Bai Zilu slept in a haze all night and finally woke up in Ji Tang's arms. Bai Zilu yawned and stretched on instinct, and Bai Zilu's hand pressed into something soft.
Bai Zilu snapped fully awake. How did Bai Zilu end up in Ji Tang's bed. Looking at the frowning sleeper beside Bai Zilu and feeling Bai Zilu's own sore, heavy body, Bai Zilu realized something extraordinary might have happened last night.
Bai Ziyuan and Gu Qianran had already gone out to buy breakfast, so only the two of them were in the dorm. Bai Zilu hurried to shake Ji Tang. "Ji Tang, what exactly happened between us last night." In truth Bai Zilu swallowed the line, Was I on top or on the bottom.
Tch, no way to ask. If Bai Zilu turned out to be the one on the bottom, that would be a slap in the face. Bai Ziyuan was such an obvious bottom already, so Bai Zilu had to be double the top energy.
Ji Tang had gone to bed late, got run ragged all night because of this person, and had just managed to fall asleep when Bai Zilu shook Ji Tang awake again, which made Ji Tang explode. "Bai Zilu. Stop shaking me. You have the nerve to ask. You are a grown adult and still managed to give yourself a fever. Can you not take care of yourself. I did not sleep all night because of you. I am dead tired." Ji Tang's voice got smaller and smaller and ended with a soft sigh.
Too sleepy, Ji Tang reflexively dragged Bai Zilu back under the covers and went right back to sleep. Bai Zilu froze, then realized Bai Zilu had overthought it, and a suspicious blush crept over Bai Zilu's face.
Darn it. Ji Tang took care of you out of kindness and here you are thinking nonsense, Bai Zilu. Truly, domineering CEO novels ruin people.
Wait, so Bai Zilu had a fever last night and Ji Tang looked after Bai Zilu all night.
Bai Zilu's eyes grew a little warm. Bai Zilu carefully adjusted position to help Ji Tang sleep more comfortably. No wonder Ji Tang's brow furrowed even in sleep.
Bai Zilu's fingertips smoothed the crease between Ji Tang's brows and Bai Zilu whispered, "Silly or what."
"You know how to take care of me, so why can you not just open your heart."
Ji Tang mumbled groggily, "What did you say."
Bai Zilu stiffened, then grinned. "Nothing. Just asking if you are getting up. It is six fifty."
Ji Tang: what.
So Ji Tang had only slept three hours. The last time Ji Tang slept this late was while handling the idiot Ji Zhu's mess. Half a year escaped from feudal oppression and one night back to the old days.
Ji Tang sighed in resignation and sat up. Maybe Ji Tang was born to be the caretaker. Still, if the one being cared for was Bai Zilu, Ji Tang did not mind.
Knowing Bai Zilu owed last night to Ji Tang, Bai Zilu hurried to butter up to Ji Tang now, looking up with dewy deer eyes. "Ji Tang, how about I comb your hair."
What could Ji Tang say. Bai Zilu's coquettish skills were becoming as polished as Bai Ziyuan's, and unfortunately both Gu Qianran and Ji Tang were absolute suckers for that routine.
Ji Tang huffed and muttered under the breath. "Why do I keep getting stuck with ridiculous plotlines like this. It is not like we are acting in some idol show."
Bai Zilu felt that this Ji Tang was unbearably cute, none of the usual cool distance at all. Bai Zilu happily followed up. "But life is dog blood sometimes."
Ji Tang smiled noncommittally. Bai Zilu's lips curled. Excellent. Ji Tang smiled at Bai Zilu. And Ji Tang took such good care last night. That meant Bai Zilu definitely had a place in Ji Tang's heart.
Bai Zilu's whole heart took flight, and Bai Zilu nearly burst into a jig. Dancing with the feet was impossible, but a bit of hand flapping did happen.
Which was how Bai Zilu yanked out a whole bunch of Ji Tang's hair and got chased all over the dorm by a sleep deprived Ji Tang on the brink of eruption.
Pinned to the bed and being rubbed into the mattress, Bai Zilu still optimistically thought, Getting scolded means being loved. Then Bai Zilu accidentally said it out loud.
And that was that.
When Gu Qianran and Bai Ziyuan came back with breakfast, they heard chaos from far down the hall. Opening the door, the two who were tangled on the bed in an unbelievable position turned to the doorway in unison.
