After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 30.2

The Sheng family doted on Sheng Qiuyu, prioritizing her wishes above all. If she didn’t want an arranged marriage, they wouldn’t force her. But certain formalities still had to be observed.

If the Sheng family took the initiative to reject the proposal outright, it might be misconstrued by gossipmongers as lingering resentment over Cheng Jun’s mother. Rehashing old grievances would be disrespectful to both sides.

But if Sheng Qiuyu met Cheng Yuedu privately and they simply didn’t click, it would appear far more natural for her to seek someone else.

Sheng Qiuyu had no reason to refuse. Wasn’t it normal to make some compromises in her position?

She opened her mouth, wanting to mention it to Ying Xu, but then decided it wasn’t necessary. It was just a trivial matter, and no one would tell Ying Xu about it later anyway.

Dessert was soon served cream adorned with cherries. Before long, a bit of foam clung to Sheng Qiuyu’s lips, making her look like a kitten that had tumbled into a sugar jar.

Ying Xu noticed and pulled out a tissue to hand to her, but Sheng Qiuyu suddenly exclaimed, as if remembering something, “You know what? I found a”

She trailed off when she saw the tissue.

Seeming to realize something, she leaned her face forward slightly, eyebrows raised.

Ying Xu thought this was far too intimate.

She placed the tissue beside Sheng Qiuyu’s hand and called out as a reminder, “Miss Sheng?”

Sheng Qiuyu huffed. “Weren’t you calling me… never mind.

She wiped her lips haphazardly before showing Ying Xu her StarNet interface. “I found an account that’s been defending you a lot. Many people agree with her.”

Ying Xu lowered her gaze. On the screen was an account named [JCXY]. Since the incident, this user had been speaking up for Ying Xu, offering unconditional support. As if deliberately drawing fire, they didn’t care about being insulted by netizens, even gleefully sending legal warnings to the rudest commenters.

In every comment section, there were accounts that had hastily deleted themselves after being warned by this user.

To outsiders, this was just a wealthy, obsessive fan.

In Sheng Qiuyu’s eyes, this was a rare, clear-sighted person who wholeheartedly supported Xu Ying.

But in Xu Ying’s eyes, this was someone she had accidentally discovered.

Cheng Jun’s alternate account.

That night, when Xu Ying casually searched Cheng Jun’s name, the results that popped up were all about the Alpha’s recent surge in endorsements and commercial deals, keeping her exceptionally busy.

There were even rumors that Cheng Jun had caught the attention of a renowned director and was about to be cast in a new film role, basking in unparalleled glory for the moment.

Before leaving, Xu Ying had exchanged contact information with the nurse. The nurse later told her that the messages had gone unanswered.

At first, Xu Ying was puzzled, but after seeing all the good news, she understood.

The reason she discovered the account belonged to Cheng Jun was also very simple. Cheng Jun had once privately messaged her, on the very first day they met.

She seemed to have never considered hiding her identity. Even though it was an alternate account, her words were filled with “love.” At least among the people Xu Ying had encountered, Cheng Jun was the only one who could unabashedly and eagerly mention that word.

Sheng Qiuyu’s eyes sparkled brightly: “There are still many people who support you, Xu Ying.”

Xu Ying snapped out of her thoughts.

She replied gently, “Yes, just like… you.”

Xu Ying knew exactly what Sheng Qiuyu liked to hear.

As expected, the woman smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Xu Ying watched Sheng Qiuyu. She liked the way she smiled vibrant and captivating.

Subconsciously, she also curved her lips, trying to mirror Sheng Qiuyu’s expression, but the result was stiff and unnatural.

As Sheng Qiuyu lowered her gaze and continued scrolling through the screen, searching for more voices that “supported Xu Ying,” Xu Ying let her smile fade.

Halfway through, Sheng Qiuyu began clenching her fists, veins bulging.

