Pampered and Kept by a Gloomy Younger Lover - Chapter 4

Wen Zhao had barely lifted her cup when Qin Zhuyu, sitting opposite her, pressed both hands onto the table. Her eyes were wide, staring unblinkingly at Wen Zhao as she demanded an answer.

Wen Zhao kept her gaze lowered, lifting the cup to take a gentle sip.

The mellow, bittersweet flavor bloomed in her mouth. The rich aroma acted like a key, unlocking a door to memories that surged forth like a bursting dam, instantly overwhelming her senses.

“Yes, it’s very good,” Wen Zhao said after savoring it for nearly half a minute.

The metaphorical balloon that was Qin Zhuyu seemed to deflate instantly at those calm words.

The girl, whose face was youthful and usually full of spirit, slumped her shoulders and grumbled discontentedly, “What’s with that reaction? You make it sound like it’s not good at all.”

The coffee was indeed good, but the memories attached to it felt more ironic than anything else. Wen Zhao’s mood dipped uncontrollably.

However, she didn’t want to see the energetic Qin Zhuyu turn into a sulking puppy. Wen Zhao took another sip and spoke slowly, “You ordered me a double-shot of milk, didn’t you? I don’t like bitter coffee, but I still want to taste the aroma of highland beans. Adding double milk makes the texture much smoother. I really do like it, and…”

“And what?” Qin Zhuyu’s eyes lit up again.

Suppressing her complicated emotions, Wen Zhao smiled warmly at the girl waiting for praise. “And I know you must have put a lot of heart into ordering this for me. Thank you, Zhuyu.”

“It… it’s nothing to thank me for,” Qin Zhuyu stammered, her eyes darting downward.

Praised by Wen Zhao, the childish Qin Zhuyu was visibly uplifted, though she still tried to act tough. Over the past year, Wen Zhao had completely mastered the “switches” to Qin Zhuyu’s temperament.

Compared to the complex and difficult Zheng Miaoning, Qin Zhuyu was actually quite easy to get along with.

Yet today, Qin Zhuyu had been imitating Zheng Miaoning.

Wen Zhao didn’t need proof to know that Zheng Miaoning must have suggested something to her. It was a shallow, malicious little trick.

Still, Wen Zhao couldn’t control her own reaction; she could only move in the direction Zheng Miaoning had predicted.

“Zhuyu, I’m not feeling very well. I’ll come to the Qin house to find you tomorrow. Let’s leave it at that for today.” Wen Zhao suppressed the guilt in her heart and took another sip of coffee.

Although Wen Zhao’s time theoretically belonged to Qin Zhuyu for these two years, there was still some room for flexibility.

Qin Zhuyu slammed her cup down. “But—”

“You had too many people sending you birthday gifts yesterday. My gift was delivered to your bedroom an hour ago.”

Wen Zhao forced a smile and ruffled Qin Zhuyu’s hair. Seeing her nod reluctantly, Wen Zhao picked up her bag and walked out of the coffee shop.

As she pushed open the door, the biting winter wind pierced her skin.

I need to have a proper talk with Zheng Miaoning, Wen Zhao thought.

Two years ago, Wen Zhao and Zheng Miaoning had an unprecedentedly fierce argument. To be more precise, Zheng Miaoning had unilaterally lashed out at Wen Zhao. Wen Zhao hadn’t fought back, no matter how hurtful the words were.

After the dispute, Zheng Miaoning went abroad.

The fatal conflict remained unresolved, and the wounds they had inflicted on each other’s hearts had not healed. The shrapnel remained, buried under new layers of skin. They were both merely pretending to be recovered.

Wen Zhao knew that for her and Zheng Miaoning, there was no possibility other than a complete break.

Zheng Miaoning, however, didn’t seem to realize this. Or rather, she knew, but didn’t care.

She was used to Wen Zhao spoiling her—spoiling her to the point that she believed no matter how badly Wen Zhao was hurt, she would always put Zheng’s needs first, tending to her even while bleeding out.

But this time, Wen Zhao was determined to make things clear.

Before she could send a message to arrange a meeting, a familiar number without a saved name called her phone.

Wen Zhao’s face remained calm as she pressed ‘answer.’ “Ms. Xu.”

“Miss Wen Zhao, hello. Ningning is back. Have you two met?” Xu Hexuan asked, ignoring Wen Zhao’s coldness as she admired her new manicure.

She made no effort to hide the probing nature of her words.

Wen Zhao frowned uncomfortably. “No.”

Xu Hexuan seemed surprised. “Did Miss Wen Zhao not accompany Miss Qin to the birthday banquet?”

“That doesn’t seem to be your business, Madam. I don’t believe we have the kind of relationship where we chat casually. Please speak plainly,” Wen Zhao said, staring at her shoes and the shifting patterns of the tiles beneath her feet.

After nearly four years in this world, seeing the NPCs she once wrote become real people made Wen Zhao realize just how annoying some of her characters actually were.

Zheng Lihui and Xu Hexuan were prime examples of the “insufferable” category. Faced with this high-and-mighty woman who had once dismissed her entire character, Wen Zhao’s usual good temper reached its limit.

