Ji Tang pierced through the opponent's argument in one strike, throwing their rhythm into chaos. Bai Ziyuan seized the chance to counterattack, and in the end they won the match.
Having secured the semifinals, Bai Ziyuan was overjoyed. She shook Ji Tang's shoulders excitedly. "Ahhh, Ji Tang, you were amazing! If you hadn't spoken up at that moment, we would have lost! As expected of my teammate!"
Ji Tang pushed her away with disdain. "You really are narcissistic. I just interrupted them. What does that have to do with you?"
Bai Ziyuan only giggled, then spun around to throw her arms around Gu Qianran's neck, clinging onto her like a koala. "Hmph, Ran Ran never talks back to me. I won't play with you anymore, you internet addict! Right, Ran Ran?"
Gu Qianran steadied her so she would not fall and could only reply helplessly, "Yes yes, I do not lower myself to a child's level." This child, who usually acted like a quiet ice beauty, turned clingy and playful only around Gu Qianran, and lazier by the day.
Ji Tang teased them with a grin. "You two are so loving."
Both answered in unison. "Are we not loving with you too?"
Of course we are! Bai Ziyuan thought.
This is motherly love, Gu Qianran thought.
I am witnessing a married couple, Ji Tang thought.
Gu Qianran, realizing she was spoiling the child, allowed Bai Ziyuan to drape herself over her back like a conjoined twin. After much effort dragging Bai Ziyuan to the finals venue, she saw someone unexpected.
"The male lead. Why was he here of all places? Tsk, what a disgusting thing this plot was."
Li Junyao walked toward them, wearing a sunny smile. He greeted Bai Ziyuan politely. "Hello, my name is Li Junyao. I am your opponent for this debate. Please take care of me."
Bai Ziyuan nodded without a second thought. Gu Qianran narrowed her eyes. This male lead was clearly here to raise his favorability score! Anyone with half a brain could see how formulaic that smile was. She blocked his burning gaze with a perfunctory smile of her own. "Li Junyao, since we are opponents in this debate, it is better not to get too close during preparation." Sending him away before he could try his charm.
Gu Qianran could not help but mock this world's outdated flirting tricks. The moves Li Junyao used were ones she had long discarded. In her original world, flirting methods were far more advanced, leaving him in the dust.
She took a closer look at the male lead that the author had painted with endless flattering descriptions. She nearly burst out laughing. With all those exaggerated embellishments, he was indeed handsome, but… not quite human. Yes, not quite human. That actually matched his actions perfectly.
Li Junyao, who did not look quite human, cast Bai Ziyuan a lingering glance. Seeing she did not even acknowledge him, he left awkwardly. Gu Qianran was about to speak, but Bai Ziyuan got ahead of her. "Ran Ran, thank you for driving him away. I think he was trying to fish for information from us!" Her cheeks puffed in anger. "And he came so close to me! Look at that girl over there, she must be his girlfriend, her face turned green!"
Gu Qianran stroked Bai Ziyuan's head with relief. This child might act silly and naïve, but she was not truly stupid.
The finals soon began. The hall was packed with spectators, all eyes on the two teams. The debate topic was "Who is stronger, humans or machines?" Gu Qianran's team, as the opposition, had to first listen to the proposition's argument.
Li Junyao began with calm confidence. To everyone's surprise, his arguments sounded thorough and well-reasoned. Catching the fleeting astonishment in Gu Qianran's eyes, he sneered inwardly. He had paid money to acquire the topic in advance and even hired someone to write the script. How could he possibly lose to three middle school students? Word was that strong women like Bai Ziyuan adored men stronger than themselves. With this plan, victory and admiration were both assured! As for the woman who had ruined his chance to strike up conversation, he would make her regret it.
In contrast, Bai Ziyuan struggled. Though she managed a few clever rebuttals, she gradually fell behind as Li Junyao pressed harder, stealing all the attention. Sweat beaded on Bai Ziyuan's forehead, while murmurs rippled through the audience. Most were whispering that Bai Ziyuan's side was about to lose.
"Ran Ran, think of something! Uuuh…" Her voice already carried a sob.
Gu Qianran narrowed her eyes. She could not bear to see the child cry. So this male lead was asking to be hit?
She and Ji Tang exchanged a look, both seeing the same protective fire in the other's eyes. Ji Tang subtly pointed toward the audience and whispered, "First seat front row, fifth seat, third seat second row, tenth seat fourth row."
Gu Qianran instantly understood. These were planted audience members, meant to boost Li Junyao's performance. Of course, he wanted to use this to impress Bai Ziyuan. But his predatory, calculating gaze disgusted Gu Qianran. Men who treated love like a hunt and manipulated every step deserved to be slapped across the face, for their dignity was already shattered, and only that face still passable.
Bai Ziyuan suddenly felt a slender hand clasp her clenched fist, fingers entwining with hers. Gu Qianran stood, blocking the male lead's gaze, and said to her, "Do not cry. Leave it to me."
