Do Not Approach

Chapter 35: I've seen better.

Mu Xiaoxiao stared at the person on the screen, completely oblivious to the fact that Qin Yi had clenched her fists. A wave of frustration was rising from within, making her want to stand up, snatch Mu Xiaoxiao's phone, throw it on the ground, and stomp it to pieces.

But Qin Yi's status held her back-she couldn't behave in a way unbefitting her position. The most frustrating part was: what reason did she have to get angry? What right did she have to throw a tantrum?

She liked Mu Xiaoxiao, but Mu Xiaoxiao didn't feel the same. In her heart, she was nothing more than a good "sister" figure. That bitter realization spread within Qin Yi, leaving her in deep discomfort. Yet, she had no outlet for her feelings-she could only swallow them down silently.

Meanwhile, Mu Xiaoxiao was still engrossed in the photo. Qin Yi had mentally gone through a sea of emotions, already envisioning herself smashing the phone, but Xiaoxiao remained unaware. She continued tapping on the screen, zooming in again and again, particularly on the model's eyes, scrutinizing them with professional curiosity.

Qin Yi took a deep breath.

She thought, if Mu Xiaoxiao was truly so capable, then she had better keep moving forward and never look back. But if the day came when she look back, Qin Yi would make sure that Mu Xiaoxiao tasted every bit of the bitterness she felt today.

"Hey, eldest miss, look at her eyes!" Mu Xiaoxiao said, still had no idea she had become a target of Qin Yi's 'list for future revenge'. She was entirely focused on the photo, not out of admiration but because her professional instincts had kicked in.

Qin Yi stared at her coldly.

What is shelooking at?

What position do I hold? And no matter how beautiful that woman is, is she worth looking at?

Mu Xiaoxiao continued zooming in, as if she were an expert photo editor, determined to find something hidden within the model's gaze.

Unable to resist, Qin Yi glanced at the person on the screen and frowned.

Wasn't this one of her agency's artist from Nanyang?

The woman in the photo was Xue Manlan, a model the company has been heavily promoting. However, she had never truly become famous because of her overly strong and outspoken personality. Unlike most artists or models who worked diligently and followed company directives, she was the type to live recklessly, indulging in the present without concern for the future. No one-not even her agent-could control her. She was well known in the company for her uninhibited and unruly nature. Moreover, she came from a well-off family and was only in the industry for fun. Yet, despite her carefree attitude, she had somehow managed to gain some recognition, which left people both exasperated and frustrated.

Qin Yi remembered her because of an incident back when she visited Nanyang. As she parked her car and was about to head upstairs, she heard someone shouting along the way.

"Hey, hey! Don't leave!"

"Wait for me, Manlan! Why are you drinking again? You're a model! Come on, have some discipline, will you?"

Then, a tall woman in a leather jacket appeared, holding a cup of coffee in her left hand. Her nails were painted in bold, bright red, and she wore a mischievous smile, like a child who had just gotten away with something.

When she noticed Qin Yi, she paused, biting her lip and inhaling deeply, her eyes wide with surprise.

Qin Yi, dressed in a sleek black wool coat that accentuated her tall, slim figure, exuded an air of elegance. The slight cinch at her waist added a touch of femininity to her otherwise austere presence. Manlan stared, wondering if this imposing woman was some kind of inspector.