Waiting for You for a Long Time, But You Haven't Arrived - Chapter 30

Who did you go to see?

What Ji Zijun wanted was something Ming Yishu had once refused to grant. Back then, Ming Yishu did not know that the other woman was the very investor who had been sponsoring her all along, so she had not agreed to the request to become her kept woman.

“At that time, my secretary was somewhat indiscreet; I didn’t expect them to propose it so bluntly. It’s only natural that you didn’t accept.” Ji Zijun’s gaze was peaceful and gentle. She held Ming Yishu’s hand while explaining, “I intended to speak with you personally, but unfortunately, the mission came in haste. Before I could say much more, I arrived here. It is truly a regretful turn of events.”

Ming Yishu thought for a moment and offered her own explanation: “At that time, I didn’t know you were the person sponsoring me. It was I who was indiscreet.”

Ji Zijun smiled and asked, “If you had known… would anything have been different?”

“I used to believe that my years of schooling relied entirely on the foundation’s help. I felt I ought to give back to society after completing my studies, rather than being fostered as someone’s bedside companion for immediate gain. To do so would have felt like a betrayal to those members of society who sponsored me; it would have chilled their hearts.” Ming Yishu recalled carefully, her tone calm. “But if it was you who was silently funding the aid, then I ought to show my gratitude by repaying that kindness.”

Ji Zijun was momentarily silenced, then she let out a soft, warm laugh. “Had I known that, I would have made things clear much sooner.”

She had worried about wounding Ming Yishu’s heart, fearing that someone with such a noble and pure temperament—like a clear moon or a fresh breeze—might reject all sponsorship because of it. If that had happened, her years of scheming would have been in vain.

She hadn’t expected…

That the other woman was actually so open-minded.

The more Ji Zijun looked at her, the more she felt Ming Yishu suited her heart’s desire. Her years of meticulous cultivation had not been wasted. She gripped the other’s hand tightly, and seeing no sign of resistance, she moved a little closer.

In her life, everything Ji Zijun loved had to be beautiful to the extreme. She enjoyed studying scholars of lofty integrity, she loved collecting brilliant and ornate writings, and she adored cold beauties with temperaments like frost and snow. Now, she had attained the first two; only the last remained.

Long ago, Ji Zijun had noticed Ming Yishu. she had hinted to her subordinates to contact her through the foundation’s channels, sponsoring her for years. She often observed her behavior, and only after Ming Yishu passed layer upon layer of tests was Ji Zijun satisfied enough to lock her target.

Whom Ming Yishu interacted with, what books she read, and what major she chose—all of it was manipulated behind the scenes.

She had patiently cultivated her for many years, until she saw with her own eyes that Ming Yishu had become her most perfect masterpiece.

Excellent.

“It’s not too late. Now that the truth is out, we still have time.” Ji Zijun looked at her with those soulful eyes, her words thick with implication. “As long as you nod—”

Her fingers lightly brushed against Ming Yishu’s waist sash, her smile as approachable as autumn waters.

Ming Yishu did not dare to meet that gaze. Her eyes fell upon the other’s soft, moon-white satin robe, counting the cloud and moon patterns on the fabric to alleviate her inner turmoil.

The person before her possessed both the clarity of a modern person and the elegant aura of an ancient one. Being with her felt like a relaxing spring breeze; she was like a subtle, understated landscape painting. Even when she looked at someone with such inquiry, she did not appear the least bit urgent.

If they had met in the modern world, she would certainly be the kind of woman whose brilliance was evident even in a crowd, one whose poetry and books resided within her heart.

Ming Yishu knew she was a good person, but…

“I already belong to Jiang Qionghua.” Ming Yishu chose to tell the truth. Unwilling to deceive her, she spoke the facts without hesitation. “I am with her…”

Before she could finish, Ji Zijun pressed a finger against her lips, stopping the rest of her words. “It doesn’t matter. I am not some pedantic, old-fashioned ancient person. Even if these things happened, it is of no consequence. I have waited so many years; I do not care about these brief years spent here.”

Ming Yishu felt even more ashamed to face her. A person like this must have very high standards; how could she tolerate…

Ming Yishu didn’t believe it.

“Teacher really won’t lie to you.” Ji Zijun remained composed and proper, smiling gently. “Jiang Qionghua is nothing more than a paper character. She cannot be considered a real existence. Why would I be jealous of a dead object?”

These words were like a cold blade, catching Ming Yishu off guard and chilling her heart. Beneath her wide sleeves, her fingers gradually curled into fists, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.

Seeing her expression, Ji Zijun continued dismissively, “That Jiang Qionghua is utterly rotten, with a heart and lungs full of filth. I shouldn’t have let you follow her.”

Ming Yishu grew quiet, but she couldn’t help speaking up: “Qionghua… she isn’t bad to that extent.”

