Chapter 10

—Beside the dining table

"I don't want to sleep in the guest room." Li Miao took a small bite, her eyes secretly glancing at Guan Shiyun. She would think about those questions, but sleeping together wouldn't stop her from thinking. She wasn't giving up; she didn't want to go.

"Then move out." Li Miao thought coldly to herself, "Woman, you're heartless."

"What kind of couple is this? They don't kiss or hug, what kind of relationship is that?"

"We don't have to talk about it. We weren't together because of love in the first place."

Li Miao angrily stirred the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks. Yes, yes, it was for money; she was the one asking to be kept. Ugh, why can't I get around this? Right, for money! A glint of intelligence shone in Li Miao's eyes as she raised an eyebrow, speaking with righteous indignation.

"Then let's not talk about love, just sex. You're my sugar daddy, so you have to let me live with you." Li Miao looked at Guan Shiyun, who didn't even look up, with anticipation, urging her in her heart to agree quickly.

Guan Shiyun picked up a napkin and slowly wiped her mouth, still without raising her head.

"I can't do things like spending money to swindle. If you're in a hurry, you can find another sugar daddy; the door is over there."

If Guan Shiyun were to look up, she would definitely see Li Miao's current state, like a cat with its fur standing on end, back arched, tail held high, and meowing, in a highly aggressive posture, ready to scratch at any moment.

"You did it even though you couldn't! What's the difference between doing it once or twice? It's a matter of mutual consent, why are you overthinking it?"

Seeing that Guan Shiyun finally looked up at her, Li Miao felt that she had found the right direction. If she kept trying, she would definitely be able to persuade Guan Shiyun. She couldn't wait to get close to Guan Shiyun. She was so popular, she should try to keep her. She raised her chin slightly and softened her tone.

"I can't wait, and I have a lot of people on my job list who want to be my sugar daddy, so you'd better think it over."

Guan Shiyun looked at Li Miao, whose attack power was as strong as ever, with an arrogant look that seemed to say, "My scheme has succeeded and I'm confident of victory." She gently curled the corners of her mouth, and she was still charmed by her cuteness.

—But at this moment, it is he himself who is nailed to the pillar of shame by Li Miao.

Their relationship wasn't truly consensual; it was merely an unequal transaction.

She actually brought up a lot of people to inflate her price. She clearly doesn't understand what liking or love is, acting on instinct and using bidding tactics to entice people to fight over her.

Guan Shiyun admitted that she was charmed and a little jealous. However, she was more overwhelmed by her cuteness, her heart filled with joy. How could she not love a kitten pretending to run away just to get more petting?

Should we go along with her and pretend to fall for her trick?

Have you exposed her?

Guan Shiyun felt the love flowing through her chest, so intense, and she restrained the urge to gently kiss her. So wonderful, so lovely, so vibrant within herself.

Her kitten doesn't understand this inequality, nor does it understand how despicable it is to knowingly commit a crime.

“There is a difference. If you really want to do these intimate things with someone else, then go ahead. If you're looking for someone else for money, then isn't it best for you to stay? Why did you choose me? The question has come full circle. Li Miao, stop being so unreasonable. Eat well and get ready. Come with me to the banquet. Talk less, listen more, and observe more.”

Li Miao felt that this woman was so difficult to deal with; nothing she said or tried worked. What a stupid banquet! She didn't want to go!

"Me." Li Miao saw Guan Shiyun swallow the word "no."

"Go and tidy up."

Li Miaozhen got angrier and angrier. She was an adult, what was wrong with wanting to kiss and hug? Besides, she wasn't worried that Guan Shiyun would deny it. Even if she did deny it—well, well, Guan Shiyun, you're really something. You actually fell for her argument. How come you can't escape it?

Even if Guan Shiyun denies it, Li Miao thought about it seriously and didn't feel like she was at a loss. Couldn't she just be lusting after Guan Shiyun? That's right, she wanted both money and sex.

She wants the money Guan Shiyun offers, and she also wants Guan Shiyun herself!

[Li Miao] Are you there? Are you there? Are you there? Are you there? Are you there?

[Lin Bei] You're amazing that you can make WeChat act like it's being pounded on even though it's not legitimate.

