novelraw Chapter 292 - 190. Why make it difficult for women by women (Chapter 3 Part 1)
Chapter 292 - 190. Why make it difficult for women by women (Chapter 3 Part 1)
Chapter 292: 190. Why make it difficult for women by women (Chapter 3 Part 1)
When suddenly pursued by two outstanding men at the same time, and unable to reject either, Shi Nian chose to ignore both of them, keeping her distance.
She set both their phone numbers to a blacklist, blocking their calls, and then settled down to work.
Because of Mark’s case, she inadvertently became famous herself, mentioned by various media outlets. If she couldn’t learn to find calm in the chaos and maintain her inner peace amidst the noise, she truly wouldn’t be able to survive.
Ye He also understood her situation and proactively filtered out all reports related to Mark’s case for her. He took on the task of reading through the industry newspapers, allowing Shi Nian to focus on her writing.
However, after a few days, Ye He noticed something amiss and couldn’t help but murmur to Shi Nian, "Why haven’t we seen Xiong Jie’s article?"
Shi Nian was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood.
Yes, with such a convergence of her ex-husband Xiang Yuan, her rumored partner Tang Yanqing, and the dramatic courtroom appearance of Huangfu Huazhang, how could Xiong Jie not embellish and write extensively about it, and how could she possibly let her off that easily?
Seeing Shi Nian also blanking out, Ye He couldn’t help but lean over and whisper, "...Could the Tang family have exerted some influence?"
Shi Nian frowned, unable to deny that Ye He’s speculation had merit: Xiong Jie’s article goes beyond conjecturing about her relationship with Tang Yanqing, it also touches on Tang Mingyi’s election. Naturally, this is something the Tang family and Tang Mingyi’s campaign team would absolutely not want to see.
"It’s possible, but Mr. Tang never mentioned it. Never mind her, whether she writes an article or not, we just ignore her."
Ye He felt reassured and smiled, "Exactly!"
Shi Nian then took a few calls, all from colleagues inviting her for interviews, which she carefully explained and then politely declined.
After finishing the calls, she decided to go out. Her cellphone could blacklist numbers and reject calls, but she couldn’t do so with the office landline, and continuing this way, she really wouldn’t have time for anything else.
After notifying Ye He, Shi Nian left the company, drove off to see Rosa.
Rosa’s recovery was swift; though the accident initially appeared severe, it was mostly superficial injuries, making treatment and recovery relatively easier. When Shi Nian walked in, Rosa could already sit up and was eagerly reading a newspaper.
Taking a glance upon entering, Shi Nian knew Rosa was reading articles about her, and she couldn’t help pulling a face: "Why, instead of focusing on A Yuan in this case, have you shifted the spotlight onto me? Don’t tell me, you’re secretly in love with me?"
Rosa unapologetically rolled her eyes, "I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in women, especially not you. Even if you turned yourself into a man, I still wouldn’t be interested."
Shi Nian couldn’t help but laugh.
Though their banter was still sharp and biting, their hearts were undeniably light, and so they felt comfortable talking this way, without having to hide anything.
Witnessing their conversation, Mrs. Luo appeared worried. Shi Nian gently patted Mrs. Luo’s arm, "Aunty, don’t worry, I won’t bully a patient. I’ll cover for you, so you can go out shopping."
Rosa didn’t hold back either: "Please, even if I’m injured, she still wouldn’t stand a chance against me. Mom, you don’t know, back in the day she used to cry because of me, and she wouldn’t dare cry openly, she had to hide to cry..."
Both Shi Nian and Mrs. Luo turned to look at her, especially Mrs. Luo. Rosa sheepishly fell silent, realizing she might have gone too far, and averted her gaze with a mumbled, "I’m sorry."
Mrs. Luo gave Shi Nian an apologetic look.
Shi Nian assessed her own feelings earnestly, yet didn’t find the sadness she expected. So she relaxed and smiled reassuringly at Mrs. Luo, "It’s all in the past, I no longer hold any grudges with her. You can go shopping with ease."
.
Once Mrs. Luo left, Shi Nian walked over, bypassing the bed to stand before Rosa.
"Since you had the nerve to say those things just now, why turn away and not face me? If you have more to say, look into my eyes and say it. I’ll let you say everything you have today, but after that, don’t bring it up again to embarrass yourself."
Rosa’s face turned crimson as she glared, "Who are you calling embarrassing?"
Shi Nian crossed her arms, "Who do you think? Do those words really bring you satisfaction when you say them? If you’re as arrogant as you appear, why can’t you look me in the eye, why can’t you face your mother?"
Rosa suddenly lifted her gaze, "Those words sound embarrassing now, but I have nothing to be afraid of saying! Because I wasn’t the third party, I knew A Yuan before you did!"
Shi Nian wasn’t polite either, "Do you want to play with words like that? It’s simple, should I bring up all of A Yuan’s first loves and see what number you rank? Chances are, you might not even be as ahead as a third party."
"You!"
Rosa despaired to find that ever since Shi Nian and Xiang Yuan separated, she had increasingly been outmatched by Shi Nian as the days went by.
The present Shi Nian seemed to have fully assumed her role as a journalist, exhibiting the keen eloquence and professional skill of one, no longer being the old Shi Nian who often struggled to find the right English words.
How had Shi Nian changed so much? Rosa was baffled and couldn’t help asking, "Who did you learn this sharp tongue from? Are you still the same tongue-tied Shi Nian?"
Shi Nian was taken aback by the question, upon reflection, realized that lately she hadn’t encountered any difficulties with vocabulary. Even in court against both lawyers, she managed with composure, no longer overwhelmed when faced with large English passages from Xiang Yuan.
