Su Qinghan’s capital chain had been severed.
This caught Yan Yu somewhat off guard.
Based on Yan Yu’s understanding of Su Qinghan’s setting, the Su family’s doting on their only daughter bordered on indulgence. Su Qinghan’s credit card had never had a limit, and a sum of pocket money that would make ordinary people gape was deposited into her account every month like clockwork. She was like a rose living in an exquisite glass bell jar, never having weathered a storm, let alone knowing how to spell the word “broke.”
But now, cracks had appeared in the glass bell jar.
Yan Yu understood exactly what this meant. Su Qinghan had always used money to curry favor with Jiang Muyun. With this incident happening, once the truth came to light, the relationship between Su Qinghan and Jiang Muyun was bound to face problems—and serious ones at that.
So, what should a “qualified” substitute do at a time like this?
Naturally, stay by Su Qinghan’s side, play the part of the gentlest safe haven, and make her fall even more deeply and reluctantly in love.
Therefore, after Su Qinghan left, Yan Yu deliberately composed a message to pour fuel on the fire.
Yan Yu: “Qinghan, there are some things I didn’t have a chance to say today, but I still want to tell you. Even if you have no money, even if you’re no longer the young miss of the Su family, I will always be here.”
Message sent.
Without waiting for a reply, Yan Yu turned her phone face down on the table, got up, and made herself a cup of tea. The green tea bag tumbled in the hot water, gradually dyeing it a pale green hue. She needed to give Su Qinghan time, to let those words slowly ferment in the other’s heart, like a seed swelling in the dark soil.
Three minutes later, her phone vibrated once. Five minutes later, it vibrated again.
Yan Yu leisurely finished half her cup of tea before picking up her phone again. On the screen were two new messages, sent two minutes apart.
Su Qinghan: “I’m sorry.”
Yan Yu knew this apology was for the past. Her fingers moved slightly, about to type something in response, but the other person’s message jumped out first.
Su Qinghan: “Yan Yu, can I… come see you often from now on?”
Su Qinghan: “No other meaning. I just feel that even if we’ve parted, we don’t have to be strangers, right?”
Yan Yu looked at that line of cautious text, a faint curve forming at the corner of her lips. She replied swiftly.
Yan Yu: “Of course.”
Yan Yu: “Even if we’re no longer lovers, Qinghan, you’ve always been a very important person to me.”
Yan Yu: “Remember that keychain I gave you at the aquarium? I wanted to tell you this feeling back then.”
Yan Yu: “Oh, and next time we meet, could you bring it along? I’d like to see it again.”
Message sent.
This time, Yan Yu didn’t put down her phone. Instead, she stared at the screen, silently counting the seconds in her heart.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
The “typing” indicator appeared three times and vanished three times. It was as if she could see Su Qinghan typing and deleting, deleting and typing, caught in a tangled web of hesitation. A full two minutes passed before a reply finally appeared.
Su Qinghan: “Okay.”
That single word seemed stiff and reluctant no matter how you looked at it.
Yan Yu let out a soft laugh.
Su Qinghan, truly worthy of you. Even at a time like this, you don’t dare admit that the keychain is long gone. The scene of Su Qinghan casually handing the keychain she’d given her to Jiang Muyun was something Yan Yu had seen crystal clear. And now, lying to her face like that, is she planning to bring a fake next time?
Whatever. That’s fine.
Yan Yu wanted exactly this invisible pressure, to prevent Su Qinghan from thinking she could wander freely between two women without consequence. She wanted Su Qinghan to think of that lost keychain every time she saw her, to remember that debt that could never be repaid.
She wanted guilt to wrap around Su Qinghan like a vine, tightening and tightening, until Su Qinghan could no longer say the word “leave” so easily. Then, she would harvest a wave of role-playing progress.
The system’s reward, as always, arrived only as night approached.
[Detected deep interaction with key character “Su Qinghan.” Host successfully deepened the dependency bond and planted seeds of unease in the target’s fragile psychological state through precise verbal guidance and emotional suggestion. Behavior aligns with “gentle” role-playing setting.]
[Restoration Degree Evaluation: 90 points (Appropriate advancement and restraint, excellent sense of proportion, an impeccably timed psychological game.)]
[Current Role-Playing Progress: 55%]
[Reward Issued: Special Skill “Absolute Luck.”]
[Skill Description: This skill will take effect in all events involving random probability in which the host participates. The host’s “positive outcome rate” will be permanently increased by 15% based on the original probability, while the “negative outcome probability” will be permanently reduced by 15%.]
[Notes: 1. For “purely random events” (such as lotteries, weather, chance encounters, etc.), this skill will slightly distort the underlying probability distribution of reality, making favorable outcomes more likely.
2. For “ability-related events” (such as interviews, competitions, artwork selection, etc.), this skill will amplify the host’s existing advantages in the form of “reasonable coincidences,” making them easier to see and be recognized.
3. For “interpersonal interaction events” (such as conversations, asking for help, cooperation, etc.), this skill will subtly influence others’ subconscious, raising their initial goodwill toward the host and making them more inclined to offer trust and help.]
The skill description was rather abstract, but Yan Yu understood that in life, luck and opportunity often had the power to overturn many things. Though there seemed to be no immediate use for it, she had a faint feeling this reward might bring some unexpected turns.
