My Little Pink Crocodile - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Do You Really Like Her?

Jiang Yao hadn’t expected Grace to be so guarded, but with a little thought, she realized the other woman had misunderstood her intentions.

“Miss Grace, it seems you’ve misunderstood. I have no intention of stealing anyone’s love, nor do I have the patience to coax a child. It’s just that she looks a bit like a child from a relative’s family, so I wanted to ask,” Jiang Yao said. Though she smiled and claimed it was about a relative, her tone carried a hint of indifference, making it feel like Grace could either confirm her suspicion or refuse without much consequence.

Hearing this, Grace breathed a sigh of relief but remained curious. “Are you sure your relative’s child ran away?”

Jiang Yao smiled faintly. “I’m not certain yet, which is why I want to see her.”

Grace hesitated. Seeing this, Jiang Yao continued, “I imagine that as Miss Qi’s friend, you wouldn’t want me to break them up even if I confirm it. You can rest easy on that; even if I confirm it’s her, I won’t make her leave for the time being.”

Grace waved her hand and pulled Jiang Yao into a corner. After checking to ensure no one was around, she whispered into Jiang Yao’s ear, “You’ve misunderstood me too. The marriage certificate between Qi Yan and her is actually fake.”

Jiang Yao’s expression flickered slightly, but she quickly returned to normal and said knowingly, “Acting?”

“Exactly. It’s an act. Qi Yan was backed into a corner, wasn’t she?”

Jiang Yao nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Still, I hope she can come over and speak with me.” As Jiang Yu was the Young Master of the tribe, Jiang Yao could refrain from notifying the clan for now, but she couldn’t simply wash her hands of the matter.

Just as she finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. “Watch out.”

A servant had lost their footing, stumbling and sending a tray of drinks flying toward Grace. Before Grace could even process the warning, a hand gripped her waist and pulled her into a warm embrace.

The sound of shattering glass echoed behind them. Grace finally snapped out of it, but she was still in Jiang Yao’s arms. Up close, the woman’s scent was as heady and intense as strong liquor.

Grace: …This is a bit too intimate.

“My apologies,” Jiang Yao said, releasing her. Her face wore that same polite smile as if nothing had happened.

Grace hurried to say, “No, it’s fine! You just saved me, President Jiang.” But remembering the embrace made her face flush, so she looked down and pretended to straighten her dress.

The servant, thinking they had caused a disaster, apologized repeatedly. “I am so sorry, it was my mistake. I’ll clean it up immediately.”

Disturbed and flustered, Grace waved the servant away. “What do you think of my proposal, Miss Grace?” Jiang Yao asked.

“Huh?” Grace blanked for a second before remembering the request to see Jiang Yu. As she looked up, her face turned red again the moment she met Jiang Yao’s eyes. She quickly looked away.

Deciding she had explained the situation well enough, Grace agreed. “Alright. They probably won’t stay much longer anyway. I’ll call her over for you in a bit.”

“Thank you. I’ll treat you to dinner another day,” Jiang Yao nodded with a smile.

Grace didn’t know where to look. Inadvertently catching sight of Jiang Yao, she felt shy again. “You… your perfume is nice.”

Jiang Yao, assuming Grace was asking about the brand, laughed. “That’s probably just the smell of spilled alcohol.”

Grace went silent. Looking at the woman’s serious, cool face, she thought: Can’t you tell I’m complimenting your scent? The heat in Grace’s face died down instantly at the response. “Just wait here. I’ll go get them.”

At that moment, Qi Yan and Jiang Yu happened to walk out. Grace intercepted them immediately. “Qi Yan, I have something huge to tell you. You need to listen.”

Seeing Grace’s serious expression, Qi Yan asked, “Did something happen?”

Jiang Yu, failing to sense the gravity of the situation, asked excitedly, “What big thing? Can I hear it?”

Grace shook her head firmly. “No, you can’t.”

Seeing Jiang Yu pout, Qi Yan comforted her. “Wait over there for a moment. We’ll come find you in a bit.”

Jiang Yu obeyed, but she grumbled as she walked away. “Even if you don’t let me ‘hear’ it, I can still hear it.” The gloom in her eyes vanished as she ducked behind a car, poking half her head out to eavesdrop with great interest.

People outside couldn’t see into the car, but those inside could see out perfectly. The person in the car watched Jiang Yu’s sneaky behavior with amusement.

Meanwhile, Grace pulled Qi Yan aside and whispered, “Do you know whose family Jiang Yu belongs to?”

Qi Yan’s heart leaped. “Did Officer Tian find something? What did she say?”

Logically, if Officer Tian had found Jiang Yu’s family, she would have contacted Qi Yan first, not Grace. Furthermore, Jiang Yu had run away while she was still a crocodile; only her “family” could have come looking. Qi Yan realized then that this lead didn’t come from the police.

Sure enough, Grace shook her head. “No news from Officer Tian. But someone just told me that Jiang Yu is very likely a runaway child from their relative’s family.”

Qi Yan fell silent. Seeing her lack of response, Grace grew anxious. “What do you want to do?” Though Jiang Yao had promised not to take her away immediately, there was no guarantee Jiang Yu’s parents wouldn’t drag her back the moment they found out.

