The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Feelings

After that incident, Tao Yitong had a premonition. The “Cannibal” faction, which had always sat comfortably on its “fishing terrace,” was starting to get anxious. For decades, they had hidden themselves remarkably well no provocations, not even any major movements. This recent behavior felt slightly clumsy, unlike the typical handiwork of the Cannibal.

Looking at the situation lately, the opponent had been making occasional blunders, as if different people were operating behind the scenes. Tao Yitong even suspected that the real Cannibal might be unable to fully manage affairs right now, delegating power to others, which resulted in numerous flaws.

But what could be so important that it would prevent the entity from guarding against external enemies or even stopping its subordinates from exposing weaknesses to the Special Affairs Bureau?

Even when the investigation was at a total standstill, Tao Yitong hadn’t felt this sense of unease. It felt as if something big was about to happen. She never dared to underestimate her intuition; her sixth sense had saved her many times. Analyzing the recent events, she arrived at a terrifying conjecture.

By equal measure, was the entity waiting for Jiang Zitan, just as it had spent over twenty years doing?

As the words fell, an odd silence enveloped the two of them. Tao Yitong couldn’t stand the atmosphere and looked at her.

Jiang Zitan clearly wasn’t visibly moved. Her thick lashes lowered, casting a fan-shaped shadow. “Mhm.”

Tao Yitong frowned, sensing a misunderstanding. “You don’t believe me?”

Jiang Zitan shook her head and looked up, her eyes pitch black. “No, I believe you.”

She certainly believed it. Only for a reason like this would this young lady grant her a sudden whim of favor. Of course, this “special honor” could be transferred to someone else at any time. After all, Jiang Zitan believed there were plenty of people more cheerful, submissive, and leading much harder lives than her.

Tao Yitong had no idea what she was thinking. Hearing her say she believed, Yitong felt quite happy. “Then eat quickly!”

“That supporting role has been in place for so long, why hasn’t the actress playing the Little Princess arrived yet?” “I don’t know. That Tao Yitong has been sitting on the rockery in full makeup for two hours already.”

Below the rockery, two staff members gripped their scripts, their hands constantly fiddling with their phones, expressions growing more anxious by the second.

This was a highly anticipated period drama production. Tao Yitong had been notified of a last-minute audition and was cast on the spot. Her task was to replace an actress who had a falling out with the Group B lead, playing a female official with few lines.

By now, she was fully costumed and had climbed onto the rockery to wait. She was thinking about the script, but having pondered it too long, her mind began to wander. Naturally, she started thinking about the night Jiang Zitan had scratched her chin like a kitten and smiled at her.

The morning sun had already climbed the horizon, painting the blue sky with an oil-painting-like orange-red. It felt as if that distant light reflected Jiang Zitan’s image so far, yet so close, warming her face.

It had been a week since that chin-scratch.

Though the weather was warming, it was still freezing to the touch. Tao Yitong, wearing a purple python robe and a female official’s black gauze hat, propped up her chin and sighed at the blazing sunrise.

Hearing her sigh, the two people below the rockery already high-strung stiffened their backs. “Is she angry?” “She’s angry, definitely angry.” “Oh no, what if she makes a scene?”

Tao Yitong adjusted her posture, cupping her face with both hands. It had been a week. She wondered if One Yuan was doing well. Maybe after work today, she should try to contact Jiang Zitan?

Jiang Zitan’s chat box sat quietly in her phone, still displaying that same line: Come to my house tonight.

No contact for a week… was she still mad at her?

That night, Jiang Zitan had told her: “Let me support you.” She had replied without thinking: “I can support myself.”

After a long silence, Jiang Zitan had asked with suppressed anger about whether she had “gone to summer camps as a child.” Unfortunately, halfway through the question, her uncle had called, demanding she return home to care for her mother, who had suddenly woken up. Her aunt had to go back to make chicken soup for her nephew, and someone had to watch the stove… they only gave her an hour.

Jiang Zitan had watched her leave in silence, with the kitten huddled cautiously on the sofa chair watching her… Tao Yitong missed that little furry thing.

Moreover, her thoughts kept drifting back to that night. She remembered the temperature of Jiang Zitan’s fingers; it felt like the skin she touched was on fire.

