Chapter 131: Player 3

Cloud-like hair, a face like a flower, golden hairpins swaying. A warm night beneath the lotus canopy.

The beauty beside her was already fast asleep, her fair skin covered in marks both deep and shallow—clear evidence of how intense the battle had just been. Tang Shiyu sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, her expression hollow and dazed. The muscles in her arms twitched with soreness, constantly reminding her of everything she had just done.

Suddenly snapping back to her senses, Tang Shiyu clutched her head in panic.

She had no idea what had gotten into her. How had she let her anger get the better of her, to the point of losing all reason and ending up cooking the raw rice¹ with Jian Yin? She shut her eyes in despair. Once Jian Yin woke up, wouldn’t she erupt like a volcano, screaming and demanding compensation for her lost purity?

After calming down for half an hour, Tang Shiyu, still trembling, picked up her phone and stepped out onto the balcony. She carefully shut the glass door behind her and dialed Gao Zhiqian.

“I’m doomed.”

Gao Zhiqian was in the middle of throwing a party to celebrate Tang Shiyu’s departure. The music behind her was blaring. Hearing those words, she covered one ear and hurried out of the courtyard.

“Hello? Shiyu, what did you just say? I couldn’t hear you, say it again!”

Tang Shiyu couldn’t help but grip her phone tighter.

Some people, after nearly being cheated on by their fiancées, did something foolish in a fit of rage and now feared they were doomed to be dragged into the grave of marriage by their unreasonable partners. Meanwhile, others were throwing parties, popping champagne, and celebrating with friends.

Some were drowning in regret, their guts twisted with remorse. Others were beaming with joy, arms full of beauties, living like gods.

Tang Shiyu clenched her teeth. “Gao Zhiqian, our friendship ends here.”

“No, no, wait!” Gao Zhiqian quickly reached out to stop her, even though Tang Shiyu couldn’t see it. She shut the door behind her, and the noise immediately quieted.

“Shiyu, what happened? Did you and Jian Yin fight again?”

Tang Shiyu pressed her lips together tightly. After bracing herself mentally, she finally spoke slowly.

“Jian Yin and I… we did it.”

It took Gao Zhiqian a long moment to process what she’d just heard. Her brows furrowed as she realized things weren’t so simple.

“Then what about Nan Xu? Isn’t everyone at your company gossiping that she’s your lover? She’s been chasing you since high school, chose the same university and major just to be with you, and even joined your company after graduation…”

“You think now’s the time to worry about Nan Xu?”

“No.” Gao Zhiqian gave a guilty laugh, then said breezily, “Then just get married.”

“As long as you’re married, and you put that little red booklet² in front of Jian Yin, she won’t keep fighting with you like before, right?” Gao Zhiqian spent a full half hour persuading Tang Shiyu, appealing to both emotion and logic, until she finally caved. Tang Shiyu ran a hand through her hair in frustration.

“Fine.”

Just like her friend said, once they were married, Jian Yin would probably calm down a bit.

By then, her whole self would belong to Jian Yin, and they’d be legally bound as wives. If she ever cheated… No, how could she possibly cheat?

After hanging up, Tang Shiyu carefully climbed back into bed. She folded her hands over her chest, trying to figure out how to gently bring up the idea of registering their marriage as soon as Jian Yin woke up. Jian Yin valued her purity and chastity more than anything else in the world, so Tang Shiyu had to be the one to speak first.

Otherwise, it would just lead to another endless argument.

By the time Yu Liuxue woke up, Tang Shiyu had spent a full eight hours mentally preparing herself. Afraid she’d lose her nerve, she sat up the moment Yu Liuxue opened her eyes and said with a firm, serious tone, “Jian Yin, let’s get married today.”

Yu Liuxue paused mid-eye-rub, staring in confusion at the disheveled yet beautiful woman before her.

“Why?”

Tang Shiyu: “…?”

