Author's Note: ╮(╯▽╰)╭ Is nobody going to actively participate...? Writing this is so frustrating...
32 Interactions
Chapter Thirty-One: Interactions
Hong Xinran is a very busy person. After facilitating the collaboration between Shao Qibin and Zhang Yue, she also used her connections to contribute to T City's development in terms of attracting investment. As the youngest international-level film actress in China, Hong Xinran has several endorsements from reputable international brands. With her involvement, these international brands are considering establishing branches in T City. Although everything is still in the initial negotiation stage, it is already very beneficial for T City's development. After all, even if this project ultimately fails, the negotiation process with these international brands can still attract foreign companies that can truly grow with T City.
After finishing all this, Hong Xinran was ready to return to the film set to focus on filming. The night before Hong Xinran's departure, Shao Qile was supposed to rush back to see her off. However, Hong Xinran had recently applied for a Master's degree in Literature at T University, and there were some paperwork and procedures to complete, requiring her to meet with her advisor that evening. This meeting had been arranged in advance, and she had even asked Wu Xinyu to help her contact the advisor.
The redevelopment of the old town is progressing smoothly, but due to his health condition, Shao Qile cannot keep up with the project's development. The construction conditions will definitely affect his health; the dust and noise will all have a certain impact. Although his vital signs are now close to normal, it's still important for him to take care of his own health.
While a designer is bound to be interested in the construction process of the buildings they design, sometimes compromises have to be made.
Shao Qile initially chose architecture because she loved the angularity of architectural aesthetics and the mystery of feng shui orientations in ancient architecture. Even her personal style of dress leans towards clothes with an architectural, three-dimensional feel. Because of her acquaintance with Wu Xinyu, apart from occasionally going to some places in the old city with her tutor, she has been focusing more on reading about focusing on and exploring the architectural complexes of T City. With more free time, she accepted Wu Xinyu's invitation to audit a few classes in the Chinese Department of T University.
She did encounter an interesting teacher, a professor of aesthetics. The longer Shao Qile stayed in this so-called "dummy world," the more confused she became about her transmigration. The people here were just as flesh and blood, with their own thoughts and social connections. She had repeatedly warned herself not to develop too many feelings for the people of this world; she had family and a fiancé waiting for her return in the main world. Yet, sometimes, faced with the care and concern of her mother, Xia Meiyue, she would waver and feel somewhat lost.
She even considered that since the time difference between the two worlds was one year here and one day there, perhaps she could stay here for a few more years, accompany her family here until the end of her life, and then return to the main world.
Although this thought was barely budding before she nipped it in the bud, the human heart is actually very fragile and timid. She was afraid that once this thought arose, many of her principles, methods, and stances would change, and she would no longer strive to complete the task as quickly as possible. Would she also lose herself in this game?
Fortunately, the mutual attraction between Hong Xinran and Shao Qibin didn't cause any major changes or fluctuations due to her unauthorized alteration of the script. In fact, with Wu Xinyu and Li Jianmei's work schedules clashing with Shao Qibin's due to their studies, coupled with their mutual wariness, Hong Xinran and Shao Qibin crossed the boundaries of a normal boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, tearing away the veil of ambiguity and officially developing a romantic relationship.
"Ding, warning, warning. The host needs to improve his combat power. The mission target has developed feelings for the transmigrated female protagonist and officially formed a romantic relationship."
When she received the system warning, Shao Qile had just visited her mentor, who was quite accomplished in aesthetics, and Wu Xinyu was also present. She showed no sign of anything amiss. She didn't know what Li Jianmei and Wu Xinyu had discussed, but Wu Xinyu had been keeping a close eye on her lately. Moreover, if Wu Xinyu had something to do that prevented her from being distracted, Li Jianmei would also ask her out for a heart-to-heart talk.
For some reason, the two of them joined forces. After having dinner with their mentor, the late autumn night was pleasantly cool. Shao Qile first drove the mentor home before turning around to take Wu Xinyu back to school.