She had been avoiding reality all this time, unwilling to face one question—Jiang Qionghua ultimately could not be considered to have truly existed. Even if her words and deeds were vivid, it didn’t change her fated downfall.

They would eventually have to part ways, whether the mission succeeded or failed.

“She is. She truly is. I loathe her to the extreme. Just a character in a book, yet she constantly causes displeasure and looks for trouble with me everywhere.” A rare flash of annoyance crossed Ji Zijun’s brow. Her speech quickened slightly as she warned Ming Yishu, “There are some things Teacher cannot tell you fully, for fear she might realize you know the truth and subject you to severe interrogation… You cannot leave the Prime Minister’s manor yet. Once I have clarified certain matters, I will take you away.”

“Are you looking for a token? I can help,” Ming Yishu said. “Qionghua won’t use torture on me. Please rest assured. Even if she gives me the cold shoulder, she wouldn’t let those things that once hurt her touch me. That much is worth believing.”

Ji Zijun clearly did not believe her. She closed her eyes wearily. “From now on, don’t let her touch you again.”

Ming Yishu froze, realizing that the other woman did, in fact, care.

“I’m sorry.” Ming Yishu’s guilt had never been stronger. She was more miserable now than when she hadn’t recognized her, simply because she couldn’t offer what the other woman wanted. There was only one Ming Yishu, and she couldn’t be split in two. She had surrendered her heart long ago; after being wounded, it had shattered into pieces that could not be restored to their original form.

Her purest love had already been stained; it was no longer what Ji Zijun desired.

Ming Yishu dared not suggest the other woman change her request. She knew she didn’t have the right to say such a thing. She already owed Ji Zijun so much; if the other woman didn’t change the request herself, how could she have the face to suggest anything else?

Ming Yishu’s conscience suffered immense torment; standing there felt like being executed by a thousand cuts.

“Don’t say ‘I’m sorry.’ You should say ‘Understood.'” Ji Zijun rose and came before Ming Yishu. She gazed at the other’s slightly pale lips and deeply touched them with the pad of her finger.

Ming Yishu closed her eyes and caught a scent of elegant orchids—a distant and lingering fragrance that invaded her senses through the other’s touch. Orchids were supposed to be a peaceful scent, but Ming Yishu felt this fragrance was exceptionally intense, almost aggressive, making her feel dizzy.

Ji Zijun leaned down and watched the person before her. She saw Ming Yishu’s eyelashes trembling slightly. Though she made no move to resist, her body carried a silent defiance. Her eyes were indeed closed, but there was no anticipation; she clearly didn’t want any further contact.

In the end, Ji Zijun pulled away.

“You may go.”

“Go back early, or she will become suspicious.”

“Remember, no matter what, do not leave the Prime Minister’s manor. Teacher still needs you to stay there.”

Only after she backed away did Ming Yishu feel as though she could breathe fresh air again. She clutched her chest, rose to bid farewell, and turned to leave.

“How is your heart ailment?” Ji Zijun called out to her, asking, “How has the pain been lately?”

Ming Yishu turned her head slightly and answered in a low voice: “It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”

Ji Zijun: “Mm.”

Ming Yishu left the Shangshi Workshop, her heart growing increasingly heavy. She even forgot to take the pastries and went straight to the carriage.

“Miss Ming, why did you take so long to come out?” The white wolf cub in Su Qian’er’s arms was already asleep. She coaxed the cub like a child while asking in a low voice, “Miss, your face looks terrible.”

Ming Yishu sat in the carriage for a long time before speaking: “I’m fine. I’ve worried you, Qian’er.”

Only then did Su Qian’er notice something: “Miss, where are the pastries you bought?”

Ming Yishu froze and hurried back to find them.

She returned to the Shangshi Workshop, but this time, she could not enter the backyard.

She was stopped.

The elderly nanny smiled apologetically: “The mistress is currently feeling unwell. Let me pack another portion of the things you left behind for you.”

Ming Yishu was worried and wanted to take a look: “Is it serious? I’m a bit concerned.”

“It is no great matter. Please do not worry, Miss.” The nanny subtly blocked her view and led her into the shop. “Please wait a moment; it will be packed shortly.”

A short distance away, Ji Zijun smashed the teacup in her hand.

She crushed the medicine bottle hidden in her palm, and the orchid fragrance, strong enough to daze a hundred people, spread across the room. Her mood was at its absolute worst, and a storm raged in her heart. She almost gritted her teeth as she questioned her system.

“Why would Jiang Qionghua touch her?”

“Doesn’t that woman never touch matters of love and passion?”

“How could she break her own rule?”

“Explain this properly—”

“Speak!”

