After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 37.2

When Ying Xu appeared, the room fell silent for a few seconds. After all, Ying Xu hadn’t been on the initial guest list.

Assistant Lu whispered, “Qingzhu said this is what you deserve.”

It was all just a show, and Ying Xu didn’t care. No matter how much these people didn’t want to see her, her name would still appear in the end credits.

But she hadn’t expected that such a trivial matter, which she paid no attention to, had been noticed by Gu Qingzhu.

Perhaps Gu Qingzhu knew she hadn’t been invited, or maybe she attributed Ying Xu’s absence to the trending gossip.

Whatever the reason, the omega believed Ying Xu should attend this wrap party, which was just as much hers.

Ying Xu didn’t refuse Assistant Lu’s arrangement, but within the crew, the only people she could consider friends were Cheng Jun and Sheng Qiuyu. Neither of them had come today, the former seemed to be at some gathering, while the latter hadn’t been in contact for a long time.

Assistant Lu stayed by Ying Xu’s side, and while scrolling through social media, she inevitably caught sight of the message Cheng Jun had sent: [Love you.]

She covered her mouth to keep from spitting out her drink.

Ying Xu was already used to Cheng Jun’s way of speaking “love you” could mean anything from “hello” to “I miss you” or even “are you there,” but it rarely carried its literal meaning.

But Assistant Lu’s reaction was too obvious. Ying Xu glanced up, but before she could say anything, the beta had already composed herself and said, “Uh… I didn’t see anything just now.”

Ying Xu knew she’d keep it to herself and smiled faintly, letting it go.

They stayed for a few hours, undisturbed the entire time. Assistant Lu, uncharacteristically, seemed reluctant to leave.

Only when they entered the elevator and Ying Xu noticed her hesitant expression did she realize, the beta didn’t seem to want to see Gu Qingzhu.

Or rather, she didn’t want to go upstairs.

Ying Xu’s gaze fell on her own reflection in the elevator doors. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Did someone arrive?”

“Ah?” Assistant Lu snapped out of her daze, caught off guard. “N-no, it’s not that someone arrived, it’s just Shan Jie ”

Shan Qiaoyun?

It had been a long time since Ying Xu had heard anything about that woman.

Or rather, Ying Xu’s social circle was just a small part of Gu Qingzhu’s. She only ever interacted with these people when Gu Qingzhu did.

Like an accessory. Or a shadow.

The last time she’d had any contact with the beta was when Gu Qingzhu still trusted her. After so long, why was she here now?

In her ears, she could still faintly hear the woman’s quiet words “handle it.”

Suddenly, Ying Xu felt a spark of interest in this trip.

As Assistant Lu led the way, Ying Xu’s phone buzzed.

Before turning it off, she glanced at the chat interface one last time. The message was from Sheng Qiuyu’s account. At some point, the omega had unblocked her and was now sending pitiful messages.

[Cry][Cry][Cry]
[Ying Xu, alcohol tastes awful.]
[I hate drinking.]
[I kind of miss you.]

There were two attached photos one of a deep blue cocktail, the glass engraved with the bar’s name, and another of a candid group shot taken by a friend, where the woman taking the photo had a hand adorned with a wedding ring.

Sheng Qiuyu had once mentioned this friend to Ying Xu, and the ring matched her memory.

Ying Xu relaxed. Just as she was about to reply, Assistant Lu stopped outside a door.

When she stepped inside, the scene before her was nothing like what she had expected.

Unlike the usually immaculate mansion, the floor was strewn with shards of glass, and spilled liquor had long stained the tassels of the carpet, shimmering under the light like dark crimson blood.

Gu Qingzhu, clad in an emerald-green gown, reclined on the sofa, a nearly empty glass of liquor resting beside her.

Behind her, a cameraman hoisted a massive camera, filming the man kneeling not far away. Shattered glass lay scattered around his legs, as if he had just been dragged from a drinking party, reeking of alcohol and utterly bewildered. “I met Shan Qiaoyun ten years ago,” he mumbled.

The next moment, he claimed to have met Sheng Changming a decade ago instead.

Perhaps both were true, or perhaps both were lies. He could hardly tell anymore, only knowing that no matter what he said, the omega nearby would remain utterly disinterested.

“Say something useful,” Gu Qingzhu commanded, watching him as she contemplated her next move.

This man, according to her investigation, had once partnered with Sheng Changming in “business.” Twenty years ago, the Sheng family was far from the wealth they flaunted today, all his riches had been amassed before Qinghong was even established.

The Sheng family was never some prestigious noble lineage, merely upstarts who had struck gold, their reputation inflated louder than even the Cheng family’s.

Qinghong wasn’t registered under the Sheng name, treated more like Sheng Changming’s private asset, with every shareholder someone he could easily control.

Ying Xu stood out like a sore thumb, naturally drawing hostility. But without shares, she had no means of self-preservation.

Gu Qingzhu’s attitude toward Sheng Changming had gradually shifted from trust to disgust.

