The Second Fall - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: I Am Her Master

Lan Cixing turned around hurriedly, not forgetting to pull her hand away at the same time.

Unfortunately, Rong Yushu’s strength was greater than before, and because Lan Cixing didn’t dare use her full power for fear of hurting her, she couldn’t break free immediately. She had no choice but to remain in the posture of having her wrist gripped by Rong Yushu as she turned back sheepishly.

The moment she saw who had arrived, Lan Cixing was more than a little surprised, failing to control her expression for a second.

The woman wore a beige coat paired with a purple plaid skirt, deep blue wavy curls, and purple sunglasses. Her stride was light as a cat’s, exuding an air of elegance with an outfit that was both avant-garde and fashionable.

It was none other than the Editor-in-Chief of Vantage magazine and the Entertainment Director of its parent company, Radiance Media: Sheng Yuexiao.

Back when Lan Cixing was still in the entertainment industry, she had worked with Sheng Yuexiao many times. Her first major fashion resource had come from her. At that time, Lan Cixing had only just successfully played a second female lead; she was a minor celebrity in specific circles, but her popularity hadn’t broadened yet. Many fans recognized the character but not the actress, and she desperately needed resources to boost her follower count and traffic.

It was Sheng Yuexiao who, based on Lan Cixing’s first formal role, decided she was perfect for the autumn magazine theme, “Power of Light and Shadow,” and extended an olive branch. In the fashion world, magazines compete on “instant-kill” sales—selling out in seconds. Even back then, capital had already entered the industry, and magazines preferred first-tier stars with massive fanbases, hoping loyal fans would spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to boost their idol’s sales.

Sheng Yuexiao had pushed back against all objections to sign Lan Cixing. The results, naturally, were excellent. Lan Cixing’s face and figure were outstanding even by industry standards; combined with the perfect theme and her character’s current popularity, the final data was the highest of the year. She hadn’t let Sheng Yuexiao down.

Later, Lan Cixing spent more time on film sets, and her contact with Sheng Yuexiao diminished. After her accident four years ago, Sheng Yuexiao hadn’t kicked her while she was down, but she hadn’t reached out to offer concern either. Sheng Yuexiao was also an Omega; perhaps she felt Lan Cixing’s behavior had been improper. Simply not coming to poke at her wounds was enough for Lan Cixing to be grateful.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief; facing an acquaintance was better than facing a total stranger on a blind date.

However—why did her aunt tell her the other party didn’t care about the entertainment industry?! Sheng Yuexiao was a high-level executive with an eight-figure salary, beautiful with a lovely voice. But she was fundamentally one of the power players within the industry!

She had connections with Rong Yushu too! Rong Yushu had even set the record for the highest sales in Vantage’s history.

Lan Cixing turned back urgently to look at Rong Yushu. Ignoring the pain in her wrist, she pulled Rong Yushu’s hat down low. She tidied it until not a single strand of hair was visible. After confirming the eye-veil and mask were neatly in place, she finally turned back to greet Sheng Yuexiao.

“Editor Sheng, you’re also here for a blind date?” Lan Cixing had adjusted her expression and wanted to step forward, but couldn’t move an inch. Her hand was still being held by Rong Yushu behind her back.

“Why so formal? Why not keep calling me Sister Yuexiao like you used to?” Sheng Yuexiao had already reached Lan Cixing. She took off her sunglasses and pulled a small box from her pocket, placing it in Lan Cixing’s only free hand. “Here, a gift for you. I’m getting to that age, and my family is desperate, so they sent me here on a blind date.” She winked at Lan Cixing.

Lan Cixing squeezed the box, understanding immediately. They were both forced into this.

“And this is…” Sheng Yuexiao finally noticed Rong Yushu. Even though Rong Yushu’s height allowed her to hide somewhat behind Lan Cixing, the aura she radiated and the sheer bizarreness of her attire made her impossible to ignore.

“Uh, my boss.” Lan Cixing didn’t know how to explain Rong Yushu’s presence to Sheng Yuexiao yet.

“Girlfriend.” Rong Yushu’s voice drifted out gloomily from behind Lan Cixing.

Both answered Sheng Yuexiao’s question almost simultaneously. Sheng Yuexiao keenly caught the word “girlfriend.” She looked at Lan Cixing and raised an eyebrow, the meaning clear: If you have a girlfriend, why are you out on a blind date? Is the family unhappy?

How could Lan Cixing have known Rong Yushu would say that? Teasing her in private was one thing, but why bully her in front of an outsider? Rong Yushu really must hate her, trying to ruin even her blind date.