Yu Liuxue was instantly jolted awake by that sentence. If she married Tang Shiyu, how could she still be the sea-conquering Player, falling in love with other beautiful women and fulfilling Jian Yin’s wish? Without even thinking, she shook her head and refused.

“I’m not marrying you.”

“Give up on that idea.” She grabbed her little dress. “I’m young, beautiful, soft, and delicate. I’ve got admirers lined up halfway around the globe. Why would I settle for a scumbag like you?”

A nameless fire began to rise in Tang Shiyu’s chest. Her temples throbbed violently. She clenched her fists without realizing it, expressionless as she watched Yu Liuxue get dressed.

After slipping on her dress, Yu Liuxue turned back with a faint smile and casually flipped her long black hair over her shoulder.

“Tang Shiyu, you were just lucky last night to get my first time. You should be satisfied.”

“After all, you won’t be that lucky every time.”

Marriage? Not a chance.

Tang Shiyu couldn’t tell if Jian Yin had lost her mind or if the whole world had.

Wasn’t it you who used to obsess over me, acting like you’d die if I didn’t stay by your side forever? And now, just a few days later, you’ve completely changed your tune?

Yu Liuxue tucked her hair to one side, revealing her snow-white back and those alluring butterfly-shaped shoulder blades. The gentle curve of her bones was incredibly seductive. Tang Shiyu couldn’t help but recall how she’d looked last night, crying with a flushed face, delicate as a rain-soaked blossom. Her body suddenly felt hot, and she tugged at her collar.

“Jian Yin, stop being unreasonable.”

Yu Liuxue didn’t even look back. After putting on her heels, she finally spared Tang Shiyu a glance.

“I’m serious.”

“Oh right, when you came in yesterday, did you see that woman in the red dress? You’ve got connections—can you help me find out who she is?” Yu Liuxue touched her chin thoughtfully. “If I could spend a night with her…”

“Jian Yin!”

Yu Liuxue got dragged back and ravished again. She clung to Tang Shiyu’s waist, utterly defeated, wondering if the plot had gone off the rails. Wasn’t Tang Shiyu supposed to be sick of her? So why did it feel like even seven times in one night wasn’t enough, and now she wanted fourteen?

“System, did I miss some critical information?”

Tang Shiyu suddenly looked over. Yu Liuxue immediately put on a righteous expression and gritted her teeth.

“Tang Shiyu, even if you’ve gotten my body, you’ll never get my heart. My heart already belongs to that woman in the red suit…”

Ah!

Yu Liuxue had no idea how many times she’d felt blissed out. When it was over, she even felt a tiny bit reluctant to leave.

“So precious,” Yu Liuxue sighed to the System.

The System had a bad feeling rising in its chest. It sensed that the Host might have unlocked a whole new level of entertainment.

Tang Shiyu regretted everything again. The first time, she could blame it on a fit of rage. But now, not even twenty-four hours later, she’d made the same mistake?

Looking into those teary, glistening eyes, her remorse deepened beyond words.

Was it true that people got more lust-driven and less rational with age?

Yu Liuxue was determined to stick to her persona as a proud little white flower. So the moment their lovemaking ended, she slipped back into her dress and even snatched Tang Shiyu’s coat.

“Tang Shiyu, be grateful you got me twice. You should sleep with your pillow high and thank your ancestors!”

“Your family’s ancestral tomb must be smoking with luck³ for you to have such good fortune…” Seeing Tang Shiyu about to explode again, Yu Liuxue quickly shut her mouth and bolted out the door.

Although Tang Shiyu’s skills suited her tastes perfectly, coming too many times in a single day was a no-go. It would definitely lead to combustion.

The room fell abruptly silent. Tang Shiyu could clearly hear the sound of her own heartbeat. After a long pause, she slowly picked up her phone. “Zhiqian, I did it with Jian Yin again.”

Gao Zhiqian was speechless: “???” Excuse me, are you some kind of walking teddy bear in heat?

