The Infatuated Cannon Fodder Has Completely Moved On - Chapter 20

“If this continues, she could truly become a con artist.”

Early the next morning, Jin Yuzhen arrived at the mountain on time to participate in the public welfare class.

The mountains were lush and green, as if spared by the cold winds of late autumn. After changing her clothes and arriving at the courtyard, almost everyone had gathered. Today’s practice was Tai Chi. Jin Yuzhen had some background in it, so learning the movements was not difficult for her.

She had assumed the routine was simple until, halfway through, they were told the mutual-assistance segment would begin. This meant that many participants were struggling to keep up with the movements. She did not mind; to her, there was no essential difference between practicing alone and practicing with a partner.

However, when she saw Nie Feiyin lining up in front of her, she suddenly felt that there was a difference. Mentally calculating the distance, Nie Feiyin would have had to wake up at 5:00 AM at the latest to get here from the hotel.

Jin Yuzhen raised her eyebrows in surprise. It seemed that ever since they met, they said the same thing every time they saw each other: “What a coincidence.”

Nie Feiyin’s smile was soft, though she felt incredibly guilty. She had come here specifically for this. When their eyes met, she looked away within three seconds, fearing she would be seen through.

“Chengcheng mentioned there were public welfare classes here, so I came. I did not expect to meet Sister.” After saying this, her entire face turned red.

If this continues, she could truly become a con artist.

However, Jin Yuzhen had her own interpretation. “Are you going to take photos after we finish practicing?”

Since Xue Cheng had been mentioned, she assumed Nie Feiyin was here to capture promotional material. Because of her past relationship with Cen Shu, she understood a bit about an artist’s routine. When they are not filming, they post photos or videos for their fans.

Nie Feiyin did not realize she was being misunderstood. She was stunned for a moment, and after reacting, she hurriedly nodded, though she lowered her head even further. Seeing her shyness, Jin Yuzhen said no more and began the movements.

To her surprise, Nie Feiyin did not seem like a novice at all; her foundation was no shallower than Jin Yuzhen’s. As she turned and opened her arms, her palm strength was graceful and her expression composed, giving her an ethereal air. Jin Yuzhen had known from the start that anyone Lu Wenqi praised so highly must have extraordinary qualities.

She watched quietly for a long time. When the set of movements ended, Nie Feiyin noticed her gaze and looked up, a warm and clean smile appearing on her elegant face.

After changing their clothes, they walked out of the temple gates.

“Did you come alone?” Jin Yuzhen asked.

Nie Feiyin’s eyes were bright and clear as she gazed at her. “Yes, I took a taxi.”

Jin Yuzhen was puzzled. “Is no one here to take photos for you?”

Nie Feiyin replied, “No. Actually, I did not come here to take photos.”

Only then did Jin Yuzhen realize she had misunderstood; the girl had simply come to attend the class. “Oh. Is someone coming to pick you up?” At this hour, it would be impossible to hail a taxi.

Nie Feiyin hesitated for a few seconds before saying, “Yes.”

“Then I will head out first,” Jin Yuzhen said. “See you at noon.”

Nie Feiyin said goodbye with a sense of loss, “See you at noon.”

Jin Yuzhen felt her mood was a bit off, but since they were not very close, she did not feel right asking more. She got into her car, still feeling curious.

As the sun rose, the frost in the mountains melted, and the cold air swirled about, leaving a layer of condensation on the car windows. She closed her eyes to rest, and for some reason, her thoughts drifted back to Nie Feiyin. It might have been an illusion, but she could not help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

By the time she reached her collection shop, Fu Jiao was catching up on sleep inside. It was not time to open yet, and Ye Yun had not arrived, but Fu Jiao’s presence likely meant she had not gone home last night.

As soon as Jin Yuzhen sat down, Fu Jiao woke up. She stretched her arms and legs in a full-body routine that looked like it was learned from a cat, short only of licking her fur. Jin Yuzhen finally understood why Fu Jiao never exercised but maintained a strong physique; apparently, cat stretches actually worked. She made a mental note to try it sometime.

