Villainess In Novel C62
by MarineTLChapter 62 Auntie, I Don’t Want to Try Anymore (8)
There were four bouquets of roses laid out in front of them. Three of them were plain and simple, as if picked casually by the roadside. Only the bouquet in front of Yu Liuxue was wrapped in the prettiest pink wrapping paper. The blossoms were full and radiant, with colors far more vibrant than the others—like the difference between a princess and a factory girl. It was obvious at a glance who was more cherished, who was more favored.
Qin Feng’s face darkened like a burnt pot bottom. He was convinced his ex was doing this on purpose to disgust him—why else would she send flowers to his current girlfriend? Had she turned her love into hate and was now setting her sights on his girlfriend? No way—he absolutely wouldn’t allow that to happen.
Guo Zao stared blankly at the despondent Yu Liuxue. Her gaze lingered on Liuxue’s lovely features and cherry-red lips, and her heart skipped a beat. She pressed her lips together, a shy flush creeping between her brows. She hadn’t expected that Manager Qiao would actually…
…specially give her roses on Valentine’s Day.
Liang Yin glanced at the supreme limited-edition bouquet in Yu Liuxue’s arms, then at her own measly “orphan edition” bouquet, which awkwardly matched with both her friend and her future daughter-in-law’s. A wave of irritation surged in her—was this little heartbreaker insulting her? Did Yu Liuxue think she only deserved this kind of bouquet?
With a cold laugh, Liang Yin shot Yu Liuxue a withering glare and turned to leave.
That glance, laced with warning, made Yu Liuxue shiver. She was doomed. Auntie Liang was definitely going to skin her alive. Yu Liuxue, filled with sorrow, leaned closer to Liu Qingru and silently vowed: she had to speed up her conquest of Liu Qingru. As long as she could seal the deal, even if Liang Yin hated her to the bone, she might spare her for Qingru’s sake.
Liu Qingru noticed her shrinking back. She lifted her gaze to her assistant and said lightly, “Got it. You can go now.”
Then, holding the bouquet, she prepared to leave. Yu Liuxue’s eyes sparkled with inspiration. She hurriedly swapped her own flowers for Liu Qingru’s. Seeing Qingru’s confusion, she shamelessly smiled and said, “President Liu, this is your bouquet.”
“I actually planned this all as a surprise for you.” Yu Liuxue lied without blinking, even daring to ask, “President Liu, do you like it?”
Liu Qingru tugged at the corner of her lips and replied perfunctorily, “Mm.”
With that, she walked away without another word.
The flower delivery guy had already made his escape. Yu Liuxue angrily pulled out her phone, ready to give him a one-star rating. He took her 100-yuan tip and still showed up with a metaphorical wrecking ball, completely ruining her moment. She had crashed harder than into the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. What happened to professional ethics?
Suddenly, Qin Feng blocked her path, emotionally demanding, “Qiao Ruo, what exactly do you mean by this?!”
As he spoke, he snatched the bouquet from Guo Zao’s arms and tossed it into the trash without a glance. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do. I’m telling you now—don’t even think about it! She’s my girlfriend!”
Guo Zao looked at the discarded bouquet with heartache and a tinge of regret on her face. It was, after all, the first bouquet Manager Qiao had ever given her. She had planned to take it home and put it in a vase.
If Manager Qiao gave her flowers, did that mean she was trying to be friendly? Maybe… she wanted to be friends?
Her eyes lit up as she looked at Yu Liuxue.
Yu Liuxue stood firm, hands on her hips, and glared back at Qin Feng. “So what if she’s your girlfriend? Is it wrong for me to like your girlfriend?”
Qin Feng: “…?” What else would it be—his fault?
Was it the world’s fault?
Guo Zao’s cheeks flushed as she watched Yu Liuxue stand her ground, full of thorns, facing off against Qin Feng. That boldness was seared into her heart. Manager Qiao had just confessed to her in front of her boyfriend. This was…
Too tempting to resist.
