Online Love, Based on the Real Object - Chapter 44

After work, You Man invited Qi Ning out for a casual dinner to discuss some work-related matters. Since Qi Ning didn’t have any plans and felt a bit guilty for having turned her down a few times before, she agreed. She sent a quick message to Chu Yunjing to let her know she was eating with a colleague and didn’t think much else of it.

During the meal, after they finished talking shop, You Man suddenly changed the subject.

“I saw your file the other day. Is your birthday at the end of November?”

“Yeah,” Qi Ning nodded. “Why do you ask?”

“Is it also on the 22nd?”

Qi Ning caught the keyword immediately. “Why do you say ‘also’?”

You Man smiled. “It’s a coincidence. A friend of mine also has a birthday on November 22nd, and I’m currently fretting over what to get her.”

Qi Ning thought it was quite a coincidence herself, but her gossipy side quickly took over. She flashed a meaningful smile. “Oh~ sounds like she’s a pretty special friend.”

You Man didn’t hide it, giving a candid laugh. “I like her quite a bit; she’s very beautiful.” She paused, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Qi Ning. “What kind of gift do you want? I’ll get one for you, too.”

“No need, really,” Qi Ning waved her hand dismissively. While she and You Man had shared a few meals, their conversations were mostly professional. Qi Ning instinctively assumed this “friend” was someone You Man was romantically interested in, and she and You Man weren’t nearly close enough for that kind of gift-giving. Besides, accepting gifts usually meant owing favors.

“Alright then,” You Man said with a look of mock disappointment. “The company will throw you a grand birthday party instead.”

“…A normal one is fine.”

After chatting for a while, Qi Ning reflexively checked her phone and realized Chu Yunjing still hadn’t replied. This was strange; usually, Chu Yunjing would at least acknowledge a message. A faint, inexplicable sense of panic began to settle in her chest.

She tucked her phone back into her bag. “I’m full. Let’s head out.”

“In such a rush?” You Man was surprised. “I was going to suggest a drink.”

“Something came up at home.”

Qi Ning drove back to the complex. After parking, she looked up and counted the floors as she walked. When she reached their window and saw the lights were on, she let out a sigh of relief.

She hummed a tune as she entered, planning to tease Chu Yunjing about not replying. But when she called out her name, there was no answer. She searched the living room and kitchen—empty. She walked to Chu Yunjing’s bedroom door; no light was visible through the crack, yet her shoes were at the entrance.

She knocked. No answer. She tried the handle; it was unlocked.

The room was dark. The only light came from the moon and the spill from the hallway. Chu Yunjing was lying on top of the covers, still wearing her work clothes—trousers and a button-down shirt.

“You’re the one always lecturing me, yet here you are sleeping without a blanket,” Qi Ning muttered as she walked over to cover her. Just as her fingers touched the quilt, Chu Yunjing’s eyes snapped open.

“Holy—! You scared the life out of me!” Qi Ning jumped back, clutching her chest. “Why are you sleeping like this? The AC is freezing.”

Qi Ning realized something was wrong. Chu Yunjing was a bit of a neat freak; she would never lie in bed in her street clothes without showering unless something happened. She flipped on the lights.

Chu Yunjing didn’t move. Her eyes were unfocused, looking almost hollow.

“What happened?” Qi Ning rushed to the bedside, waving a hand in front of her face.

“Nothing,” Chu Yunjing finally said after a long silence. “I’m just a little tired.”

“If you expect me to believe that, you’ve forgotten how long we’ve known each other,” Qi Ning said firmly. She pulled Chu Yunjing up into a sitting position and gripped her shoulders. “Tell me the truth. What happened?”

Chu Yunjing leaned her head against her hand, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “The Bureau of Industry and Commerce inspected the factory today. They found facial masks that exceeded lead and mercury limits.”

Qi Ning’s eyes widened. “Lead and mercury?! Where would that even come from?!”

In a skincare factory, that was a catastrophic finding. No sane owner would store those toxins on-site. Moreover, Chu Yunjing used her own products every day.

“That’s the problem,” Chu Yunjing shook her head. “It seems Sister Shu was right.”

“Which son of a bitch is behind this?!” Qi Ning started pacing and cursing the mastermind, but then she settled on the most important question: “What do we do now?”

“I don’t know. The factory has to shut down for ‘rectification’ while we wait for the results.”

Chu Yunjing had spent the whole night spiraling. Even if they caught the mole, the damage to the brand was done. She wasn’t afraid of the fine; she was afraid of losing her business license right before Double 11. It was like going into battle only to find your ammunition had been stolen.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Qi Ning comforted her, pulling Chu Yunjing into a hug and patting her shoulder. “We’ve been through worse. Remember when we lived on plain porridge and pickles? Besides, what about that guy you know at the Bureau—Mr. Li? Have you talked to him?”

“I did… but his influence is limited in a case like this.” Chu Yunjing didn’t want to worry her further, so she trailed off. “He told me to wait for the results.”

“Then it’ll be fine!” Qi Ning rubbed her head like she was soothing a child. “Have you eaten? Are you hungry?”

Chu Yunjing shook her head.

“I’ll make you some noodles. How many eggs?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Listen to me, eating is a blessing! You can’t starve yourself now. Think of how many people rely on you for their paychecks. If you collapse, what happens to them?” Qi Ning went into full “nagging mode” until Chu Yunjing sat up and looked at her.

“You’re so loud.”

“I’m caring for you! There’s a difference!” Qi Ning dragged her out of bed. “Look at you, you’re a mess. Go shower, and when you’re out, there will be a bowl of hot noodles waiting.”

“Are you sure they’ll be ‘hot’ and not ‘burnt’?” Chu Yunjing’s sharp wit finally flickered back to life.

The Promise

While Chu Yunjing showered, Qi Ning managed to cook a decent bowl of noodles. When Chu Yunjing emerged, looking a bit more refreshed, Qi Ning waved her over.

“Yunjing, I looked it up! Usually, for a first-time thing like this, it’s just a fine. Don’t worry too much!”

“Actually,” Chu Yunjing said, picking up the chopsticks, “I’m almost glad it was caught.”

“Why?!”

“Because now I know there’s a problem. If those masks had hit the market, they would have ruined the faces of innocent girls. A woman’s skin is something money can’t buy back.”

“You should say that to those heartless bastards who did this,” Qi Ning said, patting her head. “For now, eat, drink, and sleep. We’ll pay whatever fine comes our way and call it a very expensive lesson. I’m right here with you.”

Chu Yunjing looked at the noodles and suddenly smiled. “Your cooking hasn’t changed at all.” She looked Qi Ning in the eye. “If and I mean if—I go bankrupt, what will happen?”

Qi Ning didn’t give a flippant answer. She thought about it seriously for a long time.

“Then I’ll give you a year,” Qi Ning said. “For that year, whether you want to mope around the house or try to start over, I’ll support you. I’ll be the breadwinner.”

Chu Yunjing’s heart skipped a beat, then began to pound. She had expected words of comfort like “don’t think like that,” but she hadn’t expected a concrete promise of protection.

Qi Ning suddenly laughed, waving her hands. “Aiyoh, I said if! You aren’t going to go bankrupt. I’m still waiting for you to buy that big villa so I can move in!”

“Fine,” Chu Yunjing smiled, a real one this time. “If I buy the villa, you can move in. As my cleaning lady.”

“You jerk! Where is your conscience?!”

Chu Yunjing pressed a hand to her chest, looking innocent. “I don’t have a heart.”

But beneath her palm, her heart was beating faster than it ever had before.

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