Once she stopped believing in his “safety,” her first thought was to eliminate him before he could act.

From her position of power, money smoothed over minor incidents until they vanished entirely.

Gu Qingzhu wanted to know, how exactly had Sheng Changming “struck gold”?

Perhaps even Qinghong’s location had been chosen without her realizing that this hotel was registered under her name.

She had all the time and patience in the world to extract the answers she sought.

Only when the door swung open did her thoughts abruptly halt.

She lifted her gaze, meeting Ying Xu’s slightly stunned eyes.

Without hesitation, she set down her glass a signal. The cameraman immediately stopped filming.

At the same time, the man on the floor was roughly hauled up by nearby bodyguards. They were considerate enough to prevent him from cutting himself on the glass, but not a single movement could be called gentle.

The man howled in pain, struggling futilely before being shoved into a side room. The moment the door shut, his cries were silenced.

Servants began cleaning, and soon the room was spotless once more. Nebula projections floated across the walls, and the faint scent of perfume lingered in the air.

Violets.

Ying Xu stood frozen, but after what she had just witnessed, even this familiar fragrance seemed tainted with the metallic tang of blood.

What was Gu Qingzhu interrogating him for?

What could possibly be worth such an elaborate spectacle?

What was she planning?

Countless questions swirled in her mind, but when she spoke, her words were as measured as ever: “Qingzhu.”

“Come here,” Gu Qingzhu ordered, then glanced at someone beside her. “Bring her in.”

Who was her now?

Ying Xu’s confusion only deepened.

Until another door opened, and Shan Qiaoyun walked out on her own. Her clothes were neat, and apart from looking somewhat exhausted, she was a stark contrast to the man from earlier. Although the room was quickly closed again, Ying Xu still saw clearly that there was no one else inside, only a camera that had stopped recording.

Could it be that Gu Qingzhu wanted the two of them to confess their “crimes” on camera?

The idea was so absurd that Ying Xu couldn’t even entertain it at first.

But the next second, she realized, why wouldn’t it be possible?

When a person is on the verge of a mental breakdown, they can say anything.

As for how to drive someone to that point, isn’t the simplest way to turn them into a madwoman?

Ying Xu quickly suppressed her thoughts and walked toward Gu Qingzhu.

As she got closer, Ying Xu noticed an unconditional equity transfer agreement lying beside Gu Qingzhu.

At first, Ying Xu thought it was a contract between Gu Qingzhu and that man, if soft tactics didn’t work, resorting to force was entirely in line with an omega’s way of doing things.

Until Gu Qingzhu spoke: “Sign it.”

Ying Xu’s thoughts abruptly shattered, and she asked, almost dazed, “What?”

It was then that she belatedly realized the meaning behind those seemingly casual gossipy glances at the wrap party.

Gu Qingzhu seemed amused by her reaction, her lips curving into a smile, her bright eyes crinkling as if sprinkled with starlight. “I’ve decided to transfer all my shares in Qinghong to you. It’s not much, but it’ll be enough for you.”

Not far away, Shan Qiaoyun’s breathing trembled.

From the moment she saw Ying Xu, her expression had been extremely unnatural, and now she was practically at a loss.

“How do you usually address shareholders?” Gu Qingzhu asked, not looking at Shan Qiaoyun but instead turning to her assistant, Lu, behind her.

Assistant Lu, keeping her composure, promptly replied to Ying Xu, “President Ying.”

Gu Qingzhu casually called out, “Manager Shan?”

Shan Qiaoyun gritted her teeth and stammered, “P-President Ying.”

The suddenly promoted Ying Xu:

She looked at Gu Qingzhu, who merely blinked lightly, as if a fallen leaf had brushed her cheek.

Ying Xu lowered her gaze and flipped open the contract. Almost instantly, the system calculated the value of the shares for her.

She finally realized just how extravagant a gift Gu Qingzhu was giving her.

“Qingzhu,” Ying Xu shook her head, “I can’t accept this.”

In her slightly tipsy state, Gu Qingzhu was far more blunt. “The paperwork is already done. If you don’t sign, I can sign for you.”

But compared to the shares worth hundreds of millions, Gu Qingzhu seemed more interested in Shan Qiaoyun nearby.

In the past, the beta had always appeared gentle, considerate, and understanding in front of her. She had never seen the woman so furious, as if she had peeled off her facade to reveal the truly naked, filthy side beneath.

Gu Qingzhu swirled the wine in her glass, watching with patience and precision. “Come to think of it, Ying Xu doesn’t have an assistant yet.”

“Manager Shan, with your wealth of experience, such a simple position should be easy for you to take on, right?”

Just as the topic was broached, Shan Qiaoyun felt a chill down her spine, sensing something ominous. When Gu Qingzhu continued speaking, her fears materialized, and she almost instinctively retorted, “No!”

Noticing Ying Xu’s subtle expression and Gu Qingzhu’s amused gaze, she forced herself to suppress her unease. “This kind of work… should be left to someone else.”