Qin Feng was about to explode, nearly losing his gentlemanly image. But Yu Liuxue couldn’t care less about him. Holding the fake bouquet she’d swapped from Liu Qingru, she dashed after Qingru, calling out sweetly, “President Liu, wait for me!”
Liu Qingru quickened her pace at the sound.
Guo Zao gently tugged on Qin Feng’s arm, trying to stop him. “Qin Feng, Manager Qiao is actually a good person. She’s always taken good care of me at work. Don’t—”
That only made Qin Feng angrier. He gripped Guo Zao’s wrist so tightly it almost hurt her. She frowned slightly, and Qin Feng immediately loosened his grip, seriously warning her, “Don’t be fooled by her act. She’s shameless, vile, and manipulative. Everything she does for you is with ulterior motives. Just like today—she gave you roses just to piss me off.”
Guo Zao raised her face and blinked. After a moment of thought, she came to a realization. “You mean Manager Qiao still likes you? She hasn’t really let you go?”
Qin Feng hadn’t thought of that, but now that she said it, it kind of made sense. Just as he nodded, Guo Zao’s face fell. She shook off his hand and muttered, “If she can’t get over you, then why don’t you go back to her?”
Qin Feng: “…?”
There it was.
That classic Qiao Ruo flavor.
Panicking, he quickly pulled Guo Zao back, apologizing over and over. Inwardly, he suspected that this whole “fishing for confessions” tactic was something she must’ve learned from Qiao Ruo. That woman was useless at everything except corrupting people. No—he had to separate Guo Zao from Qiao Ruo, the farther the better.
Ideally, he’d just transfer Guo Zao to his own company.
Meanwhile, Yu Liuxue had no idea the male lead was cursing her in his heart. She had gone after Liu Qingru, but somehow lost her along the way—not just Qingru, but Liang Yin too had vanished. She sighed in defeat and grumbled to the system, “I must’ve been a math problem in my last life—why is life so hard?”
The system scanned the area full of wealthy people and asked, baffled, “Host, aren’t they all rich? Why are you fixated on Liu Qingru and Liang Yin—”
Before it finished, Yu Liuxue’s eyes lit up and she perked up. “Really? Where? Let me see!”
Liang Yin and Liu Qingru sat on a terrace chair, both facing the same direction, watching Yu Liuxue flirt up a rich older woman in a flash. Liang Yin sneered. “Do you think she fits the role?”
The question was vague, but Liu Qingru understood. Her gaze flickered before she calmly replied, “No.”
“Not really,” Liang Yin repeated, withdrawing her gaze.
She didn’t seem like a corporate spy—more like a superficial gold-digger, the kind of woman who’d jump into bed with a rich sugar mama at the first chance, then run off after swindling money and favors. Before leaving, Liang Yin offered Liu Qingru a friendly warning: “She’s full of tricks. Don’t let her fool you.”
“I’ve never seen a woman so shameless in all my years.”
“I haven’t either,” Liu Qingru agreed sincerely.
Yu Liuxue was practically giddy. Every single rich older woman here was wealthy, powerful, and well-connected. Sister Wang’s late husband had founded the country’s biggest mall—now it was all hers. Sister Zhao ran the largest restaurant chain. Sister Xiao had several real estate projects in development. Then there were Sister Yang, Sister Sun, Sister Zhou…
“Xiao Ruo, let’s exchange contact info. Make sure to save a set of every clothing design for me. Just give me a call, and I’ll drive over right away. Don’t worry, I’ll make it worth your while,” said Sister Zhao, ruffling her hair.
“Yes, save one set for me too. You’re so talented at such a young age—your future’s limitless,” Sister Wang added, holding her hand.
“Xiao Ruo, are you planning to design bags and shoes in the future? Surely you’re not just sticking to clothes?” asked Sister Sun with a smile.
Yu Liuxue: “…”
I want to clap for love, and all you care about is the clothes, shoes, and bags I design?