Just five words, yet they made Bai Ziyuan inexplicably reassured. Their hands remained linked, her mind turning blank. She did not even catch what Gu Qianran had said. Ran Ran told her to leave it to her… Ran Ran always had a way, always gave her a sense of safety, always treated her so well…
From behind, Bai Ziyuan could only see Gu Qianran's side profile. The stage lights fell on Gu Qianran, making her already fair skin gleam even whiter. Her usually alluring almond-shaped eyes now shone with an icy sharpness. Bai Ziyuan found herself dazed.
She had long suspected something was wrong with him, but without proof, her words were empty. How could she win against a cheating opponent? But… if it was Ran Ran, then maybe they could win.
Lost in thought, Bai Ziyuan realized only much later that Gu Qianran had pulled her downstage. She stumbled and landed in Gu Qianran's arms, their posture far too suggestive. The faint fragrance from Gu Qianran filled her nose, and her cheeks warmed.
Li Junyao's face darkened. Not only had he lost, but his intended target treated him coldly. Losing both the match and the girl, he was seething. Yet still confident in his charm, he tried again. "Bai Ziyuan, I have something to say to you, can you—"
"I do not want to hear it." Bai Ziyuan cut him off bluntly.
Li Junyao froze, then glared at Gu Qianran with venom before storming off.
Gu Qianran did not even bother with him. In her eyes, this type of brainless Mary Sue novel only served as a shallow fantasy to satisfy base instincts. What kind of character could such a male lead possibly have? Not publicly exposing his cheating was already an act of mercy. As for any revenge he might plot, she would deal with it calmly. But the child's crisp rejection of the male lead impressed her.
Bai Ziyuan turned to Gu Qianran, her voice tinged with grievance as she explained, "Do not worry, Ran Ran. This Li Junyao is no good. He must have cheated! Winning like that does not count…" Her words trailed off, and she buried her head against Gu Qianran's chest, clinging tightly.
Gu Qianran could only laugh helplessly. So this child refused him because of that? She had not even paid attention? Yes, that was just like her. Seeing the child about to cry again, Gu Qianran hurried to soothe her. "Who said we lost? With you as captain, it is hard not to win."
Bai Ziyuan's eyes instantly lit up. "So we won? Ran Ran, you are amazing!" She wriggled happily in Gu Qianran's arms, her joy contagious. That was better. This child should only be happy and carefree. Any demons or monsters, she would handle herself.
Then Bai Ziyuan began crying again.
Gu Qianran sighed in exhaustion. Was this child a water dispenser in disguise? Even a dispenser could not produce so many tears!
Meanwhile, Ji Tang hugged the trophy. "In this three-person story, do I even have a name?"
The three of them took the subway back. Exhausted, they all dozed off. Bai Ziyuan sprawled shamelessly across both Ji Tang and Gu Qianran, her head pillowed on Gu Qianran's lap and her legs on Ji Tang's, the very picture of a spoiled group favorite.
Watching Bai Ziyuan's defenseless, peaceful face in sleep, Gu Qianran's eyes softened. She had seen too much of human cunning to know the value of sincerity. Since this child entrusted herself so wholly, Gu Qianran resolved to give her more space and trust.
When the subway's rumble made Bai Ziyuan frown in her sleep, Gu Qianran curved her lips and covered the child's ears with her hand, then leaned back and drifted off too.
Bai Ziyuan woke to Ji Tang's voice. She had slept deeply, waking only to the warmth still lingering on her ears where Gu Qianran had covered them. Was that why she had slept so well, shielded from the noise?
Ji Tang then shook Gu Qianran awake. Gu Qianran frowned lightly, half-asleep, her entire demeanor languid and inexplicably enticing. Her eyes opened, meeting Bai Ziyuan's directly.
A jolt of lightning ran through Bai Ziyuan's heart.
Did love at first sight truly exist? The answer was yes. And what of feelings nurtured bit by bit over time? Bai Ziyuan realized that without noticing, she had already begun harboring tender feelings for Gu Qianran. Perhaps it had started the moment Ran Ran, seemingly a changed person, reached out with genuine kindness.
Her sister had once told her that beautiful emotions could exist even between girls. Bai Ziyuan did not know if she truly liked girls, but she did know that her Ran Ran treated her with utter sincerity. Ran Ran spoiled her, protected her, and with Ran Ran around she always felt safe.
Bai Ziyuan finally understood. What she felt was not just gratitude. She had been moved to the point of affection, even love.
But did Ran Ran also like girls? And even if she did, could she possibly like Bai Ziyuan in return? Anxiety stirred in her chest. Yet while her mind spun in uncertainty, her hand had already instinctively sought Gu Qianran's, leading her out of the subway station. Ji Tang lived farther away and had two more stops, so only a few people hurried past in the twilight. Gu Qianran, still drowsy, let herself be led, obedient and quiet.
Bai Ziyuan squeezed her hand tighter. It was fine. The beginning was always the hardest. Even if Ran Ran did not like her yet, she would do everything to make her Ran Ran fall for her.