Fu Jiao had only lived there for a few days, yet she knew exactly where Ye Yun’s life-saving coffee was kept. Watching her drift behind the counter into the lounge like a wandering soul, Jin Yuzhen began to wonder if she was sleepwalking.

Since returning from Zhuhuai, the Jin family had been sending breakfast every morning around this time. She looked outside and, as expected, saw the Jin family’s car. However, when the door opened, she felt a wave of bad luck. It was Jin Hong and Jin Ke.

Fu Jiao emerged holding two cups of coffee, having changed her clothes. As she sat down, she followed Jin Yuzhen’s gaze to the car outside. Seeing the people inside through the half-open door, she immediately frowned.

“Seeing such unlucky things first thing in the morning, does that mean my fortune today will not be very good?” Fu Jiao asked, utterly bewildered.

Jin Yuzhen said, “I will find someone to chase them away.”

Fu Jiao rolled up her sleeves. “With those two, we could handle them with one hand tied behind our backs.”

Jin Yuzhen looked conflicted. “I have a feeling of wanting to hit them, but I am afraid of getting my hands dirty.”

Fu Jiao deeply agreed. “I have been saying the market lacks a proxy hitting service. If no one else does it, I will start it myself.”

Just as Jin Yuzhen was about to make a call, another car pulled up to the curb. Jin Ke poked his head out sneakily, then pulled the door shut in terror. The car then sped away in a frenzy.

Jin Yuzhen put her phone down. That second car also belonged to the Jin family. Was that Grandmother? She looked closely and saw Jin Yuelan and Butler Yue getting out of the car. Butler Yue began unloading several items.

Fu Jiao stirred her coffee, looking toward the door. “Is that your grandmother?”

Jin Yuzhen nodded.

Thinking of the Jin family’s current situation, Fu Jiao suddenly looked ambitious. “I will stay and play the straight man for you. I guarantee I will make your grandmother so happy she might pull you into a major business group as a leader.”

“A leader? Me?” Jin Yuzhen did not think she was up to the task.

Fu Jiao urged her, “Leaders do not actually do anything. Even their lines for meetings are just a few phrases. I do not believe you cannot even say something like, ‘Next, I will say a few words’?”

Jin Yuzhen was left speechless.

Fu Jiao continued, “Even though your sister is back, in my eyes, you are not any worse than her.”

If the second Miss Jin took power, wouldn’t Fu Jiao’s own prospects soar? No one could guess Jin Yuelan’s thoughts, but Jin Zhuhuai was someone with grand ambitions. In the struggles of wealthy families, didn’t everyone end up dead or injured?

Fu Jiao naturally wanted Jin Yuzhen to win. She finished her coffee, cleared the table, and put on a wide, eight-toothed smile, determined to win some favor for Jin Yuzhen. Knowing Fu Jiao knew where to draw the line, Jin Yuzhen did not protest further and went out to greet Jin Yuelan.

Upon seeing her expression, Jin Yuelan understood immediately. “Just got back from the mountains, didn’t you?”

Jin Yuzhen smiled. “I will not be going next week.” Today was the last public welfare class.

Jin Yuelan was helpless. She did not understand why a young person lived such a stiff life. Even when Jin Yuzhen was pursuing Cen Shu, she never broke her own rules. Despite having met countless people, even Jin Yuelan could not see through what she truly wanted.

When they entered the shop, Fu Jiao stood straight by the door in a standard greeting posture, beaming with that eight-toothed smile.

Jin Yuelan was a bit confused. “This is Fu Jiao, right? It has been a long time. Come here and let Grandmother have a good look at you.”

Fu Jiao walked forward bashfully, she and Jin Yuzhen each taking one of Jin Yuelan’s arms to help her upstairs. “It is all my fault; I should have visited you at home. But I have been so busy with my career these past two years, wanting to achieve something first so I would not be embarrassed to see you.”

