The Art of Teasing - Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Qi Wei was exceptionally beautiful and possessed a witty, charming personality; wherever she went, she inevitably drew attention.

Standing beside Qi Wei, Wen Zhengyu faced the gazes cast their way and wished she could distance herself as far as possible from Qi Wei. Yet Qi Wei, as if completely oblivious, kept piling food onto her plate. Zhengyu didn't know if Qi Wei had caught something contagious from Lian Xin, developing that same affliction of restless hands, because she kept tousling her hair. Such an intimate gesture was inappropriate for Qi Wei to make even if they weren't in full view of the public.

She said to Qi Wei, "Sister Weiwei, don't touch my head."

Qi Wei cast her a sidelong glance, amusement flickering in her eyes. "And who is allowed to touch it? Lian Xin is your brother, so I'm not your sister?"

Wen Zhengyu found herself utterly unable to refute this and silently buried her head, eating the food on her plate. After two seconds, she changed the subject. "Cen Lang is older than Cen Xun. Why would you say she's your younger sister?"

Qi Wei gave Wen Zhengyu a long, meaningful look, her smile turning especially mischievous. "Guess."

Wen Zhengyu couldn't guess.

A woman approached, intimately wrapping an arm around Qi Wei's waist. "Wei'er, who is this little beauty?"

Qi Wei lightly swatted the hand resting on her waist. "A woman's waist is not to be touched. This sister here is as straight as an arrow—don't go entertaining any delusions of bending me."

The woman called out, "Miss Straight-as-an-Arrow Wei'er, my brother is looking for you."

Following the woman's gesture, Wen Zhengyu looked over and saw a man around thirty years old greeting Qi Wei from beside a seat. Several others were nearby, seemingly seated there discussing matters.

Qi Wei swept the woman with an unreadable half-smile, then said to Wen Zhengyu, "I have something to attend to. I'll go over for a moment."

Wen Zhengyu breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "Go ahead."

Qi Wei said to the woman, "Help me look after my family's little one."

The woman was slightly taken aback. "Your family's?" She immediately added with a smile, "First time we've met."

Qi Wei gave her a look of profound amusement. "Cen Xun sent you, didn't she."

The woman said, "You're just too clever. Cen Xun said she has a few words she'd like to say to her."

Qi Wei turned to Wen Zhengyu. "It's up to you."

Wen Zhengyu gave a small nod. She set down her plate, wiped her mouth clean with a napkin, then used a wet wipe to clean her hands. Only then did she follow the woman away.

The woman led her out of the main hall and up to the second floor. She pushed open the door to a room from which the faint strains of a piano melody drifted, and gestured for her to enter.

Wen Zhengyu stepped inside and saw Cen Xun seated at the piano, playing. The soft, unhurried music flowed through the room.

The door closed behind her, cutting off the clamor from downstairs.

Wen Zhengyu found a seat and listened to Cen Xun play the piano. Setting aside how Cen Xun's overly domineering personality made people uncomfortable, her piano playing was truly excellent. A thought struck her as slightly odd—it wasn't Ye Ling who had come, so what was the meaning behind Cen Xun playing the piano for her to hear?

When the piece ended, Cen Xun finally spoke. "This was Xiao Yezi's favorite piece to play."

Wen Zhengyu was very surprised. Ye Ling actually knew how to play the piano. She thought of Ye Ling's beautiful hands—they truly did look like a pianist's hands.

Cen Xun was silent for a few seconds before continuing in a measured voice. "Someone came to kill her. I pushed her aside, tried to stop the person who'd come for her life. That person came at me with a knife. She rushed forward, grabbed the blade. Her tendons and hand ligaments were damaged. It was repaired, doesn't affect daily life, but she can never play the piano again."

"By then, we had already broken up. We hadn't seen each other for two years."

"All these years, she hasn't found anyone else. Neither have I."

Wen Zhengyu wasn't sure whether Cen Xun meant that neither had found another partner, or that neither had sought each other out. She also didn't understand what Cen Xun intended by summoning her here.

