After the Vicious Supporting Female Character Became the Heroine's Cat - Chapter 46

Having experienced heartbreak herself, Jian Jingqiu understood all too well the state Cheng Jianian might be in at this moment likely caught in a turmoil of life-and-death emotions. Back then, Jian Jingqiu had never truly contemplated ending her own life, but Cheng Jianian was a different story.

Jian Jingqiu had taken charge of the Jian family early on, whereas Cheng Jianian had long endured Cheng Su’s all-encompassing control, both physically and mentally. It would be surprising if she hadn’t developed some psychological issues.

With this in mind, Jian Jingqiu decided to send a message to Shen Yunmiao.

Shen Yunmiao was still fine-tuning data for a new model and didn’t see the message until around nine in the evening. Frowning, she stood up, found Zuo Ying’s number, and dialed.

The call was answered almost immediately.

“Miss Shen, is there something you need?” Zuo Ying’s tone was cautious.

Shen Yunmiao, who had known Zuo Ying for quite some time, cut straight to the point: “Where is Cheng Jianian right now?”

She didn’t even use a formal address. Zuo Ying’s heart skipped a beat, wondering what was going on. After all, in previous communications, Shen Yunmiao had always referred to Cheng Jianian as “President Cheng,” with the utmost politeness. This sudden directness made Zuo Ying uneasy.

Hesitantly, she asked, “Miss Shen, may I ask why you’re looking for President Cheng?”

“Where is she?” Shen Yunmiao’s tone remained calm and unwavering.

Reluctantly, Zuo Ying replied, “Miss Shen, President Cheng has been staying at Xubie Cottage recently, but I’m not sure if she’s returned there tonight.”

Without mincing words, Shen Yunmiao demanded, “Send me the exact address.”

“Oh, right,” Zuo Ying replied, her mind momentarily blank as she forwarded Cheng Jianian’s address. It was only after sending it that she realized her mistake, she had just disclosed her boss’s private information without a second thought! Annoyed with herself, she knew it was too late to retract the message now. Doing so would only make her look guilty.

She quickly sent Cheng Jianian a message to explain the situation, but there was no reply. Undeterred, Zuo Ying tried calling, only to find the phone switched off. As the dial tone echoed in her ear, she finally grasped the gravity of the situation.

When Shen Yunmiao arrived at the address, no matter how hard she knocked, there was no response. Growing increasingly agitated, she took a tool from her bag and forced open the smart lock.

Inside, the place was empty.

Shen Yunmiao clenched her fists, realizing the severity of the situation. She called Jian Jingqiu and instructed Zuo Ying to intensify the search for Cheng Jianian.

After hanging up, a wave of helplessness washed over her. The world was vast, and back in reality, it no longer revolved around them. They couldn’t simply turn around and run into each other anymore.

Where could she possibly find Cheng Jianian?

A deep sense of regret welled up inside her. Why had she noticed Cheng Jianian’s distress yet stubbornly walked away, refusing to see how she would react? Why had she treated her with such coldness all along?

If something really happened to Cheng Jianian today. Shen Yunmiao forced herself to stay calm, but the moment that thought surfaced, she found it impossible to think rationally or devise a plan.

If Cheng Jianian were truly in danger today, then this day would mark the anniversary of two deaths.

Shen Yunmiao descended the stairs like a walking corpse. Upon reaching the ground floor, she got into her car, forcing herself to focus she absolutely could not afford any mishaps.

Yet she had no idea where to drive. Every direction seemed the same.

She couldn’t find Cheng Jianian. She had checked the company, the old mansion, nowhere to be found.

Song Xianyin, draped in a coat, looked at her with wide, bewildered eyes, damp like peach blossoms: “Sister Yunmiao, has something happened?”

Shen Yunmiao, having found no one, turned to leave without a second thought, paying no mind to how unpleasant Cheng Su’s expression had become.

But at the sound of Song Xianyin’s voice, she halted. After all, she and Song Xianyin had been high school classmates.

They weren’t in the same grade Song Xianyin was two years younger but Song Xianyin was far too renowned, the true campus goddess.

A stunning beauty, cherished and adored, with an exceptionally gentle demeanor.

Moreover, she was highly intelligent and emotionally astute. Shen Yunmiao remembered that even before she graduated, Song Xianyin had already become the student council president.

Shen Yunmiao was wary of this person.

If Song Xianyin wanted to scheme against someone, it would be all too easy. Yet, instinctively, she felt Song Xianyin knew something.

Something about Cheng Jianian.

She cast a cold glance over: “Shall we speak in private, Second Miss?”

Not a trace of a smile touched her lips.

Song Xianyin didn’t take offense, smiling lightly instead: “Of course, let’s talk outside.”

Without so much as a glance at Cheng Su’s grim expression, she followed Shen Yunmiao into the garden.

Once they were out of Cheng Su’s sight, Shen Yunmiao cut straight to the chase: “Where is Cheng Jianian?”

Song Xianyin widened her innocent eyes: “Sister Yunmiao, what are you talking about? Has my sister gone missing?”

“Don’t lie to me. I know you have something to say, otherwise you wouldn’t have spoken up just as I was leaving.”

Shen Yunmiao’s expression remained impassive. Her demeanor, already as cool and pristine as snow, now carried an aloof, untouchable elegance.

