Give Her a Chance to Flirt! - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The grand opening ceremony was being broadcast live, with the scene projected onto the wall. The entire Lin family, from the patriarch and matriarch down to the three branches of the family—except for those not in Wucheng—were all present.

Yu Yihan’s words refusing Lin Jiu as the project leader blared from the speakers, heard clearly by everyone in attendance.

Lin Jiu’s eldest uncle immediately sneered: “Look at that, look at that! What did I say before? You two parents spoil her every day, but how could such a major matter be given to a child to play with?”

The eldest aunt immediately chimed in: “The other two families are still eyeing the Hongran Project. It’s not that our family grudges the money, but there’s no reason to let people make a joke out of us.”

“How about… we change the person? Let Xiao Jiu enter the company; I think the Human Resources department is not bad, it builds character.”

Except for Lin Jiu’s parents and the grandparents, everyone else started talking at once. However, at the end of the day, these words were all directed at the Old Matriarch.

The Lin family started as a tea merchant dynasty, relying on the ancestral skills passed down through the Old Matriarch. Therefore, her word carried the most weight in this house.

The Old Matriarch was competitive; she hated losers most and disliked descendants who were lazy. That was why she had pressured Lin Jiu to enter the company and work.

She knew Lin Jiu wasn’t doing anything serious, so she let her start by following the Hongran Project, which was considered “cutting her some slack” to let her muddle through and get some professional achievements.

Who knew Lin Jiu would offend Yu Yihan and mess up a cooperation that was practically a sure thing?

Now that things had developed to this point, the Old Matriarch’s anger was palpable:

“Go find Lin Jiu and bring her back. Is she still out there making an exhibition of herself!”

“I’ll send the driver right away,” the butler replied and left.

The eldest uncle and aunt looked delighted: “Then, Mother, why not let our Xiao Wu take over? She has a good personality and certainly won’t make mistakes…”

Beside them, Lin Wu looked at the Old Matriarch with an expectant expression.

The Old Matriarch glared at them.

Whether it’s the palm or the back of the hand, it’s all flesh; Lin Wu was also her granddaughter.

Lin Jiu’s parents looked at each other, not daring to disobey their mother who had accumulated authority for so long, and sighed in worry.

As soon as Lin Jiu arrived home, she caught sight of this large family gathered like a “triple-court trial.”

In the center were the Old Matriarch and Patriarch; on the left was a mix of disappointment and strange excitement from the eldest uncle, aunt, and cousin; and on the right were her parents, frantically signaling her with their eyes.

[Beginner’s Guide: A major crisis has appeared! If you cannot resolve it smoothly, you will lose your position as the Hongran Project leader and be excluded from the company’s core business! Quickly reverse the Old Matriarch’s impression of you!]

Lin Jiu was instantly alerted.

Losing the position was nothing; she believed the Lin family wouldn’t let her starve.

But she remembered that the “Little Deer Engine” she just met, Yu Yihan, was the person in charge of the opposing party. If she were stripped of her position, wouldn’t it sit as proof that she was a useless waste? How could she face Yu Yihan in the future?

She would have no face left!

Moreover, she wanted to see Yu Yihan again.

Lin Jiu immediately adjusted her expression, precisely tuning it to five parts sadness, three parts dejection, and two parts regret.

She slowed down her movements of changing shoes and walking, calling the system in her mind:

“Be more detailed with the guidance. What works on this Old Matriarch?”

“Elderly people love to hear soft words. You can’t go wrong with acting a bit spoiled.”

?

“Oh, Xiao Jiu is back.”

The first to speak up was the eldest aunt.

The Old Matriarch took a sip of Jin Jun Mei tea to calm her nerves: “Stop dawdling, come over here!”

After speaking, the Old Matriarch put down her teacup and looked up—whoa, she was startled.

Lin Jiu, who was usually like a proud little rooster, eager to shake her tail feathers and act overbearing wherever she went, was now so demoralized that even her movements had slowed down.

Looking at her expression again, it was as if there were unresolved worries weighed down between her brows. Her mouth, which usually spoke sharp words, was drooping at the corners, as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.

