Chapter 22.1

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“Let me sleep with you tonight!”

Chi Yin glanced at the empty wine glass, then her gaze shifted to Qiao Ziman’s lips.

Perhaps it was the hint of drunkenness, but those lips seemed even more red and alluring, like ripe cherries, making it hard to resist taking a taste.

Chi Yin’s eyes darkened slightly, and her throat moved subtly as she swallowed. She licked her slightly dry lips and said, “Didn’t you say you weren’t going to drink anymore?”

She tore her gaze away with difficulty, took a step forward, and headed towards the bedroom. “Maybe next time. Definitely next time.”

Qiao Ziman: “…”

Those words sounded so familiar. Oh, it was the same excuse she had once used to brush Chi Yin off. Now the tables had turned.

How frustrating.

And it didn’t stop there. Chi Yin closed the door behind her and then, with a “click,” locked it.

Qiao Ziman: “???”

She pointed at herself, then at the firmly locked door. Her lips moved, but after a long moment, she stomped her foot in frustration. Grabbing the wine bottle from the table, she hugged it to her chest, dragged a small stool over to Chi Yin’s door, and sat down right in front of it.

She decided, tonight she would go head-to-head with Chi Yin, no backing down. She had to get through that door!

As soon as Chi Yin returned to the bedroom, she rushed into the bathroom. Looking at her face, slightly flushed with embarrassment, she turned on the faucet. Just like the night before, she splashed cold water on her cheeks. After who knows how long, the heat in her body slowly began to subside.

She changed into a fresh set of clothes and glanced at her phone. When she unlocked the screen, two missed calls were displayed. One was from Jiang Shu. The other was from someone saved as “Chi Qilan”—her biological mother. Chi Yin stared at that familiar yet distant name for a moment, then hesitated before locking the screen again.

But the next second, the phone rang. Those three characters appeared on the screen once more. Chi Yin’s thumb lightly brushed the edge of the phone, and just as the ringtone was about to end, she finally pressed the answer button.

A woman’s voice came from the other side—gentle, but with an inherent authority, and a sense of estrangement. “Hello.”

“Have you been busy lately?” the voice asked. “In a few days, find some time to come home.”

Chi Yin tightened her grip on the phone, a chill gradually rising in her eyes. She spoke coldly, “If you have something to say, just say it over the phone.”

There was a brief pause on the other end. “Then I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve reviewed the project proposal you submitted, and I want to ask about your thoughts on it.”

Chi Yin spat out a single word, “Speak.”

“I agree with the idea of converting a popular IP, but why did you choose a dual-female lead type? Do you even understand the current state of the domestic gaming industry? With all the restrictions, do you really think the money invested will generate a positive return?”

Chi Yin walked to the window, looking out at the thousands of lights flickering in the city below. Her heart felt hollow, and her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. “Has President Chi, the workaholic, not been keeping up with current trends lately? Are you unaware that the novel Master White Fox has over a million favorites? Do you not know that it’s already been signed for film adaptation?”

“It’s a key project for Guangxi Films in the second half of the year, and the director is none other than Luo Chunhua.”

“With the top film company and the top director in the country, backed by a top-tier publicity team, we’re just here to take a share of the spoils.”

Chi Qilan asked in surprise, “Xiao Chi? How do you know him?”

Chi Yin responded calmly, “There’s no need for me to report that to you.”

“Why do you talk like this?” Chi Qilan paused, then finally softened her tone. “I’ll discuss it with the shareholders again, but I won’t let you have the final say on who leads the project.”

Chi Yin’s voice turned completely cold. “Then there’s no need to discuss it further. Tomorrow, you can come back and manage your lousy company yourself. I’m not interested, nor do I have the patience.”

Chi Qilan snapped, “Are you deliberately trying to anger me?!”

A man’s voice came from the other end of the line, “Qilan, didn’t we agree not to talk about work or get upset? Talk things through with Xiaoyin properly.”

Hmph, how ironic that her relationship with her mother had deteriorated to the point where an outsider had to step in to mediate. Chi Yin sneered silently to herself.

Chi Qilan’s tone softened, “Yinyin, your birthday is coming up. Come home for a meal.”

As usual, Chi Yin rejected the invitation. “No need, I’m not used to it.”

Then, Jiang Shu’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “Sis, come back, will you? I’ve won a lot of awards and want to show them to you. And… I miss you.”

Chi Yin couldn’t help but smile a little. “Your teacher told me. You’ve done well.”

“Sis, you promised me that if my grades improved this semester, you’d agree to one of my conditions.”

Chi Yin’s fingers, hanging loosely by her side, clenched slightly.

Jiang Shu added, “Sis, I know you always keep your word.”

Chi Yin cleared her throat strategically, “We’ll talk about it when the time comes.” She then deftly changed the subject. “Your teacher mentioned you’ve been spending a lot of time with a boy lately. What’s that about?”

Jiang Shu: “…” There’s nothing like that.

The two chatted for a bit longer before ending the call. Just as Chi Yin was about to go to bed, she keenly picked up on some noise coming from the living room. Quietly, she moved towards the door and pressed her ear against it.

Outside, the TV was playing a cartoon, and she could faintly hear the clinking of wine glasses and bottles, along with Qiao Ziman’s muttering. “I don’t believe it… You’re just going to stay in there… If you’ve got guts, open the door. I know you’re home.”

“Bring it on, Bald Qiang! Bear Strong turning into Sheep Strong, charge!”

Chi Yin: “…” How much has she drunk?

Chi Yin gently opened the door just a crack and peeked out. The living room was dimly lit, with only the faint glow from the TV. Qiao Ziman was wrapped in a thin blanket, curled up on a small stool, still hugging the nearly empty bottle of red wine. Chi Yin frowned slightly, then pushed the door open and walked toward her.