Jin Yuelan laughed. “Jiaojiao, you have certainly learned how to speak well.”

Fu Jiao acted spoiled. “It is all because our boss teaches us well.”

Jin Yuzhen thought: That really is not necessary.

Once they entered the guest room and saw the yellow rosewood tea table, Jin Yuelan was actually a bit moved. Jin Yuzhen was finally willing to take her things.

“Boss?” She held Fu Jiao’s hand, making a guess. “Zhenzhen?”

Fu Jiao said with great exaggeration, “Yes! I could not get my own business off the ground, so I decided to follow the boss. Our boss is truly young and promising; she even recorded an official program the other day. Her future is limitless. I really want to marry her.”

“…”

While getting the tea ready, Jin Yuzhen called Fu Jiao out and pleaded sincerely, “Can you not be so flamboyant?”

Fu Jiao was earnest. “I am being sincere. We have to let your grandmother know that you are popular too, no worse than Zhuhuai. To put it bluntly, you were the one who ran the mines in Yangon with her back then, and besides, Zhuhuai is not even…”

She stopped halfway through. She firmly believed that when one is in a whirlpool, one must fight.

Jin Yuzhen shot her a look. “You had better think this through. If I really do become successful, the first thing I will do is cut ties with you.”

Fu Jiao was indignant. “Why?”

Jin Yuzhen said, “When I have made it, I will want everything to be new, including my friends.”

Fu Jiao was shocked. “You have made it and you are already thinking about discarding me?”

Jin Yuzhen advised, “Just settle down, I am begging you.”

She had thought her grandmother would be angry about the Cen Shu situation, but she was not. She was even preparing to hand the antiques and curios line over to her. If Fu Jiao added more fuel to the fire, there was no telling what might happen. Jin Yuzhen had no feelings for the Jin family industries. Without passion, she would not do a good job. Zhuhuai was the most suitable.

Fu Jiao looked at her, finding it unbelievable. “Has your memory been bad these past few years?” She seemed to have forgotten all the hard days of the past.

Jin Yuzhen patted her forehead. “I am going in to talk to Grandmother. Get yourself back to normal, quickly.”

Fu Jiao snapped, “There will come a time when you regret this.”

Jin Yuzhen ignored her and walked back into the guest room. After the tea was brewed, Jin Yuelan finally said hesitantly, “Is there something wrong with Jiaojiao here?” She pointed to her own forehead.

Jin Yuzhen said, “I do not think so.”

Jin Yuelan looked suspicious. “She seems strange.”

Jin Yuzhen made up an excuse. “She has not seen you in a long time; she is just excited.”

“Is that so?” Jin Yuelan still felt that Fu Jiao had a problem. Her smile seemed a bit sinister, though her teeth were indeed very good.

Fu Jiao was completely unaware of this. When she re-entered, her smile was much more restrained as she sat obediently to the side.

After some pleasantries, Jin Yuelan finally said, “Zhenzhen, I came today because I have something to tell you.”

Jin Yuzhen knew this was a cue for Fu Jiao to leave. But since she and Fu Jiao knew each other so well and were deep partners, it was not necessary. “Go ahead.”

Jin Yuelan sighed. “Now that the Jin family has reached this position, we cannot neglect our public welfare work. The most pressing matter is participating in agricultural assistance. I think you are the most suitable person to handle this.”

Jin Yuzhen had worked at the finance channel and had just been on a program, so she had a certain level of public recognition. Handing the corporate agricultural aid project to her would give her broad exposure and help her in the future.

Fu Jiao was overjoyed and signaled to Jin Yuzhen with her eyes. However, Jin Yuzhen acted as if she had not seen it. “Grandmother, I do not think that is appropriate.”

Jin Yuelan said, “There is nothing inappropriate about it. I have already planned everything. You will just go to Xishan Orchard to gain some experience; it will be twice as effective with half the effort.”

Xishan Orchard?

Isn’t that…

Fu Jiao was both stunned and guilt-stricken.