Caught in the act
Who says pies don’t just fall from the sky?
Qin Mingzhu yanked the door open in a flash, her heart pounding as if she’d just hit the jackpot.
“Gu Jingchen is going to marry you,” Qin Hai said, his heart beating even faster than hers. “Come to the study with me.”
Only a single floor lamp was on in the study. Qin Hai clenched a cigarette between his teeth; the lighter clicked as he lit it. Getting straight to the point, he said, “Don’t even think about going to the Gu family to be some idle housewife.”
Just as I thought, Qin Mingzhu thought to herself. She shrugged. “If you want Qin Xuanjiao to marry in my place, fine but I have conditions…”
“Who said I wanted Jiaojiao to marry?”
Qin Mingzhu fell silent immediately.
“I want you ” Qin Hai flicked the ash from his cigarette and dragged out his words, “ to be a nail buried in the Gu family for the Qin family.”
…Qin Mingzhu dug at her ear suspiciously.
“You heard me right. After you marry in, behave yourself and seduce Gu Jingchen. When it’s time for you to act, I’ll give the order.”
Qin Hai waved her away.
Qin Mingzhu deeply felt the power of genetics. Before, she had only thought Qin Xuanjiao had something wrong with her brain. Now it seemed she had inherited it from Qin Hai.
Since when did a so-called “pretty vase” like her have the ability to be a spy?
Still, she was quite happy to be able to leave the Qin family.
The first thing Qin Mingzhu did after returning to her room was change her social media bio to “Welcoming a new life.”
She was a popular internet influencer, blessed with a face that could dominate the entire entertainment industry. Many directors had wanted to sign her for films, but she had refused them all.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want fame. She was signed under the Qin family’s company, and all the money she earned was taken by Qin Hai under the excuse of repaying her mother’s gambling debts.
Might as well just lie flat and spend Qin Hai’s money.
After updating her status, Qin Mingzhu went straight to sleep.
Early the next morning, her bedroom door was kicked open by Qin Xuanjiao!
Qin Mingzhu nearly drew her lipstick across her cheek. Startled, she said, “Have you really not considered taking medication?”
Qin Xuanjiao acted as if she hadn’t heard and shouted angrily, “How could Brother Jingchen possibly be willing to marry you? What tricks did you use?”
Her eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles underneath.
Qin Mingzhu thought of something, suppressed a laugh, and feigned surprise. “Oh my, don’t tell me you didn’t sleep all night because of this?”
Qin Xuanjiao was so angry she nearly stumbled.
“Qin Mingzhu, let’s see how long you can stay smug!”
Qin Mingzhu lowered her head to pick out a necklace, looking regretful. “That’ll probably be a long time.”
“Heh, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Brother Jingchen’s childhood sweetheart, Lin Zhi, came back to the country yesterday,” Qin Xuanjiao said gleefully. “You, a scandal-ridden influencer what makes you think you can compete with a film and television superstar?”
“So what?” Qin Mingzhu replied with a sincere smile. “Will the bride change?”
Obviously not.
Qin Xuanjiao couldn’t laugh anymore.
“Jiaojiao Even if I can’t win Jingchen’s heart, at least I can have his body,” Qin Mingzhu said lazily as she pushed her out. “Better than some people who get neither his heart nor his body.”
After locking the bedroom door, Qin Xuanjiao kicked and pounded on it in anger, while Qin Mingzhu remained completely unmoved.
The Gu and Qin families had arranged to meet. At eleven in the morning, a black Cayenne stopped punctually in front of the Qin residence.
Qin Xuanjiao rushed over first. When she saw the person in the back seat, her whole demeanor turned soft and delighted.
“Brother-in-law, my sister is still behind. I’ll get in first.”
She eagerly tried to climb into the car.
The assistant stopped her apologetically. “Sorry, the family car is behind. This is Madam’s private car.”
Qin Mingzhu arrived just in time and patted Qin Xuanjiao’s shoulder regretfully. “Little sister, I’m getting married. You can’t cling to me like before.”
Who’s clinging to you? Disgusting! Qin Xuanjiao left with a twisted expression.
Qin Mingzhu bent down. The man in the back seat was still flipping through documents, his tailored black coat outlining his waist.
She swallowed. So handsome.
This deal is a huge win.
“What are you looking at?” Gu Jingchen turned his head, his striking features fully revealed in the light.
Qin Mingzhu traced his deep-set eyes and high nose bridge with her gaze and blurted nonsense, “This document is handled really well.”
The man seemed thoughtful. After flipping a couple of pages, he asked, “What’s good about it?”
“Nice handwriting.”
The moment she said it, Qin Mingzhu wanted to disappear into a crack in the ground.
It was all printed of course it looked good!
The driver’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. Qin Mingzhu chuckled awkwardly. “Just joking. Lightening the mood.”
Fortunately, Gu Jingchen took a few phone calls afterward, and the awkward moment passed.
The meeting was held at the most luxurious Marriott hotel in the area. The musical fountain sprayed water at different heights in rhythm with the music. As soon as the car stopped, attendants came to guide them.
The Gu family had booked the entire top floor. When Qin Mingzhu entered arm-in-arm with Gu Jingchen, Old Madam Gu was already chatting with Qin Hai.
“Brother Chen Was there traffic? Grandma’s been waiting for you for a long time.”
Hearing the voice, Qin Mingzhu looked up to see Qin Xuanjiao speaking in a sugary tone while trying to squeeze herself between them.
“Jiaojiao” Qin Mingzhu mimicked her, “We didn’t hit any traffic. Why don’t you go sit in your own seat? There’s no space between Brother Chen and me for you.”
Qin Mingzhu suppressed a laugh as Qin Xuanjiao stormed off, not noticing the slight curl at the man’s lips.
Although it was supposed to be a meal between two families, only Old Madam Gu came from the Gu side, and only Qin Hai from the Qin side.
Qin Mingzhu’s biological mother had an awkward status, while Gu Jingchen’s mother had passed away and his father was still in the ICU.
“Mingzhu, Jingchen is a bit reserved. You’ll have to be more accommodating in the future,” Old Madam Gu said slowly. “After the wedding, have a child as soon as possible so things can settle down.”
Qin Mingzhu raised an eyebrow at how quickly she was being urged to have children, but outwardly agreed, “Alright.”
The meal left Qin Mingzhu distracted.
She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but Gu Jingchen beside her also seemed to be zoning out frequently.
Keeping an eye out, Qin Mingzhu caught a glimpse of the caller ID when his phone vibrated Lin Zhi.
“I’ll step out to take this call.” Gu Jingchen frowned slightly and stood up.
As soon as he disappeared, Qin Mingzhu also got up in a hurry. “I’m going to the restroom.”
The top floor was spacious and intricately decorated. Half-concealing herself, Qin Mingzhu followed him into the men’s restroom and slipped into the stall next to his.
“What does your return to the country have to do with me?”
His voice was extremely impatient cold and rude in a way no one had ever seen.
But wasn’t that a kind of uniqueness too?
Qin Mingzhu held her breath and leaned against the door.
“Suit yourself. If there’s nothing else, don’t bother me. Call again and I’ll block you.”
The sound of flushing came from next door, followed by Gu Jingchen leaving.
Qin Mingzhu fell into thought. Combining this with what Qin Xuanjiao had said earlier, it seemed this Lin Zhi really had feelings for Gu Jingchen and came back because of him.
So why now? Waiting until he was about to get married to intervene.
She silently curled her lips.
The outside fell quiet. After estimating that the man had gone far enough, Qin Mingzhu finally relaxed and unlocked the stall door.
She poked her head out and froze instantly.