After Her Death, They Begged for Forgiveness - Chapter 47

Xu Bingqi blinked slowly, hesitating whether it would be better to close her eyes again and pretend to be asleep.

Just as Xu Bingqi’s eyes shut, a ball of warm fluff suddenly approached.

The cat in front of her gently lifted its plump paw pad and softly brushed her cheek, as light as a feather. The touch was so soft and ticklish that Xu Bingqi couldn’t help but open her eyes again.

Just as Xu Bingqi was at a loss, she felt the cat gently pat her cheek again with its paw pad.

At the same time, she heard the cat’s cooing meow.

Unsure of what it meant, Xu Bingqi looked at the cat in confusion.

Could it be that Song Guanjin had forgotten how to transform back into human form?

Song Guanjin, seeing Xu Bingqi’s bewildered expression, anxiously patted Xu Bingqi’s shoulder again, signaling her to turn around. Unfortunately, her sister not only didn’t turn around but even reached out to stroke her head.

But now, as a cat, she wasn’t wearing any clothes. If she transformed back into human form wouldn’t she end up naked in front of her sister again?

If that happened, her sister would surely be very upset.

Song Guanjin pushed Xu Bingqi again with her paw pad, making one last effort.

Unfortunately, it had no effect. Her sister even raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, then flicked her finger and gave her a light tap on the head.

Xu Bingqi thought the little cat, having just woken up, was being clingy and acting cute.

However, she soon realized Song Guanjin’s true intentions.

She watched as the cat’s emerald-green pupils widened slightly, as if growing even more self-assured. Then, the cat burrowed deeper under the covers, leaving only its head and front paws exposed.

Was the cat trying to laze in bed a little longer?

Xu Bingqi reached out to pull the cat demon out from under the covers, but then she caught sight of a delicate, rounded shoulder and an arm as smooth and lustrous as mutton-fat jade that had suddenly appeared.

Xu Bingqi’s hand, resting on the blanket, froze.

“Sister, do you want to look?”

Song Guanjin, noticing her sister’s earlier attempt to lift the blanket, asked with a hint of anticipation.

Since the moment she opened her eyes, the fact that she was a cat demon had already been exposed. It might be better to just transform into human form to prevent her sister from sending her back to the pet hospital for neutering.

Xu Bingqi quickly turned around. “Put on your clothes first.”

Her mind was in chaos, her heart pounding wildly. It wasn’t because of Song Guanjin’s suggestive words but because she didn’t know what expression to wear in front of Song Guanjin.

What should a normal person’s reaction be upon learning that Song Guanjin was a cat demon?

Probably surprise?

What about emotions beyond surprise? Fear? Or curiosity?

While Xu Bingqi was lost in thought under the covers, Song Guanjin had already hurriedly put on her clothes.

“Sister, you must have had a nightmare just now!”

After getting out of bed barefoot, Song Guanjin walked over to Xu Bingqi, straightened her back, and with a firm gaze, mustered all the conviction of an actor before speaking slowly.

After transforming into human form, she had decided to try deceiving her sister first.

If her sister believed her, she could continue pretending. If not, she would explain the truth.

Xu Bingqi said nothing, only silently looked at Song Guanjin.

She was almost amused by Song Guanjin’s audacity. After patting her so many times with her paw pad, did she really think she could still fool her?

“I feel like I had a nightmare too.” Xu Bingqi noticed Song Guanjin visibly relax before curling her lips into a slight smile, then continued, “But it was a very strange dream, the cat from my dream appeared outside of it.”

Xu Bingqi extended her slender fingers, lifting the cat demon’s guiltily lowered chin with a gentle yet unyielding force. The cat demon’s head tilted back slightly, forced to meet Xu Bingqi’s gaze.

Casually picking up a soft cat hair from the pillow, Xu Bingqi swayed it lightly, her eyes fixed intently on the cat demon’s. Her voice, though soft, carried a distinct pressure: “What do you think, Song Guanjin?”

Song Guanjin’s fair chin rubbed against Xu Bingqi’s fingers in a placating manner. “Sister, I still have to go film.”

Even though this was the first alarm to go off, half an hour earlier than she had planned to wake up, she would rather face the cold wind outside than confront her intimidating sister.

Xu Bingqi seemed momentarily dazed. Upon hearing that Song Guanjin still had to film, she instinctively released her grip.

“Sister, I’ll come clean with you after I finish filming.”

