The Stand-in is Exceptionally Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 25.2

Chapter 25.2: The CEO and Her Canary

Jian Ke: “I’ve heard Ms. Lou say that you were a good schoolmate of hers in high school. You’ve been abroad for so many years. Now that you’re finally back, you should catch up with her properly.”

Shu Yu suspected this was a conspiracy. Would Jian Ke be so kind as to bring me back to Jingxiu Garden and then threaten my position? “Catching up… doesn’t have to be right this minute. It probably wouldn’t be good to disturb her like this.”

Jian Ke, holding the steering wheel, stealthily pressed the gas pedal and accelerated again. She muttered to herself, It looks like the white moonlight has no feelings for the female lead right now. This is a problem. How am I supposed to make Shu Yu accept Lou Bianxia?

Jian Ke: “You haven’t been back in years, so you’re probably not very familiar with Lidcheng. It’ll be convenient if you stay at Ms. Lou’s house.”

With a push of the gas pedal, the gorgeous and elegant villa came into view. As the car drove through the gate, Shu Yu immediately saw Lou Bianxia waiting at the entrance. She turned her head, her gaze complex, and slowly said to Jian Ke in the driver’s seat, “You really are a good person.”

Shu Yu opened the passenger door and got out, looking at the woman standing on the steps. Her figure was graceful and slender, her skin was as fair as cream. Standing quietly in the night, she had a mysterious and aloof aura, like a deep and enchanting forest. A pink shawl was draped over her shoulders, embroidered with gold threads, making her look elegant and luxurious. The proud and noble air she exuded naturally drew people’s attention.

After seven years, Lou Bianxia seemed to have grown even more beautiful. Her refined and cold features now carried a hint of maturity and steadiness. The only thing that hadn’t changed were her eyes, as deep and profound as an abyss. Just being around her gave people an infinite sense of security. The loving words she had once said unintentionally had created a rift in Shu Yu’s heart, causing them to drift apart. Sometimes when Shu Yu thought of Lou Bianxia, she would feel that it was just a dream she had while sleeping deeply.

On a lazy afternoon, a gentle breeze carried the scent of gardenias. Sleepiness was a deep fatigue that seeped into her bones. Half-awake, she felt a hot breath approach her ear. “Shu Yu, I like you.”

That timid but precious confession was like a small hammer striking Shu Yu’s heart. Startled, she remained slumped over the table, pretending to be asleep. Or perhaps it was the fear in her heart that made her body stiffen, afraid to move. It wasn’t until the warmth was gone and the sound of light footsteps faded that Shu Yu opened her eyes, staring blankly at the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window.

Senior likes me? The emotions in her chest were like a shaken soda.

When the cap was opened, the sweet vapor instantly gushed out, refreshing and exhilarating.

Looking back on it, when she first heard Lou Bianxia’s confession, she was overjoyed.

All sorts of complex thoughts intertwined, but none of them were revulsion or disgust.

She had followed Lou Bianxia closely, worshiping her like a god. She admired her cold aloofness from outsiders, and she longed to be close to her, following her without thinking.

But one day, the proud and independent god suddenly looked down and offered her a unique and precious love. This feeling was enough to make anyone’s blood rush.

The shadows of the trees stretched longer in the setting sun. The sound of a sparrow flying quickly from a branch startled Shu Yu awake.

Reality and reason pulled her back from her momentary confusion.

Even if she didn’t consider whether her feelings for Lou Bianxia, which were mixed with so much emotion, were love, she knew she could never respond to them. Because she had her childhood sweetheart, Li Yao. Their families had arranged a marriage for them since they were little, and they would get engaged and married when the time was right.

Her life was a perfectly planned straight line. From the moment she was born, her future was already mapped out. In this straight line, she shouldn’t have any entanglement with Lou Bianxia.

Going abroad after graduation wasn’t really an escape. She was originally going to study ballet, but she just went two years earlier than planned. It was only through her growth and the regret that grew with each passing day that Shu Yu realized what she had lost.

“Shu Yu?” A voice exactly like the one in her memory came. Lou Bianxia walked down the steps, looking at her with a hint of surprise. Shu Yu smiled and walked toward her, like a long-lost friend, and gave Lou Bianxia a big hug.

“Senior, I’m back.” I hope this time, there will be no more regrets.

At the same time, in the moment Shu Yu and Lou Bianxia hugged, the notification in Jian Ke’s mind sounded again.

“Ding—Detected the white moonlight and the female lead’s closeness. Intimacy has increased.”

Jian Ke pinched her chin and asked 520, “So as long as they have physical contact, their intimacy will increase?”

520 System: “Not just physical contact. Spending more time together and interacting should also increase it.”

Jian Ke nodded. She counted the increasing intimacy in her head and quietly stayed by the side, not wanting to interrupt their reunion. Lou Bianxia had her arms crossed, listening to Shu Yu chatter. The corner of her eye caught Jian Ke standing on the side like a wooden figure. The gloom in her heart suddenly surged up again.

I asked you to pick her up, but why did you bring her to my house! And you told me to relax. What kind of relaxing is this?

