The Second Fall - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Buying a Satisfactory Dog at a Very Low Price

The tip of the pen touched the white paper. Black ink bled into the salary column.

Lan Cixing’s movements were not fast; they were steady. This was an action taken after careful thought. She crossed out the salary.

Rong Yushu had helped her so much. Lan Cixing knew she couldn’t have handled the situation with Wei Lan on her own. If Wei Lan truly got her claws into her, being a “canary” would be the least of her worries; she had heard of starlets targeted by Wei Lan ending up in the hospital, unable to care for themselves.

Lan Cixing thought Rong Yushu was right: she had nothing to repay her with except herself. Since Rong Yushu wanted her as a personal bodyguard, she could work for free. Rong Yushu would provide meals, and she had a place to live. Her savings were enough to feed Lan Boran for about a year. After a year… Rong Yushu might not need her anymore anyway. She suspected Rong Yushu’s previous bodyguard would eventually return. Her posture as she crossed out the salary became even firmer.

She put down the pen and tilted her head slightly, looking into Rong Yushu’s emerald eyes. So beautiful… Lan Cixing dazed for a moment, watching those upturned fox-eyes contract and dilate; her heart seemed to beat in sync with them.

Rong Yushu seemed deeply shocked; the expression on her face lost control for an instant, allowing Lan Cixing to glimpse her fluster. But it lasted only a second, so fast it felt like an illusion.

Rong Yushu quickly regained her composure and put on a smile. A vixen’s smile always carries a hint of danger; the light in her eyes catches one’s heart, making them ignore the traps beneath their feet. But now, there was no trace of mockery—only the vitality of the forest and a touch of tenderness.

She took Lan Cixing’s hand. Her long nails were careful not to scratch Lan Cixing’s skin. Her fingertips were soft and slightly warm against the back of her hand. Lan Cixing felt uneasy; she would have preferred if Rong Yushu scratched her.

But in the end, Rong Yushu just gently held her fingers and, together with her, wrote a string of numbers over the blacked-out area.

1,000,000… 0. Rong Yushu had added an extra zero to the original monthly salary.

Now it was Lan Cixing’s turn for her pupils to quake. One million a month. Working for a year would be enough for her to retire on the spot; for the rest of their lives, she, Lan Boran, and even her aunt would never have to struggle for a living again. This was the salary level of a top star. Even during her peak years, Lan Cixing hadn’t earned this much.

Lan Cixing was so startled she dropped the pen. The sound of it hitting the floor was sharp. She hurried to confirm it was just an ordinary ballpoint pen and not an expensive fountain pen from the Rong family collection, letting out half a sigh of relief.

“You don’t want it?” Rong Yushu didn’t pick up the pen. With the obstacle gone, she slid her fingers into Lan Cixing’s hand, occupying her palm as she spoke.

“It’s… too much…” Even the original 100,000 a month was enough for her family. Now Lan Cixing’s head began to feel hot again. For a moment, she even wondered if her rut hadn’t passed yet; otherwise, why was she so hot, why was her heart racing so fast, and why couldn’t she calm her emotions?

“Too much?” Rong Yushu flipped her hand, pinning Lan Cixing’s weary, recently “worked” hand onto the table. If she wasn’t mistaken, those fingertips still carried a faint, unshakeable scent of white tea. Rong Yushu’s scent.

Realizing this, Rong Yushu pressed her hand more closely against Lan Cixing’s. Lan Cixing couldn’t find her voice. It felt as if Rong Yushu wasn’t squeezing her hand, but her throat.

“The pen you just dropped is worth 1.2 million,” Rong Yushu said, enjoying the unease of the person in her grasp while adding more weight. “If you don’t want a million a month, are you planning to spend this year’s salary paying me back for the pen?”

The tenderness in her eyes was gone; the remaining light was bright and sharp, scraping against Lan Cixing’s nose, more stimulating than the bite from earlier. Lan Cixing was dizzy; she’d been having trouble breathing since she saw those zeros. Now her eyes were blurred, and she barely understood what Rong Yushu was saying.

“Pay… pay you back…” The idea of a million-a-month repayment plan was enough to fry her brain.

“Right, it is too much.” Rong Yushu tsked and let go, leaving Lan Cixing’s palm cold and empty. She tore up the ruined contract. As if prepared, she pulled out a new one. “Sign it.” Her tone carried a hint of enchantment.

She truly was a siren; one sentence made Lan Cixing muddledly flip to the last page and write her name without even looking.

“Selling yourself to me for one dollar…” By then, Rong Yushu was already sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, looking at Lan Cixing. Whether in her gaze or her tone, the mockery was obvious. “You really are cute.” Rong Yushu gave a genuine laugh.

She had bought a satisfactory dog at a very cheap price.

