Chapter 69: Auntie, I Don’t Want to Try Anymore (15)

Liu Qingru and Liang Yin locked eyes briefly, nodded in greeting, then turned their gazes away.

Yu Liuxue and Guo Zao also looked at each other, and both saw deep despair in the other’s eyes. Still, with the two aunties already here, surely they wouldn’t be so rude as to kick people out with dark faces, right? When the server came over and politely asked how many in the party, Guo Zao replied listlessly, “Four.”

She thought her plan to chat alone with Yu Liuxue was ruined today. With CEO Liang and CEO Liu present, there was no way to enjoy a rare moment of peace together. She let out a soft sigh of disappointment, and immediately, three sets of eyes turned toward her. Guo Zao: “…”

She quickly perked up and casually came up with an excuse. “Sorry, I’m feeling a little unwell today.”

Yu Liuxue looked at her with concern, but before she could say anything, Liu Qingru said coolly, “If you’re not feeling well, go home and lie down after work. Don’t run around everywhere.”

Liang Yin nodded in agreement. “I thought your job was already intense enough. I didn’t expect you to still have time to go out for meals.”

That was a bit harsh. No matter how busy one was, there was still time to eat. Not only Guo Zao, but even Liu Qingru and Yu Liuxue noticed something off—Liang Yin was being especially harsh and critical toward Guo Zao, almost like she wouldn’t be satisfied unless she picked a fight.

Liu Qingru instinctively glanced at her friend’s expression and just happened to see Liang Yin withdraw a regretful gaze from Yu Liuxue. Her face remained calm, but her heart was sounding alarms. She hoped things weren’t what she was starting to suspect.

Yu Liuxue speculated wildly for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask the system, “Could it be that Liang Yin doesn’t like Guo Zao because of Qin Feng?”

In the original storyline, Qiao Ruo, who was Qin Feng’s girlfriend, wasn’t liked by Liang Yin either. Since the mother-son relationship between Qin Feng and Liang Yin had yet to heal, she was terrified someone would take her son away. So every woman near Qin Feng was treated like an enemy. Now that Guo Zao was Qin Feng’s girlfriend, Liang Yin disliking her seemed reasonable.

The system replied perfunctorily, “Maybe.”

But inside it was screaming: This is your doing, host. Don’t you have the faintest idea yourself?

The four of them followed the server to a large table and sat down. Yu Liuxue sat next to Liu Qingru, with Liang Yin on her other side. Guo Zao ended up pushed to the far edge. Holding the menu, she looked at Liang Yin, then at Liu Qingru, unsure who to pass it to.

After careful thought, she handed it to Yu Liuxue, who was seated between the two powerhouses. “Ruoruo, take a look and see what you’d like to eat.”

The moment she said “Ruoruo,” both Liang Yin and Liu Qingru looked over. Guo Zao was startled, realizing that her form of address was a little too intimate. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she reached to take the menu back, but Yu Liuxue had already accepted it and began reading it nervously.

Liu Qingru and Liang Yin didn’t care who ordered the food, but both mentally fixated on Guo Zao’s earlier use of that nickname. The more they thought about it, the stranger it felt.

Liu Qingru knew Yu Liuxue’s temperament. She had long prepared herself for the Casanova ways of this girlfriend, but hearing another woman call her that so intimately right in front of her made her irritation peak. She stared at Yu Liuxue’s beautiful profile, vaguely feeling like her metaphorical “head” was turning green.

Liang Yin, meanwhile, was hung up on the fact that her prospective daughter-in-law and the little Casanova seemed close enough to be on nickname terms—spoken so naturally, so familiarly. Of everyone at this table, she had known the little Casanova the longest, yet now her relationship with her was the most distant.

Liang Yin felt unbalanced.

Angry but unable to lash out, she could only stew in silence, which made her even more frustrated.

Guo Zao was no longer the naïve pushover she used to be. After enduring the workplace grind, she had a decent grasp of reading people. So when she saw Liu Qingru’s displeasure, she realized she’d gotten carried away. What puzzled her, though, was why Liang Yin was also upset.

It made sense for Liu Qingru—she was Yu Liuxue’s girlfriend. But Liang Yin…?

Guo Zao’s eyes widened slightly. She suddenly had an alarming thought. Sneaking a glance at Liang Yin, she was caught red-handed. Liang Yin’s sharp gaze shot over, and Guo Zao quickly lowered her eyes, her mind in chaos.

No way.

It couldn’t be what she was thinking… right?

The atmosphere was tense. After ordering a few dishes Liu Qingru liked, Yu Liuxue handed the menu to Liang Yin. Liang Yin took a glance and then returned it. “You go ahead and decide.”

Guo Zao immediately perked up, her heart pounding.

