novelraw Chapter 72
Chapter 72
72. Vivian
"This is my older sister, Vivian."
Since both Lilian and Meng Lian were first-year students and only had time after classes ended in the afternoon, Lilian had arranged the meeting for after school in a private room at a high-end restaurant.
The private room was decorated with luxury. Crystal chandeliers cast amber halos between dark red velvet drapes. The young woman named Vivian had pale fingers resting on the rim of a gilded bone china cup. As her silver spoon stirred, two black onyx cufflinks flashed like blood in the candlelight. Her silver hair didn't have the texture of flowing moonlight, but rather resembled molten mithril cascading down, with one strand bound at her collarbone by a snake-shaped silver ring. Her pigeon-blood ruby pupils suddenly fixed in place, and the bottom of her cup struck the gold-trimmed saucer with a clear sound, startling the blue blood clan crest lurking in the shadows of her lace high collar. Her dark red velvet gown hung like solidified night, the mandala embroidered in gold thread at her waist flickering with each breath, as if an ancient curse were awakening from its slumber.
This silver-haired young woman looked very much like Lilian, essentially an enlarged version of her in every sense of the word.
Vivian had a powerful presence. Every gesture exuded noble temperament and the confidence of someone in a superior position.
In contrast, Lilian standing to the side with a silly grin looked like a dim-witted servant girl.
"Hello, I'm Meng Lian."
Meng Lian knew that Vivian was radiating her full aura to gain the upper hand in the upcoming negotiation.
"Hello. You're even more beautiful in person than in your photos."
Vivian elegantly set down her coffee cup. She glanced to the side, and Lilian immediately nodded and bowed, pulling out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe the coffee stains from the corner of Vivian's mouth.
"Thank you."
"Cough. Let's get straight to the point. You have the Charming Heart Constitution, the Sky Mirage True Demon Pupils, and you're Modu's Junior Sister. You want us to invest in you. That's not impossible, but..."
Vivian suddenly paused, and the atmosphere in the private room tensed instantly.
Vivian's slender fingers lightly tapped the table. The entire room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Meng Lian remained silent, her expression unchanged, simply watching Vivian quietly.
She knew clearly that Vivian was tempted, but the stakes weren't high enough yet.
"But why should we invest in you specifically? Your talent is certainly excellent, but you're still a newly enrolled student with no network, no connections. We could easily invest in an older student instead. That would minimize our risk."
At the end of the day, Meng Lian still seemed like she was trying to get something for nothing. A merchant like Vivian was shrewd. Trying to sweet-talk her the way she had fooled Lilian would be difficult.
Lilian looked at Vivian with some surprise. This wasn't what they had discussed last night.
But this surprise flashed by quickly, and Meng Lian caught it keenly.
Heh, still putting on an act.
Meng Lian saw through it but didn't call it out. She simply took out a business card.
Student Council Vice President, Tao Yao. Beside it was an ambiguous pink lip print.
"No connections can be developed. Isn't that why I came to you? You should recognize this Vice President, right?"
Vivian took the card, her expression turning strange.
She never expected that Meng Lian had some involvement with Tao Yao.
As a Vice President, Tao Yao had plenty of people trying to connect with her. But her special preferences had scared off quite a few of them.
Thinking of this, the way Vivian looked at Meng Lian changed into one of reverence.
The courage to climb upward at any cost. Now that was a ruthless person.
"Don't get the wrong idea. Nothing happened between us. She came looking for me."
Meng Lian saw Vivian's expression and knew she had misunderstood. Somewhat exasperated, she told Vivian what had happened last night.
Of course, she couldn't help but embellish the story. In her version, Tao Yao was a lecherous Vice President wielding great power, while Meng Lian was a pure maiden who kept her innocence intact in this corrupt world.
After listening, Vivian knew there was plenty of exaggeration in the story. But one thing was probably true. With some effort, Meng Lian might actually be able to establish a connection with Tao Yao.
