After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 19.1

Her fingertips trembled slightly.

Gu Qingzhu stared into the woman’s pupils, where anger, fear, and an almost imperceptible trace of dread mingled together, compelling her to swat away that hand without hesitation.

“I don’t need it,” she suddenly raised her voice, addressing the two silent figures in the front seats. “Why are you looking at me? Keep driving.”

“Qing”

But this time, even Assistant Lu couldn’t muster any words of comfort.

A Gu Qingzhu this out of control was far too rare, and she was terrified to face it. For a moment, she couldn’t bear to glance at Ying Xu’s expression in the rearview mirror.

Ying Xu had clearly only wanted to comfort Qingzhu, how had things ended up like this?

The assistant didn’t understand, but for some reason, she felt a pang of sorrow at that moment.

Yet the person involved was far calmer than Assistant Lu had imagined.

Her hand had been struck away, but Ying Xu showed no reaction. She simply withdrew the tissue quietly, just like the Ying Xu of the past.

The system cautiously prompted again: 【Host, the female lead is just being stubborn, her heart is still soft. Didn’t you hear what Shan Qiaoyun said? She】

Ying Xu lowered her lashes, her hand still carrying the cold touch of the woman’s palm.

The system’s voice abruptly cut off, replaced by some kind of warning. Ying Xu neither agreed nor disagreed, lazily closing her eyes to rest. She let the Omega beside her gradually steady her breathing, and after a brief moment of daze, cast another glance her way.

【Gu Qingzhu’s favorability +1. Current favorability】

【-70】

The Xu family residence was nestled in the mountains. Even in the early winter morning, the towering greenery still cast scattered beams of light through the dense canopy.

When the car pulled up in front of the mansion, Xu Ruo was in the reception room, idly toying with a string of prayer beads.

Half a year ago, these beads had been auctioned off for millions. At the time, she had been bitterly resentful. Who would have thought that half a year later, they would be delivered into her hands as a “gift” from Gu Qingzhu?

All because Gu Qingzhu wanted to meet Xu Ying through her.

The Gu family’s situation was complicated, her mother had passed early, her father was gravely ill, and by the age of twenty-two, the entire Gu family had fallen into Gu Qingzhu’s hands. In tabloid gossip, there were often stories of the Omega squandering fortunes, spending exorbitant sums on useless trinkets, the total already reaching hundreds of millions.

Many criticized her extravagance while envying her freedom. Xu Ruo had once been among them, even feeling intense jealousy. Yet, when she received the gift, she was still utterly shocked, thinking Gu Qingzhu had made a mistake.

It wasn’t until she inquired further that she realized, over the years, all those useless things Gu Qingzhu had purchased had been gifts for the Xu family.

This gift wasn’t a mistake it was just late.

When the maid softly reminded her, she finally lifted her eyes with indifference. “If Gu Qingzhu is here, just let her in. Why tell me? Do you expect me to greet her personally?”

As the footsteps faded away, Xu Ruo reluctantly set down the prayer beads, tucking the box close to her body before feeling at ease.

Before this incident, the two had never crossed paths. In Xu Ying’s eyes, Gu Qingzhu had always been the young, accomplished standout of their circle, aloof and untouched by worldly vulgarity.

Was it really worth all this, just to see a dead person?

Xu Ruo sneered inwardly, even mocking Gu Qingzhu’s foolishness.

After just a few steps, raindrops began to fall. Xu Ruo curled her lip, finding it an ill omen.

She might as well have waited inside.

Just as she was about to turn back, a figure in black Gu Qingzhu, her long hair loose spoke calmly from not far away: “Xu Ruo.”

The misty rain cast a hazy veil, accentuating the cool detachment of her features.

Xu Ruo paused mid-step, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Movie Queen Gu, what took you so long?”

“Some matters delayed me on the road.”

Gu Qingzhu brushed it off, unwilling to elaborate. Just as she was about to cut to the chase, Xu Ruo arched a brow and remarked, “This doesn’t seem to align with our agreed-upon time.”

“Movie Queen Gu should also be aware that my company is swamped with business”

Gu Qingzhu listened, letting out a cold laugh.

Xu Ruo’s shell company had only opened at the end of the year, her claim of being “swamped” was nothing more than a flimsy excuse to fish for money.

She had no patience for Xu Ruo’s games and countered with a mocking smile, “Is Madam Xu aware of this?”

The words instantly wiped the smirk off Xu Ruo’s face. “Movie Queen Gu, there’s no need to speak like that.”

Wei Xuyan had made it clear, anyone who dared associate with Gu Qingzhu would be expelled from the Xu family. Bringing this up now was nothing short of a veiled threat.

Gu Qingzhu replied calmly, “Half an hour, as agreed. Tomorrow will be the same.”

Having her opening gambit dismissed so bluntly, Xu Ruo seethed inwardly but had no choice but to comply.