That was it. If this was true, then everything could be explained—Liang Yin’s strange emotions, her odd behavior—everything made sense now.

After the difficult ordering process, the room fell silent. Liu Qingru said nothing, Liang Yin was brooding in her own world. Yu Liuxue forced herself to be lively, glancing left and right until her gaze landed on Guo Zao. She tried to strike up conversation. “Oh right, Xiao Guo, didn’t you say you had good news to tell me?”

As soon as she said that, the other two women’s eyes turned toward Guo Zao.

Guo Zao forced a smile and braced herself. “Didn’t you say you liked that dessert shop? I heard from a colleague today that they’ve opened a new branch in the city.”

Yu Liuxue’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

Liu Qingru made a mental note to ask Yu Liuxue about it later and send someone to buy some. Liang Yin also silently took note, planning to ask Guo Zao next time. As for why she wanted to know… it was just a subconscious impulse.

With that topic exhausted, the table fell quiet again. Yu Liuxue and Guo Zao ate like they were sitting on pins and needles. When the meal finally ended and they walked out of the room, both silently let out a breath of relief.

Guo Zao left with Liang Yin, planning to explain everything to Yu Liuxue via text later. Yu Liuxue got in the car with Liu Qingru and was immediately interrogated. Liu Qingru pinned her down on the seat, narrowed her eyes, and asked, “You wouldn’t tell me earlier—was it because you were sneaking out to see her?”

Yu Liuxue was on the verge of tears. Just as she was about to use her silver tongue to explain, Liu Qingru shut her up with a kiss.

Today, Liang Yin unusually didn’t scold Guo Zao. She had the driver drop Guo Zao off at her building and then left without another word. Guo Zao stood in place, looking at Liang Yin’s thoughtful expression, feeling very conflicted. She thought she might have figured out why Liang Yin kept targeting her…

The thought continued to occupy her mind. She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She wanted to contact Qin Feng but realized they were still in the middle of a cold war. Besides, even if she told him this, he might not believe her and would probably just think she was overthinking things.

Guo Zao was suffocating with frustration.

Since their fight, Qin Feng had become increasingly self-destructive. He used to clock in and out regularly, but now tardiness and early departures had become routine. Liang Yin, already annoyed to the breaking point, couldn’t take it anymore and immediately demoted Qin Feng.

As soon as Qin Feng arrived at work, he was summoned to Liang Yin’s office. Staring at her disappointing son, she burned with anger. “What exactly do you want? You were the one who said you wanted to join the company, and now you’re the one slacking off. Qin Feng, if you keep this up, don’t bother coming back.”

They hadn’t fought in a long time, but this argument quickly became public knowledge, spreading through the company within a morning.

Qin Feng left the office and went straight to a bar. The secretary, having gotten wind of the situation through coworkers, had dressed up and waited at the bar for him. When she saw him, she immediately clung to him and threw herself into his arms. “Young Master Qin, you’re finally here.”

Qin Feng instinctively tried to push her away, but she quickly tightened her grip. Looking up at his furrowed brow, she spoke gently. “Bad day, Young Master Qin? Me too. How about we keep each other company over a few drinks?”

He was already planning to drown his sorrows, so he didn’t refuse and followed her into a private room. As the drinks flowed, he got drunk. Then, the secretary leaned close like water, smiling. “Young Master Qin, you’re drunk. Let me take you to bed to rest.”

The next day, it was the female secretary who drove Qin Feng’s car to bring him to work. The two were especially high-profile, not bothering to hide anything. The news quickly reached the ears of Liang Yin and Guo Zao.

Two hours after Qin Feng sat in his office, Guo Zao came to see him. She didn’t enter—just stood by the door, expressionless, and said, “Qin Feng, I heard everything. Let’s break up.”

Qin Feng panicked a little. He wanted to try and keep her, but the moment he met her cold and indifferent gaze, a surge of anger rose within him. Rubbing his throbbing temples, he replied just as calmly, “Alright.”

Their relationship had finally come to an end.

Qin Feng thought, maybe Guo Zao was just angry for the moment—she’d probably be fine after a few days.

After breaking up with Qin Feng, Guo Zao threw herself back into work wholeheartedly. With her own abilities, she quickly secured a solid position in the company and gradually became one of Liang Yin’s most trusted aides. While Guo Zao was thriving in the workplace, Qin Feng—the heir to the company—fell deeper into decadence. He spent his days skipping work, hanging out in bars, or fooling around with the secretary who had already been fired by Liang Yin.

When he finally reappeared after disappearing for a while, he looked scruffy and unkempt, nothing like the clean-cut man he once was.

Qin Feng met Guo Zao again. She looked at him like he was a stranger—surprised, puzzled, but not the slightest bit worried or affectionate. The last shred of hope in Qin Feng’s heart was crushed. They passed by each other without a word, silently acknowledging each other’s presence like two people who had never met.