Earlier, just calling Ying Xu “President” had been disgusting enough, but Shan Qiaoyun hadn’t felt truly humiliated.

But if she had to become Ying Xu’s assistant, running around and negotiating resources, She had spent years climbing to her current position it wasn’t for this.

More importantly, to get ahead, she had schemed against and framed many of her peers. She knew how much those people hated her, but as long as she remained at Qinghong, they couldn’t touch her.

If they found out she had been reduced to such a status within Qinghong.

Shan Qiaoyun didn’t dare think further. Shame and terror threatened to consume her.

She shivered uncontrollably and pleaded once more, “Qingzhu, I can’t. Compared to me, Xiao Lu is much better, isn’t she?”

Xiao Lu pressed her lips together, silent.

Gu Qingzhu, however, was already rubbing her temples, utterly impatient. “Shut up.”

“I hate loud things the most.”

Gu Qingzhu’s sudden change in demeanor took Shan Qiaoyun by surprise.

She had mocked many people with biting sarcasm before, but this was the first time she had been so bluntly referred to as a “thing.”

Her palms turned cold, and Shan Qiaoyun’s lips trembled as she finally noticed a gaze fixed upon her.

Instinctively, she looked over, Ying Xu was seated on the sofa. Dressed elegantly in the style Gu Qingzhu favored most, she held the billion-dollar contract on her lap, her expression as indifferent and unreadable as ever.

But when their eyes met, the owner of those eyes suddenly smiled.

The corners of her lips curled slightly, and she spared no effort in giving Shan Qiaoyun a mocking grin, as if taunting her for reaping what she had sown, or perhaps out of pity, the kind Shan Qiaoyun had once so frequently doled out from her position of superiority.

Never before had Shan Qiaoyun felt such overwhelming humiliation.

Yet she endured it.

Before coming here, she hadn’t been able to reach Sheng Changming and had instantly realized that everything might have been Gu Qingzhu’s unilateral decision.

The omega’s sudden hostility was unexpected, but Shan Qiaoyun clung blindly to her confidence that Gu Qingzhu wouldn’t truly harm her. As long as she waited for Sheng Changming, everything would be resolved.

Until then, she couldn’t afford to provoke Gu Qingzhu completely.

And so, despite her fury, she ultimately returned to the room Gu Qingzhu had prepared for her.

Like a mouse that knew its cage yet willingly submitted.

Watching it all unfold, Ying Xu quietly thought that perhaps even without her presence, Gu Qingzhu could have handled everything perfectly.

But Gu Qingzhu wanted her to feel involved, to “vent” the injustices and humiliations she had suffered, to witness the “reckoning” firsthand.

“Why haven’t you signed yet?”

A casual voice sounded in her ear.

But lifting her gaze, Ying Xu met a pair of slightly hesitant eyes.

She stared at Gu Qingzhu. The omega held her gaze for a few seconds before looking away to take a sip of wine.

The flush on her face became more pronounced at that moment, exuding an indescribable ease and contentment.

Unconsciously, Ying Xu’s eyes softened with a hint of helplessness.

But the person who had brought her all this “humiliation” was right before her.

How could Gu Qingzhu expect her to direct her anger at someone else?

That nearly tender gaze, however, was interpreted by Gu Qingzhu as reluctant resignation, annoyed by her impulsive decision yet unable to do anything about it.

Gu Qingzhu nudged the contract forward, and Ying Xu finally moved.

“These shares will always belong to you,” she said softly.

Gu Qingzhu watched as Ying Xu signed the contract, the handwriting on the page no different from every other signature she had glimpsed before.

“That’s not important,” Gu Qingzhu said.

“Then what is?” Ying Xu countered.

Gu Qingzhu replied, “For example, I have some matters to attend to later, which might take a while.”

“You don’t have to wait for me.”

Ying Xu thought of Sheng Qiuyu’s message perhaps she could visit the omega first.

“What is it about?” But out of caution, she still asked.

Gu Qingzhu narrowed her eyes, seemingly enjoying being questioned, her tone gentle: “Just discussing trivial matters like contracts, nothing important. Do you want to come with me? It’ll be boring.”

Ying Xu imagined the scenario most likely, Gu Qingzhu would be discussing business with others while she stood by like an accessory. Perhaps someone might even look down on her, offering their face for Gu Qingzhu to slap.

She wasn’t interested in that.

Gu Qingzhu noticed. She hadn’t really wanted Ying Xu to accompany her in the first place. Such a dull occasion would be better spent letting Ying Xu go back to read.

“I’ll be done soon,” Gu Qingzhu said.

Before leaving, Ying Xu said, “I’ll wait for you.”

Gu Qingzhu recalled the five words Ying Xu had asked her over the phone and decided to put them to use: “Is that a promise?”

Without hesitation, Ying Xu replied gently, “If you want it to be, every word I say can be a promise.”