◎Whose Friend◎
For the first time in her life, Le Qing had someone standing on her side when confronting others—even guarding the door for her. But she couldn’t spare the attention to dwell on it now.
Gu Meng, pinned down, felt the pressure on her back lessen slightly. She seized the chance to break free from Le Qing’s grip, but before she could even lift her head, a sharp slap landed on her face. The sound was deafening. Her head jerked to the side from the force, the struck area first going numb before burning with pain.
As a model, her face was her most prized asset. Yet before she could even straighten her head, another slap struck the other side, completing the symmetry.
Now it was even.
Gu Meng was dazed, both hands instinctively clutching her stinging cheeks as she glared at the cold-faced woman before her. Her sluggish mind finally began to process the situation.
Lin Jian had personally come to guard the door outside, accompanied by a man who was clearly someone of high status. Even Lin Jian had been instructed by this man to keep the media away—proof of his influence.
She had miscalculated this move.
In a last-ditch attempt to salvage her pride, she spat, "It’s just a bracelet worth a few thousand. Are you trying to kill me over it? Fine, I’ll pay you back."
She had thought that since she was already ruined, provoking Le Qing would at least give her some satisfaction. But instead, Le Qing suddenly withdrew, her voice icy. "If killing you could fix it, I’d consider it."
"?!"
What kind of person says something like that?
And Gu Meng was certain she wasn’t joking—that was the most chilling part.
Even Jiang Suizhi, who had been waiting nearby, couldn’t help but glance at Le Qing.
The latter turned away as if she had touched something filthy. After carefully placing the broken bracelet back into its box, she squeezed hand soap onto her palms and began meticulously washing her fingers, her movements deliberate and unhurried.
There was no trace left of the fury that had nearly brought her to tears earlier.
"Jiang Suizhi," she said slowly, "I didn’t bring my phone. Could you call the police for me?"
He didn’t need her to ask—someone outside had already taken care of it. "They’re on their way."
Given the nature of the event today, the police would ensure minimal disruption even after arriving. Otherwise, the situation could escalate further.
Le Qing flicked the water droplets from her fingertips. "Mm."
Completely ignored, Gu Meng felt provoked all over again. Her face swollen, she opened her mouth to retort—but the two of them turned to look at her in unison.
She immediately fell silent.
Though their faces and demeanors were entirely different, their gazes were equally frigid, sending a shiver down her spine and freezing her in place.
"I’m not in a good mood right now," Le Qing said. "Say one more word, and I can’t guarantee your face will remain intact today."
A blatant threat.
Having already experienced her wrath, Gu Meng could only swallow her anger. She couldn’t even take on Le Qing alone, let alone the tall man standing beside her.
A sudden knock came at the door. Lin Jian’s voice, hushed, filtered through the gap. "The police are here. I’ll open the door—stay out of sight."
They needed to avoid being photographed by anyone lurking outside, lest it make headlines.
But where could they hide in such a large restroom?
Just as Le Qing was about to suggest the stalls, a hand brushed her shoulder. "Come with me."
Against the wall on the same side as the door was a blind spot from the outside. Standing there would keep them hidden, though the space was narrow, forcing them to press against the wall.
The moment the door opened, Le Qing instinctively shifted slightly to the side.
She had stopped herself earlier because, after venting her anger with those two slaps, she remembered the significance of tonight’s event. She was Lin Jian’s guest, and too many eyes were watching. Spending excessive time on someone like Gu Meng wasn’t worth it—even if she knew Lin Jian wouldn’t blame her and had even stood guard for her.
But she couldn’t afford to drag him down.
The body beside her seemed to tense for a moment. Glancing over, she realized why—her sleeveless dress had brushed against Jiang Suizhi’s arm in the cramped space.
"Sorry," she murmured. "Are you okay?"
Jiang Suizhi’s expression remained neutral. "Mm."
When he had burst into the restroom earlier, the scene before him had stunned him more than anything else. Even when he grabbed Le Qing’s wrist, his mind hadn’t fully processed it. If not for the look in her eyes at that moment, he might not have realized what he’d done.
It wasn’t just children who could catch you off guard—sometimes, you surprised yourself.
He had taken medication beforehand, but now that the adrenaline had faded, the familiar crawling sensation returned, seeping into his bones from every limb. The spot where she had touched him burned faintly.