This sorrowful expression paired with Lin Jiu’s elegant and exquisite features made one’s heart ache just looking at her.

The Old Matriarch remembered that Lin Jiu was the one in the family who looked most like her; even her own biological daughters who had married out didn’t look this much like her.

“Come over here.”

After a momentary softening of heart, the Old Matriarch’s expression remained very stern.

The eldest aunt watched the Old Matriarch’s demeanor. Seeing that the old lady hadn’t softened because of the girl’s act, she became even more arrogant, feigning worry:

“Were you upset again after hearing what Xiao Yu said? Sigh, you’re just a child with a big temper. I’m worried about what will become of you in the future.”

Lin Jiu had a violent temper and was spoiled; the aunt calculated that Lin Jiu wouldn’t be able to resist talking back and deliberately provoked her.

She had used this trick many times, and Lin Jiu took the bait every time, earning her many scoldings from the Old Matriarch.

The eldest aunt waited triumphantly for Lin Jiu to talk back and get scolded, slowly taking a sip of tea—

“Eldest Aunt doesn’t need to worry about me. It’s nothing for me to be talked about outside. You aren’t young like me; be careful not to hurt your health and grow wrinkles.”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

The eldest aunt choked and started coughing, her face turning red.

How did those words sound so wrong?

Wait, why was Lin Jiu speaking like this today? Was she cursing her?

Although Lin Jiu loved to lose her temper, she really didn’t have the IQ to play mind games. These words, filled with hidden thorns coming out of her mouth, felt very surreal.

The eldest aunt scrutinized Lin Jiu suspiciously.

She didn’t know if it was because of sadness, but Lin Jiu looked exceptionally weak, beautiful, and pitiable, as if anyone saying a heavy word to her was bullying her…

But the priority was to make Lin Jiu be punished and make room for her own daughter.

The eldest aunt ignored her and turned to the Old Matriarch:

“Mom, Xiao Jiu messed this up. Later, let Xiao Wu help her sister invite Yu Yihan to dinner to apologize, what do you think?”

“How can that be!”

Before the Old Matriarch could speak, Lin Jiu let out a low cry. Her tone was melodious and soft; the eldest aunt’s ears tingled, she shivered, and immediately looked at Lin Jiu with alarm.

Lin Jiu stood in the room, her gaze clear, her clasped hands seeming to carry determination:

“I made the mistake myself. How can I let my cousin go and apologize in my place?”

The Old Matriarch studied her for a while: “Do you really think so?”

Lin Jiu looked at the Old Matriarch, her eyes slightly lowered, and said:

“I know I let Grandma down. Before Yu Yihan forgives me, I can stop being the person in charge. I only want to follow the team to learn.”

The eldest aunt was overjoyed, wishing she could answer for the Old Matriarch to vacate the position for her Lin Wu.

The Old Matriarch’s expression softened slightly. The eldest aunt was familiar with the old lady’s habits and knew she was about to adopt this plan. Just then, Lin Jiu spoke again.

“It doesn’t matter what happens to me, as long as Grandma is happy, and Eldest Uncle and Aunt are happy, and my parents don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Lin Jiu stood in the hall, the light from the chandelier overhead reflecting in her eyes. She said in a tone of envy and expectation:

“I’m not like my cousin, who has been learning by Eldest Uncle’s side since high school. Although she has messed up a dozen projects and had Eldest Uncle clean up after her, with so many opportunities for experience, cousin will surely do better than me.”

As soon as these words came out, the eldest aunt gasped in anger.

Lin Wu’s mouth hung open, forgetting to act obedient: “Grandma, I… this…”

Everything Lin Jiu said was the truth; she couldn’t refute it, but why did these words make people so angry!

Only the eldest uncle nodded in agreement, looking proud:

“Xiao Wu indeed has stronger abilities than you.”

“…”

The eldest aunt looked at her husband as if looking at a traitor.

To the side, Lin Jiu’s parents were a bit dazed. Before they could say a single word for their daughter, how did it turn into this?