“I truly want to kill that Jiang Qionghua. If it weren’t for the fact that she’s the only one in the world who knows the whereabouts of the token…”

“She deserves to die ten thousand times over.”

“Worse than a beast. Even if she had killed Ming Yishu, it would be better than defiling her.”

She talked to herself in a state of collapse, so angry she could no longer maintain her composed facade.

How could she not care?

She had prepared for so many years, planning and cultivating Ming Yishu step by step. Why did things always miss the mark due to strange twists of fate?

The beautiful thing she had yearned for, the one she had molded with her own hands, had been snatched away by someone else first.

Fortunately, this wasn’t the real world. The only thing that could comfort her was this—nothing here truly counted. Even if Ming Yishu died, she could be resurrected just like her.

When that time came, she would have a pure and clean version of the other woman.

Fortunately.

Fortunately.

Ming Yishu returned to the Prime Minister’s manor holding the pastry box. Her mood remained gloomy. She stared out the window for a long, long time, lost in thought, who knows what she was thinking about.

Heyi kept trying to get her attention, coaxing her to play.

Ming Yishu remained lost in thought until her fingertips felt a slight numbing sensation. Only then did she numbly lower her head.

Heyi was gently nibbling on her finger with its teeth, playing a game of tug-of-war. Although it was a fierce wolf, its bite was as soft as a small rodent’s; it didn’t dare apply any pressure.

Ming Yishu finally showed a faint smile and stroked Heyi’s head with her palm.

Although it wasn’t a puppy, in Ming Yishu’s eyes, Heyi was no different from a simple dog. It would try its best to please people, its heart forever simple and sincere, its eyes full of her.

A puppy would never betray someone, nor did it understand those schemes and intrigues.

Ming Yishu bowed her head and felt at peace as she hugged her favorite, Heyi.

When Jiang Qionghua returned, this was the scene she encountered: Ming Yishu had fallen into a light sleep while holding the wolf cub. Her soft sleeves were wrinkled where the cub pressed against them, and the sight of the person and the wolf together appeared exceptionally warm.

“Yishu, wake up.” Jiang Qionghua helplessly untied her outer robe and draped it over Ming Yishu. “How could you fall asleep here? Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

Ming Yishu was a light sleeper and was startled awake. She instinctively hugged Heyi tighter, then lifted her eyes to look at Jiang Qionghua.

Jiang Qionghua picked up the wolf cub with one hand, tossed it aside, and took the spot that had belonged to it.

“I have a headache today, so I came to see you early.” Jiang Qionghua moved closer to Ming Yishu on her own accord, her brow slightly furrowed. She said, “I encountered some troublesome matters this afternoon. I don’t know who is tripping me up, but it is truly annoying.”

In her state of mental confusion, Ming Yishu didn’t comfort her for a moment.

Jiang Qionghua keenly sensed that something was wrong. She leaned in close, her nose approaching Ming Yishu’s face. “Who did you go to see today? Why do you have such a strange scent on you?”

“I didn’t see anyone.” Ming Yishu lowered her eyelashes and composed herself. “I went to the Shangshi Workshop today just to buy some pastries.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qionghua gave a casual response. She wasn’t surprised by the answer, nor did she intend to press Ming Yishu or keep her under constant watch.

She had come to find Ming Yishu, naturally, to stay the night.

“I want you.” Jiang Qionghua pulled her into her arms with infatuation, her voice low and lingering, carrying an indescribable, ambiguous affection. “This time, you take the initiative, okay?”

Ming Yishu’s fingers tightly gripped the other’s sleeve. Her sense of unease and guilt grew even more severe. Her ears were filled with Ji Zijun’s parting instructions—the woman had forbidden her from being intimate with Jiang Qionghua again. But…

How could she refuse?

Ming Yishu turned her lips slightly, letting the kiss brush past her corner of her mouth. She said hoarsely, “I am feeling unwell today.”

Jiang Qionghua said considerately, “I’ll call a doctor for you.”

Ming Yishu pulled her back. “It’s no matter. No need to find one.”

Jiang Qionghua naturally assumed the “no matter” was directed at what was supposed to happen tonight. Feeling relieved, she continued to pinch Ming Yishu’s chin to kiss her.

She had misunderstood.

Ming Yishu struggled once more to avoid her. “Let’s not today…”

“If you’re not physically unwell, is it that you’re feeling uncomfortable in your heart?” Jiang Qionghua’s eyes darkened as she matched the situation to her inner suspicions. She asked Ming Yishu, “Who has been speaking nonsense in front of you? Tell me, and I will go ‘talk’ to them.”

“It’s not that reason either.”

Jiang Qionghua didn’t want to guess anymore. She looked down, very close to Ming Yishu. “Whatever the reason, you cannot dislike me. Yishu, do not lie to me. In the future, I intend to treat you well.”

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