The Crybaby Mistress GL - Chapter 51

When Luo Jing returned home, Xu Fangting was not back yet. Luo Jing sat in a daze but still remembered to prepare dinner for her. While cooking, she was so distracted that she accidentally cut herself several times. She applied some medicine carelessly, but her mind was clearly elsewhere.

Xu Fangting returned later and sat down to eat. She had spent the day chatting enthusiastically with her friends and was eager to finish watching her show. She expected Luo Jing to join her because watching dramas was always more enjoyable with someone to discuss the plot.

At dinner, Xu Fangting held her bowl and casually chatted with Luo Jing, trying to see if she was interested in watching TV that night. However, Luo Jing seemed distracted. She spaced out several times and even bit the end of her chopsticks without touching her food.

“Did you hurt your hand?” Xu Fangting asked, noticing several bandages on Luo Jing’s fingers that had not been there in the morning.

Luo Jing blinked and softly replied, “Oh, I cut myself while chopping vegetables.” Her voice was faint, and the wounds had not been treated properly. Blood had seeped through the bandages.

Xu Fangting tried not to show too much concern, so she did not say anything further. During the meal, she kept quietly observing Luo Jing.

After a while, Xu Fangting was full. She had eaten almost everything by herself since Luo Jing had barely touched her food. When Xu Fangting set down her bowl and chopsticks, Luo Jing stood up to clean the table.

“You’re done eating already?” Xu Fangting asked when she saw Luo Jing clearing the dishes.

Luo Jing nodded. After washing the dishes, she also cleaned the bathroom for Xu Fangting to take a shower. By the time Xu Fangting came out, Luo Jing had already gone to her room.

Over the next few days, something about Luo Jing seemed off. Xu Fangting could not pinpoint what it was. Luo Jing completed all her tasks, but there was a strange undercurrent to her behavior. After two or three days, one morning, Xu Fangting found her sitting quietly on the sofa.

“You’re not going to class?” Xu Fangting asked.

Luo Jing nodded and did not explain why. Instead, she asked, “Auntie, what are we watching today?”

Having someone to watch TV with was always welcome. They watched a series about an overbearing CEO. Luo Jing stayed home and even prepared lunch. Xu Fangting enjoyed having company and good food. Luo Jing went along with everything and even made snacks for the show.

However, the next day, Luo Jing stayed home again. Then it happened a third day. Xu Fangting became suspicious.

“Why are you not going to school?” she asked. This was unusual. Luo Jing was still in college. It was strange for a student to stay home day after day. Not long ago, she had been so serious about her studies.

Luo Jing shook her head without giving a clear reason.

Xu Fangting was not having it. “Go to class now,” she ordered. She pushed Luo Jing into her room to change clothes and then personally walked her out the door. A young person skipping school was unacceptable. Without a college degree, she would not be good enough for Chen Xin. She needed to start taking things seriously.

Luo Jing had no choice. She left for school, but her expression was downcast. She looked as if she had been forced to do hard labor.

Something was definitely wrong.

After sending Luo Jing out, Xu Fangting called Chen Xin.

Chen Xin was in the middle of a meeting at work. It was not a formal one. The last project with another company had been a great success, exceeding profit expectations by twenty percent. This meeting was more like a celebration. Senior managers involved in the project were present, and discussions about promotions and commendations made it a cheerful event.

Although attendance was not mandatory, even Chen Zheng had come. Since that meant other high-level managers had to show up, the room quickly filled with attendees.

While Chen Xin was now the boss in name, many of Chen Zheng’s trusted allies still held high positions. His influence remained strong. Out of respect, Chen Xin let her father take the lead. This meeting was not about decision-making anyway. Anyone could give compliments and praise.

After a few encouraging words, Chen Zheng suddenly changed topics. He called Shen Weiguo to the front.

Shen Weiguo was just a team leader. It was already irregular for him to be in the room. However, being a relative of the boss meant exceptions were made.

A low-level leader among senior executives looked completely out of place. Yet Chen Zheng praised him as if he had made a major contribution. Even Chen Xin was confused. Chen Zheng patted Shen Weiguo’s shoulder and implied he had played a big role in the project’s success.

Everyone in the room exchanged glances. Shen Weiguo smiled awkwardly. He wanted to deny it but feared offending Chen Zheng. He stammered, “No, no. Everyone deserves credit. I did nothing special.”

The other managers were experienced. Once they regained composure, they joined in praising him. One compliment led to another, and soon the room was filled with applause and flattery. It looked as if they might start waving glow sticks.

Chen Xin noticed Shen Weiguo sneaking glances in her direction. His guilty expression showed he felt uncomfortable. She knew this idea had not come from him. She sighed inwardly. Her father was no longer the sharp, decisive man he once was. This forced praise felt like a cheap tactic. Everyone knew who had truly contributed to the project. No one believed a team leader had made the key difference.

Just then, Chen Xin’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw it was Xu Fangting. She had to answer. Xu Fangting was living with Luo Jing. Ignoring the call might lead to trouble for Luo Jing.

Chen Xin stood up, apologized to the room, and stepped out to take the call. Her exit drew attention. Chen Zheng looked displeased, and his expression made it clear. He did not approve of her behavior. Shen Weiguo remained seated, looking even more ashamed. He began thinking of how to explain everything to his cousin later.

Chen Xin had no time to worry about that now. As she listened to Xu Fangting’s report, her brow furrowed.

“Really? She is not going to school? That cannot be right.”

Something strange was happening with Luo Jing. She seemed distracted and had multiple cuts on her hands from cooking. Her appetite was gone. Xu Fangting listed all these signs while rummaging through Luo Jing’s room for clues.

“I spoke with her recently and did not notice anything strange,” Chen Xin said. Luo Jing had seemed perfectly normal.

“I am not sure what is wrong, but she is definitely acting differently. I am checking her room now. I sent her out so I am looking around to see if I can find something that explains it,” Xu Fangting said. She also mentioned that one night she found Luo Jing sitting in the dark living room, staring at her phone. Her fingers were trembling. The moment Xu Fangting approached, Luo Jing quickly put her phone away and pretended nothing had happened.

Chen Xin grew more concerned. “Alright, I understand. I will come home tonight and ask her myself.”

Xu Fangting continued searching but found nothing suspicious. Just as she was about to leave the room, she noticed a mysterious box hidden under the bed.

“I think I found something. There is a box hidden under the bed,” she said, moving toward it.

“Mom, do not open it,” Chen Xin urged, trying to stop her.

It was too late. There was a sharp gasp.

“Oh my goodness,” Xu Fangting exclaimed. Her phone fell to the floor. Whatever she had seen had clearly shocked her.