Bai Ziyuan saw Gu Qianran pause at the threshold, stuck her little head in curiously, then froze. "Ranran, what are they doing."
Gu Qianran calmly provided commentary for the little one. "Panda spirit versus Rubber Goblin."
Ji Tang and Bai Zilu: what.
Panda spirit versus Rubber Goblin, seriously.
Ji Tang looked aggrieved at Gu Qianran. "This person had a fever yesterday, kept me up all night, and now is here making trouble again. And just look at her. You are so energetic when fighting, does not look like a person with a fever."
Gu Qianran really was surprised. "So it was you who took care of her all night. Why did you not wake us."
Ji Tang shot Gu Qianran a look. Gu Qianran understood, chuckled, and tugged Bai Ziyuan to go eat breakfast. As they went out Gu Qianran tossed the two a meaningful glance. "You two are making rapid progress."
The two on the bed shouted in chorus, "We are pure as snow."
Gu Qianran shrugged and fed bread to Bai Ziyuan. "Sure. We are the ones being mushy." It was clear now. One was a straight as an arrow in denial, the other a tsundere. Mouths said no, bodies were honest.
Bai Ziyuan accepted the feeding cheerfully and mumbled a review with a full mouth. "A hint of malt aroma."
"Connoisseur." Gu Qianran's eyes smiled.
Gu Qianran had thought Li Junyao would become more normal after being rejected, but clearly Gu Qianran had overestimated the male lead's IQ. Li Junyao brought the same four from before and cornered Gu Qianran and Bai Ziyuan.
He glared at them viciously. "Gu Qianran, was it you who told my dad what I did at school. Why are all my bank cards frozen."
Gu Qianran looked at him without expression. "Li Junyao, only villains run to tattle first."
Li Junyao's eyes bulged, any school heartthrob handsomeness gone, replaced by a twisted snarl. He had grown up surrounded by women. Why, why would this person reject him again and again, and even do that disgusting homosexual thing.
"I do not care. You have to subsidize me, otherwise." He had not finished the threat when Gu Qianran cut him off. "In the end you want money. Otherwise otherwise you will do what. Tell your family. Hm."
The pressure around Gu Qianran turned sharp and cold. Bai Ziyuan quickly tugged Gu Qianran's sleeve and looked up, worried.
Gu Qianran reined it in at once and patted Bai Ziyuan's head. "Do not worry. There will not be that brainless plot where the family separates lovers. They would not dare." Please. Gu Qianran was not the original body. The people at home were strangers to Gu Qianran. If they treated Gu Qianran well, maybe Gu Qianran would help. As it was, if they did not add trouble that was already good. Why would Gu Qianran care about their feelings.
Respect goes both ways. With how that family treated Gu Qianran, and they still thought they could break up a pair of mandarin ducks. Dream on.
"So tell me, what else can you do. Threaten a little girl and not even on point. That is it."
Li Junyao was speechless. He glowered at Gu Qianran, then flicked a glance to the side. The four boys immediately closed in.
Inside, Gu Qianran felt nothing at all, maybe even a laugh bubbling. Gu Qianran gently covered Bai Ziyuan's eyes with one hand. "Little cutie, minors are not allowed to watch this part."
You are also a minor. Bai Ziyuan grumbled inwardly, but obediently covered up. Gu Qianran was far too mature to seem like a minor. Bai Ziyuan believed Gu Qianran would handle it.
The four looked like bad news at a glance. The slicked back Hair Gel Guy shoved Gu Qianran, knocking Gu Qianran a step. The smile in Gu Qianran's eyes deepened.
"You made the first move."
Triangle Eyes and the fat and jowly Lard Bucket snickered. Did this little girl think she could beat four grown men bigger than she was.
The scrawny Pole stuck his gaze up and down her, full of sleazy lust. Li Junyao tugged his collar like a gentleman and leaned on the wall to enjoy the show.
Next they saw Gu Qianran drive a hard kick between the Pole's legs, shove him away, snap a kick into Lard Bucket's belly, then, after knocking him over, repeat the trick and whip a kick squarely into Hair Gel Guy's crotch. The last remaining Triangle Eyes stared bug eyed, clutched his own vital area, and quietly backed away.