Clenching his other hand loosely, he maintained his composure.
Meanwhile, Gu Meng, desperate to leave, found herself blocked by plainclothes officers at the door. "Please come with us," one said.
To Le Qing and Jiang Suizhi, they added, "We’ll need statements from both of you later."
Le Qing nodded. "Of course."
The officers escorted Gu Meng out and considerately closed the restroom door behind them. Stepping outside now would invite unwanted attention, and Le Qing had no desire to trend on social media again. Once silence returned, she leaned against the wall and exhaled softly.
Jiang Suizhi moved to the sink, turning on the cold water to steady himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Le Qing still staring at the box in her hands. He recalled her earlier words.
This was her gift.
Everyone cherished gifts, but Le Qing’s attachment to this one seemed unusually intense. His instincts told him that if not for the altercation, she might not have lashed out so harshly.
"Was it from someone important?" he asked casually, drying his hands.
Le Qing paused. "A friend."
What kind of friend warranted such devotion? A mere bracelet worth a few thousand had nearly brought her to tears—and she’d threatened a life in return.
He nodded, feigning nonchalance. "An important friend?"
Was he important?
To that person, she might just be one among many connections. But to her, at this moment, he was.
"Mm."
No denial.
Jiang Suizhi remembered Lin Jian once saying that Le Qing seemed unattached to anything, making her indifferent to most matters. In all their interactions, she had never mentioned any friends.
Her life and social circle were too clean—almost barren.
Yet today, an exception had emerged: a suddenly significant friend.
Countless possibilities flashed through Jiang Suizhi’s mind. As he mentally sifted through them, one stood out, highlighted like Le Qing’s name in that mistakenly added group chat.
She hadn’t fought fiercely to keep the child. Did she have other plans?
Or perhaps… the child was about to get a stepfather.
That thought made his temple throb violently.
"Are you really okay?" Le Qing didn't know what he was thinking, but seeing his hands turning red from the icy water, she knew the cold wasn't something to take lightly in this weather.
After all, Jiang Suizhi had helped her today, and she found his method of dealing with his condition rather unpredictable.
"Would touching help ease it?" she asked.
The sound of running water drowned out her soft voice, and Jiang Suizhi didn’t catch it. He turned his head slightly. "What?"
"After talking with you earlier, I looked up this condition," Le Qing said earnestly, analyzing it seriously. "It usually stems from unmet psychological or emotional needs in the past, which can trigger impulses to touch others in specific situations."
A doctor might have explained it more professionally, but Jiang Suizhi was intrigued by her perspective.
"So if a little contact can help, it’s better than just rinsing with water," Le Qing continued. "Suppressing it too much will only make it worse."
Finally understanding, Jiang Suizhi glanced down at Le Qing’s hands—the same hands that had restrained that woman earlier. They looked slender but unexpectedly strong, the veins faintly visible on the back.
The restlessness he had barely suppressed surged up again, gnawing at him, making him restless and craving more. Even the cold water wasn’t helping now.
Noticing his hesitation, Le Qing took the initiative. "Should I try touching you?"
Jiang Suizhi’s throat moved slightly. After a few seconds, he gave a low hum of agreement, his gaze following her hand.
In less than a second, a light touch grazed his back.
Like soothing a child startled awake from sleep, Le Qing’s movements were gentle, patting his back slowly and rhythmically. He couldn’t feel her body heat, but the agitation in his mind gradually eased.
For the first time in 26 years—since he first realized something was wrong with him—Jiang Suizhi experienced the comfort of being soothed, the first time he received positive emotional feedback.
It was undeniably addictive, and somehow, it gave him an unfamiliar sense of security.
Outside, Lin Jian had been guarding the door for so long that people at the venue might start thinking she was on duty. She finally pushed the door open. "The banquet’s about to start. What are you two—?"
"?" Her eyes widened. "What are you doing?"
Le Qing quickly withdrew her hand. "He got scared."
"???"
Wait, was the subject reversed here?
Back when he used to take on entire streets alone, no one had ever seen him scared.
"You…" Lin Jian gave him a look. "Quite the coward, huh?"
"Yeah," Jiang Suizhi replied, drying his hands before lifting his eyes to meet hers. "Got a problem with that?"
