Pampered and Kept by a Gloomy Younger Lover - Chapter 2

Wen Zhao, noticing how unusually quiet her “humanoid kitten” had become, sensed something was wrong immediately and turned around to look at her. Seeing Qin Zhuyu holding her hand, Wen Zhao slapped her own forehead in realization.

“I bought some frostbite ointment this morning, and I just picked it up a moment ago.”

Wen Zhao’s words caused the corners of Qin Zhuyu’s mouth to curl up awkwardly. She reluctantly extended her hand toward Wen Zhao, purposely averting her eyes. “Then why haven’t you given it to me yet?”

With her metaphorical tail practically wagging in the air, Qin Zhuyu failed to catch the apologetic tone in Wen Zhao’s voice.

Wen Zhao shifted her gaze uncomfortably. “Ahem, let’s talk about it when we get back. I just gave the medicine to someone else.”

Qin Zhuyu went silent.

“I met a girl whose frostbite was already very severe. She looked so…” Wen Zhao didn’t want to use a word like “pitiful” to describe a girl working so hard in the ice and snow, so she paused for a long moment. “I really wanted to help her, so I gave her the medicine. It’s not that I’m not worried about you, Zhuyu. Are you angry with me?”

“You really are…” Qin Zhuyu muttered under her breath.

She always uses that tone of voice—how is anyone supposed to refuse her or stay mad? Qin Zhuyu thought resentfully.

Wen Zhao didn’t catch it. “What?”

“I said let’s go! I want to go back to City B right now!”

Qin Zhuyu angrily slammed the window shut and pulled Wen Zhao by the arm, wanting to leave this place as quickly as possible.

Wen Zhao’s heart was far too easy to give away to others.

Qin Zhuyu had specifically traveled to City H—a long distance from City B—to celebrate her birthday early just so she could have a few days where Wen Zhao’s eyes were focused solely on her.

She still hadn’t managed to prevent outside interference.

The private plane, with its flight path pre-approved, was parked on the lawn behind the hotel. Qin Zhuyu willfully abandoned all her guests, intending to take Wen Zhao and board immediately.

Once they left City H, the possibility of Wen Zhao encountering that object of her sudden charity again would be practically zero. That was how Qin Zhuyu comforted herself.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhao could only temporarily force herself to forget about Zheng Miaoning sitting in that car.

“Wait a moment.”

Standing at the edge of the lawn, Wen Zhao pulled her hand away from Qin Zhuyu.

“Let me go back and check on them. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Qin Zhuyu could abandon those guests, but Wen Zhao could not simply sit by and do nothing.

“Who cares about th—” Before she could finish, Qin Zhuyu shut her mouth.

This was because Wen Zhao had turned to look at her. Even though there was no hint of blame in Wen Zhao’s eyes, Qin Zhuyu weakly fell silent. She couldn’t bear to see Wen Zhao look disappointed.

It never crossed her mind that Wen Zhao was actually going to clean up the mess left by her own willful behavior.

After giving the young masters and ladies—whose family fortunes were all inferior to the Qin family—a socially acceptable excuse, Wen Zhao went to the hotel’s supply station and grabbed two hot water bottles.

Only after filling them with hot water did she walk back toward the lawn.

Wen Zhao stuffed one of the hot water bottles into Qin Zhuyu’s hands. “Alright now, your pout is long enough to hang an oil jar from. Let’s go.”

“Hmph.” Qin Zhuyu grumbled, but her anger was effectively smoothed over by the hot water bottle.

Leaning against the plane window, Wen Zhao kept her eyes tightly shut. Qin Zhuyu occasionally squeezed her hand but remained quiet throughout.

City B.

Wen Zhao’s heart throbbed fitfully. The mere thought of this city, where she would likely run into Zheng Miaoning frequently, made it impossible for her to sleep peacefully.

This year marked the eighth year since Wen Zhao had created the world of this book. It was the fourth year since she had translocated into the story to charge into battle for Zheng Miaoning.

It was also the second year since Wen Zhao and Zheng Miaoning had broken off their relationship.

Zheng Miaoning’s behavior today made it clear to Wen Zhao: in Zheng Miaoning’s eyes, what happened two years ago was just a very serious argument, and nothing else had changed.

Only Wen Zhao knew how deeply hurtful the words Zheng Miaoning had spat out in her reckless anger truly were.

Fortunately, Zheng Miaoning’s words had been harsh enough.

In a state between sleep and wakefulness, that was what Wen Zhao thought.

. . .

Zheng Miaoning had been studying hard for days, completing all her advanced courses ahead of schedule. She had originally intended to return to the country before the New Year.

However, her planned return date was not supposed to be today.

Because Zheng Miaoning had returned so suddenly, neither Zheng Lihui nor Xu Hexuan were aware. Consequently, when they were awakened in the middle of the night by the servants, they were somewhat irritated.