Song Xianyin looked at her with an ambiguous gaze: “Sister Yunmiao, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Since you care so much about my sister, I’m sure you’d like to hear it, right?”

This was clearly a negotiation.

Shen Yunmiao understood implicitly and gestured: “Go on.”

Song Xianyin smiled: “It’s nothing much, but you probably know about my past with Young Master Yan. We had a relationship, but in the end, I betrayed him and became the target of public scorn.”

She blinked innocently: “So, having done so many unscrupulous things, Sister Yunmiao, don’t you think it would be a shame if my sister didn’t appreciate what I’ve done?”

Shen Yunmiao frowned: “What are you trying to do?”

“Nothing much,” Song Xianyin waved a hand dismissively. “I may not fully understand what my sister intends, but I know our mother’s feelings all too well. She has no heir, it’s only natural she wouldn’t give up easily.”

She sighed: “But as a daughter, I always want to share my parents’ burdens.”

Shen Yunmiao clenched her fingers, her voice hoarse and trembling: “Does Cheng Su know about any of this?”

Song Xianyin tilted her head, smiling without a word.

Shen Yunmiao’s tone was strained: “Cheng Jianian and I have no relationship now. I can’t promise you anything. But I can tell you this: if it were up to her, she wouldn’t want any of it not the inheritance, not the position of family head or council president. If you want it, go and take it yourself.”

Song Xianyin laughed heartily. “Sister Yunmiao, you’re so straightforward! But I must tell you, as long as you agree, there’s nothing Sister wouldn’t promise you, she’d even give her life for you~”

Shen Yunmiao gazed at her silently.

Song Xianyin slowly uttered four words, her smile blooming like a flower yet venomous as a serpent’s flickering tongue.

Without looking back, Shen Yunmiao turned and left.

In the garden, the fragrance of flowers was rich and intoxicating. Even in the darkness, the precious plants covering the ground were clearly visible, each exuding an aura of extravagance.

This was a place steeped in hedonistic suffering. If possible, she wanted to take Cheng Jianian away from here.

And never return.

Cheng Jianian wasn’t in a hurry to jump, it wasn’t late enough yet.

What if someone was down below when she leaped?

In this lifetime, she had already caused enough pain to others. She didn’t want to leave a psychological scar on some stranger at the very end.

Besides, she still wanted to think a little more.

To reminisce about the beautiful moments of the past, to recall those bygone days that had vanished like illusions in a mirror or flowers in water.

What was so great about death?

She didn’t know.

But she did know,

That living only seemed to bring pain to those she loved.

Little Cheng had once been arrogant, once thought herself above everyone else, reckless and self-important, believing she ruled the world.

She never cared about others’ feelings there was no need. Only after growing accustomed to being a damned person in power did she realize how cold-hearted she had become.

The cool breeze dispersed some of her anguish, and it felt as if she had traveled back to long ago. Middle school had been dull, except for the final year when, because of Shen Yunmiao, she unknowingly began to experience a wider range of emotions.

Because of her, Shen Yunmiao had endured a period of constant troubles at school.

Shen Yunmiao had always been gentle by nature, not the type to retaliate fiercely. She wouldn’t tolerate injustice, but she didn’t want to become a target either.

Before lunch breaks and evening self-study sessions, she would take a bread roll to the rooftop to enjoy the breeze, studying while admiring the view.

After learning about Shen Yunmiao’s plight, Cheng Jianian immediately warned that motley crew.

Yet Shen Yunmiao still loved going to the rooftop.

Perhaps driven by some unspoken motive, Cheng Jianian started following her there.

At first, she trailed secretly, until one day she was unexpectedly discovered.

Shen Yunmiao turned around, blinking at her with a puzzled and hesitant expression, and asked softly, “Classmate is something wrong?”

Cheng Jianian couldn’t bring herself to meet her eyes, forcing herself to reply, “It’s nothing. I saw you come up, so I followed.”

Shen Yunmiao didn’t mention that she came here to avoid her classmates and silently nibbled on her bread.

She focused on the small English booklet in her hands.

In this elite school, her English wasn’t particularly strong. Most children from top-tier families grew up in bilingual environments, speaking English fluently with ease. Shen Yunmiao had to rely on herself.

She was clever her science and math scores were nearly perfect, her Chinese was excellent, and her English wasn’t bad either, but that only applied to written exams.

During oral English classes, her speaking skills were somewhat lacking.

Cheng Jianian, of course, knew this. She smiled gently at Shen Yunmiao and said, “Are you studying English? Would you like to practice speaking and listening with me?”

Shen Yunmiao was taken aback. Among their peers, Cheng Jianian’s English was undoubtedly the best. She was fluent in multiple languages, each with an authentic and elegant accent, both refined and practical.

If she could converse with her, her own English would surely improve.

“But,” she said uncertainly, “Wouldn’t this be a waste of your time?”

Cheng Jianian smiled. “Not at all. These things require consistent practice.”

Having successfully dispelled Shen Yunmiao’s doubts, the two agreed to meet daily on the rooftop for conversation practice.

Yet it had been a long time since she last heard that familiar “A’nian.”

So many things vanish in the blink of an eye.

Cheng Jianian gazed quietly at the bright moon when suddenly perhaps her ears were playing tricks on her, she heard a familiar voice call out:

“Cheng Jianian!”

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