Chapter 27: My Foul Language

F Club

Su Muxue slipped away to touch up her makeup, mindful that Si Haochen had said he was coming.

She had always been supremely confident in her appearance, believing that Yun Chuxia, a mere stand-in, could never stir up any trouble. Yet, seeing her today, her heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Yun Chuxia sat quietly in the corner, yet she possessed an allure that drew the eye; compared to the other colleagues, it was as if she existed in a polished, ethereal layer all her own. Su Muxue recalled the few times she had initiated a kiss, only for Si Haochen to stop at the lightest touch—could it be that men preferred the vixen type? As these thoughts swirled, she applied her makeup with a heavier hand than intended.

A wave of cloying perfume wafted over. Lu Yao glanced up, observing Su Muxue as she returned from her touch-up. With her naturally delicate and fair features, the heavy application of bright red lipstick looked jarring, overpowering her refined face and making the overall look appear discordant and mismatched.

Lu Yao followed Su Muxue’s gaze toward Yun Chuxia, who was absorbed in shelling peanuts. A faint, barely audible laugh escaped her lips, and she couldn't resist walking over.

"Are those peanuts that good?"

Yun Chuxia was content in her own world. "I just want to keep my mouth busy so I don't start swearing."

Lu Yao understood the implication. In the workplace, being the subject of ridicule or laughing at others was commonplace. Moreover, as someone who would eventually be in front of the camera, Yun Chuxia would likely face even more unwarranted scrutiny. "Does it bother you that much?"

Yun Chuxia’s slender, pale fingers moved gracefully, cracking a peanut with an elegant flourish. "I just want to survive."

***

Su Muxue watched Lu Yao and Yun Chuxia chatting and laughing, her gaze turning icy. Si Haochen and Lu Yao were supposed to be orbiting around her. Yun Chuxia was nothing but a stand-in—how dare she! Su Muxue withdrew her gaze and resumed her facade of a polite smile, exchanging pleasantries with those around her. She had encountered someone in the restroom earlier who was far better suited to deal with Yun Chuxia.

A flicker of text appeared in the air: [Hey, supporting character, stop eating and pay attention; your unlucky sister has arrived.]
[Is she on the protagonist’s side?]
[Sort of. She hates the supporting character; as long as the supporting character is unhappy, she is happy.]

Yun Qingqing?

Yun Chuxia crunched down on a peanut, pulverizing it. So what?

Accompanied by a coquettish laugh, the private room door swung open, and Yun Qingqing swept in, clad in a tight-fitting red dress. She had been annoyed enough after failing to find Si Yuchuan, and upon hearing that Yun Chuxia was here, she decided to stir up some trouble.

"Sister, so this is where you’ve been hiding," Yun Qingqing said, feigning surprise. "You haven't come home in days; Mom and Dad have been worried sick." She stepped closer. "You don't have any money or a place to stay—where have you been sleeping all this time?"

The room fell silent, expressions shifting. Most wore looks of mockery, eager to see how this would play out. A beautiful woman without money, mysteriously staying out all night—everyone had already concocted their own scandalous theories.

***

Yun Qingqing lowered her voice just enough for everyone in the room to hear. "You can't just sleep with anyone you come across!"

The moment the words left her lips, the gazes directed at Yun Chuxia turned to pure disdain. So, she was someone who used her body to climb the ladder; no wonder she had been competing for resources with the daughter of the Su family the moment she arrived. And since this came directly from her own sister’s mouth, it carried significant weight.

The corners of Su Muxue’s lips curled upward. Truly, a perfect blade.

Yun Chuxia’s makeup artist wanted to speak up in her defense, but Su Muxue held her back, shaking her head. "This is a family matter."

She then added in a soft, gentle tone, "I heard your family is currently negotiating a marriage with Mr. Cui. Is that true?"

The round-faced girl beside Su Muxue immediately chimed in, "Mr. Cui? You don't mean the one who’s been married four times?"

Working in this industry, they were all well-versed in the gossip of the circle, and some had even interviewed the man himself. Cui Jin was notorious for being a lecher—an ugly, balding man who couldn't keep his hands off young, pretty reporters even in public. It was repulsive just to think about.

Could it be that Yun Chuxia had spent these past few days sleeping with him?