After the Vicious Supporting Female Character Became the Heroine's Cat - Chapter 49

Jiang Ying was true to her word. Having agreed to Shen Yunmiao’s request, she didn’t hesitate to invite Jian Jingqiu over for a meal that weekend.

Cheng Jianian was naturally overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. After all, in her impression, Jiang Ying’s temper was far from this accommodating.

But she also knew it wasn’t because Jiang Ying had come to terms with things and decided to forgive her, it was simply because Jiang Ying cared deeply for Shen Yunmiao.

Just like her, Cheng Jianian also cherished Shen Yunmiao. Even though she was used to being the arrogant, favored daughter of fortune, she was willing to humble herself and yield to Jiang Ying.

These past few days, Cheng Su had been pressing even harder.

Well-informed as she was, Cheng Su naturally knew what Cheng Jianian had done. However, she was still unaware that the incident on the rooftop had led to Shen Yunmiao and Cheng Jianian reconciling and rekindling their relationship.

But Cheng Su was no fool. She could vaguely guess that Shen Yunmiao must have said something encouraging, reigniting Cheng Jianian’s hopes.

To be fair, Cheng Su wasn’t as resistant to the idea of Cheng Jianian and Shen Yunmiao being together anymore. On one hand, Shen Yunmiao was no longer the impoverished orphan girl she once was; on the other hand, with the decline of the Lin family, Cheng Su had long wanted to sever ties with them.

It was just that Cheng Jianian had handled things too ruthlessly. Cheng Su couldn’t stand the idea of someone she had groomed slipping out of her control not even by the slightest margin.

Cheng Su had an absolute need for control over the Cheng family, the business association, and her two daughters.

Ironically, Cheng Jianian understood her mother’s mindset better than anyone and deliberately acted against it.

Furious but helpless, Cheng Su found herself at an impasse with her daughter. The two were perhaps the people in the world who understood each other best they knew exactly where the other’s vulnerabilities and anger stemmed from.

Thus, neither was willing to take the first step back.

As the stalemate dragged on, the family conflict escalated.

Zuo Ying, caught in the middle, found herself in an impossible position. Though she had been groomed by Cheng Su, she had long been working under Cheng Jianian. Any attempt to mediate proved futile whatever she said only earned her reprimands.

Eventually, Zuo Ying simply feigned ignorance. Fortunately, Song Xianyin was also involved in the situation and spent every day trying to persuade Cheng Su.

Thankfully, the conflict hadn’t spilled over into the business world.

After several days of deadlock, Cheng Jianian acted as if completely oblivious to it all and went ahead to have dinner at Jiang Ying’s place.

Of course, Jiang Ying didn’t cook, it was all thanks to Jian Jingqiu.

Over the years, Jian Jingqiu had honed her skills and become quite adept in the kitchen. By noon, she had whipped up an entire table full of dishes.

Secretly, she was quite pleased not because she thought the two were a perfect match or deeply in love, but because if Shen Yunmiao was in a relationship, she would surely move out to live elsewhere. The thought of sleeping alone next door every night well, it was far from pleasant.

Cheng Jianian, unaware of Jian Jingqiu’s ulterior motives, was genuinely happy that Jian Jingqiu seemed so welcoming.

After taking her seat, she went with Shen Yunmiao to the kitchen to help fetch utensils and tidy up.

Jiang Ying, of course, didn’t lift a finger. She watched coldly as Cheng Jianian bustled about with a smile, secretly giving her a score.

Though her expression remained stern, her eyes gradually softened.

Cheng Jianian didn’t realize she had unknowingly earned a few points she was simply overjoyed to be able to stick close to Shen Yunmiao.

But when they finally sat down to eat, none of them quite knew what to say.

They were all well aware of the real reason for this meal, yet broaching the subject would only lead to awkwardness.

In the end, it was Jian Jingqiu who broke the silence. She took the initiative to ask Cheng Jianian about investments and company matters.

Cheng Jianian answered honestly, holding nothing back.

Jiang Ying’s stern expression softened slightly.

Inwardly, she raised her impression of Cheng Jianian a few notches, though she still didn’t bring up the matter between the two of them.

Cheng Jianian grew restless and stood up, raising her glass to propose a toast. But just as she picked up her cup, Jian Jingqiu coughed lightly and said, “Director Cheng, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Cheng Jianian froze for a moment.

Flustered, she withdrew her hand and forced a smile. “Please go ahead, Director Jian.”

“Ahem! Well, I know the second young lady’s surname is Song, right? But I’ve heard that she and you aren’t.”

She didn’t need to elaborate further. Cheng Jianian quickly explained, “Xianyin and I are half-sisters, sharing the same father but different mothers. That’s why she carries our father’s surname. However, her mother passed away very early, so she was raised by my mother. They’re practically like biological mother and daughter.”

Jian Jingqiu curled her lips slightly. Under the light, her phoenix eyes held a hint of scrutiny. “I was aware of that, but I truly didn’t expect that Cheng Su, Director Cheng, would be the type to tolerate her husband’s infidelity even after finding out. Truly, time changes a person.”

Her words dropped like a stone into the sea, sending ripples through the room.

Cheng Jianian unconsciously tightened her grip on the glass.

Her expression stiffened.

Jiang Ying chuckled lightly. “I was just talking nonsense, pay it no mind.”

Whether it was nonsense or not, the atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Much of the reason Cheng Jianian hadn’t completely turned against Cheng Su was due to the debt of gratitude for raising her.