The cemetery was enveloped in silence, the security personnel having waited for some time. When they caught sight of Xu Ruo, hesitation flickered across their faces.

Xu Ruo was familiar with them and had arranged for Gu Qingzhu’s visit at this hour. Seeing the woman’s troubled expression, Xu Ruo quickly surmised that something had happened earlier.

But recalling Gu Qingzhu’s earlier hysterics, Xu Ruo hesitated briefly before saying, “Then I won’t disturb, Movie Queen Gu and Second Sister’s”

A sharp voice abruptly cut off her attempt at “catching up.” “Qingzhu.”

Xu Ruo turned, irritation flashing across her face, ready to snap, only for her lips to part in shock as she recognized the newcomer.

Beside her, Gu Qingzhu asked coldly, “What are you doing here?”

After swatting away the Alpha’s hand, Gu Qingzhu felt a twinge of guilt, one so faint she barely acknowledged it.

She knew Ying Xu didn’t have to be here, running around like this, all because of her own selfish whims.

Because of that flicker of remorse, Gu Qingzhu didn’t force her to accompany her into the Xu family estate this year, as she had in the past, regardless of the Alpha’s wishes.

Whether Ying Xu wanted to rest or do something else, she could do as she pleased.

Gu Qingzhu didn’t want to dwell on it.

“I came to bring you an umbrella,” Ying Xu said smoothly, her voice soft. “Assistant Lu was worried you’d get caught in the rain.”

Finally snapping out of her daze, Xu Ruo pointed at Ying Xu, disbelief coloring her tone. “You,you’re”

Among the rumors she’d heard, one stood out, that Gu Qingzhu had taken a lover who bore an uncanny resemblance to Xu Ying.

Just a fling, nothing serious. Everyone did it. Xu Ruo hadn’t cared, but she couldn’t resist mocking Gu Qingzhu’s so-called “undying love.”

Who would’ve thought the resemblance would be this striking?

Staring at the teardrop mole at the corner of Ying Xu’s eye, Xu Ruo gaped at Gu Qingzhu, her voice laced with an inexplicable edge. “Movie Queen Gu’s devotion is truly moving, bringing your lover along even at a time like this.”

“If Second Sister knew, watching from beyond, would she be happy for you, or”

“Shut up.”

The barb struck a nerve. Gu Qingzhu whipped around, her voice thick with fury, instantly silencing Xu Ruo.

The next moment, right before her eyes, the Omega demanded coldly, “Since Miss Xu brought it up, I’d like to ask you something too. Ying Xu”

“Will you dream of Xu Ying? Dream of her asking you why it wasn’t you who died? Dream of her telling you how cold it is underground, why isn’t it you who’s suffering?”

The tone was icy and venomous, each word seemingly wrung out with tremendous effort.

Xu Ruo listened, her heart shuddering with fear. She stole a glance at the woman named Ying Xu, trying to guess what expression might appear on her face.

Fear, dread, evasion.

But there was nothing.

The woman’s face remained as calm as ever.

No response seemed to be the best response.

After a long pause, Gu Qingzhu finally spoke in a low voice, “Follow behind me.”

This time, the Alpha smiled and replied, “Alright, Qingzhu.”

After Gu Qingzhu turned away, she even had the time to flash Xu Ruo a smile.

With effortless ease, she took the roses from the stunned security guard and followed Gu Qingzhu into the cemetery.

Xu Ruo felt a chill run down her spine. The more she recalled their words, the more horrified she became.

How could any ordinary person remain so composed after hearing such words?

Unless,

Xu Ruo’s mind was in turmoil. Just as she was about to leave, the Beta beside her finally spoke up, “Miss Xu.”

“Madam Xu and the young masters and misses…” she whispered cautiously, “just entered half an hour ago to pay respects to the second young miss.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier!” Xu Ruo snapped angrily.

If it were just a few distant relatives, running into Gu Qingzhu wouldn’t be a big deal, she could slip by unnoticed. But with Wei Siyan present, if the two met, she would surely investigate thoroughly.

Thinking of the barrage of reproaches she would face, Xu Ruo hurried into the cemetery, only to find the two figures already vanished into the hazy mountain rain.

Ying Xu opened a black umbrella and followed behind Gu Qingzhu.

The cemetery was silent, save for the crisp sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella.

“Give it to me,” Gu Qingzhu said, her tone far calmer than Ying Xu had expected.

Ying Xu hesitated, then instinctively handed over the umbrella handle.

Gu Qingzhu shot her a glance.

“I meant the flowers.”

She spoke again, impatiently, and only then did Ying Xu hand over the latter.

The woman’s slender fingers brushed over the flower petals. Just that brief contact left her exposed forearm tinged pink, as if she were allergic.

Ying Xu stared at the patch of skin and suddenly realized why Gu Qingzhu had insisted on that particular bouquet of roses that day.

Because Xu Ying loved roses, Gu Qingzhu had grown to love them too. Even though just touching them caused an allergic reaction, she still cherished them.