Chapter 52
Ning Qiu’s sudden visit caught everyone completely off guard.
Lin Zhiqiao looked at the two women—one giving flowers, one receiving them—and let his gaze linger for two seconds on that bouquet of flawless white lilies, elegant and gentle, exuding a rich floral scent.
The strong fragrance quickly spread through the house.
[Good, good, good—lilies, huh? Little Sister Ning really knows how to pick flowers, hehehe!]
Gong Tiantian, who had been eating breakfast, put down her chopsticks, fumbled around in her arms for a moment, pulled out the research notebook she carried with her everywhere, pushed up her glasses, made a grand sweep of her hand, and immediately began today’s round of frantic note-taking with furious scribbling.
Pei Ning, holding the huge bouquet of lilies, was caught in Ning Qiu’s enthusiastic embrace. Her face showed a trace of surprise and confusion.
Only after Ning Qiu let her go did she ask, “The flowers… are for me?”
Ning Qiu tucked a strand of hair back, pushed the sunglasses on the bridge of her nose up onto her head, and revealed smiling, affectionate eyes. “Of course. Who else would I be giving them to if not you, Sister?”
Pei Ning was silent for two seconds before asking softly, “You knew I like lilies?”
“Of course I did.” Ning Qiu sounded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I remember you mentioned in an interview once that your favorite flower is lilies.”
Pei Ning froze slightly, then pulled that old interview back out of her memory. “It was just something I said casually…”
[Something she only mentioned casually, and Ning Qiu remembered it for this long and this clearly—she loves her so much!]
Pei Ning said nothing more. Her gaze fell to the lilies in her arms, and no one knew what she was thinking.
A sharp stab went through Jiang Ling’s chest. Everything about this felt weird in a way he could not describe.
At the side, the cameraman adjusted his camera slightly, bringing all three of them into frame.
‘So Sister Pei likes lilies? I always thought it was jasmine. I’m such a fake fan [I’m shattered.jpg]’
‘I knew I remembered it as lilies, but President Jiang kept sending Sister Pei jasmine, so I thought maybe Sister Pei just didn’t like lilies anymore’
‘So Jiang Scumbag didn’t even know what flower Sister Pei liked all these years? [my last hope has finally died.jpg]’
‘Can I just quietly say this… does anyone else think this flower-giving young lady looks a bit like Sister Pei?’
‘Wait, I have a bold guess. Could she be that legendary…’
‘Looking at President Jiang’s face, she definitely is! [certain.jpg]’
‘This white moonlight’s gaze toward the substitute does not look simple at all—flowers, calling her “Sister,” and she knows Sister Pei’s preferences so well [whose DNA just moved.jpg]’
‘Honestly, can’t the two pretty sisters just shine beautifully on their own? Tell the scumbag to stay far away!!’
‘So is President Jiang’s collapse now completely confirmed? Why is there nothing at all on Weibo? [looking around in confusion.jpg]’
‘Why else? The power of capital. I’ve already had nearly ten accounts banned [smile.jpg]’
‘Was it the show doing it, or Jiang Scumbag controlling the hot searches?’
‘Obviously Jiang Scumbag. If it were the show, we wouldn’t even be able to post comments in the livestream right now, okay? [pointing fingers.jpg]’
Every public channel for speaking out online had been locked down by “the power of capital.” Some people who knew the truth were unable to spread it, and were simmering with frustration, able only to grumble endlessly in the show’s livestream comments.
Unfortunately, Jiang Ling had basically never actively watched Pei Ning’s program. Especially these past few days, while he had been spending time with Pei Ning, he had never once clicked into the livestream for Our Life, and so had no idea that in front of a small number of people, his true face had already been thoroughly exposed.
Very quickly, Jiang Ling pushed aside that strange feeling and also recovered from the shock of Ning Qiu’s sudden appearance.
He stepped forward two paces and put on his usual gentle smile. “Don’t just stand at the door. Come in and sit.”
In truth, Jiang Ling did not want Pei Ning and Ning Qiu to have too much contact.
One was his true love—the first love he had wanted and failed to get for so many years. The other was his chosen substitute, his “prospective” fiancée to whom he pretended to be deeply devoted while never having invested any real feelings.