Lin Jian smiled sweetly. "None at all."
None at all—unless you count wanting to rip my own head off and kick it.
But now wasn’t the time for that. She lowered her voice. "I had Lin round up some people to create a distraction outside. You two should slip out now before things get messy."
"Le Qing, you go first."
"Alright." Le Qing glanced at Jiang Suizhi, silently asking if he was okay.
He gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Only then did she pick up the box and quickly slip out under Lin Jian’s cover.
Two minutes later, Jiang Suizhi straightened his clothes and followed. With the situation fully under control, Lin Jian finally had a chance to interrogate him. "So, what exactly were you two doing in there?"
Before he could answer, she deadpanned, "Don’t tell me you were choking on food in the bathroom."
"..." Jiang Suizhi shot her a look. "You and your brother should really take a class in the art of conversation."
"And what about you? A class in 'sister-in-law literature'?" Lin Jian frowned. "Jokes aside, I still think it’s a bad idea."
"No jokes, no bad ideas," Jiang Suizhi cut her off. "I really did get scared."
Lin Jian fell silent for three seconds. "Honestly, I’d believe you choked in the bathroom before I’d believe that."
By now, Jiang Suizhi felt nothing—except maybe irritation. He quickened his pace. "Do you know who that woman was?"
"Yeah, a model I’ve worked with before. Not close." Lin Jian switched to business mode. "Probably just petty jealousy."
It wasn’t just the modeling industry—any field had its share of envy. The only difference was how smart people were about it. Clearly, Gu Meng wasn’t just dumb—she was spectacularly dumb.
"I’ll have my team work overtime tonight to cancel her contracts. The printed materials will need reprints, but since this is the first edition, we prepared for contingencies. The losses won’t be huge."
Jiang Suizhi nodded. "I’ll cover the losses."
By the time Lin Jian returned to her seat, Le Qing had already regained her composure, showing no trace of the earlier incident.
"Were you scared?" Lin Jian asked as she sat down.
Le Qing tucked the bracelet into her bag and shook her head. "No."
"Not even a little shaken after something like that?" Recalling how Le Qing had pinned the woman down in the bathroom, Lin Jian realized. "Right, you must have some training."
"Just basic self-defense," Le Qing replied with a smile.
"Listen, I take responsibility for this too," Lin Jian said, finally relaxing. "Compensation will be handled, and I won’t let her off easy."
"She’s her, you’re you." Le Qing was too level-headed to conflate the two. "You don’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. She’ll face the consequences on her own."
"You…" Lin Jian hesitated.
Le Qing: "Hmm?"
"It’s nothing." Lin Jian picked up her wine glass, leaning back in her chair with a faint smile. "It’s just—you’re like two different people. If you’d been as angry as you were when you pinned her down earlier, I might’ve felt better."
"Why?"
"Not sure." Lin Jian clinked her glass lightly against Le Qing’s. After a pause, she added, "Maybe it’s just… you seem like someone who deserves to be cared for."
Anyone else in this situation would’ve made a scene.
Even Lin Jian couldn’t promise she wouldn’t have driven the other party into a corner. Yet Le Qing remained so calm—so calm she didn’t even demand compensation or vent her anger.
Le Qing froze for a second before taking a sip of wine, almost as if hiding her expression. "I’ve already been angry. Staying angry would just mean being angry at myself. There’s no benefit in that. There’s a better way to handle this—anger won’t help."
She chuckled. "Besides, I didn’t do anything wrong. Why burden myself with unnecessary emotions? That’d just be a loss."
"You’ve got a refreshing outlook. Though honestly, with this attitude, you’ll have plenty of people jealous of you in the future." Lin Jian stood up. "Come on, let’s mingle."
That was the whole point of attending this banquet.
Lin Jian had planned to introduce Le Qing to everyone and sing her praises from head to toe.
But before she could even lead Le Qing over, several brand representatives and photographers had already approached.
And promptly pushed her aside.
Lin Jian: "?"
She scoffed in amusement. "I knew you were shameless, but this is just downright ugly."
"We've known each other for years—no need for formalities or that sentimental nonsense," the photographers teased with a laugh. "We just wanted to introduce ourselves to the new friend here. You’re Le Qing, right?"
