Astrid rolled her eyes. "Quit it. It's not like you're never going to find a man yourself."
"Well, maybe I won't," Ling Qingyu said lightly, looping an arm around her friend's shoulders. "But I'm pretty sure I'll find a beautiful woman like you."
Astrid stiffened.
She stared into Ling Qingyu's eyes, searching for any hint that the remark was nothing more than a joke.
Yet although the tone and gesture carried the usual teasing familiarity, there was a sliver of seriousness behind it.
Astrid pushed her away slightly. "Why do I feel like you're actually serious?"
"Only a fool like William would kick you away," Ling Qingyu said, spreading her arms in an exaggerated invitation. "Co to my heart instead. I'll welco you anyti."
Seeing no further sincerity in her expression, Astrid shrugged it off, deciding she had probably overthought things.
Ling Qingyu couldn't possibly be interested in girls… right?
In truth, Ling Qingyu was attracted to Astrid—both to her beauty and her personality.
But she knew perfectly well that bending her best friend that way was impossible, no matter how tempting the thought of pulling Astrid under her wing might be.
And then there was her queen, Yang Qingyue.
Whether Yang Qingyue would tolerate it remained a delicate question.
Back when Ling Qingyu had first grown close to her, Yang Qingyue had shown a subtle kind of tolerance toward Ling Qingyu's occasional flirtations with people around her.
But if Ling Qingyu ever started picking strangers on her own and recruiting them into so expanding harem beyond Yang Qingyue's knowledge…
Police Chief Yang would probably kill her.
"As a friend," Ling Qingyu continued, her tone turning softer, "I suggest you quit your job and travel for a while. Take a step back and detach yourself. Seriously—think about it."
"You're asking your friend to beco unemployed and struggle financially," Astrid shot back. "What kind of friend are you?"
Ling Qingyu smiled lazily. "I know my friend is filthy rich. Money follows you wherever you go."
She added with a teasing tilt of her head, "And if you really can't find a job later, co work for . I'll feed you forever. Six figures a month, plus full allowance."
"You wish."
Astrid paused, then looked at her with a more thoughtful expression.
"But are you serious about recruiting ? Your business wouldn't suffer from having my talents, right?"
"It doesn't matter what talents," Ling Qingyu replied calmly. "If I can't take care of the people I'm close to—the ones I love—then what am I even running this business for?"
Astrid said nothing, most likely considering Ling Qingyu's suggestion. After all, so many years had passed without success while she chased William.
Although she spoke about the risk of unemploynt, her personal savings from investnts in earlier years, in addition to the family's relocation, were actually enormous. Not to ntion the stocks and net worth she owned outside of her family's reach. She rely disliked relying too much on her surna, so she wasn't worried about being jobless.
The amount was already enough to spend lavishly for a lifeti. Ling Qingyu also knew Astrid's real wealth, excluding the possessions allocated through her family na. She also understood and guessed why Astrid refrained from touching that money from her family.
Aristocratic families had annoying conservative rules and blackmailing traditions, as if being born there and enjoying the rights ant one had the obligation to return whenever the family head called for it.
After all, one could resist such outrageous blackmail like Astrid by citing that she hadn't touched the wealth, so she wasn't obligated. Much less the inherited rights and responsibilities of a family to raise a child to adulthood. They didn't have the right to exploit that at all.
So, in summary, Astrid was totally free from the control of her family, even if there were a few factors that benefited her because of her surna.
Then the talk shifted to politics and economics. Xiao Yue also joined the chat, as her hobby focused on the ga theory of rulers. She enjoyed dissecting every rule and event that brought changes to the system.
The conclusion was that in the near future, an economic crisis was already dood to erupt. Only nations' counterstrategies could mitigate the risks and damages involved. Should so powerful nation utilize war to recover, the situation would beco even more terrible.
The conversation stopped short when another seductive voice interrupted.
"Astrid, you're here too?"
Astrid, Ling Qingyu, and Xiao Yue turned toward the source and discovered a silver shiny tulle dress with a pleated skirt. The sparkling fabric brightened the radius around the girls' group.
It was quite a sight to witness so many beautiful won gathered in one small place. Many n—and a few won—laid their eyes on them.
"Hey, Kate, are you here for lunch?" Astrid asked.