Qi Yan tightened her grip on her hand before letting go. Her gentle smile remained unchanged, as if she were indifferent. “What else can I do? If she’s their child, I can’t exactly kidnap her, can I?” But she didn’t realize that a sense of reluctance was blooming in her heart.

Hiding in the distance, Jiang Yu’s face turned pale with fright. She bit her finger nervously, muttering to herself, “What should I do? They definitely found out. Maybe I should run now… No, if I run, what if Qi Yan misses me?”

The two women had no idea Jiang Yu had heard everything and was already contemplating an escape.

Qi Yan looked around and asked, “Where is this person?”

“You know her—it’s Jiang Yao, President Jiang.” Grace pointed toward a car. “She should be waiting in there. We’ll call Jiang Yu over.”

Qi Yan followed her finger, squinting to see, only to spot a suspicious figure behind the car. “Jiang Yu?”

The moment she spoke, Jiang Yu—who was about to slip away—froze. She instinctively turned and waved with a smile. “Qi Yan, I’m here!” Then she paused. She was supposed to be running away…

But there was no escaping now; Qi Yan was already walking toward her. “What are you doing here?” Qi Yan asked with a slight frown.

Feeling guilty, Jiang Yu twisted her dress and looked away, lying through her teeth. “Looking at the scenery.”

Qi Yan was skeptical, but before she could say more, the car window rolled down, revealing Jiang Yao’s face. Jiang Yao nodded to Qi Yan. “Boss Qi, would you mind lending me your little girlfriend for a few minutes?”

Her gaze then landed on Jiang Yu, who was considering another escape. Jiang Yu trembled and stood “obediently” beside Qi Yan, her eyes frantically signaling Qi Yan not to agree.

However, after a brief glance, Qi Yan told Jiang Yao, “I don’t mind, as long as she is willing.”

Jiang Yao looked at Jiang Yu with a half-smile. “Qi Yan’s little girlfriend, are you willing?”

Though she phrased it as a question, the sharp pressure radiating from her made it an order that couldn’t be refused. Jiang Yao mouthed two words silently, making Jiang Yu shrink back: [Get in!]

“Fine.” Jiang Yu agreed, but her steps were clumsy and reluctant, her expression as if she were being forced to eat something foul.

Seeing her state, Qi Yan grabbed her arm worriedly. “Are you sick?”

Jiang Yu looked at her with hope, wishing Qi Yan would take her away right then. She leaned into Qi Yan’s arms. “Yes. Can we leave now?”

Qi Yan knew almost instantly that Jiang Yu was faking, yet a selfish part of her wished it were true so she’d have a legitimate reason to take her away.

Jiang Yao watched this play out and smiled. “Just a few questions. I promise to return her to Boss Qi immediately after.”

Jiang Yu clearly didn’t believe her and remained hesitant until Qi Yan patted her back. “Go ahead. I’ll take you home afterward.”

Jiang Yu bit her lip, weighing the possibility of actually going home with Qi Yan. Finally, with a look of grim resolve, she entered Jiang Yao’s car.

Jiang Yao looked at the girl sitting cautiously in the back seat and found it amusing. “This car is soundproof. They can’t hear us.”

“How did you find me?” Jiang Yu asked, biting her lip.

Jiang Yao chuckled, looking at Qi Yan waiting outside. “You two caused such a scene; it would be a miracle if I didn’t find you.”

Jiang Yu’s face flushed hot. Then, struck by a thought, she asked urgently, “Did you contact the tribe?”

“Our Young Master ran away from home and I found her. Do you think I’ll tell them?” Jiang Yao teased.

Jiang Yu’s eyes widened. she turned to open the door. “Then I’m going to elope with Qi Yan!”

She failed, however, because Jiang Yao had locked the doors the moment she entered. But Jiang Yu’s strength was immense; she nearly ripped the handle off.

Jiang Yao heard a sharp click and stared silently at the damage Jiang Yu had caused. Looking at the now-deflated girl, she sighed. “I was just teasing you. I haven’t contacted the tribe. You can stay with your Qi Yan for now.”

Jiang Yu’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Jiang Yao nodded, but her gaze turned sharp again. “But you have to tell me the truth: what is the deal with that marriage certificate between you and Qi Yan?”

Jiang Yu lowered her head and twiddled her fingers, avoiding her gaze. “I just got a certificate with her. Humans say getting a certificate means you’re married.” She seemed to emphasize the last part, even looking Jiang Yao in the eye to say it.

“Do you really know if you like her?” Jiang Yao asked, notably not mentioning that the certificate was a forgery.

Seeing that Jiang Yao wasn’t going to scold her, Jiang Yu lost her fear and beamed. “I like her! She’s so pretty and she smells so good.”

“That is because of her special constitution that attracts ghosts and monsters,” Jiang Yao said ruthlessly. It was that very trait that had first drawn Jiang Yao to Qi Yan, alongside her professional skills.

“I still like her,” Jiang Yu insisted defiantly.

Jiang Yao looked at her and realized she wouldn’t be able to sway her. “You’ll understand later.”

“You’ll give us your blessing, right?” Jiang Yu asked.

Jiang Yao looked into the distance and said calmly, “As I am now, I will absolutely not give you my blessing. Setting aside the issue of species, I won’t even consider it until the day you two have moved beyond acting and developed real feelings.”

She spoke realistically, but Jiang Yu didn’t care. “As long as you don’t tell the tribe, it’s fine.”