Before Lan Cixing could glare at her, Rong Yushu leaned closer, as if afraid Sheng Yuexiao wouldn’t believe her. She hooked her arm around Lan Cixing’s, pulling it tightly into her embrace. It was as if she were holding some priceless treasure; her body language was one of complete attachment.

“We haven’t gone public with the family yet,” Rong Yushu spoke again, her tone soft and light, completely different from her usual way of speaking. She sounded exactly like a hidden little girlfriend, afraid her partner would abandon her on a blind date, following along specifically to mark her territory.

“Boss?!” Lan Cixing tried to pull her hand away, but Rong Yushu threaded her fingers through Lan Cixing’s.

In front of Sheng Yuexiao, Rong Yushu interlaced her fingers with Lan Cixing’s. Skin to skin. She was pressed against Lan Cixing’s shoulder now; the slightest shift sent a jolt through Lan Cixing. Lan Cixing’s body went completely stiff, and she lost the ability to speak.

Rong Yushu had no intention of letting her off that easily. Determined to “help” her solve the trouble of this blind date, she leaned into her ear, whispering like a lover. But the restaurant was quiet, and Sheng Yuexiao heard her words with perfect clarity.

“Really, didn’t you promise to call me ‘Sister’?” With one sentence, Rong Yushu dyed the word “Boss” with ambiguity, turning it into a flirtatious nickname between lovers.

Sheng Yuexiao’s expression indeed changed. Her gaze toward Lan Cixing became scrutinizing and slightly displeased. At the same time, she observed this Omega who had appeared out of nowhere from the corner of her eye. She felt she had seen this Omega somewhere before.

Sheng Yuexiao narrowed her eyes, trying to remember. Even though this Omega had her face completely covered, her hair tucked into a hat, and her silhouette altered by her clothes… that familiar aura that made her feel disgusted and wary was still there.

The last Omega to make her feel this unpleasant was Rong Yushu. Years ago, she had been just one step away from being the one by Lan Cixing’s side.

“Just kidding.” Rong Yushu looked through the thin eye-veil, seeing the look in Sheng Yuexiao’s eyes, and gave a light mental sneer.

She suddenly let go, ignoring Lan Cixing’s stumble from losing her balance or her heavy breathing. In a single second, she transformed from a lover into a superior guiding Lan Cixing. The status gap was obvious. Lan Cixing stood beside her, yet was left behind in her shadow, covered by her aura—a posture of total ownership.

Sheng Yuexiao was forced to pull her gaze from Lan Cixing and meet Rong Yushu’s eye-veil. She couldn’t see Rong Yushu’s eyes, and she didn’t even bother to hide her instinctive disgust.

“I am her master.” Rong Yushu took advantage of Sheng Yuexiao’s displeasure and delivered a final blow.

Sheng Yuexiao’s expression cracked slightly; she had clearly misinterpreted the meaning.

Lan Cixing finally broke free from the restraint. Her left arm was damp and felt numb. Her right hand wasn’t doing much better, trembling uncontrollably. Then she heard Rong Yushu’s teasing words.

…In a certain sense, Lan Cixing actually felt she wasn’t wrong. An employer is a master.

“Employer. She is my employer. I currently work as a bodyguard,” Lan Cixing explained to Sheng Yuexiao with a stiff voice that sounded like a malfunctioning machine.

It was unclear if she was believed, but the crack in Sheng Yuexiao’s eyes vanished for the time being.

“She’s afraid—uh, afraid of something happening if she moves alone, so she wanted to follow me…” Lan Cixing chose to tell the truth. That’s what Rong Yushu meant, right?

Rong Yushu remained silent, and Sheng Yuexiao was still thinking and didn’t reply. Having finished speaking, Lan Cixing could only look down at her toes. She really shouldn’t have come on this blind date. When she got back, she was definitely confiscating Lan Baian’s pocket money.

“In—in any case! Sister Yuexiao, let’s sit down and order. This meal is on me.” The silence reached a point where Lan Cixing couldn’t take it anymore. She forced herself to speak to break the ice.

Sheng Yuexiao wasn’t going to embarrass her. The two of them finally sat down. Rong Yushu stood before their table, quietly facing Lan Cixing. Lan Cixing was forced to stand up again and escort her “Employer Ancestor” to the nearby table.

“Is my portion on you too?” Rong Yushu’s tone returned to normal, the end of her words like a hook scratching at Lan Cixing’s panicked heart. She took the opportunity to catch Lan Cixing’s hem with her fingernail and moved to a seat even closer.

