know to come back, and maintain their wife’s position, no high-level mistress can shake that.
Everyone laughed, and the incident became gossip material after dinner.
Among the elite in Jiangzhou, such events were not uncommon. Once-proud Lin Qing also fell from grace. There were taunts and sighs, but seeing Lin Qing able to converse with Zhu Wentao without changing her expression, it must be said that many women trapped in the same pain admired her.
“Mr. Zhou?”
Zhou Ling turned her head at the sound, and saw an exquisite and elegant young woman standing in front of her, smiling at her.
“Ms. Zhu.” Zhou Ling whispered softly.
Zhu Xiangxiang looked at the woman in front of her. She had only seen pictures before, but seeing her in person for the first time, she looked even more beautiful and younger than in the photos. Her eyes were watery and filled with the colors of spring, yet without any hint of lust, pure and innocent.
Her figure was beyond reproach, especially her waist, so delicate that it couldn’t bear a grasp.
Her temperament was gentle and fragile, easily arousing a man’s protective instincts.
Zhu Xiangxiang thought to herself that it was no wonder that Lin Qing had fallen for this woman.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Zhu Xiangxiang said with a sneering tone in her voice, not even trying to hide her sarcasm.
Zhou Ling just smiled and didn’t speak, only looking at Zhu Xiangxiang.
Zhu Xiangxiang, being young, couldn’t keep her patience and scoffed, “What are you looking at?”
“Are you here to defend your mother’s honor, Ms. Zhu? Are you here to settle the score with me?”
Zhu Xiangxiang snorted, “You already know that, so you should be clearer about the situation and leave my father voluntarily. It would save face for everyone, otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” Zhou Ling smiled coldly, “Will I not see the sun tomorrow?” Zhu Xiangxiang choked.
“These words should be left for the madam to discuss with me. You, a little girl, are too naive.” Even when speaking such hateful words, her expression remained gentle.
Zhu Xiangxiang’s face turned red, “I’ve never seen a mistress as arrogant as you. You have no shame at all.”
Zhou Ling looked toward the hall, “Look.”
Zhu Xiangxiang followed her gaze and saw Ming Jing shining brightly among a group of socialites. Even without saying a word, just a faint smile was enough to outshine them all.
The socialites who used to target and suppress her were now surrounding Ming Jing, chatting happily with her.
Zhu Xiangxiang suppressed her jealousy and bitterness.
“Ms. Ming Jing is a rare beauty, already so stunning at a young age. When she grows up, do you think she’ll make a name for herself in Jiangzhou?” Zhu Xiangxiang said coldly, “How would I know?”
“After tonight, everyone in Jiangzhou will know of the Zhu family’s beautiful Ms. Ming Jing and her exceptional temperament. Who will remember you as the number one socialite?”
Zhu Xiangxiang bit her lip tightly, her face pale.
“She has extraordinary beauty and the legitimate bloodline of the Zhu family. How confident do you think you are in surpassing her? From now on, you can only serve as her foil. When people mention you, they’ll just say, ‘Ah, that fake heiress of the Zhu family, it’s so kind of the Zhus not to drive her out, taking in an extra person is not a burden to them, and they even gain a good reputation, why not do it?”‘
The woman’s gentle voice seemed to have a magical power of bewitching. Zhu Xiangxiang’s face was filled with pain as she suddenly shouted, “Stop talking!” “Don’t be sad.” The woman comforted softly.
Zhu Xiangxiang’s tears rolled down like broken beads, watching the dazzling banquet scene and the dazzling person in the distance through her blurry eyes. Once, all of this belonged to her, but now, she could only watch from afar.
“I’m not your enemy. I’m your friend.”
Zhu Xiangxiang murmured, “Friend?”
Thinking of something, her face changed and she said fiercely, “Who wants to be friends with a mistress like you?”
The woman still smiled gently, looking at her like an innocent child, her eyes gentle and tolerant. “Some people are born with everything, while we, despite striving hard, still end up with nothing in the end. It’s unfair, isn’t it? Sometimes, life can be so unfair…’
“Look, your dear mother only has eyes and heart for Ms. Ming Jing. Has she ever thought of you? What are you holding on to? The world is unfair, and what you want, you have to fight for yourself. Don’t pin your hopes on anyone else…”
“The Zhus keep you around, do you think it’s because they have feelings for you? It’s just fear that driving you away would make them seem cold-blooded.
You’re just a tool for them, a prop to gain a good name. Wake up, little girl. Things that don’t belong to you from the start, no matter how hard you try, will never belong to you.”
Gentle words, one by one, like needles hidden in cotton, pierced Zhu Xiangxiang’s heart.
Looking at Zhu Xiangxiang’s distorted face of pain, the woman sighed softly, her eyes filled with pity, “Such a pitiful girl.”
Li Jiaojiao grew impatient and gave Sun Qingqing a look. Sun Qingqing understood and slipped away to the corridor, sending a text message.
After a short while, a male waiter came out carrying a tray.
Li Jiaojiao snapped her fingers and called him over, “Miss Zhu, we’re friends from now on. Here’s a toast to you.”
She took a glass of champagne from the tray.
Ming Jing didn’t move. Li Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow, “Miss Zhu, you wouldn’t even give me this little face, would you?”
Ming Jing glanced at the male waiter, who didn’t dare meet her gaze and quickly looked away.
Ming Jing picked up another glass of champagne, and Li Jiaojiao clinked their glasses together, laughing, “Oh, I forgot. People who have left home aren’t supposed to drink alcohol. But a little bit shouldn’t matter, right? Especially since Miss Zhu has returned to secular life.”
Ming Jing raised an eyebrow, saying lightly, “I can’t refuse Ms. Li’s kindness, but this champagne is not worthy of Ms. Li.”
She put the champagne back on the tray and instructed the waiter, “Go find Uncle Wen, my father has a bottle of fine red wine in his collection. Bring it to entertain Ms. Li.”
The waiter hesitated, his face breaking out in a nervous sweat.
Li Jiaojiao squinted her eyes and examined the young girl in front of her, suddenly feeling that she was inscrutable, like a heavy fog that couldn’t be seen through..
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