How long has it even been since you last called me? Not even twelve hours, okay? Gao Zhiqian silently shed a tear. Truly, some people die of thirst while others drown in excess.

Even though Tang Shiyu had put on a show in front of Yu Liuxue, acting like she had no intention of investigating the woman in the red suit, the moment Yu Liuxue left, she went straight to the hotel manager and requested to review the surveillance footage from last night. The moment the footage was pulled up, Tang Shiyu only glanced at it casually—and nearly exploded from rage on the spot.

Jian Yin was practically throwing herself into that woman’s arms!

She’d only been out of touch for half a month, and Jian Yin was already so desperate she ran off to have some random, fleeting affair?

Tang Shiyu’s face darkened, her pitch-black eyes like an endless frozen tundra. She clenched her fists tightly. In a sudden flash of realization, she understood: all those years of Jian Yin’s unreasonable arguments were just her way of pushing Tang Shiyu to leave. Once Tang Shiyu stepped away, Jian Yin could indulge herself freely, partying and flirting without guilt.

Tang Shiyu stared coldly at the two figures—one in black, one in red—her teeth grinding audibly.

But the more she stared at Lu Ling’s face, the more familiar it seemed. Yet she couldn’t quite place where she’d seen her before. Frowning, she pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of Lu Ling’s face, then sent it to her older brother. “Brother, are you busy right now? Help me look into this woman in the red suit.”

Her brother replied instantly: “That’s my girlfriend. Why?”

Suddenly, message after message came flying in like a storm.

“That Fox Spirit practically glued to your sister-in-law—who the hell is she?!”

“Where are you right now? How did you find out your sister-in-law is being seduced by another woman?!”

“A hotel? Don’t tell me your sister-in-law is…?”

“Oh my God! If I catch that little homewrecker, I swear I’ll kick her to the moon with my boots!”

Tang Shiyu: “…”

Tang Shiyu: “Brother, that’s Jian Yin.”

Her brother: “?”

Tang Shiyu was on the verge of a breakdown. She never imagined that her attempt to catch a cheater would end up implicating her own brother. She raked a hand through her hair, vaguely remembering that the last time her brother brought his girlfriend home to meet the family, she had just finished a heated phone fight with Jian Yin. She’d been so furious at the time that she hadn’t paid any attention to who this “sister-in-law” was. Her mind had been completely consumed with drowning her sorrows in alcohol. So even if Lu Ling had walked right past her, she wouldn’t have noticed.

Now that everything was clear, Tang Shiyu felt even more frustrated.

Compared to this strange and unpredictable version of Jian Yin, she actually preferred the one who used to argue with her and throw tantrums, but at least stayed in her lane.

Sitting in her car, Tang Shiyu couldn’t help but wonder what kind of karmic debt she must have owed in a past life to end up entangled with someone as difficult as Jian Yin.

By the time she arrived at the company, her expression was downright stormy. Nan Xu approached with a graceful smile. “CEO Tang, I’ve placed all the contracts that need your review and signature on your desk.”

Tang Shiyu wasn’t in the mood to work. She merely nodded and replied coolly, “Got it.”

As she stepped into the elevator, Nan Xu quickly followed. Tang Shiyu finally spared her a glance. Nan Xu smiled gently and spoke in a soft voice. “CEO Tang, I know I probably shouldn’t meddle in your personal affairs, but seeing you like this really worries me.”

“Did you and Jian Yin have another fight?” Nan Xu’s tone grew somber. “You’re so busy, constantly buried in work, and yet Jian Yin still treats you like this…”

The more Nan Xu brought it up, the more Tang Shiyu recalled Yu Liuxue’s dramatic, soul-shaking words—something about being lucky to have her first time, about ancestral tombs emitting smoke to bring such a rare encounter. The memory made Tang Shiyu’s chest ache with fury.

Nan Xu discreetly observed Tang Shiyu’s expression. Seeing the faint irritation on her face, a flicker of satisfaction flashed in Nan Xu’s eyes. When the elevator doors opened, she asked considerately, “Still want Blue Mountain coffee?”