[Li Miao] What should I do if I want to kiss and hug someone but she won't agree? She even said she only wants money and doesn't care about love. [Lin Bei] Where can I find such a good deal? Introduce me to someone.

[Li Miao] I asked you how you got her to agree!!!

Lin Bei looked puzzled, knowing who Li Miao was talking about, but wouldn't this be a case of getting rich by asking for money?

[Lin Bei] You've already gotten all the money you wanted, be content. You still want so much, like you're in Versailles with me.

[Li Miao] Do you still want to get rich with me?

[Lin Bei] Then may I ask you, why didn't she agree? Why did she refuse?

Lin Bei was also puzzled. This Guan Zong seemed to be quite detached from worldly desires, not interested in sex or money.

[Li Miao] She took advantage of me and then turned her back on me, saying I was young and didn't understand anything.

[Lin Bei] So you were completely taken advantage of and then returned the goods? You're 23 already, what are you talking about? These are all just excuses. Luckily, you didn't lose your money, so you didn't really lose out, sister.

[Li Miao] I'm 18. I lied about my age. I took advantage of her.

[Lin Bei] ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Lin Bei was shocked. What kind of writing was this? She couldn't understand it at all! Her 23-year-old friend had suddenly become 18? She had taken advantage of her, wanted to continue, and was rejected? The reason for the rejection was that she was too young, hadn't been taken advantage of, hadn't settled accounts, and now there was compensation? She even helped her make money, only talking about money and not love?

[Lin Bei] Sister, don't you understand how to find a rich man? You can get money without so many problems, what more could you want? If you don't understand, let me find one.

[Li Miao] I asked you to give me advice on how to kiss and hug Guan Shiyun!

Lin Bei was also confused. What was going on?

[Lin Bei] Why do you insist on kissing and hugging? She already refused! Sister, we can't throw away our money for a pretty face, can we? You're just after that. Or do you want her to retaliate? You'll anger her and lose both your money and your feelings. What's going on? Have you fallen for her?

Does she like Guan Shiyun? Why is it this question again? It seems like we can't get around to the same question. But does she like her? Li Miao tried hard to think, but she just couldn't find the answer.

Because her brain told her—she doesn't love, she doesn't love anyone.

[Li Miao] I don't love, I just want to kiss and sleep with someone. I'd enjoy whoever I'm with.

[Lin Bei] What kind of scumbag remarks are these? Scumbag is scumbag, but my heart will always be with you.

Looking at the scumbag woman's comments, Lin Bei could lie and say that Li Miao did the right thing, but she really couldn't give her advice to go after the scumbag, let alone the foolish advice of being blinded by lust and not even caring about money. She couldn't do it.

[Lin Bei] I'm no longer successful, you should find another master.

[Li Miao] So you said 18 is small?

Lin Bei felt a bit speechless. She thought Da Li Miao was 3 years older, but suddenly she was 8 years older. Her heart was really clenching.

[Lin Bei] Ha, little brat, little brat? ???

Li Miao was immediately stressed when she was rejected because of her age.

[Li Miao] You're the little one! You're the little one! Are you sick in the head?!

[Lin Bei] Goodbye, let's keep in touch in a bottle. Lin Bei was speechless.

Because they were neighbors, she first met Li Miao when she saw a girl with horribly heavy makeup. Her professional instincts kicked in, and she asked if Li Miao needed her makeup done. That's how they met. Yes, Li Miao was twenty-one years old at the time!

She came to ask for advice, but was rejected again because of her age. Li Miao was really at her wit's end and was furious!

It wasn't that she hadn't thought about the problem; it was that she just couldn't figure it out. Something felt very wrong. The answer seemed so close yet so far, like a curtain separating her from it—she couldn't reach it at all. The more she thought about it, the more her head ached; it was a real headache, not just a figure of speech.

She decided to stop thinking about it for now. After all, she had plenty of time, and she would find a way to change Guan Shiyun's mind. Besides, she wouldn't stay 18 forever.

——

This was the first time Guan Shiyun had worn a suit to such an event. She usually wore cheongsams and evening gowns, but this time she had no choice; a suit was necessary to cover her up. The white suit had sharp shoulder lines and a very tight-fitting waist.

However, in order not to be too drastic from her previous image, she chose a pink turtleneck sweater, which covered most of the marks on her long neck.