Walking to the top of the stairs in their robes, their anger instantly turned into pleasant surprise when they saw the person sitting on the first-floor sofa.

“Sweetie, why are you back?” Xu Hexuan abandoned her husband and sprinted downstairs, taking Zheng Miaoning’s hands and checking her over.

Zheng Miaoning tucked the now-cold hot water bottle behind her. Looking at Xu Hexuan’s well-maintained face, she skillfully donned a look of genuine joy.

“To give Mom and Dad a surprise, of course.”

After saying this, Zheng Miaoning waved to the late-arriving Zheng Lihui and patted the spot to her right, inviting her father to sit beside her.

Once she was holding both of her parents’ hands, she pulled them together and pressed her face against them, saying cutely, “Well, Mom and Dad, are you happy?”

“Happy, of course we’re happy.” Xu Hexuan brushed the stray hairs from Zheng Miaoning’s forehead, looking at her intently.

Though Zheng Lihui didn’t speak, the corners of his eyes were already wrinkled with smiles.

“Only,” Xu Hexuan suddenly turned serious, patting Zheng Miaoning’s knee and pointing at her skirt, “it’s late at night, raining, and you’ve been traveling so much. Aren’t you exhausted?”

“If you’re happy, then I’m not tired.”

Zheng Miaoning shook her head with a sweet smile. There was no trace of the frustration she had felt just a few hours prior.

In everyone’s eyes, Zheng Miaoning was always bright and sunny—a little sun that would never burn out.

She skillfully played the role of the obedient daughter. Xu Hexuan and Zheng Lihui were so charmed that if Xu Hexuan hadn’t noticed the fatigue in Zheng Miaoning’s eyes, she probably would have kept her there for hours asking about the details of her studies abroad.

Zheng Miaoning’s room was cleaned every day. After being coddled through her nighttime routine by her mother, she climbed into her warm, soft bed.

“Goodnight, get some rest, darling,” Xu Hexuan said, kissing her daughter’s brow.

Just as she was about to turn off the light, Zheng Miaoning suddenly asked, “Mom, how has Sister Zhao been doing lately?”

Xu Hexuan’s hand fumbled in a momentary panic as she hit the light switch.

Fortunately, the sudden darkness helped hide her flustered expression. She suppressed her chaotic thoughts and said, “Wen Zhao? Well, not long after you went abroad, she left the Zheng family. She hasn’t reached out to your father or me since. Why, darling? Hasn’t she contacted you either?”

Xu Hexuan’s voice fell into the silence of the room.

A long time passed—long enough that Xu Hexuan almost thought the previous question had been asked in a dream—before she heard Zheng Miaoning’s murmur.

“Mom… did Sister Zhao… give up on me? She went to Qin Zhuyu’s side, didn’t she?”

“Mom, I want Wen Zhao.”

“I want Wen Zhao.”

Zheng Miaoning’s voice grew smaller and lighter. The final, tearful plea was as faint as a sleep-talker’s mumble.

Hearing this filled Xu Hexuan with regret. “Alright, alright, Mom will help you. Go to sleep now.”

Hearing the click of the door lock and the sound of retreating footsteps, Zheng Miaoning slowly opened her eyes and sat up against the headboard. Her gaze was perfectly clear.

The high-quality down quilt was light and warm, yet it couldn’t dispel the biting chill surrounding her.

From the moment she had been pushed away by Wen Zhao, a bone-deep coldness had crept from the hem of her clothes, through her pores, and into her marrow.

Except for Wen Zhao, no one else could warm her.

Without her parents’ concealment, Zheng Miaoning wouldn’t have remained ignorant of the situation between Wen Zhao and Qin Zhuyu until yesterday.

She stared at the closed door in silent stillness.

Walking back to her own bedroom with a heart full of turmoil, Xu Hexuan pushed the door open and said to Zheng Lihui, who was sitting on the bed reading, “Tomorrow, I must attend that Qin girl’s birthday banquet.”

“What’s wrong?” Zheng Lihui looked at his wife in surprise.

A birthday banquet for a junior shouldn’t normally require Xu Hexuan’s personal presence.

Xu Hexuan explained the reason in detail. Sending Zheng Miaoning abroad and driving away Wen Zhao was a decision they had made together.

After hearing her out, Zheng Lihui angrily tossed his book aside. “That child…”

“Husband.”

There was a hint of reproach in Xu Hexuan’s tone. Zheng Lihui, sensing his wife’s dissatisfaction with his anger toward their daughter, quickly changed his tune: “Then there’s no need for you to go in person. I’ll have someone deliver a gift.”

“But…”

“You, oh you,” Zheng Lihui pressed her down onto the pillow and tucked her in. “Do you really think our daughter came back just to give us a surprise?”