“No need. You can go. I want some time alone.” Tang Shiyu dismissed her.

But it wasn’t long before Nan Xu returned. This time, in addition to the documents in her arms, she was holding a cup of hot milk tea. She placed it gently on Tang Shiyu’s desk and said softly, “CEO Tang, you’ve helped me so many times. I just want to do something for you in return.”

“If you’re feeling troubled, you can talk to me. I’ll be a good listener.” Nan Xu smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on Tang Shiyu with a tenderness that seemed to drip like water.

Nan Xu clearly wasn’t going to leave easily, and Tang Shiyu couldn’t exactly kick her out. After a moment of thought, she tore off a piece of paper and wrote down Jian Yin’s phone number. “This is Jian Yin’s number. Starting today, I want you to monitor her whereabouts.”

“If she goes to any shady places, or gets involved with any shady people, report to me immediately.” Tang Shiyu handed the note to Nan Xu.

Nan Xu’s smile froze. She instinctively clenched the paper in her hand. After a moment, she slowly reached out and took it, forcing a smile. “Yes, CEO Tang.”

After leaving Tang Shiyu’s office, Nan Xu’s eyes burned with fury, as if she could incinerate the paper with her gaze alone. Jian Yin wasn’t even someone important to her—so why should she be the one to track her every move? Fine then. She gripped the paper tightly. If that’s how it is, she’d pay Jian Yin a little visit today.

After fleeing the hotel by taxi, Yu Liuxue went to a bar to retrieve her luxury car, then leisurely drove out to the countryside for a hot spring soak. Immersed in the warm water, her toes relaxed and spread out in bliss. Just as she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment, her phone rang.

Yu Liuxue lazily opened her eyes and glanced at the unfamiliar number on the screen. After a brief pause, she answered. “Who is it?”

Hearing her languid tone, Nan Xu bit her lower lip gently. She had liked Tang Shiyu since high school. To win her over, she had studied hard, even giving up her dream university to attend a local school just to stay close to Tang Shiyu. She had sacrificed so much, lost so much, all for the chance to be with her.

She had worked so hard—so why did Jian Yin get to enjoy Tang Shiyu’s affection so freely? Wasn’t it just because she was born luckier and happened to meet Tang Shiyu earlier?

Nan Xu clenched her fist tightly. If she and Jian Yin had met Tang Shiyu at the same time, who knows who Tang Shiyu would have chosen?

There was no response from the other end of the line for a long time. Just as Yu Liuxue was about to hang up in confusion, a voice finally came through. “Hello, I’m Nan Xu, CEO Tang’s assistant.”

Nan Xu? Yu Liuxue immediately perked up. This Nan Xu had once made Jian Yin so angry she couldn’t eat or sleep, constantly anxious and on edge. Yu Liuxue tilted her head and lounged lazily against the edge of the hot spring. “Oh, little Nan. What can I do for you?”

Nan Xu frowned slightly, barely perceptible. In her memory, Jian Yin had always hated her. Every time they crossed paths, Jian Yin would glare at her with open hostility. If no one had held her back, she probably would’ve lunged at her, ripped her clothes to shreds, and clawed her face without hesitation.

But why… why did she hear a hint of anticipation in her tone?

Even though her mind was full of questions, Nan Xu still spoke softly, “There’s been a lot going on at the company lately. CEO Tang has been really busy. Sometimes she has to fly to two different places in one day and often doesn’t even have time to eat. She’s lost a lot of weight recently. It makes my heart ache to see it. So, Jian Yin, from now on, just stay home obediently every night, okay? Don’t distract CEO Tang anymore.”

Yu Liuxue let out a light laugh and blinked innocently. “But…”

Nan Xu’s heart tensed slightly.

“What if I can’t control my legs?” Yu Liuxue rested her chin in her hands with a look of feigned innocence. “How about this—why don’t you keep an eye on me every night, Little Nan?”

