Category: I’m the Moonlight White That the Former Movie Queen Secretly Loved

Chapter 16 p2:

Qi SiJia had initially thought she was eavesdropping on a familiar family drama, but the penthouse owner’s defiant and almost rebellious attitude was impressive. She’d said things Qi SiJia would never dare to say, and it was strangely satisfying.

A faint smile appeared in Qi SiJia’s eyes.

Despite her mother’s fury, the penthouse owner remained calm, speaking frankly about the nature of business.

“I’ve never refused the Chen family or you from participating in my projects. After all, if they succeed, I simply share some of the profits. But if they fail, they’re out, especially an outsider like Shen TuNan.”

“Instead of lecturing me, you should focus on being a good Mrs. Meng.”

“Because without the Meng name, you’re nothing in Bei Cheng, just Miss Chen. And the same applies to me.”

“The only difference is, I’ve used the Meng name to build my own empire, one that others are now so eager to share. But I have the right to refuse.”

“Five years ago, I was manipulated. I’ve learned my lesson. Family, love, everything fades. The only things worth holding onto are power and money. Perform, or get out. Are you satisfied with this answer?”

Meng Jiang’s words enraged Chen Ting.

Meng Jiang, already suffering from a stomach ache, didn’t want to argue further. She called her driver, saying, “My mother is here. Please escort her home.”

Chen Ting, losing her temper, raised her hand to slap Meng Jiang, then stopped mid-air, her hand trembling. After a moment, she lowered her hand, her heels clicking angrily against the floor as she stormed out.

Qi SiJia finally exhaled, when a pair of eyes suddenly appeared in the gap.

Meng Jiang had walked over unnoticed.

Qi SiJia froze, their gazes meeting. Through the narrow opening, she could only see half of Meng Jiang’s dark eyes.

Her eyes, like glass beads, reflected the light, and Qi SiJia felt a sense of scrutiny and pressure.

“How much did you hear?”

Qi SiJia, meeting Meng Jiang’s gaze unflinchingly, replied, “Not much.”

“How much is ‘not much’?” Meng Jiang half-squatted, her tight skirt accentuating her narrow waist, the black shawl slipping off her shoulder. Her smile, though seemingly alluring, was sharp, carrying a warning.

It reminded Qi SiJia of their earlier confrontation, so different from Qi SiJia’s own upbringing, every word resonating deeply.

Just like her changing preferences, Qi SiJia used to prefer understated elegance, but now she admired confident and captivating women.

Because they were radiant, independent, and unafraid to live on their own terms.

Qi SiJia admired that, her gaze meeting Meng Jiang’s again.

She felt a sense of danger, as if this woman was capable of anything.

Anyone else would have been intimidated by that look.

After all, this was Meng Jiang, the Second Miss of the Meng family, a woman at the top of the social hierarchy.

But Qi SiJia remained unfazed, meeting Meng Jiang’s beautiful eyes calmly.

“Is it a good thing to know too much?”

Meng Jiang raised an eyebrow: “No.”

Qi SiJia asked, “Do you want me to repeat all the nasty things that woman said?”

Meng Jiang crossed her arms, her expression hardening slightly: “No.”

“Then I heard nothing.”

Qi SiJia’s tone was incredibly calm, her gaze steady despite the goggles.

Her attitude, somehow, felt protective.

Meng Jiang was amused by the thought.

Her stomach ache, exacerbated by the stress, intensified, and she slid down against the door.

Qi SiJia quickly pushed open the fire escape door.

Stepping closer, she smelled a faint scent of alcohol: “You’ve been drinking.”

Meng Jiang’s eyelids drooped, her eyelashes fluttering.

Shouldn’t you help me up? she thought.

But after a moment,

Qi SiJia frowned: “And smoking.”

Meng Jiang: “…”

“If you don’t know what to do, please get my phone and call my driver.” Though the driver was probably still escorting Chen Ting home.

Meng Jiang’s brow furrowed slightly.

Qi SiJia, oblivious to the sarcasm, was debating what to do.

Physical contact was difficult for her, especially with strangers.

She reached out, then hesitated.

But she couldn’t just leave someone in need.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and slipped her arm under Meng Jiang’s waist. She paused, relieved that the contact didn’t trigger her anxiety.

But touching Meng Jiang’s soft body made her heart race.

Qi SiJia’s palms were sweaty.

She asked calmly, “How can I help you?”

Feeling the warmth at her waist, Meng Jiang narrowed her eyes. But she was weak, having not eaten in two days. Suppressing her discomfort, she said, “Take your hand away.”

Then she placed her hand on Qi SiJia’s shoulder, leaning her weight against her.

“…Help me home.”

Qi SiJia helped Meng Jiang to the sofa and poured her a glass of warm water: “How are you feeling? Should I call an ambulance?”

Meng Jiang waved her hand dismissively: “I’m fine.”

“I haven’t eaten in two days. I’m hungry.” Meng Jiang’s eyes flickered as she clutched her stomach, her discomfort evident.

Qi SiJia, noticing her gesture, was about to offer to buy her some food, when her eyes fell on a Pikachu-shaped trash can by the TV stand, overflowing with takeout containers and an empty wine bottle.

The overflowing trash can looked out of place in the otherwise spotless living room.

Qi SiJia couldn’t help but notice it, recalling that Meng Jiang had also thrown away her takeout on the first day.

She didn’t like takeout.

Understanding, Qi SiJia asked, “Do you mind if I share my lunch?”

Meng Jiang was a picky eater with OCD. She hadn’t been able to stomach even five-star takeout these past two days.

She had no expectations for a cleaner’s lunch.

But Qi SiJia had been incredibly helpful and respectful, more so than her previous assistants, not prying or showing any curiosity about her personal life.

Meng Jiang’s tone softened, “If it’s not too much trouble, thank you.”

The qingtuan dumplings were a gift, so Qi SiJia took out her own elaborate lunchbox.

It contained steamed sea bass, sweet and sour ribs, and blanched vegetables.

Meng Jiang wasn’t planning to eat. If she couldn’t stomach takeout, she certainly wouldn’t eat a cleaner’s food.

But when Qi SiJia opened the lunchbox, the colorful dishes, neatly arranged beside the rice, looked appetizing. The aroma of the warm food was enticing.

Meng Jiang, maintaining her composure, asked casually, “If I eat this, what will you eat?”

Qi SiJia: “I have two portions.”

She took out the lunchbox Gui XiaoLian had given her.

Meng Jiang saw a simple plastic container with a few plain-looking dumplings.

Meng Jiang’s lips pursed, half her face hidden in the shadows, her thoughts concealed.

As Qi SiJia was about to go to the staff room to heat the food,

Meng Jiang suddenly asked, “How old are you?”

Qi SiJia: “25.”

Meng Jiang hummed, went into her room, and returned with a small, blue velvet gift box. Having had some water and rest, she managed to walk Qi SiJia to the door, handing her the box as she closed the door.

“For you.”

Qi SiJia was taken aback, instinctively refusing, “I can’t accept this.”

Meng Jiang, always meticulous about social graces, smiled, her earlier coldness towards her mother gone.

Her eyes crinkled with amusement, “It’s just a small trinket, suitable for someone with a long neck.”

Though the brand label had been discreetly removed, Qi SiJia recognized the necklace. Wei YunFang had given her a similar one. She knew its value.

“It’s too expensive.”

“It’s just a trinket from a street vendor, nothing expensive. Just wear it. Consider it a small gift from me.”

Likes… giving her gifts?

Afraid she wouldn’t accept it, so… she lied?

As the door closed, Qi SiJia finally understood.

Meng Jiang liked her?

Qi SiJia didn’t know that Meng Jiang was always generous with her staff, rewarding good work with gifts.

Just like giving the new cleaner a raise for her diligence.

Good service and talent deserved to be rewarded.

This was Meng Jiang’s way of doing things, having transitioned from actress to investor.

Qi SiJia, unaware of Meng Jiang’s complex social dynamics, stood outside, clutching the velvet box, her heart racing.

She took off her gloves and eagerly logged into the Yuri reading platform.

There were no new messages from Rich Flower, but she had received another gift.

The same comment in the comments section: [Day 7 of no updates, is the author still alive?]

Kim Ji-soo’s Wife: [Don’t worry, she’ll be back as soon as she finds a “girlfriend.”]

Rich Flower @[author]: [How much longer?]

The other replies were mostly laughter.

Qi SiJia smiled, finding the previous conversation with Rich Flower and sending a private message: [Maybe… I’ll be back soon.]

Chapter 16 p1:

After Rich Flower’s comments, Qi SiJia became uncertain.

Perhaps due to her inherent nature, despite her words, the thought of actively pursuing someone filled her with anxiety.

This was why Qin XiaoFang always teased her about having a beautiful face but being unable to find a partner.

Finding a suitable partner wasn’t difficult for Qi SiJia, but finding someone she wanted to pursue was rare.

In her entire life, only two people had sparked that desire.

The penthouse owner was one of them.

This rare spark of interest, after five years, wasn’t something Qi SiJia wanted to dismiss easily. She decided to observe further.

The next day, Qi SiJia woke up at 6 AM sharp.

She’d had a pleasant night, filled with vivid dreams.

The penthouse owner’s face was veiled, the veil lifting just before her alarm went off, revealing Meng Jiang’s captivating features.

Qi SiJia hadn’t appreciated Meng Jiang’s striking beauty before, finding it too attention-grabbing.

Such confident, radiant women seemed to belong to a different world.

But somehow,

her preferences had shifted over time, unconsciously gravitating towards Meng Jiang’s type.

Even though she herself was plain, she now admired Meng Jiang’s confident and alluring presence.

She hadn’t thought much of it before.

But last night’s dream, with Meng Jiang’s face revealed, sent a shiver down her spine.

Qi SiJia stared at the ceiling for a long time.

She needed a girlfriend. It had only been a few days since her breakup, but it felt like years.

So much so that even her dreams were now filled with Meng Jiang.

—

As Qi SiJia descended the stairs, the door on the first floor opened, just like yesterday.

A box of qingtuan dumplings was placed in her hands. The container was different this time, a clear plastic box with a discreet “Master Kong” logo.

“Um,”

Gui XiaoLian, her eyes downcast, fidgeted, “That old lunchbox was too worn out.”

“My mom,” Gui XiaoLian continued, putting on her shoes,

“went to the morning market early today and exchanged five packs of instant noodles for this.”

Qi SiJia was surprised: “Morning market?”

The demolition notice had been issued six months ago. The nearest morning market had been shut down.

If Qi SiJia remembered correctly, there weren’t any nearby.

Gui XiaoLian locked the door. Qi SiJia glanced inside. The apartment was quiet, no coughing.

Gui XiaoLian looked up, humming in agreement.

Qi SiJia noticed her pale face and swollen eyes.

She paused, asking, “Did you stay up all night?”

Gui XiaoLian’s eyes darted around before she replied, “Just one all-nighter, it’s fine. I can nap in the staff room later.”

“Where’s your mom?”

Gui XiaoLian lowered her eyes: “She’s out.”

Her gaze was evasive, her fingers clutching the straps of her backpack as she quickly left the building.

Just then, the two construction workers from the other day, the thin one and the tall one, walked by, smoking.

In the dim light, they saw Gui XiaoLian first.

“How’s Auntie Gui? Which room at the district hospital?”

“We’ll visit her this afternoon.”

Qi SiJia, hidden in the shadows, overheard their conversation. Gui XiaoLian gave a vague reply, then turned to Qi SiJia after they left, saying, “Sorry, my mom has pneumonia. It’s been going around lately. She’s been coughing a lot. Yesterday, she went to the morning market on the west side of town. Maybe she caught a chill. I took her to the hospital for IV fluids.”

She spoke casually, but Qi SiJia, noticing the dark circles under her eyes, paused.

“Which hospital?”

“The district hospital.”

After getting the address, Qi SiJia went to the hospital during her lunch break.

The hospital was crowded. The security guard wouldn’t let her in with her gas mask and unusual attire.

After some explaining, Qi SiJia refused to remove her mask. She couldn’t handle the crowd and the unwanted social interaction. It would defeat the purpose of her visit.

Knowing she couldn’t argue with the guard, she considered driving her Mini EV into the hospital, but decided against it.

Instead, she used her grandmother’s old connections, making a call and paying for Gui XiaoLian’s mother’s medical expenses.

She didn’t know that her call had reached the hospital director, who happened to be giving Qi Jun a private checkup.

“Nothing serious, just some liver fire and blood stasis.” Director Wang finished taking Qi Jun’s pulse and instructed his assistant to bring the prescription pad, scribbling a few lines, prescribing some Chinese medicine.

Qi Jun then asked his assistant to set up a chessboard in the elegantly decorated tea room.

“Not busy today?”

Qi Jun said, “Only at your place can I find some peace and quiet.”

His words were polite, but Qi Jun, with his vast business empire, wasn’t there for a social call.

In the past two years, the Qi Corporation had been shifting its focus towards medical equipment, investing heavily in imported devices. They needed distribution channels.

