The Possessive Villain Is Too Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 13
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- The Possessive Villain Is Too Clingy [Quick Transmigration]
- Chapter 13 - The Alluring Actress X The Gloomy Heiress
Chen Chen didn’t explain over the phone, only urging Ye Zhixia to hurry to the company to revise the schedule.
After explaining to Chu Ning, Ye Zhixia promised to bring her food the next day and rushed out of the hospital.
Only after the door closed did Chu Ning snap out of her daze. Carefully, she reached behind her back to untie the hair ribbon, making sure not to disturb the shape of the bow.
The bow was perfectly neat. Chu Ning cradled it in her small hands, tightening the knot slightly, then curled her lips into a faint smile as she leaned in to sniff the mingled scents of jasmine and lily lingering on the ribbon.
Xiao Mi, who had been quietly observing Chu Ning from the shadows, finally dashed off in Ye Zhixia’s direction.
Ye Zhixia first returned to the company, then immediately headed to another private hospital.
This was probably the busiest day she’d had since arriving in this small world.
Chen Chen told her that Hao Ke’er, the originally cast second female lead for Love of a Millennium, had fallen down a staircase during an awards ceremony that afternoon, severely injuring both legs. The doctor estimated she wouldn’t recover for at least three months.
As a result, Love of a Millennium had to recast the role and surprisingly, Hao Ke’er recommended Xu Miaomiao for the audition. Even Chen Chen had no idea how the two of them knew each other.
Hao Ke’er and the original host had debuted around the same time, one as a cool, domineering beauty, the other as a wide-eyed sweetheart. Both had pleasant personalities, and since their resources and acting paths didn’t clash, they naturally became known as one of the entertainment industry’s golden sister duos.
Now, Ye Zhixia had to check on Hao Ke’er’s condition.
Private hospital rooms were clearly much nicer than public ones.
Chu Ning had been taken by ambulance to the nearest public hospital and underwent surgery immediately.
Hao Ke’er, on the other hand, had been brought to a long-term partner private hospital by her company’s car.
Ye Zhixia first inquired about Hao Ke’er’s injuries. According to the medical report, her wounds wouldn’t leave any lasting effects.
She had briefly considered giving Hao Ke’er a Bone-Mending Pill, but upon further thought, Hao Ke’er’s injury was clearly a plot device to make way for the small world’s female lead, Xu Miaomiao. If she helped Hao Ke’er recover too quickly, an even bigger calamity might strike later.
Wasn’t Chu Ning a prime example?
“Focus on recovering. We’ll find another good project to collaborate on later,” Ye Zhixia reassured her.
Hao Ke’er pouted but nodded helplessly.
“Oh!” Hao Ke’er suddenly grinned at Ye Zhixia. “When I fell down the stairs today, if it weren’t for that girl from your company, Xu Miaomiao noticing and calling for help, who knows how long I would’ve been stuck in that deserted stairwell!”
Ye Zhixia’s face showed disbelief.
Xu Miaomiao was there too? What a coincidence.
Hao Ke’er added, “Because she brought me to the hospital, she missed the red carpet, a rare opportunity for a newcomer to gain exposure. She’s so kind. I recommended her for our drama’s recasting. You should take good care of your junior.”
Ye Zhixia pinched her chin, replying thoughtfully, “Mmm, I’ll take very good care of her.”
“How did you even fall down the stairs?” Ye Zhixia asked.
Hao Ke’er fumed. “The brand sponsoring my shoes today gave me a pair of sky-high heels. I saw the elevator was still on a higher floor, and since I was only on the second floor, I decided to take the stairs. Then I twisted my ankle.”
“Falling was bad enough, but now I have to compensate the brand for the shoes because one heel snapped off when I twisted it!”
After speaking, Hao Ke’er crossed her arms in a huff and exhaled sharply.
Yet, hearing this, Ye Zhixia unconsciously began to rub her chin in thought, seemingly pondering something.
“Xiaxia, what are you thinking about?” Hao Ke’er asked, noticing her distraction.
Ye Zhixia looked at Hao Ke’er and replied solemnly, “I’m calculating how much you’ll have to compensate. Those shoes definitely weren’t cheap.”
Hao Ke’er grew even angrier at this, her brows and eyes scrunching together in frustration.
–
The weather was clear, the early summer sun already so bright it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.
Chu Ning’s various indicators had returned to normal, and after the doctor’s evaluation, she was discharged from the hospital.
Old Man Chu was practically beaming when he picked her up.
“I knew it, my granddaughter’s health is better than anyone else’s. Out in just three days,” he said proudly.
Chu Ning felt a twinge of guilt. It wasn’t just three days, thanks to Ye Zhixia’s secret medicinal pills, she could probably jump around right now even without the cast.
But the act had to go on. Thanks to this car accident, she got to ride an electric wheelchair for the first time.
Chu Ning mused inwardly: Well, one more skill means one less plea for help. At least when she’s old, she’ll be able to maneuver a wheelchair with ease.
When the grandfather and granddaughter returned to the villa together, they found a couple sitting in the living room.
“Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang, what brings you here?” Chu Ning asked, though she already knew the answer.
This Uncle Li was none other than Li Jinqiu’s father, Li Chengyi, the big boss of Qinbao Group.
