Chapter 566: Chapter 273: A Slap

This was also the first time Ma Zifan had ever proactively shared details about his company with someone he’d just met.

He really wanted to befriend Lin Shen; he just had a feeling that this young man was destined for success.

Lin Shen, too, was touched by Ma Zifan’s sincerity and thought he might be a good person to befriend.

And so, despite it being the first day they met, the two of them chatted and laughed like old friends who had known each other for years, letting down the guard they typically held up for strangers.

Watching from a short distance away, Zhao Jianing couldn’t help but sigh internally.

’Male friendships are so strange.’

’Just an hour ago, they were wary and suspicious of each other, but after a bit of conversation, they’re acting like best buds.’

’Could you call this "partners in crime"?’

Zhao Jianing shook her head with a faint smile, then suddenly felt a tug on her sleeve.

She turned to see Zheng Yanfei looking helpless, as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

She looked like a guilty child hoping for her parents’ forgiveness, her expression filled with self-reproach.

The sight tugged at Zhao Jianing’s heart. She smiled and linked her arm with Zheng Yanfei’s.

"Is something wrong?"

"Um... about Shen’s relationship problems... what I did was wrong."

Having learned that Zhao Jianing was Qin Yuenan’s best friend, Zheng Yanfei’s confidence instantly deflated.

After all, she wasn’t ready for a direct confrontation with Qin Yuenan just yet.

If Qin Yuenan came looking for her, word would probably spread all over school that she was a rich guy’s mistress.

Thus, Zheng Yanfei hoped Zhao Jianing wouldn’t tell anyone. She took the initiative to admit her mistake and pleaded.

"Can you please not tell Shen’s girlfriend about this?"

"Why? Give me a reason."

Though Zhao Jianing appeared friendly, she was actually quite indignant on her best friend’s behalf.

After all, Qin Yuenan was so good to Lin Shen. Not only did she tolerate his womanizing, but she even quit her job—which paid a million a year—to help him manage his startup.

Only the people involved could truly understand the hardships and troubles that came with it.

But not only did Qin Yuenan never complain, she poured even more energy and effort into it than when she was working at Pet Guardian Home.

As her best friend, Zhao Jianing saw all of her efforts and naturally felt sorry that she had no personal life.

And what did Lin Shen do? He happily brought his mistress to a car club meet-up, acting as if nothing was wrong.

This made Zhao Jianing feel that her friend’s sacrifices were being disrespected, so she directed her anger at Zheng Yanfei.

"Right now, you’re my best friend’s rival—or to put it bluntly, her man’s mistress. You’re asking me to help you keep this a secret? How could I ever face my best friend if I did that?"

"Well..."

Zheng Yanfei knew perfectly well that what she was doing was wrong.

But what could she do? She’d fallen for Lin Shen.

So, Zheng Yanfei could only play the victim in front of Zhao Jianing, lowering her head and putting on a pitiful, damsel-in-distress act.

"Actually, this is all my fault. It has nothing to do with Shen. I’m the one who fell for him, even knowing he already had a girlfriend."

"But I really can’t control my feelings for him. Can you please give me some time to sort things out?"

"Once I’ve figured things out, I’ll take the initiative to talk to your friend about this. Even if she hits me then, I’ll accept it."

"My best friend isn’t a violent person."

Zhao Jianing snorted. Seeing that Zheng Yanfei wasn’t trying to push her luck and was even speaking about Qin Yuenan with respect, her anger subsided considerably.

’At least, for a mistress, she has some self-awareness.’

Seeing that Zheng Yanfei was still young and seemed to realize her mistake, Zhao Jianing couldn’t help but sigh softly.

"So have you thought about what happens next? Do you think you can replace my friend and take her place at Lin Shen’s side?"

"No, no, no!"

Zheng Yanfei quickly waved her hands and shook her head in denial.

"I never thought I could become Shen’s official girlfriend. Just being by his side is enough to make me happy."

"Of course, if I have to leave him, I can accept that too..."

Seeing Zheng Yanfei once again put on her pitiful, victim-like act, Zhao Jianing felt as if she were the bad guy.

’Wait a minute!’

