I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 44

The farce at the small restaurant came to an end with the departure of the ambulance. Zhuyun had tears in her eyes, seemingly heartbroken for her cousin. Wiping her tears, she said to the onlookers, “Once bitten, twice shy, my brother is practically a regular at the hospital now. Those doctors must be so tired. Oh, and I hope no one was too scared? I’m so sorry. How about a 50% discount for everyone to thank you all for your help?”

She painted herself as a pitiful little thing bullied by Zhu Feng, all while trying to earn the customers’ sympathy. After hearing Zhuyun’s heartwarming words, everyone unanimously refused her offer. It had just been a small favor, and they didn’t want Zhuyun to suffer any losses. Who would feed them if she went out of business?

A girl with a delicate appearance ran over to comfort Zhuyun, saying, “Don’t be scared, Boss. See that apartment complex over there? I live there. Here’s my contact info. If your relative ever bothers you again, just call me. My dad’s a cop!”

Zhuyun couldn’t help but laugh, rubbing her eyes as she said, “Don’t worry, I’m no pushover. If he dares to cause trouble again, I’ll call the police.”

Looking at the thin and frail Zhuyun with pity, the girl regretted not kicking Zhu Feng a few times herself. The usually cheerful Zhuyun was now teary-eyed and looked so vulnerable, it made the girl’s protective instincts flare up. She wished she could be Zhuyun’s bodyguard right then and there.

What a loss, she thought. I should’ve listened to my dad and become a police officer.

Meanwhile, Zhuyun listened as Aunt Zhao ranted on her behalf. Aunt Zhao, who knew all about Zhuyun’s past from her own telling, was filled with resentment toward the blood-related family of Zhu Kaikuo. She wouldn’t spare them any face and swore up a storm. Zhuyun simply smiled and didn’t stop her. It seemed Aunt Zhao hadn’t gotten her fill from kicking Zhu Feng earlier, so now she was getting her fill of scolding.

With Aunt Zhao’s help, the older customers, grandpas and grandmas, looked at Zhuyun with even more affection. A kind and gentle old woman with white hair spoke up, saying, “This child has a resilient spirit. She’ll have endless blessings in the future. Failure isn’t scary; what’s scary is being defeated for good. You’ve done very well, my child.”

Zhuyun had seen this old woman many times. She was a solitary elder whose children weren’t around, but she never let that bring her down. Ever since Zhuyun opened the restaurant, she had been a regular customer. From her words and actions, it was clear that even in her old age, she was a graceful beauty.

Zhuyun shyly lowered her head, and Aunt Zhao chuckled heartily, teasing her.

Several hours later, the restaurant finally became quiet. It was now two o’clock in the afternoon, and few people came for lunch. Zhuyun gave Aunt Zhao a quick word of instruction and went upstairs to rest. Aunt Zhao opened her small recliner and began to enjoy her afternoon, as if Zhu Feng had never even been there.

Zhuyun flopped onto her bed, groaning, “I’m so tired! So tired!”

It’s okay, Little Zhu. Take a look at your bank account balance, and you won’t complain anymore.

Zhuyun’s eyes sparkled, and she gave a money-loving smile. “Hehe, after fleecing so many fat sheep, it’s hard not to make a profit!”

Little Zhu, don’t you think Zhu Feng’s timing was a little too weird? Or has this restaurant’s reputation already spread so widely that Zhu Feng’s family found out about you and came to cause trouble?

She let out a cold huff. “It’s definitely related to Chu Chengwen!”

How did you figure that out, Little Zhu?

“I just made it up.”

…Your deduction is truly simple and brutal.

Zhu Yun didn’t want to rack her brain over a cold case with no evidence, so she decisively put the blame on Chu Chengwen. After all, she just didn’t like him.

What she didn’t know was that, by a strange twist of fate, she had guessed the right culprit. The entire incident was indeed a scheme orchestrated by Chu Chengwen. He wanted to use family pressure on Zhuyun, hoping to create an opportunity to play the hero and save the damsel in distress.

