Chapter 4: The Overbearing CEO’s White Lotus (Part 4)

In the stillness of the late night, this place was far removed from the city, with only the occasional chirping of insects in the countryside breaking the serenity.

Lin Qingyin gently laid Yu Liuxue on the bed, pinning her hands onto the pillow, and followed by planting passionate kisses on her lips, neck, and collarbone. Yu Liuxue’s joy curled her toes, lightly brushing her smooth feet and ankles against Lin Qingyin’s skin, causing Lin to pause momentarily before intensifying her actions upon receiving Yu’s response.

Yu Liuxue pretended to sulk, furrowing her brows in feigned reluctance, while inwardly hoping Lin Qingyin would continue.

Amidst her enjoyment, she still managed to boast to the system, “Oh my gosh! My devastating beauty! Even the heroine has succumbed to my charms!”

You have been blocked.

Okay then.

Halfway through, Lin Qingyin suddenly stopped, leaving Yu Liuxue unsatisfied. She couldn’t help but open her dazed eyes to look at Lin Qingyin, whose clothes she had rumpled. Lin was leaning over her, with strands of her soft, long hair brushing Yu’s blushing cheeks like feathers, tickling her nerves.

Lin Qingyin released Yu Liuxue, her pale fingers tenderly caressing Yu’s red, swollen lips, before pulling up the covers to wrap her snugly. It seemed considerate, yet also like she was teasing Yu Liuxue.

“Qing Wu, you don’t seem willing, I won’t force you.”

Yu Liuxue was astonished: “…!” I am willing! Very willing!

I’ll abandon this reserved persona! *flipping table*

Tears streamed down Yu Liuxue’s face as she clutched Lin’s clothes by the waist, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She tried to stroke Lin Qingyin’s interest back to life with a suggestive touch, but Lin held her mischievous hand at bay, then kissed her forehead, lowering her voice to a husky pitch, “You’re not feeling well, so let’s just rest early tonight.”

And then Lin simply lay down, truly just sharing the blanket to sleep.

Yu Liuxue: “…” Actually, I’m in perfect shape!

“My love,” she called out to the system with a deadpan expression.

There was no response from the system. Yu Liuxue, growing indignant, snapped, “Hey, if you don’t show up in three seconds, I’m filing a complaint!”

“Here.”

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Yu Liuxue seriously instructed, “Pull up the details of everything that happened after Lin Qingyin went out tonight.”

Swiftly, the system fed the video clips into Yu Liuxue’s mind, causing a stabbing pain as the information downloaded. Yu couldn’t resist griping, “When will you improve this method of information retrieval? Too much of this, and I’ll end up with dementia later on.”

It turns out, while Yu Liuxue was showering, Yao Yishu, mulling over his frustrations, repeatedly bombarded Lin Qingyin with calls. She blocked him, so he borrowed his driver’s phone. This time, he dared not call but instead sent floods of lengthy texts to her.

Irritated, Lin Qingyin reluctantly agreed to meet him.

At the time, Yao Yishu hadn’t gone far, sipping tea in the director’s room. After composing herself, Lin agreed to meet him at the entrance. He greeted her with roses in hand, his heart’s desire right in front of him, apologizing, “Qingyin, I shouldn’t have disturbed you at work today.”

Lin Qingyin wore a cold, indifferent expression, casting only a fleeting glance at the offered roses.

“Yao Yishu, this ends here.”

Her voice was as chilly as her demeanor, sinking his heart into a deep freeze. He nervously stepped forward, “What’s wrong, Qingyin? If I did something wrong, tell me, I’ll change, I’ll do as you say.”

“We have no future together. Stop bothering me.” With that, Lin Qingyin turned to leave.

Faced with her aloofness, Yao Yishu spiraled, grasping at straws, considering only one possibility.

“Did Du Qingwu threaten or upset you? Don’t worry; I’ll take care of her immediately…”

Mentioning Qing Wu, Lin Qingyin transformed, glaring down from the steps at Yao Yishu with an icy and unfamiliar gaze, a cold smile curling on her lips, “This has nothing to do with her.”

“You should leave.”

Yao Yishu stared at Lin Qingyin’s resolute back, his heartache palpable.

“Oh? Lin Qingyin despises Yao Yishu that much? Then why was this trivial task assigned to me?” Yu Liuxue mused, arms propped under her chin, blinking. By the looks of it, without her intervention, Lin Qingyin had no inclination toward Yao Yishu because she simply didn’t like him.

The system faltered, then weakly explained, “This was all the other character’s wish.”

Implying it wasn’t even sure itself.

Yu Liuxue chuckled softly, “Interesting.”

She turned over, closing her eyes, gradually wrapping an arm around Lin Qingyin’s waist, tightening her hold slightly. Once sure Lin Qingyin was asleep, Yu comfortably clung to her, face buried in her fragrant hair.

