When Bai Ziyuan woke up, the whole world seemed to have changed. Her sister was now together with Ji Tang?
"Yeah, of course," Bai Zilu replied, glaring at her.
Bai Ziyuan frowned. "Sis, you seem really irritable today."
Bai Zilu rolled her eyes. This unhelpful little sister! After everything she was forced to overhear last night, she seriously regretted suggesting Ji Tang move in next door to Gu Qianran.
Ji Tang reached out and patted Bai Zilu's head, taking a slice of bread and sitting beside her. "Alright, enough, stop teasing your sister."
Bai Zilu immediately dove into Ji Tang's arms, turning affectionate in an instant. The speed of her mood change was shocking.
Bai Ziyuan: "Ugh."
She made her disdain clear, conveniently forgetting all the times she had openly and secretly shown off her relationship with Gu Qianran.
Bai Zilu, annoyed, lunged to swat her sister, and Bai Ziyuan deftly darted behind Gu Qianran for protection. Not to be outdone, Bai Zilu directed Ji Tang to catch Bai Ziyuan.
Gu Qianran and Ji Tang exchanged helpless, amused looks. No matter what their little girlfriends did, they'd indulge them.
The Bai sisters bickered like sparring chicks, filling the breakfast table with lively energy.
On their way to school, Ji Tang suddenly remembered something. She turned to Bai Zilu. "Isn't your coming-of-age ceremony in about a month?"
Bai Zilu thought for a moment and nodded. Ji Tang glanced meaningfully at her phone.
Bai Ziyuan smiled innocently. "Eighteen, huh. My sister's about to be an adult, so she can finally do some things."
Bai Zilu: "!!!"
Just recalling yesterday's conversation and certain sounds from her sister's room last night made her cheeks heat up. "Do some things," huh…
She glanced at Ji Tang. If it was with Ji Tang, it might not be bad, but despite her bold words, she was actually a bit timid. And she didn't want to break any laws by pushing boundaries.
Ji Tang caught her look, concealing her thoughts as she replied calmly, "Yes, like getting a driver's license."
The words carried subtle double meanings, though Bai Zilu clearly didn't pick up on them. Ji Tang's lips curved into a small smile.
Gu Qianran's gaze lingered on Bai Ziyuan, her expression complex. Little Cutie had changed. Last night had clearly opened a new world for Bai Ziyuan, leading to a long, exploratory night together. The once-innocent Bai Ziyuan wasn't so innocent anymore.
Seeing Bai Zilu's obliviousness and Ji Tang's subtle smirk, Gu Qianran silently concluded that Bai Zilu was in for some serious teasing in the future.
She gave Bai Ziyuan a warning pinch, making her collapse against her shoulder with a soft yelp. Gu Qianran held her gently while scrolling through messages.
Life had been so peaceful lately that she'd almost forgotten the Li family was still watching them like hawks. The country's strict laws meant any sign of domestic abuse would bring heavy scrutiny, so the Lis couldn't act openly.
According to Li Junze's updates, Li Junyao had been sneaking around, trying to steal investment intelligence. Li Junsheng had transferred most of the company shares to Li Junyao, leaving Li Junze with just two percent, and none to Gu Qianran.
Gu Qianran chuckled coldly and texted Li Junze: "Is the project you're working on with Ji Tang's company ready yet?"
On the other end, in the junior high division, Li Junze smiled faintly. "Of course. It's a little rushed, but I think it'll fool him. But, boss, why are we starting early?"
Gu Qianran frowned. That nagging sense of unease hadn't left her. "No reason. Just follow the plan."
That evening, Li Junyao received a message. His bloodshot eyes and disheveled appearance were far from his former gentlemanly image. Ji Zhu had been causing him endless trouble, somehow convincing Li Junsheng to treat him like her boyfriend. The chaos had left him frazzled.
On top of that, running the company was nothing like he'd imagined; his fantasy of being a carefree CEO was shattered. It was all Gu Qianran's fault. Without her, he'd still be adored, still the center of the world.
Now he was desperate for revenge, determined to crush Gu Qianran. If the law blocked direct attacks, he'd turn to underhanded methods. He logged into his computer and poured all his funds into a single project.
He stared at the project name again and again. This was his one chance to turn things around. Given Gu Qianran's near-perfect track record, the more he invested, the more he'd profit. With gritted teeth, he invested every cent of company capital and his own private funds.
When the profits came, he'd crush Gu Qianran's "pathetic" company under his heel.
Back at the Bai household, Gu Qianran stared wordlessly at the sign Bai Ziyuan had hung on their bedroom door.
Bai Ziyuan beamed proudly. "Hehe, isn't it a nice name, Ranran? See how good I am with my hands."
A dangerous gleam flickered in Gu Qianran's eyes. Bai Ziyuan sensed danger and bolted, but Gu Qianran was faster. She pinned Bai Ziyuan on the bed and silenced her teasing with a deep kiss.
Their playful scuffle turned into passionate intimacy. Eventually, Bai Ziyuan lay sprawled on the bed, breathless and limp, her head resting against Gu Qianran's stomach.
Gu Qianran checked her phone, then turned to see Bai Ziyuan gazing at her with dazed eyes, her whole demeanor soft and vulnerable.
With a sly smile, Gu Qianran leaned close and whispered in her ear, "Little Cutie, do you want…"
Bai Ziyuan's body trembled at the teasing breath on her ear, her face flushing as memories of last night rushed back. She did want it; it had been so good…
Shy but honest, she nodded.
Gu Qianran chuckled softly, letting her anticipation build before finishing her sentence. "…Do you want an extra bubble tea every day?"
Bai Ziyuan: "???"
All that buildup… for this?
Gu Qianran blinked in confusion. Bai Ziyuan loved bubble tea, didn't she? Why did she look so disappointed?
Gu Qianran, a top student, couldn't fathom the imagination of a "bad student" newly exposed to romance.
Feeling ignored, Bai Ziyuan retaliated with a bold kiss, and Gu Qianran responded eagerly.
With a flick of her wrist, Gu Qianran turned off the lamp. The room went dark, and in the darkness, every sensation grew sharper. Faint sounds drifted in from next door—her sister's voice, unmistakable and blush-inducing.
That night ended with Bai Ziyuan's world changing completely.
When she woke the next morning, Gu Qianran looked satisfied, while Bai Ziyuan, aching and exhausted, could barely move without pain.
Later, Bai Ziyuan and Bai Zilu faced each other at breakfast, both bleary-eyed, both walking gingerly, both pretending nothing had happened.
Bai Ziyuan: Don't ask. She regretted everything. Very much.