Chapter Fifty-One: The Calamity That Courts Disaster

"President Xie, shall I look into this Rong Qiaoyi? I sensed a surge of spiritual energy this afternoon, very similar to yours," Green Parsley mused, then added, "It happened when the host met Rong Qiaoyi."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinchuan's expression grew more serious. "If what you say is true, there might indeed be something unusual about her. But that makes it all the more important not to alert her prematurely."

After speaking, he sent another wave of spiritual energy to Green Parsley, instructing it to keep a close eye on Rong Qiaoyi before returning to his study.

His assistant brought in the contracts for the next day. "President Xie, tomorrow there’s a brand launch event you’re invited to attend. Miss Shen and Rong Qiaoyi will both be there."

The words instantly stilled Xie Jinchuan’s inclination to refuse. "Alright."

"Look into Rong Qiaoyi’s background—be as thorough as possible."

The assistant nodded and left.

Xie Jinchuan propped his chin on his hands, his gaze deep and unfathomable. If his suspicions were correct, a person’s habits should inevitably change.

He narrowed his eyes, fingers tapping lightly on the table, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, news of Shen Qingli and Rong Qiaoyi meeting had already hit the trending topics online.

Rong Qiaoyi read the comments, a sly smile curling her lips. Then, with a casual flick of her finger, she posted the message she’d prepared in advance.

"No way, my goddess actually signed with Shen Qingli!"

"Wow… Shen Qingli sure moves fast!"

"If my goddess says she likes Shen Qingli, then I like her too!"

"Looks like the goddess is truly befriending Shen Qingli, but… why hasn’t Shen Qingli followed her back?"

Watching as the online comments gradually veered off course, Rong Qiaoyi’s face grew more triumphant. Humans are so predictable—even the smallest thing can be twisted into malice.

"Qiaoyi, I heard the CEO of the Xie Corporation will be at tomorrow’s launch. Shen Qingli will be there too, as will you—"

Her manager hadn’t finished before the woman shot her a cold, cutting glare.

"I’m not going. Just say I’m sick."

After tonight’s events, Xie Jinchuan was bound to be suspicious. If she attended, it would be courting disaster.

Besides, she was so close to merging completely with this body. At this critical moment, she couldn’t risk facing Xie Jinchuan—otherwise, he might just slap her soul right out of her.

And then, how would she deal with Shen Qingli?

"Alright, alright, if you don’t want to go, we won’t," the manager replied, eyeing the woman warily. Since waking up, her temper had only worsened.

Sensing that icy glare again, the manager mumbled a few reminders to rest well, then hurried from the villa.

The next morning, Shen Qingli was woken by the persistent ringing of Li Xi’s call.

She instinctively reached for the spot beside her—it was cold. Xie Jinchuan must have been up for a while.

"Li Xi, what’s wrong? Did something happen at the company?" She answered, still groggy, and yawned.

"My ancestor, you’d better check online! The whole company is speechless because of this!"

Huh?

Shen Qingli immediately hung up and checked the trending topics. In an instant, she was wide awake.

She stared at the screen in disbelief—just because she hadn’t followed Rong Qiaoyi back in time, the internet was in an uproar.

Without hesitation, Shen Qingli posted on Weibo:

"Woke up this morning and, um… got hit in both my eye and brain."

Then, she followed Rong Qiaoyi’s account and tagged her.

Within seconds, Rong Qiaoyi posted a video—still bleary from sleep—addressing the situation.

"Everyone needs to sleep. Be more understanding of others. Besides… Shen Qingli is my good friend, you can’t say such things about her!"

Reading the slightly passive-aggressive post, Shen Qingli rolled her eyes and simply replied: "Heh."

She tossed her phone aside, done with the matter.

On the other end, Rong Qiaoyi scoffed coldly at the online chatter. "So this is the formidable Shen Qingli?"

She glanced at the clock—just two or three hours until the launch. After a brief pause, she picked up her phone and called her manager.

"Have the stylists come. I’m going to the launch."

The manager was already used to Rong Qiaoyi’s mercurial moods and silently thanked her luck for not announcing a cancellation earlier.

"Alright."

Rong Qiaoyi glanced at the photos her private investigator had sent: images of Shen Qingli trying on a gown, with Xie Jinchuan standing patiently at her side, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

It was a stark contrast to the cold impatience he always showed her.

"Find this dress for me," she ordered coldly, tossing her phone to the manager.

Upon seeing whose dress it was, the manager hesitated. "Isn’t that Shen Qingli’s gown? You really shouldn’t wear the same one. Otherwise, the internet will have a field day."

"Oh?" Rong Qiaoyi’s eyes narrowed, her tone even colder. "Aren’t good friends supposed to wear matching outfits?"

Faced with her penetrating gaze, the manager shivered and hurriedly agreed, "I’ll go find it right away."

Once the manager left, Rong Qiaoyi withdrew her gaze.

Xie Jinchuan, I’ll show you who truly is the best.

An hour later, Shen Qingli and Xie Jinchuan set out for the launch event. No sooner had they stepped out of the car than the flashbulbs began to fire relentlessly.

"Careful," Xie Jinchuan said gently, helping Shen Qingli with tender care, drawing envious glances and a flurry of camera clicks.

"What a stunning couple—they’re so perfectly matched!"

"They’re the envy of everyone!"

Hearing the murmurs around her, Shen Qingli instinctively tightened her grip on Xie Jinchuan’s hand. They exchanged a smile, the picture of harmony.

After signing their names, they prepared to enter the venue. Suddenly, a commotion arose at the entrance, drawing Shen Qingli’s attention.

"Qingli!" Rong Qiaoyi called out joyfully, lifting her skirt as she hurried over.

Only then did the crowd notice—both women were wearing identical dresses.

"I thought that gown was a couture piece—there’s only one, right?"

"Seriously? If there’s only one, then…"

Then one of them must be wearing a fake.

No one finished the sentence, but everyone understood. The looks cast their way had already shifted.