The cat demon took a deep breath, trying to appear resolute as she made her promise, then threw on her coat and swiftly left the hotel room.

Everything had happened too suddenly. Song Guanjin let out a long sigh her carefully laid plans hadn’t even begun to unfold.

According to the cat demon’s meticulous plan, she was supposed to first discuss the tales of human-demon romance from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio with her sister, then ask for her sister’s thoughts on such relationships, and finally promise that, as a demon, she would share her lifespan with her sister.

If all had gone smoothly, her sister might have been so moved that she would have accepted her confession right then.

But everything had fallen apart.

Her identity had been exposed prematurely, and all her carefully crafted plans had been ruined before they could even begin.

The cat demon touched the spot on her chin where her sister had just touched her, feeling utterly disheartened.

“Teacher Song, you’re so dedicated. Out of all the actors in the crew, you’re the earliest to arrive.”

“And I heard Teacher Song has already memorized the entire script.”

As Song Guanjin listened to the flattery from the crew around her, she worried that she and her sister might not even remain friends after this.

Would her sister block and delete her immediately?

Even worse, would her sister seek out some dreadful Taoist priest to exorcise her?

If her sister found a highly skilled Taoist, she might end up utterly annihilated.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, a gust of wind swept through the corridor, and Song Guanjin shivered uncontrollably.

She was already considering whether to send her sister a message, begging her to show mercy and not hire any Taoist to capture her.

Yet, while Song Guanjin was trembling with fear, Xu Bingqi had already drifted back to sleep.

Having long been aware of Song Guanjin’s secret, she wasn’t as shocked as the cat demon. In the end, she had only teased the flustered cat demon pretending to be calm.

After the cat demon left for filming, drowsiness washed over her again, and she slowly closed her eyes.

It wasn’t even 6 a.m. yet. Xu Bingqi planned to lie in bed and sleep until she woke naturally.

Once she started recording for the music variety show, she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep in like this anymore, so she cherished every precious moment of sleep.

Thus, Xu Bingqi, still deep in slumber, remained completely unaware that discussions about her were gradually resurfacing online.

Xiao Hua deliberately chose the morning rush hour, when everyone was busy heading to work, to start spreading negative rumors about Xu Bingqi.

He had already learned Jiang Ruo’s true identity though she was known as the adopted daughter of the Xu family, she was actually the heir. Eager to prove himself, he couldn’t wait to complete the first task Jiang Ruo had assigned him.

Jiang Ruo had promised him that if he handled every task well, she would publicly announce their relationship to Xu Qingci.

If that happened, the entire Xu family would belong to him and Jiang Ruo.

And since Jiang Ruo was now focused on her acting career and had no interest in business, wouldn’t the Xu family fall entirely into his hands once they married?

The thought made Xiao Hua increasingly excited, as if he could see a future of wealth and status beckoning to him.

He reflected that there were only a few pivotal moments in a person’s life, and this opportunity felt like a rope thrown to him by fate. If he held on tight, he might rewrite the course of his life. No matter what, he had to seize it firmly.

Moreover, ever since he had last encountered Xu Bingqi who, despite being disowned, still carried herself with an air of arrogance, he had deeply resented her for refusing to even glance his way.

He was determined to teach Xu Bingqi a lesson.

Thus, online discussions about “Xu Bingqi being expelled from the Xu family” gradually gained traction.

Xiao Hua’s plan was simple: Jiang Ruo had tasked him with using online public opinion to prevent Xu Bingqi from participating in a music variety show. All he needed to do was make netizens realize how despicable Xu Bingqi was.

Watching the discussion volume rise with satisfaction, he was convinced that everyone shared his disdain for incompetent individuals.

And an incompetent person like her had no place shining on a music show.

However, what Xiao Hua didn’t anticipate was that while the discussion volume did rise quickly, the content wasn’t entirely negative.

【Why does someone keep slandering Bingqi every now and then? She’s already left the Xu family, what more do you want?】

【Calling her incompetent? Maybe listen to her music first before talking.】

【Why do you have to drive her to the brink? She’s already left the industry, my heart aches for the pure talent of the composing world.】

【Recommending our coffee to the above commenter, it’s amazing!】

【Will she appear on that music show? Looking forward to it!】

【I want to see the goddesses compete on the same stage!】

Xiao Hua, looking relaxed, picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip of the warm tea. Just then, his assistant hurried in to report that the public opinion trend was completely contrary to his expectations.