“It’s getting late. Let’s go in.” Lou Bianxia smiled through clenched teeth, motioned for Shu Yu to come in, and then turned to glare at Jian Ke, who was trying to look innocent.

“Jian… Ke.” The words were almost squeezed out from between her teeth. Lou Bianxia’s voice was cold, sharper than the autumn night wind. She walked up to Jian Ke and demanded, “I told you to pick her up and take her to a hotel. Why did you bring her here?”

Jian Ke sighed in her heart. Why? Isn’t it to build the foundation for your love?

Jian Ke: “I already brought her here. Are you really going to kick her out?”

Lou Bianxia was in agony. A mix of annoyance and anxiety rushed at her, but she couldn’t figure out the source. Looking at the oblivious Jian Ke, she actually had an impulse to bite her. It would be best if she was in so much pain that she had tears in her eyes and had to beg me to stop. Then she wouldn’t have all these nonsensical ideas anymore.

Lou Bianxia entered the house gloomily, followed by a smug Jian Ke. A fragrant aroma of steaming food filled the villa. A wide variety of dishes were laid out on the dining table in the living room. Just the smell was enough to whet one’s appetite. Lou Bianxia had probably reheated the cold dishes after Jian Ke left, and the taste seemed to have improved a lot.

Shu Yu pulled out a chair at the dining table. “I didn’t expect you to have prepared such a big meal, Senior. You went to a lot of trouble.”

Lou Bianxia opened her mouth, about to say that Jian Ke was the one who had cooked it and she had only reheated it. But the quick-witted Jian Ke interjected, “Ms. Lou certainly went to a lot of trouble to welcome you.”

“Ding—Intimacy has increased.”

Jian Ke suppressed a smile and didn’t notice Lou Bianxia’s increasingly gloomy expression.

The three of them sat at the dining table. The bright ceiling lamp made the dishes look even more appetizing. Shu Yu reached for the braised eggplant in front of her. The long, soft core was difficult to pick up in one go. Seeing this, Lou Bianxia picked up her chopsticks and helped her peel off the skin that was still attached underneath.

Shu Yu: “I can’t believe you still remember that I don’t like eating eggplant skin, Senior.” Ever since she was a child, she had always found the eggplant skin to be a little numbing in her mouth, so she would only eat the soft core inside.

Lou Bianxia’s hand paused. She unconsciously glanced at Jian Ke, who was focused on eating. She suddenly felt that the chopsticks in her hand were burning hot. Jian Ke enjoyed her meal while blinking her eyes at the interaction between the two. Although it was bad manners to be a third wheel between a couple, Jian Ke couldn’t help it. Shu Yu’s return was too sudden, and she didn’t have time to make her exit.

However, she did need to consider where to live after she moved out of Jingxiu Garden.

There were three people at the table, each with their own thoughts. Jian Ke ate quickly. After she was full, she went into the kitchen to wash the dishes, trying to give Lou Bianxia and Shu Yu some alone time. But as soon as she entered the kitchen, Lou Bianxia followed her in. Hearing the sound of the intimacy increase stopping in her mind, Jian Ke asked in confusion, “Why aren’t you outside chatting with your schoolmate?”

Lou Bianxia’s teeth started to clench again. “What exactly are you doing?” she asked in a cold voice, as if she had reached the limit of her dissatisfaction with Jian Ke’s actions.

Jian Ke spoke with great earnestness, “I’m helping you, Ms. Lou.” Can you please stop holding me back?

Lou Bianxia’s heart sank upon hearing this. She lowered her voice. “I don’t need your help. Shu Yu came back to the country for a performance, and she’ll be leaving again in a while.”

Jian Ke nodded. “I see. Then it’s even more important to cherish this precious opportunity.” The mission has a time limit. If I don’t make use of this time, who knows how long it will take for them to get together.

Lou Bianxia: “Cherish what? Shu Yu has a boyfriend.” She thought this would put a stop to Jian Ke’s inexplicable desire to “help others,” but Jian Ke suddenly patted her on the shoulder and gave her a profound look.

“Trust me, they’re not a good match. An unhappy marriage only leads to an unhappy life. Don’t wait until it’s too late to try to win her back.”

Lou Bianxia: “…What have you been watching lately?”

Jian Ke stuffed the dishrag into Lou Bianxia’s hand. “I cooked the food, so you can wash the dishes.” “I’m going back to my room. You can take your time to be with Shu Yu.”

Lou Bianxia’s hand, gripping the dishrag, trembled. She watched Jian Ke’s retreating back, feeling an immense sense of frustration in her heart. A part of her chest felt like it was being carved out by a dagger, a wound that hurt but didn’t bleed. It was a raw wound, exposed to the world, as if anyone could step on it. A dark, obsessive look appeared in her moist red eyes. Lou Bianxia pursed her lips, finally realizing the culprit behind her emotional turmoil.

—It was Jian Ke.

Jian Ke, unaware that she was being “thought of” in such a negative light by someone, returned to her room, her good deeds and name hidden deep within.

Should I live in the company dorm, or should I spend money to rent an apartment?

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