What Bad Intentions Could the Heroine Have? [GL] - Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The venue for this banquet was the Zhongtian Hotel. It was chosen for its excellent privacy, service, and dining, making it a frequent choice for various events. It was also the place where Mu Xingyu and Feng Chichun had met for the first time.
The car pulled up in front of the Zhongtian Hotel, and someone immediately stepped forward to open the door for them.
Feng Chichun got out of the car unhurriedly, followed by Mu Xingyu, who took Feng Chichun’s arm.
The lobby was brightly lit, filled with men and women in formal attire. Exquisite snacks were laid out on long tables, and people holding wine glasses could be seen chatting and laughing everywhere.
The appearance of Feng Chichun and Mu Xingyu drew the eyes of many. With her sharp gaze, tough methods, and naturally stunning looks, Feng Chichun commanded attention wherever she went. Especially today, accompanied by a beauty of remarkable stature and appearance.
Several men in suits walked over to exchange pleasantries with Feng Chichun, one of whom was curious about Mu Xingyu’s identity.
“And this is?”
Feng Chichun introduced her generously: “This is my girlfriend, Mu Xingyu.”
Mu Xingyu smiled. “Hello, everyone.”
The man, being a seasoned socialite, immediately complimented: “Miss Mu is radiant and possesses an extraordinary temperament. One can see at a glance that she is a perfect match for President Feng.”
Feng Chichun smiled and nodded, clearly in a good mood.
Anyone present who recognized Feng Chichun was curious about Mu Xingyu. In today’s open society, same-sex relationships were legal; it was perfectly normal for Feng Chichun to find a beautiful young girlfriend.
Anyone with even a bit of status came up to talk to Feng Chichun, and upon learning Mu Xingyu’s identity, none failed to offer praise.
Mu Xingyu considered herself thick-skinned, but being praised in so many different ways by so many people was becoming a bit much to handle. To mask her emotions, she took several sips of champagne. The alcohol content wasn’t high, so she wasn’t drunk, but she did need to use the restroom.
Mu Xingyu leaned in and whispered into Feng Chichun’s ear. Feng Chichun nodded. “Go quickly and come right back.”
Mu Xingyu found the restroom easily. As she stepped out of the ladies’ room, she ran into an “old acquaintance.”
“Long time no see, Mu Xingyu.”
A good-looking woman in a white dress stood with her arms crossed, blocking Mu Xingyu’s path.
Mu Xingyu frowned. “Yu Li, I don’t think we’re that close.”
Yu Li said, “We’ve known each other for over a year; how can you say we aren’t close?”
Yu Li’s company was a rival to Mu Xingyu’s, so they were competitors and had never gotten along. Mu Xingyu assumed Yu Li knew she had been blacklisted by her company and was here to mock her, so her tone was sharp. “If you’re just here to talk nonsense, I don’t have time for you.”
Seeing Mu Xingyu about to leave, Yu Li quickly stopped her. “I came looking for you today for more than just nonsense. I’ve heard that your contract with Meili is about to expire. Have you considered joining our company?”
Mu Xingyu’s expression turned odd. She asked, “So, you’re here to poach me?”
Yu Li nodded matter-of-factly. “Exactly. Although I don’t particularly like you, it’s undeniable that you have talent.”
“Even if you praise me like that, it doesn’t mean I’ll agree to join your company.”
Yu Li said, “Whether Meili is better or our Xinyue is better—I believe you’ll understand once you see the compensation and resources.”
Only then did Mu Xingyu’s attitude shift slightly. She asked, “So you’re serious?”
“Of course. I’ll send the details of Xinyue’s benefits to you via WeChat. You can look them over tonight.”
Although she wasn’t short on money right now, her contract with Feng Chichun was only for a year, and no one ever complained about having too much money. Signing with a new company was a must, but with the lesson of Meili fresh in her mind, she had to be cautious this time.
Mu Xingyu said to Yu Li, “I’ll consider it.”
Yu Li replied, “I’ll wait for your answer.”
After finishing her conversation with Yu Li, Mu Xingyu returned the way she came to find Feng Chichun.
Feng Chichun hadn’t gone far, and Mu Xingyu found her quickly. Feng Chichun was sitting under a rose trellis, the hem of her mermaid dress cascading onto the floor. Under the lights, the dark patterns on the black dress shimmered like a starlit river flowing through a mysterious night sky.