Her total acting progress had passed the halfway mark, reaching 55%. Once it hit 100%, her goal would be achieved. At that time, she would no longer need to wear any mask in front of Su Qinghan. Then, with a new identity, she would begin a life truly her own. No longer anyone’s substitute, nor anyone’s appendage, she would plan everything anew only for herself.
—
After submitting the painting, a response from the organizing committee came quickly.
That afternoon, Yan Yu was on her way back to her residence when her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. It was an unfamiliar number, but as if sensing something, Yan Yu answered calmly.
“Hello, is this Ms. Yan Yu?” A polite and enthusiastic middle-aged male voice came from the other end.
“This is she.”
“Hello! This is the City Youth Art Exhibition Organizing Committee. It is our great honor to inform you that your submitted work, “Time’s Shadow,” has passed the final review and been successfully selected for this city-level youth student art exhibition!” The tone carried genuine admiration. “Congratulations! Your work left a very deep impression on our judging panel. This art exhibition will be held in the main hall of the City Art Museum. Multiple media outlets and art institutions will be present. As a selected artist, you will receive a certificate and prize money from the committee. At the same time, we cordially invite you to attend the opening ceremony. We will send the electronic invitation and detailed information to your email later. You can simply give your name at the door for entry. Congratulations once again!”
Yan Yu’s voice was steady, betraying little emotion, but a glimmer of understanding flickered in her eyes. “Thank you.”
She didn’t know if it was the effect of the [Skill Enhancement] she’d obtained earlier or [Absolute Luck]. But regardless, it was a good thing.
“You’re welcome. You deserve it. We look forward to meeting you at the opening ceremony!”
The call ended. Yan Yu held her phone, her gaze falling on the deepening night outside the window. A smile finally appeared at the corner of her lips. Now, it was time to prepare more thoroughly for the “show” that was about to begin.
—
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the city’s nightscape was a river of flowing light and color. But inside the spacious living room of the Jiang family, the air felt frozen solid.
Jiang Muyun was slumped in the plush, top-of-the-line sofa. Her expensive silk loungewear accentuated her snow-white skin, but her cheeks were flushed red with anger. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest, her jaw set in a rigid line. Her beautiful eyes, always carrying a hint of haughty pride, were now blazing with fury as she glared at the silent phone on the coffee table.
Juanmao and Song Jie stood to her left and right, practically pressed against the edges of the expensive marble coffee table, their postures stiff. Both kept their eyes lowered, afraid to meet the scorching gaze from the sofa, terrified of being caught in the crossfire of this naturally spoiled young lady’s wrath.
“Su Qinghan… why hasn’t she replied yet?” Jiang Muyun finally spoke, her voice squeezing out between clenched teeth, sharp and biting. “How long has it been since I sent my message? I gave her a way out myself, isn’t that enough? What more does she, Su Qinghan, want!”
She suddenly lifted her head, her gaze shooting like arrows at the two people trembling before her. In that brief instant, all her pent-up anxiety and spoiled temper found an outlet. “It’s all your fault! What kind of lousy advice was that! Saying ‘a little coldness keeps them in check,’ ‘making her come back on her own makes you seem more precious!’ And now? The person is gone! Doesn’t answer calls, doesn’t reply to texts! If I’ve really pushed her away for good and that Yan Yu snatches her up, who of you can afford to pay me back?!”
The flames of her anger burned brighter, and she nearly pointed her slender white fingers right in their faces. “All day long it’s ‘Muyun is the best,’ shopping sprees, high-end restaurants, limited edition new items—which of those wasn’t paid for with my card? Now that something’s happened, you give me useless advice like this! Have I been too good to you all this time?!”
These words were like sharp icicles, piercing straight into their most guilty spots. The faces of Juanmao and Song Jie instantly turned deathly pale. Embarrassment and humiliation made them wish they could find a crack in the floor to crawl into. They exchanged a quick glance, then each hung their head. Take people’s money and you’re in their debt. The best thing now was to admit it.
“Mu, Muyun, don’t get upset, please don’t upset yourself,” Juanmao’s mind was quick; she quickly plastered on a nearly fawning smile. “We… we never expected Miss Su to be so patient this time. Maybe, maybe she’s really busy? Or maybe her phone isn’t with her? After all, she’s helping President Su manage such a huge corporation, she must be swamped with work.”
Song Jie also hurriedly nodded, her plump face piled with sincere worry as she clumsily tried to douse the flames. “Yes, yes! Muyun, you have to think positive. Miss Su’s feelings for you—we’ve seen them most clearly all these years. When you were abroad for those three years, her heart was only for you. This is definitely just a little spat. She wants to make you anxious too. There’s no way she’d really abandon you, and no way she’d be unwilling to spend money on you!”
“Right, right!” Seeing Jiang Muyun’s expression soften slightly, Juanmao quickly followed the thread, her tone even more certain, as if trying to convince Jiang Muyun—and herself. “Muyun, relax. With your looks, how can that Yan Yu even compare? She’s not fit to polish your shoes! Miss Su is just temporarily dazzled, or it’s pure spite. There’s no way she’d actually choose her! You absolutely can’t get rattled!”
The two spoke in tandem, their voices urgent and their words sincere, yet they couldn’t hide the underlying panic.
What they were soothing at this moment wasn’t just Jiang Muyun’s temper. It was the comfortable life they had attached to this “friendship.”