Chapter 54: The BFF Talk p1
That indifferent expression was all too familiar to Qiao Rubai. In her previous life, after Jiang Duo and Lu Gaoshi left, it became Ji Junxin’s default. Cold, distant, a wall erected between her and everyone else. Even towards Qiao Rubai, the indifference was only slightly softened, replaced by a certain politeness, but the essence remained the same.
In her previous life, Qiao Rubai had grown accustomed to Ji Junxin’s hard shell. Having miraculously returned to this point in time two months ago, facing the gentle, soft, genuinely happy and unhappy Ji Junxin, Qiao Rubai had felt a little out of place. She had thought that with a second chance, she could change everything. But she hadn’t expected to see Ji Junxin’s cold and guarded expression again so soon.
“Junxin…” Qiao Rubai’s voice trembled slightly, a tremor she didn’t even notice herself.
“Hmm?” Ji Junxin frowned, dodging Lu Gaoshi’s grasping hand again, and glanced at Qiao Rubai questioningly.
Her expression and gaze didn’t seem as cold as in her previous life? Right, Jiang Duo’s betrayal had been the fatal blow back then. Now, it was just Lu Gaoshi. There was still a chance to salvage things, she couldn’t let Ji Junxin become like she was in her previous life. Various guesses and thoughts raced through Qiao Rubai’s mind. After a brief moment of distraction, she realized that Ji Junxin was probably completely disillusioned with Lu Gaoshi, and there was no need to continue this confrontation. The priority was to talk to Ji Junxin alone, to guide her and prevent her from spiraling into negativity like in her previous life.
Thinking this, Qiao Rubai quickly stepped in front of Ji Junxin, blocking Lu Gaoshi’s desperate attempts to grab her hand.
“Enough, stop pestering her. If you’re smart, go to Qiong Yu tomorrow and talk to my assistant…” Seeing the sudden flash of hope in Lu Gaoshi’s eyes, Qiao Rubai sneered, “…about your resignation and severance pay.”
From panic to disappointment, to hope, and then to despair, Lu Gaoshi’s heart plummeted.
Lu Gaoshi had thought that this incident, like a rollercoaster, would eventually smooth out despite its ups and downs. She hadn’t expected it to be like a bungee jump with a snapped cord, a short, futile struggle before crashing.
“No… President Qiao, please listen to my explanation.” Ji Junxin was hiding behind Qiao Rubai, her head slightly lowered. Lu Gaoshi couldn’t even see her expression and could only desperately plead with Qiao Rubai. “Please listen to me, those weren’t my true feelings, I was just speaking carelessly, carelessly… Really, look how well I’ve taken care of Junxin all these years. Even if I don’t deserve credit, I’ve put in the effort, haven’t I? How can you fire me just because of a few words?… I really treat her like my own daughter, you’re killing me…”
Now she’s not trying to drive a wedge between us, and she even remembers to address me respectfully, heh. Lu Gaoshi kept repeating the same few lines. Qiao Rubai wanted to say, just explain, stop talking about taking care of her, explain why you said those things. If they weren’t your true feelings, there must be a reason, tell me the reason! Thinking about how Lu Gaoshi had manipulated and used Ji Junxin in her previous life, Qiao Rubai’s anger surged. She almost couldn’t hold back and wanted to lash out at Lu Gaoshi.
Her coat was tugged slightly. Qiao Rubai turned around and saw Ji Junxin’s calm and indifferent face.
Wait… why calm and indifferent?
Shouldn’t she be sad? Angry? Disappointed? … Why this indifferent… coldness?
Coldness again.
Ji Junxin’s seemingly indifferent expression was like a bucket of cold water poured over Qiao Rubai’s head, instantly extinguishing her anger towards Lu Gaoshi.
No… Ji Junxin was changing again. Qiao Rubai wanted to stomp on Lu Gaoshi, who was still jumping around, repeating words like “care,” “daughter,” and “reluctant.”
Ji Junxin tugged at Qiao Rubai’s coat. Qiao Rubai turned around, her anger dissolving, replaced by a look of disbelief. Ji Junxin subconsciously touched her face. She had been sad, but she hadn’t cried, why was Qiao Rubai looking at her like that?
Well, this wasn’t the most important question right now.
She had originally thought that by revealing what Lu Gaoshi said in the room and making her stance clear, Lu Gaoshi would understand that parting ways was the best solution. But it seemed she was too naive. Ji Junxin took a deep breath, hardened her heart, and stepped out from behind Qiao Rubai.
“You said those words weren’t your true feelings. Then why did you say them?” Ji Junxin looked directly at Lu Gaoshi, no longer avoiding her gaze.
“I… I was just speaking carelessly… listen to me…” Lu Gaoshi’s momentum faltered.