Now that his first love had returned to the country and was even taking the initiative to show him goodwill, Jiang Ling naturally would not let a chance he had waited years for slip away.
He also believed Ning Qiu would never truly show genuine kindness toward the “substitute” who had occupied her place.
Jiang Ling had actually thought about a lot last night.
At first, he could not understand why Ning Qiu would proactively approach Pei Ning. But now he understood.
This was a reminder to him—a reminder that he should cut ties with Pei Ning as soon as possible.
Jiang Ling did intend to do that, but he needed time. And before that happened, he did not want Pei Ning to notice what he was planning.
That would interfere with his plans.
Jiang Ling had been very worried that Ning Qiu’s appearance might cause Pei Ning to notice something. But from the look of it now, Pei Ning did not seem to be overthinking it.
Pei Ning also came back to herself. “Have you had breakfast yet?”
She was holding the bouquet in one arm while her other arm was being affectionately linked by Ning Qiu. The flowers were so large that they partially blocked her view.
Seeing this, Jiang Ling reached out as if to help her hold the flowers, but Pei Ning acted as if she had not noticed and, together with Ning Qiu, stepped one step forward, neatly avoiding the hand he had extended.
[Flowers from Little Sister Ning—how could that scumbag’s dirty hands be allowed to touch them! She loves her so much too!!!]
Lin Zhiqiao was so absorbed in shipping them that he had forgotten to eat breakfast, and his eyes kept darting toward the two women.
‘Got it. So the current relationship is: she loves her and she loves her too, while he also loves her but has already been kicked out of the game [suddenly enlightened.jpg]’
‘Accurate. Concise. Crystal clear. [thumbs up.jpg]’
Jiang Ling did not notice Pei Ning avoiding him. He dragged a stool over from the side.
“Not yet,” Ning Qiu sighed. “I just wanted to see Sister as early as possible, so after waking up and finishing my makeup, I came straight to her house. I didn’t even drink a sip of water.”
Hearing this, Pei Ning put the bouquet down on the coffee table and turned around, walking straight into the kitchen.
[Didn’t even eat breakfast, but still remembered to do her makeup so exquisitely and even buy flowers for Sister Pei—]
[She’s fallen so deeply in love with her she can’t pull herself out!]
Since Jiang Ling assumed Pei Ning had gone to prepare breakfast for Ning Qiu, he called after her, “A-Ning, there’s enough breakfast, you don’t need to make more.”
Pei Ning acted as if she hadn’t heard and continued bustling about in the kitchen.
Jiang Ling did not try again. He found a cup and poured Ning Qiu a glass of water. At just that moment, Pei Ning also came out of the kitchen, and in her hand there was likewise a cup.
Jiang Ling’s was plain water. Pei Ning’s was hot water, with several dried lily petals floating in it.
[Good, good, good—so this is a return gift, huh? Round it up and it counts as giving lilies back. If you’re still not shipping this, then what, are you saving it until New Year’s to ship it?!]
Gong Tiantian pushed up her glasses, wearing a full “I ship this” expression, and once again took up her pen for a fresh flurry of wild scribbling.
Ning Qiu accepted the cup from Pei Ning’s hand, joy shining in the corners of her eyes and brows, and never even glanced at Jiang Ling.
Awkwardly, Jiang Ling set his own cup down.
Pei Ning reminded her, “Be careful, it’s a little hot.”
Ning Qiu’s lips curled slightly, full of charm. “Is Sister worried about me?”
Pei Ning seemed unwilling to meet her gaze, lowering her lashes. “…Mm.”
The curve of Ning Qiu’s mouth widened even more, her phoenix eyes bending into crescents. “Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll be careful. I won’t burn myself. How could I bear to make Sister worry?”
Jiang Ling’s expression became even stranger.
So weird.
That weird feeling was back again.
But he still could not put into words what exactly felt so strange.
At the side, Lin Zhiqiao was devouring the CP like crazy: [Today’s performance for everyone is titled Attack of the White Moonlight, starring Sister Pei and Little Sister Ning, with Jiang Scumbag as the villain and various bystanders watching. Please enjoy!]
