Forbidden To Be Tempted

Hearing the name was like hallucinating.

A conjecture flashed through her mind and Jiang Yu couldn't believe it, but she still tried her best to maintain her calm: "So, you partnered with Bai Lu...to poach the company's foothold?"

"I thought Miss Jiang knew about it a long time ago."

"What benefits can this kind of painless little action bring you?"

"Miss Jiang, is it really painless?" Mina sneered.

Jiang Yu also smiled, "You haven't answered my question yet."

"If you work for yourself, the return is 100%. If you work for others, the return maybe 80% or 1%. If it is worth it, it will be 80%. If it is not worth it, it will be 1%."

She said a few words, which seemed vague, but Jiang Yu quickly understood.

"You don't accept Tian Lin."

It wasn't surprising at all, this was something she had been expecting for a long time.

"Miss Jiang, it's your turn to answer my question now," Mina said in a leisurely tone.

Jiang Yu laughed again, put one hand into the pocket of her slacks, and said calmly: "To what extent is pain and itching; economic loss, or a heavy blow to one's spirit? Do you understand me? If you did, you wouldn't say such things."

She is a person who has come from the era of nothing, with just bare hands. Even if she fell to the bottom, she could stand up again right where she was. She would never fear losing.

The brokerage company only accounts for one-third of her assets, and the mental trauma will not break her down.

"You are indeed admirable," Mina said. She didn't want to push Jiang Yu to her limits, knowing Jiang Yu's resilience was nurtured by her own blood. Being too greedy and audacious would backfire.

For a person who has already chosen to betray, Jiang Yu didn't bother to say anything, she pulled out her hand and brushed the hair that fell on her sleeve, "Okay, let the police tell you the rest."

"I'm sorry, Miss Jiang, I'm abroad now, if the police need to find someone, they'll be looking for Bai Lu," Mina said casually.

"I know."

"..."

"Then you better hope you never need to go back home."

After speaking, Jiang Yu hung up the phone.

The air turned icy, silence as profound as death.

Cheng Suran stood by Jiang Yu's side, absorbing every word she had said. At the mention of Bai Lu's name, her heart sank. Memories, past and present, flooded in, bringing a mix of emotions.

She didn't know what to say, she put her hand on Jiang Yu's shoulder silently, as if to comfort her.

"I didn't expect Bai Lu to have a hand on this too..." Jiang Yu held that hand, and suddenly felt extremely at ease, as if she found a place to rely on and a place to stay from now on.

She recounted the conversation truthfully.

"Anyone can, but she can't."

Cheng Suran pursed her lips: "Why? Is she that important to you?"

If before this phone call Jiang Yu was indifferent, afterward she felt as if she had been stabbed hard, a knife driven straight through her heart from behind.

No matter how much she lost financially, it was only part of the money. She still had other assets, but the people she had cultivated with her own hands betrayed her so easily. What's hurt is the emotion, the trust, the painstaking effort she put into rebuilding her interest in human relationships.

She doesn't know how long it will take to heal this wound.

Disappointment with Bai Lu is another thing, but she never thought that she would become a white-eyed wolf, a snake that bit the farmer's back.

"It's like raising a cat. You take care of her meticulously and provide the best food and shelter. From the age of two months to four or five years old, and in the end, she turns around and bites you, scratches you." Jiang Yu took a deep breath, unable to continue.

Cheng Suran lowered her head, feeling a little uncomfortable, and suddenly thought "what are they?".

What are she and Jiang Yu now?

She wanted to ask, "If it were me, could I betray you too?" But considering Jiang Yu's current emotional state and the significant matter at hand, she felt it wouldn't be right to cause any more trouble.

All kinds of thoughts surged in her mind like a tide, but it was only for a moment.

Cheng Suran startled herself and snapped back to reality, recalling the past that had been buried for years. "Speaking of Bai Lu, there's something you might not know..."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember a few years ago, during the company's team-building activity at the villa? That day, we played Truth or Dare, and we drank a lot. It was also after that event that I suddenly pierced the so-called window paper?"

Jiang Yu thought she was harboring a grudge, and answered in a low voice, "I remember."