“Fine, I’ll be direct. Miss Wen Zhao, no matter how much the Qin family is paying you, the Zheng family will pay five times that amount,” Xu Hexuan sneered, slowly laying out her terms.

Wen Zhao stopped dead in her tracks, drawing glances from passersby.

She found the statement absurd. Brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, she let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Five times?”

“Yes. No matter what they pay, I can give you five times as long as you are willing to return to Ningning’s side.”

People of Xu Hexuan’s status didn’t take the emotions of people like Wen Zhao seriously. Even if she heard the anger in Wen Zhao’s voice, she maintained her condescending, charitable tone.

“Those words sound so familiar,” Wen Zhao whispered.

“What? Did the Qins say the same to you?” Xu Hexuan’s tone remained disdainful, but she couldn’t stand the idea of anyone competing with the Zheng family. “I can increase it to ten times. Miss Wen Zhao, the Qin family has built up some wealth recently, but you’re a smart person. Anyone can see the gap between the Qins and the Zhengs.”

“The Zheng family can offer you a salary in the tens of millions. For a nanny of such high value—”

“The Qins never said those words. The person who said that to me was you, two years ago, Ms. Xu. Only then, your condition was for me to leave Miss Zheng,” Wen Zhao interrupted rudely.

Because Xu Hexuan’s words were even ruder.

There was silence on the other end of the line. Wen Zhao laughed again and began walking through the cold wind. “Even though I didn’t take your money, I still did as you asked. To have you propose the exact opposite today is absurd. Ms. Xu, I don’t believe we have anything left to discuss. Goodbye.”

Wen Zhao considered herself to have been quite patient.

After hanging up, her chest felt tight, like a ball of wet cotton was stuck in her throat. Every breath felt heavy and damp. Once she stabilized her emotions, she sent the message she had drafted.

She asked Zheng Miaoning to meet.

“Sorry, Dad, I have something I need to handle.” As soon as the notification pinged, Zheng Miaoning knew Wen Zhao had seen through her trick. She curled her lips in a satisfied smile before quickly putting on a submissive face to apologize to Zheng Lihui.

Zheng Lihui didn’t say much, merely waving her away.

The moment Zheng Miaoning turned around, her perfect smile vanished. She handed her golf club to the caddy, went to the locker room to change out of her sportswear, and let down her hair into loose, bouncy waves. After a spritz of setting spray and perfume, she drove to the location Wen Zhao had specified.

Wen Zhao, I’m coming.

Inside the flower shop, Wen Zhao sat alone by the window, subconsciously fiddling with some cut flower buds.

A long time had passed since she sent the message. For a while, the “Typing…” status flickered, but no reply ever came. Still, Wen Zhao was certain Zheng Miaoning would show up.

How did Zheng Miaoning manage to swallow her pride long enough to tell Qin Zhuyu about Wen Zhao’s preferences?

Wen Zhao almost laughed imagining the scene. High and mighty as Zheng Miaoning was, it was surprising enough that she remembered those preferences, let alone that she would stoop to discussing them with Qin Zhuyu.

Snip. A jasmine bud fell.

Wen Zhao reached out and lined it up neatly with the others.

Despite it being the dead of winter, this shop had the most complete selection of floral materials. There was a tray with needles and special thread on the table; Wen Zhao wondered if she should make a bracelet or a wreath.

The door opened.

Wen Zhao smiled. It seemed it was time for a chat.

The newcomer brought the outdoor chill with her, though her expression was colder than the weather.

Wen Zhao tapped the table, not looking at her directly. “Please, sit.”

From the moment she entered the private room, Zheng Miaoning couldn’t take her eyes off this woman. She was so composed, so calm, so… dismissive.

Thinking about the day she rushed back to the country only to be pushed away, the traffic jam that made her miss Wen Zhao yesterday, and the fact that Wen Zhao hadn’t even looked at her today, Zheng Miaoning felt that Wen Zhao had changed. But more than the change, she hated Wen Zhao’s attitude toward her.

“Wen Zhao.”

In just those two words, Wen Zhao heard the sound of teeth grinding.

She looked up, curious. “Is something wrong? If Miss Zheng prefers to stand while we talk, that’s fine too…”

Before she could finish, the wrist Wen Zhao had resting on the table was gripped tightly.

Zheng Miaoning’s fingertips were ice cold. The moment they touched, Wen Zhao couldn’t help but shiver.

How can she be so cold? Was she standing in the wind for a long time?

Wen Zhao stared back at Zheng Miaoning silently. In the past, whenever they had a conflict, Zheng Miaoning always had the upper hand because Wen Zhao would be the first to bow her head.

This time, Zheng Miaoning was waiting for an apology again.

As long as Wen Zhao was willing to beg, Zheng could forgive her and give her another chance to return.

But the apology didn’t come.

Aside from watching her quietly, Wen Zhao did nothing. In fact, Zheng Miaoning could see a hint of calm mockery in her eyes.

‘Oh, by the way, does she still coax you?’

