Masks Torn, Petals as Proof

Wen Yuzhi leaned back against the chair, still turning her head to stare at the bedroom where Qin Huairen was.

“Does she know how fake you are?” Xu Jianing sneered.

She mocked Wen Yuzhi for playing pitiful, called her sick and disgusting, and said that everything she had schemed for would be exposed sooner or later.

Lowering her voice, Xu Jianing laughed coldly.

“You dared to admit it, didn’t you?

Then I’ll tell her everything later.

Along with all the ‘wonderful’ things you’ve been up to these past few years.”

Wen Yuzhi let out an impatient hiss and frowned at her.

“What, scared now?” Xu Jianing laughed.

“You should know what she hates the most.

That’s exactly why she hates you.

So—”

“I’m looking for more gauze.

You two!” Qin Huairen’s voice came from the bedroom.

“You’re not causing trouble, right?”

“No!” Wen Yuzhi replied.

“No.” Xu Jianing replied.

In truth, the two people on opposite ends of the sofa were locked in a stare.

Sparks flew, and the air was already thick with gunpowder.

Xu Jianing leaned in and warned in a low voice.

“Don’t even think about getting close to her with that hypocritical mask on.

I’ll rip it off completely and let her see how disgusting you really are.”

“You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?” Wen Yuzhi turned her head toward the bedroom and said casually.

“You don’t seriously think you hid what you and Lin ZhiXun did very well, do you?”

Xu Jianing held her breath.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell what cards Wen Yuzhi was holding.

Her tension alone proved that Wen Yuzhi had struck right at her weak spot.

“Found it!” Qin Huairen’s delighted voice sounded, accompanied by footsteps.

She appeared at the bedroom door.

Wen Yuzhi suddenly gave Xu Jianing an extremely gentle smile.

It was the first time Xu Jianing had ever seen it.

She knew it was fake sweetness, but under the warm yellow light, Wen Yuzhi’s face looked as if it had been gilded in gold.

She appeared dazzling, almost blinding.

But nothing good ever came from a dog’s mouth.

Behind that smile was a ruthless warning.

Wen Yuzhi smiled and said softly,

“So mind your mouth.”

“What are you chatting about?” Qin Huairen carried the medicine kit over and sat down.

She looked from one to the other, puzzled.

“Didn’t you two look like you were ready to kill each other just now?”

As she spoke, she shot Wen Yuzhi an annoyed look.

“What are you staring at?

Hand over your claws!”

Disinfecting a wound inevitably hurt.

Wen Yuzhi tried to pull her hand back.

Qin Huairen grabbed her wrist and snapped,

“Weren’t you brave enough to grab a knife with your bare hand just now?

Now you know pain exists?”

“I was protecting myself,” Wen Yuzhi said in a meek, downcast tone.

It made Xu Jianing feel like she was about to have a stroke.

She retorted,

“I was just trying to scare you.

Like I’d really stab you.

I—”

Qin Huairen shot her a stern look.

Xu Jianing shut up instantly.

Qin Huairen scolded her instead.

“Scare someone?

How old are you, threatening people with a knife?”

Xu Jianing lowered her head and muttered unwillingly,

“That’s because she slapped me first.”

“You slapped Ningning?”

Qin Huairen had no idea what had happened.

It sounded like a nightmare scenario.

She stared in disbelief.

“On what grounds did you hit my friend?”

Xu Jianing finally felt a bit better hearing that.

The very next second, Wen Yuzhi lowered her head even more.

Her voice carried grievance.

“She was drunk and tried to hit me first.”

“Who was drunk?” Xu Jianing hated her deliberately pitiful tone and shot back,

“That’s because you were rude first and looked down on people.

Otherwise—”

“That’s enough!” Qin Huairen snapped.

“Are you two elementary school kids?”

This time, neither of them spoke.

Qin Huairen was still annoyed.

Who had she offended?

From yesterday to today, nothing had gone smoothly.

She had just woken from a nightmare in the morning, heard commotion outside, and when she opened the door it looked like a crime scene.