Qin Feng couldn’t understand how things had ended up this way.

He used to like Guo Zao, and she liked him too. When had it started to change? Was it when he asked her to join his company? Or was it when she started working there and became obsessed with doing a good job? Their relationship developed cracks, and things spiraled out of control from there.

Qin Feng’s behavior stirred up intense discussion within the company. Some people even directly voiced their dissatisfaction to Liang Yin. Qin Feng knew about all of it, but he pretended to be clueless and still came to work whenever he pleased.

“Young Master Qin is just too much. It’s just a breakup, and he’s completely fallen apart. Is he even a man?”

“Keep your voice down—don’t let Director Guo hear you. Honestly, Young Master Qin has always been a playboy. Even if he has Liang Yin backing him, I doubt he could accomplish anything great. It’s a shame for President Liang though. Her only son is such a disappointment. Who will take over the company in the future?”

Guo Zao happened to walk past the two gossiping coworkers. When she heard that last sentence, her calm heart stirred. Yes—Qin Feng had become like this, so who would manage the huge company in the future? It couldn’t fall into the hands of an outsider, right?

So, people began to notice a stark contrast forming between Guo Zao and Qin Feng. The more Qin Feng fell apart, the harder Guo Zao worked. If Qin Feng worked a little harder, Guo Zao would work even harder. She became the model of diligence. Her efforts clearly paid off—combined with her protagonist aura, she quickly found her footing in Liang Yin’s company and gained notable recognition in the industry.

Some headhunting firms began offering her lucrative positions.

Today, Yu Liuxue was also promoted to director, but she was still more than a month behind Guo Zao. After hearing a report from the system, Yu Liuxue couldn’t help but sigh, “Having a script really makes a difference. Even if you fail in love, it doesn’t affect your business success.”

The system rolled its eyes. The biggest bug in this world was clearly the host herself, wasn’t it? When had she ever not played the so-called male and female leads with scripts and auras like a fiddle?

Yu Liuxue ran into Qin Feng again by chance. She was heading out to eat when she saw a woman clinging to Qin Feng walking straight toward her. Thinking about the male lead’s recent behavior, Yu Liuxue was filled with disappointment. She stepped in front of Qin Feng, slowly looked him over, and scoffed, “Haven’t seen you in a while—what happened to you?”

Qin Feng got angry the moment he saw Yu Liuxue. Thinking of everything that had happened, and Guo Zao’s current indifference, he even suspected that Yu Liuxue was the mastermind behind it all. His face darkened, and just as he was about to speak, the secretary beside him glared at Yu Liuxue with hostility and asked warily, “Who are you?”

Yu Liuxue turned her gaze toward her, smiling charmingly. “Me? I’m the only woman he ever said he wanted to marry and register with—his ex-ex-girlfriend.”

The secretary immediately went on high alert. Qin Feng’s face turned even darker. He knew Yu Liuxue was sharp-tongued, so he didn’t want to waste time talking. He grabbed the secretary, ready to leave. But the secretary, furious, clung to him tightly and snapped, “You’re just a woman he dumped! You—”

Before she could finish, Qin Feng dragged her away.

Yu Liuxue stared after him with interest and deliberately shouted, “Qin Feng, didn’t you say you were going to earn money to pay off Guo Zao’s debts?”

Qin Feng quickened his pace. After calling out, Yu Liuxue withdrew her gaze, still unsatisfied, and sighed while shaking her head. “This male lead is really weak—just a little nudge and he’s useless.”

After meeting Yu Liuxue, Qin Feng grew even more irritable. The secretary had a strong sense of insecurity and wouldn’t stop talking—mostly trying to pressure him into registering their marriage. Finally, Qin Feng snapped at her, then drove to a bar, coldly ordering, “Get out.”

The secretary instantly softened, frantically apologizing, but Qin Feng was unmoved and repeated, “Get out!”

Left with no choice, the secretary got out. As soon as she closed the door, Qin Feng’s car shot off like an arrow. The secretary stomped her foot furiously. Was everything going to be for nothing? No—absolutely not.

Qin Feng drove alone to a lakeside, sitting in the car lost in thought. At first, his relationship with Qiao Ruo had been stable, but she had suddenly changed into a materialistic, vain woman. He lost interest in her. Then he met Guo Zao, the girl who shyly brought him flowers. Her blushing face and shy demeanor were utterly enchanting. He fell in love quickly.

He promised her he’d make money to pay off her debts. But then…

Guo Zao became just like Qiao Ruo—focused only on work, only on money. But what he wanted was a little woman who pinned all her hopes and dreams on him. Someone who would hesitate to ask for what she wanted, and he would understand and prepare surprises for her. He loved seeing a woman thrilled and delighted by his gestures.