Qin Zhuyu’s provocative words looped in her ears. Zheng Miaoning’s breathing quickened, and her eyes lost their look of certain victory.

“It seems Miss Zheng doesn’t want to stand. You should sit.”

After a long moment, Wen Zhao patiently pried Zheng Miaoning’s white-knuckled fingers off her wrist. She picked up the scissors and stems again, focusing on cutting the buds.

As her fingers touched the cold metal of the scissors, Wen Zhao realized that Zheng Miaoning’s hand had actually been warmed by her own body heat during that brief contact.

Finally, Zheng Miaoning sat down across from her in silence.

“What do you want to do?” Zheng Miaoning asked in a low voice.

Wen Zhao paused, doubting her own ears. Then she felt a sense of resignation. Zheng Miaoning was always like this—refusing to face problems directly, ruthless when she had the advantage, and evasive when she was in the wrong.

“A bracelet or a wreath? Which do you think is better?” Wen Zhao asked casually.

Zheng Miaoning crossed her arms in a defensive posture. Wen Zhao’s tone made her feel as if it were two years ago, back when Wen Zhao was tentatively trying to get close to her and she was allowing it.

But they couldn’t go back. With Qin Zhuyu in the picture, it was impossible.

So, Zheng Miaoning broke the illusion of peace, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If it’s for Qin Zhuyu, it doesn’t matter what you make.”

“If you must make something, I suggest a veil. Preferably an opaque one to cover her face completely.”

Wen Zhao was used to her attacking others. Zheng Miaoning had always been repressed; negative emotions weren’t allowed in her life, so Wen Zhao used to let it slide.

But now, Qin Zhuyu was the person Wen Zhao was responsible for.

“Is that so? I think Zhuyu is quite pretty. A wreath would be better.”

Miss Zheng. Zhuyu.

Zheng Miaoning wanted to laugh. She sat where she could clearly see Wen Zhao’s face, yet she couldn’t see through her. She couldn’t tell if Wen Zhao’s words were even real.

“Did you call me here just to make me listen to you praise her?”

“Actually, I wanted to ask you,” Wen Zhao put down the scissors and looked at her calmly. “Miss Zheng, why did you tell Zhuyu my preferences? Why did you manipulate her into imitating you?”

“There is no longer any relationship between us. Please manage yourself and your parents, and stop interfering with my life.”

“Interfering? Wen Zhao, when I asked you back then, you insisted you had nothing to do with Qin Zhuyu, that it was just a coincidence! How dare you say there’s nothing between us now!”

Zheng Miaoning clenched her fists, her eyes locked onto Wen Zhao’s. She searched those eyes—gentle as a lake—for a shred of memory of their past. But no matter how hard she tried, it was futile.

In front of Wen Zhao, Zheng Miaoning always lost control.

Looking at the woman who was on the verge of a breakdown over a single sentence, Wen Zhao discreetly placed her hand on her lap. She didn’t want Zheng Miaoning to see her trembling fingertips.

“As you said, that was ‘back then.’ Nearly two years have passed. Everything changes, including you and me.”

“Even if our relationship hadn’t changed, you have no right to decide whether I stay or go.”

“Because you were the one who said I was pathetic, that I was clinging to you, and that you wished you’d never met me. Isn’t this current situation exactly what you wanted, Miss Zheng?”

Zheng Miaoning was always so self-righteous. Wen Zhao calmly repeated the words Zheng had once thrown at her, noting the flash of panic on the other woman’s face.

Wen Zhao had never seen such an expression on Zheng Miaoning before. Perhaps she was finally realizing something, or perhaps not.

But that wasn’t why Wen Zhao was here.

So, despite how difficult it was, Wen Zhao pinched her own thigh and said coldly, “I don’t want to look back at the past anymore. We’ve both lived well these past two years, haven’t we? Let’s keep it that way. Stop meddling in my life. This ends here.”

Wen Zhao gathered the cut buds and swept them all into the trash can.

Flowers that bloom at the wrong time for the wrong person will never be cherished, no matter how much they give. She couldn’t bear to stay in the same room as Zheng Miaoning any longer.

Wen Zhao put on her coat and picked up her bag.

“So, you mean to say you’re going to negate everything you ever did for me, all for the sake of a Qin Zhuyu?” Zheng Miaoning’s voice came from behind her.

Wen Zhao turned her head and smiled—a smile filled with bitterness and self-deprecation.

“How can I negate something that was never acknowledged in the first place?”

“Of course, if thinking that makes it easier for you to accept, I don’t mind.”

Zheng Miaoning, consumed by anger, only processed the latter half of the sentence. Her cold gaze seemed to want to pierce through Wen Zhao’s body to see if there was still a heart beating inside.

“If you say right now that you’re willing to leave Qin Zhuyu, I’ll give you another chance.”

Wen Zhao’s hand was already on the door handle. She looked back one last time. “Hmm. But I have no intention of saying that.”

Then, she couldn’t help but add:

“The temperature is lower today than it has been. Try not to stay outdoors too long.”

She wondered just how long Zheng Miaoning had been standing outside in the cold before finally coming in.