Zhuyun lazily rolled over and said, “Just wait and see. Without Zhu Feng, there will still be Zhu Kaikuo. Ugh, when are these people going to die? Mom, Dad, I’m begging you, please come take them away! Have a little pity on me!”

Hahahahaha, Little Zhu, keep it up! The light of victory is just around the corner!

Zhuyun never forgot the tragic fate from the original plot. Zhu Kaikuo’s shamelessness and Zhu Feng’s insatiable greed—their selfishness had ruined an innocent Zhuyun’s life. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, after enduring both mental and physical torture, she would either explode in silence or die in it. The original Zhuyun had killed Zhu Kaikuo’s family, and the male lead, Chu Chengwen, was hospitalized.

She looked at her own fair, delicate hands. Thanks to the spiritual spring water, Zhuyun’s hands were smooth, without a single callus. She couldn’t imagine how much pain the original her must have been in to break down and end her life like that.

Zhuyun gave a bitter smile, her eyes filled with hatred for Zhu Kaikuo. She said in a low voice, “I want to see how long Zhu Kaikuo can hold out. I just easily sent his son back to the mental hospital, so that old bastard must hate me to death. I’m waiting for him to come find me. I’m afraid he won’t.”

Don’t be angry, Little Zhu. Everything will be okay.

She buried her face in her arms and said wearily, “Yeah, it’ll be okay.”

The wind was gentle that day, and the scent of bougainvillea filled the bedroom. The curtains fluttered in the breeze, and Zhuyun drifted off to sleep without even realizing it.

This time, a very realistic scene appeared in her dream. It felt as if she had once lived in this very timeline, and she witnessed her short life unfold. Compared to the written story, seeing it with her own eyes was far more terrifying and shocking.

When the knife that had killed someone plunged into Zhuyun’s body, the dream cracked and shattered into countless pieces. Zhuyun leaned over and looked at her reflection in the shards. She gasped in a cold sweat. In the broken pieces were different versions of herself in various outfits. This made Zhuyun’s pupils contract in fear, and a bone-chilling coldness shot up from the crown of her head. She woke up with a jolt, her face pale.

Zhuyun was drenched in a cold sweat, looking utterly flustered. Her clear eyes were filled with panic and unease. She was so visibly shaken that System 857 was extremely worried.

Baby, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?

She got up and poured a glass of water, gulping it down. Zhuyun took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to hide the dark cloud in her eyes. “I had a dream, but I’m fine now. How long was I asleep, 857?”

Just a little over an hour.

Zhuyun finished the water and said calmly, “Okay, I understand.”

The antenna on top of System 857’s head swayed back and forth. It felt like something was off with Zhu Yun on the screen and, unable to feel at ease, asked again.

Little Zhu, are you really okay?

Zhuyun’s grip on the glass tightened slightly, turning her knuckles white. Suddenly, she smiled faintly and said, “I’m really fine.”

She was, in fact, not in any great danger. She had just relived the pain of being pushed to the edge in her dream, as if there were no other solution but death.

She put down the glass and splashed her face with cold water.

Zhuyun looked at herself in the mirror. Her face, wet with water, was like a blooming lotus flower—delicate and dewy. She curled her lips. The icy coldness made Zhuyun completely sober up.

The panic in her brows completely vanished, replaced by a look of steely determination. Seeing this version of herself, Zhuyun finally smiled in satisfaction.

It was nothing. Just a nightmare. Even if that dream was a kind of premonition, it didn’t matter. As long as she was alive, there was still hope.

Zhuyun let out a sigh and dried her face. When she went downstairs, she was the same old Zhuyun, unchanged.

“Boss, one bowl of fried chicken with salt and pepper!”

“Boss, when will my two private dishes be ready?”

“Boss, I’m begging you, stop chatting and get in the kitchen! I’m about to die of hunger.”

Zhuyun put her hands up in surrender, laughing. “Okay, okay, everyone, don’t rush. I’ll get to everyone one by one.”

She hadn’t wanted to chat, but the old lady had insisted on talking about the morning’s events, constantly comforting her. Her apron pockets were now full of candy. Well, what could she do? She was just too likable.