Devastated, Yu Liuxue reluctantly said goodbye to the wealthy ladies and finally resolved to focus on pursuing Liu Qingru. But she hadn’t seen her in over two hours. After gathering a treasure trove of rich contacts, she finally found Liu Qingru’s number. After a moment of hesitation, she sent a message:
“President Liu, where are you right now? I have something I’d like to tell you.”
Qin Feng brought Guo Zao back not just to see Liang Yin, but also to show off to his relatives and friends that he now had a girlfriend. Earlier, when Yu Liuxue’s car overturned, Liang Yin had already met Guo Zao. To be honest, her impression of Guo Zao wasn’t great—just a typical pampered girl overly sheltered by her parents. Once she entered the real world, especially the scheming world of business, she probably wouldn’t last even three seconds.
As for that little heartbreaker, not only would she survive, she might even build herself a harem.
Liang Yin looked on impassively as her son brought Guo Zao over. Qin Feng first greeted, “Mom,” and then said, “Mom, this is my girlfriend, Guo Zao. I’ve told you about her.”
Guo Zao nervously twisted her fingers. Upon hearing this, she immediately and obediently said, “Hello, Auntie.”
Her father had already prepped her—she knew that the one who had swallowed up her father’s company was none other than her future mother-in-law, Liang Yin, and her current boss, Liu Qingru. Her father had especially warned her: since Qin Feng liked her, she must marry into the Qin family no matter what. Only by doing so could she help her father rise again.
Thinking of this, Guo Zao lowered her head even more, fully putting on the act of a demure, obedient future daughter-in-law.
Liang Yin disliked meek and submissive types the most. Seeing Guo Zao’s demeanor made her even more annoyed. Guo Zao was still green and didn’t know how to hide her emotions—everything she’d been thinking just now, Liang Yin saw right through. In the adult world, only interests mattered; there were no permanent enemies. If Guo Zao married into the family, Liang Yin wouldn’t mind lending the Guo family a hand—for her son’s sake, after all.
But Guo Zao’s behavior was just too unappealing. Without a hint of joy on her face, Liang Yin said coolly, “Sit.”
Guo Zao picked up on her tone and couldn’t help glancing at Qin Feng. Qin Feng quickly squeezed her hand to reassure her that it was fine. Liang Yin took note of the little interaction between the young couple but didn’t call it out. Instead, she said slowly, “This is a singles’ gathering. What are you two doing here?”
Thick-skinned, Qin Feng replied, “Mom, Xiao Zao really wanted to see you, so I brought her along.”
“Oh? She likes me?” Liang Yin cast a sideways glance at her son. “How much? Like your ex-girlfriend did?”
Qin Feng was instantly silenced. But then he realized there was a hidden meaning in her words—Qiao Ruo liked Mom too? What kind of liking was that? Thinking back to when Yu Liuxue gave both Mom and Guo Zao roses earlier, Qin Feng’s face darkened. Could Qiao Ruo’s feelings for Mom be the same as those she had for Guo Zao?
Was Qiao Ruo even human?!
Just because he dumped her, she now had no standards and even set her sights on his mom?!
Was she trying to become his stepmom?!
Qin Feng’s expression twisted through several phases before he cautiously asked, “Mom… do you like Qiao Ruo?”
Liang Yin seemed to ponder, then after a while said, “She’s okay. Quite likable.”
Qin Feng nearly blacked out. Ex-girlfriend turned stepmother? Even TV dramas wouldn’t go this far! Guo Zao watched the cryptic exchange between mother and son in confusion. Finally, she seized the chance to take out something her father had entrusted her with and presented it to Liang Yin politely. “Auntie, I didn’t prepare much for our first meeting, but I hope you’ll like this.”
What she offered was an emerald jade bracelet.
Liang Yin knew this was from her family, so she didn’t accept it. She pushed it back and said she was tired and wanted to rest. Qin Feng, helpless, could only leave with Guo Zao. But before leaving, he stubbornly took her around to greet some familiar uncles and aunties, making sure everyone saw them together.
