To put it simply, Meng Fei is somewhat vain. Most importantly, when Wang Wende had been trying to curry favor with her before, she had deliberately or unintentionally shown off in the dorm. However, it was unclear what she was thinking at the time. Strangely enough, she always chose to boast when Qiu Yunzheng wasn’t around, as if afraid that Qiu Yunzheng might snatch Wang Wende away. After all, all three roommates were well aware that Qiu Yunzheng’s beauty was almost otherworldly.
Initially, Qiu Yunzheng had thought that Liu Zelan had a crush on Wang Wende; otherwise, why would she keep praising him? She didn’t think much of it, except for inwardly grumbling about why Liu Zelan kept talking about him in front of her—it felt like rubbing salt in the wound for a single person like herself.
Later on, Wang Wende started seizing every opportunity to approach Qiu Yunzheng, always when she was alone, to shower her with attention. Eventually, even the blind could see his ulterior motives, but Qiu Yunzheng coldly avoided him every time. As a result, Wang Wende lost patience and began openly pursuing her, as if declaring his “sovereignty.”
Qiu Yunzheng felt helpless but could only choose to ignore him, as he was truly shameless and loved to put on a show. Moreover, Meng Fei started making sarcastic and exclusionary remarks, while Liu Zelan occasionally urged her to accept Wang Wende. Adding to that, her roommate and friend Wang Xuecha not only stood by indifferently but also subtly ostracized her.
In the end, Qiu Yunzheng had no choice but to move out of the dorm. Although it strained her finances, it brought her peace and quiet. Now, for them to suddenly reach out and suggest a dinner gathering seemed utterly unreliable and unrealistic.
However, Qiu Yunzheng wasn’t particularly afraid; in fact, she wanted to see what tricks they were up to. Just as Gu Hanfeng had suspected, her confidence had swelled to an unprecedented level. If she didn’t suffer a minor setback or learn a lesson, it was hard to guarantee that something more serious wouldn’t happen later. By then, it might be too late to contain the fallout, so it was best to nip this bad tendency in the bud.
What Qiu Yunzheng and the others didn’t know was that Liu Zelan’s actions—from spotting Qiu Yunzheng to making phone calls and then engaging her in conversation—were all clearly observed by Lin Han Nuo and the others who were following Qiu Yunzheng. Lin Han Nuo had informed Gu Hanfeng about this and was awaiting his orders, but Gu Hanfeng instructed them to wait and see.
“Follow them. Just ensure Qiu Yunzheng isn’t harmed. Let her take a small hit and see the true nature of people’s hearts. Otherwise, we might not get such a good opportunity later,” were Gu Hanfeng’s exact words. He had been considering whether to provoke Wang Wende into making a foolish move, so that Qiu Yunzheng could understand the terrors of human nature. This would help curb her arrogance and sharpen her vigilance against potential enemies.
After all, Gu Hanfeng couldn’t guarantee that he could always protect Qiu Yunzheng, nor could he be sure that the state would always shield her from harm.
Only by becoming strong oneself is the true principle—this is the truth Gu Hanfeng has learned through enduring countless trials over the years.
So before Gu Hanfeng could do anything, Wang Wende made the first move. Now, it’s best to wait and see how things unfold.
Of course, this was indeed part of Wang Wende’s plan.
Initially, Liu Zelan wasn’t at the Forbidden City, nor did she have any reason to be there.
Liu Zelan wasn’t lying—she had indeed been searching online for job postings, looking for other high-paying part-time opportunities.
After Qiu Yunzheng moved out of the dormitory, Wang Wende, initially charmed by Liu Zelan’s exquisitely beautiful appearance, would occasionally gift her expensive jewelry and handbags.
Later, Liu Zelan could sell these items at secondhand shops, barely maintaining her glamorous facade.
However, she eventually succumbed to Wang Wende’s material temptations, gave in to him, and surprisingly lasted beyond his usual one-week curse.
Through this, she gained substantial benefits from Wang Wende—at the very least, her mother had recovered and been discharged from the hospital.
But the good times didn’t last long. Liu Zelan barely made it through one month before Wang Wende gave her a considerable breakup compensation.
She didn’t cling to him, after all, she had only been with him for his money from the start. Who would endure such treatment otherwise?
Yet, as the saying goes, it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to return from luxury to frugality. After a period of indulgent living, Liu Zelan ultimately fell into decline.
The problem was, she hadn’t found a suitable replacement. Generous sponsors like Wang Wende, who made few demands and even held the nominal title of boyfriend, were exceedingly rare.
While searching for high-paying part-time jobs today, Liu Zelan coincidentally came across a post:
“An exquisitely beautiful girl with stunning charm—her smile truly lives up to the ancient saying: ‘Her face mirrors peach blossoms, captivating a city with one smile, toppling a kingdom with another…'”
Beneath the post, many were asking for her contact information. At first, Liu Zelan scoffed, thinking no one could surpass Qiu Yunzheng in exquisitely beautiful looks.
Driven by curiosity, she clicked on the post and was shocked to see it was Qiu Yunzheng!
Ever since Qiu Yunzheng submitted her graduation application, she had seemingly vanished from campus. If not for noticing that Wang Wende hadn’t succeeded with her,
Liu Zelan would have suspected he had resorted to underhanded methods or that Qiu Yunzheng had been imprisoned.
Unexpectedly, she found her online—this former roommate she hadn’t seen in so long.
Motivated by self-interest, Liu Zelan decided to go to the Forbidden City to verify things. However, she went to the Meridian Gate.
Familiar with Qiu Yunzheng, she knew Qiu Yunzheng would revisit the Forbidden City. As expected, she spotted her—the real Qiu Yunzheng.
Then, Liu Zelan made a call to Wang Wende, which was the same call mentioned earlier.
No one knows exactly what the two plotted, but it led to the initial scene.
“Thank you, Yun Zheng. Thank you for being willing to come. Honestly, after you left, I’ve been filled with regret—I shouldn’t have yielded to Wang Wende’s pressure.”
For most of the journey, it was mainly Liu Zelan who kept the conversation going. Qiu Yunzheng didn’t know what to say to her, as they weren’t really that close.
“It’s nothing, just a meal’s worth of time. I can afford the delay.”
Qiu Yunzheng replied indifferently, though she made no effort to be polite. She had already guessed that Liu Zelan must be up to something or plotting some scheme.
However, Qiu Yunzheng was somewhat complacent about her current abilities. In her eyes, Liu Zelan was just a delicate art student—what danger could she possibly pose? Even if Liu Zelan had enlisted other roommates, so what? In her current state, Qiu Yunzheng could take on ten burly men single-handedly, and that was no exaggeration.
After all, everyone understands the principle of overwhelming force trumping skill. Her strength now surpassed even Gu Hanfeng’s; it was only her technique and experience that fell short.
“Um, well, you’re right. I really am taking up your time. I’m sorry.”
Liu Zelan was left speechless. Since when had Qiu Yunzheng become so irritating with her words? Couldn’t she speak more tactfully?
But there was nothing to be done. Liu Zelan herself did have ulterior motives toward Qiu Yunzheng, so for now, she had no choice but to coax and placate her.
Once they reached their destination, they would see if Qiu Yunzheng could still act so tough.
And so, the two of them, each with their own hidden agendas, maintained a superficial peace as they quickly arrived at their destination.