“I never thought we’d see each other again so soon!”
Chen Xiyan sat down across from Qin Yunxuan, looking her up and down. “You wouldn’t happen to be… following me, would you?”
Qin Yunxuan gave a bitter smile. She hadn’t expected to run into Chen Xiyan here either—Chen Xiyuan’s eldest sister.
“Eldest sister… how could I possibly be following you? I’m here to visit a relative of mine. Oh, right, what brings you here, eldest sister? Is there something you need to do?”
“The hotel I’m staying at for my business trip is right here!” Chen Xiyan crossed her legs and let out a light laugh. “Qin Lang, since there’s no one else around, why don’t we have a little chat?”
“Chat about what?”
“Let’s talk about… how you and my third sister have been pretending to be a couple!”
Qin Yunxuan’s eyes widened slightly. How had Chen Xiyan found out? Had Chen Xiyuan confessed?
“Don’t look so surprised. My third sister still thinks she’s fooled me!” Seeing the shock in Qin Yunxuan’s eyes, Chen Xiyan smiled and said, “After all, I’ve been around a few more years than you. I can still see through your little tricks!”
Qin Yunxuan chuckled inwardly. Right, two people who weren’t actually a couple—no matter how well they acted, it was still just an act. They weren’t professional actors, so how could they possibly pass it off as real?
What’s fake will always be fake!
“Are you here to warn me to stay away from Chen Xiyuan?”
Qin Yunxuan’s voice was calm. Going by how these things usually played out, that was probably what she was here for, right? Maybe she’d even pull out a check and tell her to get lost? After all… that’s how it always went in the dramas.
“If I really wanted to expose you, I would’ve done it then and there!” Chen Xiyan smiled lightly. “You’ve got it wrong. Not only do I not want you to break up, I actually hope you two can turn this fake relationship into a real one and become a genuine couple!”
“What?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Qin Yunxuan’s eyes. What did Chen Xiyan mean? She knew Qin Yunxuan and Chen Xiyuan were pretending, yet she still wanted them to be together?
“You might find it strange, but I genuinely hope my third sister can find true love in college!” Chen Xiyan smiled. “Of course, be honest with me… do you like my third sister?”
Qin Yunxuan hesitated for a moment before saying meekly, “What if I said I don’t?”
“Impossible! My third sister is beautiful, smart, presentable in public, capable in private, can handle herself against trouble, and even—well, let’s just say she’s the complete package. If you don’t like my third sister… then you must not be a man!”
Qin Yunxuan grumbled inwardly, I’m not a man to begin with!
But hearing Chen Xiyan put it that way, Qin Yunxuan had to admit that by normal standards, Chen Xiyuan really was the kind of girl every man dreamed of!
Still, for some reason, whenever Qin Yunxuan imagined Qin Lang drooling over Chen Xiyuan like a lovesick fool, she felt a pang of discomfort.
“Ahem, eldest sister, I was just joking. How could I not like Chen Xiyuan? It’s just… I feel like I’m not good enough for her,” Qin Yunxuan said insincerely.
“Don’t worry about that. The girls in our Chen family only care about character. I know my third sister well—she’s a very caring and responsible girl. Trying to win her over with money won’t work. You have to rely on your personal charm to win her heart!”
Chen Xiyan’s eyes lit up. “Let’s exchange contact info. If you’re ever unsure how to pursue my third sister, you can reach out to me. I guarantee I’ll help you make your dream come true!”
Qin Yunxuan’s lip twitched. Why did Chen Xiyan seem so eager for Chen Xiyuan to find a partner?
But thinking back on what Chen Xiyuan had told her, Qin Yunxuan started to understand. It seemed Mr. Chen’s fondness for grandchildren had put quite a bit of pressure on the three Chen sisters. Otherwise, Chen Xiyan wouldn’t be so desperate for Chen Xiyuan to get a boyfriend.
But… didn’t she worry that Qin Yunxuan might be a scumbag who’d hurt Chen Xiyuan?
Qin Yunxuan shook her head quietly, unsure why Chen Xiyan trusted her so much.
Just then, a man in his mid-to-late twenties suddenly appeared in front of them.
“Miss Chen, I’m terribly sorry I’m late!”
As he spoke, he nudged Qin Yunxuan aside. “Move it!”
Qin Yunxuan was annoyed. Who did this guy think he was, acting so high and mighty? But… why did his voice sound so familiar?
“Qin Kong?” Qin Yunxuan couldn’t help but say his name.
“Qin Lang, Miss Chen and I have important business to discuss. Hurry up and leave!”
The newcomer was indeed Qin Kong. He spoke to Qin Yunxuan in a tone laced with impatience. “Go to the front desk and order two glasses of juice for us!”
Turning his attention back to Chen Xiyan, he said, “Miss Chen, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Qin Kong, general manager of Jiuguang Company. Here’s my business card.”
After speaking to Qin Yunxuan, he focused entirely on Chen Xiyan.
“Oh, so you’re the legal representative of Jiuguang Company. Pleasure to meet you! And your relationship with Qin Lang is…?”
Chen Xiyan glanced at Qin Yunxuan before smiling and asking Qin Kong.
“Qin Lang is my uncle’s son. I’m his second cousin.”
Qin Kong suddenly sensed something was off. “Miss Chen, do you know Qin Lang?”
“Oh, of course. And we’re not exactly strangers!” Chen Xiyan replied with a light laugh.
Qin Kong’s face lit up with delight.
Talk about a fortunate coincidence! Who would’ve thought that the usually useless good-for-nothing would actually come in handy at a crucial moment?
“Miss Chen, that’s really wonderful. Here’s our company profile. We’re very eager to receive an investment from Blue Ocean. I firmly believe that Jiuguang Company can fill a gap in this industry. If Blue Ocean invests in us, we will undoubtedly bring substantial returns!”
As he spoke, Qin Kong pulled a stack of documents from his pocket and handed them to Chen Xiyan.
The main reason Qin Kong had come to Yunjing City was to meet with Chen Xiyan!
He had started a company and was in urgent need of investment. He had approached many investment firms, but few saw potential in his project. By chance, he had managed to get in touch with Chen Xiyan, which led to today’s meeting.
Chen Xiyan flipped through the documents briefly before casually handing them to Qin Lang.
“Qin Lang, take a look for me. What do you think of this project?”
Qin Yunxuan glanced at Qin Kong before accepting the materials.
Qin Kong frowned. He looked down on his cousin—what could he possibly understand? But since he didn’t know the exact relationship between Qin Lang and Chen Xiyan, he had to swallow his dissatisfaction for now.
Qin Yunxuan skimmed through the documents, a flicker of disdain passing through her eyes.
Something with no real technological innovation—what investment value could it possibly have?
“Qin Lang, my project has great prospects, doesn’t it?”
Seeing Qin Yunxuan remain silent, Qin Kong couldn’t help but speak up, his tone carrying a hint of threat.
Qin Yunxuan looked at Qin Kong, then smiled faintly and uttered four words.
“Utterly worthless!”