Was this really a normal high schooler. Who fights like this and only targets the weak spots. These days, in a fight, one careless move and the family line is in danger.
Li Junyao's eyeballs nearly fell out. He was truly foolish, trying to use normal methods on the calamity that was Gu Qianran.
"You just wait, you cheap woman." He tossed a vicious line, grabbed his cronies, and ran.
"Alright, you can uncover. They are gone." Gu Qianran turned to find Bai Ziyuan still obediently covering Bai Ziyuan's eyes. This little one really listened.
Bai Ziyuan heard and quickly put Bai Ziyuan's hands down. The first thing Bai Ziyuan saw was Gu Qianran's dazzling smile.
"Little cutie, they moved first, so I did not break school rules."
Bai Ziyuan was dazzled, turned aside and huffed. "I did not say you broke school rules."
Gu Qianran slung an arm around Bai Ziyuan with a grin. "Are you not going to be a lawyer. As the girlfriend of a lawyer, knowing the law and breaking it will not do, especially when this lawyer emphasized nipping problems in the bud."
Bai Ziyuan heard the teasing and still blushed anyway. Gu Qianran could not help marveling. "Little cutie, we are going to save a lot on blush."
That earned a monumental eye roll. Honestly, ever since getting together, this person could not stay serious and teased Bai Ziyuan every day.
Looking at Bai Ziyuan's intentionally averted face, Gu Qianran let out a pleased little laugh.
So the male lead really had taken on the evil supporting role of providing assists. Please send a dozen of this kind of male lead.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
When Li Junyao got home, his face was dark green. Li Junze spotted it and hurried over. "Brother Yao, what did Gu Qianran do to you again."
Li Junyao slanted him a look. This one was slick, always flattering but never bad mouthing Gu Qianran to show loyalty, only suited for profit collaborations and not deep friendship.
His voice was cold. "Where is the stuff." Li Junze did not mind, only grinned and handed over a key, the key to Gu Qianran's room.
Li Junyao transferred him money, took the key, and smoothly opened Gu Qianran's door. The room was simple, with no personal belongings. Only a drawer had a locked compartment.
Li Junyao did not care, because what he wanted was not in the compartment. Gu Qianran had forgotten to put away the recent investment plan listed last night, and it was still laid out on the desk.
Li Junyao flipped through the plan and sneered. Gu Qianran, Gu Qianran, of all the calculations you made, you never calculated that I could buy someone next to you. With this plan in hand, all your labor becomes mine. Let us see what you have to fight me with.
He was not stupid. He first put money in a few short term projects and waited to see the returns.
Two months later, after the end of final exams, Li Junyao received the investment returns along with his grades. The two were completely opposite results.
He used to have good grades and could be first in the school with a little effort, but now, as if his luck had drained away, his already weak basics collapsed off a cliff.
The one good part was that his investment report showed every project he chose had earned a lot. Liu Cuimei heard and bounced to Li Junsheng every other day, bragging about Li Junyao's business head. Together with the way Gu Qianran and Li Junze showed little interest in Li Group, Li Junsheng genuinely began to consider letting Li Junyao inherit.
Liu Cuimei was a petty villain who had scored a win and paraded herself in front of Gu Lian every day. Schooled countless times by Gu Qianran, Gu Lian did not care at all. You go posture. I will go make money.
In the original story Li Junyao became president of Li Group without suspense. Pity for him, this life he ran into two cheat code monsters.
At dinner, Li Junsheng operated the phone that Gu Qianran the Cheat Number One had invested in, pleasantly surprised. "Xiao Ran, I find you truly a business prodigy. Who did you inherit that eye from." Seeing Gu Qianran's face turn cool, he hastily changed the subject. Strange thing, the aura on this daughter always unnerved him. He could only flatter himself that the tiger father begets no dog daughter.
"Xiao Ran, why did you pick this company back then. And why did you insist on giving such a useful phone the name 8848."
Gu Qianran exchanged a look with Li Junze and both smiled. F.K was a new listed upstart, bold and ambitious, which Gu Qianran admired. Add that the level of tech in Gu Qianran's previous life far surpassed this world's, and it was easy for Gu Qianran to see whether a product's R and D direction was right.
As for the name 8848. Because your world does not understand, and 8848 pays tribute to a life lived with cheats turned on.
