Beauty Snake - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: “Fine, But I Still Advise You: Long-Term Concealment, Even A Well-Intentioned Lie, May Cause Irreparable Consequences.”

“I wonder if you have ever experienced what could be called the darkest moment of one’s life, Miss Qin.” Ji Yunfei pressed her lips into a thin line. Seeing that Qin Qing remained silent while her hand continued to pour wine, Yunfei finally reached out and stopped her. “To some extent, you and Chi Chang are quite a match—two people who just drown their sorrows in silence.”

Seeing that Qin Qing didn’t struggle against her movements, Ji Yunfei took the opportunity to “snatch” the wine glass from her hand and placed it further away along with the bottle.

“She… she never mentioned these things to me…” The person with her head bowed finally spoke, her voice muffled and low.

Ji Yunfei was briefly at a loss for words, but she managed to find a reason: “No one wants to tell their lover about a past that could be considered ‘pathetic’ or ‘shameful’.” At this point, she paused and spread her hands. “Moreover, Miss Qin, in her eyes, you are still just an innocent, inexperienced college student.”

Perhaps the alcohol was starting to kick in. Ji Yunfei suddenly felt dizzy and flushed; her words began to slip out without passing through her brain. “Actually, I’m truly curious. How did a second miss from a prestigious family end up playing the role of a poor ‘little white flower’ and falling for a reckless person like Chi Chang?”

She rubbed her throbbing temples and leaned back against the sofa. “You know… as Chi Chang’s friend, I have to doubt your motives.” She paused and added, “After all, the plot of a part-time student met at a bar turning out to be a hidden tycoon… isn’t that a bit too much like a Mary Sue novel?”

“……” The person across from her reached out toward the distant wine glass again, but pulled back halfway. A faint, nearly imperceptible sigh echoed in the silent room. “In time, you will naturally find out. As for now, just remember—no matter what, I would never hurt A-Chang…”

“Regarding my true identity, I must ask Miss Ji to keep it a secret for me. I’m not ready to tell her yet.”

These two sentences made the drowsy Ji Yunfei snap awake, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

No, no, no! It’s already too late for that! I told Chi Chang the moment I found out!

While hundreds of metaphorical alpacas stampeded through her mind, Ji Yunfei could only grit her teeth and maintain the most natural, polite smile she could muster. “Fine, but I still advise you: long-term concealment, even a well-intentioned lie, may cause irreparable consequences.”

Realizing she sounded a bit preachy, Ji Yunfei scratched her head awkwardly. “Perhaps I overstepped. Just take it as food for thought, Miss Qin. Today, I’ll act as if I was never here.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave? The wine has made my head spin. I need some fresh air to face the auction later with a better appearance.” She truly couldn’t stay a second longer; every moment here was a dual torture of spirit and morality.

“I suspect your focus isn’t on the auction, but on the Heart of Leaf.” Qin Qing smiled and made a “please” gesture. “Since you’ve said so, I have no reason to force you to stay. Please suit yourself, Miss Ji. I won’t see you out; I happen to need some time alone as well.”

Given the permission, Ji Yunfei didn’t hesitate for an instant. She “teleported” to the door as if her feet were greased. Before the door fully closed, she caught a glimpse of the figure on the sofa lifting the wine glass once more.

“Sigh… why are they both like this? They don’t listen even when advised.” Ji Yunfei shook her head, grumbling inwardly.

Checking the time, there was still an hour and a half before the auction. She rubbed her aching temples and thought she still had time to catch a breeze on the terrace. However, after wandering around this massive hotel for two laps, she failed to find the path to the “Sky Garden.”

Seriously, why are these hotels designed like labyrinths? Are they afraid people will actually find their way?

She sighed and was about to head back the way she came when she spotted a cleaning lady pushing a cart toward her.

“Sister, how do I get to the Sky Garden?” Knowing she needed a favor, Ji Yunfei applied her knowledge that “sweet words open doors.”

“Oh, young lady, at my age, you should call me Auntie.” Despite her words, the cleaning lady’s face beamed with delight. She pointed toward a nearby stairwell. “There. Take these stairs up to the 15th floor, then…”

“I don’t know what they were thinking with this hotel design,” the Auntie complained after giving directions. “Giving a terrace such a flowery name and making it so hard to find.” She checked her watch and gasped. “Girl, I’m in a hurry and have to go. I wanted to lead you there, but I can’t now. If you still can’t find it, just grab someone else and ask!”

“Oh, okay. Thank you, Sister.” Ji Yunfei stood there, watching the smiling cleaning lady disappear until the sound of the cart wheels faded away.

Ji Yunfei was on the 10th floor, and the terrace was on the 15th. Five floors weren’t exhausting, so she started climbing. The first two floors were smooth; aside from the motion-sensor lights occasionally going out and needing a sound to trigger them, there was nothing scary. However, as she stepped onto the landing of the 13th floor, she saw a figure leaning against the platform from a distance.

