Bai Ziyuan pulled Gu Qianran along until they reached the intersection where they usually parted ways. Gu Qianran had woken up long ago, but she still allowed Bai Ziyuan to hold her hand. The girl's hand was soft and warm, very pleasant to the touch.
The sky was already dark, stars glittering in the mottled night sky. Gu Qianran lifted her head, gazing at them. To be guided along by someone else, lowering all defenses and simply letting go of control, it seemed… not such a bad feeling. In her previous life, she probably never had time to be alone with someone like this, to join in on odd little activities, to look up at the stars.
"Gu the Big Shot is so mature, capable of anything, but her lifestyle is like an old auntie's." That was Ji Tang's evaluation of her.
Looking at it now, the words were a bit unfair. Bai Ziyuan's influence was too strong. Even though Bai Ziyuan was unbelievably naïve, she always had a way of infecting other people with her mood. Gu Qianran realized that recently her own way of thinking was becoming more and more like Bai Ziyuan's. Not that she had lost her rationality, but rather in her attitude toward small matters, she was becoming more like a normal teenage girl.
Her thoughts had drifted far before Gu Qianran realized they had reached the place where she and Bai Ziyuan would part. She released Bai Ziyuan's hand and, out of habit, patted her on the top of the head. "Alright, here we are. Good night, little one."
When Bai Ziyuan did not reply, Gu Qianran looked at her in puzzlement. "What is it?"
What else could it be? From the moment she had taken Gu Qianran's hand, Bai Ziyuan's brain had been running on empty. The hand she held had stiffened slightly, as if she were gripping a diamond found among ruins, not knowing what to do. When she realized Gu Qianran had drifted off into thought, her courage grew. She caressed Gu Qianran's hand and screamed in her heart like a prairie dog: Ahhhh! Ran Ran's hand is so cool! So slender and pale, and the shape is so beautiful, the feel is amazing!
She then used the chance to sneak glances at Gu Qianran's face and screamed again in her heart: Ahhhh! Ran Ran is way too beautiful! She has that icy CEO vibe! So A! So A!
Those were words she had picked up from her older sister, who loved domineering-CEO novels. Bai Ziyuan had always been curious what made those "Domineering CEO" characters so enchanting that her sister, bent like a mosquito coil, devoured the stories with delight. Today, when Gu Qianran's husky voice said "Good night," Bai Ziyuan had felt her whole body turn soft and tingly. "Little one." Such an intimate form of address! Ran Ran must feel something special for her too! Bai Ziyuan thought excitedly. But quickly she grew dejected. The affection her Ran Ran had for her was probably just caring, not love.
Gu Qianran noticed the flicker of light in Bai Ziyuan's eyes, followed by its quick extinguishing. Was it because her own performance in the debate had overshadowed Bai Ziyuan, leaving her unhappy? Gu Qianran had always chalked up Bai Ziyuan's dependence on her to some sort of mother-complex, never once linking it to love.
What to do if the little one is upset? The simplest method: coax her.
Bai Ziyuan felt flustered under her gaze, terrified her secret thoughts had been discovered. Ran Ran, I've bent into a mosquito coil for you, are you really going to leave me hanging like this!
But… Ran Ran is so intoxicating! That look in her eyes, like a domineering CEO, full of presence!
"Why aren't you speaking? You did really well today." Gu Qianran felt a bit regretful, and Bai Ziyuan realized with horror that she had truly fallen for Gu Qianran. In terms of pursuing a girl, maybe she ought to consult her older sister.
When Bai Ziyuan shook her head frantically, Gu Qianran immediately understood. Of course the little one was imagining things again. Adorable little ones always had some curious stories spinning in their heads. Gu Qianran had no idea how much of a filter she carried in her gaze. She lightly tapped Bai Ziyuan's forehead, smiling. "Don't go making up strange stories in your head."
Bai Ziyuan's face flamed even redder. Clutching her head as if facing mortal peril, she dashed away, leaving Gu Qianran baffled in place.
Hmm, the little one must dislike me tapping her forehead. But her sulky look was so cute… almost like… she was shy? I really want to pull her into my arms and squeeze…
Yikes! Gu Qianran shook her head violently, driving out the dangerous thought. Why was she thinking such odd things? Must be from having too much free time lately.
When Gu Qianran returned home, she was surprised to find Gu Lian there. Months ago, Gu Lian had disgraced herself both inside and outside the household, and rarely came back, so although the house was hers in name, Gu Qianran had practically been "occupying" it.
"You're here?" Gu Qianran looked at her in surprise.
Gu Lian nearly died of anger. This unfilial daughter! After she had lost face among the neighbors, now she was being questioned by her? Only Heaven knew how many times she had been pointed at on her way back today! But she dared not make a move against Gu Qianran now. She knew this daughter could no longer be controlled. If Gu Lian overstepped, this unfilial girl would surely wield the law like a weapon and strike her down without mercy.
Suppressing her temper, Gu Lian tried to speak evenly. "Gu Qianran, once the high school entrance exams are over, I'll take you to meet your father."
Fearing Gu Qianran would refuse, she continued for half an hour, arguing from every angle about the benefits.
Gu Qianran answered with only one cold "Oh."
