CHAPTER 40: 037 BUSINESS ALLIANCE

Kang Jinse’s hand clutching the phone turned somewhat white.

Her younger sister’s whining cries were like a sharp knife brutally stabbing at her heart, oppressive and irritating.

"Sister... sniffle, mom, she’s died, what should I do? What am I supposed to do? Sister, I’m so scared, can you come back?" The little girl cried breathlessly.

Jiang Chun had died, last night at three in the morning, of late-stage cancer, in her hospital bed.

Kang Jinse wanted to cry but couldn’t, feeling a sense of relief deep inside. She was ashamed to admit that her mother’s death was a kind of release for her.

"Ah Xian, don’t cry, your sister will be right back..." Even her attempt at consolation seemed particularly feeble.

After hanging up the phone, she stood in place, dazed for a long while.

What was she going to do with Ah Xian all by herself?

"What’s wrong?" Yun Shu’s concerned voice came from behind her: "Are you feeling unwell? Why do you look so pale?"

"It’s nothing, thank you for your concern," Kang Jinse evaded.

Her family background was already nothing to boast about, and if Yun Shu knew the current situation at her home, she might become dissatisfied with her, something Kang Jinse would never allow to happen.

Yun Shu’s gaze fell on her belly, speaking lightly, "You should be extra careful in the first three months and think of the child in your belly before doing anything." The seemingly casual reminder sounded like a warning to Kang Jinse’s ears.

Did she know something? Kang Jinse’s heart pounded instantly.

Kang Jinse didn’t go back, but had Su Ye take her place to take care of all of Jiang Chun’s funeral matters, and to arrange for Kang Jinxian’s transfer to a school in Jiangzhou. She thought about it; it was still most comforting to have Ah Xian by her side. If necessary, she’d arrange for Ah Xian to stay elsewhere and hire someone to take care of her specifically.

Three days later, Su Ye brought Kang Jinxian back to Jiangzhou.

In an apartment owned by Kang Jinse, she saw Kang Jinxian sitting on the sofa, quietly hanging her head, looking a lot thinner, and appearing fragile, which was rather heartbreaking.

Upon hearing footsteps, Kang Jinxian lifted her eyes, a trace of resentment flashed like a shooting star, deeply buried.

She revealed a pale smile and called out weakly to her sister, her clear and innocent eyes stirring pity.

Kang Jinse, filled with heartache, walked over and embraced her, "Ah Xian, sister is late, I’ll never leave you again, is that okay?"

Kang Jinxian finally cried out loud, as if releasing a lifetime of grievances and pain.

That evening, Kang Jinse wanted to take her to bathe, but was refused by Kang Jinxian. Kang Jinse was startled, as Ah Xian used to be sticky and never left her side, even for bathing, but this was out of character for her. She was relieved, thinking that, after all, Ah Xian was a big girl now and knew to be shy.

In the bathroom, steam fogged the air, and water rushed down.

Kang Jinxian stripped off her clothes, looking at herself in the mirror, her gaze gradually clouding over with darkness.

Her body was thin and fragile, skin and bones, and her pale skin was covered with purple bruises, like a white lotus battered by wind and frost, petals scattered on the ground.

Especially the buds that had yet to bloom were swollen red, a sight heartbreaking to behold.

Those terrible memories came flooding back, and she suddenly hugged herself tightly, her lips biting hard, the taste of blood spreading in her mouth, but still unable to dispel the bitterness there.

The sound of running water perfectly masked the suppressed and sorrowful cries.

——

The Yun Family’s banquet was scheduled for the day after Yun Ya’s second television show recording.

With Jiang Li acting as a shield, her and Miaomiao’s departure didn’t attract Kang Jinse and Yun Shu’s attention.

That night, when Jiang Li brought her back, it was very late, and as she walked hand in hand with Miaomiao into the living room, Yun Shu was sitting on the sofa as if waiting for a long time, yet leisurely flipping through a fashion magazine.

