C8 Guo Yan Vs Lee Qian

"Soong Fei didn't utter a single bad word about me," Guo Yan declared as he shuffled the deck for a new round of cards, arranging them deliberately while he spoke at a measured pace.

Lee Qian's reaction was one of total shock; her heavily eyeliner-rimmed eyes were wide open, resembling those of a dead fish.

"Mr. Huo, how did you come to know about it?"

"Liao Binn is a friend of mine!" Guo Yan stated, maintaining his unhurried tone.

A chill ran down Lee Qian's spine. She was romantically involved with Guo Yan, who was also friends with Liao Binn. Panic set in, leaving her mind racing for answers. She had previously deceived Guo Yan by claiming she was single—a blatant manipulation of his emotions.

"Just hold on, I'll wrap up this game," Guo Yan reassured her.

Once the game concluded, Guo Yan escorted Lee Qian to the office, furnished with an imposing boss's desk, a commanding chair, and a sizable leather sofa. Guo Yan chose to sit on the sofa instead of the chair and gestured for Lee Qian to take a seat next to him.

With trepidation, Lee Qian sat down. Guo Yan casually draped an arm around her shoulder, his hand making an unwelcome advance.

"I've been aware of your affair with Liao Binn for some time," Guo Yan said with a slight smile. "But let's clarify where you and I stand."

The truth was, Liao Binn had paid Guo Yan 5,000 yuan to deal with Soong Fei, but Guo Yan was angling for a better deal.

"And how do you propose we 'clarify' things?" Lee Qian asked with a forced smile, her plan to play Guo Yan now seemingly turned on its head.

A sly look crossed Guo Yan's face. Internally he was thrilled, yet he managed to project an air of composure. "You spend nights with Liao Binn on odd days, and with me on even ones. Officially, Liao Binn is your boyfriend, but secretly, you'll be my mistress," he laid out bluntly.

Lee Qian paused to consider before pushing Guo Yan's hand away. His earlier confrontation had sent her into a tailspin, but she had since regained her composure. As a seasoned heartbreaker, she wasn't about to let any man get the upper hand.

With a faint smile and an icy tone, she said, "This was Liao Binn's doing, wasn't it?"

"Correct." Guo Yan nodded in affirmation.

Guo Yan could infer her general intent from Lee Qian's body language, yet he remained confident in his ability to keep her under control.

Lee Qian stood up, deliberately choosing not to share the sofa with Guo Yan.

After a couple of steps, she turned and said, "That means he's already paid you."

"If you refuse, I'll spill to Liao Binn about you playing the field."

Guo Yan's expression chilled. If playing nice wouldn't work, he was ready to play rough.

He had a history of using such tactics to control many girls.

Lee Qian might not be the most articulate, but she had a keen grasp of men's psyches.

Her poise was unshaken by his threats.

With unruffled composure, she stated, "Liao Binn and I aren't officially an item; he's courting me, and I'm still weighing my options. As for us, we're merely acquaintances who've shared a drink or two."

Lee Qian, a seasoned manipulator, had a knack for justifying her behavior with a few choice words.

She remained serene and assertive.

Guo Yan, no stranger to the game himself, responded with a slight smile, "Miss Lee, I won't bother to show you out. But remember, actions have consequences."

Despite her inner trepidation, Lee Qian maintained a facade of boldness.

Yet, she thought to herself, the worst-case scenario was a physical repayment—hardly a concern for her.

With a scoff, Lee Qian turned on her heel and departed.

It was both an evasion of Guo Yan's intensity and a coy rebuff.

She was aware that their paths would likely cross again.

Lee Qian wasn't worried; losing one 'fish' from her pond made little difference to her.

...

The following afternoon, as school let out, a woman of breathtaking grace strolled down the tree-lined campus walkway.

She moved with a lotus-like grace under the gentle caress of the breeze and the warm kiss of sunlight.

This woman was none other than the elegantly poised and strikingly beautiful Su Weiwei.

Her purpose for visiting the shaded promenade by the basketball court was to seek out Soong Fei.

At that moment, Soong Fei was sharing dinner with Chen Le.

"Cough, cough!"

Su Weiwei interjected softly.

That was her signature way to start a conversation!

"For that cough, you should try Darke! Rub it on your throat for three months, and your cough will be history," Soong Fei boasted while eating.

"Pfft!"

Chen Le couldn't help but spray out his food laughing.

"Are you suggesting we smear Darke directly on our throats?" Su Weiwei gave Soong Fei a playful look of disbelief. "You first, show us how it's done."

The pair were like friendly foes, always bickering the moment they met.

Chen Le swiftly moved aside, hoping to spare himself another fit of laughter-induced nausea.

"I'm just looking out for you. You cough, but don't speak up. Maybe you've got an itch in your throat?"

"Enough already. I need to ask for a favor," Su Weiwei said, her tone cooling.

Soong Fei recalled the favor he'd promised Su Weiwei. With a slight smile, he replied, "That was fast. Okay, when are we meeting your folks?"

Chen Le, overhearing this, nearly choked on his food. They were meeting the parents already?

They had all been drunk just last night.

What exactly went down?

Chen Le's mind raced with possibilities, and he couldn't focus on his meal any longer. He turned to them, eyes wide with anticipation.

"It's not my parents we're meeting. It's my blind date," Su Weiwei clarified with a shrug.

"Which one?" Soong Fei mumbled through a mouthful of food. "You've got so many suitors. I'm starting to empathize with the plight of a high-caliber woman like you."

"The pop singer. My mom gave him my number, and now he won't stop asking me out," Su Weiwei explained.

"Oh, should've led with that. So, we're meeting your 'sister'!" Soong Fei chuckled, setting down his utensils.

"Exactly, we're meeting my 'sister,' so you'll need to play the part of my boyfriend."

"This... wasn't part of our original deal!"

The implications of her words hit like a ton of bricks!

Chen Le couldn't help but stare into Soong Fei's eyes, wondering how he hadn't seen it coming.

Soong Fei and Su Weiwei's relationship was moving at lightning speed.

"Have you two forgotten about your matchmaker here?" Chen Le teased, eager for some juicy details. "Come on, spill the beans about what's been going on between you two. My lips are sealed – no fourth person will hear about it."

"In your dreams," they retorted in perfect sync, dismissing Chen Le's assurances.

Following their response, they exchanged a glance, each taken aback by the other's reaction.

"Why are you stealing my line?" Soong Fei quickly averted his gaze, speaking in a fluster.

"It was you who stole mine," Su Weiwei countered, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush that lent a charming softness to her usually aloof demeanor.

"You two really are in tune with each other! Don't even try to tell me there's nothing going on..." Chen Le's probing was cut short as both Soong Fei and Su Weiwei joined forces to push him away.

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