"So now it's up to you. Invest in me, and I can cater to Vice President Tao Yao's preferences to build a good relationship with her. That increases the chances of getting into the Student Council even more."
After all, if everyone's grades were similar, who would you choose? A new student with no background, or a new student with connections to the Vice President? The answer was obvious.
Fairness might be lacking, but that was reality. Talented people were everywhere. If you wouldn't do it, plenty of others would.
Meng Lian had learned this lesson through blood and sacrifice back in the Alliance. Sigh, too many tears to speak of.
"Sis..."
By now, Lilian was completely sold on the idea. She looked at Vivian with pleading eyes, hoping to finalize the deal soon.
If Meng Lian really got into the Student Council, even without reaching the upper ranks, she could still leak information to them. They wouldn't have to conduct business while hiding everywhere like they did now.
Vivian was tempted too, but she also knew the most important part was coming next.
"If you can really establish a connection with Vice President Tao Yao, then it's not impossible..."
Hearing this, the corners of Meng Lian's mouth curled up slightly. The deal was done.
What followed was hammering out details concerning both parties' interests. Meng Lian and Vivian remained tense throughout, each fighting for their own benefit.
In the end, the details were settled. Vivian would provide full funding. Anything related to the Student Council, no matter the amount, Vivian would cover. Of course, Meng Lian had to enter the Student Council within one year, and after entering, she had to protect Lilian until graduation.
Both sides were satisfied with this outcome. Although one year was short, with sufficient funds, Meng Lian could develop multiple connections. After all, pinning all her hopes on Tao Yao alone wasn't her style.
"Junior Sister Meng Lian, pleasant cooperation."
"Pleasant cooperation."
They shook hands with smiles on their faces. Watching them, Lilian felt confused as she struggled to stay awake.
Why did Meng Lian and her sister's smiles look so creepy?
"I'll be leaving first then. Bye."
"Bye."
Meng Lian left first. Vivian watched her beautiful figure disappear before closing the private room door. At that moment, she could no longer maintain her composure. She flopped onto the sofa like a salted fish, completely different from her elegant and noble appearance earlier.
"I'm exhausted. Where did you find those noble lady etiquette rules? Trying to tire your sister to death? Come give me a massage."
Vivian rubbed her sore shoulders. Lilian scampered over eagerly and massaged Vivian's calves with just the right pressure, drawing a comfortable moan from her sister.
"It was for the negotiation. We couldn't lose face. Besides, didn't you see Meng Lian's demeanor? Definitely some rich family's young lady. Those ladies care most about etiquette. If we didn't pay attention to that, we'd leave a bad impression. But look, the result was good, wasn't it?"
"That's true. Finally got a young lady, and from the Illusion Academy too. We couldn't miss this opportunity. But that coffee was seriously bitter. Do you think those noble ladies are sick? Why drink such bitter coffee?"
Vivian and Lilian came from a slum on some planet. In their impression, young ladies all drank coffee and ate little cakes. They assumed Meng Lian was one too, which was why they put on that whole act.
"Hmph, sis, you don't understand. Coffee has to be bitter to show the bitter fate of those young ladies trapped in their rooms, wanting freedom but never getting it."
Lilian wore a knowing expression that completely fooled Vivian.
"I don't get it. I still think coffee isn't as good as sweet milk. Though adding some blood from an eighteen-year-old girl would make it even better."
……
"Whoa, bitter, bitter, bitter!"
As soon as she walked out of the private room, Meng Lian looked back and saw the door tightly closed. She couldn't hold back anymore. She stuck out her tongue, her small face wrinkling from the bitterness.
No wonder she's a noble lady. Drinking such bitter coffee without changing expression.
Vivian's noble etiquette was as standard as what they taught online. Meng Lian was convinced Vivian and Lilian were noble ladies from some family.
As for Lilian being so silly, well, having a beautiful and elegant sister and a silly younger sister was completely reasonable.
"My my, who have I run into? A golden little sparrow. My luck is so good."
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind her. Meng Lian turned around and saw an unexpected figure.