Yet, she couldn’t readily explain the reason herself, so she tilted her head, "...Maybe it’s because after divorcing A Yuan, the hatred between you and me no longer has any meaning."
Upon hearing this, Rosa felt discouraged herself.
Yes, they were already divorced, and Xiang Yuan still refused to choose her. Now, what’s the point of arguing with Shi Nian?
.
Shi Nian also felt a sense of wistfulness, so she sat down, speaking calmly, "Rosa, we’ve argued for so many years, shed numerous tears, and hurt many hearts along the way. Let’s call it a day now, spare each other and ourselves. Let’s stop fighting and have a good talk."
After Shi Nian finished speaking, she freely picked up an apple and started peeling it for Rosa; the peel fell in a single swirl, unbroken, evidence that she was truly calm now.
Rosa watched, somewhat dazed, and couldn’t help but ask, "Then why do you still visit me, cook for me, and cover my mom’s shifts to accompany me?"
Shi Nian carefully wrapped up the peel and handed the peeled apple to Rosa.
"Since your parents aren’t in this city, and A Yuan can’t conveniently be with you, I am one of the few people you know here. A difficult relationship is still a kind of bond; I can’t just stand by and watch you suffer."
Rosa gritted her teeth, "You just want to get information out of me, to write my story and sell it for money!"
Shi Nian didn’t deny it, "I’m a journalist, it’s my job, and I won’t deny that. But you need to understand, I’m a journalist, not a detective, so you have no obligation to answer my questions. Speak if you want, don’t if you don’t want to. I can’t force you. Even if you don’t talk, I’d still come; it doesn’t change anything."
Rosa fell silent again, angrily biting into the apple.
A small awkward silence settled between them.
Shi Nian stood up to tidy up the stack of newspapers and magazines. She couldn’t avoid noticing that deliberately, she had pushed the articles focused on Xiang Yuan to the bottom.
Clearly, she hadn’t let go of Xiang Yuan yet, but because Xiang Yuan rejected her again, she was angry, wanting everyone to think she no longer cared about Xiang Yuan.
But she knew herself that she still couldn’t let go of Xiang Yuan. However, since Xiang Yuan rejected her again, she got angry and wanted everyone to assume she was over him.
Shi Nian spoke gently, "A Yuan lost the lawsuit, and it’s likely the Lin Qi family will soon fire A Yuan. If you don’t help A Yuan, Huatai Hall might really be taken away from him."
Rosa glared, gritting her teeth, "You actually know! Why do you think he lost the lawsuit? He must still have feelings for you—After all, he once swore to my dad to protect me for a lifetime, to protect me like my dad... How could he not fulfill his promise?"
See, when two people with a history argue, there’s bound to be friction.
So Shi Nian took a step back, stuck out her tongue playfully with a smile: "You know it, so what? He’s still indebted to me for the promise he couldn’t keep—to protect me like my dad did."
After saying that there was still an undertone of sadness. For her dad, for that promise made at her father’s deathbed; and even more, for the one who truly stayed with her through the darkness.
Now that the marriage with Xiang Yuan was over, but where was he?
Rosa also felt disheartened.
Yes, they’ve already divorced, yet Xiang Yuan still wouldn’t have her. What good will come from continuing to argue with Shi Nian?
.
Shi Nian felt a twinge of melancholy herself, so she sat down and spoke composedly, "Rosa, we’ve fought for so many years, shed so many tears, and caused so much hurt. Let’s just stop now, forgive each other and ourselves. Let’s not argue anymore, let’s have a proper conversation."
Having said that, she sat back comfortably, took an apple, and began to peel it for Rosa, expertly creating a single spiral of peel without breaks, showing her genuine calmness.
Rosa watched, puzzled, and couldn’t help but ask, "Then why do you still come to visit me, cook for me, and come to take over my mom’s shift to keep me company?"
Shi Nian carefully gathered the peel, handed the peeled apple to Rosa.
"Because your parents aren’t in the city, and A Yuan isn’t able to stay with you, I’m one of the few people you know here. Bad karma is still karma; I can’t just stand by and not do anything to help when I see you hurt."
Rosa shouted fiercely, "You just want to get information out of me, to write my story and make money!"
Shi Nian didn’t deny it, "I’m a journalist, that’s my job, and I won’t deny it. But you have to realize, I’m also not a detective, so whether you choose to answer my questions or not is entirely up to you. I have no authority to force you. Even if you don’t talk, it won’t stop me from coming, those are separate things."
Once again, their conversation lulled into a small, awkward silence.
Shi Nian then stood to tidy up the pile of newspapers and magazines. Despite her best efforts to overlook them, she chose to put aside the articles focused on Xiang Yuan, purposely placing them at the bottom.
Clearly, she still hasn’t gotten over Xiang Yuan, but since he rejected her again, she’s angry, wanting everyone to think she’s completely over him.
Shi Nian then softly remarked, "A Yuan lost the case, and the Lin Qi family will probably dismiss A Yuan... If even you aren’t going to help him, then he might really lose Hua Tai Hall."
Rosa gritted her teeth, looking back at her, "You knew! Why do you think he lost the case? He must still have feelings for you... After all, he promised my dad a lifelong commitment to protect me, like my dad did... and he didn’t keep it."
She finished speaking but was not without a tinge of sadness, considering the promise she made for Dad on his deathbed; and even more for the one who really stayed by her, in her darkest times.
Now her marriage with Xiang Yuan is over, but where is that person?
Rosa looked at her with gritted teeth, "You still care! Why do you think he lost the case? He must still be hung up on you—after all, he once promised to protect me like my dad did..."
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[Three updates today. Second update in the morning.]