When the car arrived at Wu Xinyu's apartment near T University, Shao Qile smiled and said, "Did Li Jianmei say something to Sister Xinyu? Sister Xinyu seems to really want me to learn more, and she's been so helpful in connecting me with others. Actually, when I mentioned wanting to pursue a literature degree that day, it was just a casual suggestion at first. It's only because Sister Xinyu has been so diligent in getting me to attend classes and has gone to so much trouble and pulled so many strings for me. I also happen to be interested in aesthetics, which I feel is a fascinating field, just like architecture. Sister Xinyu, don't you have any questions for me?"
"Lele!" Wu Xinyu wasn't good at hiding her emotions. Even though she had lived two lives, grown up in a military compound, and been pampered and cherished, Shao Qile's unexpected shout brought out her true feelings. "Li Jianmei said you like Shao Qibin, and that you like your own brother. That's incest!"
When Li Jianmei mentioned the things she didn't know about her past life that day, she was somewhat skeptical. However, when the investigation materials she had others look at were laid out before her, and she saw Shao Qile's extraordinary academic achievements at a young age, constantly skipping grades, and Shao Qile's presence in several major turning points in Shao Qibin's political career, she inexplicably followed her intuition and felt that what Li Jianmei said wasn't a lie.
After all, Li Jianmei's fear of Shao Qile was absolutely genuine!
She found it unbelievable. Shao Qile was clearly Shao Qibin's sister. How could this be? How could this be?
“Lele, Qibin is your own brother. There’s absolutely no possibility between you two. You’re probably still young, and the people around you aren’t as capable as Qibin, which is why you’ve developed these wrong feelings. Sister Xiaoyu knows a lot of outstanding men. If you’d like, Sister Xiaoyu can introduce you to them.” Wu Xinyu said, then seemed to remember something and, fearing Shao Qile might misunderstand, quickly added, “Don’t misunderstand. Although I like your brother, I’m not saying this out of jealousy. It’s just, Lele, you’re still young. You need to understand that there’s absolutely no possibility between siblings.”
Shao Qile lowered his eyes slightly, placed his hands naturally on his knees, tilted his head slightly, and looked at Wu Xinyu, who was in front of him and seemed a little incoherent and anxious. For some reason, he was slightly stunned.
If I hadn't been kidnapped by human traffickers back then, and had stayed in the Shao family's stronghold, growing up protected by my older brothers and uncles, would I be like Wu Xinyu in front of me—frank and direct, contradictory yet naive, being used as a pawn without even realizing it?
Blinking, suppressing the inexplicable emotions that suddenly welled up inside her, Shao Qile suddenly burst into laughter like a child, her laughter echoing, her eyes crinkling, until she couldn't even stand up straight: "Sister Xiaoyu, you're so funny. You actually believed Li Jianmei's words. Of course I like my brother, he's my brother, so outstanding, so handsome, it's such a source of pride to take him out. But if I really fell in love with my brother in a romantic way, how could I allow him to have girlfriends outside? I'd tear those women apart! Sister Xiaoyu, I know you like my brother, and I also know that Li Jianmei dated my brother for a while, but because of the bad relationship between the other two, after she broke up with my brother, she insisted on blaming me. It was clearly my brother who couldn't stand her spoiled attitude! She even accused me first! And she came up with such a funny excuse, how could I possibly like my brother! Oh my, it's hilarious, and the funniest thing is, Sister Xiaoyu, you actually believed it!"
Wu Xinyu looked at Shao Qile, who was laughing so hard he was shaking, somewhat at a loss. For some reason, she couldn't help but laugh along with him!
Yes, it's ridiculous. She knows perfectly well how scheming Li Jianmei is, so how could she believe such an absurd thing!
Thinking of the disdain and arrogance in Li Jianmei's eyes that day, a thought suddenly flashed through Wu Xinyu's mind: perhaps in Li Jianmei's memories of her past life, Lele really had fallen for Shao Qibin. However, none of that had happened yet.
The girl in front of me had a bright smile and open eyes, without a trace of gloom or pretense.
She truly never had the slightest thought of liking him!
Author's Note:
33 Hypnosis
Chapter Thirty-Two: Hypnosis
Shao Qile ultimately didn't actually apply for graduate studies at Tsinghua University. However, her conversation with her aesthetics professor that night had given her a sudden insight. Her current approach, like a headless fly trying to prove her existence through academic credentials, was like a scarecrow—all bark and no bite, only capable of frightening unsuspecting birds. The prey she truly hoped to capture wouldn't offer much insight into her academic achievements.