She shyly covered her cheeks and smiled sweetly.

Sure enough, she was just a little cutie!

Anyone who didn’t like her had no taste! Hmph.

She finally went into the kitchen. One after another, the highly anticipated dishes were brought out by Aunt Zhao. The small restaurant was bustling with a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere, making it the most popular shop on the street, bar none.

If you arrived late, there would be no seats, and you’d have to leave disappointed.

“Mr. Chu, are we not going in?”

A black car was parked on the side of the road. The assistant cautiously watched the frowning Chu Chengwen, not understanding why he had them drive here and sit for half an hour. What was so special about this restaurant?

“No, keep waiting.”

Another half an hour passed. The assistant looked at his watch, still completely confused by Chu Chengwen’s intentions. He simply kept his mouth shut and sat in silence with him.

Suddenly, the assistant saw another car. The license plate looked familiar. “Mr. Chu,” the assistant said, “That looks like Vice President Ye’s car.”

Chu Chengwen raised an eyebrow in surprise, but what came next was even more shocking. He saw Tang Xinhai get out of the car. Ye Yiran and she walked into the restaurant together.

The assistant pondered for a moment, observing the situation. “I’ve heard colleagues say that Assistant Tang is a favorite of the Vice President. It seems the rumors weren’t false.”

Chu Chengwen’s mind raced, thinking even more deeply. Tang Xinhai’s looks were stunning, that was undeniable. And since Ye Yiran had been unmarried for many years, Chu Chengwen couldn’t help but feel suspicious. The frown between his brows deepened as he looked at the two women. Could it be…

“Let’s go.”

His words were concise and commanding.

The assistant didn’t dare waste time. He unbuckled his seatbelt and followed him out.

As soon as the tall, handsome man appeared, Ye Yiran noticed him. Her smiling eyes showed a hint of surprise as she casually asked, “Chengwen, what are you doing here?”

“That kid Bo Rong, with his craving for good food, found this great restaurant, so he got me hooked. I come here occasionally. What about you, Auntie?”

Ye Yiran tilted her chin, gesturing toward Tang Xinhai, who was talking to Aunt Zhao at the counter. Tang Xinhai’s mature and tasteful outfit made her look very elegant. Her long, curly black hair was tied back in a low ponytail with a sapphire-blue hair tie, draping over her shoulder. Just her back view alone was enough to stir endless imagination.

“Oh, so Assistant Tang brought you here.” He feigned ignorance. Ye Yiran said, “Have a seat. What do you want to eat, Chengwen?”

Chu Chengwen glanced at his assistant, who immediately smiled and said, “Vice President, I’ve already pre-ordered the restaurant’s private dishes. You can try them to see if they’re to your liking.”

Ye Yiran smiled back. “Then it’s a good thing I didn’t have Xinhai order the private dishes. It seems I’m in for a treat today.”

“You’re too kind.” The assistant sat down next to Chu Chengwen and gave Ye Yiran a polite smile.

At this point, Chu Chengwen spoke up, his tone pointed. “Auntie, it seems you’re quite fond of Assistant Tang? This is the first time I’ve seen you value an assistant so much, even having private connections with her in the evening.”

Ye Yiran, suspecting nothing, had been treated well by time; the woman in her forties still possessed a charming elegance and a calm, dignified demeanor.

She said, “Anyone who earns my respect has a certain something about them. I have full confidence in Xinhai’s work. She is not arrogant or impatient, and she doesn’t have the recklessness of younger people. Most importantly, her capabilities are outstanding.”

She praised Tang Xinhai, causing Chu Chengwen’s assistant to grow even warier of her. It seemed he’d have to be more polite to Tang Xinhai in the future. His own position might not change, but Tang Xinhai was certainly not destined to be just a vice president’s assistant forever.

Chu Chengwen’s jaw tightened. Ye Yiran’s words stoked his anger. He never imagined that Tang Xinhai could be so captivating, even earning his aunt’s special favor. Recalling that Tang Xinhai was interested in women, Chu Chengwen felt that Ye Yiran was in danger. If he didn’t intervene, that woman might succeed in her intentions.