"Actually, after you went out that day, Bai Lu came to our room to look for you and said something to me..." Cheng Suran sighed softly, her expression grew heavier and her voice lowered every time she said the word "lover".

Jiang Yu listened in silence, her expression gradually became serious, and turmoil was set off in her heart.

These were things she didn't know.

Bai Lu actually...

"You mean, she had a crush on me? Had feelings for me?"

"Didn't you notice at all?" Cheng Suran raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Yu lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

All along, she only regarded Bai Lu as her younger sister and apprentice, and she even had the mentality of an old mother. Bai Lu is a very talented seedling. She cultivated her carefully, not only for her benefit, but also out of love for her career, so she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her. She was much more kind and tolerant to Bai Lu than other models, and the two grew closer. In this process, Bai Lu has indeed become more and more dependent on her, from small thoughts to intense possessiveness and control, and she could sense it all.

But she only thought it was due to Bai Lu's personality.

Now, it seemed there were signs all along.

"But last year, she brought her boyfriend back to show me, and she even told me that after leaving the industry, she wants to marry a foreign guy." Jiang Yu found it hard to accept.

Then she remembered what Bai Lu said on the phone that night.

[Send your little lover to hell.]

Isn't that just jealousy?

"Huh?" Cheng Suran was surprised. "It's also possible she's bisexual."

Jiang Yu: "..."

"Don't you think Bai Lu was acting strange that day? Despite having hostility towards me, she ignored your warning and talked in front of me about how you've raised many canaries these years, exposing your past. Why? Did she want to make you look bad in front of me? Or did she want the two of us to fight over this? Was she so sure that I would mind this kind of thing? So, it's pretty clear she did it on purpose."

Cheng Suran spoke out her analysis.

When she mentioned "you've raised many canaries these years," her voice trembled. Her heart felt like it had been stung by a bug, and a sour and bitter sensation flowed out. 

She pretended to be calm, and lowered her voice:

"I don't know what's going on between you and her, the exact grievances, but it seems that she might not be simply jealous or bitter out of love... Anyway, just be more careful."

After finishing speaking, she took a deep look at Jiang Yu, got up, and walked to the window.

The sky grew darker, thick clouds covered the moonlight, and stars were scarce. The lights on both sides of the river were splendid, streets crisscrossing each other, people and cars appearing tiny like ants.

Cheng Suran took a deep breath and looked at the tour boat passing through the river in the distance.

She used to be so jealous of Bai Lu...

Perhaps the experiences of these years had subtly influenced her. Looking back now, she felt her past behavior was childish, and she couldn't understand her own paranoia back then. Yet, a lingering sense of dissatisfaction remained in her heart. Knowing that Jiang Yu raised many lovers during these years while she was busy with studies and work, never slowing down to enjoy life, it felt like she was always at a disadvantage.

A thought flashed through her mind, and she quickly suppressed it.

She couldn't let herself get caught up in negative emotions.

If she kept dwelling on these matters, her emotions would lead her around by the nose. In the present, she needed to take control. When she liked Jiang Yu, she could like her wholeheartedly, but if that changed, she needed to make a clean break.

Cheng Suran quickly calmed down.

"Actually, I didn't expect that either." Jiang Yu lowered her eyes and spoke in a heavy tone.

The word "canary" pierced her heart like a needle. It hurt for a while but was covered up in an instant. Now she wanted to know why Bai Lu betrayed her, so, she truthfully recounted the events between them over the years, "Bai Lu and I..."

Memories are also traced back

The omens were in the trivial things, and she should have noticed.

Cheng Suran was terrified when she heard that.

"Then you just let her make trouble like this? Let her manipulate you? Do whatever she wants? What if she asks you to do something dangerous next time? What are you thinking, Jiang Yu!" She turned around, unable to hold back her anger as she growled at Jiang Yu.

She had only heard about these kinds of people before; she had never encountered one, never thought that a crazed devil was right by her side.

She felt vaguely uneasy.

Jiang Yu was stunned, silent for a moment, and took her hand: "It's because I was too soft-hearted towards her. After all, I have worked hard to train her for so many years...but my patience has a limit, and now I almost don't care about her."

