The Young Miss Refuse To Love
Chapter 43: Business?

Chapter 43: Business?

"I’m not sure which business I want to start yet, Grandpa. It’s a serious matter, and I don’t want to rush into something that could lose money," Qi Jianyi dodged the question once again, trying to deflect the conversation.

Grandpa Qi, nodding as if he understood, smiled warmly at her. "You’re absolutely right. Business requires careful thought. But surely you have some idea by now? One or two possibilities at least?" he pressed, eager to hear her thoughts.

He wasn’t just concerned for her future; there was a competitive streak behind his questions. He certainly didn’t want Grandpa He swooping in to support their granddaughter before he could. Petty as it was, Grandpa Qi couldn’t forget how Grandpa He had once gloated about his successes. Now, it was Grandpa He who would have to swallow his pride.

Qi Jianyi inwardly groaned. Her heart sank. Why did she say anything at all?

"I have... two ideas?" Qi Jianyi mumbled, her voice uncertain, betraying the hesitance she tried to conceal.

"Two? Excellent! Tell me all about them!" Grandpa Qi’s eyes lit up, his excitement bubbling over as he leaned forward in his seat. His grin stretched wide, every line on his face deepening with the anticipation of hearing something grand.

On the other side of the couch, Mr. Qi sat with his arms crossed, beaming with pride. His heart swelled at the thought of his daughter stepping into the business world on her own terms.

’That’s my girl! Bold enough to build something of her own rather than just inheriting what I’ve built!’ His chest puffed out with satisfaction as though her uncertain words had already secured her place among titans of industry.

Mrs. Qi, however, caught none of the enthusiasm. Her expression softened into a silent plea as she glanced at her husband, exasperation clear in her eyes. Couldn’t he see it? Couldn’t anyone see it? The reluctance was written all over Qi Jianyi’s face—she had no genuine interest in business.

But as usual, Mr. Qi’s emotional radar missed all the obvious signs. Mrs. Qi had long given up trying to correct his obliviousness when it came to matters of the heart.

She shot her daughter with a sympathetic look, eyes filled with understanding. Why hadn’t she simply told them she wasn’t interested, the way she had so easily told her maternal grandfather?

Now, with so many expectant eyes on her—her parents, Grandpa Qi, and even a few distant relatives eyeing her like predators circling prey—Qi Jianyi looked and felt completely cornered.

The pressure of their gazes weighed down on her, and all around her, she could practically hear the unspoken hopes and plans swirling.

These relatives weren’t just curious; they were opportunists, waiting for a crack in the door, ready to help her, offer their "support," and, in doing so, ingratiate themselves with both the He and Qi families. It was all so suffocating.

"I think... maybe a hotel business," Qi Jianyi started, her voice wavering, "or a publishing company."

The lie slipped from her lips before she could stop it, and the second it left her mouth, she regretted it. It felt like she’d been lying all day, each falsehood heavier than the last.

To her surprise, the words hung in the air longer than she expected, and with them, the room’s energy shifted. All at once, the expressions around her sharpened with newfound interest, a collective hum of approval buzzing beneath the surface.

For a moment, it was as if they all believed in her—believed in her potential to succeed in either venture, no matter how unconvincing she sounded.

Businessmen in the room exchanged knowing glances, each of them calculating the potential of her ideas. Most silently hoped she would choose the hotel business, the obvious moneymaker, over the quieter, less lucrative world of publishing. They could almost see the grand openings, the lavish parties, the endless opportunities that a hotel chain could bring.

Unfortunately for them, Qi Jianyi had only mentioned both ideas on a whim, desperate to cover up her lack of interest in business altogether. The spontaneity of her answers seemed to have done more damage than intended, drawing them deeper into her fabricated ambitions.

Grandpa Qi, ever the wise patriarch, smiled, nodding sagely as if her words held profound meaning. "The hotel business is promising," he began, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "but it’s a risky venture. A publishing company, on the other hand, is more stable, but won’t bring in much profit." His voice carried the tone of someone who had seen decades of success and failure. "You should think it over carefully," he added, "don’t rush into a decision."

Though his words were measured, the message between the lines was clear: Grandpa Qi had a preference. He was already picturing hotels bearing the family name, grand establishments that would cement their legacy even further. His gentle smile couldn’t mask the obvious nudge toward the more glamorous, more prestigious option.

Qi Jianyi nodded solemnly, pretending to take his advice seriously. Whether she’d ever use that information was another story. "I understand, Grandpa. But I’m still young. I’d like to enjoy life a bit longer before diving into all this business talk," she said with a polite smile, trying to steer the conversation away.

Enough lies for one day, she thought. Any more and karma’s going to catch up with me.