But these were the first batch of imported devices, their effectiveness unknown. No hospital dared to invest heavily.

Qi Jun sought Director Wang’s help, hoping for some guidance.

After some small talk, he revealed his purpose.

Director Wang looked troubled, “Foreign certifications are one thing, but whether Ning Cheng hospitals will accept them is another. I can’t guarantee anything. I’m afraid I can’t help you with this.”

“The hospital scene is complex, with many connections.” Qi Jun paused, looking at Director Wang.

Their shared understanding hinted at a deeper relationship.

“You want to control the entire medical equipment market in Ning Cheng. That’s not something a single director can decide. That’s why I said it’s difficult.”

Director Wang didn’t beat around the bush, taking a sip of tea before continuing, “But you’re in luck. The leadership at the City Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital has changed recently. Coincidentally, the new directors have a connection. They all studied under the same person.”

“Twenty years ago, a highly respected orthopedic surgeon was wrongly accused during a surgery and banned from practicing. You must have heard of him, surnamed Mo. If you can find him, your problem is solved. Ninety percent of the orthopedic surgeons and current hospital directors in Ning Cheng were his students.”

Qi Jun’s fingers paused, then he smiled.

The old fox was playing a game, and Director Wang was no match for Qi Jun.

Twenty minutes later, he tossed his white chess piece, smiling at Qi Jun, “Still as ruthless as ever. No wonder JiaJia contacts me instead of you.”

Qi Jun’s expression, usually indifferent even during business negotiations, softened at the mention of his daughter.

“What did she want?”

“A patient who has lived in your mother’s old building for years was hospitalized yesterday. Your daughter, my goddaughter, kindly paid for all her medical expenses.”

Qi Jun dropped his chess piece, a displeased look on his face, “She never shows such kindness to me.”

Director Wang chuckled, “Serves you right. You brought this upon yourself.”

“Now you have to resort to schemes to get your daughter’s attention.”

Qi Jun’s face darkened. Dropping the pretense of camaraderie, he said coldly,

“Old Wang, don’t push it.” Director Wang said, “At your age, getting jealous of your daughter? Really?”

Qi SiJia received Qi Jun’s call while changing in the locker room.

She’d taken time off to visit the hospital.

The other cleaners were working, so the locker room was empty. “Dad?”

“You still remember you have a father?” Qi Jun said, “I’ve been hospitalized for days, and you haven’t even called to ask how I am.”

Qi SiJia paused, asking flatly, “Are you feeling better?”

“I can’t be better without seeing you.”

Qi SiJia: “…”

His words didn’t hold up. She’d just seen him in a suit on a business interview last night.

“Then rest well, don’t drink or smoke, and drink plenty of water…”

“What’s the difference between that and those uncaring people who only offer empty words?”

Qi SiJia remained silent.

Qi Jun’s outburst had a purpose.

As expected, after the seemingly pleasant exchange, his tone changed, “JiaJia, I’m getting old.”

“When are you coming back?”

Qi SiJia had buttoned her uniform wrong. She undid it and put it on correctly.

She couldn’t answer that question. Qi Jun was downplaying their past conflicts.

“I like women,” Qi SiJia said softly, “If I come back, will you try to change me?”

Long silence on the other end. A few minutes later,

the call ended.

Qi SiJia, in her gas mask, didn’t wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Turning around, she noticed another cleaner in the locker room, surnamed Wu, she thought. Qi SiJia nodded in greeting.

Having taken time off, she hadn’t eaten lunch. She put both lunchboxes in a bag and headed upstairs.

The penthouse was a duplex, with a small storage room in the stairwell.

The developers had intended it for cleaning supplies. There was a microwave inside.

Qi SiJia had discovered it yesterday. Heating her food here would save her a trip to the staff room and minimize contact with others.

But as she reached the fire escape door, she overheard a conversation.

Two voices, the penthouse owner and a sharp, middle-aged woman’s voice.

“What did Shen TuNan ever do to you?” the woman said, “Why are you treating her like this?”

“Treating her how?” Meng Jiang, in a red dress and a white feather shawl, a black mask covering her face, yawned tiredly, not even looking up.

“Don’t you dare talk back. Have you no conscience?” the woman continued, “Five years ago, if not for Miss Shen, you wouldn’t be where you are today. Now that you’re successful, you’re pushing her out of profitable projects and sending her to Italy.”

“The Shen family helped your uncle, helped the Chen family. I’m not asking for gratitude, but at least don’t repay kindness with malice.”

Qi SiJia, instinctively, was about to leave, when a loud thud echoed, something being thrown to the floor.

Worried about a physical altercation, Qi SiJia stayed put.

Through the gap in the door, she saw the woman by the door suddenly look up.

“As you said, the Shen family helped the Chen family, helped my uncle. What did they do for me?”

The middle-aged woman seemed even angrier, “So, the Meng family is your backing? Your eighty-year-old grandmother, all sweet and loving on the surface, is a good person? Naive! Everyone in Bei Cheng is laughing at you behind your back. You’re just an illegitimate child from my second marriage, an embarrassment. If not for your grandfather and uncle forcing me into the Meng family, you wouldn’t even have the Meng surname. The Meng family is full of illegitimate children, but Meng Xing is just as capable as you, and he’s a man. Your grandmother and father might not leave you a single cent.”

“If you don’t side with your mother and the Chen family, the Meng family will crush you.”

Qi SiJia, standing outside, was stunned.

This was the penthouse owner’s mother? But their conversation sounded more like enemies.

Meng Jiang’s voice was calm: “What do you want?”

Seeing her soften, the woman said, her tone condescending, “You should consider your uncle when allocating resources. And about the Shen family, TuNan hasn’t done anything wrong… If she wants to invest in your media company—”

Meng Jiang interrupted, “How about I just give her the company?”

“You—” the woman shrieked.

“How dare you talk to me like that? I’m your mother!”

Meng Jiang chuckled sarcastically,

“Mother, if you think I was born to be your pawn, then take this life back. You’re making things so complicated. It’s just a life for a life.”

“This worthless life, I return it to you. But I’m afraid once I’m gone, you and your precious Chen family won’t last a day in Bei Cheng.”

The woman, her legs long and straight, stood her ground against her mother, unflinching.

Unlike Qi SiJia’s passive silence, she seemed to have found a decisive path out of the toxic cycle of familial obligation.

Chapter 15:

Qi SiJia didn’t see Meng Jiang for the rest of the day, so her questions remained unanswered.

That evening, without the pressure of writing, she had more free time.

She cleaned Big Orange’s litter box, replenished his food and water, and then started cooking.

Her phone was charging in the living room.

Qin XiaoFang called, reminding Qi SiJia to check her novel’s comments.

The Yuri reading platform had recently introduced a new “urge to update” feature.

If a top fan’s “deep-sea torpedo” gifts (a type of virtual gift) reached a certain threshold, the author had to respond, even if they had a break notice posted.

Qi SiJia disliked this feature. It encouraged readers to spend money, and she felt undeserving of the gifts when she wasn’t updating.

But the platform prioritized profit, and the rule was mandatory. Qin XiaoFang couldn’t do anything about it, and neither could Qi SiJia. She reluctantly agreed.

After Qin XiaoFang finished her instructions, perhaps hearing the sizzling oil in the background, she asked, “It’s so late. Haven’t you eaten yet?”

“It’s so late,” Qi SiJia retorted, “Shouldn’t you be at a lesbian bar picking up someone?”

“Hahaha, we’re truly soulmates. Nothing to do at night.” Qin XiaoFang chuckled, then said, “Since you’re not writing tonight and you won’t be able to sleep early, I’ll invite you to a game later.”

Qi SiJia, busy frying sea bass, adding green onions and rock sugar to the sizzling oil, didn’t quite catch that Qin XiaoFang was planning a game with their old classmates.

She casually agreed.

After the fish was golden brown, the sugar caramelized, and the seasonings added, Qi SiJia poured water into the pan, added enoki mushrooms, tofu skin, and frozen tofu, covered the pan, and lowered the heat. Only then did she check her phone.

Logging into the Yuri reading platform,

she saw a new message from Rich Flower.

Rich Flower: *[When’s the next update?] *

Qi SiJia glanced at Rich Flower’s donation amount, gifted Ji Liu double the amount in virtual gifts, and then returned Rich Flower’s gifts through a red packet.

[Next month. Here’s a red packet to appease you.]

A few seconds later, Rich Flower, unusually, replied with a single: [?].

Qi SiJia had seen wealthy readers, but Rich Flower was in a league of her own. Before the platform introduced this feature, Rich Flower’s gifts were already generous. Now, her spending had doubled.

Qi SiJia felt uncomfortable accepting so much. She typed, her online persona more expressive: [Baby, please don’t gift me anymore. I’ll just return them.]

Rich Flower: *[?] *

Rich Flower was stubborn. Qi SiJia had told her many times that her support was enough, no need for money.

But Rich Flower enjoyed gifting her.

To prevent further refusal, Qi SiJia sent a cat emoji: [I’m going to play a game. Good night.]

Meng Jiang, seeing the cheerful good night message, smiled and replied: [Good night.]

Qi SiJia exited the app, then returned, adding another message for emphasis: [Your support is enough. No need for money.]

Meng Jiang put down her yoga ball and plugged her phone in to charge.

She glanced at Qi SiJia’s message one last time,

scoffed, and pushed away her untouched takeout.

She poured herself a glass of red wine and sat on the sofa.

The TV was playing her interview from a few days ago.

“If you met her again, what would you do?”

On screen, faced with this sensitive question, Meng Jiang showed no nervousness, her practiced smile in place, sighing playfully, as if reciting a prepared answer, “I don’t know.”

In truth, she really didn’t know.

Though she was socially adept, always graceful and calculating, those skills were useless against Qi SiJia.

Over the years, Meng Jiang had learned that some things, once left unresolved, would remain forever buried.

She often wondered if her feelings for Qi SiJia could be buried.

Since recognizing Big Orange in Qi SiJia’s Weibo profile picture a few years ago, the answer was clear.

Unspoken feelings would remain forever unspoken.

Just like the casual comment in the garden: “Not every love story has a fairy tale ending.”

All “rekindled romances” were just wishful thinking, carefully constructed narratives.

Using coincidences and fate to piece together a broken circle, creating an illusion of a fresh start.

Meng Jiang realized that despite her social skills and meticulous planning, she was just a sentimental fool, her actions, from the excessive gifting to contacting her first love, driven by a desire for a second chance.

---

The drama club group chat was lively.

Meng Jiang had appeared in the chat a few days ago, occasionally participating in the conversation, mostly receiving compliments.

Ever the social butterfly, Qin XiaoFang hadn’t eaten dinner yet—waiting for Qi SiJia to finish and join the game. She chatted with a few classmates in the group.

[Who’s joining the game later?]

Several people asked: [What game?]

Qin XiaoFang, always eager to show off: [Sister Fang can play any game. Your pick.]

Her friends scoffed.

[If you don’t believe me, believe Qi SiJia. Legendary gamer, max level jungler. She’s also great at survival games, high rank, excellent positioning, quick reflexes, shoots on sight. So, want me to carry you?]

Qin XiaoFang typed away, boasting.

A new message notification popped up.

Meng Jiang, the drama club president, had sent a friend request.

Qin XiaoFang’s hand trembled. She turned on the lamp in disbelief.

A minute later, they were connected.

[Can I join?] Meng Jiang asked.

Qin XiaoFang pinched herself: This couldn’t be a dream. [Of course!]

Even if she was a noob, with Qi SiJia there,

carrying a newbie was easy, especially if that newbie was the goddess Meng Jiang.

---

Qin XiaoFang eagerly awaited Meng Jiang in the game, but half an hour later, Qi SiJia still hadn’t logged in.

[Where are you?] Qin XiaoFang asked.

Qi SiJia had just finished dinner and showered when she saw the message.

Perhaps due to the physical exertion, she felt unusually tired.

She replied: [Tired after work. Can we reschedule for tomorrow?]

Qin XiaoFang was surprised: [You found a job?]

Qi SiJia: [Yes.]

[Just two rounds,] Qin XiaoFang said. [It’s everyone from the drama club. You need to get used to them, right?]

[Think about the reunion this weekend. So many people. You can’t just keep popping heart pills like candy.]

Qin XiaoFang understood Qi SiJia’s social anxiety. She hadn’t gone to the bar tonight and had organized the game partly for Qi SiJia’s sake. Inviting Meng Jiang had been an unexpected bonus.

Qi SiJia agreed. Playing online with voice chat wasn’t as daunting.

Getting used to her classmates’ voices beforehand would be better than panicking at the reunion.

She hesitated, then agreed.

Logging in, she saw Meng Jiang in their four-person team. Her first instinct was to disconnect.

But recalling her previous actions – blocking Meng Jiang and posting that poll –

made her realize avoiding her would only seem suspicious.

It would look like she was the one still hung up on their relationship.

Qi SiJia put on her headset, glancing at the other two chatting animatedly.