"The limit of your patience is really great." Cheng Suran got emotional and threw away her hand.

"..."

Jiang Yu grabbed her hand back again, "Are you worried about me?" While speaking, she couldn't help approaching her and wrapped her other hand around her shoulder.

Being exposed, Cheng Suran was a little annoyed and rolled her eyes. "I'm only worried about you because I'm so full I have nothing else to think about."

After saying that, she earnestly analyzed the situation again.

"Actually, Bai Lu's motives are easy to guess. She likes you, and because it was unrequited it led to hatred... You said she is paranoid, I don't think it's surprising that such a person would do such a thing like this. You mustn't be soft-hearted, to avoid future troubles for yourself."

Jiang Yu rubbed the center of her brows, nodded, and said, "I'm reporting to the police first. I'll figure out a way to lure Bai Lu back."

"Also."

"Ranran do you believe me?"

"Of course I do."

This time, Cheng Suran did not push Jiang Yu away.

But Jiang Yu took the initiative to let go of her hand, pointed to the door, and said, "I... will take you back."

The words that were about to come out, asking her to stay, were swallowed back.

"Alright."

Cheng Suran didn't look back at her again.

....

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=4738582

This translation is originally posted on  love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too 

Ten minutes later, Jiang Yu parked her car at the gate of Marina Bay.

"Do you want to go up and sit for a while?" Cheng Suran unbuckled her seatbelt, her hand pausing as it was about to open the door. She turned to look at Jiang Yu.

"No need," Jiang Yu shook her head lightly, "I don't want to run into your friend."

Cheng Suran was startled.

"Is Ruoxian…difficult to get along with?"

Jiang Yu lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Her long eyelashes are like moth wings, trembling one after another. Cheng Suran wanted to say something, but Jiang Yu suddenly raised her head and smiled slightly: "No, Miss Wen is very nice. It's just... after all, it's a private place that you both share. I'm an outsider; it's not convenient for me to disturb you all the time."

As soon as these words fell, there was a tingling pain in her heart.

She is really jealous of Wen Ruoxian.

Jealous that Wen Ruoxian has been with Ranran for five years, jealous that Wen Ruoxian lives with Ranran, jealous that Wen Ruoxian knows Ranran so well...

Cheng Suran froze.

Why does it seem to smell sour and bitter?

"Isn't there still a meeting tomorrow? Go up, go to bed early, good night." Jiang Yu didn't give her a chance to say anything more.

Cheng Suran nodded sullenly: "Good night."

....

On the 18th floor of the fifth building, unit 1802 living room is lit.

Wen Ruoxian was collecting clothes on the balcony.

With the window open halfway, the sound of an engine's roar from the direction of the community entrance pierced the stillness of the night. The distinctive rumble of a sports car's engine couldn't go unnoticed on the tranquil night. She glanced outside, and under the streetlights, a sleek black car was parked at the entrance of the community, its body gleaming.

A woman in light-colored clothes got out of the car and walked towards the gate.

It's dark and the visibility is poor, but there are many street lights in the community and the light is strong. At this distance, she could probably make out the figure's outline. As it got closer, it looked more and more like Cheng Suran.

She leaned on the window and looked out.

The trees completely blocked the figure, there was another roar of the engine, and when she looked up again, the sports car at the door had disappeared.

Is it Ranran?

Wen Ruoxian hesitated for a moment, then looked away, sat on the sofa with the clothes she had put away, and folded them up one by one.

—beep

The living room door opened.

Then Cheng Suran came in.

After her conjecture was verified, Wen Ruoxian raised her head and smiled at her: "You're back."

"Mm."

"I left you lamb chops in the kitchen, do you want to eat some more?"

"No, I'm full." Cheng Suran waved her hand, seemingly absent-minded, changed her shoes, and walked to her room. Wen Ruoxian's folding of clothes paused momentarily.

"Ranran—"

"Hmm?"

"Did Miss Jiang send you back?"

Cheng Suran nodded: "How did you know?"

Wen Ruoxian pointed to the window: "I was putting away my clothes just now, and when I heard the sound of the car, I glanced out and saw someone who looked a lot like you entering... turns out it really was you." Her smile inexplicably stiffened, and the clothes she had just neatly folded became a bit disheveled in her hands.

