Chapter Nine: Lin Qingwan

All fear stems from insufficient strength. Yu Youchu believed in her own work abilities. After all, Huasheng only had a few formal positions left. She was determined to see who would be the one to stay and laugh last at Huasheng.

“If only she put the same competitive spirit into her work, her performance wouldn’t be so far behind yours,” Bai Bingge remarked.

Having observed the extended interaction between the two, Bai Bingge handed Yu Youchu a cup of hot water as if smoothing things over.

Yu Youchu accepted it, warmth spreading from her palm through her body. “Better not. Otherwise, it would become malicious competition, and the one suffering would still be me. Besides, I don’t want another workaholic rival.”

Bai Bingge said nothing in reply, quietly sipping the hot water, and the room fell into a sudden, heavy silence.

Feeling the heat of the cup in her hands belatedly, Yu Youchu rubbed her fingers in frustration, wishing she could rewind three seconds to before she took the water. Could she really drink the water given by the team leader? Now things were awkward.

Breaking the silence with a dry voice, she said, “Thank you, Team Leader... both for speaking up for me and for this cup of water.”

Bai Bingge seemed momentarily lost in thought, then answered, “It’s nothing, just a small favor. Besides, I only said that to help cleanse the company’s atmosphere.”

“But why don’t you believe what they just said?” Yu Youchu asked, puzzled. Anyone hearing such gossip for the first time would naturally lean toward the negative side, whether true or not.

Unexpectedly, Bai Bingge turned around and appraised Yu Youchu from head to toe, his gaze formal yet scrutinizing, as if sizing her up, making Yu Youchu feel slightly embarrassed.

But a moment later, she no longer felt that way, for she heard Bai Bingge say, “Given your level of spending, I find it hard to imagine you’re being kept by a wealthy second-generation heir.”

With that, he left the tea room, leaving Yu Youchu looking thoroughly disheveled.

She glanced down at her outfit: a white sweatshirt paired with jeans, and a stubborn pair of Converse shoes showing two round toes. She dressed this way for convenience!

A black line seemed to hang over Yu Youchu’s head—was she being mocked by Team Leader Bai?

She slammed down the cup in anger. Who knew the team leader had such a sharp tongue? Did Bai believe she couldn’t tell he was also wealthy?

Really, sometimes she just wanted to go head-to-head with these rich people!

No more thinking—she was going to make money!

She took out her phone and messaged a colleague who had gone with her.

That colleague was Mu Chuan, another intern who started at the same time. Their desks were quite far apart, and her impression of Mu Chuan stopped at his self-introduction on the first day.

She vaguely remembered he was a cheerful young man, smiling with two prominent canine teeth, eyes squinting into thin slits. He was surprisingly neither overly outgoing nor shy. They had added each other on WeChat that very day.

Yu Youchu opened a profile picture of a cat—a ragdoll tilting its head with a curved body and paws neatly folded on its chest.

The avatar itself was full of contrast.

[“Xiao Chuan, how’s the work you’re handling? I’m ready to go.”]

Yu Youchu approached her desk, double-checked the necessary documents, then went to the changing room to put on her work uniform.

[“Okay, I should finish in about ten minutes.”]

[“Then let’s meet at the company gate later.”]

No further reply came, and Yu Youchu turned off her screen.

After meeting Mu Chuan, Yu Youchu arrived at Baoli Jewelry Company.

True to its reputation as a light luxury brand, stepping inside, she immediately felt a lazy yet splendid atmosphere filling the lobby.

“May I ask if you have an appointment?”

“Yes, we’re employees of Huasheng Advertising, with an appointment at three this afternoon.”

Yu Youchu handed over her Huasheng Advertising badge for the receptionist to check.

The receptionist smiled and said to Mu Chuan and Yu Youchu, “Alright, please wait in the lounge for a moment. Our staff will be with you shortly.”

But upon opening the lounge door, Yu Youchu spotted a familiar face—Lin Qingwan.

Her first reaction wasn’t to greet but to rub her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Today was truly full of misfortunes.

“Young Chu?! I didn’t expect to meet you here!” The exquisite woman opposite had clearly recognized her and greeted her with surprise.

Yu Youchu forced a smile. “Senior Lin.”

Thinking of how this woman had still invited Shen Wang out alone despite knowing he was her boyfriend, Yu Youchu felt completely unable to warm to her.

“I didn’t expect to see you here either,” Lin Qingwan said through gritted teeth.

Mu Chuan noticed Yu Youchu’s discomfort and raised an eyebrow, drawing Lin Qingwan’s attention to the fact that Yu Youchu was not alone.

“I don’t believe I know this gentleman...?”

One had to admit, Lin Qingwan lived up to her name—she was strikingly elegant and reserved, like a lady straight out of an ancient painting, with an air of detachment and grace. Her experience studying abroad added a mysterious dimension, blending and conflicting Eastern and Western qualities in her presence in a fascinating way.

She now stood, dressed in an off-white coat with the collar slightly raised, wearing a solid-color long dress beneath. Her hair flowed like a waterfall down to her waist, a belt outlining her slender figure. The simplicity and elegance of black and white were perfectly embodied.

She had shed the awkwardness of youth, replaced by a mature poise evident in her brow.

“This is my colleague, Mu Chuan. We’re here on business.”

Mu Chuan flashed his characteristic harmless smile and extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Young Chu’s friend.”

Lin Qingwan smiled and shook it in return.

“I’m here to find someone today. What a coincidence—why don’t we have a meal together later? We can invite A’Wang too. Since returning to the country, you’re the second familiar face I’ve met besides him.”

Yu Youchu took a deep breath. “Senior Lin, you and Shen Wang also have a connection. But no need for a meal. When enemies meet, sparks fly. He and I have already broken up.”

Lin Qingwan’s long, narrow eyes widened in shock, and she covered her mouth with her right hand, looking utterly incredulous.

“That can’t be! A’Wang told me your relationship was very stable. Is there some misunderstanding?”

Then seeming to realize something, she wore an apologetic expression.

“Sorry, Young Chu, I shouldn’t have brought up such a painful topic.”

Yu Youchu waved her hand, signaling it was fine. “It’s okay, Senior Lin. There’s no misunderstanding between him and me. But you probably know the reason for our breakup very well. If not, you can ask Shen Wang yourself—he’d be more than happy to explain.”