“Okay, I’ll listen to your explanation. Explain how you could casually say such things. How you could casually dismiss someone you supposedly treat like a daughter as worthless. Explain how you could casually offer to use someone you supposedly treat like a daughter as a stepping stone for someone else’s career, as a money-making machine. You said I’m clueless about the ways of the world, so I don’t understand why you would say and do such things. Then explain it to me now.” Ji Junxin stepped closer to Lu Gaoshi, her words slow, steady, and heavy, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
Ji Junxin’s calm eyes held no emotion. Her cold gaze made Lu Gaoshi shiver.
“I can explain… I can…” The words tumbled out of Lu Gaoshi’s mouth, but she didn’t seem to register what she was saying. Her mind was blank, and she instinctively stepped back as Ji Junxin approached, almost retreating back into Nan Tian.
Their first meeting, a polite and slightly awkward young girl. Day after day, from a talented and hardworking actress to a popular idol. Lu Gaoshi had seen Ji Junxin in countless situations, both on and off screen, radiant and charming, or lazy and playful.
But Lu Gaoshi had never seen Ji Junxin like this. Like an unmelting block of ice, radiating coldness, a coldness that almost caused physical pain.
Where was the soft, gentle, easily swayed foodie who often acted spoiled? …
Lu Gaoshi clutched her chest, her arrogance gone.
Ji Junxin stood before her, patiently waiting, her demeanor showing her willingness to listen.
If she was angry, she could cry and apologize. If she was sad, she could weave lies to appease her. But if she was cold and indifferent… Lu Gaoshi didn’t know what to do. It felt like any excuse or lie would be seen through by this Ji Junxin. Her lips trembled, but no words came out.
Time ticked by.
Finally, Ji Junxin spoke: “If you have nothing to explain, then we’ll be going.” She turned to leave.
“Wait…” Lu Gaoshi reached out, her hand stopping mid-air, not grabbing Ji Junxin.
Ji Junxin stopped but didn’t turn around.
They had heard everything. If she were in their shoes, she wouldn’t forgive her either. From the moment Ji Junxin repeated her own words, Lu Gaoshi knew she was done for. All her attempts after that were just wishful thinking.
Now, Ji Junxin’s cold indifference shattered that last shred of hope.
“Are you really… discarding our past just like that?” Lu Gaoshi’s voice was unexpectedly laced with sadness. “If I leave, who will take care of all the trivial matters for you on set? … Who will clean your apartment? You can’t even cook, the refrigerator must be empty, I haven’t had time to restock it… and the fruits for aromatherapy should also be replaced, those apples spoil easily, I bought some new ones and put them in the crisper… This afternoon, the fishmonger who usually sells us fish called and asked why we haven’t been buying yellow croaker recently. You love my yellow croaker dish… it’s the only dish I’m really good at…”
It was a last attempt to appeal to her emotions, to soften Ji Junxin’s heart. But Lu Gaoshi hadn’t expected to feel so sad. Tears mixed with genuine emotion, her voice choked, her words like a final farewell.
Ji Junxin didn’t wait for Lu Gaoshi to finish and continued walking away. She didn’t say anything more, not wanting Lu Gaoshi to hear the tremor in her voice, nor did she turn around, not wanting her to see her tears.
As Ji Junxin walked away, Lu Gaoshi took a step forward, then stopped, watching as Ji Junxin and Qiao Rubai disappeared into the distance.
“I’m sorry…” The figures in the distance were almost out of sight. Lu Gaoshi’s final whisper was only for herself to hear.
Lu Gaoshi knew that Ji Junxin was her greatest asset. She had thought that after all these years, Ji Junxin couldn’t live without her, so she had unscrupulously manipulated and used her, giving benefits to the Jiang family to win Jiang Dingyi’s heart. But now, it seemed, she was wrong. Ji Junxin didn’t need her. And she, it turned out, wasn’t completely indifferent to the young girl she had taken care of for so many years.
But it was too late now.
Ji Junxin got into Qiao Rubai’s car, sat in the passenger seat, and silently cried. Tears streamed down her face like pearls from a broken necklace.
Qiao Rubai searched the car for tissues. She finally found some, but before she could hand them over, Ji Junxin had already wiped her face with her sleeve.
Sigh… Qiao Rubai sighed inwardly. At the beginning, Lu Gaoshi had been wholeheartedly devoted to Ji Junxin, her care and concern genuine, and Ji Junxin had responded in kind. Two lifetimes gave Qiao Rubai enough time to understand. In the end, as Ji Junxin became more and more famous, Lu Gaoshi’s incompetence and limited vision became more and more apparent. The more she felt she couldn’t keep up, the more she wanted to control… even destroy. And then there was the appearance of her “true love”…
Based on what happened in her previous life, Qiao Rubai didn’t believe that Lu Gaoshi had any real feelings for Ji Junxin. If she did, would she have done those things? But judging by Lu Gaoshi’s final performance today, it seemed that her feelings for Ji Junxin weren’t entirely calculated. They had spent so many more years together in her previous life, Ji Junxin’s feelings must have been even deeper. She had to act quickly and decisively, the longer it dragged on, the deeper the wound would be. But no matter what, she hoped that this problem was truly resolved.