He didn’t want to admit that his anger stemmed from the helplessness of not being able to control Tang Xinhai. He was unwilling to accept that he might lose simply because of the factor of gender, so seeing Ye Yiran, also a woman, stirred a feeling of jealousy within him.

It was a case of “the grass is always greener.” If Tang Xinhai had been submissive and accepted Chu Chengwen’s advances from the start, he might have quickly lost interest. But because she had given him the cold shoulder, it created a stubborn psychological obsession in him.

“Go order some food,” he said to his assistant.

The assistant didn’t object and quickly disappeared from their sight.

Ye Yiran looked up, her eyes full of suspicion. “Do you have something to say to me?”

“Auntie, do you know that Tang Xinhai likes women?”

A tidal wave of emotion surged in Ye Yiran’s eyes. She abruptly turned to look at Tang Xinhai by the counter, but quickly regained her composure. “How do you know that?”

Ye Yiran’s reaction further confirmed Chu Chengwen’s suspicions. With a grim face, he advised, “Auntie, Tang Xinhai isn’t a simple person. I used to be interested in her and suspected she was trying to seduce me.”

The moment Chu Chengwen’s words fell, Ye Yiran was so furious she wanted to flip the table. Her face turned nearly menacing as she snapped, “Chengwen, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Chu Chengwen’s voice was now tinged with a cold cruelty. He continued to counsel her, “Auntie, how could I possibly be interested in a woman like Tang Xinhai? I was just temporarily bewitched. She likes women, after all. There’s no need for me to force myself on a woman who doesn’t like men, right? I’ll be direct with you: the reason she brought you to this restaurant is because the owner of this place is the person she likes. Auntie, you can’t be deceived by her.”

One shock after another left Ye Yiran speechless. She was stunned for a long time, her hands on her knees clenching and unclenching her pants. Her turbulent emotions gradually began to calm down.

Ye Yiran took a deep breath, gazing at Chu Chengwen’s face. His eyes were full of malice, like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment—cold and terrifying.

Ye Yiran suddenly felt that Chu Chengwen was a stranger. She retorted, “Xinhai is with me from morning to night, helping me with my work. As far as I know, the only time she ever voluntarily went to see you was because I asked her to deliver a proposal. And you, Chengwen, have been plotting against her all along. The rumors that Chen Feifei spread, were they not related to you? If you hadn’t let outsiders know about your intentions toward Xinhai, how would a junior employee like Chen Feifei have been aware of her boss’s thoughts? You also said it yourself, she likes women. So how did you conclude that she was trying to seduce you?”

She shook her head in disappointment, a smile on her face. “Chengwen, gossip can truly kill people.”

Ye Yiran then gave a knowing smile. “It’s a good thing that Xinhai has found someone she likes. I will bless them.”

Chu Chengwen’s face was as colorful as a spilled palette. Ye Yiran’s words had nailed him to a pillar of shame. He was nothing but a wicked and despicable person with a dark mind, and Ye Yiran had completely torn off his mask.

The meal was ruined. Neither Zhu Yun nor Tang Xinhai ever saw Chu Chengwen.

The restaurant was so busy, who had time to notice irrelevant people?

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to take care of you properly.”

Tang Xinhai smiled warmly, a hint of joyous freedom in her eyes. She really enjoyed the hustle and bustle. No, to be precise, being able to help Zhu Yun was the greatest joy of all.

Ye Yiran looked at her affectionately and shook her head. “It’s no bother. It’s just surprising to see you this way.”

She touched her face, looking a bit shy. “I don’t know why, but whenever I see her face, I just can’t stop smiling.”

Ye Yiran said directly, “You like her?”

Tang Xinhai’s eyes widened in a panic. She hadn’t expected Ye Yiran to hit upon her feelings so easily. But in fact, she was right.

Seeing the look of concern in Ye Yiran’s eyes, she curved her lips and nodded. “Yes, I like her. I’m very happy when I’m with her.”