Meng Jiang was quiet. Qin XiaoFang and her friend were talking non-stop.

They’d clearly been waiting. Seeing Qi SiJia online,

Qin XiaoFang said, “Meng Jiang is new. Qi SiJia, please look after her.”

Qi SiJia hummed in agreement, selected the rainforest map, and after they landed, finally asked Meng Jiang, “Have you never played this game before?”

Meng Jiang said, “I’m learning.”

Meng Jiang was reserved even in the game. Qi SiJia had intended to explain the basics,

but Meng Jiang, surprisingly composed, didn’t ask any questions.

Since Meng Jiang didn’t ask, Qi SiJia didn’t bother explaining, not wanting to create unnecessary interaction.

After jumping from the plane, Qi SiJia quickly assessed their surroundings.

“Team at 7 o’clock.”

She quickly grabbed a rifle and started shooting.

It was a one-sided slaughter. Qin XiaoFang and her friend had already run for cover.

After eliminating the threat, Qi SiJia turned to find Meng Jiang looting the dropped weapons and ammo.

“What are you looking at?” Meng Jiang’s voice, husky and sweet, came through the headset, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Qi SiJia’s ears felt warm. She pushed her hair back, glancing at Meng Jiang’s character, “Three o’clock. Dare to kill?”

Shouldn’t a normal person compliment her skills?

Meng Jiang: “…”

---

Meng Jiang was a quick learner. Even as a newbie, after the first half of the game,

she confidently wielded an AKM, running off to snipe people.

Qi SiJia could only follow, protecting her, her reflexes sharper than usual, making sure they weren’t ambushed. But even she couldn’t keep up with Meng Jiang’s recklessness.

Twenty minutes later, Qi SiJia, with the last of her health, took down the enemy team, dying in the process.

Qin XiaoFang wailed, “Qi SiJia, what happened? You lost!”

“That’s not your usual performance.”

“Is your new job that tiring? Fatigue affecting your gameplay?”

Qi SiJia hummed in agreement.

Qin XiaoFang felt slightly guilty. Qi SiJia’s “jobs” were usually either volunteer work or physically demanding tasks. She rarely complained about being tired.

Feeling bad, Qin XiaoFang started to say, “Maybe…”

But Huang Yaran interrupted, “Qi SiJia, are you still screenwriting?”

Qin XiaoFang: “No.”

Qi SiJia: “No.”

They answered simultaneously.

A voice cut in,

“What kind of work is so tiring?”

Qi SiJia looked over. Meng Jiang had respawned. Learning from their previous experience, they had chosen a less populated area this time.

After landing safely, Qi SiJia replied, “Service industry.”

Huang Yaran’s tone turned condescending.

After all, everyone from their drama club class had become successful. Either a three-time award-winning actress like Meng Jiang, nominated for an Oscar,

or industry elites.

No one worked in the service industry.

Huang Yaran scoffed, “I always thought… with your talent, you would have become a famous screenwriter.”

Qin XiaoFang, picking up a rifle, thought, Bitch, please.

Five years ago, Qi SiJia was a screenwriter, one you couldn’t even compare to. Even now, as a web novelist, she could easily return to screenwriting if she wanted.

The production company for “Submerged” wanted Qi SiJia to participate in the screenplay adaptation.

If not for her social anxiety, it would have already happened.

Qi SiJia ignored Huang Yaran’s taunt, but Qin XiaoFang couldn’t stand it.

“She’s not short on money.”

“Then what is she lacking?” Meng Jiang, leading the way, suddenly turned and asked.

“Brains?” Qin XiaoFang said, “She just got dumped a few days ago, heartbroken, I guess. So she abandoned her promising career, returned to the grassroots, hoping to find a new girlfriend.”

Qin XiaoFang emphasized “promising career,” realizing her words were condescending. Huang Yaran remained silent.

Meng Jiang hummed, as if asking casually, “Did she find one?”

This area was less populated, and their pace slowed down. Meng Jiang’s voice was soft and alluring,

sending shivers down Qi SiJia’s spine.

For some reason, the voice reminded her of the penthouse owner’s chuckle, their tones almost identical.

Comparing the penthouse owner’s figure and demeanor to Meng Jiang’s,

Qi SiJia realized her taste hadn’t changed. All her girlfriends were beautiful and stylish, their figures accentuated by their clothes.

They were confident, their voices husky and sweet, a hint of alluring coldness in their tone.

Thinking about the penthouse owner, Qi SiJia smiled unconsciously.

She wasn’t planning to answer Meng Jiang’s question,

when Qin XiaoFang burst out laughing.

They continued through the game, reaching a row of warehouses.

Qi SiJia hid behind a door, finding no one inside.

She waved to the others, entering the warehouse.

Qin XiaoFang said, “Find one my ass.”

Unaware of Qi SiJia’s history with Meng Jiang, and perhaps starstruck by the goddess,

“Honestly, Qi SiJia only has her looks going for her. Beauties walk right past her, and she never makes a move.”

Qin XiaoFang started listing Qi SiJia’s exes, their flaws and quirks, exaggerating wildly.

Meng Jiang chuckled occasionally.

Qi SiJia couldn’t take it anymore.

“There is one,” Qi SiJia said, eliminating an enemy hidden behind a crate, switching to a pistol, “Just yesterday, I asked for her name.”

Qin XiaoFang stopped abruptly: “Who?”

Unsure how to describe the penthouse owner,

Qi SiJia said, “My boss.”

A moment of silence in the voice chat.

Meng Jiang suddenly asked, “And then?”

Qi SiJia said, “She said no.”

Qin XiaoFang: “Hahahaha!”

“Is there more?”

After another kill, Qi SiJia saw a dropped weapon. Meng Jiang quickly grabbed it, adding it to her inventory, then turned back, asking casually, “And then?”

Talking about this with her first love felt strange.

Things hadn’t gone smoothly after that.

But recalling that the penthouse owner had asked for her employee ID and given her dinner,

Qi SiJia hummed in agreement,

omitting the owner’s identity, thinking carefully, “She asked for my name… employee ID.”

“And gave me her dinner.” The cherries.

This was Qi SiJia’s first attempt at initiating a friendship. She couldn’t decipher the penthouse owner’s intentions, but everyone kept saying the owner liked her, and now, with Meng Jiang’s questions, Qi SiJia started to believe it.

Choosing her words carefully, she asked, “If it were you, would you interpret that as her liking me?”

Qin XiaoFang: “Seriously?”

“You go, girl!”

Huang Yaran said, “Congratulations! Most likely, yes.”

Laughter filled the voice chat. Only Meng Jiang remained silent, firing her newly acquired weapon indiscriminately, attracting the attention of a hidden sniper.

The team was wiped out again.

Ignoring their score, Meng Jiang said, “Let’s stop here.”

Everyone assumed she would leave the game,

but after a brief gray-out, her character reappeared.

“Has she seen your face?”

Qi SiJia shook her head.

“Do you think she’s beautiful?”

Qi SiJia shook her head: “She has a nice figure, but I haven’t seen her face.”

Qin XiaoFang burst out laughing, amused by Qi SiJia’s criteria for attraction.

“Hahaha, I knew it. Your reasons for liking someone are always absurd. You haven’t even seen her face. How can you like her?”

Meng Jiang raised an eyebrow, her mood seemingly improving, “So how can you be sure she’s interested in you, or that she likes you without even seeing your face?”

Qi SiJia was speechless. But she did feel a connection with the penthouse owner. Even if they couldn’t date, being friends would be nice.

“Maybe next time… I’ll take off my mask?”

Qi SiJia mumbled, then suddenly asked, “Meng Jiang, what’s your type? Beautiful? Nice hands…?”

Meng Jiang glanced at her, a smile playing on her lips, “Not your type.”

Qi SiJia: “…”

Alright, end of conversation.

Meng Jiang, for some reason annoyed, logged off without a word.

Her profile picture turned gray.

After exiting the game, Qi SiJia received another notification from the Yuri reading platform. Six minutes ago, Rich Flower had gifted her another large sum.

Each gift was accompanied by a single word: “Update.”

Qi SiJia sighed, sending Rich Flower a private message,

returning double the amount, and adding an ellipsis.

Rich Flower: “Is the author in a bad mood?”

Indeed, Meng Jiang had ruined her mood.

But Meng Jiang’s words had left her speechless.

Recalling their conversation, Qi SiJia looked at her phone screen and asked, “Do you have someone you like?”

Rich Flower: “Yes. Five years.”

“Is appearance important when a girl likes a girl?”

Rich Flower replied quickly: “Not necessarily. I value inner beauty more.”

Qi SiJia smiled, relieved, “I see. I met someone special today. She doesn’t care about my looks or my job. She’s very kind to me. I didn’t even have any trouble communicating with her. Does that mean she likes my inner beauty?”

Rich Flower was unusually silent.

Qi SiJia pressed on, “Do you know how to pursue a girl? This is my first time, I’m not experienced.”

After a long pause, Rich Flower replied: “Has she expressed any interest in you?”

“No, but she asked for my name and gave me her dinner.”

“Everyone says she likes me.”

“Have you considered that maybe she just needs to lose weight?”

“According to you, she doesn’t care about looks. But maybe…”

“She’s only interested in handsome men.”

!!!

Qi SiJia: “…”

Chapter 14:

The next day, Qi SiJia woke up at 6:15 AM, after the alarm had been ringing for a while.

After a restless night, she groggily went through her morning routine.

She rushed out the door, forgetting even her hair tie.

Late autumn in Ning Cheng was getting colder by the day.

With her gas mask on, Qi SiJia didn’t feel the chill, except for the exposed skin on her neck, despite the high-collared sweater.

She’d been in a hurry and forgotten her scarf.

Qi SiJia pulled her long hair forward, using it as a makeshift scarf, tucking the exposed skin beneath the warmth of her hair.

Just as she reached the first floor,

In the dim light of the stairwell, Gui XiaoLian, even earlier than Qi SiJia, seemed to be waiting by the door.

The door opened with a click.

Gui XiaoLian offered Qi SiJia a faded, rectangular metal lunchbox.

Qi SiJia didn’t take it, pulling down her cap and looking at her hesitantly.

“My mom asked me to give this to you. It’s Aiqing Jiao, glutinous rice dumplings with celery and pork filling. The pork is from Uncle Mo’s butcher shop this morning, and the celery is from Auntie Fang on the second floor.”

“Heat it in the microwave for three minutes during your lunch break. It’s much better than the instant noodles you had yesterday.”

Qi SiJia was about to say she’d brought her own lunch,

when Gui XiaoLian, perhaps still embarrassed about yesterday, quickly closed the door.

Through the rusty door, Qi SiJia heard a violent coughing fit.

And Gui XiaoLian’s exclamation: “Mom!”

“I told you I’d deliver it. Why did you get up?”

“Nannan, we have to be reasonable. Miss Qi… cough, cough… she and her grandmother were so kind to us, our benefactors all these years. How many times have I told you? We may be poor and unable to repay their kindness, but we can’t take advantage of their generosity. You have to be polite to her.”

“She’s already gone.”

“Alright, alright.”

“I give up. I’ll apologize to her myself when I go to work later, okay?”

Another coughing fit followed, racking her lungs.

Qi SiJia hesitated, then transferred the lunchbox to her right hand. In the dim light, Qi SiJia’s own lunchbox was a three-layered, insulated container, brand new, with a cute cat on the beige lid.

Much more elegant than the faded, single-layered one in her left hand.

It contained the food she’d prepared yesterday. With her social anxiety, she avoided eating in public and always cooked for herself.

This was the first time she’d accepted a homemade meal from someone else.

Qi SiJia paused for a moment, then left the building, carrying both lunchboxes.

---

7 AM, staff room.

Qi SiJia was startled by the heated discussion inside.

“Why? She just started yesterday and she’s getting a raise!”

“A newbie?”

“Do you think the penthouse owner likes her?”

“My daughter told me girls can like girls now. The marriage law is about to change. Do you think the penthouse owner has taken a fancy to her?”

“No wonder…”

…

Gui XiaoLian had arrived a minute earlier.

“Aunties, you can’t say that. None of us wanted to clean Building 8. She worked hard, impressed the owner, and earned a raise. She deserves it.”

“If we work hard, we might get the same opportunity.”

Gui XiaoLian’s words were well-received. Seeing the aunties nod in agreement, she waved to Qi SiJia, “Miss Qi—you got a raise!”

Qi SiJia wasn’t particularly thrilled about the raise,

but the envious stares from the aunties were unsettling.

She thanked Gui XiaoLian for her intervention and quickly retreated to the locker room, ignoring the glares.

As she came out, Supervisor Cai returned from a meeting, her expression complex as she called Qi SiJia over.

“You got a raise. The penthouse owner personally approved it.”

“Do you know how much?”

The supervisor didn’t know, so Qi SiJia certainly didn’t. She wasn’t interested in the money, but there was no such thing as a free lunch.

What was the penthouse owner’s intention?

“Does she like you?” Supervisor Cai suddenly asked, leaning closer.