She’d nearly lost half her soul from the shock.

Anger surged up in Qin Huairen.

She applied disinfectant with more force.

The pain made Wen Yuzhi suck in a breath and pull back again.

Qin Huairen hissed and glared at her.

“What now?”

Wen Yuzhi lowered her head.

Her voice was very soft.

“It hurts too much.

Don’t do it anymore.”

Qin Huairen squatted halfway down.

When she looked up, she saw those flickering eyes.

Wet, pitiful, as if they would cry any second.

Those damn long eyelashes were like little fans.

They made Qin Huairen’s eyes sting.

She couldn’t stand women looking pitiful.

Helpless and annoyed, she tightened her grip on Wen Yuzhi’s wrist and ordered,

“Don’t move.”

She applied the medicine more gently.

She even puckered her lips and lightly blew on the wound.

The air made Wen Yuzhi’s lashes tremble.

It also made Xu Jianing’s heart ache.

Damn it.

How had she never noticed how good Wen Yuzhi was at playing pitiful?

Xu Jianing watched, heart burning.

She clenched her hands together, sparks almost flying.

She cursed inwardly.

Wen Yuzhi, you green-tea white-lotus b*tch.

So damn disgusting.

If she’d known earlier, Xu Jianing would rather have stabbed herself.

At least then Qin Huairen might have felt sorry for her.

Now she could only sit on the sofa and watch Wen Yuzhi being pampered.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

She nearly ground her molars to dust.

After finishing the bandaging, Qin Huairen held out her hand.

“Phone.”

Wen Yuzhi obediently turned toward her, implying that her hand was injured and Qin Huairen could take it herself.

That meant physical contact.

Qin Huairen tightened her palm, unable to make herself do it.

Xu Jianing couldn’t stand watching anymore.

She leaned over, pulled the phone straight out of Wen Yuzhi’s pocket, and handed it to Qin Huairen.

The phone had a password and face recognition.

Qin Huairen raised it toward Wen Yuzhi’s face.

After unlocking it, she found Yan Qing’s number.

“Where are you?”

“I—I’m…” Yan Qing glanced at the Maple Leaf Hotel logo.

Qin Huairen cut in without waiting.

“Wherever you are, come to Maple Leaf Hotel, room 2004, and take her away.”

Yan Qing didn’t even get a word out before the call was cut off.

While waiting for Yan Qing, the room fell into an eerie silence.

The three of them looked at each other.

In the end, Qin Huairen spoke first.

“Didn’t I tell you to disappear from my place last night?”

Wen Yuzhi stroked the neatly tied bow on her bandage and looked up seriously.

“You told me to disappear from the sofa.

So I sat on the floor for a while.

I wanted to rest a bit before leaving, but I was too tired and fell asleep.”

“Really?” Qin Huairen asked.

“Really,” Wen Yuzhi answered.

Beside them, Xu Jianing rolled her eyes toward the ceiling countless times.

Fake, sick liar.

How could Qin Huairen believe such obvious nonsense?

“I don’t care whether it’s true or not,” Qin Huairen said calmly but firmly.

“Don’t come uninvited again.

This is a hotel, but for now it’s also my home.

You’re not welcome here.

Do you hear me?”

Wen Yuzhi hummed softly.

She answered obediently.

“I hear you.”

Xu Jianing felt a bit pleased hearing that.

Yet something felt off.

Qin Huairen felt it too.

In Xu Jianing’s understanding, Wen Yuzhi was not someone with a good temper.

She couldn’t help guessing what Wen Yuzhi was really plotting.

What was she trying to gain by acting so docile in front of Qin Huairen?

She even suspected it had something to do with a recent project.

But even if Qin Huairen could be seconded over, she’d only be a technician with no real power.

At last, there was a knock on the door.

Qin Huairen opened it.

A wave of floral fragrance rushed in.

Her view was completely blocked by a huge bouquet.

Xu Jianing recognized several flowers at once.

White roses.

Sunflowers.

Gardenias.

Her heart ached for the small bouquet she’d carefully prepared herself.

