Chapter 414: Chapter 414

Because of Zuo Yuqing’s presence, Song Qiao felt somewhat uncomfortable staying in the same space with her.

After all, this woman had slapped her in the face before, and she feared she might not be able to restrain herself from slapping her back.

Compared to the unbearably hot weather and scorching sun during the day, the nights in An City were quite cool, even feeling the breeze while standing by the poolside.

Song Qiao was standing by the swimming pool, lost in thought, when she heard Zuo Yuqing’s voice from behind.

Turning around, she saw Zuo Yuqing approaching, her steps light in high heels, as graceful as a professional model on the runway, with a beautifully made-up face that did not lack in prettiness, making Song Qiao feel for a moment as if she was not as beautiful as Zuo Yuqing.

But then she thought, how could she possibly be less beautiful?

Even without makeup, she was naturally beautiful, whereas Zuo Yuqing’s beauty might not be as enchanting without her makeup.

With pursed lips, she watched the woman who had now approached her and said indifferently, "Is there something?"

Zuo Yuqing looked at her with a smile, every gesture exuding an indescribable elegance, her voice gentle with a hint of mirth, "Nothing much, I just wanted to talk to you."

Song Qiao subtly furrowed her brows but averted her gaze, continuing to watch the shimmering water that perfectly reflected the moon in the night sky, and responded with a hint of absent-mindedness and a smile, "Is that so? Well, what would Miss Zuo like to talk to me about? I’m thinking that we don’t really have any topics to discuss."

She was always sharp, and it was obvious to her that Zuo Yuqing harbored a hidden animosity towards her—not perfectly concealed despite her efforts to hide it.

Even though her acting skills are quite excellent.

But Song Qiao was also an agent, having managed many artists, so how could she not see through it?

Perhaps a few years ago, she would have thought that Zuo Yuqing genuinely wanted to chat, for back then, she lacked experience and might not have recognized a performance even if an actor played a tragic role right in front of her.

During the university entrance examination application, she once considered becoming an actress herself, to stand under the spotlight and relish the applause from all directions.

However, at that time, due to her parents’ divorce, her mother falling seriously ill, being hospitalized, and eventually passing away, she was deeply affected and ultimately did not pursue an acting career.

Moreover, the tuition fees for acting were too high, and she had just fallen out with her father, cutting off all financial support, so she couldn’t possibly afford the exorbitant tuition and expenses.

Song Qiao had researched Zuo Yuqing’s background and knew that she came from a well-off family, the only daughter who had been pampered all her life, so in every possible way, Zuo Yuqing’s upbringing was far superior to her own.

But she was neither envious nor jealous.

"Let us talk about... Jingchen," Zuo Yuqing stood beside Song Qiao, her custom-made dress accentuating her noble aura, as if she belonged to a different world than Song Qiao, and said with a smile, "Miss Song, between you and me, Jingchen is the only thing we have to talk about, isn’t it?"

Song Qiao’s brows twitched slightly, but in the next moment, she smiled with a touch of doubt and surprise, "Jingchen is my husband, and Miss Zuo is still a single lady, right? As a single woman, and a famous acclaimed actress at that, I really can’t imagine what Miss Zuo intends to discuss about my husband?"

She was approachable and had a good disposition, but that didn’t mean she behaved that way towards everyone.

At least now, wearing the title of ’Lu Jingchen’s wife’, in the face of a woman who is considered a romantic rival, she felt somewhat displeased at the thought of discussing her husband and was not inclined to give ground.

Making her identity clear was also the best way to press advantage.

Sure enough, upon hearing the word ’husband’, Zuo Yuqing’s expression changed subtly.

However, she quickly regained her composure and addressed Song Qiao with a gentle tone, "Miss Song, it seems like you harbor some animosity towards me."

Song Qiao laughed, not looking at Zuo Yuqing, but instead continued to gaze at the moon’s reflection in the water, "Miss Zuo indeed has sharp eyes. You can even tell I’m hostile towards you. As love rivals, don’t you feel the same toward me?"

Zuo Yuqing was taken aback, a look of realization crossing her delicately made-up face, her voice still gentle, "That is true. I have always had animosity towards you, after all... we love the same man."

Song Qiao was somewhat surprised that Zuo Yuqing would directly admit she still had feelings for Lu Jingchen.

After all, when Lu Jingchen said that it was impossible between them at the beginning, she thought Zuo Yuqing had completely let go of him.

It seems she has just been hiding it, not showing it openly.

Is it that her own acting is not impressive enough, or her skills not profound enough, that makes her seem less composed than Zuo Yuqing?

Zuo Yuqing’s gaze still landed on her face, "Miss Song, as a clever woman like you, you should know what it means for the elder Mr. Lu to call me to the Lu Family today, even inviting me to stay here tonight? "

"Should I thank you for complimenting my intelligence?"

"Miss Song, you know that’s not the point."

Song Qiao turned to look at her but did not speak. Thɪs chapter is updated by n0velfire.net

Zuo Yuqing smiled slightly and continued, "Clearly, the elder Mr. Lu intends to give me another opportunity, to let me compete with you for Jingchen fairly. I am also aware that the elder Mr. Lu does not acknowledge your marriage to Jingchen..."

"And then?" Song Qiao slightly narrowed her eyes at the woman in front of her, her face showing a smile laced with sarcasm, "So what if the elder Mr. Lu does not agree? Lu Jingchen and I are already married, we’re a couple protected by the law. Are you planning to be the third party, to interfere in our marriage?"

Zuo Yuqing was somewhat surprised by Song Qiao’s directness but quickly understood the confidence behind her words, smiled softly, and said, "Why not?"

Song Qiao still looked at her with a smile, "Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that. Then, I look forward to seeing how Miss Zuo intends to extract Lu Jingchen from our marriage certificate, turning it into a divorce certificate."

"Sorry, I’m suddenly feeling a bit tired, I’ll head back first. Otherwise, my husband will worry when he can’t find me." After saying this, she turned and walked toward the villa, then after a few steps, she stopped and turned her head to Zuo Yuqing, "If Miss Zuo manages to do that, I will definitely thank you properly."

After finishing, she did not intend to continue discussing Lu Jingchen there and turned towards the villa.

Just as she had taken two steps, Zuo Yuqing’s voice came from behind, "Miss Song, how about we make a bet?"

Song Qiao turned around to look at her, eyebrows raised slightly, "What do you want to bet on?"

"Let’s bet... whether Jingchen still cares about me."

Song Qiao laughed, naturally understanding her meaning. To be honest, she wasn’t interested in this kind of bet, but it was clear Zuo Yuqing was.

"Okay, how do you want to bet?"

"If I fall into the pool now, do you think he will personally jump in to save me?" Zuo Yuqing smiled softly, her eyes exuding a seductiveness that Song Qiao did not possess, and continued, "He knows I can’t swim, and there are servants around here. If he doesn’t care about me, he won’t come to save me himself; he will let the servants do it. Miss Song, do you dare to bet??"

Then, just as Song Qiao uttered a word, she saw Zuo Yuqing’s body fall backwards, followed by a splash.

Song Qiao was dumbfounded, damn it, she hadn’t even agreed to the bet yet.

Before she could react, a familiar voice came from behind her, followed by a tall figure rushing past her, and then there was another splash.