Qi SiJia stepped back, replying impassively, “I don’t know.”

She wasn’t one to believe rumors. But recalling the cherries and the prolonged stares yesterday,

Qi SiJia wasn’t so sure anymore.

She decided to ask the penthouse owner directly. If there was something there…

She was looking for a new relationship, a way to overcome her social anxiety. If it seemed suitable, she could give it a try.

---

The cleaning work was repetitive and monotonous, confined to a specific area within the building.

Mopping, sweeping, watering, a constant cycle.

The novelty had worn off.

While watering the plants in the morning, Qi SiJia encountered Gui XiaoLian again.

Gui XiaoLian hesitated for a while before approaching, “I’m sorry about yesterday…”

Qi SiJia, understanding what she wanted to say, and remembering her help earlier,

said softly, “It’s okay.”

Gui XiaoLian was good at finding joy. Despite her initial reservations about Qi SiJia, she now considered her a kindred spirit.

She chatted with Qi SiJia in the garden, helping her with the watering, talking incessantly.

Qi SiJia listened patiently while working.

Perhaps because Qi SiJia was such a good listener, Gui XiaoLian talked about everything, from family gossip to entertainment news.

“Hey, did you see the trending topics last night?”

Qi SiJia shook her head. Meng Jiang’s mention of Miss Q had put Qi SiJia in a precarious position.

But Meng Jiang kept her word. If she said she’d remove all speculation about Miss Q’s identity, she would.

Qi SiJia trusted her on that. She didn’t think she’d be trending and finished pruning the last branch, uninterested.

Gui XiaoLian, waiting, was impatient, “Really? You didn’t see it?”

Qi SiJia said, “I don’t use Weibo much.”

Gui XiaoLian was surprised, then quickly accepted it. After all, Qi SiJia didn’t even like showing her face to collect rent. What else would she care about?

She said patiently, “Okay, even if you don’t use Weibo, you must have heard of Meng Jiang, the movie queen.”

Qi SiJia looked down, hiding her surprise, asking casually, “What about her?”

Gui XiaoLian pulled out her phone excitedly, showing Qi SiJia a Weibo post.

“Someone found Meng Jiang’s alt account.”

“Here. See? I mean, fans always brag about their idols being top-tier, but after this first love confession, Meng Jiang is the real deal. No one can compare. Even her dormant alt account is trending.”

Meng Jiang’s name was a sensitive topic for Qi SiJia. She instinctively leaned closer, her heart sinking.

She swallowed her question about how Gui XiaoLian was sure it was Meng Jiang’s account. The profile picture was the same as Meng Jiang’s main WeChat account.

This was almost certainly Meng Jiang’s Weibo.

“White background, red lips, tsk, a ‘Q’-shaped luxury lipstick,” Gui XiaoLian said with a dreamy smile, nudging Qi SiJia, “It’s a brand she endorsed early in her career. Nothing special, but there’s a ‘Q’ on it. The ‘Q’ from Miss Q.”

She giggled knowingly.

Qi SiJia glanced at the picture and looked away.

What was there to speculate about? Even as Miss Q herself, Qi SiJia had initially misinterpreted the image. But Meng Jiang had made it clear that reconciliation was out of the question.

It was just a brand logo.

As some of Meng Jiang’s rational fans had commented, her willingness to talk about Miss Q after five years meant she had moved on. Besides, she’d only mentioned it while drunk.

She clearly didn’t care.

“Hey, aren’t you even a little curious?”

Gui XiaoLian was puzzled by Qi SiJia’s indifference, continuing her chatter.

Finding it slightly annoying, Qi SiJia put down her tools and asked, “So, what useful information did you find on her alt account?”

Meeting Qi SiJia’s gaze through the goggles, Gui XiaoLian opened her mouth, then said awkwardly, “Uh… there are no posts. No likes or follows either.”

Qi SiJia’s tone was indifferent: “Then let’s not talk about her.”

Gui XiaoLian was unconvinced, muttering, “Aren’t you even a little curious?”

“She voted in a poll about relationship problems for a small-time author. There has to be something there.”

Now it was Qi SiJia’s turn to be silent.

Gui XiaoLian opened the Weibo post about Meng Jiang’s advice to the author, and a familiar orange cat, the same one Qi SiJia had held just yesterday, appeared on the screen.

“The author’s name is Ji Liu. Netizens have dug up everything about her online persona.”

Qi SiJia narrowed her eyes: “And?”

“And that’s it.” Gui XiaoLian’s voice was dejected. “The author’s initial is J, not Q. And this author is a player, countless girlfriends, always jumping from one relationship to another, according to her readers. Completely different from our Jiang Jiang. There’s no way she’s Miss Q.”

The implication: someone as stunning and desirable as Meng Jiang, even if she liked women, wouldn’t lower her standards for a player.

Qi SiJia froze, her fingers stiffening. Fortunately, her rubber gloves hid her reaction from Gui XiaoLian.

After a moment of silence, Qi SiJia asked, “Why don’t you think she is Miss Q?”

“Why would I? Jiang Jiang has high standards for relationships. She’s even posted her personality test results, showing she’s monogamous and expects the same from her partner. All her fans know this.”

In other words, Miss Q could be anyone, but not the promiscuous Ji Liu.

Qi SiJia didn’t correct her. A player’s first love was still a first love.

Who said a first love had to remain pure for Meng Jiang?

Regardless, relieved she hadn’t been exposed, Qi SiJia packed up her tools.

Her gardening duties were done; it was time to clean the building.

The Ji Liu account had no dirt to dig up. Let the netizens speculate.

Qi SiJia had carefully protected her real-life identity, even using a VPN.

…

She’d even used Wei YunFang’s connections to encrypt her account.

So no one could connect Ji Liu to Qi SiJia.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Don’t believe or spread rumors,” Qi SiJia returned Gui XiaoLian’s phone, seeing her unconvinced expression.

“You also think the rumors about Meng Jiang being hung up on Miss Q are absurd, right? They broke up, they’re from different worlds. Meng Jiang’s confession means she’s moved on. And for you fans, isn’t it better that Meng Jiang is single? Not every love story has a happy ending.”

Qi SiJia turned to enter Building 8, bumping into the penthouse owner.

She didn’t know how much the owner had overheard. Her eyes, narrowed, were unreadable.

They stared at Qi SiJia’s moving lips behind the goggles.

Though Qi SiJia didn’t feel anxious around the penthouse owner, being stared at was still uncomfortable. She averted her gaze, unsure how to address her.

Just as she was about to speak,

Meng Jiang’s eyes crinkled with amusement, her tone sarcastic: “Aren’t you tired?”

Qi SiJia was confused: “What?”

Meng Jiang glanced at her mouth,

then looked away.

This was the first time someone had commented on her talkativeness, and she took it as a compliment.

Only Gui XiaoLian sensed the tension. Meng Jiang, a master of social graces, was always composed, rarely showing her emotions.

She never gave anyone ammunition against her.

Everyone thought she was elegant, aloof, and impeccably polite.

But her social finesse often masked her decisive nature.

Meng Jiang’s casual glance didn’t faze Qi SiJia. She was about to ask about her raise,

when Meng Jiang gave her a long look and walked away without a word.

Gui XiaoLian beside her held her breath.

Even masked, the woman exuded an intimidating aura. Her eyes, devoid of amusement, sent a chill down Gui XiaoLian’s spine.

After Meng Jiang left, Gui XiaoLian exhaled, asking, “Is she…?”

She gestured towards Building 8.

Qi SiJia nodded: “The penthouse owner.”

Gui XiaoLian slapped her forehead, muttering, “As expected, reputation precedes her.”

Qi SiJia chuckled, “She’s actually quite nice.”

Gui XiaoLian: “…”

“Of course she is. She likes you. Have you ever seen her give anyone else a raise?”

Hearing multiple people say the penthouse owner liked her that day made Qi SiJia wonder if it was true.

Chapter 13:

[Last time, you mentioned dealing with Zheng Xin. How did it go?]

It was 2 AM. Qi SiJia sent the text, not expecting a reply from Ye QianQian.

Ignoring the pounding on her door, she opened her drawer, put in earplugs, and tried to go back to sleep.

Three minutes later, her phone vibrated.

Ye QianQian: [Why are you asking?]

[It’s so late, why aren’t you asleep?]

[Did she bother you?]

To be precise, it wasn’t Zheng Xin causing trouble, but two hooligans from the building, drunk and pounding on Qi SiJia’s door.

The police were on their way. The surveillance footage showed the two men slumped against her door, tears and snot streaming down their faces.

The thin walls of the building carried the noise.

Everyone knew what was happening.

The tenants were trying to mediate in the group chat.

[What’s the point of harassing the landlord? Blame the developers. They issued the notice six months ago, promising to start demolition in the spring, but they’re moving it up. It’s not the landlord’s decision. We ordinary people can’t do anything about it.]

[Don’t forget how kind Grandma Qi was to everyone. Prices have been rising every year, but she kept the rent the same for five years. Even if we’re struggling because of the demolition, we shouldn’t cause trouble for the landlord.]

Auntie Gui: [Awei, Xiaobing, listen to me. Stop it. Don’t get yourselves into legal trouble.]

Awei: [Old woman, shut up. If we succeed tonight, you’ll all benefit.]

Xiaobing: [I hate these old geezers, doing nothing, reaping the benefits, and then acting all high and mighty.]

Gui XiaoLian: [Succeed? Please, use your brains. Do you think the landlord is the developer’s daughter? She’s working as a cleaner at Jinbiao Mingting. Who do you think she can complain to?]

Awei: […]

Xiaobing: […]

Uncle Mo: [Awei, Xiaobing, if you consider me your uncle, stop this now.]

[@Landlord, Miss Qi, I apologize. It’s my fault for not stopping them. For Grandma Qi’s sake, please give them a chance to make amends… If you need anything in the future, this old man will be at your service…]

…

Several other tenants tried to persuade the two men to stop.

But the drunk hooligans ignored them, pounding even harder.

Uncle Mo, after his attempts at mediation failed, went upstairs to drag them down.

But the young men, enraged, punched him to the ground.

Just then, the police arrived.

After giving her statement and providing the surveillance footage, Qi SiJia watched as the two men were escorted downstairs. She handed Uncle Mo her first aid kit, then stopped the police officer.

“Will they be charged?” Qi SiJia asked after a moment of hesitation.

The officer turned back, surprised: “If you press charges…”

“I won’t press charges.” Qi SiJia nodded politely to the officer, told Uncle Mo to leave the first aid kit outside her door after using it, and closed the door, slipping on her slippers.

Outside, Uncle Mo’s eyes were filled with gratitude.

The two hooligans, sobering up, wiped their tears as they were taken away.

---

Dealing with the incident had taken half an hour.

Her phone, lying on the bedside table, rang incessantly.

Qi SiJia removed her earplugs and mask, and checked her phone. Ye QianQian had called countless times.

She quickly answered.

“If you didn’t answer, I was going to call the police.”

“What happened?” Ye QianQian asked, exasperated, “Did Zheng Xin harass you?”

“No,” Qi SiJia thought for a moment, then added, “She wouldn’t dare.”

“Then why the late-night distress call?”

Ye QianQian had been at a club in Xishan City. She’d abandoned her new “friends” and almost raced back to Ning Cheng, only to find Qi SiJia was fine.

“Kid, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

Qi SiJia, her eyes narrowed, apologized slowly, not bothering to correct Ye QianQian’s familiar address this time.

She didn’t mention the incident at her door,

simply telling Ye QianQian about the early demolition notice.

Ye QianQian, suppressing her anger, asked, “You suspect Zheng Xin is involved?”

Qi SiJia: “My father is involved.”

Silence on the other end.

After a long pause, Ye QianQian said softly, “JiaJia, you should come back.”

Qi SiJia hadn’t been involved in their social circle for years, rarely showing her face.

But even so, news about the circle still reached her through others.

Because of her surname, her status as Qi Jun’s only daughter, neither Qi Jun nor his associates would let her remain completely detached.

If not for the incident five years ago, with Qi Jun’s ambition, Qi SiJia wouldn’t have been allowed to stay quiet for so long.

The demolition issue was Qi Jun’s way of getting her attention.

“When did he contact you?”

In the quiet of the night, Qi SiJia’s voice was cold and sharp, making Ye QianQian’s short hair stand on end.

Ye QianQian, outwardly calm, didn’t hide it, “I knew I couldn’t keep it from you, so I won’t pretend. Where did I slip up, making you so sure I knew?”

Qi SiJia raised her eyes slightly.

“When you mentioned Zheng Xin.”

Ye QianQian paused, remembering she had indeed mentioned Zheng Xin a few days ago when she was Qi SiJia’s driver.

“Based on that, you concluded I agreed to be your father’s messenger? Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?”

Qi SiJia simply smiled, “Ten years ago, when Uncle Ye’s illegitimate daughter showed up, what did you say to me?”

“Just her?” Qi SiJia repeated.

Ye QianQian flicked the ash off her cigarette, chuckling.

