Chapter 88: “PUA”

Two days later, on a workday afternoon, Gan Xun arrived at a coffee shop near the company.

She met Cen Xiangrui.

Cen Xiangrui had chosen a spot in the corner of the coffee shop, where the table was half-obscured by a pillar and stairs. Gan Xun had to lean forward for a look before confirming it.

It felt like meeting Gan Xun was something that couldn’t see the light of day.

If she had really risen to that level of fame, Gan Xun had nothing to say about it.

Zhao Chiyun had mentioned Cen Xiangrui’s existence before, but she didn’t seem to care.

But when Gan Xun received the call from her, Zhao Chiyun—who had been completely in the dark—grew furious and threw a little tantrum.

Ever since getting wind of it from Cui Can, she had been dissatisfied with Gan Xun’s long-term concealment.

Out of consideration for recuperation and respect, she held back from lashing out without reason. Now that Gan Xun had walked right into her line of fire, she naturally had the right to question Gan Xun’s intentions in hiding it.

Fortunately, Gan Xun had been squeaky clean that night and maintained a good attitude, so the reasonable Zhao Chiyun quickly cleared her of suspicion, and the matter didn’t escalate further.

Gan Xun took her seat and looked up, thinking that the proud Zhao Chiyun’s worries and panic about “rekindling old flames” in their relationship were utterly unnecessary.

To be fair, the Cen Xiangrui in Gan Xun’s memories was very beautiful—not in a refined way, but with a charm that drew the eye.

That was why Gan Xun fell for her at first sight, wanting to give pursuit a try even in a phase where she hadn’t felt love for anyone else.

Even if her character was average, maybe there were extenuating circumstances—that was how Gan Xun had comforted herself before.

Her face was more refined now than before, possibly from some tweaks somewhere; it didn’t match Gan Xun’s impressions. When Gan Xun saw her on posters, she thought it was just the retoucher’s doing.

Undeniably still good-looking, but she’d lost the natural charm that had attracted Gan Xun back then—the beauty with flaws but texture.

Every gesture felt uncomfortable, like forced nonchalance and posturing.

Gan Xun couldn’t tell if she’d always been like this and Gan Xun’s crush had blinded her to it objectively, or if the fame and fortune scene had changed her.

Strange and alien feelings churned repeatedly in Gan Xun’s heart, but she smiled on the surface.

“Cen Xiangrui, long time no see.”

Cen Xiangrui greeted her in English and sized Gan Xun up.

Gan Xun was dressed very properly and drably, like a high-end workhorse. Her hair was trimmed to a moderate length, and her shirt and slacks looked decent quality, but she carried a cheap navy canvas bag that she casually set by her seat.

In Cen Xiangrui’s memory, Gan Xun had always been like this: good innate conditions, tall, people said she was good-looking, a successful mixed-blood look.

But average family background, very mediocre person, a model student, boring personality, believed whatever she was told.

Cen Xiangrui had no idea back then why Gan Xun confessed to her.

She crossed her arms on the table and smiled at Gan Xun. “How have you been lately?”

“Not bad.” Gan Xun was polite but honest.

Cen Xiangrui straightened up, wearing an expression of having seen through it all yet helpless. “Not bad, and yet you’re asking me for money, siccing lawyers on me to embarrass me at the company. How could you?”

Her voice sounded coquettish, laced with sharpness.

Gan Xun chuckled. “I just didn’t know how to handle being stabbed in the back and blocked.”

“Come on, I get it. You’re upset I deleted you. I’m here today to explain—my WeChat and Weibo are managed by the company. Lots of people got deleted; I didn’t notice.”

“Gan Xun, don’t be so petty. Last year, you told me you really wanted to see me. Now I’m here, making a special trip to see you.”

Gan Xun had never doubted her judgment of people, but now she felt a bit despairing.

She stated her position clearly. “Whether you block or delete me, I don’t care—as long as you pay back the money.”

“Got so worldly?”

Cen Xiangrui sipped her coffee. “You have a girlfriend now, right?”

Gan Xun didn’t answer, just stared at her.

“Guessed it. I knew if you didn’t have a girlfriend, you wouldn’t be so heartless and aggressive.”

Cen Xiangrui sounded disdainful and accusatory.

Gan Xun stayed relatively calm. “You borrowed all my savings and haven’t repaid a cent in two years. Is asking for it back being aggressive?”

“When I still had hopes for you, I was unemployed and strapped for cash. I messaged you, and you didn’t reply once—then you deleted me later. Fair?”

“You offered to lend it to me, said you’d wait till I had money to pay you back. It’s not even two full years, and you’re already pressing me.”

“You said your dad gambled, your mom was seriously ill, that you had to make it on your own and needed money. You cried to me about it, asked how much I had saved. I treated you like a friend and lent it. What did you take me for, a sucker? I don’t believe your words anymore.”

Cen Xiangrui seemed to recall only after the reminder, softening her attitude. “What I said was true. I really don’t have much money now.”

“No matter how little, pay it back bit by bit.”

If Gan Xun didn’t leave soon, she wouldn’t have appetite for dinner—it was too nauseating.

She glanced at her phone. “I don’t have time to chat. This is the last time I’ll meet you privately. After this, please cooperate on your own. If you insist on defaulting, my lawyer won’t be as nice as me. And exposing bad character online is easy too. I’ve recorded today’s conversation.”

“Cen Xiangrui, take care of yourself.”

“Gan Xun,” Cen Xiangrui stood up angrily and called after her, grinding her teeth. “You’re so shameless. How did you turn out like this?”

“Can’t win someone over, so you lash out to ruin their career. Your character sucks.”

Gan Xun turned back, paused, then nodded. “Yeah, I’ve changed. If getting smarter counts, that’s thanks to my girlfriend.”

“As for shitty character, I can’t compare to you—owing money without paying, splashing dirty water everywhere. Cen Xiangrui, stop bothering me.”

As she left the coffee shop, Gan Xun felt a lump in her throat. Thinking of last night’s talk with Zhao Chiyun, she laughed.

Zhao Chiyun had said, “If she’s as scheming as you say, be careful.”

“Thanks for the reminder. Anyway, I won’t care about anything but the money. No way she’ll PUA me.”

Zhao Chiyun was innocently curious. “That term sounds familiar. I hear it often. What’s PUA exactly?”

Gan Xun sat cross-legged on the bed and demonstrated the script right there. “For example, I tell you, Zhao Chiyun, you’re nothing now. Your bloodline isn’t noble, your abilities are average, your looks are just okay. You survive here only because of my mercy; I’m the only one truly good to you. Everyone else has ulterior motives.”

Zhao Chiyun paused, then cut straight to the point. “So it’s just nonsense.”

Gan Xun flicked her nose. “Exactly, you’re teachable.”

She instinctively closed her eyes, but Zhao Chiyun suddenly opened hers and asked, “Gan Xun, that’s what you really think, right?”

“?”

Gan Xun had dug her own grave—this accusation was too big.

“This commoner wouldn’t dare!”

On the bed, she performed a Mirror Country Courtesy for Zhao Chiyun—the full prostration kind.

Zhao Chiyun was quite surprised and waved it off without arguing. “Rise. Why such a grand gesture so casually?”

Maybe because kneeling on the bed wasn’t a big deal, Gan Xun didn’t think twice and beautified it for herself. “Kowtowing to my wife once won’t hurt.”

Zhao Chiyun’s brows and eyes lit up with delight. She let out an “Ah—” and pounced into a hug, arms tight around Gan Xun’s shoulders, calling “Gan Xun, Gan Xun” nonstop, her laughter pealing brighter each time.

God, how evil the exploiting class was—to get so happy over someone kowtowing.

Later, Gan Xun “rose up” once to restore balance. She also maneuvered Zhao Chiyun into a kneeling position, glimpsing the trembling slender back and her own rebellious hands from behind.

After the talk, Gan Xun played the recordings for Zhao Chiyun—sharing info, reassuring her, and bracing for mockery.

Having this kind of white moonlight was like having a criminal record.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Chiyun didn’t even smile at her. She said solemnly, “Gan Xun, from now on, I need to treat you better.”

Gan Xun ultimately bought no gifts.

What was the point? She could buy anything for Zhao Chiyun anytime.

And the scale of Zhao Chiyun’s birthday banquets back home—she could never replicate that, nor did she think throwing a big party here would make up for anything.

She had to take a different path.

The room was dimly lit. Zhao Chiyun changed clothes inside. The soreness in her waist while putting on pants made her curse Gan Xun inwardly a few times.

Coming out, she saw the person she’d cursed still lounging at home during work hours, which surprised her. “You’re late.”

“Yeah, late.”

Gan Xun brought breakfast from the kitchen. “We slept too late last night.”

Zhao Chiyun finished washing up, sat down, glanced at her, and huffed. “No need to blame me. If not for you, I could’ve slept before 11.”

The lights were off, and Gan Xun had quietly asked if she wanted to do it once.

She hesitated but graciously allowed half. Gan Xun asked what “half” meant.

Her answer was vague, but Gan Xun ignored it—definitely overdid it anyway.

“Why is the suitcase in the living room?”

Zhao Chiyun thought modern-style. “Business trip?”

“Something like that.”

“What does ‘something like’ mean?”

“It means I do have to head out this afternoon.”

Zhao Chiyun probed. “How many days?”

“Not long, two or three.”

Zhao Chiyun’s chewing grew mechanical. She drank some milk. “So, I won’t see you for two or three days.”

Not even tomorrow.

She composed herself firmly—no way she’d tear up just because her girlfriend was off working to support them.

“Not exactly.”

Gan Xun smiled naturally. “We can go together. Just pack a couple outfits in the suitcase later.”

“Really?”

Zhao Chiyun was pleasantly surprised but felt it rushed. “But I’m totally unprepared. No time.”

“It’s just going out. Nothing to prepare. I’ve got it arranged. You just follow me.”

Since Gan Xun started working, her boldness in speech and action far surpassed before. Zhao Chiyun liked it.

She blinked, nodded, then slowly realized: for something this big, Gan Xun had only told her now—deliberately hiding it.

“What’s this about? Taking me along on a business trip, or…?”

“Not a business trip. I took two days off.”

Gan Xun smiled. “County Princess, tomorrow’s your birthday. Forgot?”

Zhao Chiyun beamed with joy. “So that’s it. You’re good at keeping secrets. No wonder Cui Can canceled my classes for the next few days.”

“I promised to take you traveling once.”

“Where to?”

“Secret for now. Finish eating and pack.”

Zhao Chiyun set down her chopsticks, stood, bent over, and hugged the still-seated Gan Xun.

“Gan Xun, you’re the best to me.”

“Do you like me the most?”

“Of course. I like you the most in the whole world.”