Everyone Thought The Fake Heiress Had Her Reasons Ch. 17
Ming Jiao snapped back to attention, taking a clean towel to wipe the water droplets from her face. As she wiped, she said, “I didn’t remove them completely. It’s just that I’m almost fully recovered, and with the weather getting hotter, I didn’t wrap them as thickly.”
Tang Xiaoyu nodded without saying anything more.
After she finished tidying up, the two of them walked together to a nearby small shop for breakfast.
At this time, the sun hadn’t fully risen yet, and the breeze carried a refreshing and invigorating coolness.
Ming Jiao looked around with great interest. It was rather pitiful to think about it—since she had transmigrated, aside from attending the banquet last night, she hadn’t stepped out of the house at all.
The layout of the neighboring houses was similar to hers. Some had also specially cultivated gardens, planting many flowers in their front yards.
Her eyes lingered on a neighbor’s snow-white swing set, and she thought to herself that she would install a swing in her own yard when she had the chance.
Just as her mind was immersed in plans for her home, Tang Xiaoyu’s cool voice pulled her back from her pastoral daydreams to the struggles of a wealthy family. “Your… fiancé’s matter—have you figured out how to investigate it?”
Ming Jiao snapped back to reality. “I want to ask an elder in the family to help me look into it.” As she said this, the corners of her lips curved upward, as if she held great trust and reliance in the person she mentioned.
Tang Xiaoyu instantly understood who she was referring to and wasn’t surprised by her decision.
Sure enough, Ming Jiao continued, “That person is my aunt. She’s a capable woman.”
Tang Xiaoyu felt her decision to seek help from her aunt was reasonable, but the System found it utterly unreasonable. 【Host, you’re going to ask your aunt to help you?】
It was deeply puzzled. 【Don’t you know she’s not a good person? You’d be better off asking Shi Yan to help you than her.】
【This matter carries risks after all. How could I use it to set up a friend?】 Ming Jiao analyzed leisurely to the System. 【Besides, although Shi Yan is capable, she’s still young and not as cunning. She’d be too easily taken advantage of when dealing with someone like Xie Chu.】
【My aunt is different. After years of provoking her, I’ve developed great admiration for her ability to maintain the facade of a fool in front of outsiders, and I have full confidence in her methods.】
The System understood. 【Host, you really are an expert at setting up your aunt.】
Although it said this, its tone was so excited it seemed ready to rush out and set off fireworks in celebration.
【How can you call it ‘setting up’ between family members?】 Ming Jiao smiled faintly. 【I genuinely trust my aunt.】
She believed her aunt would do her utmost to investigate, thereby further undermining her and pushing her toward corruption to deal with the Ming family.
Her aunt might even try to pin the blame on Tang Xiaoyu, saying things like Xie Chu wanted to break off the engagement because Tang Xiaoyu had seduced him.
She also believed her aunt wouldn’t be easily detected by Xie Chu. If Xie Chu was truly behind everything and he discovered her aunt was investigating him, he wouldn’t resort to silencing her unless absolutely necessary.
Because in his eyes, her importance and her aunt’s importance in the Ming family were worlds apart.
If she died, the Ming family might not investigate thoroughly, but if her aunt died, it would be a different story.
Moreover, with her aunt taking the lead, she could draw Xie Chu’s attention, making it easier and safer for Tang Xiaoyu to investigate.
It could be said that one aunt served multiple purposes—truly wonderful.
Ming Jiao thought delightedly, then added to the System, 【We might even get to see my aunt’s trump card this time.】
The System thought for a moment and suddenly understood. 【Host, do you suspect that your aunt is also an ability user?】
Ming Jiao sighed, “I hope she isn’t. Otherwise, her threat level would have to be raised again.”
Is there anything more terrifying in this world than someone with malicious intentions wielding immense power?
Perhaps power itself is never frightening—it’s the human heart that holds true terror.
·
Ever since Ming Jiao mentioned asking Aunt to investigate Xie Chu, Tang Xiaoyu had fallen into deep thought. When she finally snapped out of it and saw Ming Jiao’s face adorned with a carefree smile, radiant as a flower blooming toward the sun, her heart suddenly stirred with complex emotions.
“If she’s an elder you trust, then it should be fine. It’s just that some matters…”
Ming Jiao knew what she was about to say and immediately assured her, “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a single word to her about anything related to ability users.”
Secretly, however, she pondered Tang Xiaoyu’s reaction—Aunt likely had no connection to the world of ability users.
Of course, Tang Xiaoyu had only recently returned to the Ming family and wasn’t close to Aunt, so it was possible they didn’t know much about each other’s backgrounds.
In any case, everything remained uncertain.
But one thing she knew for sure: Tang Xiaoyu probably didn’t like Aunt either, so she quickly steered the conversation away from her.
Tang Xiaoyu indeed held no fondness for Aunt and didn’t share Ming Jiao’s abundant confidence in her capabilities. She remained lost in thought, concluding that she should handle the investigation herself, and if necessary, seek help from her mother or sister.
The investigation itself would be straightforward to initiate. The most pressing issue now was Ming Jiao’s safety.
Her thoughts raced in countless directions: What should she do about Ming Jiao’s safety while she conducted the investigation? Taking her along was absolutely out of the question.