Le Qing responded warmly, "Hello, everyone."
"I noticed you during check-in earlier. Lin Jian’s eye for talent is as sharp as ever. We’ll definitely collaborate in the future."
"If you’re interested, we could discuss some ideas for the spring collection sometime."
"We actually met before—do you remember? At the Lin Family’s vacation estate."
Le Qing truly had no recollection. The lighting had been dim, and she’d been too focused on taking the child home to pay attention to people from a world so different from her own.
Lin Jian introduced them, "These are all my friends, from various fields, though most are in this industry."
Le Qing nodded.
One photographer remarked, "I thought you were just a photographer the other day—didn’t realize you’re also a model."
"I’m not an expert, still learning," she replied modestly.
Her understanding of photography, combined with her modeling experience, allowed her to converse effortlessly with the group. Every insight she offered was grounded in personal perspective, even extending to thoughtful suggestions for the upcoming spring series.
This only deepened their admiration, and the conversation flowed without pause.
Le Qing had prepared herself to drink more than usual, even packing hangover medicine in her bag. Yet, to her surprise, no one pressured her. Instead, they clinked glasses politely when the mood struck—far more harmonious than the extravagance she’d imagined. She relished the freedom to express her opinions without worrying about social hierarchies, so each toast felt genuinely enjoyable.
While she was thoroughly engaged, others weren’t faring as well. The moment Jiang Suizhi appeared, a crowd swarmed around him.
Here was someone whose movements people usually scrambled to track for a chance to meet—yet today, he’d shown up at this cocktail party. Naturally, everyone seized the opportunity to curry favor, especially after Old President Jiang had recently transferred all his shares to his 26-year-old son, who’d only taken over the company a few years prior.
Now, Jiang Suizhi held absolute power in the Jiang empire, a status beyond reach.
Unfortunately, no matter who approached, Jiang Suizhi remained aloof—never outright dismissive, but clearly indifferent.
One sharp-eyed attendee, however, had noticed Jiang Suizhi’s earlier outburst near the restroom. Keeping a discreet watch, he’d seen the CEO vanish for a long stretch—undoubtedly inside.
"President Jiang, have you spotted anything you like tonight?" he ventured.
At events like these, celebrities and models often wore branded jewelry or luxury items as walking advertisements. Purchases were common, and artists even privately competed over who sold the most.
But prestige dictated access—only top-tier names flaunted high-end pieces, while others made do with simpler fare.
Jiang Suizhi hadn’t so much as glanced at any of it. He wasn’t here to shop. His wardrobe, aside from casual wear, was handled by his secretary. Luxury accessories? Irrelevant.
Lately, he’d found himself mirroring Jiang Yan’s preference for suits, though recent undercover assignments had made him appreciate the comfort of casual wear—no accessories required.
The man beside him, however, was adaptable. "These little trinkets make great gifts for family or friends. They’re not too expensive."
The word "friends" flicked a switch in Jiang Suizhi. For the first time, he spared the man a glance.
Seizing the opening, the man added, "My wife loves these galas. She’s always buying rings, necklaces, earrings—either for herself or to give away. It’s quite convenient."
Jiang Suizhi’s mind replayed Le Qing’s expression when she’d mentioned her broken gift. "What does she usually give friends?" he asked.
"Depends—male or female?" The man chuckled. "For women, jewelry works well. My wife couldn’t come tonight but made me promise to pick out something nice. If you’re interested, we could browse together?"
Jiang Suizhi had only ever gifted Jiang Yan a tacky "ghost rider" T-shirt from the market. The idea of selecting presents for others was foreign, but he nodded.
They began weaving through the venue, the man launching into an expert spiel about gemstone hues and accessory coordination. Jiang Suizhi understood none of it.
The last time he’d picked women’s clothing was Le Qing’s "bargain-bin care package"—he’d just chosen whatever looked decent from a designer’s portfolio. Fashion jargon meant nothing to him.
Absently, his gaze drifted toward Le Qing. She sat on a sofa, chatting animatedly with a mixed group, radiating a rare ease.
It reminded him of her demeanor back at the pasture.
Tonight, her gown outshone the casual outfits he’d selected for her. Fitted and elegant, it showcased her model’s figure—one in a million. Paired with flawless makeup, she stood out like a crane among chickens.