"Ah, I took a taxi out today. I had dinner at Jiang Yu's place, and she just drove me back. It's not far," Cheng Suran explained, her gaze lingering on Wen Ruoxian's face for a moment longer.

The strange feeling popped up again.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of Jiang Yu and Bai Lu and the upcoming busy work schedule in the next few days. She couldn't put her finger on her emotions at the moment.

"I'm going to take a shower. I'm a bit tired today."

"Mm."

Watching her back disappear into the corner of the aisle, Wen Ruoxian sighed softly, her slender fingers tightly clutching the clothes - just like her restless heart.

Ever since Ranran discovered the sketchbook, she circled around without any risk, she has become more cautious with their interactions every day. She locked up all the items related to Ranran in her private collection, neither daring to care too much nor deliberately avoiding them, like a balance, working hard to maintain the balance at both ends.

But she also gradually discovered that the relationship between Ranran and Jiang Yu was much better than she imagined.

Besides, the two of them knew each other before...

She had always believed that she knew Cheng Suran the earliest, but she hadn't expected someone else to know her even earlier. With this realization, even the advantage of being a "friend" seemed to slip away.

It was as if someone was suddenly trying to take away a cherished possession.

"Ai..."

The investigation into the incident soon came to fruition.

The company's name was "SINA," differing by just one letter, and it was indeed registered under Bai Lu's name. She held a 55% stake in the company, and the other shareholder was naturally Mina. Starting from September, Mina had been gradually poaching foreign models from their Russian parent company. She didn't spare smaller overseas cooperating companies either. By the time Jiang Yu had signed the contract with the Paris parent company, Mina had already taken two batches of models from Paris.

The two main cooperative companies were outraged by this, and they denounced Jiang Yu for not having the spirit of the contract, which caused them serious losses, and demanded to terminate the cooperation and pay huge liquidated damages.

In addition, Mina also took away a large number of customer resources and transferred more than 7 million yuan overseas.

Jiang Yu first called the police, and then called Bai Lu.

She thought Mina might have informed Bai Lu in advance, assuming it wouldn't be easy to lure her back. However, to her surprise, Bai Lu had no idea the situation had blown up. When Bai Lu heard that Jiang Yu had prepared a gift for her, she immediately booked a flight back to the country.

Landing time is in the morning.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Yu was waiting for her in the office.

"Sister Yu-"

Bai Lu was still the same as before, going in and out of the office carelessly without seeing anyone else.

She had curly hair, wore expensive fur, and everything she carried and wore was the latest season's luxury brand that she endorsed. She took off her sunglasses and revealed a pair of sharp and foxy narrow eyes, exuding a seductive and cold allure. She had obviously forgotten about the previous embarrassing encounter.

Jiang Yu stood in front of the window, staring at her without saying a word.

Before Bai Lu came, she thought a lot about what to say and what questions to ask, but the moment she saw Bai Lu, her anger rushed straight to the top of her head and all those thoughts were pushed aside.

"President Bai is back."

Bai Lu's smile froze, "Sister Yu, what did you say?"

Jiang Yu walked over to her desk and handed her a tablet, "Did I say something wrong?"

On the screen was the basic information about the new company, and Bai Lu's name was clearly written in the legal person column.

Bai Lu's complexion changed suddenly, she was too guilty to raise her eyes, she stared at the screen for a long time, felt Jiang Yu's gaze stabbing her face like a needle, and had to raise her head.

"Sister Yu, this...has nothing to do with me…"

"Oh?" Jiang Yu narrowed her eyes, "Tell me about it."

Bai Lu quickly put the tablet back, put her arms around Jiang Yu's arm, and said seriously: "It was Mina who asked me to help her register a company. She said it would be convenient for her to discuss projects with me. She even said that I would eventually have my studio. Although my name is stated as the legal person, I don't know anything about it... Has she done something? Is she trying to frame me?"

"You don't know?" Jiang Yu raised her eyebrows.

"You really don't know?"

Bai Lu shook her head again and again: "Really."

Jiang Yu stared at her with a look of scrutiny, and suddenly, with a sneer, she shook off her hand.