Chapter 4: Impersonation

After thanking Uncle Zhao, Lu Qiqi rose to leave, her heart weighed down with an unusual heaviness.

She understood that breaking free from the Si family’s control would not be easy, yet she had not expected to fail before even making a move.

Very well, she would make other plans.

“Second Master, you really hurt me last night,” came a coquettish yet slightly endearing voice, causing Lu Qiqi to pause and glance sideways. There, she saw a graceful woman gently tugging at Chu Linchen’s sleeve, her bright eyes sparkling with life.

Chu Linchen’s face remained stern and impassive as he casually shrugged off the woman’s hand and turned to Assistant Chen. “Are you sure it was her?”

Assistant Chen nodded with certainty, handing over a photo. “I checked the surveillance footage; it was indeed Miss Qin.”

“Arrange everything concerning Miss Qin for now,” Chu Linchen said, lips pressed tightly together, his deep eyes betraying no emotion. With that, he left without looking back.

Perhaps displeased by Lu Qiqi’s eavesdropping from the corner, he cast her a cold, dissatisfied glance.

Sensing the man’s hostility, Lu Qiqi smirked and turned away.

She had no interest in such scandalous gossip; it was merely a coincidence.

Approaching the car, she saw Shen Manli waiting inside. With a hint of coldness, she slid back into the driver’s seat.

“So, Qiqi, how did the collaboration talks go?” Shen Manli asked, leaning forward anxiously. It was the first time she had been left behind in the car, missing the project negotiation.

Lu Qiqi gently turned the key, her gaze briefly sweeping over Shen Manli’s worried face before a faint smile played at her lips. “Not bad.”

“Qiqi—”

“Hey? Why isn’t the car starting? Manli, could you get out and check?”

Shen Manli had been about to pry further into the project details but was cut off by Lu Qiqi.

“Alright,” Shen Manli said with some frustration but still opened the door. Furrowing her brow, she bent down to inspect the tires and undercarriage, her annoyance barely held in check.

Just as she focused downward, the roar of an engine suddenly broke through the silence, followed by the screech of tires against pavement.

Startled, she looked up to see the car shooting out of the parking spot like an arrow released from a bow, leaving only exhaust fumes behind as proof it had just been there.

Frozen in place, Shen Manli’s eyes filled with venomous resentment.

“Lu Qiqi, mark my words, I will ruin you! I’ll make you wish you were dead!”

Through the rearview mirror, Lu Qiqi watched Shen Manli’s figure grow smaller and smaller, a trace of satisfaction hidden beneath her calm smile.

...

Driving swiftly, Lu Qiqi arrived at the Si residence. With a sharp brake, the screech of tires cut through the household’s quiet.

She stepped out with a cold, resolute expression, her stride firm and unyielding.

No sooner had she entered than Fang Lehong greeted her, her face pale and eyes flickering with subtle calculation. “Qiqi, you’re back. Mom isn’t feeling well today. Could you stay home with me for a couple of days?”

She gently tugged at Lu Qiqi’s hand, her gaze full of warmth.

Had Lu Qiqi not known the true nature of Fang Lehong and Si Qinyu, she would have gladly agreed to such a small request. But now, it was impossible.

“Mom, if you’re unwell, you should see a doctor soon. Don’t delay. I happen to know a good physician; I’ll help you make an appointment,” Lu Qiqi said smoothly, withdrawing her hand with a faint, cold smile.

Feigning concern, she pulled out her phone from her bag.

At that moment, Si Qinyu descended the stairs, his gaze softening as it landed on Lu Qiqi. He parted his thin lips and said gently, “Qiqi, since Mom isn’t feeling well, why don’t you accompany her to the hospital? It would put my mind at ease.”

His tone was warm yet firm, as if this arrangement were natural and reasonable.

Lu Qiqi’s eyes flickered with a hidden smile. Just as she was about to refuse, Fang Lehong feigned weakness, coughing lightly and looking at her with hopeful eyes. “Yes, Qiqi, if you stay with Mom, I’ll feel better.”

Their scheming and pretense only deepened the chill in Lu Qiqi’s heart. “Then why not have Qinyu come along as well? We can all stay with Mom. If anything happens, someone should be there to take charge.”

“Oh, no need for both of you to go. Qinyu is quite busy; it’s enough if Qiqi stays with me,” Fang Lehong said, clearly feigning illness but unwilling to waste her precious son’s time, promptly refusing.

“Qiqi, the choice is yours; I trust you,” Si Qinyu echoed, his gentle expression full of apparent affection.

Lu Qiqi’s gaze deepened, calculating the motives behind Si Qinyu’s words. Slowly, a smile spread across her face as she agreed readily, “Alright, since both Mom and Qinyu think so, I’ll accompany Mom to the hospital. But Qinyu, when you have time, you should spend more with Mom. No matter how busy work is, family can’t be neglected.”

She linked arms with Fang Lehong in feigned intimacy and winked. “Mom, don’t you think I’m right?”

“Yes, yes!” Fang Lehong replied eagerly.

Si Qinyu smiled softly, a mysterious glint in his eyes as if pleased with Lu Qiqi’s compliance.

Just then, his phone rang, the ringtone abruptly shattering the delicate atmosphere in the spacious living room.

He apologized with a glance, nodded slightly, and answered.

Standing tall in the light, his deep, magnetic voice carried clearly through the air. “Hello? Who is this? Hmm, I understand. I’ll handle it immediately.”

Gradually, an anxious expression crept across his brow as he occasionally glanced at Lu Qiqi and Fang Lehong, a subtle worry flickering in his eyes.

Though fleeting, Lu Qiqi caught it. If her guess was right, the call was from Shen Manli, who had just been left behind.

June’s weather was fickle; it looked like rain was coming. Shen Manli had left the car without anything and probably borrowed a passerby’s phone to call Si Qinyu.

“There’s an urgent matter at the company. I have to deal with it right away. Mom, Qiqi, you should go to the hospital first,” Si Qinyu said.

Lu Qiqi was still pondering what excuse he would make to meet his mistress, but this was surprisingly direct.

There was no way she would let him get away with it that day.

“Qinyu, what kind of problem is it? Is it serious? Do you need any help? If not, you can stay with Mom, and I’ll handle things at the company,” Lu Qiqi said earnestly.

Si Qinyu hesitated, caught off guard by her offer.

“What’s going on? Is it that serious?” Lu Qiqi frowned, her tone grave and anxious.