Lan Cixing finally shook her head and looked closer. The monthly salary column said: 1. No trailing zeros, just a single 1.

…Rong Yushu really did hate her!

Before Lan Cixing could look further, the contract was snatched away. Rong Yushu took back the signed contract and added her own name. Lan Cixing couldn’t regret it now; she had truly signed herself over. She didn’t feel it was a pity, though she was embarrassed by Rong Yushu’s words. Deep down, she never believed Rong Yushu would actually give her a million a month. Lan Cixing didn’t realize that seven figures truly were just pocket change to Rong Yushu.

She had decided to work for free for over half a year, and there was no reason to go back on it now. Lan Cixing hesitated, then shuffled behind Rong Yushu, who was seriously admiring her signature.

“Regretting it? You’ve signed.” Without turning around, Rong Yushu’s voice reached her ears.

“No… I didn’t look at the duration. I can pay you back by not taking a salary… uh, working for you for six months for free.” Lan Cixing’s voice was soft; she only regretted signing so fast that she didn’t have time to flip through the pages.

Rong Yushu had already scanned the digital copy and put the paper contract away. It was a large safe with several layers of passwords; there was no way Lan Cixing could open it. Hearing Lan Cixing’s words, Rong Yushu’s movement as she stood up was slightly sluggish. Like a frame-skip in a video, she looked up in jerks, finally facing Lan Cixing.

Lan Cixing’s eyes held no embarrassment, no regret.

“Well, that depends on your performance.” Rong Yushu slowly curled her lips, using the light on her face to hide the tenderness in her eyes.

In reality, the salary written on the contract Lan Cixing actually signed was indeed one million a month. Rong Yushu had prepared it long ago.

“Boss, can I go home now?” Lan Cixing was packing her things, checking her phone to confirm the time while seeing many messages. She followed behind Rong Yushu, not knowing where she was going, like a chick following its mother; just seeing Rong Yushu gave her a sense of security.

Rong Yushu stopped abruptly, and Lan Cixing bumped into her back.

“It’s one thing to try and assassinate me, but you want to go home?” Rong Yushu acted as if she’d heard something bizarre and turned to pinch Lan Cixing’s ear. She pulled for a second, and Lan Cixing covered her ear as tears welled up.

“A personal bodyguard has to eat and live with me.” Otherwise, why hire her as a bodyguard? Rong Yushu almost rolled her eyes.

“Ah… but I have to go home and take care of my sister…” Lan Cixing saw it was about time to go home and cook for Lan Boran.

Rong Yushu tsked again, making Lan Cixing afraid to speak. “Your sister is an adult, right? Doesn’t she stay at school?” Rong Yushu crossed her arms and stared at her, her green eyes like a snake biting its prey.

“It’s summer break; she just got home. She’s twenty. I have to cook for her, otherwise she’ll eat takeout every day,” Lan Cixing explained meekly.

“Twenty and still can’t cook? Don’t spoil her.” Rong Yushu’s displeasure was overflowing.

Lan Cixing actually chuckled. “She’s pitiful. Our mother died before she could remember. I have to take on extra responsibility, otherwise I’d be failing our mother.” Lan Cixing felt that she had at least enjoyed ten years of maternal love. But for Lan Boran, their mother died when she was two; she didn’t even remember what her mother looked like, having lived with her sister and aunt since childhood. “I feel like you’re really picking on her this time.” Lan Cixing’s eyes were always so gentle, even though losing her mother was more painful for her. A ten-year-old child had to take charge of a home and take care of her sister while missing her mother.

Rong Yushu’s lips moved, but the words of warning dissolved in her heart. To say more would be a form of harm to Lan Cixing.

“Who’s picking on her? Get in the car, I’ll take you.” Rong Yushu turned her head, no longer looking at Lan Cixing, and walked quickly. Lan Cixing froze for a moment then hurried to keep up.

Sitting in the car, Lan Cixing noticed Rong Yushu’s displeased expression and slowly realized: the person Rong Yushu was truly annoyed with seemed to be herself. …I told you she doesn’t like me!

“See you… tomorrow…” Before Lan Cixing could say goodbye, the car window rolled up and the red car roared past her. It kicked up a gust of wind that scraped against Lan Cixing’s face. It felt like Rong Yushu’s sharp nails—except Rong Yushu’s nails were more beautiful, the turquoise color matching her eyes, and they smelled better, the hand cream blending perfectly with white tea.

Lan Cixing stood at the door for a few seconds. A Bugatti really was different; it was so fast that Lan Cixing lost sight of Rong Yushu in a blink, leaving her heart feeling empty.

Returning home, she saw Lan Boran wasn’t there, and her fists tightened. They had agreed on studying for the postgraduate or civil service exams, yet every time she came home, she caught Lan Boran playing with friends. Despite worrying about the brat, she had even ditched Rong Yushu.

