Chapter 32: Astonishing Acting Skills
“Wait, speaking of Yan Zhengqing, I think Chuchu mentioned him to me a couple of days ago,” Jiang Yuxuan suddenly remembered.
She’d been vague about it — basically, she had embarrassed Yan Zhengqing over some trivial matter and was worried he might retaliate. She asked him what she should do.
What should she do? Jiang Yuxuan had nearly been ready to storm over to the Yan family and give that brat two slaps!
He told Jiang Chuchu not to worry, then immediately arranged for someone to keep an eye on Yan Zhengqing and report to him at once if anything happened.
So far, Yan Zhengqing had been behaving himself. The only reports said he was dating a girl in his class, so Jiang Yuxuan felt reassured for now.
Qin Min explained, “It’s the same matter. Given Gu Qinghuan’s circumstances, she’s no match for Yan Zhengqing, so she went to the student council for a backer. I mentioned it to Xia He — I don’t know exactly what happened, but he’s quite satisfied with her.”
Jiang Yuxuan clicked his tongue in surprise. He couldn’t picture Xia He being pleased with anyone, but since Qin Min said so, it couldn’t be a lie.
“If that’s the case, then there shouldn’t be a problem,” Jiang Yuxuan said immediately, his worries gone.
On the same side, no matter how crazy Xia He was, he’d only applaud.
Qin Min noticed the conversation was drifting and reeled it back a bit. “You going back for National Day?”
“Of course,” Jiang Yuxuan replied. “I want to check on Chuchu, and there’s someone from our department I think is promising. I asked her to prepare a project proposal. I’ll take it back and see if I can get some investment from my dad.”
“Is it that self-media person from your department?” Qin Min had heard some talk.
“Self-media? Oh, you mean that guy Tong Li?” Jiang Yuxuan clearly knew of him.
He shook his head. “No. I’ve seen Tong Li’s videos — he’s good at catching hot topics, but too shallow, lacking long-term vision. Just a flash in the pan.
“Besides…” He glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then lowered his voice. “I suspect his account didn’t rise on his own. The style before and after university is too different.”
“Now, when I look at that girl, she’s got more of his early style. I heard they even got into the same university,” Jiang Yuxuan added.
“Want me to look into it?” Qin Min raised a brow.
“I’ll see her proposal first,” Jiang Yuxuan said, shaking his head. “She hasn’t brought it up herself, so she probably has her own plans. Better not meddle too much.”
They chatted a bit more — campus life, news within their social circle — exchanging some information.
Meanwhile, Gu Qinghuan and Yu Xin, accompanied by Jiang Chuchu, finished touring the courtyard and spent some time playing with the Jiang family’s cats and dogs.
Gu Qinghuan especially liked a border collie — sleek, well-built, with glossy fur and a smart mind, fetching things at a single call.
Unfortunately, it was wary of strangers. Even with Jiang Chuchu holding it, it only let her pet it once.
They had lunch at the Jiang family’s home. Before the meal, the chef asked about any food taboos or allergies, and every dish served was delicious.
Since Jiang Chuchu’s parents weren’t home, it was just the three of them at the table, eating in a relaxed atmosphere.
In the afternoon, they watched a comedy in Jiang Chuchu’s private theater — which turned out to be a flop. Gu Qinghuan and Jiang Chuchu spent the whole time roasting it, and even Yu Xin couldn’t help joining in.
“You’re really not staying for dinner?” Jiang Chuchu asked reluctantly.
Gu Qinghuan shook her head. “We’ve already been here a long time. If I don’t go home for dinner, my mom will be mad.”
Mainly, classes started tomorrow. If she stayed out late again, it would definitely be frowned upon in the Gu household.
“I could probably get away with skipping dinner at home, since my family wants me to spend more time with you,” Yu Xin said. “But if it’s just me left here, it wouldn’t be fair to Qinghuan.”
“I don’t mind that,” Gu Qinghuan replied.
“And…” Yu Xin hesitated, a little shy, “I want to go back early and tell them about my day — like… the necklace Chuchu gave me…”
Gu Qinghuan couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.
“So it really doesn’t take long to pick up bad habits,” Jiang Chuchu remarked, looking at Gu Qinghuan.
“How is that a bad habit!” Gu Qinghuan protested. “It’s just reasonable payback!”
Yu Xin smiled. “Then Qinghuan, are you coming with me?”
“Of course, of course!” Gu Qinghuan said eagerly, looping her arm through Yu Xin’s and heading toward the car. “I’ve got my necklace on too — we’ll show them together!”
“Ah! Then I won’t get to see it live again!” Jiang Chuchu realized with regret. “No way — this time you have to livestream it!”
“They’ll notice if I’m holding up my phone,” Gu Qinghuan objected.
“Then just do an audio call!” Jiang Chuchu was determined to get her gossip fix.
“With my phone’s mic, will you even hear clearly?” Gu Qinghuan wavered but figured it depended on the setup.
So, Jiang Chuchu brought out a clip-on wireless microphone.
“I give up — why do you even have this?” Gu Qinghuan was stunned, letting Jiang Chuchu clip it discreetly to her shirt.
“My brother wants to get into self-media — not as a host himself, but to invest in talented people,” Jiang Chuchu explained while setting it up. “He’s bought all kinds of gear to compare performance and value, so he won’t get ripped off when buying in bulk later.”
“I thought stuff like that would be left to professionals?” Yu Xin asked curiously.
“My dad says an investor isn’t a sucker. You don’t have to know everything, but you definitely can’t know nothing — otherwise you’ll just be bled dry,” Jiang Chuchu said, patting Gu Qinghuan’s shoulder when she was done.
“Alright, it’s all up to you now!” she declared proudly. “Go get ’em!”
—
At the Yu household.
When the servant reported that the Jiang family’s car had arrived, Yu Yuan was lounging on the sofa, boredly scrolling her phone.
Hearing this, she stood up by reflex and headed to the door, running into Yu Jinxin on the way.
Yu Jinxin looked a bit awkward, mumbling, “I wonder if she embarrassed our family at the Jiangs’…”
The truth was, both of them just wanted to see how Yu Xin’s day had gone. If she came back sulking, they’d feel satisfied.
The problem was, Yu Xin stepped out of the car with that clueless-looking Gu Qinghuan, and neither of them looked remotely unhappy.
“Hello!” Gu Qinghuan immediately waved cheerfully. “Xin Bao told me about you — you must be her brother Yu Jinxin and her younger sister Yu Yuan, right?”
That “younger sister” title was like a thorn in Yu Yuan’s ear.
If Yu Xin had never returned, she would be the Yu family’s only daughter, basking in their exclusive love and attention!
Yu Jinxin maintained basic manners in front of outsiders. “Yes, I’m her brother. How was your day?”
“It was great!” Gu Qinghuan promptly hooked a finger around the necklace on her neck, clearly showing it off. “I told Chuchu about you planning to give her a necklace, and — see, I knew I wasn’t wrong! She really did have the whole set, and she even gave me the special edition! Isn’t it pretty?”
Listening in through the microphone, Jiang Chuchu collapsed on the sofa, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Gu Qinghuan’s sweet, naive act was absolutely flawless!