“If you go, it will only make it harder for her to act.”

What Zheng Lihui described was exactly what Zheng Miaoning intended to do the next day.

Qin Zhuyu’s friends were intimidated by the Zheng family; what happened yesterday would absolutely stay buried in their stomachs. Today, Zheng Miaoning only needed to attend on behalf of the Zheng family and overshadow Qin Zhuyu’s spotlight.

Even though the Qin family were “new money” elites, they were still new. In the eyes of established families like the Zhengs, the term “nouveau riche” was practically synonymous with “upstart.”

The moment Zheng Miaoning arrived, both of Qin Zhuyu’s parents rushed out to receive her.

“Uncle, Auntie, you both look wonderful today. It’s been a long time. I’m happy to see you are both in good health,” Zheng Miaoning said with a beaming smile as she handed her gift to a nearby servant.

Having spent twenty years as the “lucky mascot” of a wealthy family, Zheng Miaoning understood her position perfectly. Generous speech and an approachable posture were the bare minimum requirements.

Even when facing the leaders of the Qin family—whom families of similar assets looked down upon—Zheng Miaoning’s attitude was humble and appropriate.

Naturally, the Qin parents were delighted and ushered her into the Qin estate. Though called an estate, the interior decor was styled more like a palace.

Zheng Miaoning’s arrival caused a massive stir. Every conversation in the banquet hall shifted toward her.

In the midst of it, Zheng Miaoning sat calmly, sipping her wine. The topics were always the same: Why did she return so suddenly? Why would she lower herself to celebrate the Qin girl’s birthday? Are the two of them close? And… does Miss Zheng know who Qin Zhuyu’s current partner is?

The various voices, intentionally lowered yet constantly drifting into her ears, annoyed her greatly.

But no one could tell. Even when alone, Zheng Miaoning wore a formulaic smile, giving no one an opportunity to speculate or make a scene. Though she was sitting by herself, her eyes were constantly searching.

Searching for that figure that felt like a spring breeze.

Before Qin Zhuyu even made it downstairs, she heard her friends discussing Zheng Miaoning’s outfit.

“That’s a vintage gown from House V! It hasn’t been worn since it was first released.”

“I know, right? I heard several A-list actresses tried to borrow it, but House V turned them all down.”

“Exactly! And that high jewelry set she’s wearing… I just walked past her and was practically blinded.”

The two people outside the dressing room wouldn’t stop talking.

Qin Zhuyu yanked the curtain open and said coldly, “Get out.”

“Oh! Miss Qin, you look so beautiful today.”

“Is that so?” Qin Zhuyu remained cold. “Then is my dress more beautiful, or is Zheng Miaoning’s vintage gown more beautiful?”

She emphasized the words “vintage gown” heavily, mimicking the tone of the gossipers perfectly.

The two were so embarrassed they couldn’t speak.

Qin Zhuyu issued her ultimatum again: “Don’t make me say it a third time. Get out.”

Around someone whose net worth had skyrocketed in just a few years, there were no true friends.

Only Wen Zhao.

Fortunately, Wen Zhao didn’t come today. Thankfully, Wen Zhao didn’t come today.

After checking her reflection in the mirror, Qin Zhuyu walked out of the dressing room satisfied.

Stepping downstairs in her heels, she searched for a while before walking straight toward Zheng Miaoning. Just as she was looking for Zheng Miaoning, Zheng Miaoning was looking for her.

Seeing that the seat beside Qin Zhuyu was empty, Zheng Miaoning felt a sense of disappointed relief. She hadn’t actually figured out how to face Wen Zhao yet.

“What wind blew Miss Zheng here today?” Qin Zhuyu sat down gracefully next to her, then said in a voice only they could hear: “Haven’t you had enough of embarrassing yourself yesterday?”

“No matter how embarrassing it was, it’s still more dignified than someone who takes advantage of a person in peril,” Zheng Miaoning said, raising her glass.

Qin Zhuyu reluctantly clinked her champagne glass against hers to maintain the appearance of harmony. Her words, however, were even sharper: “Taking advantage? What do you mean by that? Is saving a woman who was being bullied to the point of wanting to end it all called ‘taking advantage’?”

Zheng Miaoning’s grip on her glass turned her knuckles white.

Because everything Qin Zhuyu said was the truth.

“If you don’t think it’s ‘taking advantage,’ then why didn’t you dare let her accompany you today?”

Both women were ruthlessly stabbing at each other’s weakest points.

Qin Zhuyu rubbed her left pinky finger, her mood improving.

“Are you trying to make me angry?” Qin Zhuyu blinked, looking innocent. “Well, I’m not going to give you what you want.”

“After all, if I get angry, Wen Zhao is the one who has to comfort me in the end.”

“Oh, by the way… does she still comfort you? You look like you’re about to lose your temper.”