Lan Cixing made a call. “If you don’t come home for dinner today, you’re on your own for the next month. I won’t cook for you.” Lan Cixing held back her anger, threatening Lan Boran.

“Sister! Dear sister! I was wrong! I’m not out playing, I’m getting materials!” Lan Boran was still making excuses.

“Really, Sis, I just went to pick up a package! Why… why are you home already?” Five minutes later, Lan Boran rushed home, clutching a package.

Lan Cixing saw it and grabbed the smallest box. Sure enough, a game console. Lan Boran lowered her head, trembling.

“Not bad, Lan Boran.” Lan Cixing unpacked the console and saw a few scratches, realizing it was second-hand and not expensive. Lan Boran likely used her own saved pocket money. “You said you were studying, but you bought a game console behind my back. And you’re out wandering every day.” Her tone softened slightly.

“I… I went to the library,” Lan Boran pouted. Although her friend treated her to a meal and they spent all day whispering and gossiping in the library while her friend drew pictures for her, it was still a library.

Lan Cixing tossed the console to Lan Boran. Lan Boran caught it instinctively and peeked at her sister. Was that it?

“You’ve grown up too.” Lan Cixing was just thinking about Rong Yushu’s words. Time flew; in a blink, Lan Boran was twenty. Maybe she really should manage her less…?

“…Sister!” Lan Boran almost knelt. Any child knows that when a “mother” says those words, it means she’s giving up.

“I’m serious. My next job is 24/7; I won’t be able to look after you. I’ll come back to cook when I can, but I won’t be able to supervise your studies.” Lan Cixing sighed. If it weren’t for today’s accident and the contract requirements, she might have been able to ask Rong Yushu for leave. Now it was impossible.

“Huh? Sis, what kind of job did you sign? That long-term one?” Lan Boran leaned in cautiously, trying to see if her sister was just talking out of anger.

“Yeah. Personal bodyguard. The employer wants me on duty round-the-clock. I might not be able to come home, so I’m letting you know. You’re a big girl now; it’s time to learn to live on your own.” Unfortunately, Lan Cixing was serious.

Lan Boran’s face fell instantly. She didn’t like takeout, and the family didn’t have enough money for her to eat out every day. Did she really have to go move in with her best friend?

“I’ll transfer you living expenses later, and another sum in August. Starting today, you have to learn to manage your own budget.” Lan Cixing planned to calculate the wage Rong Yushu gave her and transfer it to Lan Boran. “Entertainment is fine, but don’t neglect your studies.” She rambled on for several more sentences. Lan Boran, feeling guilty, grew annoyed and gave perfunctory replies.

After the lecture, Lan Boran pretended to study. Lan Cixing cooked, intending to make enough for a week so Lan Boran could just reheat it every day. After cooking, she finally had time to check her phone.

An Yu had sent more messages. Feeling awkward, Lan Cixing had waited nearly a day before opening them. There weren’t many messages—compared to the previous days—but the timing was spread out, with one every few dozen minutes.

However, Lan Cixing noticed something. When she was… busy with Rong Yushu, An Yu hadn’t sent any messages. There was a gap of several hours. She only noticed this because An Yu’s messages today were so rhythmic that the sudden gap was suspicious.

Surely not…

Lan Cixing turned the thought over in her mind. She knew Rong Yushu; she wasn’t the kind of scum who would commit domestic violence or cheat. Especially since Rong Yushu wasn’t an Alpha, she couldn’t possibly be the scum Alpha from the original story in her dream.

Relieved, Lan Cixing started reading from the beginning.

“Baby? Little sister?”

“Ignoring me, are you really planning to break up?”

“Is it because I haven’t been chasing you well enough these past few days? I’ve been trying hard to learn.”

“I see you’re online, don’t ignore me…”

The rest were similar. Lan Cixing felt unexpectedly soft-hearted. She hadn’t intentionally ignored An Yu after saying those harsh words; she had simply been trapped.

“Sorry, I ran into some trouble earlier and just got free”, Lan Cixing quickly explained.

The reply was instantaneous. “What trouble? Can I help? Short on money?”

And then came a transfer.

“…” Lan Cixing was speechless. She wondered if her sister had left An Yu with some wrong impression. Although she worked hard for money, her family wasn’t so poor they couldn’t eat. She wouldn’t let Lan Boran suffer even if she suffered herself. This didn’t look like a scum Alpha. The scum Alpha in the dream wanted money from Xiao Ran.

“No. I think we should just be friends for now.” Lan Cixing didn’t accept the money. Even though she had just sold herself for one dollar a month, she could still afford to eat, and her emergency savings remained untouched.

After she sent this, An Yu went silent. Lan Cixing went back to stir-fry and add water; when she came back, An Yu had sent several more messages.