“You’re the person Tang Shiyu trusts the most. If you’re the one watching me for her, she’ll definitely feel at ease.”

“Aren’t you really worried about her? If I stop making trouble, she won’t be so stressed anymore, and she won’t lose even more weight because of me, right?”

Nan Xu: “?”

That’s… not wrong, but something about it felt off. She forced a smile. “Jian Yin, you’re joking. CEO Tang is busy, and so am I. Besides, you’re not a child anymore. How could I possibly keep you in check?”

She bit her lip lightly, convinced that Jian Yin was just taking the opportunity to flaunt how indulgent and doting Tang Shiyu was toward her. Jian Yin was clearly a spoiled heiress who’d grown arrogant from being pampered. Nan Xu couldn’t understand what Tang Shiyu saw in her that made her so unwilling to break up after all this time.

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Nan Xu said, “Sorry, CEO Tang just called me to her office. Let’s talk another time.”

Tang Shiyu called Nan Xu to her office? Yu Liuxue scratched her chin. Although she was tempted to storm into Tang Shiyu’s office and catch her in the act, clearly, going on a date with a pretty lady was more important.

After getting out of the hot spring, Yu Liuxue took another shower, then slowly sat down in her room to do her makeup, preparing for another night of romantic adventures.

At the police station, an assistant rushed over to the senior officer with documents in hand. “Captain Yang, we’ve finished investigating Jian Yin. Everything’s in here.” He swallowed nervously and continued in a businesslike tone, “Her parents are the biggest clothing wholesalers in the city, with assets worth tens of millions. As for the missing person, Tang Shiyu, her background is even more impressive. Her parents came from Jingbei⁴ to expand their business. Their family owns several siheyuan⁵ compounds in Jingbei, along with numerous properties. They’re well-connected with the elite.”

“The missing person and the one who filed the report were childhood sweethearts, betrothed by their families. They officially became a couple in high school.” The assistant’s tone took on a personal edge. “But Jian Yin is an extremely possessive woman. She can’t tolerate even the slightest threat. If Tang Shiyu does anything that goes against her wishes, Jian Yin will throw a tantrum that lasts an entire month.”

“Tang Shiyu is beautiful and comes from a good family, so naturally she draws attention. According to their classmates from high school and college, when Jian Yin throws a fit, even a stray cat on the street isn’t spared.”

The old officer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What did she do to the cat?”

“Jian Yin insisted on twisting the facts and claimed the male cat was actually female. She accused Tang Shiyu of lusting after it, which forced Tang Shiyu to find someone to adopt the stray that very night.” The assistant shook his head with a complicated expression. “And just because of something that petty, the two of them argued every day for a whole month.”

The old officer: “…” Interesting.

“Keep monitoring the one who filed the report.”

“Yes, sir!” the assistant replied immediately. Just as the old officer was about to leave, the assistant suddenly remembered something. “Oh right, Captain Yang. Last night, after Jian Yin went to the bar, around midnight, she left with a strange woman and got into her car. They went to a hotel together.”

“It’s just that…” The assistant hesitated, clearly anxious. The old officer frowned. “Speak.”

“The woman who came out of her room at noon today… was someone else.”

The old officer: “?”

After finishing her makeup, Yu Liuxue immediately drove back to the city. She went on a shopping spree first, then began agonizing over where to go for fun that night. After much deliberation, she finally picked a place, only to spend the whole night there without meeting a single girl to her liking. Yu Liuxue frowned, realizing something wasn’t right. “At first I thought the hardest part of this mission would be getting Tang Shiyu into bed. Now I see I was wrong.”

“The hardest part is actually cheating on Tang Shiyu.”

The System replied cautiously, “Isn’t that because you’re too picky, Host?”

Yu Liuxue shook her head furiously. “You tell me. The first girl who came up to me—how old was she? Barely looked eighteen. You think I’m the kind of monster who’d do something like that? The second one was pretty, sure, but it was obvious she was trying to scam me. And the third one? That was clearly a setup for a honey trap. You think I’m dumb enough to fall for that?”

