Making Three Heartless Woman Go Crazy for Me - Chapter 39

Qi Lanshi not only accepted the bank transfer but also scored a free lunch.

Gu Jingshu had her good points: she was quick on the uptake, knew how to play the game, and her troublemaker persona made for excellent entertainment value—perfect for a backup option in a dating sim.

Even for players like Qi Lanshi, who had no intention of pursuing a romantic route with her, using Gu Jingshu to advance the plot was a solid choice.

“It’s strange,” Gu Jingshu said, pouring Qi Lanshi a cup of tea. “It feels like we haven’t seen each other for ages, like a lifetime ago. And when I try to remember what we talked about last time, the details are hazy. Do you ever feel that way?”

“No,” Qi Lanshi replied crisply, without hesitation. “If you can’t remember, it’s probably because you were spouting nonsense. Your brain deemed it unworthy of storage and purged the useless data.”

Gu Jingshu: “……”

Qi Lanshi’s sharp tongue showed no mercy, regardless of whether Gu Jingshu was right or wrong.

“But seriously, I came to ask you something important,” Gu Jingshu said, pausing to gather her thoughts before adding, “You and Luan Hua… are you two actually serious about this?”

Luan Hua, who was eavesdropping on the other end of the line, felt her heart skip a beat at the question. But she waited in vain for Qi Lanshi’s reply.

The silence seeped through the monitoring system into her ears, winding down her neck and coiling around her heart, leaving her breathless.

She already knew Qi Lanshi’s answer, yet she dreaded hearing the definitive truth. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to stop listening.

Facing Qi Lanshi always felt like self-inflicted torment.

Luan Hua’s heart raced faster, her breathing growing ragged. She gasped for air, sweat beading on her forehead and palms.

The few minutes of waiting stretched into an eternity in her mind. Finally, she heard Qi Lanshi speak.

“It’s probably true,” Qi Lanshi said.

Gu Jingshu had already been preparing to change the subject when Qi Lanshi suddenly answered. She rolled her eyes. “Why didn’t you wait longer to reply? I thought you’d gone mute.”

“Because I didn’t know how to say it. It felt strange coming from me, especially since you’re Luan Hua’s childhood friend and know everything about me,” Qi Lanshi said, lowering her head and a faint smile tugging at her lips. “If you’d asked me this before noon, I wouldn’t have given this seemingly hesitant yet affirmative answer. But now… I think things might be different between Luan Hua and me.”

Gu Jingshu asked earnestly, “So, what happened this afternoon?”

“She and Bai Jiao broke up completely. Although I don’t think the few months we’ve spent together can compare to the years of affection she shared with Miss Bai, she’s made her choice and genuinely wants to start over with me.”

Qi Lanshi’s every expression was perfectly calibrated, the curve of her lips gentle and shy. “She might be serious. I want to give us a chance. We can try.”

Gu Jingshu: “Don’t make that face. It scares me. You weren’t like this before.”

Qi Lanshi’s gentle, bashful demeanor was undeniably beautiful, but it clashed sharply with the image Gu Jingshu remembered. She still preferred Qi Lanshi’s rebellious, untamed side—preferably the version that would randomly smash a wine bottle over the head of some vile man.

Gu Jingshu felt a surge of inexplicable annoyance. “You’re really… You’ve fallen in love way too fast, too suddenly! And here I was, waiting to pick up the pieces.”

Qi Lanshi: “……”

She nearly burst out laughing. Gu Jingshu truly lived up to her reputation as a professional troublemaker.

“And… have you really thought this through? You and Luan Hua, that’s…” Gu Jingshu trailed off, swallowing the rest of her sentence.

Some things couldn’t be said, especially not by her. The consequences of speaking such words were too great; she couldn’t afford them.

Qi Lanshi was merely a woman who had briefly piqued her interest. Offending Luan Hua for such a fleeting fancy was absolutely out of the question.

The world only needed one love-struck fool like Luan Hua, repeatedly falling for the same face. Gu Jingshu, just an ordinary second-generation heir, couldn’t afford to make the same mistake.

“Alright then, I wish you happiness.” Gu Jingshu had mentally prepared herself in a few breaths. “But you need to be ready. Luan Hua’s parents turned a blind eye to your previous relationship. But now…”

Gu Jingshu raised her wine glass in a toast to Qi Lanshi. “I can only say, I wish you success.”

Qi Lanshi knew Gu Jingshu was speaking sincerely. Not only was she a troublemaker, but her logic was remarkably sound—a rare quality in this game.

“I understand everything you’ve said. I hope for success too.”

The three of them left the meal thoroughly satisfied.

Gu Jingshu had resolved her lingering doubts and gotten her fill of gossip. Qi Lanshi had successfully advanced the plot while solidifying her character persona. Luan Hua, meanwhile, was completely immersed in the joy of being in love.

As they left the restaurant, Gu Jingshu was about to suggest calling a driver to take Qi Lanshi home when she spotted Luan Hua’s car. She silently closed her mouth, leaving the stage to the couple.

