“Alright, from now on in Longhai City, you’re bound to run into each other. You two really got to know each other through that clash—now let’s work together well going forward.” Bai Ji spoke like the matriarch of a big family, gently scolding a couple of unruly kids.
Both of them nodded in agreement. After all, they had to show respect to Bai Jie.
Bai Ji suddenly asked, “Wan’er, is that guy really your boyfriend?”
Uh…
How should she answer this? Would it be better to deny it, or just go along with it? Yu Xiaoduo couldn’t make up her mind on the spot.
In Bai Ji’s eyes, Gu Wan’er’s hesitation just looked like shyness—she was too embarrassed to say it outright.
“Wan’er, I’ve been watching him. That boy doesn’t seem like much. If you can break it off, do it sooner rather than later.”
Yu Xiaoduo: “…”
Bai Jie, that’s way too harsh! Am I really that bad? Not even worthy of your approval?
Ye Shishi let out a sudden chuckle beside her.
That got on Yu Xiaoduo’s nerves. “What are you laughing at? You were this close to becoming my concubine, you know.”
That one retort shut Ye Shishi right up. But she noticed something—even Bai Jie didn’t seem to know who Yu Xiaoduo really was, and looking at Gu Wan’er, she probably didn’t know either.
People had been going on about how Gu Wan’er was a master of playing the fool, but from where Ye Shishi stood, Yu Xiaoduo was the real deal—the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“Alright, it’s getting late. Time for everyone to head home. And no more talk about concubines or anything like that.”
As the two of them left, Bai Ji smiled to herself. Sometimes she envied them—able to just go wild and have fun without a care in the world.
Walking along the path paved with cobblestones, Ye Shishi suddenly asked, “Is Yu Xiaoduo really your boyfriend?”
“Miss Ye, you’re pretty gossipy too, huh,” Yu Xiaoduo said with a pout.
“Heh, see you around.” Ye Shishi didn’t press further. She’d keep her word and not spread it around.
Watching Ye Shishi’s retreating figure, Yu Xiaoduo curled the corner of her mouth into a playful grin. That little concubine is pretty interesting.
Gu Wan’er and the others were already waiting in the parking lot. When she saw Yu Xiaoduo approaching, she stepped forward and asked with concern, “Did Bai Jie say anything?”
“Nothing much. I just saved Ye Shishi from becoming my concubine—now she’ll never know what true happiness feels like.”
“Hahaha.” Gu Wan’er burst out laughing at Yu Xiaoduo’s words.
Yu Xiaoduo sighed dramatically and said, “President Gu, you should smile more often. Don’t always keep that stern face.”
“Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty. Let me take you out for a late-night snack.”
“Forget the snack. I’m way too tired today—just want to get some rest early.” Yu Xiaoduo looked exhausted, but really, she just wanted to go back and chat with Yunque for a bit while getting a massage.
Gu Wan’er could tell Yu Xiaoduo had had a long day and suggested, “Now that this is pretty much settled, let’s switch back.”
“Switch?”
“Yeah, we kiss again.”
What the hell—you’re kicking me to the curb now that I’ve served my purpose?
“No way.” Yu Xiaoduo flat-out rejected the idea.
“Why not?”
“I can’t bring myself to kiss myself—it’s too gross.” Yu Xiaoduo really couldn’t stomach it. What kind of nonsense was this?
“Now you finally understand how I felt back then, huh.”
Yu Xiaoduo: “…” You were the one who shoved your lips onto mine!
“Come on, President Gu, don’t do me like that. Is this how you treat someone who’s helped you? That’s cold.”
Watching Yu Xiaoduo put on another act, Gu Wan’er didn’t force it. “Fine, keep playing the role then. Didn’t you say you wanted to treat Bai Jie to a meal? Now you can cook for her yourself.”
“I’m basically your slave at this point.”
“Don’t say that—it’s a bit insulting to slaves, honestly.”
