Chapter 48.1

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“I really want to see just how much Yin Yin has been keeping from me.” Qiao Ziman swirled the wine in her glass before suddenly looking up at Ji Yun. “Yu Shuyan said Yin Yin joined the company because of me. What does that mean? Do you know anything about it?”

Ji Yun froze for a moment, quickly lowering her gaze. She grabbed her glass and took a big gulp of alcohol before mumbling, “I’m going to the bar to get some ice.” 

Without meeting Ziman’s eyes, she turned abruptly and walked away.

Watching Ji Yun’s flustered retreat, Qiao Ziman furrowed her brows. Could it be… Ji Yun was hiding something from me too? Now that would be impressive.

Before long, Ji Yun returned carrying an ice bucket. She hurried over, placed the bucket on the table, and sat down on the couch with her back straight. Raising three fingers solemnly to the sky, she looked at Ziman with wide eyes and declared, “I confess! I’ve known all along that President Chi likes you.”

Qiao Ziman crossed her arms and gave her a cold, scrutinizing look. “Not just known, right?” 

She thought back carefully and realized that the rapid progress between her and Chi Yin probably had a lot to do with this so-called best friend. From the start, Ji Yun had been whispering in her ear non-stop—saying things like how President Chi was not only stunningly beautiful but also financially capable, the ideal modern woman—and had persistently encouraged her to give Chi Yin a chance. Oh, and that whole scheme to pretend to be a couple and fool He Cuizhen? That, too, was Ji Yun’s idea.

Tapping her index finger lightly against the rim of her glass and raising her chin, Qiao Ziman said, “So, you were the one pushing things along, weren’t you?”

Ji Yun didn’t even dare to meet her eyes. “…Yes.”

Taking a deep breath, Qiao Ziman glared at her like a traitor. “And besides that time at the bar, were you the one who tipped Chi Yin off about my blind date at Chunsheng Restaurant too?” 

She pressed on, “It wasn’t a movie or a novel—how else could Chi Yin just happen to show up behind me at all the right moments? There was no way you weren’t involved!”

Ji Yun nodded and muttered, “Yes.”

Qiao Ziman’s vision nearly went dark. She had spent so long agonizing over that incident, feeling guilty and restless—almost ready to kneel before the God of Fortune and beg for forgiveness. With gritted teeth, she slammed her glass down on the table. “You drink too. Some friend you are!” 

Then, without hesitation, she downed the rest of her own drink in one gulp.

“Qiao Qiao, don’t be like this,” Ji Yun said urgently as she grabbed her hand. “I did it because I talked to President Chi.”

“Don’t be mad; just listen to me first,” Ji Yun continued. “I actually suspected from the start that President Chi had feelings for you.” 

Oh, really? Then why the hell didn’t she realize it? Qiao Ziman was fuming.

Ji Yun hesitated before continuing, “When President Chi first came to me, she said one thing—”

Qiao Ziman’s ears twitched.

“President Chi said she’s serious about you. She wants to be with you—forever,” Ji Yun finished.

Qiao Ziman pressed her lips together and gave Ji Yun a sidelong glance. “And you just believed her? And then sold me out?”

“How could I?” Ji Yun said seriously. “I gave it careful thought. First of all, my gut feeling told me she was reliable.”

Oh, wow. Careful thought, huh? Qiao Ziman rolled her eyes.

“Secondly, after evaluating everything, I figured—whether it’s looks, body, or competence, President Chi is top-tier. If you two actually got together, you’d be making a solid investment.”

Well. Qiao Ziman raised an eyebrow in full agreement. Wait. She was supposed to be mad!

Forcing her expression back into a scowl, she said coldly, “And then?”

“You don’t like men anyway. But what if you were unaware you were into women? So I figured I’d nudge things along and see. But if, at any point, I realized you really didn’t like President Chi, or if you met your one true love, I swear I would’ve personally crushed this little love sprout and made her stay far away from you.”

“A sister would never harm you.”

Tsk, tsk, tsk. She really did think it all through. Honestly, Qiao Ziman knew Ji Yun could be a little reckless sometimes, but she’d never actually do anything to hurt her. The worst she ever did… was set her up.

“Hmph!” Qiao Ziman wasn’t about to let Ji Yun off that easily. With a stiff face, she stood up and headed toward the exit. “You’re paying for this round.”

“Hey, Qiao Qiao, where are you going?” Ji Yun called out anxiously.

“Home.”

There was still one more person she needed to interrogate.

“Wait for me!” Ji Yun quickly waved down the server, slapped a few red bills on the table, and said, “Keep the change.” 

Grabbing her bag, she took off after Ziman.

Behind her came a sharp, mocking laugh—loud and arrogant.

Ji Yun stopped dead in her tracks, her body stiffening as she turned her head. Yu Shuyan was leaning casually against the staircase landing, a playful smirk on her face as she watched.

Ji Yun scoffed, crossing her arms as she glared at Yu Shuyan. “Besides sabotaging your friends, does that damn mouth of yours do anything else? Maybe chirp like a bird?”

Yu Shuyan arched a brow, her smirk widening. “Of course. Still better than someone who stabs their own friend in the back.”

“You—!” Ji Yun’s fists clenched tightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

There were unspoken rules—don’t expose someone’s deepest shame, don’t hit below the belt. This damn peacock never learned. But this time… she wasn’t wrong. Ji Yun had betrayed Qiao Qiao, in a way.

Lowering her head, Ji Yun slowly unclenched her hands. She said nothing, just turned and walked away.

Yu Shuyan’s smirk faltered. Huh? Why didn’t she bite back this time?