In an instant, the ease on Xiao Hua’s face vanished, replaced by a twisted rage. He abruptly stood up, swung his arm, and hurled the teacup to the ground. With a loud “bang,” the porcelain shattered, and tea soaked the floor.

“Mr. Xiao, that teacup was a gift from Miss Jiang Ruo,” the assistant cautiously reminded, stepping away from the shards. “Miss Jiang hasn’t been in the best mood lately.”

Xiao Hua flinched but quickly tried to regain his composure. “So what? It’s just a cup. Would she really turn against me over this?”

The assistant remained silent, but her silence spoke volumes.

“It’s fine, none of this matters,” Xiao Hua insisted, struggling to stay rational. “As long as I handle this task well, Jiang Ruo won’t punish me.”

Then, he comforted himself further: “Once I take control of the Xu family, what will Jiang Ruo even be worth?”

Seeing that Xiao Hua had regained his composure, the assistant reminded him, “Actually, there’s no need to panic, Mr. Xiao. No one suspects you were behind this. Many believe it was the work of the Gu family’s eldest daughter, who previously framed Xu Bingqi.”

Xiao Hua understood the implication behind the assistant’s words.

Even if this matter didn’t achieve the desired outcome, someone else would take the fall for him.

“I understand. Go ahead and make the arrangements,” Xiao Hua said, casually waving his hand as he began to ponder how to prevent Jiang Ruo from discovering the broken teacup.

The assistant bowed slightly and left Xiao Hua’s office.

She had never met anyone as foolish as Xiao Hua. Despite having been planted by Jiang Ruo for so long, he had failed to detect her allegiance or take any precautions. Utterly incompetent.

As for Xiao Hua’s attitude, she would, of course, report everything in detail to Miss Jiang Ruo.

Gu Xiaozhou, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, was checking “Coffee is Inspiration” as usual to see if any new compositions had been released when she was struck by a bolt from the blue.

She had been schemed against by a despicable scoundrel!

[This trending topic must have been arranged by someone again.]

[Psst, who is that someone?]

[Of course, it’s the one who backstabbed a friend before.]

[Just can’t stand seeing a friend succeed, huh? Probably even more resentful now that the last attempt failed.]

Amid the barking of her Beagle, Gu Xiaozhou took a deep breath to calm herself.

She absentmindedly patted the dog’s head and said weakly, “I’ll play with you later.”

Who was the vile person deliberately trying to drive a wedge between her and Bingqi again?

Gu Xiaozhou closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, her gaze was filled with a fierce intensity, as if she were ready to crush the person behind the plot to ruin her relationship with Xu Bingqi in the next second.

Just then, Gu Nan called.

Gu Xiaozhou answered without a second thought. “Mom, I really didn’t do it this time. You have to believe me.”

But she froze upon hearing Gu Nan’s response.

“What? A joke? What joke? Mom, this is no time to tease me. I’m about to go crazy with worry!”

Gu Nan had long noticed that her daughter’s intelligence seemed to drop whenever Xu Bingqi was involved. She patiently explained, “Your Aunt Xu and I have already figured it out. Have you forgotten about Xiao Hua? Jiang Ruo’s little boyfriend.”

She then sighed. “That boyfriend of Ruo Ruo’s is truly unprincipled.”

After a moment’s thought, Gu Nan added, “You don’t need to worry about this matter. Your Aunt Xu will handle it personally.”

Having known Xu Qingci for decades, Gu Nan had never seen her so enraged that she lost her composure. She realized that not only would Xiao Hua face dire consequences, but Jiang Ruo might also be affected.

But perhaps Jiang Ruo would only receive a mild scolding? Gu Nan reconsidered. After all, Xu Qingci had always doted on Jiang Ruo and had never once spoken harshly to her.

Gu Xiaozhou hung up the phone, feeling disheartened. Knowing that her mother and Aunt Xu were aware of her innocence did little to ease her mind, as Xu Bingqi likely didn’t have the means to figure out, she wasn’t responsible.

Her already fragile relationship with Xu Bingqi had now been dealt another blow.

It was all that Xiao Hua’s fault!

She absolutely couldn’t let this slide. She would make that despicable person pay the heaviest price.

Then, as her Beagle let out a disappointed whimper, Gu Xiaozhou frowned again. How could she make Bingqi believe that she had nothing to do with any of this?

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