Asking other companions for help crossed her mind, but it seemed only Ming Yue currently had no assignments. Considering their strained relationship, she quickly dismissed the idea.
Perhaps sending Ming Jiao back to the Ming family was an option, but the matter didn’t solely depend on her own wishes. Judging by Ming Jiao’s reaction, she might not be willing to return now either.
Ming Jiao noticed Tang Xiaoyu walking in silence, her usually calm, lake-like eyes churning with unrest. Guessing what was troubling her, she smiled and said, “Are you worried about what to do with my safety while you’re investigating?”
Tang Xiaoyu halted her steps and looked up, her dark pupils reflecting Ming Jiao’s image.
Ming Jiao almost seemed to see the word “TROUBLE” written large in her own reflection within those eyes. She couldn’t hold back a chuckle, laughing outright, “You…”
She appeared so cool and detached, like the pure moon untouched by worldly dust, yet she worried so much.
It was rather endearing.
“Such a dutiful and righteous soul.”
Before Tang Xiaoyu’s beautiful face could freeze into an expressionless mask, Ming Jiao stifled her laughter. “Why make it so complicated? That assassin didn’t plant a tracker on me. If I move somewhere else, can he find me immediately?”
Even when discussing matters concerning her own safety, her tone remained light and casual. “When the time comes, I’ll spread some false rumors about traveling to another province or abroad. That’ll give him even more to search for.”
Besides, the longer the engagement matter dragged on, the greater the impact on Xie Chu. Once he realized she had left, his actions would grow more frantic—and the more rushed he became, the more likely he was to make mistakes.
Tang Xiaoyu remained silent for a moment before continuing forward. She had considered such arrangements, but since last night, her curiosity about Ming Jiao had surged to unprecedented heights.
She wanted to keep her close—if not by her side, then at least nearby.
Apart from protection, it was also for understanding.
After much thought, she finally made up her mind. Without looking sideways, she said, “I know a very safe place. You should move there and stay for a while.”
Feeling the person beside her pause in their steps, Tang Xiaoyu turned to observe her reaction.
Ming Jiao didn’t react much, lost in thought as she twirled a strand of her hair. “As long as it doesn’t trouble you, I’ll follow whatever arrangements you make.”
Tang Xiaoyu’s cool, jade-like eyes swept over her briefly as she spoke bluntly, “You’ve already caused me a lot of trouble.”
And she was also inviting trouble—passively in the past, actively now.
Ming Jiao didn’t mind, swinging her arms casually. “Yeah, you’re such a soft-hearted person who pretends to be tough.”
·
Tang Xiaoyu was someone who acted decisively. After they finished breakfast outside, she urged Ming Jiao to pack her things.
Ming Jiao could sometimes sense her mood shifts but never quite grasped her thoughts. Still, she was always happy to spend more time with her.
After pondering for a while without any conclusions, she let it go.
She had never been one to dwell excessively.
Ming Jiao packed her frequently worn clothes and toiletries, then suddenly remembered the bedroom she had long neglected.
There were still many things she used to rely on in there. After a moment’s thought, she fetched the key and went upstairs.
Since the incident, she had only entered that room once—to clean the bloodstains off the floor and remove the bloodied bedsheet once she was physically able.
Whether it was her imagination or not, as she stepped inside again, she could still faintly detect the lingering scent of blood.
Ming Jiao steadied herself, left the door open, and scanned the room. After gathering a few more pieces of clothing, she noticed the laptop on the desk and a stack of fashion design sketches beneath it.
Seeing these items, Ming Jiao suddenly remembered she still had a studio to manage and realized it was time to seriously consider her career plans.
Her original intention had been to leave—to simply return the studio, which the Ming family had invested in for her, back to them.
From then on, she would be free as a bird in the sky or a fish in the sea, free to pursue her old profession or try something new, as she pleased.
But given the current situation, she would be staying in this city for a long time. Even after dealing with her fiancé and her aunt, she might still have to interact with other members of the Ming family in the future. So, her previous plans needed to change.
She truly didn’t have the nerve to keep relying on the Ming family for support, even though all the money in her bank account had been provided by them.
The System, noticing her staring blankly at the computer and design drafts, sounded surprised. 【Host, is something wrong? Or has your design talent finally awakened?】
Ming Jiao snapped out of her thoughts. 【Not exactly. I was just thinking that since I’m not leaving for now, I need to find a way to work and earn money. It doesn’t feel right to keep letting the Ming family support me.】
The System offered a suggestion. 【Host, your skills aren’t honed enough to return to your old profession. Why not check out the studio under your management? If you can rediscover your design talent, that’s a valuable skill. If not, you could always focus on being a manager.】
It enthusiastically volunteered, 【My database is filled with vast resources. I may not be able to turn you into a legendary business tycoon, but at the very least, I can help you become a competent CEO or director.】
Ming Jiao suppressed a laugh and seriously pondered for a moment. [I’ve also come up with a new idea regarding career planning.]
[Huh?]
[Let’s team up to perform crosstalk comedy. I guarantee we’ll become famous.]
Jokes aside, Ming Jiao had to admit the System’s suggestion held some merit. After all, they were just going to observe and try things out initially—they wouldn’t mess around blindly if they didn’t understand. It shouldn’t pose any major issues.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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