The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

The movie ended, and the lights in the theater came on.

As the people in front left, they noticed two figures in the corner of the back row. Assuming it was a couple, they glanced over, only to realize it was two girls. Their eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity, and they kept looking back.

Wen Pinghan slowly raised her jacket, blocking their view.

Xie Zhifei chuckled softly, “What’s there to worry about? They don’t know us anyway.”

“You think everyone’s like you, with such thick skin?” Wen Pinghan said.

“Hehe.”

“Are they all gone?”

Xie Zhifei peeked outside, then ducked back behind Wen Pinghan’s jacket, whispering, “Not yet. There’s a couple still kissing.”

“What?” Wen Pinghan immediately lowered her jacket, craning her neck to see the kissing couple, only to find the entire theater already empty.

“Pfft, Big Sis, you’re such a gossip,” Xie Zhifei burst out laughing.

“Let’s go.” Wen Pinghan, exasperated, grabbed her hand and headed out. “Where to next?”

“We’ve eaten, strolled the streets, and watched a movie. What else do couples do on a date?” Xie Zhifei felt like she was experiencing her first love, completely clueless about dating and just following what others did.

“Time for dinner?” Wen Pinghan checked the time. “It’s five o’clock. No time for anything else. Do you want to eat out or at home?”

“Whose home?”

“My place. Let’s not bother your Aunt,” Wen Pinghan said, not wanting anyone to disturb their rare time alone.

“Awesome!” Xie Zhifei said excitedly. “Let’s cook together. You make the food, and I’ll make—uh, be your little helper.”

Wen Pinghan shot her a look.

“Your assistant, I mean.”

“…Mm.”

“Big Sis, what was that look just now?” Xie Zhifei tilted her head and asked.

“Nothing. Let’s go buy groceries.” Wen Pinghan turned and headed toward the supermarket on the basement level.

Xie Zhifei watched her back, smiled, and quickened her pace to catch up. “Big Sis, you forgot to hold my hand!”

Wen Pinghan paused, waiting for her, then took her hand. “What do you want to eat?”

“You.”

Wen Pinghan glanced at her teasing expression, raising an eyebrow. “Say that again if you dare.”

Xie Zhifei immediately backed down, saying obediently, “I love everything you make, especially garlic spare ribs!”

After a trip to the supermarket, both were carrying several bags. Xie Zhifei struggled to load them into the car, panting heavily. “Did we buy too much? The fridge might not fit all this.”

“Not too much. Two people need to eat more, so we bought a bit extra.”

“Wow, Big Sis, are you inviting me to move in with you?!” Xie Zhifei said excitedly.

“No,” Wen Pinghan replied bluntly.

“Oh…” Xie Zhifei’s head drooped.

Wen Pinghan, unfazed, placed the bags in the trunk and pinched Xie Zhifei’s arm. “Do you not exercise enough? Look at you, panting like this. Can you even make it up two flights of stairs?”

“No way! I’ve just been too busy lately and haven’t worked out. Once I have time to exercise, even ten of you wouldn’t be able to budge me!” Xie Zhifei lifted her chin, bragging.

“Uh-huh,” Wen Pinghan closed the car door, nodding perfunctorily before heading to the passenger seat.

“Don’t doubt me, Big Sis. When I make my grand comeback, one finger will have you crying for mercy.” Xie Zhifei slid into the driver’s seat with flair, pointing a finger at her provocatively.

Wen Pinghan glanced at her, staring at the finger for a moment before grabbing it and bending it back.

“Ow! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Big Sis, spare me! It hurts!” Xie Zhifei immediately surrendered.

Wen Pinghan let go, massaged her finger gently to ease the pain, and said, “Alright, stop messing around. Let’s head back.”

“Got it! Let’s roll!”

Back at home, they dove into the kitchen. Xie Zhifei didn’t know how to cook, but she always helped out, hovering around Wen Pinghan to keep her company so she wouldn’t feel alone.

After chatting about this and that, Fang Ningshu’s call finally came through, and Xie Zhifei stepped into the living room to answer it.

“I looked into it. The Zhang family does have a daughter with congenital heart disease. They’ve been to hospitals all over, both here and abroad. She just returned to the country a couple of days ago and is staying at her grandfather’s house, planning to spend the New Year there,” Fang Ningshu said.

As expected, Zhang Changsheng was about to make her entrance.

That morning, Xie Zhifei had learned from Wang Wan that Gu’s mother was trying to make Gu Zhizhang forget Wen Pinghan, signaling that the final female supporting character was about to step into the spotlight.

Zhang Changsheng was from the South, her family having been in business since the late Qing dynasty. Though not as prominent as today’s tech tycoons, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and they were a true aristocratic family. The current heirs were her two older brothers, and her younger sister held a key position in the company.

But Zhang Changsheng was born with a chronic illness, never attending school consistently or having long-term friends. Her parents, preoccupied with work, worried endlessly about her condition, but it was usually the housekeeper who accompanied her to the hospital.

While seeking treatment abroad, she met Gu’s mother, who took great care of her, encouraged her often, and loved sharing funny stories, especially about how outstanding her son was.

Hearing so much about him, Zhang Changsheng developed a fondness for the Gu Zhizhang she had never met.

In the original story, Gu’s mother, wanting to break up Gu Zhizhang and Wen Pinghan, invited Zhang Changsheng to stay at their home. With her deliberate matchmaking, Zhang Changsheng indeed fell for Gu Zhizhang.