She came into this world not to achieve any great success in academia or any particular profession. As various pieces appeared on the chessboard, each displaying their unique abilities, they engaged in an ambiguous chase with Shao Qibin. Despite Shao Qile being the mastermind behind this game, he felt no joy or excitement. Instead, he felt that something was teetering on the edge of getting out of control.
Locked in his room for the entire night, Shao Qile kept recalling the sparkling eyes of Wu Xinyu, Li Jianmei, Hong Xinran, and others in front of Shao Qibin. It was a woman's most radiant bloom in front of the man she loved; a woman adorns herself for the one she loves.
She could calmly plan, meticulously calculate, and assess people's hearts, giving her an advantage over Li Jianmei and others whose weaknesses she had exploited. However, she also had her greatest weakness: Shao Qibin was no ordinary man. The fact that so many outstanding women liked him was itself proof of his excellence.
As a politician, one of the things he has in abundance is the ability to observe. He can tell whether a woman likes him or not. Even if he can be fooled for a short time by a brief moment of tenderness, the truth will eventually come out.
This also meant that the day she completed her mission seemed rather distant. In truth, from the very beginning, Shao Qile understood that the key to completing this mission lay with Shao Qibin, not with the various outstanding women surrounding him. There was a saying that Shao Qile actually quite admired: Why do women have to make things difficult for each other!
However, because she couldn't get over a hurdle in her heart from the very beginning, she didn't seek a solution at its root. Instead, she secretly used many methods to try to eliminate the women who were destined to linger around Shao Qibin one by one.
After all these years, she had restored her body from near-death to a normal level of health, and she had also worked on some psychological frameworks for just as long. So, there were some things she needed to do, some decisions she needed to make.
After discussing with her mentor He Jianguo, Shao Qile will go abroad in the next month to attend a seminar with a gathering of architectural experts. This also means that she will leave enough space for women from all walks of life to compete and show off their talents.
"Lele, remember to take good care of yourself when you go abroad alone. If there's anything you want to buy or eat, don't deprive yourself." After learning about Shao Qile's itinerary, Shao Qibin adjusted the silver-rimmed glasses he had put on while reading documents. His tone was natural and kind, just like any good older brother would treat his younger sister who was about to travel far away.
"Okay, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. But is there anything you need me to bring back, brother? I heard that Sister Xinran really likes perfumes from France. Should I bring some back for you to win her heart?"
"You silly girl, I know what I'm doing with my brother. Just take care of yourself."
"Oh, brother, so you're not denying your relationship with Xinran? Looks like I'm really going to have a sister-in-law! Brother, you won't abandon me as your sister once you have a sister-in-law, will you? I'm still your most beloved and cherished brother, right?" Shao Qile's expression was extremely rich, a mixture of joy and confusion, accompanied by complex emotions. Her eyes swept over Shao Qibin, and for a moment, her emotions erupted, but she quickly and carefully concealed them, as if nothing had happened. It was as if she had always been just a mischievous little sister who was moody and worried that her own brother would be taken by another woman.
Shao Qibin seemed oblivious to Shao Qile's complex emotional outburst. He simply smiled, raised his hand to ruffle Shao Qile's soft hair, and then casually scratched it a few times to ruffle it before saying with a smile, "Lele is naturally my most beloved little sister!"
Shao Qile first angrily slapped away Shao Qibin's big hand that was moving around on her head, then suddenly hugged Shao Qibin's waist as if she was being petulant and coquettish, burying her face in Shao Qibin's chest: "You said it, brother. Although I like Sister Xinran very much, brother can't forget his sister because of Sister Xinran!"
"Alright, you're a grown man, stop acting like a child. Aren't you packing your bags for going abroad? Go on, hurry up."
As Shao Qile left the study and the door closed, Shao Qibin's elegant smile turned slightly pursed, and his fingertips tapped lightly on the table, each tap seemingly trying to penetrate one's heart.
Perhaps he's overthinking it!