She stood up and said casually,

“You don’t even like big bouquets.

And taking flowers for no clear reason—what’s that about?”

Qin Huairen indeed hadn’t planned to accept them.

Wen Yuzhi stood up as well.

Yan Qing suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.

In front of her boss, there was no such thing as an impossible mission.

Only a brave Yan Qing.

Yan Qing adjusted her glasses and smiled at Qin Huairen.

“Our Huaxin Group gives flowers to ladies at the start of every year.

It symbolizes a bright future and a path blooming with flowers.”

Xu Jianing cut in.

“She’s not part of Huaxin Group.”

Wen Yuzhi frowned.

Impatience was written all over her face.

Xu Jianing pretended not to notice.

Yan Qing said gently,

“It doesn’t matter where Huairen is from.

What matters is that she’s also a beautiful lady.

In the new year, I hope she stays safe and joyful, with everything going smoothly.”

She offered the bouquet with both hands.

“You were right yesterday—we haven’t seen each other in a long time.

So today we’re making up for all the missed New Year wishes at once.

If you’re willing, we can have a meal together some day, catch up, and let this wish be repaid with sincerity.

Is that okay?”

Yan Qing’s gentle and respectful attitude made it hard for Qin Huairen to refuse.

She could only thank her and accept the flowers.

Wen Yuzhi didn’t say anything.

She left with Yan Qing.

After walking only a few steps, Yan Qing sighed softly.

Wen Yuzhi raised an eyebrow.

“What are you sighing for?

You did well this time.

There’s a bonus.”

Yan Qing stepped in front of her and checked her injury, heart aching.

“You promised me you’d protect yourself.”

Wen Yuzhi walked past her and said casually,

“It’s nothing.”

“The Lantern Festival is coming,” Yan Qing followed her.

“When you go back home, there might be trouble.”

She asked about the injury details as they talked and headed downstairs together.

Back in the hotel room, Xu Jianing circled the bouquet, finding it unpleasant from every angle.

She repeatedly warned Qin Huairen to be careful of Wen Yuzhi.

“You’ve only just come back, and you haven’t contacted her.

Yet she knows you’re staying here.

She’s clearly been following you.”

Xu Jianing thought of something and guessed,

“Could it be that the Wen family had someone investigate you?

Maybe we should move somewhere else.”

Qin Huairen leaned back on the sofa, yawned, and closed her eyes.

“Tell me.

What exactly happened this morning?”

“Didn’t you see it all…” Xu Jianing muttered.

Qin Huairen narrowed her eyes and tilted her head, patting the sofa to signal her to sit.

“You’re not that impulsive.

Why do you act strange the moment you see her?”

“Aren’t you the same?” Xu Jianing replied.

Seeing Qin Huairen’s expression darken, she changed tack.

“I just don’t like Wen Yuzhi.

She’s always had ulterior motives toward you.

I noticed it from the very beginning.”

Qin Huairen didn’t respond.

She closed her eyes again and listened as Xu Jianing analyzed the dark side of Wen Yuzhi’s personality.

She said that anyone who could hurt even themselves was someone ruthless who didn’t love themselves at all.

That was the most dangerous type and should never be provoked.

By the time Xu Jianing talked herself dry, she realized that the person curled up in the corner of the sofa had fallen asleep.

Xu Jianing’s lips twitched.

She sighed and took a blanket to cover her.

Qin Huairen’s phone suddenly rang.

Xu Jianing quickly muted it.

It was an unfamiliar number.

But she knew it belonged to Wen Yuzhi.

A message followed immediately.

“Ah-Ren, this is my number.

Remember to save it.”

Xu Jianing snorted coldly and deleted both the message and the missed call.

As work time approached, Xu Jianing tidied up briefly and grabbed her bag to leave.

At the door, she glanced at the huge bouquet on the table.

She circled back, quietly picked it up, and carried it out, dumping it straight into the janitor’s large trash bin.

From the center of the bouquet fell a golden card, with three tickets tucked inside and a handwritten Valentine’s blessing.

The flowers had indeed been sent by Yan Qing.

