The Devious, Seductive Older Woman Has Been Plotting to Get Me for a Long Time - Chapter 5

The office was silent. Since the holiday had just ended, there weren’t many students coming to see their advisor. Xiang Shuxing gripped her hem, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles.

When her advisor had called Chu Yingqiu, Xiang Shuxing had heard every word clearly. She’d thought it would just be a simple inquiry, but who knew it would escalate to asking Chu Yingqiu to come to the school in person? She had no idea what that woman had said on the phone, but after hanging up, Cheng Yian had specifically instructed her to stay in the office for a while.

Xiang Shuxing pulled out her phone. It had been over ten minutes since she accidentally “poked” her, and now it was impossible to recall it. Not knowing how much longer she’d have to wait, she propped her chin in her hands and scrolled through her feed to kill time.

After an unknown amount of time, someone pushed the door open. People coming in and out of the advisor’s office was normal—it was usually just one of the professors—so Xiang Shuxing didn’t pay it any mind, continuing to stare at her screen.

A faint shadow fell over her, as if someone were standing right beside her.

Who is being so annoying, blocking my light like that?

Xiang Shuxing looked up, slightly annoyed, but her expression froze the moment her gaze met the face of the person beside her.

“Why are you here?”

“What do you think?” Chu Yingqiu looked down at her, her expression slightly cold. The hair hanging by her shoulders was a bit disheveled, as if she had rushed over in a hurry.

Xiang Shuxing gave a sheepish laugh. Before she could think of a response, Cheng Yian spoke up from across the room: “Are you Xiang Shuxing’s older sister?”

Chu Yingqiu spared her a glance before turning to speak with Cheng Yian.

“I’ve already covered the general situation over the phone. Please come in primarily to discuss her graduation prospects. If she doesn’t complete her credit hours and earn her credits, she won’t be able to graduate on schedule.”

Chu Yingqiu was silent for a few seconds. “I’ve only just returned to the country and am not entirely familiar with the specifics of her studies. I’ll defer to your professional advice, Teacher.”

Cheng Yian nodded. Seeing Xiang Shuxing standing there with a bitter expression, refusing to come over, she laughed: “Did you hear that? Your sister also feels you shouldn’t be leaving school for an internship at this time.”

Xiang Shuxing tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Understood, Teacher.”

The conversation ended quickly. Cheng Yian reminded her not to forget the make-up exam dates, and she bit the bullet and agreed to everything.

Once they finally left the office, Xiang Shuxing felt the air turn crisp and refreshing, but unfortunately, an annoying voice came from beside her: “I never expected someone could still be summoned by their ‘parents’ in university.”

Xiang Shuxing shot her a side-eye. “I didn’t beg President Chu to come.”

“As your only current guardian, there was no reason not to,” Chu Yingqiu replied coolly.

“I remember Yingxing’s headquarters isn’t around here, is it?”

“There’s a branch office not far from C University; I just happened to be there for an inspection.”

Xiang Shuxing snorted softly. Honestly, she had been surprised to see Chu Yingqiu. Yingxing had many branches and a hectic schedule; squeezing out the time wasn’t easy. Plus, being “summoned by a parent” was a trivial matter—if Chu Yingqiu had just said she was busy with work on the phone, the whole thing would have blown over. She never expected her to actually drive over.

It was late autumn. Crimson maple leaves covered the ground, crunching softly underfoot with every step. As the sky darkened, the temperature plummeted. Xiang Shuxing quietly exhaled a puff of air and rubbed her hands together, secretly regretting not wearing another layer.

“Are you cold?” the woman’s calm voice sounded beside her.

Xiang Shuxing let out a casual “Mm.” The next moment, she felt a soft, fuzzy texture against her cheek.

She paused, looking to the side. Chu Yingqiu’s scarf was half-unwound from her neck. The woman was wearing a dark coffee-colored trench coat today, one hand in her pocket while the other held the end of the scarf, extending it toward her. Her figure looked both slender and imposing.

With the beige scarf half-removed, her alabaster neck was exposed. Xiang Shuxing caught a glimpse and quickly looked away.

“Hurry up,” Chu Yingqiu urged her.

Why is she being so kind all of a sudden? Xiang Shuxing grumbled inwardly. She took a half-step forward, tilted her head up slightly, and said deliberately, “You tie it for me, then.”

Chu Yingqiu looked at her hands tucked deep into her pockets and said coolly, “Can’t you do it yourself?”

“It’s too cold, my hands are frozen stiff,” Xiang Shuxing muttered. “Besides, my mom always used to do it for me.”

Chu Yingqiu stared at her without speaking, though she took action, winding the free end of the scarf around Xiang Shuxing’s neck—without, however, removing the other side from her own.

It was bizarre. When the soft fleece completely encircled her neck, Xiang Shuxing looked at the woman in front of her, then down at her own neck, finally realizing: The woman intended for them to share the same scarf.

“What are you doing?” She hurriedly backed away, but a sudden tug at her neck forced her to close the distance, pressing her firmly against Chu Yingqiu’s side.

“Untie it! I am not wearing the same scarf as you!” Xiang Shuxing yanked at the fabric, but somehow, the more she pulled, the tighter it got.

Chu Yingqiu admired her frantic state, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Weren’t you just shouting about being cold?”

“You…” Xiang Shuxing glared at her.

“You can say that louder if you like,” Chu Yingqiu hinted meaningfully.

There were many people on campus, and this path was the main artery out of the school. The passing students were all looking their way. Remembering her earlier outburst, Xiang Shuxing wished she could crawl into a hole.