Cen Xun turned around and looked at Wen Zhengyu. "When we first met, she was only eighteen. A silent, stubborn, fiercely driven girl. She was just a freshman then; I was still in graduate school. The dorms turned the lights out early, so she would take her books and hide under the campus streetlamps to study, for the sake of the scholarship. She needed money, badly needed money."

"We were together for about four years, I suppose. From freshman year to senior year. It ended with us fighting viciously, each leaving drenched in blood. I supported her. I taught her step by step, let her practice on company business. She took on her own projects, worked independently, used the money I gave her to live on, plus what her brother lent her, to compete against me. While I was asleep, she got into my computer…"

"In the end, I couldn't bear it. Couldn't bear to watch the very first business venture of her life go under like that. Couldn't bear it…" Cen Xun paused. "Couldn't bear to watch that expression on her face as she gave it everything she had, casting aside all caution, staking everything she possessed…"

"I made her choose. Choose me, or choose her career. She chose her career."

"The company division I managed lost two hundred million because of that project. I was transferred back to Beijing. My family sidelined me for three years. The family business is now run by my paternal cousin, Cen Lang."

"But I have never regretted it. She wanted a career; I helped her achieve it. Her life experience determined that only having a career could give her a sense of security."

"I'm very curious. What is it about you that could touch her, that could make her, after remaining single for so many years, choose you." Cen Xun's gaze flicked briefly over the jewelry Wen Zhengyu wore before moving away. "I heard that for your sake, she and your cousin beat up Zhao Si."

Wen Zhengyu still couldn't quite grasp what Cen Xun wanted from her.

Cen Xun fixed her gaze on Wen Zhengyu, but she couldn't detect any expression or emotion on Wen Zhengyu's face. She gestured toward the door. "I've said my piece. Take care."

Wen Zhengyu gave a slight nod and stood up. She walked to the door, her hand resting on the handle, then turned back toward Cen Xun, puzzled. "You said you supported her—do you mean you gave Ye Ling money to spend?"

Cen Xun nodded gently. "I gave her a monthly allowance of one hundred thousand for living expenses."

Sudden understanding dawned on Wen Zhengyu. So that's what Cen Xun meant—that Ye Ling used to be kept by her, and later, once Ye Ling's wings were strong enough, she sold Cen Xun out for the sake of her own career. It immediately became clear. "No wonder you two ended up fighting," she said.

Cen Xun asked, "What?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "She says you were her ex. You say she was a mistress you kept." She studied Cen Xun with genuine curiosity. "Ye Ling didn't try to stab you?" As soon as she asked, she saw Cen Xun's expression stiffen. Just as I thought. Ye Ling would certainly have been furious enough to grab a knife. No wonder she'd refused to see Cen Xun for so many years.

Wen Shiyi had kept a great many women. She had never seen a single one of those women take Wen Shiyi's money and still strive diligently, racking her brains to earn her own money. They all wheedled and coaxed Wen Shiyi for whatever they wanted. A little coquetry, and houses, cars, luxury goods—everything was theirs. A hundred thousand and one imagined one was keeping someone? A single handbag cost more than a hundred thousand. It wasn't even enough to make one evening gown. If you said Ye Ling was some unworldly, impoverished, vain creature—well, she didn't even know Ye Ling, so perhaps she might believe it a little. But however poor Ye Ling was, however little regard her family held her in, her family background was what it was, and she had a fairly accomplished brother. A hundred thousand and Cen Xun thought she had kept Ye Ling?

She guessed that at the time, Ye Ling had probably wanted to throw the money right in Cen Xun's face.

Wen Zhengyu suddenly understood why, back when she had been so destitute, except for that one time she'd asked Ye Ling for a loan, Ye Ling had never once brought up the subject of money with her. She'd always gone around in circles, seeking ways to help through mutually beneficial cooperation.

She said to Cen Xun, "In the future, don't say you kept Ye Ling for a hundred thousand a month. She can't afford that kind of humiliation." Afraid she wasn't being clear enough, she added, "If you must insist you kept Ye Ling, pad the number with one or two more zeros when you tell the story. If you feel you spent money and came out the loser, tally up those years of cohabitation expenses between you and Ye Ling. I'll include inflation and interest and pay you in full. As for your business losses, on that I can only say I'm helpless. The marketplace is a battlefield; every cent must be accounted for. You yourself blurred the lines between feelings and business—that loss is yours to bear." She had no business card on her. Glancing around the room, she spotted paper and pen nearby, wrote down her mobile number, and placed it on the piano beside Cen Xun. "This is my phone number. Calculate your cohabitation expenses and call me."