And the line Gu Qianran most wanted to say to those who got cocky after a bit of success. Running fast does not guarantee victory. Not getting blown up is success.
Gu Lian cast a mocking glance at Liu Cuimei. Liu Cuimei pretended not to notice. Li Junyao wore a stormy look. Just wait, vile woman. Once I control Li Group, I will dump all your dirt in front of Dad.
Yet one light glance from Gu Qianran and Li Junyao immediately wilted. He felt wronged too. Why was Gu Qianran fearless of heaven and earth. Was this how a person who was supposedly in someone's grip should act.
Holding the custom 8848, Gu Qianran suddenly thought of something important. Now that Gu Qianran and the little cutie were together, did that mean during winter break they could go on dates openly and boldly.
Gu Qianran: !!!
She said it and did it. She immediately sent a message to her little one.
Ranran: Little cutie, want to go out tomorrow. [rubbing hands.jpg]
Bai Ziyuan replied in a second.
Little One: Yes yes. [cute cat.jpg]
Gu Qianran looked at the chubby cat face in the sticker and the corner of Gu Qianran's lips lifted. Such a cute sticker really matches Bai Ziyuan's vibe.
Stolen, stolen.
Gu Qianran lifted her eyes to Li Junsheng. "So, I am going out tomorrow, I will be back in the afternoon." Gu Qianran never called him Li Junsheng or Father, always started a conversation with a filler word. Li Junsheng was used to it; anyone could tell she was talking to him.
This daughter who had grown up outside was mature and had her own views, so he might as well let go. He nodded. "Be back early."
Gu Qianran thanked him, courteous and distant, as if facing an ordinary elder.
From the side, Liu Cuimei ground her teeth. This little fox refuses to give face, so why does the old man still value her so much. A fox is a fox, so good at playing hard to get.
Gu Qianran could not care less what this whole household was thinking and simply went upstairs. Opening her door, Gu Qianran saw the tiny paper scrap inside.
It was a trick learned from film and television, used to verify whether anyone had entered her room. The corner of Gu Qianran's mouth curved.
Li Junyao, sure enough you could not hold back.
No rush. Cast a long line to catch a big fish. For a lingering cockroach like this, you have to strike the vitals and swat it flat, then add dozens more cuts so not even God can save it.
Especially that long missing cockroach called the system. Tch, what a pity. If the system showed up it could at least count as half a golden finger.
At the Bai home, Bai Ziyuan sat happily on the sofa looking at her phone. Bai Qishan watched his younger daughter's glowing face with curiosity. "Xiaoyuan, what is the good news. So happy."
Bai Ziyuan nodded with delight. Bai Ziyuan was going on a date with Ranran. A date. Underline that.
"Oh." Bai Qishan was a sturdy one meter eighty man, so that gossiping expression looked comically out of place. Bai Mama Qin Qiu pinched his ear and hauled him toward the kitchen. "Bai Laoda, why are you nosing around your daughter's gossip every day. Get in here and lend a hand."
Bai Qishan laughed and went to help his wife. Watching the harmony at home, Bai Ziyuan felt incredibly lucky. With open minded parents who were both mentors and friends, and an older sister who was goofy yet meticulous and patient, her family was surely the envy of many.
For example, Ranran. Ranran had once asked if her family objected and Ranran moved out on her own, would she be upset. Back then she had only smiled and not taken it seriously. Now it seemed it might really happen.
What kind of brother blocks his own sister at school. Does such a person deserve to be called brother.
Good thing her Ranran was quick witted and did not let the scumbag succeed. She gave Ranran a thumbs up in her heart, then put on clothes and got ready to head out.
Beside her, Bai Zilu was so envious she could cry. Bai Zilu wanted to show off love with Ji Tang too. But when would Blockhead Ji finally get a clue.
Bai Zilu opened the chat window labeled Future Girlfriend and typed: wuwuwu. [crying.jpg]
Ji Tang replied quickly. What is wrong, who bullied you. Do not be afraid, I will teach them a lesson for you.
Bai Zilu basked in self induced sweetness. Yet dreams are plump and reality is bony. Ji Tang's follow up was only a few words, simple and blunt as always.
Today I Also Wish For Overnight Riches: What nonsense are you up to now.
Bai Zilu: …
Listen. That is the sound of a heart breaking.