Seeing the siblings enter, Yun Shu put down the magazine and raised her eyebrows to look at them.

"At tomorrow’s banquet, I expect the two of you to behave properly and not disgrace our Yun Family’s reputation," she said.

Her gentle voice carried an impersonal coldness.

Yun Ya instinctively shrank behind Yun Ya, who tightened his grip on his hand, directly meeting Yun Shu’s eyes.

"So, grandma, what would you like me to do?"

The term "grandma" came out naturally, yet Yun Shu laughed.

"Good child, since you’re asking like this, I suppose you already have an answer in mind."

The child had a pair of exceptionally intelligent and perceptive eyes, which always gave her the feeling of being seen through, an extremely unpleasant discovery. She liked smart children, but when they were too smart, it became frightening, not to mention she was that woman’s descendant.

Yun Ya thought for a moment, then looked up with a sweet smile, "I understand what Grandma means, Yun Ya won’t disappoint Grandma."

Receiving the satisfying answer, Yun Shu stood up and gracefully walked upstairs.

Yun Ya watched Yun Shu’s enchanting figure, her lips curling up slightly.

Indeed, I won’t disappoint you...

——

Bai Ran retired from the night scene with her prey, kissing down the corridor to the room, shedding clothes along the way.

The atmosphere in the room heated up and became sultry in an instant.

The big bed creaked violently, syncing with the woman’s alluring moans, creating the most moving melody of the night.

After the passion subsided, Bai Ran got up indifferently, paying no heed to the resented gaze of the man behind her. She pulled out a wad of cash from her wallet and threw it on the bed.

The technique was not bad; she was very satisfied.

Wrapping the sheet around herself, she fumbled for a cigarette and lighter from her bag, and with cat-like steps, made her way to the window.

Upon lighting up and exhaling rings of smoke, she casually tousled her wavy hair, leaning against the window frame in an alluring and captivating pose, the act of smoking adding a touch more sensuality and charm.

"Beautiful lady, could I get your phone number?" The man squinted his eyes, his gaze falling on that sexy silhouette, his lips hungrily licking.

A puff of smoke rolled out indifferently, the woman’s expression looking desolate and lonely amid the shifting lights of the dark night.

"Get lost."

The man huffed and left after pulling up his trousers.

She had a long-term regular partner, but sometimes she wanted to change things up, so she came to the nightlife seeking thrills, occasionally indulging more than usual, like tonight was quite standard for her.

Feeling somewhat moody at heart, she smoked another one after finishing the first, just as she was about to light it, her phone’s message alert chimed.

What are you doing? Miss you! — Mr. Rabbit

She smiled and tapped her fingers on the screen, typing "What a coincidence, I’m thinking of you too."

Tap to send.

Mr. Rabbit, as the name implies, was not a boy who looked like a rabbit, but acted like one.

It was a nickname she had given him, one that was exclusively hers.

What was her Mr. Rabbit doing right now?

She held back a laugh, thinking of that clean-cut boy, a place in her heart becoming inexplicably soft.

However, remembering what her brother had said before she left the house, the smile in her eyes gradually disappeared.

"Ranran, only a business marriage can resolve the current crisis of our Bai Family. Brother knows you don’t like marriage, but at the moment, this is the only way out for the Bai Family..."

"Who does brother have in mind?"

"I think President Yun is quite good. Ji’s have the full capability to support the Bai Family..."

"Heh... a top-tier phoenix man, is brother trying to push me into a fire pit?"

"Ranran, brother believes in your ability. You can definitely capture Yun Shen’s heart firmly, and then..."

Rubbing her forehead wearily, she irritably stubbed out the cigarette.

Whatever message came in on her phone next, she had no interest in checking.

Leaving the night scene, the wind was a bit chilly, so she wrapped her coat tighter around her.

A black sedan pulled up beside her, and through the lowering window, the half-profile of a man was revealed. In the lights of the dark night, he looked especially handsome and resolute.

He turned his head, his black eyes calm and restrained, "Miss Bai, could we talk?"