’I’m on the moral high ground here, so why do I feel like I shouldn’t be doing this?’

’It seems I really don’t need to meddle too much in other people’s relationships. Nannan has her own thoughts. All I can do is protect her from getting hurt.’

After some thought, Zhao Jianing glanced at Zheng Yanfei and suddenly realized the girl was quite calculating.

’Her "green tea" skills are definitely top-tier!’

’She knows she’s in the wrong, so she’s deliberately humbling herself to win pity.’

And on top of that, her appearance was genuinely the kind that inspired compassion.

In the end, with Zheng Yanfei taking the initiative to admit her fault, Zhao Jianing didn’t feel right saying much more. Instead, she adopted a detached, indifferent attitude.

"That’s up to you. But if you dare to ruin the relationship between my friend and Lin Shen, I’ll definitely be the first one to come after you!"

"And don’t blame me for getting rough with you then... SMACK!"

Before Zhao Jianing could finish, Zheng Yanfei suddenly grabbed her hand and used it to slap herself hard across the cheek.

The force of the motion was so great that it startled even Zhao Jianing.

She could even feel the reactive force from the blow. It was so powerful that it instantly left a red, five-fingered handprint on Zheng Yanfei’s delicate cheek.

"What are you doing?"

Zhao Jianing snatched her hand back from Zheng Yanfei’s grasp. The resentment and anger in her heart suddenly gave way to a strange panic.

She stole a glance at Lin Shen in the distance and saw he was still chatting with Ma Zifan. She let out a small sigh of relief, then asked in confusion.

"Why did you hit yourself? Is this some kind of guilt trip?"

"I deserved that."

Zheng Yanfei’s expression was as serene as ever, but the sight of her bright red cheek paired with her sweet smile was somehow heartbreaking.

"When you do something wrong, you should be punished."

"It’s not serious enough for me to hit you. I was just trying to scare you earlier..."

Zhao Jianing was truly stunned.

She had only wanted to intimidate Zheng Yanfei a little, to give her a warning so she wouldn’t get any funny ideas about Lin Shen and ruin his relationship with Qin Yuenan.

She didn’t actually hate Zheng Yanfei that much.

But then, the girl went and slapped herself. It made Zhao Jianing feel like she was the villain, and she could no longer muster any animosity toward her.

’She’s already gone this far. What more can I do to her?’

’If I actually force her to leave Lin Shen, someone with her personality might do something even more extreme.’

After a moment of thought, Zhao Jianing quickly reached out to rub Zheng Yanfei’s reddened cheek and asked with concern.

"Does it hurt?"

"It doesn’t hurt."

Zheng Yanfei pressed her cheek into Zhao Jianing’s palm and said with a cheerful grin.

"Thank you for your concern, Jianing."

"..."

Zhao Jianing was silent for a moment, then said faintly.

"I won’t get involved in what’s between you and Lin Shen anymore."

"Hehe."

Zheng Yanfei giggled, then asked curiously.

"Jianing, what does Shen’s official girlfriend look like?"

"You two haven’t met?"

"How could we have met..."

’That’s true.’

’If they had, things probably wouldn’t have played out like this today.’

Zhao Jianing thought for a moment, then took out her phone and showed Zheng Yanfei a photo of herself with Qin Yuenan.

In the picture, Qin Yuenan was wearing a black evening gown, looking coolly beautiful with a graceful and statuesque figure.

Zheng Yanfei was stunned when she saw it.

"Wow, she’s so beautiful! Is that Shen’s official girlfriend, Qin Yuenan?"

"Yep. Pretty, right?"

Every time she showed someone a picture of the stunning Qin Yuenan, a sense of pride would swell in Zhao Jianing’s heart as her best friend.

"Now you see how tough your competition is, right?"

"Yeah, I can’t compare to her at all."

Zheng Yanfei appeared submissive, but inwardly, her mind was already racing.

’Based on her appearance, Shen’s official girlfriend is probably the "cold on the outside, warm on the inside" type.’

’Maybe if I use the same "pity play" on her—acting weak and putting her on a pedestal—she won’t make a fuss either.’

’Now I have what it takes to stay by Shen’s side!’

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