Grandpa Qi chuckled, patting her hand affectionately. "Alright, I’ll let you decide for yourself. You and your brothers are grown now, you know what’s best for your lives. I won’t interfere. Now, let’s eat. Old Zhang, are the meals ready?"

At his cue, Butler Zhang entered with a respectful bow. "Yes, Master. The meal is prepared. Please, let’s move to the yard."

The conversation about business finally ended, and Qi Jianyi exhaled in relief, her shoulders dropping as though she had just survived a grueling battle. The weight of it had pressed heavily on her, every carefully chosen word feeling like a step in a minefield.

But just as she thought she could finally breathe, a prickling sensation crawled up her spine, alerting her to someone’s lingering gaze.

Turning slowly, her eyes met Qi Jinli’s curious stare from across the room. His head was tilted slightly, eyebrows raised in silent question, the subtle crease on his forehead betraying the thoughts running through his mind. He took a step forward, his movements deliberate as if to avoid drawing any attention.

"Sister," he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur, "are you serious about going into business?"

His question was soft but loaded with doubt, almost as though he was trying to reconcile the person he knew with the facade she had just presented.

Before Qi Jianyi could gather a response, Qi Jinlu, his twin, appeared at his side, cutting into the conversation with a sharpness that made it clear he saw through the act.

"Of course not. Since when has she ever wanted to do business?" His tone was flat, almost bored, as if the very idea were so absurd it didn’t even warrant consideration.

Though the brothers weren’t particularly close to their sister, their years of observation had granted them an uncanny ability to read her.

They knew the truth—that her interests had never truly aligned with the world of commerce. In fact, for the past month, Qi Jianyi had spent her days lazing around, indulging in idle moments with Ling Xi, far removed from the cutthroat world of business.

Qi Jianyi’s lips curved into a grin, admiring her perceptive brother. "Exactly. It was just a lie," she admitted without hesitation. Her voice held a mischievous lilt, as though she took pride in her deception.

"Don’t rat me out, alright? Just pretend you didn’t hear anything."

She shot them both a pointed look, her gaze flicking between the two in a silent warning. But while Qi Jinlu’s expression remained indifferent, Qi Jinli blinked in surprise, his brow furrowing as he processed her words.

"A lie? But you sounded so believable." His confusion was almost endearing, a testament to his trusting nature.

Qi Jinlu rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Honestly, you’re way too gullible. If she really wanted to start a business, she would’ve been involved ages ago." His voice carried the blunt truth, his eyes cutting towards Qi Jinli with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

Irritated by his brother’s condescension, Qi Jinli glared back, his expression shifting from surprise to indignation.

"Why do you always have to be such a know-it-all?" His voice rose slightly, the sharp edge in it betraying his wounded pride.

Before Qi Jinlu could reply, Qi Jinli turned on his heel, storming off in a huff. His retreating figure, though stiff with anger, had a comical quality to it. His back was rigid, and his steps were heavy, as if he was trying too hard to mask his childish frustration.

Watching him go, Qi Jianyi let out a soft sigh, suppressing a laugh that threatened to escape. She cast a sideways glance at Qi Jinlu, her expression playful. "Who are you calling stupid?"

Qi Jinlu’s confident demeanour faltered, and he quickly backtracked, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.

"Me? No, no... I’m the stupid one, obviously." He flashed an awkward grin, rubbing the back of his neck in a gesture of surrender before hastily following his sulking twin.

Qi Jianyi chuckled, shaking her head as she trailed after them, the remnants of their lighthearted bickering echoing in her mind.

Despite their differences, the twins were predictable in their own way, and the familiarity of their banter brought a rare sense of warmth.

But just as the three siblings were about to leave the room, Qi Jianyi felt a sudden shift in the air, as if an unseen presence lingered behind them. She glanced over her shoulder and froze.

He Zeqing stood a few steps away, his expression one of stunned disbelief. His lips parted slightly, as though words had escaped him, and his usually composed face was tinged with confusion. He had heard everything.

The realisation hit Qi Jianyi like a cold gust of wind. He Zeqing had overheard their entire conversation—every last detail of the lie she had so carefully spun. The faintest flicker of guilt stirred within her, but it was quickly drowned out by amusement at his expression.

He Zeqing, however, felt none of the humour. His mind raced, replaying the conversation over and over, struggling to make sense of it. So all of this... had been a lie?

A complete fabrication? He frowned, remembering how his grandfather had scolded him earlier for not involving himself in Qi Jianyi’s supposed business venture. And now, it turned out there was no venture at all.

Deeply wronged, He Zeqing’s fists clenched at his sides, his pride wounded by the revelation. He stared at Qi Jianyi’s retreating figure, shaking his head in disbelief. Was this some kind of elaborate joke? A test? He couldn’t tell, but the unfairness of it all gnawed at him.