The information Mei Xue entrusted to her replayed clearly in her mind.
After careful consideration, Yu Qing slowly spoke.
“If it involves the Fu Family, then it’s true that you can never be too careful.”
Yu Qing frowned slightly, putting on a thoughtful expression.
Then, as if remembering something, her expression became hesitant.
“Qing Huan, there are some things I don’t know whether I should say or not.”
She looked at Cheng Qinghuan with concern in her eyes.
“After all, I spent quite some time in this city in my earlier years. Occasionally, when I went to teach the children, I would hear some rumors about the Fu Family.”
A trace of reminiscence flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by seriousness.
“If I remember correctly, within the Fu Family, it seems they’re not entirely united either. Especially in the current generation, the competition is rather intense.”
“However…”
Yu Qing shifted her tone, instinctively lowering her voice and pretending to be uncertain.
“I heard them say that the struggle between the Fu Family inheritors is not something the elders are allowed to interfere with. It’s a rule established long ago, one that even the heads of the family through generations must abide by.”
She didn’t say it outright, but she subtly indicated that Fu Mingxuan’s company wouldn’t receive support from the older generation of the Fu Family.
Her aim was to relieve Cheng Qinghuan of some concerns.
But she didn’t know that her words had already stirred up a storm in Cheng Qinghuan’s heart.
Hearing this, Cheng Qinghuan frowned slightly, her attention toward Fu Mingxuan’s company growing even deeper.
If what “Teacher” said was true, then whether or not she withdrew her investment this time was far from a simple matter.
Because of the Fu Family’s influence in River City, Cheng Qinghuan would usually collect some information about them as well.
However, over the years, all she’d gathered was superficial.
For example, the industries the Fu Family operated in River City were managed by the younger generation, while the elders had gone to the Capital to expand their influence.
At least since Cheng Qinghuan started handling the Cheng Family’s business, none of Fu Yi and her father’s generation had come here.
There were many such rumors—like idle gossip among noble families—and Cheng Qinghuan never took them seriously.
But once she connected these scraps of information with what “Teacher” had said, it was hard not to relate them to the internal power struggles within the Fu Family.
A struggle for inheritance that forbade interference from other members—without a doubt, it sounded like a life-and-death Nurturing Gu Field.
And her earlier unintentional investment had clearly dragged her into this field.
If she lacked strength, she might have long since become just another piece of nourishment within it.
A Project caught up in the internal strife of the Fu Family—its risk level would undoubtedly skyrocket.
At such a critical moment, if she withdrew her investment, it would be equivalent to taking sides, openly standing with Fu Yi.
Moreover, it was uncertain whether her withdrawal would have much impact on Fu Mingxuan’s side.
But she would definitely be resented by Fu Mingxuan.
But…
Fu Yi knew perfectly well that I didn’t want too much involvement with her.
Our usual interactions were superficial at best, and even meeting this time was only out of consideration for the Fu Family’s reputation.
She knows my attitude, so why would she invite me to discuss a situation I could never interfere with?
If I refuse…
Oh, that’s right.
If I refuse to withdraw my investment, then after today’s conversation, it’s equivalent to disregarding Fu Yi’s feelings.
While it may not provoke immediate retaliation, it would give her an excuse to act against me later.
Perhaps, she’d already understood Fu Yi’s intentions in inviting her to meet.
Thinking to this point, Cheng Qinghuan’s eyes deepened.
She fell silent for a moment, then when she looked up again, her smile remained gentle but now carried a hint of gravity.
She smiled at Yu Qing in gratitude.
“Thank you for the reminder, Teacher. I understand.”
“I’ll handle this matter with even greater care.”
Her thoughts raced.
In this obvious trap laid by Fu Yi, Cheng Qinghuan had to find a path that would bring her safely through.
Seeing Cheng Qinghuan’s reaction, Yu Qing knew she had done enough.
Any more would be overkill.
She happened to glance at the time on her phone.