Why else would he be here? Naturally, it was about Chu Corporation halting the Series B funding for Qinbao Group.
Seeing the hosts return, Li Chengyi and Zhang Chaomin immediately stood up, greeting them with warm smiles.
Though they had their own agenda for this visit, as seasoned businesspeople, they knew better than to neglect basic courtesy.
First, they expressed their concern for Chu Ning’s well-being.
Old Man Chu had already discussed with Chu Ning beforehand to the outside world, the car accident was simply an unfortunate mishap.
After some small talk, Li Chengyi cautiously broached the real purpose of their visit.
“I was wondering… what considerations led Chu Corporation to terminate Qinbao’s funding?” Li Chengyi asked with an awkward smile.
Chu Ning didn’t bother with pleasantries. She pulled out her phone and showed the couple the saved chat logs from the QQ group.
Then, she said coldly, “I don’t need to explain who ‘Osmanthus Honey’ is, do I?”
The couple exchanged glances and immediately understood. This was a high school alumni group, the only person connected to them in it was their daughter, Li Jinqiu.
Even they found Li Jinqiu’s remarks shockingly excessive.
Their smiles vanished. After a brief silence, Li Chengyi picked up his phone and ordered Li Jinqiu to come to the Chu residence immediately.
Li Jinqiu was aware of Chu Corporation’s funding withdrawal but had never imagined it was because of her.
She had been an online troll for years, leveraging her privileged background and vicious tongue to dominate flame wars.
Of course, she never used verified accounts for this, she was a meticulous veteran troll.
When Li Jinqiu received the summons, she rushed to the Chu family home, convinced that her parents, who relied on her to secure investments must have done something to anger the Chu’s. Now, it was up to her to salvage the situation.
Old Man Chu, ever the gracious host, had the servants serve tea and snacks to the couple.
When Li Jinqiu arrived, Li Chengyi was holding a teacup, his face filled with worry.
Li Jinqiu walked in from the entrance with a bright smile, but when she saw Chu Ning sitting in a wheelchair, she theatrically covered her mouth in exaggerated shock. “Ningning! What happened to your legs?”
Chu Ning’s eyes gleamed with amusement, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Aren’t you the one who cares about me the most? Didn’t you know I was in a car accident a few days ago?”
Li Jinqiu’s smile froze, and she stopped at the edge of the living room, hastily explaining, “I’ve been busy these past few days—”
“Shut up!” Li Chengyi barked, cutting her off. “Get over here and kneel!”
He knew that if she kept up the act, it would only further disgust the Chu family.
Li Jinqiu’s mind buzzed. No matter how confident she was, she could tell, she’d been exposed.
But which account had given her away? She couldn’t guess.
Still, she refused to kneel so humiliatingly. Clenching her fists, she stood rooted in place.
“What are you waiting for? I said kneel before Miss Chu!” Li Chengyi roared.
Li Jinqiu’s eyes reddened, tears welling up as she trembled. “Is this the olden days? Am I supposed to kneel to some young miss?”
Seeing her defiance, Li Chengyi immediately moved to discipline her.
Zhang Chaomin, his wife of many years, knew exactly what he was about to do. She quickly grabbed his arms, restraining him while shouting at Li Jinqiu, “Just listen to your father! Everyone knows what you’ve done!”
Li Jinqiu felt both wronged and panicked, she’d done so many things. Which one were they talking about?
A mother knows her daughter best. Seeing Li Jinqiu’s confusion, Zhang Chaomin added, “We know what you said in the Qiuqiu group. Guihuami, that’s you, isn’t it?”
Chu Ning noticed Li Jinqiu’s fists loosening slightly for just a moment and instantly realized her schemes ran even deeper.
Li Jinqiu glared, refusing to let her tears fall. “No, it’s not!”
Li Chengyi, furious at her stubbornness, struggled against Zhang Chaomin’s grip.
Zhang Chaomin could only cling tightly to his waist, shouting desperately, “Jinqiu, stop lying!”
Old Master Chu sipped his tea, watching the family’s performance coldly.
“What proof do you have that it was me?” Li Jinqiu suddenly raised her voice, challenging everyone present.
Chu Ning said nothing, merely smiling at her.
Chu Ning had always been aloof, only showing Li Jinqiu a hint of warmth at school. Now, that icy smile sent a chill down Li Jinqiu’s spine.
Zhang Chaomin was beside herself with anxiety. Why was her daughter being so stubborn? If the Chu family hadn’t been absolutely certain, would they have halted such crucial funding?
“Jinqiu, just admit it,” she pleaded, her voice almost begging.
“Your account’s login IP…” Chu Ning trailed off, leaving the words hanging.
Li Jinqiu remained defiant, shouting at Chu Ning, “Then sue me with that IP!”
“I never said I’d sue you, Qiuqiu.” Chu Ning clasped her hands under her chin, feigning innocence. “The courts might not accept IP evidence, but I do.”
“There’s really nothing I can do to you, is there?” Chu Ning spread her hands, her smile radiant.
Li Jinqiu pointed an accusing finger at her. “You’re despicable!”
Li Chengyi was furious beyond measure. With a violent jerk, he broke free from Zhang Chaomin’s grip and charged straight at Li Jinqiu, slapping her so hard that she fell to the ground.