Yu Xiaoduo eyed Gu Wan’er curiously. “You know, you’re starting to act more and more like me.”
“Really? That means my acting skills are getting sharper.”
Yu Xiaoduo grinned and threw an arm around Gu Wan’er’s shoulder. “Oh, by the way, I got you another big project.”
“Seriously?”
“For sure. Bai Jie put in a good word for Ye Shishi, and Ye Shishi’s pretty honorable—she swapped the bet for a cooperation deal. Pretty sweet deal, right?”
Gu Wan’er gave a big thumbs up. “Yu Xiaoduo, you’re amazing.”
“Of course, it’s nothing—easy peasy.”
Seeing that smug grin on Yu Xiaoduo’s face, Gu Wan’er couldn’t help but smile along. “Did you really learn all that from movies?”
“Yep. But someone also taught me.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.” Gu Wan’er let out a little gasp.
“Of course. My uncle’s a gambler. My mom said I was only a month old when she started teaching me to recognize cards. Once she saw I had a gift for it, she went all in.”
Gu Wan’er sighed. “Your uncle sounds like a bad influence.”
“Hey, that’s not fair. Without my uncle, would you have won today?”
“I guess you’re right.”
“But seriously, never gamble—there’s always a trick. Look at what happened just now—I could make whoever I wanted win.”
Gu Wan’er thought that made sense. “I’ve seen some anti-gambling videos too. It’s just like what you did—like magic tricks.”
“Exactly. My uncle’s crazy good. But no matter how good he was, my mom still broke his legs.” That was back when he’d taken her to a casino as a kid—she’d won big, and they ended up being chased. She was only fourteen at the time.
Gu Wan’er was shocked. “Auntie’s that ruthless? Does she hit you too?”
“Hard to say. At home, my mom’s the empress. You better do what she says. Just look at my dad—he wouldn’t dare make a peep. If you step out of line, watch out—they’ll team up and double-team you.”
Gu Wan’er shivered all over and quickly changed the subject. Yu Xiaoduo snickered to himself. Gotcha, scared you didn’t I.
“Hey, aren’t you sad about losing a concubine?”
Yu Xiaoduo thought to herself, That ‘concubine’ is nothing compared to your sister—Yunque’s the real deal.
“It’s you who’s sad about losing someone to fetch your tea and water, isn’t it?”
“Heh, as if.”
Yu Xiaoduo suddenly leaned in and whispered to Gu Wan’er, “Aren’t you disappointed? You don’t get to have your fun anymore.” And with that, she darted off.
Gu Wan’er stood frozen for a moment, then cursed Yu Xiaoduo for being a total pervert. No way I’m like you!
Back in the city, in a black Mercedes G63, Ye Xiang was driving while Ye Shishi sat in the passenger seat with the wind in her hair.
After that crushing defeat, the siblings had been silent the whole ride.
“Shishi, you’re not mad at Fourth Brother, are? You were the one who told me to play that hand,” Ye Xiang said quickly, trying to smooth things over. If his sister tattled, he’d be in deep trouble.
He shouldn’t have brought it up. The mention of it only made Ye Shishi more frustrated—she’d actually lost to her own brother.
Just then, Ye Xiang’s phone rang. “It’s Third Brother calling.”
Ye Shishi immediately turned to look out the window, too embarrassed to even face him.
Ye Xiang knew his sister was all about pride. Tonight had been a heavy blow to her ego.
He answered the video call with a grin. “Third Brother, what’s up?”
The man on the screen was equally handsome, resembling Ye Xiang quite a bit, though his build wasn’t as burly and his hairstyle was different. He looked much more serious, unlike Ye Xiang’s goofy demeanor.
“Where’s Shishi? Why isn’t she answering my calls?” Ye Dao demanded.
“The little girl’s sitting right next to me. She lost big tonight and is too embarrassed to show her face to you.”
Ye Shishi threw a punch at him. Ye Xiang just chuckled—to him, it was no different from a tickle.