But whether it was Qiao Ruo or Guo Zao, they both changed after entering the workplace.

While Qin Feng was drowning in heartbreak, Guo Zao was riding a wave of success. Her fame grew, and soon her father heard about it too. The moment Guo Zao got off work, she received a call from him. He asked right away, “Xiao Zao, how are things between you and Qin Feng lately?”

He had heard rumors that his daughter had broken up with the young master of the Qin family. That news had him panicking—if she and Qin Feng were over, who could their family rely on? Liu Qingru? But Liu Qingru had no sons.

And Liu Qingru was an even trickier figure to deal with than Liang Yin.

Guo Zao understood her father’s implication, so she replied directly, “Dad, I’ve already broken up with Qin Feng. I think instead of relying on others, I’d rather work hard myself. You know, when we first got together, Qin Feng said he’d help pay off my debts. But before we even broke up—just when we hit a minor rough patch—he was already fooling around with another woman.”

“Dad, I can’t trust him. I won’t gamble our family’s future on him.”

Hearing this, her father sighed lightly. “Xiao Zao…”

Guo Zao smiled. “Don’t worry, Dad. Your daughter is excellent. Even without Qin Feng, I can still earn a lot of money. Besides, I already have a plan.”

“What plan? Don’t tell me you’re planning to become your ex-boyfriend’s stepmother?”

Guo Zao: “…”

While that wasn’t the worst idea, it was absolutely out of the question.

After the call ended, Guo Zao couldn’t help but recall the past again. She thought, maybe even President Liang hadn’t realized her own feelings yet.

Some time later, the rumors in the company grew louder. Seizing the opportunity, Guo Zao stepped into Liang Yin’s office. The secretary looked up at her, but Liang Yin didn’t even spare her a glance. Guo Zao turned to the secretary and smiled. The secretary then turned to Liang Yin and said, “President Liang, Director Guo is here.”

With that, she exited the office.

Liang Yin, wearing silver-framed glasses, kept her head down reviewing documents. Guo Zao stepped forward quietly and said directly, “President Liang, let’s make a deal.”

Liang Yin looked up, first staring at her expressionlessly, then suddenly smiling. “What makes you think you’re qualified to make a deal with me?”

Guo Zao hid the disappointment in her heart and stubbornly replied, “President Liang, as long as you’re willing to help my father make a comeback, I…”

The Guo family still had connections, but they were temporarily short on funds, and being framed by relatives had left them unable to recover even after all this time. It wasn’t impossible to help the Guo family rise again, but it would take effort and the use of multiple relationships.

If Liang Yin chose to help Guo Zao, it would be a thankless and exhausting task.

But the next day, Liu Qingru received a call from Liang Yin. She merely said she had something important to discuss, and didn’t utter another word beyond that. After agreeing on a time and place to meet, Liu Qingru hung up the phone.

Lying on the bed in exhaustion, Yu Liuxue mumbled, “President Liu, I’m so tired.”

Inwardly, she cursed the person who designed a bedroom in Liu Qingru’s office. She had originally just wanted to play with fire with Liu Qingru, but ended up getting burned herself—dragged into the secret room and dealt with thoroughly.

Liu Qingru cupped her face and kissed her, her voice husky. “Come with me tomorrow to meet Liang Yin and Guo Zao.”

Yu Liuxue blinked blankly. “Huh?”

What were they going to do with them?

The next day, the four of them arrived at the agreed location on time. Guo Zao and Liang Yin came in the same car. Liang Yin gave her a cold glance, clearly displeased with her for reasons even she didn’t understand. Guo Zao, being sensitive, immediately picked up on the shift in mood. She lowered her head, tugged faintly at the corner of her mouth, a strange sense of disappointment settling in her heart.

She had thought she was the only one with such feelings—she didn’t expect President Liang to feel the same.

Liang Yin and Guo Zao arrived before Liu Qingru and Yu Liuxue. After sitting down, Guo Zao poured her a glass of water. Liang Yin looked at her coolly, irritation rising for no reason. “You should’ve let the staff handle that. Are you a waitress?”

Getting scolded early in the morning, Guo Zao set down the glass. After hesitating for a long time, she finally couldn’t hold it in. She looked Liang Yin in the eyes and asked seriously, “President Liang—”

“All this time you’ve been targeting me, clearly finding fault with everything I do. Is it because you like Ruo Ruo too?”

Liang Yin snapped her head up, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Guo Zao let out a soft laugh and went on, “In your eyes, I’m not your future daughter-in-law, but rather…”

“Your romantic rival, right?”

Yu Liuxue, just about to push the door open while holding Liu Qingru’s hand: “…!!!”