Feng Chichun swirled her glass with one hand as the dark red liquid surged. Her red lips parted slightly as she took a sip. Snow-white skin and bright red lips—it was an extreme contrast of colors.
The air was filled with the faint scent of wine and flowers; Mu Xingyu couldn’t tell if it was the fragrance of the roses or the scent of Feng Chichun’s skin. Mu Xingyu had clearly been sober just a moment ago, but now she suddenly felt a dizzying intoxication.
Steadying herself, Mu Xingyu saw Feng Chichun waving at her. She walked straight over and sat down beside her.
“Want a drink?” Feng Chichun raised her glass.
Mu Xingyu hadn’t forgotten the time she got drunk and soiled Feng Chichun’s clothes. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself again, so she said, “I’ll pass. My tolerance isn’t very good.”
Feng Chichun’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s a pity.” With that, she took another sip.
Mu Xingyu had never seen Feng Chichun drink before and didn’t know her tolerance. She couldn’t help but ask, “Which glass is this for you?”
“The first.” Then, Feng Chichun drained the last drop.
Mu Xingyu was stunned. Looking at Feng Chichun’s state, she thought this was at least her third or fourth glass, but it was only the first?
“President Feng has a poor tolerance for alcohol. Miss Mu, please help me get her to the car.” A voice came from behind Mu Xingyu.
Even though she recognized it as Fang Yuandong, Mu Xingyu was still a bit startled. Fang Yuandong was always appearing out of nowhere; Mu Xingyu could never figure out where she hid before showing up.
“Okay.” Mu Xingyu went over to support Feng Chichun. Feng Chichun’s body was soft, her skin was firm, and… well, quite elastic.
Mu Xingyu’s gaze wavered as she spoke to Fang Yuandong. “Are we leaving now? Don’t we need to say goodbye to the host?”
Fang Yuandong pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting a flash of white light. “Please rest assured, Miss Mu. I will inform the host, Mr. Chen.”
“Okay.” Mu Xingyu tried her best not to touch Feng Chichun’s body, but given Feng Chichun’s height and weight and Mu Xingyu’s own limited strength, most of Feng Chichun’s body ended up pressed against her.
After finally getting Feng Chichun into the car, Mu Xingyu’s temples were damp with sweat. Suddenly, the car started moving.
Mu Xingyu couldn’t help but ask, “Where are we going?”
The driver, Xiao Zhong, said, “To the Yuefeng Hotel. President Feng usually rests there.”
No wonder she had met Feng Chichun there that day; it turned out Feng Chichun often stayed at the Yuefeng Hotel.
However, Mu Xingyu suddenly remembered something. Wasn’t this development a bit familiar? Usually in novels, when the CEO gets drunk, the female lead takes them to a hotel to rest. Just as she’s about to leave, the CEO suddenly grabs her, and then…
And then, it’s content that “A-Jiang” (Lüjiang) readers aren’t allowed to see.
Mu Xingyu’s heart raced with this thought. No way, right? Surely this plot isn’t actually happening?
Then Xiao Zhong suddenly said, “Miss Mu, our President Feng doesn’t like strangers getting too close to her, so I’ll have to trouble you to take care of her.”
Mu Xingyu’s heart beat even faster; her fingers felt a bit weak. According to this progression, the plot she imagined might actually happen.
“Thank you for the reminder.”
Xiao Zhong knew nothing about the contract relationship and truly believed Mu Xingyu was Feng Chichun’s girlfriend. He said, “Miss Mu, I’m sure President Feng must really like you. I’ve been her driver for over three years, and I’ve never seen her so devoted to anyone.”
“Really?”
“Of course! The necklace you’re wearing was specifically auctioned by President Feng. It’s called something like ‘Tears of the Sky’ and cost two million.”
Mu Xingyu instinctively touched the sapphire on her chest. Feng Chichun had told her it was just a necklace she bought on a whim, but in Zhong Jin’s (Xiao Zhong’s) words, it became a necklace specifically auctioned.
An uncontrollable thought surfaced in Mu Xingyu’s heart. Could it be that Feng Chichun has been secretly in love with her all along? Was the so-called contract relationship just an excuse to get close to her?
Mu Xingyu stole a glance to the side. Feng Chichun seemed truly drunk; her eyes were closed against the headrest, and her breathing was heavy. Mu Xingyu wondered if Feng Chichun was the type to speak the truth after drinking. If she asked, would Feng Chichun even remember the next day?