Being scratched under the chin was nice. It turned out being someone’s “kitten” was actually quite happy.

At this thought, Tao Yitong let out a big, silly grin at the morning sun. “Hehe~”

 “It’s over, it’s over! Why is she smiling after sighing?” The other whispered back: “This is probably ‘extreme anger’!” “Quick, call and nag them again. If she goes on strike, we won’t find another actress this good to fill in.”

“I did! But the assistant was so sarcastic I didn’t dare disturb them again.” The other sighed. “Playing a princess and actually thinking she is one. The legendary Best Actress hasn’t filmed in twenty years, yet for Director Gao’s sake, she’s guest-starring as the Empress Dowager and cooperating early over in Group A.” “Exactly. Why are so many actors these days so unprofessional?”

“Well, people are different. This Tao Yitong is quite good. I saw her script—it’s full of serious markings and notes she wrote herself. Not like those idols who let their assistants do it and then hire bots to brag about it.” “For sure. I saw her resume; she’s classically trained.” “Very professional.” “And pretty.” “If only she were the Group B lead.”

Tao Yitong had no idea that while she was zoning out, the two below had imagined a whole drama.

A horn sounded in the distance, ancient and far-reaching. Tao Yitong turned her head to look at the other set. “I heard Group A is shooting a big scene today,” she muttered to herself.

Her gaze naturally landed on a woman standing on a high platform, dressed in magnificent red robes like fire. She was adorned with pearls and jades and wore a phoenix crown. Looking down at the officials, she raised both hands. “You may rise.”

The aura and temperament were peerless.

“That must be the legendary Best Actress, Ruan Mengqing, whom the director invited for the finale.” Tao Yitong tilted her neck to watch closely.

Why did she want to see her so badly? Because this woman was the mother of Jiang Zitan’s official fiancée, Fu Mozheng.

The power of food is formidable.

Having “eaten someone’s food and thus having a soft mouth,” Jiang Zitan hesitated for two seconds before nodding in agreement to the proposal of going out to play the next day.

“But tomorrow I have to drop off my brother.” “No problem,” Tao Yitong gave her a somewhat triumphant smile. “From now on, as long as you’re out with me, your mother will be responsible for dropping off your brother. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Jiang Zitan was left dizzy by that “you don’t have to worry about a thing.” She vaguely recalled stories of “kept men” she’d heard from neighbors and quickly shook her head to dismiss the strange fantasy.

The other added: “You just stay with me and enjoy the food and fun.” Jiang Zitan: “…”

She was speechless. When she went downstairs to her room and lay on the bed, she felt a rare sense of restlessness. She narrowed her eyes, realizing she hadn’t woken up startled in the middle of the night for a long time. Ever since the Young Lady moved in, there were no more annoying noises from upstairs.

She rolled over, her peripheral vision catching the book with the eerie cover on her nightstand. Her fingers curled slightly. After a while, she sat up and began to flip through it.

“Where’s Jiang Zitan?” Tao Yitong asked. Chen Huishu had just returned from dropping off her child. Last night’s KFC had made her perfectly submissive to the Young Lady. “I don’t know, I haven’t seen her.” “Maybe she’s not up yet,” Tao Yitong muttered. Chen Huishu waved her hands with a laugh. “No way, she wakes up earlier than anyone. Probably went out…”

Halfway through her sentence, the inner door pushed open. Jiang Zitan, her hair slightly messy and face expressionless, stepped out. Seeing the elegantly made-up Tao Yitong and Chen Huishu, she froze. She looked at the clock in the living room.

10:40.

Seeing Jiang Zitan staring motionless at the clock, Tao Yitong called out: “Jiang Zitan?” Coming back to her senses, Jiang Zitan kept a cold face but walked over, pinching her overly warm ear. “…Sorry. I… I woke up late.”

Tao Yitong stared at her for a few seconds before breaking into a wide smile. “It’s fine!” She liked seeing Jiang Zitan flustered. This girl had suffered too much; she was used to enduring and being independent. Growing up too soon had robbed her of the willfulness she should have had at this age.

She should have been the girl who grew up loved. At this thought, Tao Yitong lowered her lashes to hide the shifting emotions in her eyes. She had to complete the mission quickly. She wanted Jiang Zitan to find happiness sooner.

