Chapter 1037: Both could be manipulated
Chapter 1037: Both could be manipulated
Ji Chu Hua remained motionless. Her fingers trembled at her sides.
The cashier quickly lowered her head, pretending to organize the receipts.
But Ji Chu Hua knew.
She had witnessed everything.
Every rejection.
Every humiliating word.
Every moment Lu Tian had treated her as though she were beneath his notice.
Her nails dug into her palms.
’Han Yue Ling.’
The name echoed through her mind.
Again.
And again.
Even when Yue Ling wasn’t present, she still stood between them.
Ji Chu Hua slowly lifted her head. Her tearful expression disappeared.
In its place was something colder.
Something vicious.
’You think you’re untouchable because you have her, Lu Tian?’
Her lips curled into a faint, unsettling smile.
’We’ll see how long that lasts.’
She straightened her blazer and walked toward the exit.
But as she passed the cashier, her smile vanished.
"What are you looking at?"
The young woman flinched.
"N-Nothing, Miss."
Ji Chu Hua gave her a contemptuous glance.
"Then mind your own business."
She turned sharply and walked towards a private fitting room.
Her mind was already racing.
Grandfather Ji was dying.
The chairman’s seat would soon become vacant.
Gui Ting Fei had agreed to help her.
And tonight, she had another meeting.
A meeting that might provide exactly the opportunity she needed.
Ji Chu Hua’s expression darkened.
’Enjoy your wedding preparations, Yue Ling.’
A cruel smile slowly spread across her lips.
’Because I have no intention of letting you live happily ever after.’
Ji Chu Hua walked toward the private fitting rooms at the back of the boutique, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor.
She had originally come shopping with a friend when she unexpectedly spotted Lu Tian.
The moment she recognized his tall figure standing near the cashier, she had abandoned her companion without a second thought.
It had seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Yue Ling wasn’t around, and Lu Tian was alone.
Unfortunately, their encounter had ended in humiliation.
Even now, she could hear his cold voice echoing in her mind.
’Only my wife can touch me.’
Ji Chu Hua clenched her jaw.
’What’s so special about Han Yue Ling?’
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
By the time she reached the private fitting room, her carefully maintained smile had completely disappeared.
Without bothering to knock, she pushed open the door.
"Ah!"
A startled yelp sounded from inside.
Ji Chu Hua stopped.
A young female employee stood near the chaise, frantically adjusting her disheveled blouse. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes widened in horror at the unexpected interruption.
Beside her stood a handsome man with a tall, lean figure.
Unlike the flustered employee, he appeared entirely unbothered.
He leisurely buttoned his dress shirt, his expression carrying the lazy amusement of someone who had been caught doing something he had no intention of regretting.
The employee hurriedly gathered her belongings.
"I-I’m sorry!"
She lowered her head and rushed toward the door.
Ji Chu Hua stepped aside, glaring at the woman as she passed.
The employee practically fled down the hallway.
Only after she disappeared did Ji Chu Hua turn toward the man.
"Ning Xingyu!"
Her voice was sharp enough to cut through the quiet room.
"You asked me to come shopping with you, and this is what you do the moment I step away?"
Ning Xingyu didn’t even look guilty.
He finished fastening the last button of his shirt before casually sitting on the chaise.
"That’s very unladylike of you, Hua."
Ji Chu Hua stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
He leaned back, resting one arm along the backrest.
"Barging into a room without knocking. Raising your voice."
He clicked his tongue.
"Honestly, where are your manners?"
Ji Chu Hua scoffed.
"You’re lecturing me about manners?"
Ning Xingyu chuckled.
"Besides, you were too busy fawning over the almighty Lu Tian."
His lips curved into a mocking smile.
"I got tired of waiting."
Ji Chu Hua’s expression darkened.
"Watch your mouth."
"Oh?"
Ning Xingyu raised an eyebrow.
"Did I say something wrong?"
He studied her face then his smile widened.
"Don’t tell me he rejected you again."
Ji Chu Hua’s fingers curled into fists.
"Shut up."
