The Tragic Heroine Fell in Love with Me - Chapter 69

That was Zheng Qi’s way of thinking.

She would not let Xiao San enter her filthy world. In Xiao San’s eyes, she could remain the gentle, kind-hearted Zheng Qi.

She had many opportunities to confess, but in the end, she decided to maintain her current persona, letting Xiao San believe she was truly this benevolent.

She had always been a stubborn person.

Once she set her mind on something, even if it was wrong, she would stubbornly persist down that path.

Moreover, now that she and Xiao San were in a confirmed relationship, how could she possibly allow cracks to form between them?

“I know a saying: ‘You can’t wrap fire in paper.’ San trusts you deeply; you should tell her,” Mond Helge said solemnly.

Suddenly, Zheng Qi darted in front of Mond Helge. In her hand was a hairpin, its sharp tip pressed against the edge of his neck, piercing shallowly into his skin.

Blood trickled down his neck.

It flowed along the hairpin and into Zheng Qi’s palm.

Mond Helge did not move an inch.

“Even if you die, San’er won’t notice,” she said coldly, her dark eyes already calculating how to deceive Xiao San and how to make Mond Helge permanently disappear from her life.

Mond Helge pursed his lips and said nothing.

“Ah Qi, I forgot to bring a towel,” Xiao San called from inside.

Zheng Qi’s voice softened. “I’m coming right away.”

She released Mond Helge. “I hope what happened today won’t happen a second time.”

Mond Helge took a deep breath, his expression grave. “Misery, I’m doing this for your own good.”

With that, without waiting for Zheng Qi’s response, he walked to the door, opened it, and stepped out.

Once outside, he collapsed to the floor. Trembling, he clutched his neck, where a throbbing pain had begun to surge.

His legs had gone weak from fear.

Everything he had just displayed was merely an attempt to appear brave.

“Next time something like this happens, you handle it yourself,” Mond Helge grumbled to the figure in the shadows.

“If it were me doing it, what you’d be seeing right now is my corpse.”

Emerging from the shadows was Li Allen, his face pale and dark circles heavy under his eyes.

“Hey, heh, you’re her trusted subordinate,” Mond Helge said.

Li Allen smiled. “I’m not like you. You’re Miss Xiao’s friend. I’m just a subordinate given to her by the Count. I can be discarded at any time. But you, don’t worry, she’ll definitely take Miss Xiao into consideration.”

“She’s insane. I really don’t know why you insisted I provoke her,” Mond Helge finally managed to say as he regained his composure, his long legs splayed out as he sat on the carpet.

Suddenly, Li Allen leaned in. The ring on his finger gleamed with a silver light. Though it was just a tiny needle, Mond Helge knew it was coated with a deadly poison.

Trembling, he stammered, “Be careful with that. One touch could kill.”

“I advise you to watch your words, or else.”

“Understood, understood. My God.” Mond Helge had countless complaints swirling in his mind, but as he watched Li Allen slowly retreat, he couldn’t utter a single word.

This master and servant pair were truly a handful.

If it weren’t for the fact that he couldn’t defeat them nor escape, Mond Helge would never have gotten involved with these two.

Poor Xiao San, thinking she had encountered nothing but good people, completely unaware that they were all wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Xiao San truly didn’t know, just as she was completely unaware that far away in France, Count Corey was already preparing a matchmaking event for Zheng Qi. Before everything was ready and before Zheng Qi could even arrive, the Count was preparing to travel thousands of miles to China to find him.

“Sorry, the company suddenly needs me to go on a business trip,” Xiao San said pitifully, leaning close to Zheng Qi. “I won’t be able to see Ah Qi for two whole weeks.”

Zheng Qi nearly stumbled from Xiao San’s pushing but carefully steadied her. “San’er is doing this for work. Having such a capable girlfriend makes me very happy.”

Xiao San tilted her head and studied Zheng Qi carefully. “Is this really Ah Qi? You’re not even trying to make me stay?”

Although Zheng Qi hadn’t shown it too obviously, Xiao San knew he actually liked sticking close to her. This wasn’t just a one or two-day trip, it was two whole weeks. How could he just let her go like this?

Zheng Qi reached out and pinched Xiao San’s cheek. “What, does San’er want me to come with you?”

“Of course not!” Xiao San quickly waved her hands.

She still remembered how her first proper job had fallen through because of Zheng Qi’s interference. Although Zheng Qi was the big boss at her current workplace, her colleagues didn’t know that.

If her colleagues found out, she’d probably lose this job too.

“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself,” she said, patting her chest to show she could manage.

Zheng Qi hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze lingering on Xiao San’s face for a moment before dropping again, as if he had only glanced at her casually. “I’ll help you pack. Make sure to take good care of yourself over there.”

