“It’s inevitable to run into an expert now and then. I’ve warned her about this before—there’s always someone better. If she doesn’t take a hit, she won’t learn.” Ye Dao sighed.
Hearing this, Ye Shishi snatched the phone back. “Third Brother, how did I lose, exactly? How did she swap the cards? I was watching the whole time!”
“Didn’t I teach you before? Your eyes can deceive you.”
Ye Shishi pursed her lips, still unconvinced.
“In the first round, she purposely shuffled the cards sloppily and pretended not to know how to play. But she was already setting the stage for the second round. That’s what I call ‘stealing the sky and swapping the sun.’ It’s not just about lightning-fast hand movements—you also need total control over the whole game. You two rookies lost fair and square.”
“No way! I looked into her—she doesn’t know how to play cards at all!” Ye Shishi felt like she’d been duped.
The moment that thought hit her, she slapped her thigh hard.
“Ouch! Shishi, don’t hurt yourself just because you lost!”
Ye Shishi muttered, “It just hit me—turns out I wasn’t the one playing her. She was playing me all along!”
“What do you mean?” Ye Xiang was curious to hear his sister’s take.
“If she already knew I’d try to block the contract but deliberately didn’t interfere, it’s because she wanted to compete with me. And by beating me, she gains fame and still gets the deal signed—two birds with one stone!” Ye Shishi ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. She’d actually fallen for it.
Ye Xiang shot her a doubtful look. “Shishi, don’t you think you’re overthinking it?”
Ye Dao said calmly, “Shishi’s guess isn’t baseless. That Gu Wan’er is deeply scheming. Know why she chose you as the third person? It was to use you to take down your own sister. At her level, winning alone isn’t enough for her anymore.”
Ye Xiang couldn’t sit still after hearing that. He slammed his fist on the steering wheel, and even Ye Shishi flinched, afraid her fourth brother might break it.
“Dammit! So that’s what Gu Wan’er was planning, and I fell for it! If she were a guy, I’d cut off both her hands and feed ’em to a husky!” Ye Xiang was furious—he’d been played like a fiddle by a woman.
Hearing Ye Dao’s analysis, Ye Shishi felt even worse about her defeat. She’d never lost so badly in her entire life.
Ye Dao felt for his sister, but he also wanted her to understand that there’s always someone better. The sleight-of-hand tricks she’d learned were like child’s play next to a true master. Still, a loss like this had to be avenged. “Shishi, your third brother will get you back for this one day.”
“No. I’ll do it myself. You two focus on your own things—don’t get involved.” Ye Shishi’s eyes shone with determination. Her three strongest skills had been crushed without mercy. She was impressed, but also unwilling to accept it.
Her two brothers exchanged knowing smiles. Ye Xiang teased, “Honestly, this is good for her. Let it be a lesson.”
“If our big brother heard you say that, you’d be the one getting a lesson.” Ye Dao said flatly, then ended the video call.
Ye Xiang clicked his tongue and tried to comfort her. “Shishi, don’t worry. I’ll round up some guys one day and snatch her up for you. That’ll teach her.”
“Fourth Brother, if I win, I’m winning fair and square. Don’t you mess things up for me.” Ye Shishi said seriously. Right now, Gu Wan’er was stuck—no resources, no connections. With both her brothers gunning for her, aside from the Gu family heiress title, she had zero advantages.
Since dirty tricks didn’t work, she’d take the straight path. She refused to believe she couldn’t beat Gu Wan’er at least once.
“Fair and square? You were trying to screw her over with that contract and ended up getting outplayed yourself.”
Ye Shishi shot him a glare, silently asking if her fourth brother had switched sides—was this really how he talked about his own sister?
“I’m hungry.” She said grumpily.
“Got it. There’s a new sour-and-spicy noodle place nearby—great stuff. Let’s go check it out.”
Ye Shishi leaned her seat back and murmured, “Fourth Brother, just find a girlfriend already. Stop dragging me out to eat all the time.”
“Cough, cough.”
Hearing that cough, Ye Shishi sat up straight. “You have a girlfriend?!”
“Not even close yet.” Ye Xiang, big as he was, actually looked a bit shy—it was quite a sight.
“Bring her around sometime. Let me vet her for you.”
“She’s still in school.”
“No way! You’re robbing the cradle!”
“She’s a junior in college—hardly a cradle baby.”
“Oh~ so Fourth Brother likes college girls. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
“Shut it! You’d better reflect on why you lost and figure out what you learned. Dad’s gonna chew you out tonight anyway.”
Ye Shishi gazed at the full moon outside the window and said casually, “I’m crashing at your place tonight.”
“No.”
“Are you hiding a girl there or something?”
“Hiding nothing! You’re a grown woman now—you can’t keep running to your brothers’ houses all the time. It’s improper. After we eat, I’m taking you home.”
Ye Shishi let out a long sigh. “Men. Forget their sister the moment they get a wife.”
Ye Xiang shot her a middle finger in reply. Ye Shishi shot one right back.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Gu Wan’er decided she’d treat Lu Zhengzhi and Fu Quan to a meal tomorrow to thank them for all their help.
“What are you thinking about?” Xiao Duo had been quiet the whole way, which felt a little off to Gu Wan’er.
Xiao Duo wanted to say, I’m thinking about your sister.
“I’m beat. Spent all my energy—need to recharge my health bar.”
Gu Wan’er had grown used to the way Xiao Duo talked. “Get some good rest when we get back.”
“Yeah. My eyes are about to give out.”
“Thanks for all your hard work. There’s a reward in it for you.” Gu Wan’er patted Xiao Duo’s shoulder reassuringly.
Xiao Duo nodded. I’m about to get my reward soon.
Gu Wan’er drove straight into the neighborhood, but she didn’t go inside—since her sister was home, she didn’t feel like explaining anything.
“Sure you don’t want to switch back?” Gu Wan’er asked.
Xiao Duo put on a weak act. “Miss Gu, I’d love to, but I really can’t bring myself to do it.”
“So you can bring yourself to do it with me, huh.”
“Well, duh. You’re a beauty. Alright, drive safe.” With that, Xiao Duo opened the iron gate and walked into the yard.
Once inside, Xiao Duo perked right up—not a trace of that worn-out act remained. Spotting little Yun’er on the sofa hugging a pillow, wearing a sheer half-transparent nightgown, Xiao Duo’s mood instantly lifted. What a sight.
“Sis, you’re finally back!” Hearing the door open, Gu Yun’er bounced over cheerfully and even laid out the slippers. Miss Gu, your sister is just too considerate.
As she bent over right in front of him, a glimpse of fair, soft curves—home sweet home with big brother and little sister.
“It’s already 11:30—why aren’t you asleep yet?” Xiao Duo said with a gentle smile as he changed into the slippers, fighting the urge to show his wolfish side.
“I was waiting for you to get home! I ordered a bunch of good food.” With that, Yun’er scampered to the kitchen and pulled out a big plastic bag full of takeout containers—probably barbecue and the like.