Yu Liuxue sighed and pulled out a small mirror, staring at the beauty reflected within. Then she slammed the table with sudden determination. “No! I can’t let this gorgeous face go to waste tonight!”

The System felt a sudden sense of dread. “Then… what are you planning to do?”

“Go find Tang Shiyu.” Yu Liuxue smiled sweetly. “I’ve got my makeup on, I’ve had my drinks, and the night is still young. If I don’t do something, how could I possibly live up to Jian Yin’s expectations of me?”

She grabbed her car keys. “I’m going to the company right now to pick a fight with Tang Shiyu!”

The System: “???”

In the middle of the night, just to avoid wasting your makeup, you’re actually driving all the way to Tang Shiyu’s company… just to argue with her?

Tang Shiyu had just finished her work and was about to pack up and head home when her office phone suddenly rang. She hesitated for a moment and didn’t answer. Just as she was about to turn off the lights and leave, the sharp clack of high heels echoed from behind her.

She instinctively turned around and caught a glimpse of a pale yellow blur rushing toward her. Despite wearing sky-high stilettos, those long, fair legs looked sleek and graceful. Yet the woman was running alarmingly fast, and in no time, she was standing right in front of her.

Before Tang Shiyu could react, the woman started throwing a fit without warning.

“Tang Shiyu, what exactly is going on between you and Nan Xu?! I’m telling you, as long as I’m around, you and that Fox Spirit Nan Xu can forget about getting together!”

“Oh, you’ve got nerve, don’t you? You even gave Nan Xu my phone number! What, did you want her to check if I was dead or something?!”

Several employees who hadn’t left yet craned their necks, peeking curiously toward the commotion. Tang Shiyu’s brow twitched. She used to adore Jian Yin’s voice—sweet and gentle, a pleasure to the ears. But somewhere along the way, that sweetness had turned into something else. The words were still soft, still sweet, yet they never failed to ignite her fury in an instant.

With a dark expression, Tang Shiyu dragged Yu Liuxue into her office and lowered the blinds. “Jian Yin, stop making a scene. That’s not what I meant…”

Yu Liuxue immediately seized the moment to cut her off, pressing in aggressively. “Then what did you mean? What else could you possibly mean? Isn’t that exactly what you meant? Come on, tell me—what did you mean? If you don’t explain yourself clearly today, I’ll make sure everyone in this company knows exactly what you meant!”

Tang Shiyu’s ears hurt, and her head throbbed. Every word coming out of their mouths made her temper flare higher and higher, like flames shooting up with a “whoosh whoosh whoosh.” She stared expressionlessly at Yu Liuxue’s endlessly chattering mouth. Consumed by anger, she lost control and shoved her onto her office desk. Then, acting on instinct, she tore apart the little dress Yu Liuxue was wearing and pressed her lips against those relentless red ones.

Yu Liuxue closed her eyes in satisfaction. Yes, this was exactly what she meant.

The System, which had watched the entire scene unfold, slowly typed out a row of question marks: “……?”

[Subway Grandma Looking at Phone].jpg

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Translator’s Notes

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1. cooking the raw rice: A Chinese euphemism meaning to consummate a relationship or have sex (lit. ‘cooking raw rice’). ↩
2. little red booklet: Refers to the official Chinese marriage certificate, which is issued as a small red booklet. ↩
3. ancestral tomb must be smoking with luck: A traditional Chinese saying meaning that one has received extraordinary good fortune, implying that their ancestors’ burial site is so auspicious it is ‘smoking’ with good luck. ↩
4. Jingbei: A common fictional or generalized name for Beijing (the capital of China) in Chinese novels, often used to avoid naming the real city directly. ↩
5. siheyuan: A traditional Chinese architectural style, a historical courtyard residence commonly found in Beijing and other parts of China. Owning several is a sign of immense wealth and status. ↩