The other person lay still, breathing steady against Yu Liuxue’s sensitive skin, a warm thrill electrifying her nerves.

Lin Qingyin, head supported by her arm, felt her heart racing from the day’s events, her deep eyes filled with complex emotions and anticipation.

***

When Qing Wu joined the reality show, she only had one assistant. But after her assistant’s mother fell ill and was hospitalized yesterday, Qing Wu gave her the day off. Even today, without her assistant back, a call came through with her assistant tearfully explaining, “Sister Qing Wu, a message from the company just came through, asking you to pack up and return home immediately.”

Yu Liuxue paused while applying eyeliner, narrowing her eyes, “Don’t cry, tell me clearly, what happened.”

“I don’t know. After my mom’s surgery this morning, I planned to head straight over, but Sister Tao called me, saying you’re to leave, as per company orders.”

The company wouldn’t suddenly pull her from the show they forced her into just yesterday without reason.

Reflecting on recent occurrences, Yu Liuxue quickly deduced the prime suspect.

Lin Qingyin, drying her hair, noticed Yu Liuxue’s disheartened demeanor minutes later. Recalling Yu’s earlier phone call, Lin approached after braiding her hair, “Are you unwell?”

Yu Liuxue somberly shook her head, packing her things in silence. Lin Qingyin frowned, stood quietly momentarily, then stopped Yu by the wrist.

“What happened?”

Looking up, Yu Liuxue’s face was fraught with disappointment. Taking a deep breath, she forced a casual smile, “Yesterday was wonderful, with you by my side, Qingyin. The happiest day of my life.”

Her words unsettled Lin Qingyin, a sense of impending loss creeping in, along with a fear of losing something cherished. Lips pressed tight, Yu Liuxue added sadly, “My assistant just informed me, the company wants me off the show, to pack up and go home right now.”

“Qingyin, do well in the show; although I can’t be with you anymore, I’ll cheer you on from home.”

Relief washed over Lin Qingyin. If Yu Liuxue could guess the reason, so could she. Who else but Yao Yishu could have the clout to decide Qing Wu’s involvement?

Anger flared inside, and Lin Qingyin assertively had Yu Liuxue sit back, “Stay here, wait for me.”

With smartphone in hand, Lin Qingyin stepped out—clearly making a call. For her, dealing with this was a piece of cake. As rumors suggest, Lin Qingyin came from a strong background, though she wasn’t from prominent political or military families.

Casually, Yu Liuxue finished her eyeliner, fully made up after ten minutes, yet Lin Qingyin hadn’t returned. Footsteps approached, and two middle-aged men resembling bodyguards politely knocked, “Ms. Du, please come with us back to the company.”

Yu Liuxue unhurriedly glanced at the doorway, finally curling her red lips, “Okay.”

This marked Lin Qingyin’s first time appealing to her family. After resolving the issue, she returned to find the bed empty, the suitcase gone from the corner.

That moment, an inexplicable rush of emotions overwhelmed her. Without hesitation, Lin Qingyin snatched her phone, not bothering with her own belongings, and dashed outside.

Qing Wu’s vehicle was gone.

Pulling a staff aside, she asked desperately, “When did Qing Wu leave?”

Stunned, the staff finally replied, “About five minutes ago.”

“Any idea which direction they went?”

The staff pointed cluelessly, and Lin Qingyin promptly climbed into her vehicle, instructing the driver, “Follow them.”

“Miss Lin, where to? Filming’s about to begin!”

“Sister Qingyin!” Her assistant, startled mid-bite, hurriedly chased after the speeding car.

The vehicle kicked up dust, vanishing down the forested road.

In the backseat, Yu Liuxue lounged comfortably, holding a small mirror, dramatically musing aloud, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”

The bodyguard, bemused, glanced her way, as if observing a fool.

Sharply, Yu Liuxue declared, elevating her pitch, “Lin Qingyin.”

Finished with her fun, she set the mirror aside, wondering how soon Lin Qingyin would learn of her departure.

Would she come after her?

“My love, I feel like Lin Qingyin has feelings for me,” Yu Liuxue mused, chin in hand, eyes wide with innocence. Could it be from their first meeting, or from way back when?

Suddenly, a sharp screeching of brakes threw Yu Liuxue forward, slamming her head against the front seat as her seatbelt pulled her back roughly.

Rubbing her forehead, eyes watered in pain, she glanced up to see a car cutting in front, recklessly stopping before their vehicle. Familiar, Lin Qingyin stepped down, her eyes carrying a chill, approaching swiftly to pull the door open and embrace Yu Liuxue tightly.

“I’ve sorted out the show issue.”

“Qing Wu, come back with me.”