“Well played, Qi SiJia. You’re quite eloquent. How can I believe you’ve been struggling to communicate all these years?”

Whether it was true or not, Qi SiJia thought, expressionless, Ye QianQian’s answer confirmed her suspicions.

No further explanation was needed.

The Zheng family’s recent success was due to their connection to the Qi family. Qi SiJia didn’t understand social niceties, but she understood power dynamics.

As mentioned before, Qi SiJia couldn’t simply give up her position as the Qi heiress.

Ye QianQian’s repeated mentions of Zheng Xin, implying Qi SiJia’s position was precarious and urging her to return, were too heavy-handed.

Even Ye QianQian herself knew her argument was weak.

The Zheng family was the Qi family’s enforcer, and the Qi family was the Zheng family’s backbone. Even if Zheng Xin didn’t understand this, her mother, Zheng Huanxiu, and the other Zheng family members certainly did.

They wouldn’t dare offend Qi SiJia over this land.

But the issue had been brought to Qi SiJia’s attention. Qi Jun wasn’t blinded by love or confused about his priorities.

Qi SiJia was socially anxious, not stupid.

Ye QianQian mentioned Zheng Xin, then the demolition project’s lead was changed to the Zheng family. Qi SiJia had texted Qi Jun this morning, but his assistant replied.

All signs pointed to Qi Jun deliberately orchestrating this to make Qi SiJia feel threatened and return to the family business.

Qi Jun had no siblings or close relatives. He was an only child with only one daughter. Even his second marriage was a strategic alliance based on mutual benefit.

Qi Jun, a businessman, knew what was important.

Zheng Xin was clearly insignificant in this power play.

And for someone as arrogant as Ye QianQian to utter such insecure words, Qi Jun must have contacted her.

Ye QianQian, knowing she was in the wrong, apologized profusely.

She knew Qi SiJia wouldn’t make a fuss over this, but they were best friends.

So she honestly recounted her meeting with Qi Jun: “Two weeks ago, at Jingzhai Restaurant, I ran into your father. He’s aged, wrinkles around his eyes, but his gaze is still sharp. I greeted him and mentioned you.”

Qi SiJia kicked off her slippers, pulled back the covers, and took out a bottle of melatonin from her nightstand.

She poured out two pills and placed them in her hand.

Grabbing an empty glass, she swallowed the pills dry.

Her movements were precise, but the bitterness of the pills without water lingered on her tongue.

Qi SiJia frowned, glancing at the phone on speaker.

Ye QianQian, after her rehearsed apology, continued,

“JiaJia, I wasn’t fair to you, agreeing to help your father without telling you. But I don’t regret it.”

“You know how ruthless your father is in business. But he’s getting old. Who will take over Qi Corp after him? Who will manage his empire? Have you considered this?”

In the dead of night, Ye QianQian’s words struck a chord.

A sign of maturity was replacing youthful complaints with silence.

Deprived of familial affection in her youth, now she was being smothered by it, forced to accept a mountain of gold.

Qi SiJia couldn’t argue. It would only seem ungrateful.

“If you truly care about the demolition issue…” Ye QianQian paused, “I think you should go home.”

Qi SiJia took a sip of water, her naturally deep voice eerily calm in the quiet night, “It has nothing to do with me. Let him do what he wants. I don’t care.”

Surprised by her response, Ye QianQian quickly said, “Your father’s 60th birthday is in two months. Will you come back?”

Qi SiJia’s eyes narrowed: “We’ll see.”

Chapter 12:

Qi SiJia saw Meng Jiang again at 3 PM.

Meng Jiang’s takeout had arrived, and Qi SiJia had just mopped the hallway on the top floor.

The delivery driver’s shoes, stained with coal dust, left a trail of footprints on the damp floor.

Meng Jiang opened her door and saw the glaring marks. A similar incident had occurred with the previous cleaner.

The property management investigation revealed that the cleaner had tracked mud from the park into the building.

So, seeing the familiar footprints, Meng Jiang immediately called property management, partly to test if the oddly dressed cleaner she’d encountered at noon was a paparazzi.

Ten minutes later,

Qi SiJia arrived on the top floor via the fire escape and saw the elegant, masked woman standing by her door.

The woman’s eyes flickered with surprise at seeing her.

After a brief assessment, she didn’t make a fuss, stepping out with an air of aloofness. She pointed out the accumulated dust in the stairwell, the footprints on the marble floor, and the exposed adhesive residue on the wall tiles, instructing Qi SiJia to clean everything.

These tasks were within a cleaner’s responsibilities, but the previous cleaner only cleaned the stairwell once a month. With thirty floors in the building, it was impossible to finish in a day.

Qi SiJia, unsure how to refuse, silently agreed.

By 5 PM, she hadn’t even finished mopping the common areas.

“Why aren’t you gone yet?”

Meng Jiang, returning from the spa, was surprised to see the same cleaner still working.

Qi SiJia was exhausted, dropping her mop with a clatter, her back aching.

Meng Jiang, noticing her fatigue,

walked over, bent down, picked up the dust-filled mop, and handed it back to Qi SiJia.

Their proximity brought a faint whiff of perfume to Qi SiJia’s nose.

She paused, about to inhale deeper,

when Meng Jiang straightened up abruptly, stepping back and taking out a silk handkerchief to meticulously wipe her fingers.

She truly had OCD.

Qi SiJia was momentarily stunned, then dismissed the thought. Many people used the same perfume as Meng Jiang.

Exhausted after cleaning an entire building, she was probably hallucinating.

It wasn’t that she had to finish everything. She could simply ignore the excessive demands and risk being fired. But Qi SiJia was conscientious.

She’d diligently cleaned the entire building, focused on her work, and forgotten to check the time.

Qi SiJia reflexively touched her forehead, encountering the cold surface of her gas mask, then withdrew her hand.

She looked up, observing the stylishly dressed woman. Meng Jiang had changed into casual clothes, wearing a ginger-orange knit hat, similar to Qi SiJia’s. Her face was hidden behind a large mask.

Only her beautiful eyes were visible, filled with lingering surprise as she waited for an explanation.

Didn’t you ask me to clean the entire building?

Qi SiJia said calmly, “I can’t leave work unfinished.”

“Cleaning the whole building in one day is a bit difficult for me.”

Meng Jiang was speechless. After a moment, she asked incredulously, “The whole building?”

“In one day?”

Qi SiJia: “Yes, isn’t that right?”

Their eyes met. Meng Jiang realized the cleaner was serious about tackling a month’s worth of work in a single day.

She pursed her lips, her eyes darkening as she studied Qi SiJia.

Qi SiJia, uncomfortable under her gaze, coughed.

“Do you have any other instructions?”

She used the word “instructions,” her tone calm, her voice slightly hoarse, either from the cold or a naturally husky tone.

She sounded almost officious.

Damn.

Meng Jiang’s eyes flickered, glancing around. The hallway was much cleaner than before.

Though there was still some dust on the ceiling, this cleaner was clearly more diligent than the previous one.

For the first time, Meng Jiang felt she could tolerate a little dust.

She looked at Qi SiJia, speaking gently, “You’re the new cleaner?”

This was the second time she’d asked.

Qi SiJia replied, “Yes.”

“Your employee ID is…”

Qi SiJia: “4863.”

Complaining again would be undignified.

Qi SiJia frowned, wary, “Why do you ask?”

Her tone was sharp. Meng Jiang smiled, “Sorry for being unreasonable this afternoon. You can go home now. The remaining dust can be taken care of within the month.”

She unlocked her door, then turned back, offering Qi SiJia a box of cherries she’d just bought.

Her eyes sparkled.

Caught by her gaze, Qi SiJia watched, mesmerized, as the woman’s delicate, porcelain-like fingers closed the door.

She looked down at the cherries, brighter than roses.

If she remembered correctly, these were from the bag Meng Jiang had brought home.

She hadn’t touched her takeout lunch earlier. Taking someone else’s food didn’t feel right.

Qi SiJia hung the bag of cherries on the doorknob, returning them.

An hour later, Meng Jiang retrieved the rejected cherries, placed them on the table, and called property management.

---

Before 7 PM, the sky was dark, covered by a thick blanket of clouds.

Being the last to leave, the locker room was empty. Qi SiJia changed out of her uniform.

She considered keeping her gas mask on. Judging by today’s experience, the mask had prevented her usual anxiety, especially when interacting with the penthouse owner.

Perhaps because the owner also wore a mask, their faceless conversation felt like chatting online. Qi SiJia had even spoken more than usual.

So she kept the gas mask on, adding a disposable mask and her scarf. Looking in the mirror, except for the slight bulge around her face, she didn’t look too strange. Qi SiJia adjusted her appearance, put her hands in her pockets, and headed home.

Evening rush hour.

Traffic on the overpass was heavy.

Neon lights flickered outside. Qi SiJia turned on some calming music.

Her first day at work hadn’t been as chaotic as she’d feared, nor as isolating as staying home.

Her dark eyes reflected the car lights. Stuck in traffic, she honked her horn, the city’s noise somehow comforting. A smile slowly spread across her lips.

Qin XiaoFang’s call went to voicemail twice before Qi SiJia noticed.

“Are you still alive?”

“By slacking off, do you think you’re worthy of the bonus I sacrificed?”

Qi SiJia knew what Qin XiaoFang wanted.

As expected, it was a nagging session about updating her novel.

Qi SiJia rubbed her ear.

Qin XiaoFang was her college roommate and currently worked as an editor at the Yuri reading platform.

They were both colleagues and friends. Every time Qi SiJia took a break, Qin XiaoFang would call.

Qi SiJia put her phone aside, focusing on the slow-moving traffic.

After Qin XiaoFang finished ranting, she asked, “Are you even listening?”

Qi SiJia said, “I can’t talk on the phone while driving.”

“Cut the crap, I have urgent news.”

The car behind her honked as she inched forward.

Qi SiJia put on her Bluetooth headset, “Go ahead.”

“There’s news about the film rights for ‘Submerged.’ The production company contacted the platform today, saying they want to start filming in the first half of next year. That means you have to finish the novel before spring.”

“Submerged” was a novella, originally planned for 300,000 words. She’d already written 210,000. Finishing it before spring, four months away, wasn’t a problem.

However, Qi SiJia had never heard of a production company rushing a project before the script was even finished.

“Why the sudden rush?”

“Just understand that time is of the essence.” Qin XiaoFang, relieved, explained briefly.

Xingyue Media had a close partnership with Lantai Station, usually prioritizing collaborations with them for major IPs.

Lantal Station’s new acting variety show, “New Star Era,” had invited Meng Jiang as a mentor.

With Meng Jiang’s participation, the show had generated immense pre-release buzz, practically guaranteeing its success.

Xingyue Media had secured a deal with Lantai Station to cast actors from “New Star Era” in the drama adaptation of “Submerged.”

“New Star Era,” poised to become a hit, would air around New Year’s and conclude in March or April.

Xingyue Media, seeing the potential, wanted to capitalize on the show’s popularity, casting, filming, and announcing the drama adaptation before the contestants’ fame skyrocketed. Even if the final product had flaws, the hype would boost its visibility. With any luck, they could even sign the contestants before their market value increased.

After her lengthy explanation, Qin XiaoFang, seeing no reaction from Qi SiJia,

remembered something else: “The drama club reunion is this weekend. Are you going?”

Qi SiJia was dreading it: “Teacher Ding personally invited me. How can I not go?”

Qin XiaoFang giggled, “Only the old man can control you. But it’s good. Aren’t you looking for a new girlfriend? Go to the reunion, see if there are any single alumni with the same orientation. At our age, dating classmates is better than picking up strangers.”

Qin XiaoFang was a firm believer in “office romance.” Qi SiJia could only chuckle at her logic: “Are you going?”

“Of course,” Qin XiaoFang said. “Meng Jiang is going, why wouldn’t I? What if, after all the delicacies in the entertainment industry, the goddess has developed a unique taste and takes a liking to plain home cooking like me?”

Qi SiJia: “…”

“Speaking of which, the whole drama club is buzzing about Meng Jiang attending. Why aren’t you excited?”

“Why would I be excited?” Qi SiJia thought seriously, “More like terrified. What if she still likes me…”

“Stop, just stop. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Qin XiaoFang was speechless at Qi SiJia’s self-absorption. “You have a pretty face and writing talent, that’s it. Everything else is… please, don’t embarrass yourself.”

Qi SiJia: “Hopefully.”

The traffic eased slightly. After briefly discussing the reunion with Qin XiaoFang, Qi SiJia hung up.

---

Qi SiJia parked her Mini EV in the open-air parking lot outside her building.

The streetlights were dim. With the impending demolition, few people lived here anymore.

Only a few food stalls remained, selling stinky tofu, pan-fried dumplings, and Dongguan soup.

Qi SiJia walked through the narrow streets and into the alley.

People in similar attire weren’t uncommon. A few middle-aged men leaned against utility poles, vomiting.

She rarely came out, unfamiliar with the residents, so no one recognized her.

Qi SiJia walked quickly, aware of the many eyes in the bustling alley.

