After Encountering My Deceased Wife, I Became the Male Lead's Love Rival - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Leaving

The two guest stars arrived in the village that afternoon a pair of rising stars in the music industry, sisters with very distinct personalities.

According to Fang Ziyue’s investigation, the elder sister, Cang Jinyu, was easygoing and generous. She was an approachable junior and a die-hard fan of Ling Qiu. The younger sister, Cang Jinyao, was lively and cute, but she was a “wife-fan” of Lin Mengyan and utterly loathed Ling Qiu. Fang Ziyue had placed her on the high-alert list.

“Guest stars, please choose the courtyard you wish to stay in. During your stay, you will complete tasks alongside the team of your chosen residence.”

As soon as the program team announced the rules, the two sisters rushed toward their respective idols without hesitation.

Cang Jinyu had delicate features. She lacked Fang Ziyue’s aggressive brilliance, being more of the “pleasant to look at” type. She stepped forward to greet Fang Ziyue and Ling Qiu with a handshake. Her temperament was steady, her speech polite, and she openly expressed her affection for her idol, Ling Qiu.

“Hello, Teacher Ling. I’m so happy to be in a group with you. I’m your fan; I really loved your movie Falling Clouds, and I’m especially looking forward to your upcoming film Night Walker.”

As a qualified fan, Cang Jinyu seized every camera angle to advertise for her idol.

Ling Qiu also quite liked this pleasant junior. She responded with a smile: “I really like your songs too. The one you released last month, May Greetings, is wonderful; we’re still playing it here in the courtyard.”

Fang Ziyue watched as her wife used casual, comfortable conversation to charm the girl into the house. In her mind, however, she was calculating that Cang Jinyu had good stamina and high emotional intelligence a prime candidate for labor.

As for Cang Jinyao…

Ling Qiu similarly disliked the girl who shared a personality with Lin Mengyan. Though it felt unkind to say, Cang Jinyao truly took after her idol; she was practically a carbon copy of Lin Mengyan.

Cang Jinyu and Cang Jinyao were originally a duo, but they split up due to personality clashes. After the split, Cang Jinyu relied on her own talent to climb the ranks as a rising star, while Cang Jinyao relied on her improper relationship with Lin Mengyan to get ahead. This was why Cang Jinyu hated being called the “Twin Cangs” of the music world.

Even if it was her own sister, the lack of merit, talent, and virtue made her uncomfortable seeing her in that position.

But Cang Jinyao didn’t listen to her. In fact, because their respective idols didn’t get along, Cang Jinyao had unilaterally severed ties with her sister. Their appearance on the show together was only because Director Chang invited them for the “Twin Cang” gimmick, not because one had introduced the other.

While excited to meet her idol, Cang Jinyu remembered to maintain a proper distance. She also politely greeted Fang Ziyue, though without much warmth. After all, if it weren’t for Fang Ziyue’s good treatment of Ling Qiu during these two live-stream sessions, she probably wouldn’t have been able to resist punching this shameless “other woman.”

Fang Ziyue had done thorough research on the Cang sisters, and seeing Cang Jinyu’s character in person, she felt somewhat relieved.

“So, you can finally find the time to come see me, right?” Chen Yueyu, who had rushed back to the country in the midst of her busy schedule, called Fang Ziyue. She repeatedly reviewed Fang Ziyue’s performance on camera and the survey she had filled out, her expression solemn.

Normal people regulate their emotions, but someone who turns their emotions into a plan—predetermining exactly when to cry, laugh, act fragile, or be composed—is absolutely not normal.

“You aren’t just chasing someone according to a plan anymore; you’re turning yourself into a tool to execute it.” A tool that changed strictly according to commands.

Fang Ziyue was the most capable self-manager Chen Yueyu had ever seen. It was terrifying; she managed even her emotions and beliefs to the extreme. A chill ran down Chen Yueyu’s spine as she listened to the other’s breathing in the silence one breath after another, no response, yet full of oppressive pressure. Like someone being stared at by a monster with no escape, beads of sweat gradually formed on her forehead as panic spread silently.

However, driven by her professional duty and integrity, Chen Yueyu endured the sticky discomfort of cold sweat soaking her clothes and spoke steadily: “Until I am certain you have no tendency to harm Ling Qiu, you must separate from her first.”

Fang Ziyue didn’t like reading military strategy; this was something Chen Yueyu used to mock her for. But Fang Ziyue had once joked: “I don’t read strategy for everyone’s sake.”

For a person who could precisely plan their own emotions, if they applied those tactics to others… Chen Yueyu shuddered. She gritted her teeth and said word by word: “Tonight, I will pick you up.”

Putting a lunatic among people was too dangerous.

The woman who had been silent suddenly let out a soft laugh. It broke the suffocating fear and stillness. Chen Yueyu’s previous words hadn’t provoked her; instead, she leaned easily against the courtyard wall, watching the two people busy inside the house, and teased: “What a coincidence. I was planning to go see you tonight anyway.”

Cang Jinyu was a reliable person. With her staying by Ling Qiu’s side, Fang Ziyue could confidently ask the program team for leave.

Chen Yueyu’s fingertips tightened, her brow furrowing. To be honest, she would rather Fang Ziyue lose her temper or refuse to leave Ling Qiu than have her agree so nonchalantly. It was as if she had long anticipated that she would force her out as if nothing fell outside her plan.

“Tsk.” After hanging up, Chen Yueyu scratched her hair. Honestly, every time she treated Fang Ziyue, she felt like a total amateur who should go back to school. In fact, she believed Fang Ziyue simply set her up as one of many locks. Every time she came to her studio for treatment, it was like placing another shackle on the monster within, suppressing it layer by layer until the symptoms were smothered.

But that was impossible. Suppression is not as good as release; Fang Ziyue’s condition could only be handled by herself. Chen Yueyu’s expression was grim, a flash of fear in her eyes. Truthfully, she had nearly been brainwashed by Fang Ziyue’s unconscious “reverse hypnosis” several times. If they weren’t on good terms, Chen Yueyu would never want to treat her again.

Fang Ziyue, having ended the call, looked toward the Lin family’s house. Her eyes were filled with soft, smiling warmth, as if she were looking at her most capable subordinates. It was a look of indulgence and concern for someone expected to perform and create value for her.

She thought: when a hawk merely circles high in the sky, the cunning rats won’t leave their holes. Only when it leaves for a bit will the rats come out and do what they want to do…

The people being watched clearly hadn’t noticed that their scheme had been detected. Lin Mengyan was still secretly plotting with Cang Jinyao on how to send Ling Qiu to Lin Mingcheng’s bed.

“Is this really okay?” Cang Jinyao was a bit hesitant. She had watched several live-stream sessions; that Fang Ziyue who came back from abroad was clearly no pushover. She feared the plan would be interfered with.

“No problem. I’ve asked the staff; tonight, that Fang person is taking leave to go away.” A sharp light flashed in Lin Mengyan’s eyes. Her low voice was laced with a determined certainty: “Tonight is the best opportunity…”

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