Lin Jiu’s father thought about whether to fight for his daughter again, but before he could speak, he heard the Old Matriarch say to Lin Jiu:

“You go find Yu Yihan to apologize tomorrow. If the two families successfully reconcile, I will give you another chance.”

“Xiao Wu, you also report to the project team tomorrow.”

The Old Matriarch made the final decision, leaving no room for anyone else to object.

When Lin Jiu and her parents left the old mansion and returned to their own home, Lin Jiu’s mother held her hand and showered her with praise:

“My baby Jiu Jiu performed so well today, so obedient. Tell Mama what you want for a midnight snack and I’ll make it for you.”

Lin Jiu’s father said: “Do you want Papa to accompany you to apologize tomorrow? Are you scared to go alone?”

With such parents, how could they fail to raise a “little princess” like the original body?

Lin Jiu calmly declined. Under her parents’ loving gazes, she returned to her room and immediately asked the system:

“What species am I exactly?”

She had noticed it back at the old mansion. If her intent to talk back and say soft words was at a level 3, then with the system’s enhancement, it was a 100—and a very specific kind. That kind…

It felt like something she had seen countless times in internet memes before crossing over. The answer in Lin Jiu’s heart was ready to come out—

“Green Tea!”

Lin Jiu suddenly realized. Right! Exactly, that’s it!

“Host, you are a West Lake Longjing Spirit—the top-tier Green Tea!”

“…It feels like you’re insulting me,” Lin Jiu said expressionlessly.

“Top-tier Green Tea is the essence nurtured by the tea world. As long as you develop and utilize it, you can be invincible in this world!”

“Heh.”

“The host has just perfectly completed the beginner’s guidance. The next step is suggested to be a temporary reconciliation with Yu Yihan, playing along, and showing your level and style in the project!”

“Stop. We can cooperate temporarily while our goals are the same, but don’t think you can order me around.”

The system was puzzled.

“Then what is your current goal?”

Lin Jiu said sincerely: “Apologize to the beauty, date the beauty, and sleep with the beauty.”

“?!”

Feeling refreshed after saying those scandalous words, no matter what the system thought, Lin Jiu truly didn’t plan to follow the system’s lead.

Why fight with a beauty?

While waiting for sleep to come, Lin Jiu carefully considered her identity as “Green Tea.”

Although the “Green Tea” remarks made her want to punch herself, Green Tea was more than just that.

The prerequisite for being a Green Tea is having high looks, high EQ, and high IQ. It could be said to be an all-around elevation, a new lease on life.

Lin Jiu looked in the mirror before bed and felt that her current appearance was better than before she crossed over. Her temperament was becoming more outstanding and pitiable. The system said there was still room for “nourishing,” and she would be even more beautiful in the future.

And as a spirit/demon, she must have other abilities; she was quite curious.

As for the Green Tea remarks…

Lin Jiu clenched her fists under the covers, hissed, and closed her eyes to sleep, escaping reality.

The Lin family’s plan was good, and Lin Jiu was prepared to apologize. However, after the invitation was sent out, Yu Yihan didn’t agree immediately but scheduled it for a week later.

The Lin family knew they were in the wrong first and accepted this well. Before the meeting, the Old Matriarch personally called to warn Lin Jiu again.

Lin Jiu hummed in agreement. She thought to herself: I’m definitely the most sincere person in the family. You guys only crave her money, but I crave her body too.

She set out confidently, arriving early at the reserved restaurant to wait for Yu Yihan’s arrival.

At 7:00 PM, Yu Yihan appeared on time.

The sound of unhurried high heels gradually approached. Lin Jiu had been looking out the window, and when she turned her head and saw Yu Yihan, she suddenly felt that the brilliant night view outside couldn’t compare to this beautiful face.

She performed full etiquette, rising to greet her. However, Lin Jiu didn’t act overly enthusiastic, only wearing a moderate smile:

“Good evening, Sister Yu.”

The original body also called her “Sister Yu,” but that was a common way to address peers; they didn’t use it much after growing up.

Now, Lin Jiu uncontrollably blurted out this address. Hearing the soft, naturally “spoiled” voice in the air, she was the first one who couldn’t stand it.

