Twist of Fate - Chapter 34

When Xie Jing woke up again, the wound in her palm had already been treated and covered with a waterproof bandage.

She stared at her hand for a moment, then looked away, got dressed, and left the room.

By now, Qin Ning was no longer in the office, and the materials Xie Jing had brought from Jiangcheng were also gone.

Xie Jing froze in place for two seconds before realizing what Qin Ning meant by this.

How could she do this?

So, to Qin Ning, everything that happened between them earlier was just… a transaction?

Furious, Xie Jing trembled all over.

That project was the lifelong work of Madam Xie Ruzhuo. Even if Qin Ning had no intention of helping, there was no need to humiliate her like this.

Suppressing her anger, Xie Jing went downstairs.

After leaving the Fang Group building, she went straight to an innovation and technology conference. The invitation had been secured by Shen Xinghe before she came to Jinghai, using his connections.

Xie Jing planned to showcase how Xie Group’s AI technology could be applied to innovative R&D in the biopharmaceutical industry, in hopes of attracting investment.

Although the participating companies couldn’t compare to the scale of Fang Group, she was in no position to be picky at this stage.

Unfortunately, the presentation did not go smoothly. Xie Jing was only allotted a very short speaking slot—so short she barely had time to introduce the project before her time was up.

Unexpectedly, even with the rushed presentation, several companies still approached her afterward with business cards. One CEO even enthusiastically asked to meet in detail.

Xie Jing glanced at her watch. It was already 8 p.m.

“Sure,” she replied.

She followed a group of men and women to a nearby restaurant.

Once seated, Xie Jing instantly became the center of attention.

“Miss Xie, you’re so young and accomplished. The product you introduced today was truly eye-opening,” said President Wang, sitting across from her. He raised his glass to her, his meaning clear.

“You’re too kind.” Xie Jing smiled and raised her glass, downing it in one smooth motion.

“I like doing business with straightforward people,” President Wang said, clearly pleased.

The others followed suit and toasted her as well.

Xie Jing had boarded the plane on an empty stomach, gone straight to Fang Group upon landing, then took a short nap in Qin Ning’s office before heading to the conference—without eating a single bite all day.

Now, with alcohol in her empty stomach, her stomach spasmed violently. The heat of the liquor burned like fire.

Thankfully, President Wang didn’t seem intent on pressuring her further. After a few glasses, he stopped toasting.

But Xie Jing’s stomach hurt so much that she couldn’t eat. She excused herself and headed to the restroom.

“Cough, cough—”

In the quiet bathroom, she bent over the sink, bracing herself with one hand as she vomited most of the alcohol she had just consumed.

Only when the nausea finally subsided did she straighten up and wipe her mouth with a tissue.

“Xie Jing—”

Her arm was suddenly grabbed—hard.

Qin Ning appeared next to her, her eyes full of suppressed fury. “What are you doing here?”

Xie Jing turned to glance at her, surprised. “You? What are you doing here?”

What were the odds? Even just grabbing dinner, they somehow ran into each other.

“Answer me. What do you think you’re doing?” Qin Ning’s voice rose sharply, and when she smelled the strong alcohol on Xie Jing, disbelief clouded her face.

When did Xie Jing learn to drink? And in a setting like this? Did she even know what she was doing?

“I’m not doing anything,” Xie Jing replied calmly, her voice steady. “I’m just trying to win over investors. Same as this afternoon. You’ve already seen it firsthand, haven’t you?”

Qin Ning froze—then burst out, “I’ve already gone through all the materials you brought. Fang Group has agreed to act as a guarantor to postpone bankruptcy proceedings. The auction has been halted. If there are no other issues, the funds will be released and signed off on tomorrow. So why are you still doing this?”

“So, I’m worth that much, huh?” Xie Jing pulled her arm out of Qin Ning’s grasp, smiling faintly. “Is it because you slept with me that you agreed to help?”

Qin Ning fell silent.

Initially, yes—she had intended their encounter to be a purely physical exchange. After all, Xie Jing had always known how to hurt her. Just one careless retreat, one casual breakup, was enough to leave Qin Ning in pain for two whole years.

If they kept getting entangled, Qin Ning knew she’d only fall deeper.

She was scared—scared that if she gave her heart again, it would be crushed without hesitation.

So, she hid behind contracts and rational decisions.

But in truth, she had already reviewed the documents. Even if someone else had brought them instead of Xie Jing, they still would’ve been worth investing in.

“This might actually be for the best,” Xie Jing said. There was no turning back now. Whatever Qin Ning’s reasons were for helping her, she no longer cared.