“…On me.” Today was going to be expensive. Lan Cixing did the math; the spending level in her circles was high. She hoped the 52,000 An Yu gave her would last a while.

“Heh.” Rong Yushu gave a small, ambiguous scoff. She raised a hand and gave a light slap; Lan Cixing sat back in her seat while clutching her waist.

Sheng Yuexiao watched Lan Cixing return and placed the menu in front of her, refusing to pay any attention to the Omega who had followed them. As long as Lan Cixing wasn’t dating anyone, it was fine.

“How have you been lately? Being a bodyguard can’t be an easy job, right?” After ordering, Sheng Yuexiao treated the Rong Yushu who was staring at her as if she didn’t exist and chatted with Lan Cixing about life.

“It’s okay. As long as I can get orders, it’s fine. There’s no such thing as an easy job; every profession has its struggles.” Lan Cixing, however, couldn’t completely ignore Rong Yushu. Rong Yushu’s identity was special to begin with, and she had just teased her for so long. It left her thoughts drifting, unable to focus on the blind date; she kept stealing glances at Rong Yushu every two minutes.

After a few more sentences, Sheng Yuexiao’s words cut off mid-way. Lan Cixing also felt someone approaching and turned her head, nearly pressing it against Rong Yushu’s mask.

“Ah Ci~” Rong Yushu was leaning very close now. She had originally been at a seat only a meter away; if she had something to say, she could have just called out. But she insisted on taking a few steps, leaning down, and pressing against the base of Lan Cixing’s ear.

Even through the mask, she was that close. If the mask were removed, she would have been kissing Lan Cixing’s ear. Lan Cixing instinctively leaned to the side. Her shoulder was grabbed by Rong Yushu. She was strong, and she grabbed the same side she had held earlier. The familiar sensation rendered Lan Cixing unable to move.

“Aren’t you going to help me order?” Rong Yushu tilted her head, appearing genuinely confused by the question. “Since you’re treating, I didn’t want to make you overspend.” Rong Yushu even gave a reason and started to pull Lan Cixing away as she spoke.

“There’s a menu here too.” Sheng Yuexiao wasn’t going to let her succeed. With a thwack, she slapped the menu down in front of Lan Cixing.

“Just—just look at it here…” Lan Cixing was startled awake by the sound and tremblingly reached out to flip the pages for Rong Yushu.

Rong Yushu said nothing, but leaned in closer. Her upper body pressed against Lan Cixing’s shoulder. The familiar weight actually allowed Lan Cixing to find a bit of herself again. She quickly ordered based on her memories of Rong Yushu’s preferences and sent the woman back to her seat a meter away.

“I’m so sorry…” Lan Cixing wiped the sweat from her brow and apologized to Sheng Yuexiao.

“It’s fine. She really isn’t your girlfriend, right?” Sheng Yuexiao only cared about that point.

“No.” Lan Cixing’s tone was firm and truthful.

Sheng Yuexiao felt relieved. Based on her understanding of Lan Cixing, even if someone’s affection was plastered all over their face, Lan Cixing wouldn’t notice.

However, after that, every time they spoke a few words, Rong Yushu would trot over to ask for help. One moment there was no water and she needed Lan Cixing to pour it. The next, the utensils weren’t ready and she needed Lan Cixing to unpack them. Sheng Yuexiao couldn’t get through much before being interrupted. Each time she returned, Lan Cixing had lost the flow of the conversation and had nothing to say. Sheng Yuexiao had to keep searching for new topics.

Until the food arrived, she couldn’t say much and lowered her head to focus on eating. Even so, Lan Cixing was still dragged away by that Omega to help cut the steak into small pieces and pour the sauce.

Sheng Yuexiao was truly speechless. Fine. This employer could follow once, but it was impossible to follow twice, thrice, or for a lifetime. There was still time.

After finishing the meal, Sheng Yuexiao gave Lan Cixing a shallow smile. “Cixing. For our next date, should we try a different restaurant? I know a place with exquisite decor by the river; the night view is beautiful.”

This was a signal. Sheng Yuexiao was very satisfied with this blind date. Lan Cixing vaguely understood this point, and her face flushed slightly. She really had no intention of dating. But if it was just coming out for a meal occasionally, she could do that.

Lan Cixing was just about to explain things clearly to Sheng Yuexiao. Rong Yushu leaned over to her side once again. She wanted to ask for help.

But suddenly, the eye-veil slipped off.

Those iconic green eyes were revealed.

Sheng Yuexiao frowned. Is this… Rong Yushu?

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