“As expected, you have to pick up your own wife yourself,” Gu Jingshu said with a look that clearly showed she was being shown up. “This is probably the last time I’ll have a meal alone with Qi Lanshi. There won’t be another chance after this.”

Luan Hua shot her a cold glance. “Good that you know.”

After Qi Lanshi had laid her cards on the table, Gu Jingshu’s attitude and behavior had retreated to a level below even that of casual friends, becoming so polite that Qi Lanshi felt slightly embarrassed.

Only after getting into the car did Gu Jingshu glance at Qi Lanshi through the rearview mirror.

Though her words sounded absurd, she was serious. She genuinely coveted the position of Qi Lanshi’s next partner.

But this desire wasn’t particularly strong, nor did she care much about it.

At most, it was just… a lingering, faint sense of unwillingness.

“How did you get here so quickly? I didn’t contact you, and neither did Gu Jingshu.” On the other end of the line, Qi Lanshi had already moved on to the next scene. “And this morning, you suddenly appeared at the café too. You still haven’t taken my words to heart, have you? You’re still having me followed, aren’t you?”

Luan Hua had no defense, only a pale explanation: “I just wanted to ensure your safety. I couldn’t help but worry about you being out alone.”

“But I don’t like this. I especially hate it when I’ve clearly told you something, you’ve agreed, and then you immediately break your promise.” Qi Lanshi stood firm on this issue. “I despise the feeling of being monitored. It makes me feel like you’re still the same as before, showing no respect for me at all.”

That phrase “the same as before” was a fatal blow. Luan Hua couldn’t bear hearing about their past.

Moreover, Qi Lanshi’s attitude toward Gu Jingshu earlier had given Luan Hua a sense of security, making her willing to compromise on the bodyguard issue.

“Alright, I’ll withdraw the bodyguards tonight. Don’t be angry,” Luan Hua said, her tone remarkably gentle. “We’re both starting over. Things won’t be like they used to be.”

Qi Lanshi didn’t say much, only nodding with a soft “Mm.”

To think I had to stage two elaborate performances just to resolve a bodyguard issue, she thought to herself. Do they even realize how meticulously planned this seemingly thorough arrangement actually is? So thorough, in fact, that it will inevitably influence the plot’s development.

Although Bai Jiao’s presence was undeniably strong, she hadn’t caused much of a stir. The reason? Qi Lanshi’s conquest of Luan Hua had been too thorough.

Whether Bai Jiao remained a White Moonlight or merely a clingy nuisance depended entirely on Luan Hua. Once Qi Lanshi withdrew her affections, Bai Jiao became utterly worthless.

The only remaining obstacles to the protagonists’ romantic progress were Luan Hua’s parents. Though their presence was subtle, their status was formidable, and even Bai Jiao could become a weapon in their hands.

I wonder how long they’ll wait to confront me after I dismiss the bodyguards, Qi Lanshi mused.

The answer: not even a day.

After Madam Luan’s failed attempt, Mr. Luan took the field this time. He exuded an even more imposing aura and oppressive presence, radiating a silent, dignified authority. Of course, he maintained impeccable manners, his barely concealed disdain for Qi Lanshi almost sharp enough to cut, yet he remained outwardly polite.

“I apologize for this abrupt meeting, Miss Qi. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Qi Lanshi smiled, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Uncle, you flatter me. I wouldn’t dare presume such boldness.”

Mr. Luan’s expression grew colder. He deeply disliked the vulgar air about Qi Lanshi, though he knew her humble background wasn’t her fault.

His voice carried an barely suppressed condescension. “I believe you understand why I’ve called you here. You’re a smart girl. Taking a sum of money and leaving early to start a new life would be the best choice for you.”

“Madam Luan already said as much, and I refused then. I won’t accept it now either.” Qi Lanshi shook her head. “If that’s all you wanted to say, Uncle, I’ll take my leave.”

“You refuse to agree? Why? Is it your pride or your love?” Mr. Luan’s voice was deep and forceful. “What you’re clinging to is nothing more than a game for the wealthy. Your dignity and feelings mean nothing to those in the true upper echelons of society.”

“Giving you money to leave is the last kindness I can offer you. But since you refuse, I’ll have to be blunt.”

As Mr. Luan spoke, hurried footsteps echoed outside the private room.

With a whoosh, the door was yanked open. Mr. Luan didn’t even lift his gaze as he finished his final words:

“Without Luan Hua’s schemes, your father, even as a degenerate gambler, would have only lost a few thousand at most. You’re still in university, with a bright future and a clean slate ahead of you.”

“She saw your face and treated you like a pet—worse, even. The gambling debts she repaid for Qi Feng ultimately ended up back in her own pocket.”

“When she wanted you as a lover, she used tricks. When she wanted you as a partner, she buried those tricks deep.”

“She’s destroyed everything you had. Even so, do you still want to cling to that… ‘love’?”

One more chapter to go, coming at midnight.