Should she ask or not? If she asked directly and it turned out Feng Chichun wasn’t actually that drunk, what would she do? Does anyone really pass out after one glass?
Mu Xingyu was deeply conflicted, wavering between asking and staying silent the entire way. Before she could come to a conclusion, they arrived at the Yuefeng Hotel.
Being a man, Zhong Jin didn’t think it was appropriate to help Mu Xingyu carry Feng Chichun, so Mu Xingyu alone had to laboriously support her up to the fifth floor.
Zhong Jin helped swipe the room card and said to Mu Xingyu, “Miss Mu, if you want to go back, you can notify me anytime. However, I’d recommend staying. After all, President Feng needs someone to look after her. She’s usually very busy and probably drank because of the pressure. I think she really needs someone’s company right now.”
Hearing this, Mu Xingyu felt it would be embarrassing if she didn’t stay. But then she thought about it—Feng Chichun only had one glass, right? And it wasn’t even full.
After Zhong Jin left, Mu Xingyu helped Feng Chichun onto the sofa. Feng Chichun was a “good drunk”—she didn’t get rowdy or talk nonsense; she just smiled more than usual.
The thought from the car resurfaced. If she didn’t ask now, she might never get another chance.
But Mu Xingyu wasn’t sure if Feng Chichun was really drunk. She held up two fingers and asked, “Look, how many is this?”
Feng Chichun half-lidded her eyes, reached out, and directly grabbed Mu Xingyu’s fingers. “Those are your fingers. So soft.”
Mu Xingyu instinctively tried to pull her fingers back, but Feng Chichun suddenly let go. Due to the momentum, Mu Xingyu fell backward and landed on the floor.
“Ouch!” Mu Xingyu cried out in pain.
Seeing this, Feng Chichun propped up her upper body. “Let me help you up.”
“No need—” Before Mu Xingyu could finish, Feng Chichun lost her balance and fell directly on top of her.
Mu Xingyu was pinned down, struggling to breathe. She pushed at Feng Chichun’s body, but she didn’t budge.
“Chichun, can you get up for a moment?”
Feng Chichun’s voice was muffled: “Tired. Want to sleep for a bit.”
Mu Xingyu wanted to cry but had no tears. Feng Chichun couldn’t even stand steadily herself and yet tried to help her up. Now, both of them were lying on the floor. But the biggest complaint was: how could someone have such a low tolerance? That was only half a glass!
“It’s night, so we definitely need to sleep, but shouldn’t we shower before bed?” Mu Xingyu tried to coax Feng Chichun into getting up.
To her surprise, Feng Chichun actually listened and got up to shower. Mu Xingyu stopped at the bathroom door. Should she help her wash, or let her do it herself? Even though they were of the same gender, it wasn’t right to touch someone’s body casually. But if she left a drunk person alone and something happened in the bathroom, what then?
Then Feng Chichun asked, “Aren’t you coming in together?”
The upturned corners of Feng Chichun’s eyes were flushed with the red of intoxication, and a faint scent of wine escaped her lips as she spoke. With such a beautiful appearance and such a bewitching tone, it was hard to refuse her request.
By the time Mu Xingyu snapped back to reality, she had already followed Feng Chichun into the bathroom.
When they came out, Mu Xingyu had changed into a bathrobe, her cheeks incredibly flushed. Since they had already showered here, there was no point in leaving; she might as well stay and rest.
While Mu Xingyu was lost in thought, Feng Chichun had already climbed into bed. Mu Xingyu walked to the bedside and found that Feng Chichun seemed to be asleep. Mu Xingyu slowly climbed into bed. It was a large bed, but Feng Chichun was lying very close to her—close enough to touch with a simple reach of the hand.
“Are you asleep?” Mu Xingyu asked.
Feng Chichun made a sound from her throat, like a sleep-induced murmur.
“I want to ask you a question. Can you answer me?” Mu Xingyu squeezed her hands together nervously.
Feng Chichun didn’t respond.
Even though she knew she might not get an answer, Mu Xingyu couldn’t help but ask. “Do… do you like me?”
Mu Xingyu held her breath, waiting for a reply.
One second, two seconds, three seconds… Finally, Feng Chichun reacted. She propped up her upper body, her eyes—misty with intoxication—gazing at Mu Xingyu.