Cen Xun shot to her feet, voice rising in fury. "Is there something wrong with your brain! Do I need you to pay!"

Wen Zhengyu nodded. "I apologize. I overstepped. I'll notify Ye Ling and have her return the money to you." Aware of Cen Xun's violent tendencies—this was the woman who had split Ye Ling's forehead open—she quietly retreated two steps at the sight of Cen Xun's rage, watching her warily as she edged toward the door.

Cen Xun sneered. "The door is locked."

Wen Zhengyu decisively circled around to the far side of the piano, placing the instrument squarely between herself and Cen Xun.

Cen Xun glanced at Wen Zhengyu and let a dismissive word drift out. "Impressive." She sat back down at the piano. "She has some brains, not someone who can be manipulated by a few words. Xiao Yezi's eyes aren't completely blind." She said to Wen Zhengyu, "Come here. I won't eat you."

Wen Zhengyu shook her head. "You left a scar on Ye Ling's forehead."

Cen Xun's expression went rigid. Grinding her teeth, she snapped, "She scratched me so badly I had to go to Korea for scar removal! My entire face was clawed to shreds."

Wen Zhengyu asked, "Why did you call me here?"

Cen Xun said, "Isn't it obvious? To break you two up! You dare to eat the food from my pot!"

Wen Zhengyu was deeply confused. "Do you still like Ye Ling?" she asked.

Cen Xun laughed coldly. "What did you think I called you here for? For fun?"

Wen Zhengyu nodded. You do seem to have too much time on your hands.

Cen Xun seized the water glass beside her and hurled it at Wen Zhengyu.

Wen Zhengyu had been on guard and dodged to the side. She had never been in a physical altercation like this before; her heart instantly hammered wildly, her face drawn tight with tension. "If you use violence again," she warned, "I'll call for help."

The corner of Cen Xun's mouth curled. "Go ahead, scream. Scream your head off—no one will pay you any attention."

She's mentally ill, Wen Zhengyu thought. The realization sent a jolt through her. Could Cen Xun actually have a mental disorder? Mentally ill people weren't held legally responsible for hitting people. She'd just get beaten for nothing. "What do you want?" she asked. Though deeply nervous, she still forced herself to control her voice, determined not to let Cen Xun detect anything amiss.

Cen Xun didn't answer the question. Her eyes fixed on Wen Zhengyu with malicious intent. "What do you think?" she countered.

Wen Zhengyu watched Cen Xun warily. Definitely mentally ill. She pressed the unlock button on her phone, lowering her head to pull up Wen Jing's number, when she heard Cen Xun say, "Do you think the Cen family's security is just for show? Do you imagine your bodyguard can get in from outside? As for Qi Wei, she's been detained. I imagine her phone isn't in her possession anymore either."

As Cen Xun spoke, her gaze swept insidiously over Wen Zhengyu. "If I were you, I wouldn't have gone alone to meet a romantic rival."

Wen Zhengyu asked, bewildered, "What exactly do you want?"

Cen Xun tossed her a flirtatious glance. "Guess?"

Wen Zhengyu shook her head. She had no intention of guessing how a lunatic's mind worked.

Cen Xun sat there, her eyes boring aggressively into Wen Zhengyu, her expression dark and unreadable.

Wen Zhengyu maintained a safe distance and lowered her head to dial Qi Wei's number. The moment her head dropped, she registered movement from Cen Xun. Looking up, she saw Cen Xun holding a ceramic coaster, poised as if to hurl it the instant she made the call.

Eyeing Cen Xun warily, she proceeded to dial the number. The coaster came flying. Wen Zhengyu tried to dodge, but somehow moved a beat too slow. The coaster struck her on the head…

The coaster hit Wen Zhengyu's head, then dropped onto the carpet.

Cen Xun was stunned too. Is she stupid? She saw me throw it—why didn't she dodge?

