After the Vicious Supporting Female Character Became the Heroine's Cat - Chapter 27.2

The chamber of commerce consisted of thirteen families, but only one could hold the main seat. The head of that family was called the Qilin Family Head, serving as the chamber’s chairman.

The Qilin Family Head was elected every thirteen years. The year Cheng Jianian was born marked the first year of Cheng Su’s defeat and loss in the election.

Cheng Jianian’s thirteenth birthday marked Cheng Su’s second defeat.

After the chamber of commerce election adjourned, Cheng Su sat alone in the now-empty venue. Cheng Jianian stood beside her, remaining on her feet for ten hours straight. As dusk fell, Cheng Su spoke with near indifference:

“Remember this without power, you only ever deserve to stand.”

Cheng Jianian shifted, nearly collapsing to her knees, then stumbled forward with a limp as she followed Cheng Su outside. Suddenly, Cheng Su turned back, gripping her shoulders tightly, breathing heavily as she pointed to the pitch-black sky:

“Do you see? Among millions of stars, only the moon is surrounded. If you can’t be the moon, then you’ll remain an invisible star forever.”

Cheng Jianian couldn’t recall whether she had actually seen those luminous celestial bodies that day. She simply nodded silently.

The position of Cheng Group’s heir could be replaced. Whatever she couldn’t accomplish, someone else would inevitably achieve in her stead so this position, too, could be taken from her.

She wasn’t irreplaceable.

But by some twist of fate or perhaps divine will she came to understand Yun Miao’s feelings. Whether she was a star, the moon, the sun, or just an ordinary person who emitted no light, this person saw her as radiant.

Cheng Jianian lowered her gaze, thinking that since such straightforward methods wouldn’t work, she might have to resort to more underhanded tactics.

Just like before, to obtain what she desired.

But she mustn’t frighten Miaomiao.

These past couple of days, she hadn’t been thinking clearly, acting foolishly and scaring Miaomiao. It wouldn’t happen again.

So, she shook her head and smiled gently. “It’s alright. I just thought you disliked me earlier, and it made me a bit upset.”

Shen Yunmiao looked into her subdued gray eyes, feeling an indescribable sensation, a dense, prickling ache, as if tiny insects were nibbling at her heart, both itchy and painful.

She retreated to the previous safe distance, her dark eyes soft though her lips had paled slightly. “No, I’m sorry. I just didn’t understand why you suddenly started being so kind to me. It made me a little flustered. I truly don’t dislike you.”

Cheng Jianian thought regretfully, If only I had contorted my expression a bit longer now I won’t get to hear “Jianian” again.

But none of this showed on her face. Her gray eyes gazed over innocently, her striking features tinged with helplessness. “Because I realized how awful their actions were. I know everything now, and I promise nothing like that will ever happen again.”

She continued, “Besides, I don’t have many friends. When I was sick, you were the only one who sent me flowers. Back in high school, I wanted to be friends with you, but I never got the chance. So now…”

As she spoke, a flicker of sorrow passed through her gray eyes. Upon closer inspection, it was a loneliness tinged with self-reproach.

Shen Yunmiao’s heart softened instantly, all her earlier tangled thoughts cast aside. She soothed in a gentle tone, “How could that be? Many people would love to be your friend.”

Cheng Jianian bent her neck, resting her head on her arm, then lifted her gaze from below a posture that made her appear even more fragile and pitiable. “Miaomiao, I don’t want that many friends.”

Shen Yunmiao felt a string in her heart plucked sharply. Of course, how could A’Nian want to befriend those who only see her for her utility? But even if we become friends now. I, too, have my own motives.

Moreover, her intentions were even more excessive than theirs. Those people bustled about, merely seeking material possessions, but what she wanted was this person in her entirety.

It was truly too greedy.

These words couldn’t be spoken aloud. Shen Yunmiao couldn’t possibly express such heavy feelings so abruptly at this moment.

Fortunately, the class bell rang just then. Shen Yunmiao abruptly straightened up and averted her gaze, attempting to escape for a little while.

Throughout the entire next class, her mind was in turmoil. She didn’t know what aspect of herself had attracted this person.

If the word “friend” had been mentioned one, two, or three years ago, she would have been overjoyed and would have happily drawn closer to this person.

But now, perhaps due to the negative emotions stirred up by recent events, or perhaps because the blows from the past had taught her to silently accept her circumstances, her most urgent desire was actually to escape.

Shen Yunmiao knew she couldn’t continue like this. She had to either firmly decide, as she had said that day, to stop liking this person and keep her distance, or rush toward her once again without hesitation, just as she had many times before regardless of the consequences, even if she had to swallow the bitter fruit herself.

This wavering indecision was, in fact, the most foolish choice.

But every time she tried to follow her heart and choose the second option, the image of that red-and-white cat from that night would surface in her mind.

It seemed to be crying out mournfully.

The promise she had made then now weighed heavily on her shoulders, suffocating her.

Soon, class ended again. The bell jolted Shen Yunmiao awake to the fact that she had accomplished nothing during the entire period, having spent it all in indecisive contemplation, only to end up still unable to make a decision.

Shen Yunmiao let out a bitter laugh and distractedly gathered her things, preparing to hurry back.

Suddenly, a photo album appeared in front of her backpack once more.

Shen Yunmiao froze for a moment. She looked up and met a pair of sparkling gray eyes. Cheng Jianian smiled and said, “Now that you know I want to be friends with Miaomiao, can you accept this?”

