1 – When will Yinzhen return?
Fu Group Headquarters, top floor.
Fu Qingzi’s slightly upturned phoenix eyes were fixed on the computer screen, faintly tinged with a trace of worry. With her hands clasped together and propping up her chin, she seemed lost in thought.
Just then, the secretary gently knocked on the door, her voice drifting in from outside: “Boss.”
Fu Qingzi’s voice was as cool and distant as ever, giving the illusion of being unattainable: “Come in.”
The secretary glanced at the Casio watch on her wrist, then turned her gaze to the ever-impassive Fu Qingzi: “Boss, there’s a charity banquet at seven tonight. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late.”
Before Fu Qingzi could respond, a call came through. Fu Qingzi glanced at the screen, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. Her slender, pale hand picked up the phone, and her thumb lightly swiped upward.
Fu Qingzi’s voice softened unconsciously, and even her eyes seemed to shimmer with a hint of a smile. “Manman.”
The secretary clasped her hands together and gave a slight pout. It was clear from the look that it was the boss’s good friend again—she always spoiled her so much. A faint pang of jealousy stirred in the secretary’s heart.
After hanging up the phone, Fu Qingzi composed her expression and turned her gaze to the documents. After giving them a quick scan, she said calmly, “Joann, reschedule all of today’s appointments for the day after tomorrow.”
Qiao An’s displeasure was unmistakable, spreading through the air before she finally uttered a sulky remark: “How long has it been since you called me An An?”
Hearing this, Fu Qingzi looked up at Qiao An, leaning back in her office chair with her arms crossed, wearing a faintly amused expression.
Qiao An immediately felt both jealous and unable to voice it, stifling her frustration.
She was the one Fu Qingzi had adopted when passing by an orphanage. She would always remember that day.
Fu Qingzi, only eight or nine years old at the time, looked at her through the car window as she sat outside the orphanage gate.
Qiao An’s gaze unconsciously fell on Fu Qingzi, seated inside the extended Bentley. Those eyes made her heart race—what a beautiful older sister.
At some point, the car stopped. Qiao An looked up at Fu Qingzi, who wore leather shoes and a black dress, walking toward her step by step.
Fu Qingzi glanced back at the person inside the car, her expression unreadable, her voice cold yet leaving no room for doubt: “Father, adopt her.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
She had no name. The orphanage director and the other children called her Qiao Qiao, so Fu Qingzi added a character: An.
Fu Qingzi’s domineering words still echoed in her ears: “From now on, you’re mine. I hope you live a life of peace and happiness.”
Since that day, Qiao An had been the little shadow trailing behind Fu Qingzi. Though Fu Qingzi was cold and reserved, she treated her exceptionally well, never showing impatience toward her.
Just as Qiao An, disheartened, turned to leave, she heard Fu Qingzi’s voice behind her, soft and gentle, calling out: “An An.”
Fu Qingzi’s voice fell on her heart like a feather, sending a tingling sensation through her.
“Book two tickets to S City. Manman has a performance tomorrow. You’re coming with me.”
Only then did Qiao An respond excitedly—the boss was taking her along!
Qiao An secretly snorted inwardly. That person was called Yu Manman, while she was Qiao An. Thinking about it, everyone called her Manman, so the boss must be closer to her. Comforted by this thought, she lifted her chin proudly and walked out.
Fu Qingzi looked at Qiao An’s retreating figure, then slightly shook her head and sighed helplessly. When it came to jealousy, if Qiao An claimed second place, absolutely no one would dare claim first.
Little did anyone know that later, an unexpected person would precisely dare to claim first.
Inside XX Airport.
Fu Qingzi stood tall and straight, her slender fingers resting on her arm, tapping lightly with a steady rhythm as she watched the planes outside through the glass.
Fu Qingzi removed her sunglasses and placed them in Qiao An’s hand. Her phoenix-like eyes swept over her as she said calmly, “Let’s go.”
After boarding the plane, Fu Qingzi closed her eyes tightly, the dark circles beneath them revealing her exhaustion.