Gu Zhizhang couldn’t bring himself to reject her outright, partly because her condition couldn’t handle stress and partly because she bore a slight resemblance to Wen Pinghan.

Unexpectedly, this led to a huge mistake.

Wen Pinghan and Gu Zhizhang fought, and he got blackout drunk, stumbling into the wrong room and mistaking Zhang Changsheng for Wen Pinghan. Soon after, Zhang Changsheng discovered she was pregnant.

Wen Pinghan broke up with him, leading to a dramatic chase where he pursued her, but his indecision kept him from being too harsh with Zhang Changsheng. So, Wen Pinghan left to study abroad.

The story ended five years later when Wen Pinghan returned for work and ran into Gu Zhizhang at the airport, holding a child. The child saw Wen Pinghan and called her “Mommy.”

It turned out that Zhang Changsheng had stopped her medical treatment during pregnancy and died in childbirth, leaving behind only the child.

The child, seeing Gu Zhizhang constantly looking at Wen Pinghan’s photo, assumed she was his mother and called her that.

When Gu Zhizhang saw Wen Pinghan return, he refused to let her go again. In his pursuit, he got into a car accident, nearly ending up in the “crematorium” for real. Finally, Wen Pinghan relented, and they reconciled.

[“Such a cliché story, full of plot holes. The ‘crematorium’ trope should’ve just scattered the ashes and been done with it. A forced happy ending? No wonder the ratings were low. You deserved it.”] Xie Zhifei had ranted to the system for hours after finishing the story, which was why she never wanted Wen Pinghan to fall for Gu Zhizhang in the first place.

Women who fell for Gu Zhizhang seemed to meet tragic ends.

“Is Zhang Changsheng staying at her grandfather’s house now?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“Yes, but I heard Gu’s mother is quite close with her. She even visited her this afternoon,” Fang Ningshu said.

It seemed Gu’s mother had already invited Zhang Changsheng to stay over, and Zhang Changsheng would surely agree. Lacking love and care, she wouldn’t refuse such warmth from an elder.

Fortunately, the Xie residence wasn’t far from the Gu family’s.

“Got it,” Xie Zhifei said. Seeing Wen Pinghan bring out the spare ribs, she smiled. “Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“?” Xie Zhifei pressed on, “No, I’m telling you anyway! Guess where I am right now?”

“Don’t want to guess.”

“You can’t guess, huh? Hehe, so dumb. I’m at my girlfriend’s place, obviously!”

“…” Fang Ningshu rolled her eyes through the phone.

Wen Pinghan turned and stared at her.

“I’m done. I’m off to eat the love-filled spare ribs my girlfriend made for me.”

After hanging up, Fang Ningshu punched the couch.

Wang Wan brought out some soup and, seeing this, asked, “What’s wrong, Sis Shu?”

Fang Ningshu: “Just a little work-related injury.”

Wang Wan: “You’re perfectly fine, staying home all day. What kind of work injury?”

Meanwhile, Xie Zhifei happily sat at the table. Noticing Wen Pinghan still staring, she gave an awkward smile. “I told her about my girlfriend. Are you mad?”

Wen Pinghan kept looking at her silently.

“Don’t worry, she’s tight-lipped. She’s known I like you for ages, but before I confessed, did she ever spill a word to you?” Xie Zhifei asked.

Wen Pinghan slowly nodded.

“See? She’s got professional integrity. Don’t worry,” Xie Zhifei reassured.

“I’m not worried about her spilling. I’m just…”

“Just what?”

Just a bit sensitive to the term “girlfriend.”

Wen Pinghan: “So she knows I’m your…?”

“Yeah, who else could my girlfriend be but you?” Xie Zhifei said.

Wen Pinghan’s lips curved slightly. “Your voice is really nice.”

“?” Xie Zhifei found it odd. “Thanks for the compliment, but why’re you suddenly praising my voice, Big Sis?”

“I’m praising you, so why question it? Go grab the chopsticks.”

“On it!”

After dinner, they sat on the couch—working.

A peaceful weekend was hard to come by, especially with the New Year holiday approaching. Xie Zhifei handled various approvals while Wen Pinghan took on some tasks too.

By the time they finished, it was nearly midnight. Xie Zhifei glanced at the time and yawned. “It’s late. I should head back.”

“Mm, see you tomorrow… Do you have time tomorrow?” Wen Pinghan asked.

“Yeah, but I need to stop by the Xie residence. I’ll come find you after I’m done,” Xie Zhifei said.

“Alright, or I can come to you.”

“Sounds good. We’ll stay in touch by phone.” Xie Zhifei waved with a smile, turned to leave, and stepped into the elevator.

As the doors closed, she leaned against the handrail. Her reflection in the mirror showed a dejected expression.

I want to stay with Big Sis every day, but it’s only our first day dating. Asking to move in would probably scare her off!

Ugh.

Xie Zhifei slowly walked out of the building, then heard Wen Pinghan’s voice behind her. “Wait, you forgot something.”

“What?” She turned, rummaging through her bag.

“A goodnight kiss.” Wen Pinghan stepped forward, her cool hands cupping Xie Zhifei’s cheeks. She leaned in, planting a warm kiss on her lips. “Goodnight.”

Xie Zhifei’s heart raced. “How about we cash in tomorrow’s good morning kiss too?”

Wen Pinghan smiled. “That’s for tomorrow. Today’s business is done today. Tomorrow’s can wait.”

Xie Zhifei’s hopes fizzled, and she pouted. “Ugh, it’s so cold out, Big Sis. How can you say something so cold? It’s giving me chills.”

Wen Pinghan: “…”