Chapter 36: Strange Dinner

“Why does the atmosphere feel a bit off?”

Gong Nanxue glanced oddly at Cai Jinger, then at Bai Rourou.

“Stop sitting there like a fool. I ordered barbecue and crayfish. Let’s eat while we chat.”

Gong Nanxue smiled brightly, realizing she had misunderstood Cai Jinger.

After Cai’s investment, the first month’s financial report had brought in quite a profit!

Still, she couldn’t accept being with Cai Jinger at all.

The three of them approached the long dining table.

Gong Nanxue and Cai Jinger sat directly opposite each other.

Bai Rourou glanced around nervously, unwilling to sit next to either of them, so she moved a stool and sat at the short end of the rectangular table.

“Dig in, don’t be shy. I’m in a good mood today.”

Gong Nanxue was generous, popping open a bottle of cold beer, then raised her bottle toward Cai Jinger.

“The first toast has to be to you. Thanks to you, Jinger.”

“That’s what I should do. I haven’t lost out, have I?”

Cai Jinger smiled lightly and raised her bottle as well, lips parting slightly to take a sip.

Though the Cai Group was incomparable to the Quanlian Group, its multi-billion asset value still made it a major player in the Province.

The investment in Jingxue Capital wasn’t just about cash flow.

It also reflected Cai Jinger’s unique methods.

Gong Nanxue’s father was the head of the Quanlian Group, but her mother wasn’t even a mistress.

If it weren’t for Gong Nanxue being the last daughter born to him at fifty, cherished with special feelings, Jingxue Capital—worth hundreds of millions—would never have ended up in her hands.

Cai Jinger believed that if she hadn’t been so fond of Gong Nanxue, insisting on studying with her, she wouldn’t have even attended the provincial high school.

Still, she had taken plenty of elite training classes.

Gong Nanxue only began to be noticed after her father grew old and senile in high school, when he inexplicably poured some affection on her, leading to her cultivation.

There was no comparison between them.

Even now, Gong Nanxue barely cared about Jingxue Capital; she was far more interested in motorcycles, computers, and games.

Thinking of this, Cai Jinger couldn’t help but feel a slight disdain for Gong Nanxue.

How had she once loved such a person so desperately?

“Rourou, aren’t you drinking?”

Gong Nanxue took several big gulps, her delicate face flushed with a light wine-red, looking much more alluring.

“I—I’ll just skip it.”

Bai Rourou hesitated, “I’m not good at drinking.”

“Xue’er, how can you not give face when you ask her to drink?”

Cai Jinger grabbed the bottle opener and popped open a new bottle, pushing it in front of Bai Rourou, her gaze sharp and dangerous.

“Drink up.”

“Alright… I’ll have a little.”

Bai Rourou didn’t dare meet Cai Jinger’s eyes, lowering her head timidly, grabbing the bottle and taking a small sip.

The icy beer was even more shocking, and just a small mouthful made her cough lightly.

“Bai Rourou, you really need to toughen up. You’re too delicate.”

Cai Jinger smiled sweetly, but her words carried an extra meaning in Bai Rourou’s ears.

The girl’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she dared not speak.

“Definitely need to toughen up.”

Gong Nanxue stuffed a large skewer of grilled meat into her mouth and mumbled, “Rourou, you’re so skinny it looks like the wind could blow you away. How can that be?”

“Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm!”

Bai Rourou nodded repeatedly, then quickly shoved a skewer into her mouth, as if stuffing it would stop her from talking.

Seeing this, Cai Jinger’s anger quietly flared.

What was wrong with Bai Rourou?

She didn’t respond to Cai’s words at all, but nodded fervently whenever Gong Nanxue spoke. Was the difference really that big?

She finally understood—Bai Rourou must hate her to death but adore Gong Nanxue deeply.

She suspected Bai Rourou often came over to play with Gong Nanxue when Cai Jinger was busy working late.

“Xue’er, does Bai Rourou come here often?”

Cai Jinger suddenly asked.

“Why are you asking that?”

Gong Nanxue’s guard instantly rose.

Was Cai going to use her usual tactics against Bai Rourou, her rival?

“Bai Rourou is my good friend now, just like you, Cai Jinger, hold an important place in my heart.”

Gong Nanxue hoped this statement would make Cai Jinger realize how important Bai Rourou was.

What she didn’t know was that Bai Rourou had been manipulated by Cai Jinger for a long time already.

“I see~”

Cai Jinger replied coolly, her smile still fixed, unreadable.

In reality, anger filled her heart.

She was furious—was Gong Nanxue about to be with Bai Rourou?

If that were true, it would be a disaster.

Right now, she could bully Bai Rourou because their relationship was mediocre.

More importantly, Bai Rourou didn’t even know Gong Nanxue’s true background, and Cai was very clear on that.

She guessed Bai Rourou still thought Gong Nanxue was just an ordinary girl.

“No, this can’t go on.”

Cai Jinger decided to take some measures.

If Gong Nanxue ever fell for Bai Rourou, or confessed her background to her, and Bai Rourou pleaded for her after learning what Cai had done… Gong Nanxue would likely side with Bai Rourou.

“Bai Rourou can only be mine.”

That thought flashed involuntarily in Cai Jinger’s mind, making her heart skip a beat.

Had she already fallen for Bai Rourou?

No, impossible. She just found it entertaining to have a scapegoat to vent her emotions on.

Speaking of which, tonight Bai Rourou would pay for it. She had just packed some things—tonight, if Bai Rourou didn’t know pain and hardship, she wouldn’t be Cai!

“Achoo!”

Bai Rourou suddenly sneezed, quickly covering her mouth, feeling a chill down her back.

Looking up, she met Cai Jinger’s terrifying gaze.

She didn’t want to go home tonight.

If she went back, she would surely be bullied badly.

But if she didn’t go back, where else could she stay?

How could a weak girl possibly fight a capitalist?

Suddenly, Gong Nanxue sat upright, tossing out a line, “I’m going to the bathroom,” and hurriedly left.

Bai Rourou thought for a moment and also stood, wanting to follow.

She now felt that Gong Nanxue and Cai Jinger were such good friends, maybe Gong Nanxue’s family was powerful too.

Besides, those words earlier made her think Gong Nanxue didn’t hate her, and would definitely help if she knew what she was going through.

“Hey, Bai Rourou, where are you going?”

Cai Jinger reached out and grabbed Bai Rourou, pulling hard.

Accompanied by the girl’s cry of pain, she was dragged back.

“I… I want to go to the bathroom.”