Ning Xingyu laughed.
"That bad?"
She glared at him.
He shook his head in amusement.
"Hua, when are you going to give up?"
He crossed one leg over the other.
"Everyone in Imperial knows Lu Tian only has eyes for your cousin."
Ji Chu Hua’s expression twisted.
"Don’t mention her."
"Why not?"
Ning Xingyu shrugged.
"Han Yue Ling is beautiful, capable, and wealthy. It’s hardly surprising that a man like Lu Tian would be interested in her."
Each word felt like another slap across Ji Chu Hua’s face.
She wanted to scream.
To wipe that irritating smile off his face.
But just as she was about to respond, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.
Her expression changed.
The anger in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by something more calculating.
Ning Xingyu noticed the sudden silence.
"What?"
Ji Chu Hua didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she slowly closed the door behind her.
*Click.
The sound of the lock turning made Ning Xingyu raise an eyebrow.
"Well?"
Ji Chu Hua turned around. A sweet smile appeared on her lips.
"Xingyu."
He watched her approach.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
She stopped in front of him.
"You have a crush on my cousin, don’t you?"
Ning Xingyu’s expression shifted.
"Your cousin?"
Ji Chu Hua tilted her head.
"Han Yue Ling."
For a moment, he simply stared at her.
Then he laughed.
"And?"
His response made Ji Chu Hua’s smile widen.
She had known Ning Xingyu long enough to recognize his interests.
He enjoyed beautiful women, particularly those who seemed difficult to obtain.
And Yue Ling had always been someone he admired from a distance.
The former model possessed a beauty that was difficult to overlook, but what intrigued Ning Xingyu most was her indifference.
She had never attempted to impress him.
Never entertained his advances.
In fact, she barely acknowledged his existence.
For someone accustomed to women seeking his attention, her lack of interest had been irritatingly fascinating.
Ji Chu Hua slowly approached him.
"How about making a deal with me?"
Ning Xingyu’s amusement deepened.
"A deal?"
He reached for her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
Ji Chu Hua allowed it, settling comfortably against him.
His arm rested loosely around her waist.
"Now you’ve caught my attention."
He tilted his head.
"What kind of deal?"
Ji Chu Hua placed her palm against his chest. Her fingers slowly traced the fabric of his shirt.
"Something that could benefit both of us."
Ning Xingyu chuckled.
"That sounds suspicious."
"Does it?"
"Very."
He studied her expression.
"Especially when you’re smiling like that."
Ji Chu Hua laughed softly.
"You’re making me sound like a terrible person."
Ning Xingyu raised an eyebrow.
"Aren’t you?"
Her smile stiffened then she laughed again.
"You’re awful."
"Only because I know you."
He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her shoulder.
"Now, tell me what you’re planning."
Ji Chu Hua leaned closer. Her lips approached his ear.
Then she began whispering.
Ning Xingyu listened.
At first, his expression remained playful.
But as her words continued, the amusement in his eyes slowly changed.
His fingers stopped moving against her waist.
He tilted his head slightly, listening more carefully.
Ji Chu Hua’s voice remained low and sweet. She spoke with the confidence of someone who had already convinced herself that everything would unfold exactly as she intended.
When she finally pulled away, Ning Xingyu stared at her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then a slow smile spread across his face.
"Well, well..."
He chuckled.
"Hua, you’re even more vicious than I thought."
Ji Chu Hua smiled innocently.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Depends."
His eyes narrowed with amusement.
"Can you actually deliver what you’re promising?"
Ji Chu Hua tilted her head.
"Help me get what I want, and you’ll find out."
Ning Xingyu leaned back.
"You’re asking for quite a lot."
"And I’m offering something equally valuable."
He studied her.
"Does Gui Ting Fei know about this?"
Ji Chu Hua’s smile didn’t falter.
"Why should he?"
Ning Xingyu laughed.
"He’s your boyfriend."
"And?"
She shrugged.
"You know perfectly well what kind of relationship we have."
Ning Xingyu glanced toward the door through which the employee had fled. His lips curved.