Gag.

Yu Yihan stopped her pace, her gaze scanning Lin Jiu’s face. She withdrew her gaze before Lin Jiu could succumb to embarrassment and sat opposite her.

The food began to be served. In this state, there was nothing for the two of them to chat about, so Lin Jiu decided to go straight to the point:

“I apologize to you. I didn’t mean it before, I didn’t mean that. You misunderstood me.”

Yu Yihan was noncommittal.

“I…”

Lin Jiu began to state the explanation she had prepared. At this moment, she suddenly felt lucky to be a “Green Tea,” otherwise she really wouldn’t be able to say such cloying words.

Between the candlesticks on the dining table, a golden flame jumped lightly.

“What I wanted to express that day was that you are the image of what I want to become.”

“You are so incredible in how you handle things, your abilities are so strong, and you are so disciplined, leading the Yu family to achieve goal after goal.”

Under Yu Yihan’s gaze, the beautiful woman in front of her looked at her intently. She lightly bit her lip, the admiration in her eyes seemingly about to overflow:

“I often think how wonderful it would be if I could become someone as excellent as you.”

The air was quiet.

Why wasn’t Yu Yihan speaking? Did she space out and not hear?

Lin Jiu maintained her posture after finishing her confession, not daring to move—not daring to move at all.

After a long time, Yu Yihan’s gaze moved away from her face, and she gave a short “Mhm.”

Is this a pass?

Lin Jiu breathed a sigh of relief; at least the atmosphere wasn’t so stiff anymore.

She tried starting a few topics, and Yu Yihan joined the conversation. Although her responses were brief, at least she didn’t ignore her.

Lin Jiu felt it was a sure thing. She planned to confirm the cooperation matters with Yu Yihan after dinner, and this whole thing would be perfectly resolved.

Simply “nice.”

Dessert was served.

Lin Jiu quite liked the Crème Brûlée in front of her. She used a spoon to click open the golden caramel surface, taking a mouthful of the smooth Chantilly cream mixed with a bit of crunchy caramel.

The sweetness soothed her nerves, which had been unconsciously tensed in front of Yu Yihan. With the task completed, Lin Jiu relaxed completely. If Yu Yihan hadn’t been there, she would have wanted to slump into her chair.

Speaking of Yu Yihan, she looked up at the person opposite her.

Yu Yihan was tasting the Floating Island in front of her.

The Floating Island was served on an exquisite gold-rimmed white plate. Lin Jiu felt that Yu Yihan’s fingers were more attractive than the white porcelain.

Lin Jiu’s gaze shifted upward, landing on Yu Yihan’s face.

A loose strand of hair fell by Yu Yihan’s cheek, giving the powerful woman a touch of gentleness.

Perhaps the dessert had comforted her as well; a natural curve formed at the corner of her lips, like a radiant crescent moon—

Besides the smile, a bit of meringue was stuck to the corner of her mouth.

While Lin Jiu wanted to speak up and remind her, she felt her body act as if it had its own consciousness, reaching out directly toward Yu Yihan.

?

Lin Jiu’s eyes widened as she watched her own fingertip finally land by Yu Yihan’s lip, giving it a gentle wipe.

The sticky texture of the meringue and the sensation of Yu Yihan’s delicate skin were transmitted simultaneously, crawling through Lin Jiu’s nerve endings and surging through her entire body.

She gave a light shiver and heard herself say:

“Here, you got something on you.”

After speaking, her hand retracted, bringing the fingertip straight toward her own lips—

Holy. Crap.

Classic “Green Tea” scenes flashed frantically in Lin Jiu’s mind. Realizing what horror story was about to happen next, she just wanted to use her other hand to strangle herself immediately.

But she couldn’t move.

Someone save me QAQ

She glanced at Yu Yihan in fear and shock.

Yu Yihan was clearly caught off guard. At this moment, she leaned back, narrowing her eyes to watch Lin Jiu’s movements.

The smile on her lips had long since vanished, making her look like a frost beauty.

Lin Jiu felt a bit desperate.

After a whole evening of diligently building up favorability, it had all collapsed.