Who's going to be the female lead's simp? Aren't the supporting female characters mor

The Maybach slowly drove into the underground parking garage of Yujingwan, the roar of the engine gradually fading into the empty space until it went out.

Bai Jingyou sat in the back seat, not in a hurry to get out of the car. He raised his hand to rub his temples and exhaled a long breath.

The tense and cautious atmosphere at Yuncheng Mansion was extremely mentally taxing.

Acting is more tiring than doing real work when dealing with a fool like Li He.

"Boss, do you need me to take you upstairs?" Chen Mo asked, turning around.

"No need. Go back to the company and keep an eye on things." Bai Jingyou unbuckled his seatbelt, his voice regaining its usual calm. "Although that conman named Charles has disappeared, these transnational Ponzi schemes often have accomplices in China. Dig out that lead and keep it in hand; it'll be useful against the Li family's collateral branches later."

"clear."

Bai Jingyou got out of the car and walked alone to the elevator lobby.

The elevator numbers ticked and eventually stopped at the top floor.

This large, single-level apartment in the heart of Beijing was purchased by him after his rebirth for convenience.

Normally only hourly cleaners come to clean, making it as deserted as a showroom.

However, when the fingerprint lock beeped softly and the door popped open, Bai Jingyou was stunned.

The entryway, which should have been completely dark, was now illuminated by a warm, yellow wall lamp.

The air wasn't filled with the chilly smell of a place uninhabited year-round; instead, it was permeated with a rich, appetizing aroma.

It was the flavor of slow-cooked chicken soup, mixed with the aroma of a special medicinal herb that could only be found in homes in the South.

Bai Jingyou's eyes softened instantly, and the muscles that had been tense all night relaxed.

There is only one person who has this key and can make this flavor.

He changed his shoes and quietly walked into the living room.

Before the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the lights of Beijing's thousands of homes spread out like a galaxy.

A figure dressed in silk loungewear was standing with her back to him, holding a glass of red wine, seemingly admiring the bustling city.

She was an extremely beautiful woman. Even just her back view exuded an elegance and strength that emanated from her very being.

Her long hair was casually tied back, revealing a section of her slender, fair neck. The satin texture of her loungewear clung to her figure, outlining breathtaking curves.

Seemingly having heard the noise, the woman turned around.

It was a face that bore a resemblance to Bai Jingyou, but with softer lines and an imposing, dignified air about it.

At this moment, those phoenix eyes that were usually so decisive and ruthless in the business world were scrutinizing Bai Jingyou from head to toe.

"Sis." Bai Jingyou smiled, his smile carrying a hint of boyish ingratiation. "Why did you come? You didn't even let me know beforehand so I could pick you up from the airport."

Bai Qing didn't say anything, but put down her wine glass, slipped on her slippers, and walked up to Bai Jingyou.

She was half a head shorter than Bai Jingyou, but that didn't stop her from reaching out and precisely grabbing Bai Jingyou's ear.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... Sis, be gentle, dear sister!" Bai Jingyou cried out exaggeratedly, bending down to cooperate.

"So you know what pain is?" Bai Qing snorted coldly, but the pressure on her hand loosened, turning into a gentle caress.

Her fingers traced the side of Bai Jingyou's face, and only after confirming there were no injuries did her tightly furrowed brows relax slightly. "Who is Shen Zhenyang? He's a tiger who eats people without spitting out the bones! How dare you go to the hospital to see him alone? And dare to go to a place like Yuncheng Mansion, a place teeming with all sorts of people, at this critical juncture?"

"The news spread so fast?" Bai Jingyou took his sister's hand and pulled her to sit on the sofa. "They know about it in Haicheng too?"

"If I wanted to know, I could hear a pin drop in the capital." Bai Qing glared at him, but her eyes were full of lingering fear. "Although the Shen family has fallen, a centipede dies but doesn't fall dead. What if that old madman tries to take someone down with him before he dies? What if that hothead from the Li family really goes crazy and pulls a knife? You're getting bolder and bolder. Do you think you're all grown up and that your sister can't control you anymore?"

A warm feeling welled up in Bai Jingyou's heart.

"Sister, I know what I'm doing." Bai Jingyou poured Bai Qing a glass of warm water, his tone serious. "Shen Zhenyang is after money, not death. As for Li He... he's just a spoiled brat, I have plenty of ways to deal with him."

"Treat him?" Bai Qing raised an eyebrow, regaining her domineering CEO aura. "I heard you spent 1.5 billion to buy a piece of wasteland? And gave the Li family a 300 million advance payment?"

Sure enough, nothing could be hidden from her.

"That's not wasteland." Bai Jingyou took out a planning map from under the coffee table and spread it in front of Bai Qing. "That's a future treasure trove."

Bai Qing glanced at the map, his gaze lingering on the circled area for a few seconds.

As the head of the Bai family, her business acumen is naturally top-notch.

"Northwest of Beijing, a logistics hub, a bonded zone..." Bai Qing murmured to himself, then suddenly looked up at Bai Jingyou with a hint of shock in his eyes, "You got the license? Or... you've made connections with the higher-ups?"