“It’s all your fault,” she complained in a low voice, pulling Chu Yingqiu toward a secluded path.

Chu Yingqiu let herself be led along, lowering her eyes so her gaze could easily rest on the girl’s elegant profile. The girl’s hands were soft and warm, carrying a sense of stubbornness that couldn’t be described.

It was just like the first time she arrived at the Xiang home—it had been this person who took the initiative to hold her hand.

Xiang Shuxing was only focused on getting away from the crowd, completely failing to notice the fleeting softness in Chu Yingqiu’s eyes or the tightening grip in her palm. If she could, she would have covered her face with the scarf so no one would know who she was. But if she actually did that, she’d probably find herself posted on the school’s anonymous bulletin board as a freak by tomorrow.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She suddenly stopped and gave the woman’s hand a heavy squeeze.

“It’s all your fault. Do you know how many people use that road? You just had to share a scarf with me, as if we’re so close or something.”

Chu Yingqiu squinted at her. “Is sharing a scarf ‘being close’?”

“Isn’t it?” Xiang Shuxing stepped back half a step, eyeing her critically.

Seeing that the situation was only becoming more tangled, Chu Yingqiu tightened her grip and pulled her back to her side, her tone calm: “Between sisters, what’s wrong with being a little close?”

“The way you panicked and dragged me away, it’s more like you’ve got a guilty conscience.”

Xiang Shuxing was so angry she almost laughed. “According to President Chu’s logic, it’s my fault now? Do you want us to parade around the school wearing one scarf?”

Chu Yingqiu didn’t look at her, her eyes fixed on the distance. “If that’s what you want, I’ll happily oblige.”

Xiang Shuxing turned her face away. She swore she wouldn’t pay any attention to this woman for the rest of the day.

The car heater was on, and the familiar fragrance of her perfume was soothing. Xiang Shuxing leaned back against the seat, nearly drifting off to sleep. Chu Yingqiu was busy replying to work messages on her phone. After settling everything, she tapped her companion on the shoulder.

“How is it? Is everything handled?” Xiang Shuxing rubbed her eyes, clearly still struggling with drowsiness.

“Mm,” Chu Yingqiu said coolly. “Since I’ve indulged your antics for so long, it’s time to discuss some serious business.”

Hearing that, Xiang Shuxing instantly became a little more alert, her voice tense: “Is it about Mingchen?”

She knew someone was acting behind the scenes to spread those rumors; perhaps Chu Yingqiu had already found them. Xiang Shuxing stared at her nervously, but the woman in front of her shook her head.

“No, it’s about your studies.”

Leaning back into the seat, Xiang Shuxing was visibly relieved. “President Chu doesn’t need to worry about that; I know what I’m doing.”

Chu Yingqiu said gravely: “If you knew what you were doing, you wouldn’t have failed six make-up exams and skipped classes to the point of losing your credits.”

“I… there were reasons for that.”

“Whatever the reason was before, that’s in the past. From now on, you’ll honestly make up those hours. Don’t even think about anything else for now.”

Xiang Shuxing knew exactly what “anything else” referred to. She said urgently, “I’ve already coordinated with my internship unit!”

Chu Yingqiu remained unmoved. “We’ll talk about that after you’ve made up your hours.”

Xiang Shuxing knew it would be difficult to convince her, and after holding it in for a long time, she blurted out: “By what right do you get to boss me around?”

Even her mother had never spoken to her in such a hard-line tone.

Seeing the girl’s stubborn, immature, and student-like face, Chu Yingqiu curled her lips and let out an ambiguous laugh.

“By what right? By the right that I am your older sister, and by the right that the appointment letter clearly states you are under my care for the next three years.”

Her voice was calm but held a hint of irrefutability. After all, she was a company CEO; when she really put on a cold face, she was still quite intimidating.

Xiang Shuxing froze and slowly lowered her head. “I understand.”

Chu Yingqiu: “Since that’s settled, let’s set some future rules.”

The person beside her didn’t speak. Chu Yingqiu gave her a cool side-glance and continued: “At school, study hard and don’t fail any more courses.”

Xiang Shuxing immediately retorted: “It’s not failing; it’s because I missed the exams!”

“Oh, then don’t miss any more exams,” Chu Yingqiu crossed her arms. “During holidays, you are to stay at home, and your curfew is no later than 9:00 PM.”

“What? Then I won’t be able to hang out with Fu Jin…”

The woman clearly ignored her protest and kept going: “Speaking of friends, you are not allowed to go to any shady places with them.”

Xiang Shuxing countered again: “Fu Jin is my childhood friend; she wouldn’t hurt me. President Chu shouldn’t judge a noble heart with a petty mind.”

Chu Yingqiu: “Take these three points to heart. If you break them, I will…”

“Will what?” Xiang Shuxing snorted coldly.

She didn’t believe Chu Yingqiu would actually do anything. Would she grab her and beat her? The woman looked cultured and noble; she couldn’t possibly be the type to throw hands.

Chu Yingqiu reached out and poked her cheek. “The consequences will be very severe. You’d better not cross me.”

Who allowed this woman to put her hands on me? Xiang Shuxing turned her face away and snorted heavily. Suddenly, a thought popped into her head. She secretly pulled out her phone and neatly changed Chu Yingqiu’s contact nickname to “The Nuisance.”

Anyone who knew her well knew she was born with a rebellious streak. Xiang Shuxing tapped her screen, and in her heart, she was genuinely curious about what the “severe consequences” Chu Yingqiu spoke of would be.