“It’s just a two-week business trip,” Xiao San said, completely unfazed. This was her first business trip, and the novelty of the experience made her somewhat excited. “I’ll miss you, mwah!”

Xiao San had gradually grown accustomed to their dynamic and often initiated affectionate gestures, though these were usually playful in nature. Just as Zheng Qi was about to grab her hand, Xiao San quickly darted away.

Covering her mouth, Xiao San thought about how every time Zheng Qi kissed her, she’d end up breathless. She still had a remote meeting to attend later not only could she not afford to miss it, but if she showed up with swollen lips, she’d definitely be laughed at.

The marks on her neck alone were already enough to draw teasing comments.

Xiao San directed Zheng Qi, “You better pack properly for me. If you don’t, I might go hungry or catch a cold, you know.”

She stood grinning from a distance, refusing to come closer even when Zheng Qi beckoned. Seeing him purse his lips as if about to get angry, she stuck out her tongue playfully and hurried out of the bedroom.

She knew Zheng Qi would be in a bad mood after she left, so she decided she’d call him a few more times to make sure he wouldn’t suffer too much from missing her.

Touching her slightly flushed cheeks, she thought to herself, 【I’m just too good. How did I end up being such a kind person?】

Xiao San’s business trip had been scheduled on short notice, and she left by train that very evening.

As she boarded the train and watched it slowly depart, the station growing increasingly distant, her heart inexplicably tightened with a pang, as if she had a bad premonition.

“Could it be just nerves?”

Xiao San gazed out the window, and the momentary discomfort was quickly brushed aside.

After several hours of travel, Xiao San arrived at her business trip destination.

She first took a shower, then lay on the bed to let her parents know she had arrived safely.

Staring at her phone, she thought that if it were Zheng Qi, she would have already known Xiao San had reached the hotel. Usually, by this time, Zheng Qi’s call would have come through, but in reality, Xiao San waited for a long time without receiving any call from Zheng Qi.

“Could it be that she’s working overtime today too?”

This thought circled in Xiao San’s mind but didn’t lead to any definite conclusion.

When had Zheng Qi ever let work interfere with calling her?

Probably never.

Xiao San picked up her phone.

“Well then, I’ll have to reluctantly call Ah Qi myself,” she muttered to herself.

Xiao San dialed Zheng Qi’s number.

The phone rang repeatedly, but no one answered.

“Strange.”

Xiao San listened puzzledly to the busy tone.

Could something have happened to Zheng Qi?

Xiao San pondered for a moment but then dismissed the idea, thinking she was overreacting. How could anything happen to Zheng Qi? She was such a capable person.

Maybe she was just busy with work. After all, she’d heard that the Shen Corporation had been dealing with a lot of issues lately. As a partner of the Shen Corporation, Zheng Qi must have a lot on her plate.

“Lately, Ah Qi’s complexion has been looking pale, all because of work,” Xiao San said. “When I get back, I’ll make sure to nourish her properly.”

In reality, it was always Zheng Qi who did the cooking; Xiao San only helped out at most. Xiao San felt a bit guilty. Alright, this time when she returned, she would definitely take charge in the kitchen and not let Zheng Qi lift a finger.

Ideals are plump, but reality is bony.

Xiao San was exhausted after a long day. She lay in bed and slept soundly until morning, without receiving any reply from Zheng Qi on her phone. Before she could even start to worry, she was thrown into the complexities of her work.

This project was truly treating employees like beasts.

Starting work at 8 a.m. and not returning to the dormitory until 1 or 2 a.m., Xiao San didn’t even have time to shower, let alone check her phone. The next morning, she had just woken up a little after 9 a.m. when she was dragged back into the development work.

Xiao San wanted to protest, but seeing that even the big shot Ji Junhong had dark circles under his eyes and the other project team members looked equally exhausted, she couldn’t bring herself to say a word.

Moreover, Ji Junhong had promised that after this busy period, everyone would get a week off to rest properly, as they were currently at a critical stage of the project.

Xiao San sighed and could only shuttle back and forth between the hotel and the office every day. Later, she simply started sleeping in the office for two days, then returned to the hotel to shower and use the hotel’s internet to work for another two days.

Xiao San’s mind was almost numb; every day was nothing but work.

One day, when she went down to the hotel, she even ran into Lü Yu, who was there on vacation, and almost didn’t recognize her.

“You’re a programmer now, San’er, that’s amazing!” Seeing Xiao San completely exhausted, Lü Yu’s first reaction wasn’t concern but delight at her friend’s career choice. “You truly live up to being my bestie, you actually taught yourself and made it!”

Xiao San felt dazed, her mind sluggishly processing the words. She tilted her head and stared blankly at Lü Yu.

Why did Lü Yu seem to be learning about her programmer job for the first time? She distinctly remembered sharing this achievement with Lü Yu the moment she landed the position.

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