[White Moonlight Little Sister Ning’s offensive is ferociously fast—one “Sister” after another has Sister Pei flustered, distracted, thrilled, and blooming inside—]
“Xiao Qiao!”
Pei Ning suddenly called his name.
Lin Zhiqiao immediately sat up straight, startled and guilty, stammering, “H-here, I’m here!”
“How’s your lyric-writing progress?” she asked. “Director Fang didn’t give us much time. We don’t have any other tasks today, so if you’ve finished breakfast, hurry up and start the assignment.”
Lin Zhiqiao wanted to say something and then stopped himself.
But he hadn’t finished eating yet!
Still, under Pei Ning’s gentle yet blade-carrying gaze, Lin Zhiqiao finally said tearfully, “Okay. I’ll start right away.”
Pei Ning visibly relaxed and swept her eyes around the breakfast table.
The others all gave a violent jolt, then stuffed the last few bites into their mouths in two or three hurried gulps and very proactively followed Lin Zhiqiao away.
The only one with no task was Gong Tiantian. She had barely started secretly enjoying herself when she heard Pei Ning call her name.
“Tiantian, they don’t have much experience. Remember to look after them and guide them more.”
Gong Tiantian: “…”
What a perfect case of joy turning instantly into sorrow!
All she could do was answer helplessly, “Got it.”
‘Is Sister Pei taking public revenge for private grievances, or is she not? [dog head.jpg]’
‘I’m dying laughing. Eating gossip halfway through and then getting called out by the subject of the gossip right there on the spot. Xiao Qiao, tell me, is this exciting or not? [slamming table and laughing.jpg]’
‘Who understands President Jiang’s expression? I’m seriously going to laugh to death’
‘Jiang Scumbag: I should be under the car [hahaha.jpg]’
With everyone else leaving, Pei Ning let out a quiet breath of relief.
The moment she turned back around, she saw Ning Qiu looking at her with smiling eyes, a trace of subtle indulgence seemingly hidden in her expression.
Pei Ning: “…”
Without a change in expression, she looked away and sat down, then pulled the breakfast dishes a little closer toward Ning Qiu and said softly, “Eat. If you don’t, it’ll get cold.”
Ning Qiu blinked. “Okay.”
But what caught her eye was the faint flush at the tip of Pei Ning’s ear.
Oh my.
So easy to tease.
Even her ears had turned red.
Jiang Ling could not insert a single word into the exchange.
He looked at Pei Ning, then at Ning Qiu, his supposedly calm gaze filled with a trace of confusion.
After breakfast, Pei Ning also joined in organizing the task work.
Ning Qiu did not rush to leave. Instead, she sat on the sofa, holding snacks, watching the group gathered around the coffee table scratching their heads in frustration, clearly here to provide company.
At first Jiang Ling also remained with Ning Qiu, silently playing the role of “companion observer,” but before long he could not bear it and left.
Too weird. The atmosphere was just way too weird.
Using work as an excuse, Jiang Ling went directly to the study on the third floor.
The work was, of course, fake. He simply needed a quiet, separate space in which to sort through his thoughts and arrange what came next.
After Jiang Ling left, the atmosphere in the downstairs living room immediately became far more relaxed.
Lin Zhiqiao scratched around on the paper in front of him. He had barely written a few lines of lyrics before his attention was once again carried away by Ning Qiu, who kept gazing at Sister Pei with deep feeling.
[I can’t take it anymore. Not even a little!]
Lin Zhiqiao stole a glance at Pei Ning. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, her long hair tied into a simple ponytail behind her head. She had put on her thin metal-rimmed glasses for work and looked extremely focused.
Clearly, she had not noticed that he was slacking off.
Lin Zhiqiao relaxed a little and decisively opened a melon—
[Although Ning Qiu and Pei Ning only formally met now, Ning Qiu has actually been quietly in love with Pei Ning for over ten years…]
Lin Zhiqiao froze.
[Wait, over ten years? Ning Qiu only became Pei Ning’s fan six years ago, didn’t she? Where did the “over ten years” come from??]
[No, no, no, no—what was that sentence just now… quietly in love? In love? In love!!!]
[Ahhh, the CP I ship! It’s real!!!]
[Sister Pei, the lilies back in your hometown are really blooming this time, ahhh!!!]