But Xu Jianing recognized the handwriting at once.

Bold, flowing, powerful strokes.

It was the style that had won awards at calligraphy competitions.

It belonged to Wen Yuzhi.

As for the tickets, they came from a prestigious domestic family—the Su family.

The Su family owned a private classical garden, exquisitely beautiful and widely renowned.

Within the garden was also a museum displaying heirloom antiques passed down through generations—pieces found nowhere else.

The Su garden opened only once a year.

Tickets were extremely limited and usually reserved for select individuals.

Xu Jianing had many clients who loved antiques and artifacts.

She couldn’t even get tickets with money.

Yet Wen Yuzhi had obtained three.

She pocketed the tickets, clutching the card as she entered the elevator.

Besides the blessings, the card was filled with Wen Yuzhi’s concern for Qin Huairen.

She proactively invited her to dinner and left her contact information—

Her personal email.

Her WeChat.

Even her home landline.

It was as if to say that no matter the method, Qin Huairen could always reach her.

Xu Jianing read on with cold laughter.

So what if Wen Yuzhi looked aloof and noble to outsiders?

In front of Qin Huairen, wasn’t she still utterly humble?

She really hadn’t misjudged Wen Yuzhi.

Xu Jianing wanted to destroy Wen Yuzhi’s “beautiful dream.”

She tore the golden card to shreds, piece by piece.

Fragments fluttered down as she indulged in a strange sense of satisfaction.

Exiting the elevator, she tossed the scraps into the trash bin.

Arms crossed, she shook her head and mocked,

“Poor Wen Yuzhi.

You still have the mood to do all this.

Don’t you know the sky over your Wen family is about to collapse?”

“Is that so?”

A familiar, cool voice suddenly came from behind.

Xu Jianing turned around in shock, stumbling backward and slamming straight into the trash bin.

She had no idea when Wen Yuzhi had appeared behind her.

Then she remembered the card she had just torn up and thrown away.

Cold sweat broke out along her spine.

“Didn’t you leave already?” Xu Jianing forced herself to stay calm.

Wen Yuzhi suddenly reached out.

Xu Jianing guardedly asked,

“What are you doing?”

At the same time, she instinctively stepped back.

But Wen Yuzhi was faster and grabbed her shoulder.

Xu Jianing struggled but couldn’t break free.

Just as panic set in, Wen Yuzhi plucked a pink petal from her right shoulder.

Xu Jianing’s heart skipped a beat.

It must have stuck to her when she threw out the flowers.

She struggled again.

Wen Yuzhi released her hand smoothly.

Holding the petal between her fingers, Wen Yuzhi asked,

“Where did this come from?”

“How would I know?” Xu Jianing snapped stubbornly, pretending ignorance.

She turned to leave, but Yan Qing blocked her path.

Furious, Xu Jianing demanded,

“What exactly do you want, Wen Yuzhi?”

“Where did you throw it?”

Wen Yuzhi’s light question fell like a boulder into the sea.

With a heavy splash, it stunned Xu Jianing for several seconds.

But she quickly recovered and argued,

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Is that so?”

Wen Yuzhi fiddled with her phone.

A series of beeping tones rang out.

The phone was on speaker.

Wen Yuzhi held it up in front of Xu Jianing.

At the center of the screen were four words:

My Ah-Ren.

Such an intimate form of address threw Xu Jianing’s thoughts into even greater chaos.

Wen Yuzhi said calmly,

“You can still admit your mistake now.

If we wait until Ah-Ren picks up, I won’t be this easy to talk to.”

Xu Jianing’s heart raced.

Thump, thump—like dense drumbeats pounding her chest.

The beeps came one after another.

Driven frantic by the sound, Xu Jianing reached out to hang up the call.

But at that very instant, the call connected.

The beeping stopped abruptly.

Xu Jianing panicked.

She clenched her teeth and whispered,

“I’ll talk.

I’ll talk, okay?”

“Too late.”

Wen Yuzhi’s casual smile carried a vicious edge.

“You really dared to do it, Xu Jianing.”