It seemed she had come across too many inflammatory comments. She was visibly furious, typing so forcefully it sounded like she was hitting the screen.

Xu Ying occasionally handed her tissues and drinks, quietly observing every shift in Sheng Qiuyu’s expression.

When the woman finally looked up, the stars in her eyes seemed to have dimmed once more. She appeared somewhat upset: “Aren’t you angry at all?”

After asking, Sheng Qiuyu seemed to remember, Xu Ying truly never seemed to get angry.

She was always emotionally stable, gentle, and diligent.

Xu Ying shook her head, and Sheng Qiuyu responded with a quiet “Oh.”

Like a little pet with its tail drooping, she looked especially pitiful.

Xu Ying sighed softly and said in a low voice, “Actually, the reason I wanted to see you today, Miss Sheng, was to tell you something.”

Sheng Qiuyu grew instantly wary: “You’re not leaving again for a while, are you? No! I won’t allow it”

“I’ll be returning to the set tomorrow,” Xu Ying reassured her with a smile. “We can, see each other every day, Xiao Yu.”

She was learning to adapt to this slightly unfamiliar term of endearment.

Before her, the light in Sheng Qiuyu’s eyes gradually brightened at those two simple words.

After a long pause, Sheng Qiuyu finally asked in a small voice, “But… aren’t we already seeing each other every day?”

Xu Ying never answered that question before Sheng Qiuyu left.

Before getting into the car, Sheng Qiuyu pressed her face against the window, reluctant to part. “I’ll be waiting for you on set,” she said.

Xu Ying replied, “I’ll be there on time.”

As the window rolled up, Xu Ying turned and noticed another luxury car parked at the street corner.

Gu Qingzhu had thought of everything.

She had arranged a new car and driver for Xu Ying.

The new Beta was quiet and reserved, never speaking a word to Ying Xu. The car was a prestigious brand, turning heads with every outing.

The vehicle pulled up to the mansion.

When Ying Xu pushed open the door, someone glanced her way, and soon the entire room seemed to echo with cheerful greetings of “Miss Ying.”

She only ever left the mansion when Gu Qingzhu was working, and after several days, the woman hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

Clearly, no one had “snitched.”

Ying Xu was already quite familiar with them. Relaxing, she responded to each greeting with a smile before settling onto the sofa and opening a book.

Only a few hours remained until Gu Qingzhu’s return. In the first few days, Ying Xu had stayed in her room, avoiding contact except for dinner.

They kept to themselves like two tenants, rarely crossing paths.

Then one day, Ying Xu unexpectedly returned late. Shortly after, Gu Qingzhu arrived.

Spotting the Alpha sipping tea in the living room, Gu Qingzhu seemed to misunderstand. After a brief silence, she spoke first: “No need to wait for me.”

Ying Xu froze, turning to look at her. Their gazes met, but Gu Qingzhu averted her eyes and said calmly, “Are you hungry? Let’s eat.”

In her ears, the notification 【Gu Qingzhu’s Favorability +1】 rang out with unusual clarity.

The next day, Ying Xu waited in the living room again when Gu Qingzhu returned, and again, 【Favorability +1】.

Rarely was there such a straightforward way to earn favorability, so Ying Xu made it a habit to wait for Gu Qingzhu there every day.

After several days, she grew accustomed to it, and Gu Qingzhu’s expression shifted from surprise to calm, yet the favorability points kept increasing daily.

Ying Xu finally understood: though the Omega verbally rejected any mention of “home,” Gu Qingzhu loved cozy settings, a warm light, and most of all, having someone waiting for her in a place that held all of it.

A preference that starkly contrasted with Gu Qingzhu’s personality.

So ordinary, yet it perfectly outlined everything she secretly longed for.

Ying Xu unlocked her phone.

Twenty messages eighteen from Sheng Qiuyu.

The remaining two were from an unfamiliar number.

【There’s a dinner tonight. I’ll be back late.】

【Don’t wait for me.】