After the two left, those uncles and aunties immediately surrounded Liang Yin, all talking at once:
“How did Qin Feng fall for the Guo family’s daughter after their bankruptcy? That girl is no good—can’t let her marry in…”
“As soon as the Guo family went bankrupt, she latched onto Qin Feng. Liang Yin, you better keep a close eye on that girl. Don’t let her end up stepping all over you.”
“Wasn’t Qin Feng dating another girl not long ago? How come he’s with someone new already…”
Liang Yin didn’t take any of it to heart. Guo Zao wanted to challenge her? Not in a million years. But that little heartbreaker… if she let her get close, she might wake up tomorrow to find all her money gone.
Thinking about these two potential daughters-in-law gave Liang Yin a headache. One was too cunning and sly, the other too meek and dull. If only the two could be combined.
Yu Liuxue had lost track of Liu Qingru. After the singles’ party ended, she returned to her small rental apartment, dispirited. After showering, her hair got caught in the door. She yelped, then suddenly said with a deadpan face, “Day 307 without a woman: even getting my hair caught in the door feels like someone yanking it on the bed.”
System: “???” I think it’s not your hair that got caught—it’s your brain.
The system thought it was over—but no, it was just beginning. Yu Liuxue kept babbling nonstop until the system finally couldn’t take it anymore and blocked her. After rambling for a while and getting no response, she lost interest and lay on her bed, daydreaming of a better tomorrow.
Lately, Yu Liuxue had been frequenting Liu Qingru’s office more and more. At first, Liu Qingru would cast her two warning glances. But as time went on, she just focused on her work and ignored her completely, as if Yu Liuxue didn’t exist in the room.
Yu Liuxue sat on the office couch in self-doubt. She pulled out a mirror to look at her face. “Is it that my face isn’t attractive enough?”
No, it was clearly very pretty.
“Then maybe my perfume isn’t seductive enough?”
Also no. She was wearing classics—the kind that made men silent and women cry.
So why didn’t Liu Qingru have even a bit of interest in her? After pondering a while, she marched up to Liu Qingru and blocked her path, lifting her face seriously and asking, “President Liu, tell me honestly, are you… not into that kind of thing?”
Liu Qingru lowered her lashes and actually felt a bit absurd. But seeing how eager Yu Liuxue was to know, she nodded. “Mm.”
Yu Liuxue immediately felt the world go dark. “System, I… I actually tried to flirt with an asexual person…”
After successfully messing with Yu Liuxue, Liu Qingru instructed, “You’re coming with me on a business trip to France the day after tomorrow.”
There were several shows in France. As the design department manager, Yu Liuxue was going along, along with the design director and Guo Zao. After landing and checking into the hotel, Yu Liuxue stared down at the foreign buildings and streets below, still unable to recover from the revelation that Liu Qingru wasn’t into anyone.
“System, what kind of fate do I have in this life?”
“Disaster-prone fate, Host. And please stop only worrying about your own happiness—the male lead hasn’t contacted the female lead for five days now. She’s miserable. It’s time for you to make a move.”
Yu Liuxue rolled her eyes. “My own porridge hasn’t even cooled yet, and you want me to stir someone else’s?”
Still, she went next door to check on Guo Zao. Guo Zao was sitting on the bed in a daze. The doorbell startled her, but upon seeing it was Yu Liuxue, she quickly opened the door, forcing a smile. “Manager Qiao.”
Yu Liuxue beamed and walked in. “What are you doing? I was bored in my room—let’s chat.”
Guo Zao was eager to talk, especially since she’d been meaning to apologize to Yu Liuxue but hadn’t had the chance. After sitting down, she hesitated for a long time, then finally summoned her courage and said with guilt, “I’m sorry, Manager Qiao, about me and Qin Feng…”
“It’s okay,” Yu Liuxue quickly interrupted.
Guo Zao looked up. “Huh?”