Less than ten minutes remained until Fu Yi and Cheng Qinghuan’s agreed meeting.
Pretending to be surprised, she glanced at her phone, showing a timely hint of apology on her face.
She stood up and bid farewell to Cheng Qinghuan.
“Qinghuan, sorry. I got so caught up in chatting that I almost forgot the time.”
“I have some business to attend to tonight, so I’ll head off first. Your Mei Xue should be arriving soon, so take your time chatting with her.”
While speaking, Yu Qing gently patted Cheng Qinghuan on the head, her tone full of reluctant affection.
Cheng Qinghuan also hurriedly stood up, echoing the reluctance.
“Teacher, you’re leaving already? We finally got to meet.”
“There will be plenty more chances in the future.”
Yu Qing smiled softly, giving Cheng Qinghuan a light hug and making a promise.
“Once you’re less busy, let’s get together again. Remember—always keep your guard up and protect yourself.”
Leaving her final advice, Yu Qing and Cheng Qinghuan said their goodbyes.
Whether there would really be more chances in the future, Yu Qing didn’t know.
At least for now, she wouldn’t become Wen Wan again any time soon.
It wasn’t just the discomfort in her body—there was also a greater sense of guilt in her heart.
While pretending to be Wen Wan and deceiving Cheng Qinghuan’s feelings, her conscience ached.
When she once more lied to Cheng Qinghuan and made a false promise, her guilt peaked.
If it weren’t for Mei Xue’s calm rationality that had seeped into her, Yu Qing might have actually set a time with Cheng Qinghuan to meet again.
After leaving the pavilion, Yu Qing walked back the way she’d come.
Once she’d completely escaped Cheng Qinghuan’s sight, she quickened her pace, almost breaking into a power walk.
The “da-da” sound of high heels echoed through the trees.
Yu Qing hurried back to the restroom, retrieved her backpack hidden in the corner, and quickly slipped into an empty stall.
“Damn it! If I wear high heels again, I’ll be a dog!”
Yu Qing massaged her reddened ankle in pain, tears glistening in her eyes.
Crude words spilled from her mouth, and the aching in her ankle made her forget any pretense of elegance.
After venting, Yu Qing was about to change clothes and end her transformation, but suddenly remembered the Black Pearl was still on her.
A wave of frustration hit her again, her eyes brimming with tears.
And this ten-meter rule—she could already transform into someone else, so why did the device have to come with such a stupid, rigid restriction?
Cursing inwardly, Yu Qing quickly took off her high heels, pulled out the flat shoes she’d worn earlier, and slid her stocking-clad feet into them.
Fortunately, Wen Wan’s feet were about the same size as Mei Xue’s, so Yu Qing felt little discomfort.
She locked Wen Wan’s Black Pearl into the Iron Box, cautiously peeked out, and, seeing no one, slipped out of the stall, closed the door, and jogged out of the public restroom.
She found a spot about eleven or twelve meters from the restroom to hide the Iron Box.
After making sure it was well concealed, Yu Qing ran back to the public restroom.
Her earlier distance estimation had been off; just two or three steps from the stall, the familiar sensation of her body shrinking hit her.
With this strange feeling, Yu Qing rushed into the stall and locked the door.
Maybe it was just her imagination, but this time the transformation felt smoother—as if her body had already grown accustomed to this form.
Yu Qing guessed it might be because the body types of Mei Xue and Wen Wan weren’t that different, at least not physiologically, so changing back didn’t feel too unnatural.
In a single breath, Yu Qing felt her field of vision lower, her body’s contours returning to a youthful, energetic state.
She took out the Mirror Wall from her backpack.
Reflected in the glass was the unmatched, beautiful face of Mei Xue.
As expected, my true form is still the most attractive.
Yu Qing thought with a hint of pride, completely unconcerned that the appearance belonged to Mei Xue.
Returning to her true form, the confidence in her heart naturally followed.