Gu Lian's temper instantly rose again. She grabbed at Gu Qianran and yelled, "So are you going or not! I've been talking all this time, you—" But her voice weakened under Gu Qianran's fiery gaze. This rebellious daughter was terrifying. She herself had developed a reflexive fear of her.
Gu Qianran looked down at the woman with disdain. There was a saying: a dog cannot stop itself from eating filth. Her lips curved in a mocking arc. "Go? Of course I'll go. Why wouldn't I? Free money delivered to my door, why should I refuse? But you, still daring to call yourself my mother? Does your conscience not ache?"
Gu Lian had not expected her to agree so easily. Her eyes lit up with joy. Gu Qianran's gaze darkened as she warned, "Do not think that once I step into the Li family, someone will back you up, or that I will be bound. You and I both are going for the money. Do not cause me trouble. Otherwise, the law will be the gentlest weapon I use against you."
Gu Lian stared in shock. This rebellious daughter could always see through her every thought. Fifteen years old and already this sharp—no wonder people called it "intelligence verging on the demonic."
If Gu Qianran knew she was being compared to a monster, she would be furious enough to call the police. Her thoughts at the moment were not so complicated. She only hoped Gu Lian, for the sake of profit, would refrain from causing trouble. Though Gu Lian's scheming was pathetic, there was always a chance of stumbling. Gu Qianran's real opponents were the male lead's family, that nest of demons, not her foolish stepmother.
She trusted Gu Lian would be cowed. After all, such people had nothing but greed, placing money and survival above all else. Petty and vile, yet obsessed with saving face. Just like her cousin from her previous life, incompetent yet stubbornly challenging the impossible.
Some people's horizons were that narrow. Such people were the most disgusting. Target them and it felt like a waste; leave them be and they still got under your skin.
The best way was to weigh their life and profit in front of them, let them see just how cheap their existence was.
Gu Qianran did not regret walking this path. Her kindness and gentleness were reserved only for those she cared for. As for her malice, those who treated her poorly could never withstand it. She felt no psychological burden about the coming conflict. In the original story, that family had poured boundless malice upon the original Gu Qianran.
Evil must be ground down by evil.
With her mind prepared, Gu Qianran returned to her room to draft her plan. This was a habit carried over from her past life. She always liked to set every matter down clearly, making thorough preparations. For example, now she was considering bargaining chips.
Being acknowledged by her birth family was an important part of the plot, so her false identity would not be an obstacle. The real issue would be her position within the family.
Although it was called recognition, the original members of the household would surely reject her, seeing her as someone interfering with their inheritance. To gain enough power at the future negotiating table, she needed to secure a significant share of the family's wealth.
The Li family had no daughters. As the only one, she was a perfect entry point. She could demand compensation or a position in the Li Corporation, justified by their guilt toward her. With that opportunity, plus her knowledge of the story and her sharp business sense from her past life, Gu Qianran believed she could take control of the Li family within five years. But she would not immediately crush them—her goal was only to force the male lead to live meekly.
As for that arrogant and shameless male lead, Gu Qianran had never liked him. Truly, the only flaw of the female supporting characters was their blindness.
Gu Qianran smiled as she looked at the densely written notebook. Her plan had almost no loopholes. Once she defeated the Li family, she would be free! Free to laze at home every day like a salted fish! In her last life, she had cleared the game only to be flung into this one before she could enjoy her reward. This time, she was determined to experience everything she had missed!
Just then, her phone rang. It was Bai Ziyuan. On the line, the girl's voice sounded lazy, carrying a subtle allure.
"Ran Ran, are you home yet?"
At her little one's concern, Gu Qianran's eyes softened instantly, the hidden sharpness in her gaze dissolving into nothing. She replied gently, "Yes, I'm home. Are you worrying about me?"
The voice on the other end turned flustered. "Ah… well… yes! I am worrying about you, so what!"
Gu Qianran chuckled softly. Her little one was bristling again. Her voice warmed with a teasing smile. "Alright, alright. I know you're worrying about me."
The call ended in a rush. Heh, the little one seemed easy to tease. Gu Qianran thought with some mischief. But with Bai Ziyuan, she was truly sincere. A simple, beautiful little one like this should be cherished by all mankind.
With her mind full of Bai Ziyuan's every adorable smile and frown, all the day's fatigue melted away. The little one must have been raised on pure cuteness.
Nearby, Bai Zilu watched her blushing younger sister hang up the phone. She had been curious about when her simple-minded sister would finally awaken to her feelings, only to find out she had fallen head over heels, blushing after only a few words.
Unfortunately, the other side seemed as straight as steel. Tsk tsk tsk, a straight girl flirting with a girl—deadliest combination. So she could only comfort her sister, "Love has not yet succeeded. Sister, you must keep working hard."
On the sofa, Bai Qishan glanced at the locked door on the second floor. Hmph, so the two sisters had secrets from him now?
He only smiled and shook his head, returning to his phone. He was an open-minded father, never minding if his children had little secrets between them. He knew too well the urge to confide. Back in the day, he had lacked someone to talk to, so he had turned to his deskmate instead.
And before long, that deskmate had become his wife. To him, having his daughters chat happily was a blessing. Why would he eavesdrop?
So the sisters spent the night deep in orange-tinted discussions, drafting a detailed strategy for winning over Gu Qianran.