Chapter 147

Zhong Zinuan’s gaze darkened.

…

Officially securing the position of heir meant that Zhong Ning had finally achieved her goal, but it didn’t mean her hardships had ended.

In fact, Zhong Ning’s life had become even more fulfilling than before.

Previously, she only had to follow Assistant Hua. Now, she had to accompany all three of the chairperson’s assistants.

It was supposed to be winter break, yet she was even busier—barely touching the ground with how much she had to run around.

When it came time for the one-week cruise that Fu Nanshuang had promised, Zhong Ning still went. Because besides the student council members, there were also several peers from the upper social circle attending, and socializing with them was still necessary.

Xie Shiqing didn’t go this time. She had company matters to deal with. Lately, for some unknown reason, even after settling the talent show situation, more issues had surfaced. An artist had deliberately concealed their relationship—despite having a public persona of being single and girlfriend-like, they were secretly dating behind the scenes. Truly a heinous crime.

The Xie Corporation wasn’t some demonic company. If they couldn’t control their urge to date, then they shouldn’t have chosen such an image-based persona in the first place. They had agreed verbally but secretly dated anyway—two-timing even—and had inappropriate relations with fans, all while hiding it from the manager.

The entire group had been dragged down by that one person, and the manager was practically going insane.

Xie Shiqing was furious too. She was in the middle of acquiring other companies, trying to attract more artists and actors, and expanding the company’s market value—only to have her efforts dragged down by this mess.

What an impressive feat!

Zhong Ning thought half-heartedly: hope she finds her own way to survive.

Then she turned and boarded Fu Nanshuang’s luxury cruise ship.

Although Fu Nanshuang’s family was somewhat complicated, it was truly harmonious. The concern from her two elders was also genuine. The previous talk of having another child had just been a joke—both of their companies were going to be left to her.

In terms of family background, aside from Xie Shiqing, she was actually the wealthiest among the younger generation.

The cruise ship was large, but it wasn’t going far—just circling around a nearby island at a leisurely pace.

There was a professional chef on board, a live band, and everything one could want in terms of food, drinks, and entertainment.

Zhong Ning was given a window-side room with a small sitting area—very spacious. After boarding, she first unpacked her luggage, sent a message to Xie Shiqing, and then felt a slight tremor.

The ship had started moving.

Zhong Ning came out onto the deck and watched as the hull broke through the waves, the white surf churning like shattered clouds. Several girls let out delighted squeals, happily snapping photos with their phones.

She had taken a cruise once before, going on a trip with a few streamers she knew. One of them was from the lifestyle category and had even filmed a vlog. They had fished on the ocean, laughed and joked together, as if happiness could last a lifetime.

“What are you thinking about?”

Fu Nanshuang walked over and bumped her with her shoulder. “You look just like that person—you know, someone walking down the street carrying a pile of grilled skewers, then suddenly slips and falls, spills the drink, dirties the food, and squats by the roadside contemplating life.”

That bump snapped Zhong Ning out of her nostalgic melancholy. No matter the world, it seemed like sarcastic friends were always the same kind of creature.

“Is there any barbecue? I want some,” Zhong Ning said.

“Yes, if you want barbecue, of course there is. I’ll tell the chef to prepare the meat now—we’ll have a barbecue tonight.”

Zhong Zinuan was also on the cruise ship. Since she had said she wanted to come, Fu Nanshuang found it hard to refuse.

That evening, everyone gathered together, eating barbecue and singing songs while drinking. The atmosphere became lively and chaotic.

Zhong Zinuan walked over and stood in front of Zhong Ning, holding a glass of wine. Her expression was calm, her smile appropriately polite, as if she had already let everything go. “I’d like to toast to you.”

“Can we talk in private?”

Zhong Ning thought about it and agreed.

They were on a cruise ship, and Zhong Zinuan indeed looked physically weak. She probably wasn’t about to pull out a knife and stab herself—that would mean she didn’t want to live either.

The two of them walked to a secluded corner with no one around. Zhong Zinuan took the initiative to speak: “You’re really impressive. I misjudged you. I didn’t expect Mother to choose you. I’m convinced.”

Zhong Ning looked straight into her eyes and said blandly, “Mother plans to give you 4% of the shares.”

Zhong Zinuan let out a short laugh. From half to 4%—was she supposed to be grateful for that?

“Do you know, I actually really hate you,” she said indifferently. “A legitimate child—what a powerful status. Just by being born, you possessed everything I ever wanted, rightfully and openly.”

“As for me, I could only be like a rat in the gutter, hoping Mother would let a little something slip through her fingers. From childhood to now, everyone thought I came from a single-parent household. I didn’t even dare to say I had a mother.”

“Mother’s existence was shameful, and I was something shameful too.”

In her pair of peach blossom eyes, an arctic wind began to stir—cold enough to pierce bone. “Tell me, how could I ever like you?”

But Zhong Ning didn’t fall into her verbal trap, truly pitying her as someone innocent or pitiful.

“None of us can choose how we’re born, but we can choose who we become. The way you turned out has nothing to do with me. I’m even a year younger than you. If you want to talk about harm, hasn’t your existence caused more pain to me?”

“The root of the problem is Mother. She was the one who cheated, breaking apart the original marriage, and leading to your birth. You never mention that she was the perpetrator—you want to play the victim, yet long to become an aggressor.”

“You don’t hate her at all. On the contrary, you want to become her—being dictatorial, controlling other people’s lives.”

Zhong Ning withdrew all expression from her face and turned to leave. “You and I truly have nothing worth saying to each other.”

“What are you pretending to be so noble for?!” Zhong Zinuan tore away her facade, her expression twisted with hatred. “You think you’re so high and mighty? Clinging to Xie Shiqing’s thigh, living off someone else—don’t tell me you really believe everything you have now came from your own effort.”

“What a joke. It’s just a business marriage. Don’t tell me you actually took it seriously!”

Zhong Ning didn’t even bother responding. Not a single glance was given as she walked away.

She had thought this person might still have some conscience left, that maybe she had truly turned over a new leaf—clearly, she had overestimated her.

Zhong Zinuan stared coldly at her back, then suddenly let out a soft laugh.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep