“That’s exactly what I mean.” Fu Zhi looked at her with a complicated expression, then tilted her head, curled her lips, and smiled mischievously. “Oh”
She dragged out the syllable meaningfully, then added, “You silly little girl.”
Being teased didn’t make Lu Tao angry. Her cheeks just puffed up, rosy and round, making her look even more like a little peach.
Fu Zhi couldn’t resist pinching her cheek—the feel of it, whoever pinched it would know. “Only when I sleep with him can I sleep deeply. Pure sleep.”
Lu Tao tilted her face toward the ceiling and let out a “Hmph.”
She just loved teasing her.
Why did this plot feel so familiar?
Wasn’t this the standard move in CEO romance novels? The female lead was the male lead’s antidote, and the male lead could only fall asleep holding the female lead.
Except… in her Zhizhi’s case, it was reversed.
As expected of Zhizhi—she was living the male lead’s script!
That was fine too. It was wonderful that Bai Yu could cure Fu Zhi’s insomnia.
Lu Tao stroked her chin, feeling quite gratified.
She had accompanied Fu Zhi to see so many doctors before—Chinese medicine, Western medicine—even sleeping pills hadn’t worked.
Zhizhi’s wicked stepmother had grabbed her by the neck and shaken her awake whenever she fell asleep.
Then she’d told Fu Zhi’s father that she was sick, and he’d believed her completely, sending Fu Zhi to a psychiatric hospital for a year.
Her stepmother had deliberately paid for a multi-bed ward for her, filled with people who talked to themselves all night long.
After she got out, she could never sleep well again. She could only sleep in fragments—three or four hours a night was already a blessing.
Fu Zhi pressed her lips together. “Once Xiao Bai completely cures my insomnia, I’ll kick him to the curb. Then the two of us will run away together.”
“Okay.”
Suddenly, two puzzled voices cut in. “What are you two doing?”
It was Rong Qing and Gu Yuqing—their mothers-in-law—who were looking at their fine daughters-in-law with confusion.
Not only were their relationships with each other bad, but because Fu Zhi was Qiao Zhixing’s cousin and doted on Qiao Zhixing, she had always regarded Lu Tao as a thorn in her side.
Rong Qing looked puzzled. “I just saw you two chatting and laughing?”
Lu Tao was about to speak when Fu Zhi’s eyes held three parts mockery and seven parts coldness. “I was just saying—my man is really something.”
Lu Tao understood instantly, hands on her hips. “Nonsense!” She rubbed her waist as she spoke, pretending her legs were weak.
Her acting was spot-on.
The two mothers-in-law finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, whether it was a trick of the eyes or what, they’d somehow seen a spark of chemistry between their two daughters-in-law.
One was cute and pure with soft, delicate features; the other was over 1.7 meters tall, cool and stunningly beautiful. Weren’t they a perfect match?
After the mothers-in-law left, Lu Tao continued in a ventriloquist’s whisper, “Should we keep up this act?”
Their hands were still linked behind their backs against the champagne tower table, swaying gently—their bond was clearly as strong as ever.
“Yeah.” Fu Zhi looked straight ahead. “For now, keeping up the act brings more benefits than drawbacks. First, our mothers-in-law don’t get along. Until their misunderstanding is resolved, this avoids putting us in an awkward position.”
“Second, according to the plot, I’m Qiao Zhixing’s cousin who always speaks up for her. I can help you infiltrate the enemy’s ranks and see what little tricks she’s up to.”
Lu Tao nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Neither of them noticed that a pair of narrow, elongated eyes had taken in every one of their little gestures. The man’s dark gaze, cold and sharp, was tinged with a flicker of interest.
Lu Tao returned home and opened the door. The sight that hit her made her head spin slightly.
The man sat on a black leather sofa with his back to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
His shoulders were broad and straight, clad in black silk pajamas, the hard lines of his frame tapering at the waist.
A deep V-neck revealed a clearly defined Adam’s apple—seductive as he sipped his drink, the bob of his throat stirring the heart.
His lips were thin and red, like a gorgeous vampire from a medieval painting stepping out of the frame.
He lowered his gaze, lazily swirling a LA ROCHERE wine glass toward her, radiating pure aristocracy. “A drink or two?”
Lu Tao froze for a moment, grumbling inwardly: Didn’t you get enough at the banquet just now?
But how could she refuse her boss’s request? No matter how unreasonable, there was still ten million on the line—at that rate, her salary was 228 yuan per minute!
What were a couple of drinks?
So she sat down, looking small and helpless.
At that moment, the cold, ethereal moonlight bathed Gu Xingzhi entirely. His expression was aloof—though he wore a smile, his face carried an unyielding authority that brooked no refusal.
In the living room, a young man dressed like a bartender picked up several bottles and began mixing.
Butler Song had changed into a silver-gray vest, standing straight with his hands clasped in front of him, his white hair and youthful face radiating elegance.
15ml gin, whiskey, tequila, rum, blue curaçao, half a bottle of Sprite, 15ml lemon juice.
When it came time to add the vodka, Lu Tao turned her dewy eyes to Butler Song. “Grandpa Song.”
Butler Song gave a subtle signal, and the bartender’s hand twitched—only a few drops went in.
Gu Xingzhi shot him a displeased glance, and Butler Song immediately felt a tremor of fear.
In Gu Xingzhi’s eyes, Song Li had always been a man of propriety. How could he be swayed by a few words from a young girl to defy his orders?
Actually, Butler Song had no idea how it happened either. When he heard the little girl call him “Grandpa” in that warm, soft voice, he instinctively started treating her like a granddaughter—even though his own son was only in kindergarten.
Lu Tao took the wine, her warm palm trembling slightly at the sting of the ice-cold liquid.
This was a high-stakes gathering tonight.
She clinked glasses with Gu Xingzhi, feeling that this man always seemed to wear a smile on his face, yet his temperament was deeply gloomy.
After two drinks, Lu Tao slid down with a soft “thump” onto the floor, her legs going limp beneath her as she leaned against the ground, her hands resting on the sofa. She looked like a fuzzy little ball—somehow even a bit adorable?
Even the bartender was charmed silly by the sight, letting out a soft chuckle.
Gu Xingzhi’s tone turned low and heavy. “Leave.”
Butler Song immediately escorted the bartender out.
The crystal chandelier cast flickering shadows over a face of stunning beauty. The man leaned down, and as he drew close, the cold fragrance emanating from him was especially pronounced, carrying a hint of cool, oceanic freshness.
His thumb and forefinger clamped onto her soft, plump cheek. The tenderness beneath his palm made his gaze waver slightly.
A rare hint of mischief flickered in his eyes as he increased the pressure. The round little ball seemed to morph into a triangular rice ball, her small face scrunching up all at once.
Gu Xingzhi loosened his grip slightly, his dark pupils like ink. “You’re close with Bai Yu’s wife?”
“Mm, of course…”
“Oh?”
“I burned her hair once, and she tore up my exam paper—we’re ride-or-die sisters!” Lu Tao looked up, her eyes hazy and unfocused, yet her gaze was more resolute than a party member’s oath.
Gu Xingzhi’s long fingers slid down to rest on her chin, then suddenly squeezed.
Her dewy, apricot-shaped eyes narrowed again. “Ow, ow, ow.”
Gu Xingzhi raised an eyebrow. “So you can still feel pain?”
She didn’t answer, and a flicker of suspicion rose in his mind.
Suddenly, a force pressed against the man’s chin—
Gu Xingzhi immediately frowned. It was this little thing, gripping his chin with both hands.
“Mm, duh. I’m pinching you—let’s see if you feel pain.”
“Pinch you to death!”
Her speech was still slurred and mumbling, but her nerve was astonishingly bold.
Closing his eyes, Gu Xingzhi recalled how Lu Tao had been so timid and submissive in front of him before.
If she weren’t drunk, she probably wouldn’t have this much courage.
“Ding—” The doorbell rang abruptly.