Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The chat window with Lin Zhi showed that she was typing.

And yet after a very long while, she still hadn’t managed to send so much as a fart.

Well, damn.

Now I finally understood why Song Qingyan had been able to torment her body and soul.

One was a domineering CEO with a scheming mind and a habit of shifting blame.

The other was a silent gourd who didn’t know how to explain herself.

It would be a miracle if they could ever clear anything up.

I cut straight to the point. “Let’s talk in person. I’ll come find you at the gate of your school.”

Lin Zhi hurriedly replied, “Okay.”

I lifted a brow.

A passive personality, huh?

Used to having other people arrange everything for you, huh?

Then today, I was going to arrange her nice and properly.

I drove her to a meal first. During it, whenever she tried to explain, I cut her off.

“After we eat.”

She immediately agreed and quietly ate her food, and sure enough, she didn’t say another word.

After the meal, I took her to meet a client. To my surprise, she didn’t object to that either. She obediently followed along and automatically took on the role of my secretary.

Serving tea and water, fetching pens and documents.

After I saw the client off, I took her to meet a friend.

The instant she saw that friend, the gentle, docile expression she had worn all day finally showed a crack.

But the first one to fall apart was Li Shiyi.

Li Shiyi looked completely stunned.

“Zhao Jiayu, what is this supposed to mean? You asked me out to eat. Why did you bring her?”

Lin Zhi’s small face flushed scarlet with embarrassment. In a soft, anxious voice, she said, “Sister Jiayu, I’ll go back first. I won’t disturb you two. I had your clothes dry-cleaned at the dry cleaner’s and left them in your car. Thank you for taking me out today. I’ll be going now.”

Me: …

Was her time worth nothing?

I had dragged her around for an entire day, and she hadn’t dared to say a word. Now she was even thanking me?

With someone this easy to bully, even I was tempted to bully her a little.

I said lightly, “You’re already here. Stay and hang out with us. There seems to be some misunderstanding between you two, so we might as well clear it up today.”

Without giving anyone a chance to argue, I walked in first.

Li Shiyi rolled her eyes at Lin Zhi, then quickly came over and hooked her arm through mine to show how close she was to me, while conveniently isolating Lin Zhi.

Lin Zhi was clearly so embarrassed she wanted to die, but she still braced herself and came in.

Too obedient!

So obedient it made people want to be cruel, because bullying her came with no foreseeable cost.

I couldn’t help wondering what kind of family could train a girl into someone this easy to push around.

During dinner, Li Shiyi talked a lot.

But when she reached for food, I spun the lazy Susan.

When she went for a napkin, I reached out and took it first.

When her glass was empty, I clinked glasses with Lin Zhi instead.

Li Shiyi finally realized I was isolating her. She slapped the table.

“Zhao Jiayu, what the hell do you mean? If you want to cut me off, just say it. Why are you disgusting me like this?”

“Aren’t you being too sensitive? Don’t obsess over tiny details. I only spun the table a little, blocked you from taking a napkin, and didn’t clink glasses with you. Don’t be so petty.”

“You’re targeting me on purpose. Don’t think I can’t tell. You’re suppressing me to vent her anger for her. Are you crazy? We’ve known each other for so many years, and you’re treating me like this for someone you’ve only known for a few days?”

“You like Song Qingyan, so you suppress Lin Zhi. As it happens, I like Lin Zhi, so I’m suppressing you. Nothing wrong with that, right? I learned it from you.”

Li Shiyi was so furious she held it in for a long time before finally spitting out a curse. Then she grabbed her little purse, turned, and left.

I said mildly, “Wait. Let’s ask first. Why did she marry Song Qingyan?”