“……” No matter how brave Ji Yunfei usually was, she was startled. At that exact moment, the sensor light timed out and went black.

She stomped her foot hard to bring the light back. Bracing herself and clutching the self-defense tool in her bag, she slowly approached the person.

Judging by the clothes, it seemed to be a hotel waiter; there were faint grease stains on his apron. The sound of light breathing indicated he was asleep.

Ji Yunfei didn’t dwell on why a waiter would be sleeping in a stairwell. She simply lightened her steps and bypassed the brown-haired boy.

Reaching the 15th floor and navigating several long, complex corridors, she finally made it to the terrace. The November evening breeze carried a slight chill, which helped clear her head. She sat on a semi-circular swing, feeling a sense of security from the enclosed seat. She took out her phone and unconsciously opened her chat with Chi Chang.

“I ran into Qin Qing again today…”

“Qin Qing is also here today…”

She typed and deleted repeatedly. After agonizing for a while, she chose to swallow the events of the day. She frustratedly ruffled her hair and sank into the swing. The gentle swaying gradually made her drowsy.

Seeing there was still an hour before the auction, she took a photo of the night view and sent it to Xie Yin. Then, she closed her eyes, letting exhaustion take the lead.

I’ve used too much brainpower. A short nap won’t hurt…

When she woke up, there were only ten minutes left until the auction. Ji Yunfei checked her phone and saw a barrage of messages from Xie Yin sent over the last few dozen minutes.

Snake Beauty Xie: “The night view is beautiful. Are you on the terrace?”

Snake Beauty Xie: “Why aren’t you replying?”

Snake Beauty Xie: “A-Fei?”

“……”

Snake Beauty Xie: “I’m coming to find you.”

The most recent message was from three minutes ago. Seeing the pile of texts and Xie Yin’s increasingly anxious tone, Yunfei felt a wave of guilt.

I forgot to tell her I was taking a nap…

Just as she was about to type a reply, irregular footsteps and heavy breathing came from the entrance. Yunfei looked back and met Xie Yin’s dark eyes.

“Why didn’t you answer?” Seeing Ji Yunfei safe and sound, Xie Yin let out a sigh of relief, though her tone remained somewhat dangerous as she approached.

“Ahem… the swing was too comfortable, so I dozed off for a bit…” Realizing she was in the wrong, Yunfei’s voice grew quieter. She tugged at Xie Yin’s sleeve. “I forgot to tell you… I didn’t mean to sleep that long…”

“You know I worry when I can’t reach you…” Xie Yin frowned, wanting to scold her but unable to find the heart to do it. Even though she knew the snake scale pendant would alert her if Yunfei was in mortal danger, she still couldn’t relax.

“Alright, I was wrong… it won’t happen again. I’ll report everything from now on! Don’t be mad, okay?” Ji Yunfei gently smoothed the furrow in Xie Yin’s brow and softened her voice.

“I’m not mad, just worried. This place is crowded and complicated. What if…” Before she could finish, Ji Yunfei blocked her lips with a finger.

“I know, but you forgot—I have the habit of carrying self-defense weapons. I’m not a child; I know how to protect myself.” Ji Yunfei smiled. Seeing Xie Yin was about to say more, she leaned in and, through her own finger, dropped a kiss that still faintly tasted of peach.

“Have you been drinking?” Xie Yin caught the scent of peach juice immediately, and beneath the fruitiness, she detected the hidden aroma of alcohol.

“Just a little. I’m very clear-headed now.” Ji Yunfei squinted and made a “just a tiny bit” gesture with her hand.

“Alright, it’s almost time. The auction is starting. Shall we?” She proactively took Xie Yin’s arm and led her toward the stairwell.

“The elevator is over there…” Xie Yin pointed in the opposite direction, looking confused as to why Ji Yunfei was heading elsewhere.

“……” Ji Yunfei fell silent.

Wait. Didn’t the cleaning lady say only the stairs lead here?! She lied to me!!

“To be honest, I couldn’t find the way, so I asked a cleaning lady…”

“She said only the stairs lead here…”

“So… I walked up…”

“Pfft, silly A-Fei.” Hearing this, Xie Yin couldn’t help but chuckle. She took a booklet from her pocket and handed it to her. “The hotel placed guide handbooks right at the entrance. Didn’t you think to look? Hmm?”

Ji Yunfei took the booklet and saw the route to the “Sky Garden” clearly marked on the cover.

“Featured Terrace: “Sky Garden”. Take the elevator to 15F, turn left…”

The clear, simple instructions made Ji Yunfei deeply doubt reality. Why was such a simple path a labyrinthine adventure for her? Forget it—a path is a path, and at least she found the place.

“Let’s not talk about that… we need to get to the auction. We shouldn’t keep the others waiting.”

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