"Ye Lingqing helped a bit," Bai Jingyou said casually, "but the technology and planning are still in our hands. With DeepBlue Technology's automation system and this land, I'm confident we can monopolize cross-border logistics north of Beijing within three years."

Bai Qing was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

It was a feeling of joy that my younger brother had grown up, and also a sense of relief after a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Looks like I worried for nothing." Bai Qing leaned back on the sofa, looking languid. "I even brought some things with me, thinking that if you got detained, I'd go and get you out. If you lost money, I'd cover for you. Now it seems like I won't be able to spend that money."

"Who says you can't spend the money?" Bai Jingyou leaned over and massaged Bai Qing's shoulders like he used to when they were kids. "Deep Blue Technology is really hungry for it. Sis, since you're here, why not invest some money? Consider it your initial investment, and your little brother will take you to new heights in the future."

"Stop being so glib." Bai Qing slapped his hand away, stood up, and walked towards the kitchen. "Eat first. I've been simmering this soup for five hours. If you dare leave a single bite, I'll send a picture of you as a child to that little girl in the Jiang family."

Upon hearing the words "Jiang family's youngest daughter," Bai Jingyou froze for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "Sister, you even know this?"

"Jiang Mengyao is a good girl," Bai Qing said without turning her head as she ladled soup. "Although she's a bit soft-hearted, she's sincere. She's a million times better than that Lin Ruyu. If you dare to let her down, I'll break your legs before the Jiang family even lifts a finger."

The kitchen was steaming, and Bai Qing came out carrying two bowls of soup.

There was no nanny, no servants, just the two siblings.

Bai Jingyou took the bowl and took a sip.

The rich chicken soup slid down my throat, and the warmth instantly spread to every part of my body.

"It's delicious," Bai Jingyou exclaimed sincerely.

"Drink more if it's good." Bai Qing sat opposite him, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him eat. "You've lost weight. Have you not been eating properly lately?"

"I'm busy."

"Being busy is no excuse." Bai Qing placed a piece of the tenderest chicken in his bowl. "I don't plan to leave right away this time. The waters in the capital are too deep. Although you acquired the land, you also touched the vested interests of too many people. The Li family's situation is temporarily stable, but that woman Ye Lingqing... you need to be careful."

Bai Jingyou nodded; he had seen through this long ago.

"Don't worry, sis, I'm not one to be trifled with either." Bai Jingyou put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, "It's just mutual exploitation. Once Deep Blue Technology has completely established itself, it's hard to say who will kick whom."

Bai Qing looked at the cold glint in her younger brother's eyes—an ambition and sharpness she had never seen before. She felt both gratified and heartbroken.

"Oh, right." Bai Qing seemed to remember something, took out a gold-embossed invitation from her Hermès bag, and pushed it in front of Bai Jingyou. "Since you want to establish yourself in Beijing, there are some occasions you still have to attend. This is a charity gala tomorrow night, hosted by the 'Huajing Club.' I know you don't like these kinds of social events, but this time is different."

Bai Jingyou picked up the invitation card; it was black with gold lettering and felt heavy.

"Huajing Club?" Bai Jingyou frowned slightly. This is a top-tier business club in the country, with extremely high entry requirements; it's not something you can just get in with money.

"Shen Zhenyang used to be a director here, but now that he's fallen, that position is vacant." Bai Qing took a sip of red wine, her tone as calm as if she were discussing tomorrow's weather. "Many people are eyeing that position. Although you have less seniority, you control Deep Blue Technology and the Northwest Hub, so you're qualified to compete for it."

"Sister, you want me to..."

"I'm not forcing you," Bai Qing interrupted him. "But you need to understand that in the capital, money alone isn't enough, nor is skill alone. You need connections, a protective shield. Joining the Huajing Association will reduce official troubles in the future."

Bai Jingyou looked at the invitation in his hand, a confident smile curving his lips.

"Since my sister has paved the way, it would be incredibly ungrateful of me not to go." Bai Jingyou carefully put away the invitation. "I want that director position."

Bai Qing nodded in satisfaction and served Bai Jingyou another bowl of soup.

"After drinking, I went to take a shower and go to bed. I smelled awful from all the smoke and alcohol."

"Yes, ma'am."

Even late at night, the lights of Royal Bay remain warm.

Bai Jingyou lay in bed, listening to the faint sounds coming from the next room, feeling a sense of peace he had never felt before.

Outside the window, the night wind howled through the capital, seemingly foreshadowing another bloody battle tomorrow. But so what?

They have cards in their hands and people behind them.

The game of chess in the capital is only just beginning to get exciting.

……

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and onto the bed.

Bai Jingyou's biological clock made him wake up promptly at 6:30.

He stepped out of his bedroom and found breakfast already laid out on the dining table—simple white porridge, fried eggs, and several delicate side dishes.

Bai Qing, dressed in a smart white business suit, was sitting at the dining table reading a newspaper.

At this moment, she had completely shed the gentle, homely demeanor of the previous night and transformed back into the powerful business queen of Haicheng.

"Awake?" Bai Qing didn't even look up. "Have breakfast. I've already had my assistant bring over the dress you're going to wear. I won't be going to the banquet with you tonight; I have another engagement."