Her usually tied-up hair was now loose, like moonlight-drenched waves draped over her shoulders, adding a touch of allure. Wearing high heels, she was completely different from her usual gentle and graceful demeanor.

After Li Miao changed her clothes, she came out to see Guan Shiyun, who was completely unfamiliar with her. However, this unfamiliar competence and elegance still easily caught Li Miao's attention, making her want to stand beside her.

"Let's go. Remember the people I signaled to, and try to remember what they said as well."

"Okay." Li Miao took Guan Shiyun's arm, feeling a little stiffness in her hand, and couldn't help but feel smug.

--banquet

It's not exactly a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road; it's just that we're from the same social circle in the same city, so it's inevitable that we'll run into each other.

"Mr. Guan, it's been a long time."

Mr. Xu, accompanied by his "lively" family, came over to exchange pleasantries, ostensibly to gauge their willingness to cooperate. He had already reprimanded his good-for-nothing younger brother after hearing what had happened last time. Offending this smiling tiger, this seemingly harmless but actually cunning man from the capital, would only bring trouble to the family.

"Hello, Mr. Xu." Guan Shiyun didn't respond with any questions, because there was no need. She wasn't short of money, but the other party might not be. A polite greeting was enough, and she turned and left.

I received a signal that the other party didn't want to talk to me, but when it comes to making money, you have to be a little shameless, especially since there was a reason behind it.

"Mr. Guan, I'd like to ask you again about something concerning Green Garden State. My younger brother caused quite a embarrassment last time, and I apologize to you here."

"Mr. Xu, there's no need for that. Each person should take responsibility for their own actions. I'm not very familiar with the situation in Green Garden Prefecture either. How about I take a look when I get back to the company?" Guan Shiyun's words were extremely perfunctory, but her demeanor was impeccable.

The smile wouldn't disappear, it would just shift. Seeing the Xu brothers' humiliation made Li Miao very happy.

"How much of what you just said did you remember? How much of the people did you remember?"

"Yes, I remember the person, but I only remember the gist of what was said."

In reality, these kinds of banquets are nothing more than networking and cooperation. Breaking it down, you can roughly understand which companies are involved in what and what their plans are.

These roundabout ways are nothing more than mutual probing, but in the end, it all comes down to interests, and it's all about getting information in a timely manner.

"I'll explain it to you in detail when we get back. You'll understand after a few tries. You're so smart, you'll definitely understand it soon."

"Of course, I'm just that amazing." Hearing Guan Shiyun praise her, Li Miao decided to let her off the hook for now, thinking that Guan Shiyun had a good eye for talent.

"You're this happy with just a compliment? More happy than seeing the Xu brothers get their comeuppance?" Guan Shiyun couldn't help but find it a little funny to see Li Miao so easily pleased.

"That's a different kind of happiness. One is like secretly eating candy, and the other is like being given candy. I feel that this kind of banquet is so boring. It's no different from my workplace."

"Relationships make things easier to understand," Guan Shiyun said, glancing at the girl beside her with a slight smile in agreement. "Indeed, there's no difference."

Li Miao's happiness and excitement brightened Guan Shiyun's heart as well. The boring banquet was never so unbearable because of the girl beside her.

This is just the first step in hunting skills; there's still a lot to learn. Listen quietly as the bright girl continues her chatter.

"It's nothing more than what happened in this family, what happened in that family, who argued with whom, and who got together with whom."

…

After the discussion at the banquet came to an end, Li Miao suddenly had a whim. She wanted to go shopping, have dinner, and go on a date with Guan Shiyun, and she immediately made the suggestion.

"Let's go on a date after this is over."

"Do you have anywhere you'd like to go? Or how about we check out a dance studio near our home?"

"Okay! I want to go then, um..."

"Let's buy some snacks while we're at it, and then you can see what kind you like and learn how to make them."

Although it was Li Miao who suggested the date, Li Miao's mind was already wandering away from the venue as she listened to Guan Shiyun's arrangements. Actually, this kind of banquet was nothing special; she found it incredibly boring the second time she came, and she couldn't even remember how she felt the first time.

But she remembered that banquet, Guan Shiyun's appearance, her white dress and updo, looking so gentle, turning her head to look at the person next to her, thinking about the upcoming date, their first formal date.