Yet Jiang Suizhi’s attention snagged on her hand holding the wineglass, his back tingling as if touched again.
Her jewelry was minimal, nothing like the lavish pieces the man described, yet she elevated their simplicity into something regal.
Except for her bare wrist.
The man beside him paused, realizing Jiang Suizhi had tuned out. Had his explanation lacked detail? Impossible—years of appeasing his wife had made him an authority.
Then he followed Jiang Suizhi’s line of sight and understood.
The CEO wasn’t studying jewelry. He was studying the woman wearing it.
Though the crowd was thick, identifying Jiang Suizhi’s focus was easy—only Le Qing commanded such presence. And they’d disappeared together earlier.
He remembered Le Qing—a rookie model with striking looks, impossible to overlook.
"President Jiang," he smoothly redirected, "that necklace she’s wearing is exceptional."
Jiang Suizhi, who’d already scrutinized every inch of her: "..."
He had no opinion on its quality, but buying someone their own accessory as a gift made no sense.
Still, the man’s flattery landed perfectly. "My wife would adore it. Care to join me for a closer look?"
Jiang Suizhi deemed it acceptable.
Even if he didn’t purchase it, boosting her sales metrics wouldn’t hurt.
Many had already eyed Le Qing’s jewelry—not for its value, but as a pretext to approach her.
Eager faces lingered, though Lin Jian’s protective presence kept ill-intentioned admirers at bay.
Another group of people who had been genuinely intrigued by the jewelry initially planned to wait until Le Qing finished speaking before approaching, but they didn’t expect the conversation to drag on endlessly, one topic after another. Eventually, they grew impatient and decided to just go ahead.
One of the bosses, eager to get a closer look at the designs, tugged at his friend beside him and said, "I’ve had my eye on this for a while. My girlfriend would look just as stunning wearing it as she does."
His friend protested, "If you want to go, why drag me along?"
"If I go alone, what if my girlfriend misunderstands? What’s her name again?"
"Le Qing."
"Right. If I get too close to Le Qing alone, there’s no guarantee my girlfriend won’t overthink it."
General Manager Qian, who happened to be walking alongside Jiang Suizhi, overheard this and thought—how dare someone try to steal his chance to shine? This was the perfect opportunity to score some brownie points!
"Excuse me, sir," he immediately intercepted the other boss, "I also need to go back and appease my wife. Why don’t you let me handle this first? I’ll cover the cost of whatever you pick next."
The intercepted boss frowned. "Who isn’t trying to appease their wife?"
General Manager Qian’s eyes widened.
Is your wife the same as mine? I might be appeasing two people’s wives here!
He cleared his throat subtly and let his gaze drift slightly toward the man beside him.
Both were shrewd businessmen. The other boss had noticed Jiang Suizhi earlier but hadn’t connected the dots—until now.
Ah! So he’s trying to appease someone else’s wife!
Meanwhile, Jiang Suizhi, completely oblivious to their silent exchange, found his attention captured by one of the bracelets displayed at the center showcase.
He remembered the simpler design Le Qing had liked before.
This one was even more understated, adorned only with blue diamonds, giving it an elegant and refined look. Recalling her strikingly fair complexion and the delicate mole on the inside of her wrist, he imagined how the bracelet would accentuate her grace, adding a subtle allure.
While the two men bickered, Jiang Suizhi had already envisioned the entire scenario. He walked over to the bracelet, noted its product number, and committed it to memory.
Just as he was about to leave, he glanced at the price tag.
Tsk.
If he actually gave this to her, Le Qing might outright refuse to see him again.
He fell into deep thought.
Should Jiang Yan’s business branch out into ‘replica jewelry’?
No.
Jiang Yan wasn’t even her friend yet—he didn’t have that privilege.
A couple of seconds later, Jiang Suizhi frowned again.
Wait a minute… Has she ever actually called me her friend?
"President Jiang," General Manager Qian called out, having successfully secured his "purchasing rights," only to turn and find Jiang Suizhi walking away. He hurried after him. "Have you made your selection? That’s a fine piece. Who are you planning to give it to?"
Jiang Suizhi: "…"
General Manager Qian: "?"
For some reason, he felt like Jiang Suizhi’s expression darkened a shade after that question.