Hong Xiaonuan was waiting at the door. Of the three, Tao Yitong wore a white T-shirt and jeans, Jiang Zitan was in all black, and Hong Xiaonuan was the most brightly dressed a white short-sleeve shirt with a sunflower and an orange skirt, matching her lively appearance.

“Morning, Yitong Sister!” Hong Xiaonuan glanced at Jiang Zitan before greeting Tao Yitong. “Mhm,” Tao Yitong nodded with a slight smile.

Hong Xiaonuan had done her homework. Fengkang Town was small with little to do, and the Young Lady likely wouldn’t be interested in what was there. However, the Flower and Bird Market was quite famous. She asked cautiously: “Yitong Sister, should we go to the market today? It’s quite pretty.” “Sure,” the Young Lady nodded, surprisingly easy-going.

The market was busy. Fengkang dialect mixed with various accents, which Tao Yitong couldn’t understand. Fortunately, Hong Xiaonuan acted as a translator. Tao Yitong suddenly remembered the first time she met Jiang Zitan. Back then, Zitan had spoken in the dialect, though it wasn’t as thick. Once they got to know each other, she started using proper Mandarin.

Tao Yitong looked at Jiang Zitan. The latter’s lashes fluttered before she turned her head. “What is it?” Tao Yitong smiled. “Nothing, just remembered something. You speak the dialect here too, right?” Jiang Zitan nodded. “Mhm.” “Then say a few lines for me? I want to hear.”

Jiang Zitan frowned, feeling embarrassed. Hong Xiaonuan jumped in: “Yitong Sister! I can! Mine is super authentic!” “Let’s hear it then.” “Ahem,” Hong Xiaonuan cleared her throat. “Nong ci fan mei de?” (Have you eaten?) “Did you eat?” Tao Yitong translated. Hong Xiaonuan spoke slowly enough for her to understand.

The two started playing a game of “say and translate,” hitting it off quickly. Tao Yitong nudged Jiang Zitan. “You say something too.” Jiang Zitan looked at the ground. “Mine doesn’t sound as good as hers.” “Oh.” Tao Yitong didn’t push it. They bought a few potted flowers to take back, but Tao Yitong sensed Jiang Zitan’s mood was off.

Although her expression hadn’t changed all day, Tao Yitong felt she was unhappy. They walked in silence. Hong Xiaonuan couldn’t stand the vibe, looking at Jiang Zitan several times. She couldn’t understand why the Young Lady brought her along. She was silent, unlikable, and famously poor worlds apart from the Young Lady. Hong Xiaonuan concluded that Tao Yitong only hung out with her out of pity.

Tao Yitong saw a group of high schoolers smoking ahead and was about to complain when Hong Xiaonuan’s face turned pale. She grabbed Yitong’s hand. “Yitong Sister, let’s take another path.”

But it was too late. The students saw the bright umbrella and Jiang Zitan beneath it. They got excited and yelled: “Damn! Is that Jiang Zitan? Get over here!”

The jeering made Tao Yitong frown. She was about to say “Where did these rude kids come from…” when Hong Xiaonuan pulled her forcefully into another alleyway.

“What are you doing?!” Tao Yitong was shocked. “Don’t go out there,” Hong Xiaonuan said, pale. “Why?” Tao Yitong was worried about Jiang Zitan. “No!” Hong Xiaonuan hugged Yitong’s arm. Her duty was to protect her; if anything happened to the Young Lady, she was done for. “Those are the school’s delinquents. They hate Jiang Zitan and always look for trouble with her.”

Tao Yitong let out two dry coughs to show she wouldn’t do anything rash. Feeling awkward, she locked eyes with Jiang Zitan, who had been drawn by the commotion. Tao Yitong instinctively averted her gaze to find a topic.

“Sister…” “Mhm?” “Matters of the heart are so complicated.” Thinking of Xiao Yu’s situation, Tao Yitong sighed. “Why the sudden thought?” Jiang Zitan watched her propping up her chin and joked: “Do you want to fall in love too?”

Love…

Tao Yitong looked at Jiang Zitan, her face turning red uncontrollably. Though she didn’t say anything, her shy, “spring-heart-awakening” look gave the answer. “I… I guess so.”

Screech… The pen in Jiang Zitan’s hand accidentally drew a long, black ink mark across the paper.

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