She stared blankly at Wen Zhengyu and saw the girl sway slightly before collapsing. She walked over, nudged Wen Zhengyu with her foot. "Hey?" No movement. She brushed aside the hair over Wen Zhengyu's forehead and saw a red mark blooming there. She'd actually been knocked unconscious.

She turned her head to look at the coaster beside her. The coaster was perfectly intact; Wen Zhengyu had actually passed out.

Cen Xun was speechless.

Tsk tsk!

This fool!

If Ye Ling was willing to be with Wen Zhengyu after all that had happened, her family would have to reconsider the situation very carefully.

Cen Xun unhurriedly took a photo of Wen Zhengyu, sent it to Ye Ling's email, and attached a message: "Just now, had a little game of throwing things with your family's kid. She failed the evasion round and passed out."

Very quickly, Ye Ling's call came through. Cen Xun answered. "I thought you'd never call me again in this lifetime."

Ye Ling's low, measured voice came through the line. "Take her to the hospital immediately."

Cen Xun laughed. "You say take her, so I should take her?"

Ye Ling said, "You should know she was just discharged after being beaten into a concussion."

Cen Xun said, "I didn't know."

Ye Ling hung up directly.

Cen Xun crouched beside Wen Zhengyu, looking at her unconscious form. She sighed softly. "You really are too fragile." She called for an ambulance, then called Qi Wei: "Let me tell you something. I was teasing your family's kid just now. The joking went too far. I didn't count on her being this dense…"

A terrible premonition seized Qi Wei. "What did you do? Where is she?"

"Upstairs, the piano room. She passed out."

The words had barely left her mouth when she heard the sound of the door opening. That was fast, she thought. She turned and saw someone dressed like a bodyguard push through the doorway. She was about to ask who he was when the man lunged forward in a single bound. Before Cen Xun could react to the sight of Wen Zhengyu on the floor, his hand clamped around her throat. A pair of murderous eyes pinned her with terrifying intensity. Cen Xun felt her neck was about to snap—then he suddenly shoved her away, sending her slamming hard against the wall.

Cen Xun, coughing violently, retreated to the edge of the room. It was a long while before she caught her breath. She could see it clearly now—the look in that man's eyes truly meant to kill.

Zhuo Yao pushed Cen Xun aside and first checked Wen Zhengyu's breathing, then examined her for injuries.

He had been following her the entire time, hidden in the adjacent room. If she had only called out, he would have heard her! There had been no sound from the room at all—not until Ye Ling had called him.

Cen Xun immediately understood. This man must be Wen Zhengyu's personal bodyguard. With so many guests here today, bodyguards were not permitted inside. The courtyard parking had long since filled to capacity, and since Wen Zhengyu had arrived late, her car had been parked outside as well. How had this bodyguard gotten in?

Cen Xun also understood that this bodyguard was no ordinary man, so she stood silently in the corner.

Qi Wei rushed in, flustered and frantic. When she saw Cen Xun, she demanded, "Where is Yu'er?"

Cen Xun gestured toward the space behind the piano.

Qi Wei rushed over and saw Wen Zhengyu collapsed on the floor. Fury erupted instantly. "Cen! What the hell do you mean by this?" she screamed. She urgently dialed for an ambulance, then asked Zhuo Yao, "How is she?"

Zhuo Yao said, "Injured her forehead." Finding no other wounds on Wen Zhengyu's body, he lifted her up and carried her out.

The people who had been discussing business with Qi Wei arrived, having received the call. Taking in the scene before them, they all exchanged bewildered looks.

When Cen Lang arrived, she saw Zhuo Yao carrying Wen Zhengyu away. She entered the room and asked, "What happened here?"

Cen Xun shrugged. "Joking went too far. Knocked her unconscious."

Cen Lang glared fiercely at Cen Xun. She immediately ordered her brother to help attend to the guests while she herself hurried after Qi Wei, accompanying her to the hospital.

Cen Lang, seeing that Qi Wei's complexion was terrible and the hand gripping her phone was trembling, said, "Go with her to the hospital first. Whatever happens, I'll take responsibility." As she spoke, she saw Qi Wei turn to look at her, a rare, fierce sharpness in her eyes.

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