But with her gas mask on, she felt no anxiety.

She reached her old apartment building without incident.

“Qi SiJia?” A hesitant voice called out from behind. Qi SiJia turned around.

“It really is you!” Gui XiaoLian’s eyes widened, her dimples deepening as she recognized Qi SiJia.

She walked over, “Do you live here? I’ve never seen you before.”

Qi SiJia nodded, surprised as well.

This was the college student who had warned her about the demanding penthouse owner that morning.

Perhaps out of surprise or sheer extroversion, Gui XiaoLian, without waiting for a response, tried to link arms with Qi SiJia, who dodged her.

Unfazed, Gui XiaoLian exclaimed about their fate, saying, “Have you heard? They’re demolishing this place. Awei from the fourth floor and Xiaobing from the third are planning to confront the greedy landlord.”

Gui XiaoLian turned to Qi SiJia, asking in a low voice, “Are you joining?”

Qi SiJia’s expression was unreadable as she asked, “What does government demolition have to do with the landlord?”

“Well, that’s true, so my family isn’t involved. It’s mostly those two troublemakers upstairs.”

Logically, Gui XiaoLian knew the landlord wasn’t responsible. But the rich didn’t understand the struggles of the poor. Evicting them before the new year meant finding a new place, paying three months’ rent upfront.

They couldn’t afford it.

Gui XiaoLian’s smile faded, her eyelids drooping, “Only five or six families are left in our building. Besides those two troublemakers, the others… who would risk legal trouble by refusing to move? But it’s almost New Year’s. My mom has been searching everywhere, but can’t find a place with similar rent. Most of us have lived here for twenty or thirty years. Where are we supposed to go?”

Qi SiJia looked down at the peeling walls, silent.

The atmosphere was heavy. Gui XiaoLian tossed her hair.

Forcing a smile, she said, “We’ll figure it out. Let’s not talk about that.”

“I live on the first floor. Which floor are you on?”

Qi SiJia stopped, looking into Gui XiaoLian’s eyes: “Top floor.”

Gui XiaoLian thought she’d misheard, rubbing her ears, “What? Top… fifth floor?”

Qi SiJia confirmed.

Gui XiaoLian’s heart sank, her emotions swirling as she looked at Qi SiJia, “Are you…”

“The greedy landlord you mentioned,” Qi SiJia said.

Gui XiaoLian’s face turned pale. She took a deep breath, controlling her expression.

Her face falling, she stepped back, distancing herself from Qi SiJia, then quickly opened her door and disappeared inside: “Pretend we don’t know each other.”

Qi SiJia shrugged, agreeing.

Turning around, she walked upstairs thoughtfully, recalling the two construction workers from that morning.

And Qi Jun’s assistant’s reply.

The developer in charge of the redevelopment was surnamed Zheng, the same as Qi Jun’s current wife’s family.

Qi Jun wasn’t powerless.

Chapter 11:

Cleaning didn’t require any special skills, and there wasn’t a strict age limit. As long as you were healthy, anyone could do it.

The pay, however, was significantly lower than in other industries. Even with diligent work and spotless results, the monthly salary wouldn’t exceed 2500 yuan.

That’s why experienced cleaners avoided demanding clients like the penthouse owner of Building 8. The effort simply wasn’t worth the meager reward.

Qi SiJia was an exception. That morning, she not only trimmed the withered leaves and mopped the marble floor in the garden, but she also meticulously wiped down the long-neglected advertising board by the stairs.

Around noon, Auntie Cai, finding some free time, went to Building 8 to check on Qi SiJia.

She was surprised to find the marble floor in the lobby spotless.

Each flower petal in the garden held two perfect drops of water.

Then she saw Qi SiJia, more professionally equipped than a pandemic worker, in her gas mask and rubber gloves, carrying a bucket of water. The water rippled as she walked, yet not a single drop spilled. She stopped a meter away from Auntie Cai.

Qi SiJia looked down and asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”

She disliked being interrupted, especially with the way Supervisor Cai was scrutinizing her.

Normally, she would have just walked away. But remembering her reasons for taking this job: exercise and gradually adapting to people,

Qi SiJia suppressed her discomfort, asking neutrally.

Supervisor Cai coughed, adopting a managerial tone: “How’s the work going? Can you finish on time?”

Qi SiJia replied without hesitation, “Yes.”

Her intended offer of help was thwarted. Supervisor Cai opened her mouth, a forced smile on her face, but she had other motives anyway.

“Xiao Qi, you seem quite young.”

“25,” Qi SiJia replied, glancing at the elevator stuck on the 28th floor, calculating the time.

“Wow, so young.” Supervisor Cai clicked her tongue, reaching for the bucket, but Qi SiJia evaded her.

Undeterred, she moved closer: “You’re young enough to be my daughter. Why choose this line of work?” Such a waste of those long limbs.

Qi SiJia thought seriously: “I like it.”

Nonsense.

Supervisor Cai: “…”

If any of the other aunties had given her such a flippant answer, she would have been furious.

But she had her reasons for being so attentive. Firstly, Xiao Su from property management had specifically asked her to look after Qi SiJia. Secondly, it was rare to have a young woman on the team.

Though she hadn’t seen Qi SiJia’s face, her figure and demeanor were comparable to the picky and refined penthouse owner of Building 8.

And Auntie Cai happened to have a son.

A suitable age.

“25 isn’t young. In my hometown, girls your age who aren’t married are considered old maids. Do you have a partner?”

“No.”

“My son is about your age.”

Auntie Cai pulled out a photo of her son at his slimmest, the man wearing an oversized black t-shirt.

“Here, isn’t he handsome?”

Qi SiJia, determined to overcome her social anxiety, glanced at the photo with a deadpan expression, replying honestly, “Thick waist, saggy butt, looks like a glistening winter melon.”

Adults generally disliked harsh truths. Seeing Auntie Cai’s face darken, Qi SiJia paused, thinking, socializing is so troublesome.

She mentally reviewed textbook social interaction correction methods.

After a moment, she amended her statement: “He looks nice.”

Auntie Cai: “…”

“Pfft—”

Su Wan couldn’t hold back her laughter.

She’d been standing by the elevator with Meng Jiang for a while, overhearing the conversation.

The unexpected and blunt comment was too much.

She only realized her gaffe after laughing, noticing Meng Jiang’s frown.

Su Wan, unsure what to make of it, said, “Sister, I didn’t mean to laugh…”

Meng Jiang didn’t reply, her eyelids drooping lazily: “Let’s talk upstairs.”

Her tone was neutral, betraying no emotion.

Su Wan, having spent several days with Meng Jiang, knew this indifferent tone was worse than anger.

Su Wan was there to apologize. She’d pulled strings with her uncle at Lantai Station, hoping to get another chance as Meng Jiang’s assistant.

But she’d only made things worse.

Realizing the potential consequences of her outburst,

Su Wan blushed, glancing at the two cleaners. Sure enough, her laughter had drawn their attention to Meng Jiang.

Meng Jiang had just returned from Lantai Station, still in her retro Hong Kong-style outfit from the show, unable to change due to Su Wan blocking the dressing room.

Red dress, curled hair, a white blazer with a deep V-neck, and high heels.

With Meng Jiang’s status, protecting her privacy was ingrained in her.

Su Wan saw Meng Jiang pull her black and white rabbit fur hat lower, her face hidden behind a mask. Even without showing her face, if the cleaners were industry insiders, her outfit could be recognized.

Realizing the trouble she’d caused,

Su Wan lowered her head, blurting out, “For my uncle’s sake, please don’t fire me. My uncle is at Lantai…”

Name-dropping and making demands in front of others was incredibly rude.

According to Qi SiJia’s interpersonal communication studies, the best way to handle such forced interaction was to walk away.

But the elegant woman before her didn’t. Her words were as graceful as her appearance.

“Su Wan—” Meng Jiang looked up, glancing at her over the brim of her hat. Despite her lack of amusement, she didn’t lash out, maintaining Su Wan’s dignity, repeating calmly, “Let’s talk upstairs.”

Su Wan finally detected a hint of firmness and displeasure.

They entered the elevator. Qi SiJia, no longer interested in joining them, stepped aside, intending to leave. But as she looked up, she met the eyes of the woman in the rabbit fur hat.

Qi SiJia paused, a sense of familiarity washing over her.

She instinctively looked again, but as the elevator doors closed, their gazes met once more. The woman narrowed her eyes, seemingly disliking being stared at. Qi SiJia saw her expression turn cold.

---

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Supervisor Cai’s face darkened.

Qi SiJia’s earlier comment had offended her deeply. Without giving Qi SiJia the penthouse access code, she walked away.

So Qi SiJia took a different elevator, unable to reach the top floor directly. She had to climb an extra flight of stairs through the fire escape.

And as she opened the fire escape door, she ran into the two women again.

Su Wan, who had been tearful earlier, was now pale.

“Sister, Sister, please listen to me…”

“Go ahead.”

“Please give me another chance. I won’t laugh again.”

“I’m sorry,” Meng Jiang’s voice was quiet, but her tone had changed completely.

Su Wan’s eyes reddened, unexpected by her coldness, “I’ve admired you for years.”

“I didn’t expect you to be like this, two-faced. Your public persona is a lie.”

Su Wan stepped back, a bitter smile on her face, “If you’ve already decided to fire me, why not just say it directly at the studio or downstairs? Why waste our time?”

Meng Jiang didn’t reply immediately. She went back inside, grabbed a pack of tissues, and handed it to the distraught Su Wan.

“There are people watching,” Meng Jiang said calmly, “I wouldn’t want you to be embarrassed.”

A few seconds of silence.

Su Wan froze, speechless.

She realized that Meng Jiang had indeed fired her last night in private. But today, in public, despite Su Wan’s disrespectful behavior, Meng Jiang had controlled her temper, preserving Su Wan’s dignity.

This was the goddess she had admired for years, the reason she had pulled strings to work for her.

Her only regret was failing as an assistant.

Understanding this, Su Wan was overcome with shame, her ears burning.

Unable to even apologize, Meng Jiang, seeing her expression, smiled gently, “Alright, since you’re here, I can’t let you leave empty-handed.”

“Can you take out the trash for me?”

“Huh?”

Su Wan’s eyes lit up: “Yes, yes! Thank you—”

“Thank you, Sister.”

Qi SiJia, adjusting her mop, happened to see Meng Jiang after Su Wan had left.

She didn’t understand why Meng Jiang had given Su Wan a chore, but it had clearly stopped her tears, a look of relief washing over her face.

Qi SiJia didn’t pretend to understand things she didn’t. She always sought to learn.

She observed that the supposedly temperamental and demanding penthouse owner had a surprisingly effective way of handling social situations.

Qi SiJia filed this away mentally, a faint smile appearing in her eyes.

Unbeknownst to her, in her gas mask and protective gear, Qi SiJia looked less like a cleaner and more like a paparazzi to Meng Jiang. Qi SiJia was thrilled to have learned a new social skill from a stranger.

But she didn’t know that her excitement, in Meng Jiang’s eyes, was the glee of a paparazzi who had just gotten their hands on some juicy gossip.

Meng Jiang leaned against the door, scrutinizing Qi SiJia’s mask, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

“The new cleaner?”

Qi SiJia corrected her after a moment of thought: “Cleaner, not auntie.”

Meng Jiang: “…”

Wasn’t it the same thing?

“That gas mask is interesting. Does the cleaning company provide those?” Meng Jiang’s expression was hidden behind her mask.

Qi SiJia, not detecting the probing tone, and perhaps because this person didn’t seem like the demanding and unreasonable owner she’d heard about, felt no social anxiety.

She smiled faintly behind her goggles, “I brought my own.”

Her smile, though hidden, seemed genuine.

Meng Jiang, an experienced actress, could distinguish a fake smile even from an award-winning actor.

This one… seemed different.

Meng Jiang glanced at her again, about to close the door, when her eyes fell on Qi SiJia’s seemingly ordinary rubber gloves. The disposable gloves had a large “DD” printed on the back.

A luxury brand.

Meng Jiang’s lips curved into a smile.

“I’m quite particular about cleanliness. Have you heard?”

Qi SiJia nodded.

Meng Jiang’s smile deepened: “Then do a good job.”

Qi SiJia nodded thoughtfully, “Thanks for the reminder. I will.”

Meng Jiang, expecting her to be intimidated and leave, was speechless.

Meanwhile, Qi SiJia, remembering her goal of improving her social skills,

paused, then asked, “By the way, may I know your name?”

…

Meng Jiang’s eyes met the cleaner’s obscured gaze. After a moment of silence, she frowned and looked away.

She couldn’t discern the other person’s intentions through the goggles.

But regardless, it wasn’t worth her time.

Could a paparazzi meticulously clean?

Of course not.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she slammed the door shut.

Qi SiJia heard her dismissive reply: “No.”

Chapter 10:

Cleaning services at Jinbiao Mingting were managed by the property management company.

SA, clutching a knockoff designer bag, stood downstairs at the property management office, waiting for Qi SiJia.

