Chapter 505: Chapter 505: I am different from you

Hospital.

When Zhao Xuan woke up, she saw Bai Ruoshu sitting at the bedside.

She immediately shrank back in fear.

“You, what do you want?”

Bai Ruoshu’s rosy lips slightly curved up; if seen normally, it would feel gentle.

At this moment, however, Zhao Xuan felt she had never seen through Bai Ruoshu.

Bai Ruoshu picked a fresh apple from the newly bought fruit basket, then took out a new knife.

She peeled it bit by bit, not hurriedly, and said, “They’re blocked outside by my people, no need to be too anxious, I’ll peel some fruit for you, you just rest.”

Zhao Xuan looked at Bai Ruoshu in disbelief.

For a moment, she even wondered if everything that had just happened was nothing but a nightmare.

Bai Ruoshu lowered her head to peel the apple, her fair fingers gripping the knife with an indescribable feeling.

“Zhao Xuan, I know what you’re thinking, I advise you not to act rashly.” She used the knife to fork a piece of apple and handed it to Zhao Xuan, “Eat.”

Zhao Xuan, as if startled, instinctively reached out to take the apple slice.

Bai Ruoshu said considerately, “Be careful, the blade is sharp.”

Zhao Xuan was too frightened to move.

“Here, let me help you.”

Bai Ruoshu saw her hesitate to take the apple piece, then grabbed her hand and put the slice into her palm.

The blade deliberately or unintentionally grazed her palm.

“Zhao Xuan, some things are safest kept in your heart, you have to understand that you and I are different. Understand?”

Zhao Xuan stared at the blade against her palm, swallowed hard, “Understood.”

Conversation finished.

Bai Ruoshu left a card, softly said, “This is the nutrition fee from your colleague, don’t overthink it, your life is long, think of your parents too.”

Her gentle tone was full of threat.

Zhao Xuan immediately took the card, even forced a smile, “Thank you.”

Bai Ruoshu smiled as she left the ward.

After taking just a few steps, her mother’s call came in.

“I’ve seen the news online, public opinion has completely shifted, it seems the Third Young Master is determined to help her.”

“This was all orchestrated by Zhao Xuan out of jealousy, nothing to do with me. Besides, the current situation isn’t entirely unfavorable to me.”

Bai Ruoshu walked while smiling, even nodded and greeted nurses passing by.

Always maintaining a perfect public image.

“Oh?”

A note of skepticism from her mother.

Bai Ruoshu explained, “Lin Zhiyi wants to gain a foothold in Jing City’s jewelry circle the fastest way by collaborating with Xue Man, but now, they seem to have had a fallout. These past two years, Xue Man’s struggles with her ex-husband have cost not just herself, but also the resources of her studio.”

“Now, she either helps me become the Third Madam, or she begs Lin Zhiyi for forgiveness.”

“Mom, what do you think she’ll do?”

Her mother chuckled, “If it were the past, Xue Man would’ve been clear-headed, but with the setbacks of these two years and alcohol’s influence, she’s long lost her clarity, instead, she became more assertive, such a person won’t bow down.”

“Xue Man knows everything about Lin Zhiyi and the Third Young Master, that’s enough. Besides, today my goal wasn’t to win Ji Nian Jewelry’s design, but to leave a good impression on the old man, which I’ve achieved.”

As she spoke, Bai Ruoshu revealed a smile.

The person on the other end immediately caught the implication, “The old man sought you out?”

“Mm. He hoped I’d accompany him on the charity banquet.”

“He’s not so kind-hearted, probably wants to test you.”

“I understand, Mom, don’t worry, how could I not compare to Lin Zhiyi?” Bai Ruoshu curled her lips, “I’ll stop here, I’m heading back. I believe President Xue is waiting for me.”

“Be cautious.”

After hanging up, Bai Ruoshu left in the car as if nothing happened.

…

Studio.

Lin Zhiyi was fiddling with her phone when she saw Gong Group announced the news about Ji Nian Jewelry.

She happened to click her name.

This was the first time the Gong Family mentioned her so directly.

There were even quite a few jewelry designers from Jing City tagging her, congratulating her.

Although knowing there’s a hint of flattery, she still felt like she was gradually getting back on track.

But as she scrolled down, the online comments were more outrageous than expected.

“I love shipping unusual CP, have you seen the Third Young Master and Lin Zhiyi in a group photo? Though rare, there’s something oddly fitting about them.”

“I thought I was the only one who felt that way, the Third Young Master’s gaze wasn’t that cold.”

“Girls, you’re really craving, daring to ship this? Aren’t you afraid of getting a legal notice?”

“There’s no blood relation, and the two don’t interact much, we’re just shipping for fun, nothing more…”

Initially, just a few comments, but then more and more people liked them.

Lin Zhiyi stared at the comments, recalling the so-called group photo.

It should be a New Year media photo released by the Gong Family some year.

Lin Zhiyi was dragged up just to make up the numbers, conveniently placed between Gong Chen and Gong Yan with New Year decorations.

With so many people, besides important figures, others wouldn’t pay attention to her.

Lin Zhiyi had forgotten this photo existed, didn’t expect netizens still remembered.

She curiously searched for the photo.

Upon enlarging it, she noticed Gong Chen’s half-lowered eyes, the barely noticeable subtle smile caught.

Following his line of sight, it landed on her somewhat stiff figure.

Looking at the group photo again, Lin Zhiyi couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Because at that time, she was indeed secretly looking for chances to glance at Gong Chen too.

After viewing the photo, Lin Zhiyi was about to exit the comment section.

Unexpectedly, it suddenly blew up.

The person who said they shipped the unconventional CP of Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen suddenly added a post.

“Who’s paying me? I don’t want it pinned at the top!”

The comment inexplicably went viral.

Lin Zhiyi sensed something amiss, exited, then opened the chat interface with Gong Chen.

“Did you pay them?”

“Yes.”

Gong Chen replied without hesitation.

“Why?”

“The comment wasn’t wrong, see, there are quite a few who think we suit each other.” He replied.

“Third Young Master, what are you trying to say?”

Gong Chen wouldn’t move so lightly, his sudden provocation surely had another agenda.

A moment later, he sent three words.

“Want a status.”

Lin Zhiyi looked at these three words, somewhat speechless.

After a few seconds, he sent another line.

“After the charity banquet, Sang Li must break off the engagement with you. It’s a must!”

“Mm.”

Lin Zhiyi couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.

Exiting the chat, she quickly reposted the Gong Group’s news online, then wrote a whole passage of gratitude.

Finally, she highlighted the main topic.

“Happy cooperation.”

Just after sending, Xue Man’s assistant suddenly walked into the office.

“After President Xue’s consideration, due to the magnitude of the Zhao Xuan incident, it was decided that Zhao Xuan will be dismissed, and Zhao Xuan has agreed.”

“Agreed? She doesn’t seem like someone easy to talk to.” Another colleague said.

The assistant snorted coldly, “It’s said that the two bumpkin mother and son extorted fifty thousand from her, it’s already good that President Xue didn’t ask her for breach fees.”

“No way? Did she really pay? Is there something more going on?”

Everyone curiously looked at Lin Zhiyi, seemingly waiting for an answer.

Lin Zhiyi was just about to make an excuse to brush it off when someone entered the room, beating her to it.

“Since the family members aren’t pursuing it anymore, let’s not make wild guesses and make Zhiyi uncomfortable. Besides, President Xue firing Zhao Xuan is already giving Zhiyi an explanation.”