But as for the upbringing itself. Cheng Su hadn’t been a particularly qualified mother.

More often than not, she hadn’t treated Cheng Jianian as a daughter but as her successor in training.

If Cheng Jianian truly wasn’t Cheng Su’s biological daughter, everything would become much simpler.

At the very least, Cheng Jianian could leave more freely.

Everyone sank into their own thoughts.

Shen Yunmiao was the most unsettled among them. She couldn’t help but dwell on Cheng Jianian’s origins and circumstances.

Many years ago, she had already known that Cheng Jianian wasn’t the glamorous young lady of the Cheng family, nor was she as cold and arrogant as she seemed.

Cheng Jianian was merely someone stumbling forward, pushed relentlessly by the wind.

A wind that was not only fierce but also carried a thick, bewildering haze.

Making it impossible to see the path ahead clearly.

And once you couldn’t see clearly, you’d unknowingly walk forward for a long, long time.

Even if it was the wrong path, there was no way to correct it.

Yet this person, for her sake, had resolutely walked against the wind toward her.

As Shen Yunmiao thought about it, her eyes grew slightly red.

She hoped that Cheng Jianian wasn’t Cheng Su’s biological daughter, yet she couldn’t help but wonder how Cheng Jianian would feel if that were true, how she would come to terms with it.

Trembling, she picked up a piece of spare rib with her chopsticks and placed it in Cheng Jianian’s bowl.

Cheng Jianian, who had been pondering how to investigate the matter, was taken aback. She stared at the abrupt piece of braised spare rib in her bowl, then met those moist, dark eyes, and her heart softened.

She curved her lips into a smile and devoured the spare rib in one go.

“So delicious.”

Her gray eyes seemed to shimmer with flecks of gold, sparkling brilliantly. Shen Yunmiao gazed at her with a smile, though the curve of her lips held a touch of fragility, revealing more heartache than joy.

Cheng Jianian looked back at her and said softly, “I’ll look into it, don’t worry, Miaomiao.”

“Ahem, let’s eat, let’s not talk about all this for now.” Jiang Ying struggled to interrupt the sweet, intimate atmosphere between the two that left no room for anyone else.

But inwardly, she was quite happy.

More than anyone, she wished for her sister to be joyful, happy, and carefree for the rest of her life.

Yet she also knew that sometimes emotions could cloud judgment, making it impossible to make the right choices.

It had been the same between her and Jian Jingqiu back then.

But after all the twists and turns, she had still chosen this person. She didn’t know if it was the right decision or if they would remain happy forever, but simply being with this person brought her joy.

Perhaps life was just like that.

Saying “long live true love” didn’t magically make everything perfect.

But saying “long live true love” did give one the courage to face all the hardships that lay ahead.

Jiang Ying had made up her mind.

After finishing her meal, Cheng Jianian went back and called Zuo Ying, instructing her to investigate the matter.

Zuo Ying, already caught in the middle and feeling torn, grew even more despondent upon hearing the request.

She had no idea where to start looking.

Hiring a private detective would naturally be effective, but if the subject of the investigation was her former boss, it felt wrong.

Honestly, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

But she also knew how difficult Cheng Jianian’s journey had been, and she couldn’t just brush it off.

Just as Zuo Ying was hesitating, Song Xianyin called.

Zuo Ying frowned, wondering what Song Xianyin wanted. Had she found out something? Why not call Cheng Jianian directly?

She answered the call anyway.

Song Xianyin’s voice was gentle on the other end: “Director Zuo, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

Zuo Ying’s heart tightened, and she stammered, “Uh! go ahead.”

Song Xianyin chuckled softly, “This is a secret, you know. I don’t want you to tell my sister.”

That evening, Shen Yunmiao also received an invitation from Song Xianyin.

Song Xianyin asked to meet at an upscale restaurant, her message brief, hinting that it was to discuss matters related to Cheng Jianian.

Shen Yunmiao frowned but didn’t mention it to Cheng Jianian not even to Jiang Ying.

Cheng Jianian had also invited her to dinner that evening.

After some thought, Shen Yunmiao declined Cheng Jianian’s invitation, telling her she had something to attend to.

She freshened up and headed to the meeting.

Cheng Jianian didn’t get upset, only asking when she’d be done so she could pick her up.

Shen Yunmiao replied that she wasn’t sure yet.

When Shen Yunmiao arrived at the restaurant, Song Xianyin was already there. Seeing her approach, she stood up from afar to greet her.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like to eat, so I ordered half the dishes already. Feel free to add anything you’d like, Miss Shen.”

Song Xianyin wore a flowing water-wave dress with billowy sleeves, exuding an air of elegance and gentleness.

She had an innocent face, her eyes seemingly holding unspoken words.

Yet Shen Yunmiao inexplicably felt an uncomfortable vibe from her, reminiscent of the sinister, snake-like malice she sensed from Cheng Su.

With no interest in small talk, Shen Yunmiao cut straight to the point:

“What is it you wanted to discuss, Second Miss? You can speak directly with me.”

After a pause, she continued, “I’ve already told Anian what the second young miss said the other day. She has no particular feelings toward the Cheng family and doesn’t wish to compete with you for anything.”

Song Xianyin sat opposite her, the scattered starlight outside glinting off her shimmering dress, casting a hazy glow in her eyes.

With a light laugh, Song Xianyin said, “Miss Shen, that’s not what I meant to discuss.”

“I believe what you’re truly curious about is my sister’s background, isn’t it?”

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