“So early! What brings you here?”

At 6:30 AM, Xiao Su from the property management office walked over, holding takeout noodles in one hand and soy milk in the other.

SA waved dismissively: “Waiting for a client.”

“Oh.”

Their relationship was lukewarm. SA was known for being opportunistic.

Xiao Su, not interested in small talk, was about to excuse herself,

When SA’s “client” arrived.

“Miss Qi, this way.” SA’s face lit up with an enthusiastic smile, a stark contrast to her earlier indifference towards Xiao Su. Her eyes, fixed on the woman getting out of the car, shone as if she were looking at a gold coin.

A perfect example of her two-faced nature.

Xiao Su, curious to see this important client, followed SA’s gaze.

A bright yellow Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV came into view. The car was so compact that the driver seemed cramped inside. A long, slender leg emerged, clad in a black sneaker, followed by a flexible, narrow waist as the driver maneuvered herself out.

Finally, she gracefully extracted her other leg from the tight space.

“Wow, legs for days…”

The woman’s back was turned. Xiao Su estimated her height to be at least 1.73 meters. But that wasn’t the main attraction. Xiao Su loved observing people’s fashion.

Long legs, small waist, balanced proportions – the woman seemed to embody the perfect figure.

She wore a dark gray coat that reached her knees, light blue high-waisted wide-leg pants, and black sneakers. Her face was buried in a blue and white scarf, her expression hidden.

She exuded a cool, androgynous aura.

Xiao Su’s eyes widened in anticipation, waiting for the woman to turn around.

But after a minute, the woman retrieved a travel backpack from the backseat, slung it over her shoulder, and turned.

Xiao Su let out a disappointed “ah.” The long-legged beauty wore a black mask, her face completely concealed by the scarf, and a cleaner’s cap.

The ordinary orange cap didn’t detract from her overall elegance.

Xiao Su, observant as she was, didn’t immediately connect the cap to the woman’s profession.

Nudging SA, Xiao Su, no longer sleepy, asked, “Is she really not your friend? I really want to see what she looks like. With legs like that, her face can’t be bad. Have you seen it?”

“No.” SA, having never seen Qi SiJia’s face either, resisted the urge to roll her eyes, forcing a smile as she whispered, “She’s a client.”

“What kind of client?”

With most of the units at Jinbiao Mingting sold, many sales consultants were seeking other opportunities, juggling multiple jobs.

SA also had several side hustles, including headhunting, which Xiao Su knew about.

But if it were just about finding someone a job, SA wouldn’t be here so early.

Xiao Su exchanged a look with SA, probing, “Is she an owner? She drives a Mini EV?”

SA thought, what’s so unbelievable about that?

There were even more unbelievable things. Remembering she needed Xiao Su’s help with Qi SiJia’s onboarding, SA gave her a knowing look.

“Both,” SA said. “But today, I’m bringing her here for onboarding with you.”

Xiao Su’s jaw dropped, her voice rising, “What? I haven’t heard of any new hires in property management.”

“Not property management.”

Qi SiJia was within five meters. SA paused, put on a smile, and stepped forward to greet her, explaining to Xiao Su, “Cleaning.”

“She’s joining the cleaning staff.”

Xiao Su: …

---

“In our line of work, attentive service and cleanliness are paramount.”

As Xiao Su led Qi SiJia to the cleaning staff’s locker room, the supervisor, dressed in a uniform, was lecturing the team.

The reason: another complaint from the penthouse owner of Building 8.

“The penthouse owner has repeatedly pointed out our shortcomings, and yet, not only have we not improved, but we’ve given them more reasons to complain. Yesterday, they called headquarters directly, forcing the CEO to apologize. Aren’t you ashamed?”

There were about twenty cleaners in the room, mostly in their fifties and sixties. They hung their heads, not daring to speak.

The supervisor, wearing a red armband, continued her tirade, “So, who wants to clean Building 8 today?”

Silence. No one volunteered, afraid of being chosen.

Xiao Su returned after taking a call, briefly telling Qi SiJia she had to leave.

Qi SiJia nodded, declining Xiao Su’s offer of special treatment.

If possible, she preferred to be left alone, no special attention.

Xiao Su felt awkward, unable to persuade her further.

She knocked on the door, interrupting the supervisor, “Sister Yang.”

“Oh, Miss Su, what brings you here?”

In most residential complexes, cleaners were at the bottom of the hierarchy, with property management as their direct superiors.

The supervisor’s face transformed, her features softening into a welcoming smile, her voice becoming higher-pitched.

Qi SiJia stepped back, pulling her cap lower.

A pair of worn-out flats appeared in her field of vision.

Xiao Su, eager to leave, quickly introduced Qi SiJia, “This is Miss Qi.”

“Your new cleaner. Please take good care of her.”

All eyes turned towards Qi SiJia. Xiao Su coughed awkwardly, “This is Auntie Cai.”

Qi SiJia, expressionless, nodded to the supervisor in greeting.

After Xiao Su left,

The aunties’ eyes lit up, and a few approached enthusiastically. But Qi SiJia subtly distanced herself.

Her demeanor was cool and aloof, especially when she wasn’t smiling.

And her tall stature, even with her face hidden, made her stand out among the aunties, creating an unintentional sense of intimidation.

The aunties stopped, falling silent.

Qi SiJia was actually uncomfortable, the crowd making her anxious.

She lowered her gaze, not wanting to speak.

It wasn’t an act of coldness; being the center of attention was overwhelming.

She’d expected to be assigned a building directly, not to attend a meeting in the cleaning staff room.

Qi SiJia frowned, grateful for her gas mask.

Without waiting for introductions, she turned to the supervisor: “Where’s the locker room?”

Her voice was quiet, emotionless, cold, like ice water.

She sounded like she was in charge.

The supervisor, caught off guard, pointed her towards the locker room.

The awkward atmosphere didn’t last long. The cleaning job was low-skilled.

The supervisor only had the authority to assign buildings.

The topic returned to Building 8. The aunties, all old friends with the supervisor, tried to pass the task to each other. Finally, the supervisor glanced at the aloof and seemingly defiant Qi SiJia and assigned her Building 8.

---

Qi SiJia changed into her uniform in the locker room and checked her gas mask, making sure it was secure.

When she came out, there was a new young woman in the cleaning staff room.

The young woman’s name was Gui XiaoLian, a 20-year-old college student.

“Where’s your mother?”

“She’s sick.” Unlike Qi SiJia, the aunties knew Gui XiaoLian, their conversation familiar and casual.

The supervisor said, turning a blind eye, “Your mother is too reckless. She was so sick a month ago and didn’t tell me. Only after you came home for break did she finally agree to rest for two days. Why work so hard? At our age, health is more important than money.”

The young woman looked down.

“I heard your apartment building is being demolished. Have you found a new place?”

“Do you have any recommendations? Even subsidized housing is too expensive for us.”

The supervisor, knowing her situation, sighed and patted Gui XiaoLian’s shoulder comfortingly.

---

The busiest time for cleaners was in the morning. If they weren’t quick, they wouldn’t finish their work.

The supervisor didn’t waste any more time. After assigning tasks and briefly explaining the procedures to Qi SiJia, she left.

Qi SiJia was responsible for cleaning Building 8 and tending the communal garden downstairs.

During the morning rush hour, as the other aunties rushed into the buildings, Qi SiJia carried a bucket of water to the garden.

The garden happened to be in front of her new house.

The building was beautifully decorated, the villa surrounded by a European-style fence. The outer area was communal, the inner area her private property.

Through the gaps in the fence, she could see the layout of the villa and its small courtyard.

She imagined planting vegetables in the courtyard, building a shelter for Big Orange to sunbathe, coming home directly after work, minimizing unnecessary travel.

Her priority was to find a designer and furnish the place.

Lost in thought, she realized the bucket was empty. Qi SiJia turned to refill it, encountering Gui XiaoLian by the faucet.

The young woman had a dimple that deepened when she smiled, her face radiating warmth as she approached: “I’m covering for my mom. Are you covering for yours too?”

Qi SiJia shook her head, uncomfortable with the proximity, stepping back, “I’m here for work.”

“Cleaning?”

“Yes.”

Gui XiaoLian was stunned.

After a moment of silence, she finally found her voice, “Sorry, you seem about my age. It’s surprising to see you doing this job.”

Gui XiaoLian assumed Qi SiJia, like her mother, was forced by circumstances to do manual labor.

Feeling sympathetic, she offered some advice.

“Be careful later…”

“The penthouse owner has severe OCD. The last cleaner was fired because of her complaints.”

Qi SiJia didn’t look at her.

Receiving no response, Gui XiaoLian coughed awkwardly, “Of course, the previous cleaner might have been slacking off—”

“I understand,” Qi SiJia looked up at Gui XiaoLian, then added, “Thank you.”

Meeting her cool gaze through the protective glasses, Gui XiaoLian paused, thinking she wasn’t so unapproachable after all. She was about to offer more tips when she realized Qi SiJia had already left.

She picked up her bucket and rags and returned to Building 7.

Chapter 9: 009(2)

In the penthouse of Jinbiao Mingting,

The new assistant, Su Wan, had added three extra grams of salt to the salad.

Meng Jiang put down her phone and glanced at the young woman, who fidgeted, hiding the camera behind her back.

Meng Jiang had noticed the silver camera earlier, giving her a chance.

The assistant contract clearly stated no unauthorized disclosure of the artist’s whereabouts or private photos.

Yet, within a day, the new assistant had already slipped up twice.

Clearly, the pre-job training was inadequate, but Chen Cheng wasn’t entirely to blame. Time was tight, and this was the third assistant this week.

Normally, Meng Jiang would give a new assistant a few days to prove themselves, but she was in a bad mood today.

She went to the water dispenser and poured a glass of water.

Returning to the dining table, she held a measuring cup in her other hand.

She carefully measured out one milliliter of water and added it to the salad to dilute the salt.

Seeing this, Su Wan suddenly remembered the specific salt requirement in the lunch instructions Meng Jiang had given her an hour ago.

But she’d been too busy trying to sneak a photo of Meng Jiang without makeup, not paying attention to the exact amount. She’d given the chef a random number, assuming Meng Jiang wouldn’t notice. But…

Her eyes reddening, Su Wan stammered, “Sister, it’s my fault. I misremembered the amount. Please deduct it from my salary…”

Meng Jiang glanced at her, a smile playing on her lips: “It’s okay. You don’t have to come in tomorrow.”

After Su Wan left, Meng Jiang’s frustration lingered. She opened a bottle of Lafite from the wine cabinet.

Walking to the window, she took a large gulp.

Just then, her phone rang.

“You logged into your Weibo alt account?”

“And you’re using your endorsed lipstick brand logo as your profile picture?”

It was Chen Cheng. Meng Jiang tapped the bottle, admitting, “Not only did I log in, but I also used that profile picture to vote in a poll about relationship problems for a young author.”

“Miss Meng,”

“Movie Queen Meng,”

“Goddess Meng…”

Chen Cheng wished she could fly back from Venice and shake Meng Jiang. “Do you even realize what you’re doing?”

“Yes,” Meng Jiang said. “Sister Chen, do you know who she is?”

“Who?” Chen Cheng had a bad feeling.

“Qi SiJia,” Meng Jiang said.

“Qi… Qi… Qi…” Chen Cheng stammered, “Your…”

Meng Jiang said, “Miss Q.”

Chen Cheng was silent for a long time, then sighed, “I remember you had a five-year no-dating agreement with CEO Shen…”

Meng Jiang tilted the wine bottle, a drop of wine spilling onto the beige carpet.

“Didn’t that woman, Shen TuNan, get sent to Italy to ‘dig for coal’? Why bring her up?” Meng Jiang scoffed, rolling up the stained carpet, planning to replace it tomorrow.

Her voice, naturally husky and alluring, carried a hint of sweetness: “Two months left, and my five-year contract with Shen TuNan is over. I’ve paid my dues, given her enough from the Meng family over the years.”

Chen Cheng knew what Meng Jiang meant by “enough,” but Shen TuNan wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

“Aren’t you afraid?”

Meng Jiang: “Why should I be?”

Chen Cheng was speechless, recalling Meng Jiang’s drunken confession last year: “What do you see in her? Status? Money?”

“You said she’s a player, constantly changing girlfriends. And you haven’t seen her in years. She’s a recluse, it’s normal if she’s gained weight, has acne, and looks completely different. What if your alt account is exposed, and she clings to you or creates drama?”

Slightly annoyed by Chen Cheng’s words, Meng Jiang found an old photo of Qi SiJia and sent it.

After a long while, Chen Cheng murmured, “She’s quite attractive… no wonder… no wonder she’s a player.”

For Chen Cheng to acknowledge someone’s attractiveness spoke volumes.

Everyone knew how beautiful Qi SiJia was, except Qi SiJia herself.

Meng Jiang narrowed her eyes, looking at the city lights outside, reflecting on her actions.

She didn’t know what she was doing either.

Reconciliation? Judging by how difficult it was to even add her on WeChat, she doubted the ice queen would agree.