Shen Yunmiao, of course, was more than willing. Although the photos in her notebook were fairly comprehensive, how could they compare to those collected by the subject of the photos herself?

Her heart raced wildly, and all the thoughts she had been silently mulling over just moments ago vanished from her mind.

Her earlobes tinged slightly red, but her dark eyes maintained a gentle reserve. She responded softly and slowly with an “Mm,” reaching out to take it. “Thank you.”

Before she could even finish the second “thank you,” her outstretched fingertips brushed against the other’s warm ones, slender meeting long, cool touching scorching.

As if shocked by electricity, Shen Yunmiao withdrew her hand, pulling the album back with her.

She smiled nonchalantly. “Static electricity.”

The triumphant Miss Cheng naturally “magnanimously” expressed understanding. “Indeed.”

Shen Yunmiao didn’t know whether she had seen through her or not, but the temptation of the photo album was too great. She reached out again and gently took the album.

Cheng Jianian grinned and asked, “Why are you so afraid of touching me?”

Shen Yunmiao was at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond. It was truly awful.

Over the years, she had maintained a calm and composed demeanor through countless incidents, but now, the moment she encountered this person, that facade shattered completely.

It wasn’t entirely her fault. Even a venomous snake has its vulnerable spot, and the mere thought of the name “Cheng Jianian” was already her Achilles’ heel.

Moreover, this tangible, real-life contact was something she had never dared to imagine before.

Shen Yunmiao felt she needed to go back first to calm down and regain her normal ability to think. Otherwise, everything she did would be riddled with flaws and utterly ridiculous.

Carefully tucking the photo album into her backpack, she turned and hurried away without looking back.

Cheng Jianian watched her leave, feeling no urgency. She understood the principle of “there will be plenty of time ahead.” Acting too hastily would only backfire.

Over the past couple of days, she had been so overjoyed that she hadn’t considered the information gap between her and Miaomiao. Nor had she realized how terrible Miaomiao must be feeling right now. Her actions had undoubtedly rubbed salt in the wound. She absolutely couldn’t do that again.

Cheng Jianian warned herself inwardly.

Shen Yunmiao had originally planned to go home, cook a meal, do some chores, tidy up, and calm herself down. But as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw the large bouquet of flowers piled by her door.

This time, the flowers were more varied in type, their colors vibrant and even more dazzling.

Recalling Cheng Jianian’s soft words after class, “I want to be friends with you” her heart tingled with emotion.

Shen Yunmiao thought, it wasn’t Cheng Jianian’s fault. She had always been radiant and bright, with so many people actively approaching her, though often with ulterior motives. Over time, it was only natural for her to long for genuine friendship.

Moreover, Cheng Jianian had just recovered from a serious illness. She had probably heard from Zuo Ying about Shen Yunmiao sending flowers and learned about the mischief Li Shengran and Qiao Jingshu had caused. Naturally, she would be curious about Shen Yunmiao, who had originally been just a stranger and classmate.

When she thought of it, she acted on it.

That was why she had followed Shen Yunmiao on Flow, sent her flowers, and said those things. Becoming friends would give her plenty of opportunities to get to know her better.

But, Shen Yunmiao’s heart ached. As the cold wind blew through the hallway, her mind cleared a little. Hoping that curiosity-driven closeness could last was nothing but a fantasy. And once Cheng Jianian got to know her better, with her intelligence, how could she not see through Shen Yunmiao’s feelings? What would happen then?

It would undoubtedly be an unprecedented and cruel scene.

Shen Yunmiao closed the door, placed the new flowers with the ones from the previous day, and hung them up to dry, planning to preserve them in a frame. Her pale fingertips brushed against the plump petals, inevitably staining them with the damp flower juices.

The familiar sensation felt like being gently licked by a kitten.

Shen Yunmiao couldn’t help but recall the day she had returned after sending flowers. She had been in such pain, but the kitten had perceptively climbed up, holding her fingertip in its mouth, keeping her company.

Her already unsettled emotions became even more indescribable. She picked up the small card attached to the new bouquet, which was noticeably more restrained this time, and noticed that the handwriting was almost identical to the note passed to her in class. She took out the note she had kept carefully in her pocket and placed them side by side.

The card didn’t say much else:

Yunmiao, I’m sorry. I truly just want to become very good friends with you.

Shen Yunmiao thought, perhaps she should go along with Cheng Jianian’s wishes.

Let’s just be friends.

As a friend, she could rightfully get closer to her, and as a friend, she could justifiably step away from her life.

That way, everything would be fine.

The vows once spoken will not be completely shattered, and the actions taken hereafter will not cause too much heartache. Only by remaining as friends can all emotions gradually be concealed.

Having made up her mind, Shen Yunmiao suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

Yes, she should have done this long ago, why hesitate?

I believe that soon, perhaps even now, they will become very, very good friends.

However, I’m afraid it will only go that far.

Because the one who wants to be friends isn’t her, the passive one;

rather, the power to decide whether they become friends lies entirely in the hands of the one who claimed to only want to be very good friends.

Shen Yunmiao has always been harsh on herself. With a sense of relief, she thought:

It’s fine. Being friends is also a very happy thing.

Then, holding the empty collar, she returned to her solitary bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Erasing all these difficult choices in her dreams.

When she woke, she was once again the composed and gentle soul.

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