Qiao An glanced at her with a pang of heartache, then took out a blanket and gently draped it over her.
Qiao An sighed softly. Fu Qingzi, forever so strong-willed…
Qiao An rested her head on Fu Qingzi’s shoulder, her heart uneasy for a long while. Seeing that Fu Qingzi made no move, she finally closed her eyes.
Fu Qingzi’s eyes opened slightly as she pulled the other half of the blanket over Qiao An.
Just as the two were sound asleep, suddenly, the plane jolted violently, startling Qiao An and Fu Qingzi awake.
Qiao An clung tightly to Fu Qingzi, her body trembling uncontrollably. She looked out the window to assess the situation, only to see pitch darkness.
Fu Qingzi patted Qiao An’s hand reassuringly, saying, “Don’t be afraid, An An. It’s just turbulence.” Though she said this, her heart was still in her throat.
The shaking grew increasingly violent. Not just Qiao An, but all the passengers on the plane were in a state of panic.
The flight attendants hurried out to calm everyone.
Suddenly, a wing broke off, and the plane plummeted sharply. Fu Qingzi gritted her teeth and endured, her vision going dark as she lost consciousness. All she could hear was a faint, indistinct voice in her ear: “Azi, even in death, I want to be with you.”
…
Fu Qingzi’s brows twitched slightly. She rubbed her throbbing head before slowly opening her eyes. Tilting her head, what greeted her vision was a pink canopy.
Fu Qingzi lay on the bed for a moment, clearly still disoriented, before finally pushing aside the canopy.
Her eyes fixed straight ahead as she carefully surveyed her surroundings. How had she come to such an ancient, exquisitely refined place? Fu Qingzi walked over to the copper mirror on the rosewood dressing table. This was her, no doubt about it.
Fu Qingzi raised her hand to touch it. Whoever lived here must be either wealthy or noble.
She closed her eyes, inhaling the faint scent of sandalwood. Her mind couldn’t help but recall: she had been in a plane crash. Logically, there was no chance of survival. So why had she come here? Could this be what An An called “time travel”?
Fu Qingzi rubbed her temples. Where was An An now?
A maid, hearing movement inside, knew the mistress had awakened and quickened her steps to enter. She sighed deeply, “Mistress, why are you rising so late today? Fourth Master will be back soon.”
The mistress was not favored, so even they, as servants, attended to her reluctantly. Though she was beautiful, what use was beauty without favor?
Fu Qingzi lifted her phoenix eyes slightly, her gaze cold and devoid of warmth. Mistress? Fourth Master? Could this be the Qing Dynasty? And was she Ulanara? Was Fourth Master Yin Zhen?
With her looks, in the Qing Dynasty, to put it bluntly, she would be called a seductress, a fox spirit. Did Ulanara really look like this?
The maid couldn’t help but shiver. Why did the mistress today make her feel a bit afraid?
Fu Qingzi asked in an emotionless, probing tone, “When will Yin Zhen return?”
The maid furrowed her brows slightly, her tone tinged with tension and reproach. “Mistress, how can you address him by his given name?”
Fu Qingzi rubbed her temples with a headache. Sure enough, this was indeed the Qing Dynasty, and she was truly Ulanara, the wife of the Fourth Prince, Yin Zhen.
…
A word from the author: The new book is finally here! The word count per chapter has been increased from 1k to 2k. The pacing of this story is relatively fast, and each chapter is packed with plot. If you skip chapters and miss something, don’t expect explanations if you ask later.
Since some readers jump in without reading the synopsis, I’ll mention it here: This is an alternate-universe Qing Dynasty time travel story. Those seeking historical accuracy, please steer clear. The story will be a mix of sweetness and angst, not just pure fluff all the way through.
I’m extremely sensitive—like the grandmother of all glass hearts. Readers who attack the main characters or the author will be reported and have their comments deleted. However, reasonable discussions about the plot and suggestions are very welcome (?~???~??)