Chapter 171: Whispers of the Past

The Rolls Royce passed through a bustling intersection, the noisy street sounds pulling Fang Meng from her thoughts.

She put away her phone and said, “Qian Qian, the eldest miss says to come home for dinner tonight.”

Jiang Qian, who had been expressionless, turned around:

“Is sister coming back? She hasn’t been home in a while.” Over the past year, she knew her sister had started a new company, and it was quite large, seemingly connected to Lin Zheng Ran in some vague way.

But she had no idea what exactly had happened between her sister and Lin Zheng Ran—even Fang Meng’s investigations had turned up nothing.

Tonight would be the perfect time to ask.

“Okay, I get it. I really do want to see her.”

Fang Meng studied Jiang Qian’s face for a moment before asking, “Qian Qian, about your university applications—are you thinking of going to the same school as Lin Zheng Ran?”

Jiang Qian didn’t deny it and nodded:

“Yeah, I don’t have any other motives. It’s just that he’s got real talent and deserves a better stage, not being held back here because of others.”

“Qian Qian, it’s been years since you’ve been this kind to anyone, or even thought about helping others.”

She shot back, “That’s because most people are ungrateful, but Lin Zheng Ran—”

Jiang Qian and Fang Meng locked eyes, both pausing for a second.

It was as if they were both remembering things from childhood.

Jiang Qian turned to look out the window: “Lin Zheng Ran is different; he’s a good person.” She recalled the piano room incident from high school: “He shouldn’t let others hold back his future.”

Then she added quickly, “And when I said most people are ungrateful, that doesn’t include you—don’t misunderstand. You too, there’s no need to follow me to the same university. I’ve really let go of what happened back then.”

Fang Meng, who hadn’t reacted much at first, now had a shift in her eyes and clenched her fist slightly.

The driver at the wheel was sweating profusely; though Jiang Qian and Fang Meng hadn’t said much, he could sense the tension in the car.

All he wanted was to get to the villa fast—otherwise, something scary might happen.

From the back seat, Fang Meng took a deep breath and told Jiang Qian clearly:

“Qian Qian, I’ll be straight with you. From what I’ve observed lately, Lin Zheng Ran is different from you. He’s better at reading people, and the ones he cares about treat him genuinely…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Qian cut in: “That’s impossible. It’s just that nothing’s happened yet. When trouble hits, no one can help you except yourself.”

“Why do you always think that way?!” Fang Meng couldn’t hold back and raised her voice a little, fist clenched.

But as soon as she said it, even she was stunned and relaxed her brow.

Jiang Qian looked at her in surprise yet with a cool detachment, and the driver swallowed hard.

“What’s got you so worked up?”

Fang Meng quickly explained, “I’m not angry. You’re my best friend—how could I be mad at you? I just…” She tried to steady her emotions, but seeing Jiang Qian’s emotionless gaze confused her:

“Fine, I am a bit angry. Let’s not talk about Lin Zheng Ran. Over the last year, why have you given me so many days off? I’ve been wanting to ask about that!”

“What’s there to ask? More vacation is good, right? You get more personal time, and I’ve been busy anyway.”

“No, it’s not!” She responded sharply:

“Whether it’s tutoring or training classes, I can’t help much, but I could at least be with you every day. Instead, you keep sending me on vacation—what’s that about? Not counting this year, last year out of 365 days, I had a full 143 and a half days off!

And just now, you said you don’t want me to follow you to university, claiming you’ve moved on from what happened back then—what do you mean by that?!”

Jiang Qian replied: “I mean it literally—”

Fang Meng stared at Jiang Qian and cut her off, word by word:

“So, are you saying that all these years I’ve stuck with you, ever since we were kids, it’s because I’m making up for what I owed you back then? Now that it’s done, we don’t need to be together anymore? Is that what you think?”

Jiang Qian looked at Fang Meng, who rarely ever lost her temper over the years.

“I just feel your life shouldn’t be tied to mine forever.”

“So you still think I’m your assistant out of guilt.” Fang Meng’s eyes trembled with disbelief: “You believe I’m with you because of remorse, that we’re not really friends.” She was truly angry now, mad at Jiang Qian:

“Yes, when you asked me back then, I hesitated because I didn’t want to lie! As a kid, I never thought about that stuff, never imagined childhood friendships would involve family. I didn’t expect you’d help my family get a loan.

Qian Qian, you’re more mature than me, but that doesn’t mean if your family had trouble, I’d stand by like everyone else. I just didn’t think of it, but if you’d asked, I’d have helped! Because in my heart, you’re my best friend—I wouldn’t act like the others!”

Fang Meng clenched her fist tight:

“I regret that hesitation. If it happened again, I’d answer right away without a pause. But I know no matter what I say now, you won’t believe me. Some things, once they happen, stay happened.

Yet, I’ve stayed by your side all these years not because of that. I just genuinely want to be with you, see you as my closest friend, which is why I’ve put my heart into being your assistant!”

Jiang Qian’s lips parted slightly.

But she said nothing.

Fang Meng’s eyes misted over as she gritted her teeth: “I don’t like this version of you, Qian Qian. You’re miles behind Lin Zheng Ran—it’s no wonder you can’t match him.”

She switched to formal address: “Second Miss, I’m done. I quit.”

She ordered the driver, “Stop the car!”

The driver, who’d listened to it all, reacted sharply, braking and turning back with a tremble: “Fang Meng, don’t fight with the second miss—you two have always been the best of—”

Fang Meng opened the door and got out, hailing a taxi in the opposite direction and driving away.

“Fang Meng!” the driver called out.

The driver stared at the vanishing car, then looked at Jiang Qian: “Second Miss, did it have to come to this? Fang Meng’s always been genuine with you—all these years, I can tell you feel the same, so…”

“Shut up!”

“Yes!” The driver flinched.

“Drive home.”

“Okay.” The driver swallowed hard and continued driving home, nerves on edge.

Jiang Qian closed her eyes for a long while before letting out a heavy sigh. She glanced at the rearview mirror, watching the road where Fang Meng had disappeared.

She turned away, staring out the window as usual.

Wiping the redness from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand.

Back at the villa, Jiang Jingshi sat on the sofa in a full women’s suit, legs crossed.

She held a cup of hot tea, sipping it slowly while waiting for her sister and Fang Meng to arrive.

But when the car pulled up, only Jiang Qian returned with a cold expression. Jiang Jingshi asked curiously, “Qian Qian’s back? What about Xiao Meng?”

Jiang Qian didn’t answer.

Jiang Jingshi frowned: “Why so quiet? Did you give her another day off? I should remind you—if you keep doing that, Xiao Meng might not appreciate it and could even get mad.”

Jiang Qian paused and turned to her sister: “You talk too much. You haven’t been home in ages—what have you been up to?”

Jiang Jingshi smiled and took a sip of tea: “Busy with company matters.”

After a moment of silence.

“Forget it if you’re not saying. I’m heading upstairs.”

“Huh?!” Jiang Jingshi watched her sister go upstairs, thinking, I just told you— what’s her deal? It feels like something big happened.”

Before Jiang Qian could get inside, she added, “Don’t you want to know who I’ve been busy with lately?”

Jiang Qian hesitated: “Who?”

“Not telling you.” Jiang Jingshi replied.

With a slam, Jiang Qian shut the bedroom door.

Jiang Jingshi mused to herself, “Something really went down, and it’s not about Zheng Ran—or she’d have asked about that. Is it between Qian Qian and Xiao Meng? If so, it’s about time—they’ve finally had a fight after all these years.”

She sipped her tea, thinking, “A fight might be good. Some things need to come out, or they’ll just fester. Some words have been overdue.”