"Fair point."
Ji Chu Hua continued tracing her fingers over his chest.
"Besides, Ting Fei has his own interests."
"And you have yours."
"Exactly."
Ning Xingyu watched her thoughtfully.
Then he asked, "What about Lu Tian?"
The question made Ji Chu Hua’s fingers pause.
"What about him?"
Ning Xingyu smiled.
"He’s not exactly someone easy to deal with."
Ji Chu Hua’s expression darkened.
She remembered the humiliation she had suffered only minutes earlier.
His cold eyes.
His rejection.
The way he had stepped away from her touch as though she were something unpleasant.
Her nails pressed lightly against Ning Xingyu’s shirt.
"Lu Tian won’t always be able to protect her."
Ning Xingyu raised an eyebrow.
"You’re awfully confident."
Ji Chu Hua looked directly into his eyes.
"Because I know my cousin better than anyone."
It was a lie.
In truth, she understood very little about Yue Ling.
She knew nothing of the woman’s true power, the people who served her, or the dangerous world she commanded beyond her respectable businesses.
But Ji Chu Hua had never allowed ignorance to interfere with her arrogance.
Ning Xingyu studied her for another moment then let out a chuckle.
"You’re playing a dangerous game."
She smiled.
"Only if I lose."
"And what makes you think you’ll win?"
Her expression turned cold.
"Because I’m tired of watching Han Yue Ling get everything she wants."
Ning Xingyu’s amusement faded slightly.
For the first time, he noticed the genuine hatred beneath her carefully maintained sweetness.
Ji Chu Hua wasn’t merely jealous.
She wanted to take everything her cousin possessed.
Her status.
Her influence.
Her happiness.
And most importantly—
The man who loved her.
Ning Xingyu slowly smiled again.
"Interesting."
He tightened his arm around her waist.
"Very interesting."
Ji Chu Hua leaned closer.
"Then do we have a deal?"
He studied her face.
After a moment, his lips curved into a sinister grin.
"I suppose we do."
Ji Chu Hua smiled with satisfaction.
"Good."
Ning Xingyu chuckled.
"But remember something, Hua."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
He gently lifted her chin.
"If this goes wrong, don’t expect me to take the fall for you."
Ji Chu Hua’s smile remained perfectly sweet.
"Don’t worry."
She placed her hand over his.
"It won’t."
But behind her confident expression, darker thoughts were already taking shape.
Gui Ting Fei had agreed to help her secure the chairman’s position at Ji Corps.
Now Ning Xingyu had become another potential ally.
Two men.
Two different weaknesses.
And both could be manipulated with promises of obtaining something they desired.
Neither seemed to realize that Ji Chu Hua had no intention of honoring any agreement that no longer benefited her.
She looked at Ning Xingyu and smiled.
’Men are so predictable.’
A little temptation.
A promise of something forbidden.
And they became willing participants in schemes they barely understood.
Unaware of her thoughts, Ning Xingyu brushed his thumb along her chin.
"What are you smiling about?"
Ji Chu Hua blinked innocently.
"Nothing."
He chuckled.
"You’re a terrible liar."
She laughed softly and pressed her lips to his.
Outside the fitting room, the boutique continued operating as though nothing unusual had happened.
Employees assisted customers.
Tailors discussed measurements.
And somewhere beyond the building, Lu Tian had already left with his brother and friend, entirely unaware of the conversation taking place behind the closed door.
Ji Chu Hua’s eyes slowly darkened.
She could still hear his words.
’Only my wife can touch me.’
Her smile became cold.
’We’ll see about that, Lu Tian.’
She had no intention of remaining the woman he refused to acknowledge.
And if destroying Yue Ling’s happiness was what it took to make him finally look at her—
Then that was exactly what she intended to do.
Even if she had to drag her own cousin into ruin to accomplish it.
She looked down at Ning Xingyu, who was busy removing her clothes.
If she couldn’t take Lu Tian away from Yue Ling herself, she would make certain enough men stood in her cousin’s way to destroy the happiness she treasured.