Speak of the devil—Ling Qingyu finally managed to see Kate firsthand. Fortunately, no one had been gossiping about her earlier and gotten discovered in embarrassnt.
Scanning Kate up and down, Ling Qingyu inwardly praised Kate's fashion sense and deanor. There was sothing seductive about her, based on her tone, expression, and gestures.
It seed like Kate had trained herself so well that they had beco second nature. Ling Qingyu sighed inwardly at how her forr classmate had transford into an enchantress. It was a relief to sense from her intuition that Kate now had more self-confidence and assertiveness. She could no longer see the past inferiority complex when Kate talked with Astrid and her in the past.
"Oh, Ling is also here. It's been a long ti," Kate noticed Ling Qingyu and said. "Yes, Astrid, I have an informal eting and decided to dine here."
"Uhh," Astrid nodded and didn't speak much.
Kate didn't mind Astrid's behavior at all. She had seen worse treatnt behind her back among her forr friends. Who knew what they gossiped about behind her back?
However, Astrid was the only one who hadn't changed the slightest in her opinion and behavior in front of her, as if she didn't care whether Kate succeeded in her career or about her past lifestyle. Hence, Kate felt really comfortable mingling around Astrid, though the two obviously didn't communicate much.
"Nice to et you, Kate. We just finished ours," Ling Qingyu greeted back. "It's a pity that you don't have ti right now."
"Indeed, I am a little busy," Kate replied. Her eyes flickered with envy as they hovered back and forth between Ling Qingyu and Astrid.
She still lost in terms of appearance competition, and she accepted it. Nonetheless, her confidence stemd from her wealth.
What Kate didn't realize was that none of the trio were ordinary. Ling Qingyu didn't need to say much as the main protagonist. Astrid was also a self-made millionaire about to reach a multi-million level, while Kate had ventured as an entrepreneur and surpassed the conventional multi-millionaire.
"No need to feel pity. We can et later and talk," Ling Qingyu shrugged. "I suppose you have ti in the evening."
"Let check my schedule." Kate paused and checked her phone.
At this move, Ling Qingyu's brow raised. Sotis people used such excuses to avoid offense and finalize a rejection.
As expected, Kate frowned and looked apologetic. "I feel like I might have to overwork this week to keep up with the pace. I'm sorry."
Ling Qingyu almost laughed out loud at the poor performance and shook her head. This girl really needed to be taught a lesson.
Though she was certain Kate wouldn't behave with her nose in the air toward people in her own circle, this girl had definitely swelled with arrogance. Perhaps she still rembered the record of trying to compete with Ling Qingyu and Astrid and failing, causing Kate to want to teach her a few lessons.
Or who knew—maybe she thought Ling Qingyu was only speaking to her because she was doing better.
Ling Qingyu could only make a few guesses, but she found Kate's childish acts codic and entertaining.
"It's alright. I'm going to be staying here for a long ti. We will et when you're free."
She signaled her girls to prepare the convoy and turned toward Astrid.
"Should I send you back to work?"
"No need. I will hail a taxi."
"Oh, no. Astrid, it's my duty to send you safely. Also, co with to the hotel. We have much to talk about."
"But my work…"
"Can't you take leave for your dear friend?" Ling Qingyu pouted and sold her cuteness.
The attack had an impact, as Astrid's refusal faltered.
"So, Ling, are you here for a reunion?" Kate asked.
"Of course. I barely managed to squeeze out so available ti and hope to see my friends again," Ling Qingyu winked, not sparing the irony in her words.
Astrid's lips twitched as she shifted her glances between Ling Qingyu and Kate. The latter totally quieted down and smiled back, her skin already thick from her past unscrupulous ans.
Soon, a pair of Chevy Suburban SUVs rolled to a stop near the trio. Xiao Yue opened the door and hopped into the second one.
Astrid looked at Ling Qingyu and wondered which secretary had ever let the boss hold the door. Then, she nodded to say goodbye to Kate and climbed in.
Ling Qingyu, holding the door, paused and turned her eyes back toward Kate. "Kate, believe . We are going to et soon, and you'll be the one asking for it. I'm also more curious about you and your journey. Here's my card in case you want to give a call."
Without waiting for Kate's response, Ling Qingyu sat down and waved at her before slamming the door shut.
"See ya later, Kate."
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