“So… Blue Sky, you feel like we were dating before? I’m so happy.”

[Transfer]

“Since we’re dating, you’re not allowed to refuse.”

“Good baby. I truly like you; consider this a ‘friend fee’.”

Looking at the transfers, Lan Cixing’s mood was complicated. She had never seen a scum Alpha who gave away money. But with the sweet talk, it felt a bit fake.

“I’m not short on money. I just don’t want to spend it on the game. You don’t need to send it; we aren’t dating now, so I can’t accept it.” Lan Cixing typed with one hand, her right hand still stir-frying.

Then she saw An Yu send ten sets of game equipment. Lan Cixing almost flipped the pan.

“That’s not what I meant! I don’t want game gear either!” Lan Cixing explained quickly, forgetting her persona as a “scum.”

“Little Blue Sky, you’re so strange.” An Yu suddenly said, startling Lan Cixing again. “You used to be so enthusiastic toward me. Calling me ‘Wife,’ ‘Master,’ or at the very least ‘Sister.’ Now you haven’t called me that in a long time, you don’t go online much, and you refuse gear and money.”

As if seeing through the person behind the screen, An Yu’s words caught all of Lan Cixing’s suspicious points. Lan Cixing’s mouth twitched, and she had to put down the spatula. If she didn’t want to continue with An Yu, she could choose to come clean now and scold her. But… Lan Cixing remembered the time she had confided in her. Once you’ve opened up, it’s hard to let go of the person.

Lan Cixing took a deep breath. She pressed the voice message button.

“Wife~ Sister, you’re overthinking things~” she sent in a high-pitched, cutesy voice.

Just then, Lan Boran passed by the kitchen door, wanting to sneak in for a taste. Lan Cixing’s phone dropped onto the stove. Before she could hear how she sounded, the message was sent. An Yu’s message arrived at the same time.

But Lan Cixing only met Lan Boran’s eyes.

“…”

“…”

“Sister! When are you bringing my sister-in-law home!” Lan Boran lunged at her, trying to see her phone.

“What—there’s no sister-in-law, you… you heard wrong!”

“I was… practicing lines!” Lan Cixing tried to make excuses, but the more she explained, the more suspicious she became. Lan Boran’s eyes were full of “I understand everything,” making Lan Cixing want to knock her out.

“It’s fine~ Sis, I’ll wait for you~ Do well with your sister-in-law~” Lan Boran saw the “impulse to hit her” in Lan Cixing’s eyes and fled with the joy of discovery.

Lan Cixing pinched her palm, exhaled, and stirred the pot vigorously in anger. Then she picked up her phone to check the messages.

Oh no. Water had hit the screen earlier, exactly on the voice recording button; her conversation with Lan Boran had been recorded and sent.

And An Yu had listened very carefully. Her first reply to the cutesy voice was: “It must be because I haven’t done well enough that you’re so cold.”

“…” Lan Cixing was speechless. Typing wasn’t that fast; An Yu must have been typing for a while and just happened to send it when the voice message went through. She really shouldn’t have sent that message.

Then An Yu sent a question mark.

“Little darling, was that… an accidental touch?”

“Your sister said we are a couple. Your sister is so cute.”

[Transfer]

“A red envelope for your sister; you can’t refuse me this, right?”

While stir-frying, Lan Cixing poked An Yu’s avatar in her mind. Dead scum Alpha, eavesdropping on my conversation with my sister, add N more degrees of guilt!

[We aren’t dating. Also, I truly am using you as a stand-in; the more you annoy me, the less you look like her,] Lan Cixing finally remembered her persona.

She quickly received a voice message. “Alright, then when can I date you?” An Yu was used to these words and didn’t take them to heart, sounding quite cheerful instead.

Lan Cixing decisively turned off her phone, tossed it aside, and focused on prepping the food. As she put the food in the fridge, she slowly realized something was wrong. She had never told An Yu she had a sister; when Lan Boran used the account, she should have said she had an “older sister.”

Also, that voice felt a bit familiar. Like… Rong Yushu.

The next day, Lan Cixing woke up, washed up quickly, and began her job with a monthly salary of one dollar. She got into the car sent for her; the driver wasn’t Rong Yushu, but Lan Cixing had seen her before.

When she arrived at Rong Yushu’s office, it was very early. Lan Cixing wasn’t sure if Rong Yushu was there, so she sent a message before going upstairs. She knocked and opened the door.

She saw Rong Yushu sitting in her office chair. Her collar was half-open. Her fragrant shoulders were exposed. Her body was covered in many strange red marks.

Rong Yushu was holding an ointment, applying it to herself. Her dark green nails reflected the cold light. She hadn’t let anyone serve her. Lan Cixing had barged in by mistake.

Rong Yushu looked up. Her fox-eyes were like knives.

Lan Cixing’s face changed instantly.

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