Recalling Qi SiJia’s calm breakup with the heartbroken Shu Ran yesterday, Meng Jiang’s initial annoyance turned into amusement.

After all these years, Qi SiJia hadn’t changed a bit. Her views on love were stubborn, conservative, almost puritanical.

Loyal during a relationship, quick to move on after a breakup, never looking back.

Five years, countless relationships, labeled a player, yet she hadn’t even held hands with any of her exes. Meng Jiang thought Qi SiJia’s so-called exes were far more pathetic than herself.

She found it amusing. At least she didn’t have to worry about Qi SiJia being truly loved or “defiled” by someone else.

After all, only she appreciated the unique charm of such a peculiar woman.

Her mood lightening, Meng Jiang changed the subject: “I fired your new assistant.”

Chen Cheng sighed, exasperated: “What did she do this time?”

“Took unauthorized photos.”

“Finding a replacement on short notice might lead to the same problem,” Chen Cheng said gravely.

Meng Jiang had a dedicated assistant who was currently on leave. Chen Cheng, being on vacation, couldn’t personally handle the hiring process and didn’t trust agencies with such a crucial role.

Inadequate training often led to problems with assistants.

“I’ll manage on my own for now.” Meng Jiang was on semi-vacation, only participating in the weekly Lantai variety show. She still had her driver, who could handle many tasks.

Meals were simple, takeout would suffice. She didn’t need constant assistance.

Chen Cheng was still worried: “Are you sure you can handle it?”

“Yes.”

---

After the beginning of winter, the weather turned colder. Though it hadn’t snowed yet, the temperature difference between day and night was significant.

Qi SiJia hadn’t been out at 6 AM in a long time.

The next day, as she descended the stairs from the fifth floor, a cold draft hit her, dislodging her hair tie.

The hair tie fell onto the stairs. Her long hair cascaded down. Qi SiJia searched for it.

Bending down, she felt the wind threatening to pull off her mask.

Almost instinctively, she pulled her backpack forward, retrieved a blue and white scarf, and wrapped it twice around her neck, covering her ears, cheeks, and hair, finally feeling some relief.

The stairwell was old and dirty.

But with the impending demolition, Qi SiJia didn’t bother cleaning it.

She’d owned this building for years, even hiring someone for renovations.

But no amount of maintenance could hide the age of the five small buildings.

No elevators could be installed, and most of the facilities were damaged.

And because of the cheap rent, the occupancy rate was high, accelerating the wear and tear on the common areas.

Only after the demolition plans were announced six months ago did tenants start moving out, leaving many apartments vacant.

The condition had improved slightly, but with demolition looming, further repairs were pointless.

Cleaning services used to be regular, but with the recent tenant turnover, the stairwell was inevitably dirty. Qi SiJia stepped on several discarded pieces of packing tape.

Finding a secluded corner near the entrance, she squatted down and peeled the tape off her shoes.

“Zhang Defa, have you heard? The development area is being demolished. The landlord wants us to move out quickly.”

Two thin, middle-aged men in yellow hard hats approached.

They seemed to have just finished work, their eyes puffy, yawning repeatedly. The taller man took out a cigarette, lit it, and offered it to the shorter man.

The shorter man took a drag, “Who would stay here if they could afford to move?”

The taller man sighed in agreement. The faint morning light illuminated the lines etched on his face by years of hardship: “Xiao Lian’s mom asked around a few days ago. A two-bedroom apartment like this…”

He held up ten fingers: “At least a thousand yuan.”

“Whoa, highway robbery.”

The two men exchanged glances, seeing the shared struggle in each other’s eyes. Reaching the stairwell, the shorter man looked at his home of many years, pulling out his cigarette, muttering, “If only the landlord could give us until the end of the year. Where can we find a place for 300 yuan a month before the new year?”

The taller man remained silent.

They smoked in silence, their faces etched with worry, passing by Qi SiJia.

They didn’t even glance at her.

Qi SiJia, in her black mask and protective glasses, looked out of place. After they left, Qi SiJia, lost in thought, texted Qi Jun, asking about the demolition.

An hour later, Qi Jun’s assistant replied: [Nothing can be done.]

Chapter 9: 009(1)

After the call ended, Qi SiJia didn’t immediately add Meng Jiang.

She finished cleaning, posted the demolition notice in the tenant group chat, and then reluctantly opened WeChat. She typed Meng Jiang’s number into the search bar.

Meng Jiang’s profile picture appeared.

A white background, red lips, a luxury lipstick shaped like a “Q” being applied.

The image could be interpreted as the “Q”-shaped lipstick kissing Meng Jiang’s lips.

Almost reflexively, Qi SiJia’s fingers trembled.

She grabbed the water glass beside her and gulped down several mouthfuls of cold water to calm herself.

Looking at Meng Jiang’s profile picture again, her expression was unreadable.

So blatant, what was she playing at?

She recalled the fan forum post detailing Meng Jiang’s supposed lingering affection for Miss Q.

…

Qi SiJia couldn’t stop herself from overthinking.

Her finger hovered over the “Add Friend” button. Finally, she clicked “Back,” frustrated, unsure how to handle this.

She scrolled aimlessly through her contacts.

A dizzying array of profile pictures, many of whom she didn’t recognize. When had she added them?

As a socially anxious person who avoided unnecessary interaction, she only recognized a few, regularly contacting even fewer.

Ninety percent of her contacts were dormant.

Adding or not adding Meng Jiang wouldn’t make any difference.

They could even delete each other after the money was transferred.

But Qi SiJia couldn’t bring herself to do that. She overthought every interpersonal interaction, agonizing over every detail.

And with Meng Jiang, she was even more cautious.

Perhaps she didn’t even know why.

Unable to figure it out, seeking advice was also impossible. Almost no one knew about their relationship during college.

She couldn’t even ask Ye QianQian.

Qi SiJia frowned, racking her brain. The only viable option was to ask her fans.

A message popped up:

[@Everyone, how many of you are currently working in Ning Cheng?]

The message was from the class group chat for the 2017 Drama Club’s “Huadan” production team.

Back then, the Drama Club was the largest club at Ning University, attracting substantial funding and frequent commercial performance offers.

The club was both financially and talent-wise strong.

Members of the 2017 Drama Club were among the top students in the university’s Performing Arts and Directing departments.

“Huadan” was a stage play created by the club’s best talents. Except for Qi SiJia, almost everyone involved had become successful in the industry.

The message was from Li Ang, who, after graduation, became a host. Five years later, he was a regular on a popular variety show and a potential successor to the current top host, Jin Xiao.

Li Ang, along with Meng Jiang and Fu ChuChu, was one of the most popular alumni.

The appearance of a real celebrity in the chat brought out many lurkers.

“Here, of course.”

“Aren’t you busy today, kid?”

“When are you free, Director Li? Let’s have a get-together.”

…

After a flurry of greetings and flattery,

Li Ang, seemingly busy, finally replied after a long while:

[@Everyone, have you seen the trending topics? Our club president is in Ning Cheng.]

“My goddess is back!”

“Ah, it’s been years. She’s still as amazing as ever. I regret not looking at her more back then. Now I can’t even see her.”

“She’s Meng Jiang, a living dream.”

…

“It’s been five or six years since I’ve seen Meng Jiang or everyone,” Li Ang said. “Should we invite her to a dinner? My treat.”

“Great!”

“If you can convince Meng Jiang,” even Fu ChuChu, usually a lurker, chimed in, “count me in.”

“I want to go too!”

“Me too!”

…

“By the way, Director Li, you’re quite well-connected now, being able to invite Meng Jiang?”

This clearly hit a nerve. Li Ang replied modestly, “Of course, I can’t invite her based on my status. But seeing everyone so enthusiastic, I’ll shamelessly invite Teacher Ding. Let’s see who would refuse our teacher. (evil grin)”

He then tagged Teacher Ding.

…

Li Ang’s words were carefully crafted. He initiated the topic, wanting to reconnect with Meng Jiang, but aware of their status difference, he shifted the responsibility to their teacher.

Everyone saw through his intentions, but the prospect of a reunion with Meng Jiang was too tempting to resist.

Alumni reunions were often veiled opportunities for comparison and one-upmanship.

Qi SiJia skimmed the messages, uninterested, and exited the group chat.

The conversation offered no solutions to her problem.

Unsure about adding Meng Jiang, Qi SiJia resorted to her usual method of crowdsourcing opinions.

She logged out of WeChat and opened Weibo.

Her Weibo account was practically dormant. Her profile picture was a six-year-old photo of Big Orange sleeping.

She hadn’t changed it in years.

Her latest pinned post was from two months ago, announcing the start of “Submerged”: I’ve updated Chapter 1 of “Submerged” on the Yuri reading platform. Mobile version: [link]. PC version: [link].

Qi SiJia rarely used Weibo, preferring to communicate with her readers through author’s notes.

But having just posted a break notice, she couldn’t immediately go back on her word.

It would seem disingenuous.

Ignoring the 99+ unread messages, she created a poll.

#FirstLove# Your ex, whom you broke up with long ago and will never get back together with, suddenly asks to add you on WeChat. After adding them, you discover their profile picture is the first letter of your name. What would you do?

A: Add them, treat them as a stranger, delete each other after the matter is resolved.

B: Don’t add them, ignore them.

After creating the poll, to prevent Meng Jiang from seeing it, Qi SiJia set it to “Followers Only.”

Her Weibo account was officially verified by the Yuri reading platform. She had over 100,000 followers, a decent number but not enough to generate significant buzz. And her real-life identity was well-hidden. Even Wei YunFang and Qi Jun didn’t know about her online persona.

Meng Jiang, after five years of no contact, certainly wouldn’t.

With that in mind, Qi SiJia posted the poll, planning to check the results the next day.

The weather was getting colder. Tomorrow was her first day at work. Qi SiJia put down her phone, went into the storage room, and retrieved her protective gear: coveralls, gas mask, and cotton gloves, placing them under the UV sterilizer.

After that, she made herself a cup of lemon water.

Back in her study, she plugged her phone in to charge.

Checking it later, she saw a barrage of messages.

Both the tenant group chat and the alumni group chat had 99+ replies.

Qi SiJia ignored them, noticing two new contact requests.

She clicked on the first one.

[SiJia, hello, this is Teacher Ding.]

[I ran into your mother recently and heard you’re working in Ning Cheng. It’s been five years since graduation. I miss you very much. I’m inviting you to the 2017 Drama Club reunion.]

Li Ang was truly resourceful, using their kind, plump Teacher Ding to send personal reunion invitations to every member.

It was impossible to refuse a teacher’s invitation.

Qi SiJia opened her drawer, grabbed a full bottle of heart pills, and reluctantly accepted.

After replying to Teacher Ding, she opened the second contact request.

The profile picture was a generic smiley face, no name, utterly impersonal.

Qi SiJia opened it.

MJ’s alt account: [This is Meng Jiang, please accept.]

Seeing the name Meng Jiang, Qi SiJia was momentarily dumbfounded, her fingers cold as she clicked on the flower-shaped profile picture.

WeChat ID: MJ

She instinctively straightened, leaning closer for a better look. This WeChat account was different from the one she’d found earlier using the phone number. It seemed to be an alternate account.

Before she could ask, Meng Jiang, as if anticipating her thoughts, said aloofly: [That’s my main account. It’s not convenient to add strangers. Add this one.]

Meng Jiang always spoke to strangers in this tone, though she’d become more restrained in front of the camera in recent years.

But there was a hint of displeasure in her message.

Qi SiJia pretended not to notice, unlike before, when she would have asked if something was wrong.

[Understood,] Qi SiJia replied.

Meng Jiang’s online smile faltered: [I say that, and you’re not angry?]

After accepting the request, Qi SiJia replied: [Of course not, celebrity privacy is important. I’ll delete your contact information later. Don’t worry, no one else will know…]

Before she could finish, Meng Jiang transferred 13210.02 yuan.

Attached was a receipt from Huaqing Garden.

[Did my profile picture scare you?]

Meng Jiang: [Main account.]

It did.

Qi SiJia pursed her lips: [You—]

[Tsk,] Meng Jiang replied, [You actually intended to add my main account?]

Qi SiJia: [Didn’t you tell me to add you?]

Meng Jiang ignored her: [Think what you want. @MengJiangLuxuryBrand]

She then sent a link, abruptly ending the conversation, showing no desire for further interaction.

She seemed even more eager than Qi SiJia to end the awkward exchange.

Her actions spoke volumes about her desire for distance.

Qi SiJia, bewildered, clicked on the link, browsing through Meng Jiang’s luxury brand endorsements.

The lipstick in the profile picture wasn’t a reference to Miss Q.

It was the logo of a luxury lipstick brand Meng Jiang endorsed, its design coincidentally resembling a “Q.”

Qi SiJia tapped her finger on the screen, amused.

Her encounter with Meng Jiang had clearly rattled her. Ignoring her would have been simpler.

Now, Qi SiJia had no intention of deleting Meng Jiang.

It would seem suspicious.

---