Ye Yiran propped her chin on her hand, looking at Tang Xinhai’s face as if she were seeing someone else. After a moment, she said softly, “Then you must stay together with the person you love for a very, very long time.”

Seeing Ye Yiran so open-minded, Tang Xinhai suddenly remembered what Zhu Yun had said before, that this female boss liked her. Pfft, she had almost believed it back then, but after spending more time with her, her attitude had completely dismissed that suspicion.

“Thank you, I will.”

“Xinhai, Xinhai, come here, quick!”

Zhu Yun called out to Tang Xinhai. Ye Yiran nodded and smiled. “Go on and get to work.”

“Our food should be ready. Please wait a moment.”

Tang Xinhai didn’t wait for Ye Yiran to reply. She rushed over to help Zhuyun, and they worked together to bring out the dishes. Ye Yiran quickly caught a scent, and it was the kind of smell that made one’s mouth water and stimulated the taste buds without them even realizing it.

And so, Ye Yiran finally met Zhuyun. Their eyes met for a moment before they both looked away. Zhu Yun gave Ye Yiran a polite nod and a smile, while her hands were on Tang Xinhai, urging her to eat quickly. She chattered, “Don’t bother helping anymore. Aunt Zhao and I can manage. Besides, you’ve been busy all day at the company. You’ve gotten so skinny lately. I finally managed to feed you a few pounds, and now you’ve lost it all again. Go on, go eat with your colleague.”

Zhuyun saw the look of stubborn defiance on Tang Xinhai’s face. She patiently patted her head and urged, “Be good, listen to me.”

Zhuyun didn’t know that this was Ye Yiran, thinking she was just a regular colleague. She saw the shy expression on Tang Xinhai’s face and, satisfied, put her hands on her hips. After a few simple instructions, she went back to work.

“She seems to be very fond of you.”

Tang Xinhai nervously picked at her fingers, her face flushed with embarrassment. To have her top boss see Zhuyun pamper her like this felt mortifying!

Ye Yiran’s smile deepened. Thoughtfully, she didn’t press the matter and instead changed the subject.

Tang Xinhai breathed a sigh of relief. She watched Ye Yiran begin to eat and followed suit.

Neither of them were talkative, but there wasn’t a single moment of awkwardness during the meal.

After a full meal, Tang Xinhai walked her to her car. As Ye Yiran was about to leave, she suddenly asked, “When are you two getting married?”

“Huh?” Tang Xinhai’s face turned red, and she said nervously, “W-we’re not even together yet.”

Ye Yiran raised an eyebrow, teasingly. “I never would have guessed that the decisive and efficient Assistant Tang would be so slow in a relationship.”

“I’m not slow. As soon as I’ve helped you with the banquet this week, I’m going to have a proper talk with her.”

Ye Yiran joked, “Are you afraid of being rejected?”

Tang Xinhai hadn’t expected Ye Yiran to be so gossipy and said with a serious expression, “It’s getting late.”

She laughed and waved. “Well then, I wish you all the luck in the world.”

The car disappeared from Tang Xinhai’s sight, and she finally relaxed, stretching out.

“Did your colleague leave? Wow, your colleague is rich, though. That car isn’t cheap,” Zhuyun said, popping up behind her and wrapping her arms around her back.

Tang Xinhai was startled but quickly grabbed Zhuyun’s hands when she realized who it was. “What colleague? That’s the female boss I told you about.”

“Oh, your female boss, is it?” Zhuyun’s tone immediately turned sarcastic. Tang Xinhai smiled and gave her a sideways glance. “Why the attitude?”

Zhu Yun pouted in disdain. “I should’ve known not to charge your female boss.”

“Why?”

“Doesn’t she like you? Why would I charge her? It means she has good taste, so I should’ve given her the meal for free.”

Tang Xinhai slyly chose not to explain, saying with a meaningful smile, “In my heart, there’s no such thing as a ‘female boss,’ Zhuyun. Do you understand?”

Let me translate for her… she’s saying she only wants you on top. Oh, oops. I mean, her heart is only for you, the one on her back.

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