Mu Xingyu’s mind went blank. Then she saw Feng Chichun’s face leaning closer. Feng Chichun leaned into Mu Xingyu’s ear, her warm breath hitting the side of her white neck, sending a tingly, electric sensation through her.
“I like…”
Mu Xingyu’s eyes widened slightly.
“…the scent on your body.” After saying that, Feng Chichun’s strength gave out, and she collapsed directly onto Mu Xingyu.
Mu Xingyu couldn’t remember how many times she had been pinned down today. Her mood had gone through massive ups and downs and downs and downs until it hit the Mariana Trench. She felt tight-chested and dizzy, not knowing if it was from anger or being crushed.
“Chichun, wake up. Get up first, okay?”
Feng Chichun was only wearing a bathrobe, so Mu Xingyu had nowhere to push. But this time, Feng Chichun seemed truly asleep; no matter how Mu Xingyu called out, there was no reaction.
Ultimately, Mu Xingyu gave up the struggle. She reached out to pull up the covers, at least to keep herself from catching a cold.
Fifteen minutes later, Mu Xingyu fell asleep, but she didn’t sleep soundly. In her dream, she saw a young woman wearing a printed T-shirt, pedaling a rickety tricycle and shouting.
“Step right up, don’t miss out! Come look at my new story! It’s really good! If it’s not sweet, you don’t have to pay!”
Mu Xingyu looked closely and saw the T-shirt said “Yitiao Paopaoyu”—wasn’t that the author’s pen name?
Then a whistle blew. A person in a uniform and hat blocked the author’s tricycle.
“Please show your driver’s license.”
The author said with a long face, “License… ‘A-Jiang’ hasn’t issued a license in a long time.”
The uniformed person pointed to the badge on his chest, which read “Reviewer.” He said, “As a Reviewer, my only duty is to catch all instances of illegal driving!”
“But this is just a broken tricycle! It’s a non-motorized vehicle!”
The Reviewer gave the author a side-eye. “Is a non-motorized vehicle not a vehicle? Confiscating the tools of the crime—reflect on your actions!”
The author wailed, “I’m being wronged! Is there no justice? Is there no law?”
The Reviewer remained unmoved. With a wave of his hand, a giant red lock descended from the sky.
Mu Xingyu suddenly jolted awake from her dream. When she opened her eyes, she saw the sky outside was beginning to turn gray. There was light and the sound of water in the bathroom; Feng Chichun had woken up at some point.
Mu Xingyu sat up, her body aching all over, feeling as if she had been taken apart and put back together.
Feng Chichun came out of the bathroom, her hair still slightly damp. “Morning.”
“Good morning.”
“You worked hard last night. If you’re still tired, sleep a bit longer. I have some matters to handle at the company.” Feng Chichun spoke as she put on her coat.
The way she said it made it sound like something actually happened last night, but in reality, she had simply been pinned down all night! Her limbs were still numb.
“Do I still need to accompany you for lunch today?”
Feng Chichun put on her watch and said, “No need. Get some rest. If anything comes up, I’ll call you.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Feng Chichun then left the hotel. Mu Xingyu lay on the bed for nearly half an hour before her limbs regained sensation. She checked her phone to see the time, and a call happened to come in.
The caller was Mu Xingyu’s former manager—Zhuo Zi.
“Xingyu, how have you been lately? Do you have time for a chat?”
Mu Xingyu remembered everything Zhuo Zi had done to her. She couldn’t possibly speak to her calmly, and since she wasn’t feeling well, her tone was even worse. “Sorry, I’m busy. No time.”
Zhuo Zi said apologetically, “Actually, I called to ask if you want to renew your contract with the company next month? Mr. Li feels your working ability is very strong, and the new contract plans to increase your benefits.”
Mu Xingyu didn’t believe a word of Zhuo Zi’s nonsense. Something must have happened for Zhuo Zi to be so humble and beg her to come back.
“Sister Zhuo, your commission from that deal with President Wang must have been quite large, right? Is your roster still lacking a model like me?”
At the mention of this, Zhuo Zi’s tone became even more awkward. She said, “There was a problem on President Wang’s side; the cooperation was terminated. Everything before was my fault. I was wrong.”
Knowing Zhuo Zi as she did, Mu Xingyu knew the matter wasn’t as simple as she made it out to be. Mu Xingyu suddenly recalled what Feng Chichun had said earlier. Could it be that Feng Chichun had done something?