“Qin Feng and I don’t like each other. I can’t stand him, and he hates me to death.” After a lot of coaxing, Yu Liuxue finally managed to reprogram the female lead’s brain. As they chatted, Guo Zao suddenly felt that Yu Liuxue was the most wonderful person in the world—tolerant, generous, kind, and considerate. She’d stolen her boyfriend, and yet Yu Liuxue still comforted her and even gave her roses…
Guo Zao was deeply moved. She couldn’t hold back her grievance any longer and poured her heart out. “Manager Qiao, I met Auntie that day, but she didn’t seem to like me at all. And Qin Feng… I don’t know what he’s been busy with lately. He hasn’t contacted me in five days. I really don’t know what to do.”
She was heartbroken. Forgiving Qin Feng now felt like a joke. She’d been so stupid.
Yu Liuxue patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. Actually, Auntie Liang doesn’t like me either. In fact, she probably wants to cut me into pieces. Didn’t you notice that day? The moment she saw me, her eyes were like knives, slicing at me swish swish swish.”
Guo Zao couldn’t help but burst out laughing with a puchi, and Yu Liuxue continued, “As for you saying Qin Feng is ignoring you—well, just ignore him right back. After all, your real goal is to rely on the Qin family to help your father make a comeback, right?”
Being so bluntly exposed, Guo Zao’s face flushed red with shame, overwhelmed by a deep sense of embarrassment. But when she caught a glimpse of Yu Liuxue’s calm and open demeanor, she somehow settled down and slowly nodded.
“Then it’s all good! Who cares whether he pays attention to you or not? All you need to do is win over Auntie Liang. Once you gain her approval, you’ll be able to marry into the Qin family. And once you become their daughter-in-law, Auntie Liang will definitely help your family rise again. Is it Qin Feng who controls the money at home? No—it’s Auntie Liang. And if you work hard enough and earn her recognition, you might even replace Qin Feng at the company. So what if he keeps ignoring you? You’ll already have everything you want.”
“Am I wrong?”
At this point, Yu Liuxue deliberately paused before leaning in and whispering, “By then, you’ll have a successful career, beauty, and power. If you want to go out and keep a pretty boy like Qin Feng on the side, he won’t dare say a word.”
“System, praise me now! Aren’t I a genius?!” Yu Liuxue shouted excitedly. As long as Guo Zao performed well enough, she’d be able to complete all the tasks in this world in one go!
Liang Yin had a strong and forceful personality, extremely strict with herself and even harsher with others. Gaining her approval wasn’t going to be easy for the female lead. Once she started following Liang Yin, she’d be endlessly scolded and disciplined, possibly never earning Liang Yin’s recognition at all. Meanwhile, once Qin Feng realized his wife was better than him in every way, his male ego would take a serious hit. At that point, with Yu Liuxue assisting Guo Zao from the side, Qin Feng would gradually lose in their power struggle, his spirit would falter, and he’d fall into decline—eventually reverting to his old self: partying every night and never coming home.
He might even end up with lovers all over the place, completely destroying Guo Zao’s last shred of affection for him, leading to the family breaking apart.
The male lead would live his whole life in Guo Zao’s shadow, and even in the future, people would only refer to him as “Guo Zao’s husband,” “President Guo’s man,” or “kept husband.” For a man like Qin Feng, whose pride ran deep, such a situation would be unbearable. He’d end up avoiding Guo Zao, avoiding everyone, hiding in the shadows, unwilling to show his face.
And with that, her mission would be complete!
System: “……” Unbelievable.
Hearing all this, Guo Zao quickly lowered her head, her face flushed red. “N-No, Manager Qiao, I would never cheat during marriage.”
Doesn’t matter. After comforting the female lead, Yu Liuxue got ready to go to bed. But when she saw Guo Zao’s reluctant expression, she decided to stay, took a shower, and lay on the bed to chat with her a bit before finally leaving. As soon as Yu Liuxue stepped out, she saw Liu Qingru returning. Her eyes lit up, and unwilling to give up, she dashed forward, squeezed past Liu Qingru, and jumped into the room.
Yu Liuxue had a towel wrapped around her head, a bathrobe on, and had just flashed a smug smile when—
Click.
The door locked behind her.
Yu Liuxue: “……?”
“System, I suddenly have a really bad feeling.”
“What about you?”
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