Her goal had already been achieved.

Relieved, Xie Jing finally relaxed. Her head grew light, and she wobbled slightly.

Noticing something was wrong, Qin Ning steadied her by the shoulder and asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

“Mm.” Xie Jing nodded. “Haven’t eaten all day. Had a little alcohol just now.”

Qin Ning’s expression darkened.

A minute later, Xie Jing was stuffed into the passenger seat of a car.

The black sedan sped down the highway, headed toward Jinghai University.

Near the university was a Cantonese restaurant they used to frequent when they were students. Xie Jing had always loved the stuffed roast goose there—she ordered it every time they went.

Qin Ning didn’t even think about it. Instinctively, she brought her here.

While waiting for the food, Xie Jing quietly sipped her Pu’er tea. Neither of them spoke, the atmosphere calm and subdued.

Then Xie Jing’s phone rang.

It was her aunt.

“Xie Jing, where are you now?”

“I’m in Jinghai,” she said softly. “What’s wrong, Auntie?”

“I know exactly what you’ve done.” Pei Anle glanced at her nervous assistant, then sighed. “Didn’t I tell you to stay at home?”

“I didn’t want you to shoulder all the burden alone.” At 25, after all she’d been through, Xie Jing was no longer the naive girl who only knew video games and textbooks.

The company was falling apart. Of course she had to do her part—share the load with her aunt.

“When will you be home?”

Xie Jing glanced at Qin Ning across the table. “Tomorrow.”

After ending the call, she lowered her head again and resumed sipping her tea.

Qin Ning, eyes still on her, finally asked, “Where are you staying tonight?”

“Uh… not sure. I’ll probably just find a hotel.”

The food arrived, cutting off their conversation.

Xie Jing had been starving all day, but because of her stomach issues, she barely ate.

Qin Ning used the public chopsticks to serve her a piece of taro pork ribs. Xie Jing didn’t touch it.

“Not to your taste?” Qin Ning asked.

Xie Jing clutched her full stomach and shook her head. “No, I’m just full.”

Qin Ning frowned and put her own chopsticks down as well.

Xie Jing thought that would be the end of it—that they’d part ways again tonight. But Qin Ning didn’t leave.

“My place is near the airport,” Qin Ning said. “Stay at my place tonight.”

“Huh? That’s not really appropriate. Your home isn’t a shelter. I’ll just go to a hotel.”

“I live alone.” Qin Ning looked at her, unwavering. That look left Xie Jing unable to refuse.

“…Okay, thanks.”

Xie Jing followed her home. It was her first time there. Even when they were dating, she had never visited.

A spacious apartment in cool tones—tidy, minimalist, and spotless. But lacking warmth. That was Xie Jing’s first impression.

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes,” she said.

Qin Ning turned and walked into the master bedroom. Moments later, she returned with a set of pajamas. “They’re clean. Never been worn.”

As Xie Jing accepted them, she noticed a pair of white cotton underwear folded inside.

Her usual style.

“…Thank you.”

Face flushing, she carried the clothes into the guest bathroom.

By the time she came out, it was nearly 11 p.m. She couldn’t find a hairdryer, so she went to knock on Qin Ning’s door.

Qin Ning opened it after a short delay. Her hair was damp and she wore loose silk pajamas—it seemed she had just finished showering too.

Xie Jing quickly looked away. “I… couldn’t find the hairdryer.”

“Come in.” Qin Ning turned back into the room.

After hesitating, Xie Jing stepped in slowly.

Qin Ning was already holding the hairdryer, and gestured for her to sit.

Xie Jing sat on the soft bed.

Qin Ning turned on the dryer, set it to warm, and began drying her hair.

Xie Jing had fine, soft hair that took forever to dry. Back when they were students, Qin Ning often helped her with this.

Even after all this time, Qin Ning’s technique was still just as skilled—drying and massaging her scalp as she went, making Xie Jing sleepy.

After a long, exhausting day, now being cared for so gently, she started to nod off.

Qin Ning’s gaze lingered on the pale curve of her neck. Seeing her head droop lower and lower, she caught her gently by the forehead. “Don’t fall asleep yet—just a bit more.”

Xie Jing murmured an “Mm.”

But she still fell asleep.

Qin Ning turned off the hairdryer, gently tucked her into bed, pulled the blanket over her, and quietly left the room to dry her own hair in the guest room farthest from the master bedroom.

The next morning, Xie Jing woke up to find herself curled up in Qin Ning’s arms, her face buried in her neck, both arms wrapped tightly around her.

Xie Jing: “???”