“Don’t cry…” Seeing Ji Junxin still crying after wiping her face, Qiao Rubai handed her the entire box of tissues.
Ji Junxin took a handful of tissues and buried her face in them.
Qiao Rubai patted her shoulder. “You’re not in a good mood today. Tell me, do you want to go for a drive or to a bar? I’ll accompany you.”
“I want to go home.” Ji Junxin’s muffled voice came from the pile of tissues.
Well, that was so Ji Junxin…
“Your apartment or your parents’ place?” Qiao Rubai asked casually. Then the muffled sobs from the tissues intensified.
Damn it, Qiao Rubai slapped her mouth. Lu Gaoshi had just mentioned how Ji Junxin’s parents neglected her, why did she have to ask!
“Then put on your seatbelt.” Qiao Rubai said, starting the car. She would take a detour to buy some dessert to cheer her up.
By the time they reached the dessert shop, Ji Junxin had stopped crying, but her eyes were still red, like a pitiful bunny.
However, the chocolate sawdust pudding, the pitiful bunny’s favorite, was sold out! Hearing the apologetic words from the staff, Qiao Rubai watched as Ji Junxin transformed from a pitiful bunny to an even more pitiful bunny with drooping ears. She felt terrible.
“How about the original sawdust pudding? Matcha? Strawberry? Or mango pancakes? Mango pomelo sago?” Qiao Rubai recited the menu, her face full of black lines.
The bunny with drooping ears shook her head and left.
The dessert consolation plan, failed.
It was a short drive from the dessert shop to the apartment. Ji Junxin refused Qiao Rubai’s suggestion of finding another dessert shop, so they drove straight to her apartment building.
As the car stopped and Ji Junxin unbuckled her seatbelt, Qiao Rubai finally had to say it.
“I…” Just as Qiao Rubai was about to bring up Lu Gaoshi, a call came in. Qiao Rubai took out her phone, intending to reject the call, but seeing the name on the screen, she looked up at Ji Junxin and said, “Wait, let me take this call, don’t leave yet.”
So, Ji Junxin leaned back in her seat and passively listened to Qiao Rubai’s conversation.
“Yes, I’m still out, I’ll be there later.” “Do you think Miemie will like an Elsa doll from Frozen?” “Has she eaten the cake yet?” “If it’s too late, I won’t go tonight. We’ll celebrate her birthday again at the amusement park tomorrow.” “Okay, see you later.”
Qiao Rubai quickly ended the call. It wasn’t a long conversation, but her tone was gentle and her mood seemed cheerful. Ji Junxin looked at her.
“It was Yang Lianyi from Mengguan, it’s her niece’s birthday today.” Qiao Rubai explained, unable to hide the smile in her eyes.
Ji Junxin nodded. Since Qiao Rubai took over Qiong Yu, she had been interacting with more and more people in the business world, and now she seemed to have many friends. And herself? Thinking about Lu Gaoshi’s words, Ji Junxin felt a pang of sadness. Putting aside the unfulfilled schemes, Lu Gaoshi’s description of her current situation, although harsh, wasn’t entirely untrue.
Truth, what a scary word. Ji Junxin’s eyes dimmed.
“Tomorrow, Lu Gaoshi’s salary will be settled, and after the handover, Qiong Yu will officially terminate her contract. Do you want me to arrange a new manager for you, or another assistant?” Although it seemed cruel to say this to Ji Junxin, who hadn’t even had her comforting dessert, Qiao Rubai decided to seize the opportunity and press the issue.
Ji Junxin, her hand still on the door handle, her head slightly lowered, replied softly after a long while, “No need, I already have two assistants, it’s enough.”
She had to arrange more people for Ji Junxin to prevent Lu Gaoshi from returning! Qiao Rubai racked her brains for a reason to assign more people to Ji Junxin.
“Don’t worry, I won’t see Sister Lu again.” Ji Junxin understood Qiao Rubai’s intentions and smiled wryly. “I… don’t know how to face her anymore. I don’t want to… have this resentment between us.”
She looked so pitiful. Qiao Rubai suddenly felt like the bad guy who broke them up… She shifted uncomfortably and said awkwardly, “Well, it’s better to live happily.” Then she mentally berated herself, what kind of comforting words were those?
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep. It’s getting late, you should go if you have something to do.” Ji Junxin opened the car door, then paused. “Actually, it’s good that I know now. Thank you.” She smiled at Qiao Rubai and got out of the car.
She seemed to be comforting her instead…
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