Si Youyou felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
Looking at Bai Youwei's smiling, cheerful face, she couldn't imagine that this girl would become so vicious in the future!
Could Sister-in-law Wen Yan really foresee the future?
Si Youyou was reluctant to think of her best friend in such a bad light.
But considering how Sister-in-law's predictions about her second brother had come true, Si Youyou felt she had to be cautious.
Si Youyou did not lend the designer handbag she was holding to Bai Youwei. Instead, she took out an affordable bracelet from her bag. "Youwei, last time you said you didn't want to wear expensive jewelry for fear people would say you were taking advantage of me. This bracelet isn't pricey; it's my birthday gift for you. Also, I specifically learned to cook a new dish. I'll make it for you later!"
Looking at the bracelet Si Youyou offered, Bai Youwei could tell it was probably only worth a few hundred dollars—so cheap. How could Si Youyou have the nerve to give it?
When she had said she didn't want to wear expensive jewelry, it was just polite talk. How could Si Youyou take it seriously?
Despite her inner dissatisfaction, Bai Youwei dared not show it on her face. "Youyou, you even learned to cook a dish for me? I'm so incredibly lucky!"
Bai Youwei pulled Si Youyou into the villa.
Worried about neglecting Wen Yan, Si Youyou turned back to call her, "Sister Wen Yan, please follow us."
Wen Yan watched her thoughtful sister-in-law, feeling a pang of heartache for her.
[Little Youyou is such a naive girl. She's been insecure since childhood all because of that birthmark on her right cheek.]
[Youyou is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—gentle, polite, and talented. In every way, she surpasses this Bai Youwei. Besides, Youyou's facial features and bone structure are exquisite. If that scar were removed, she'd definitely be a little beauty.]
Hearing Wen Yan's internal praise, a shy blush spread across Si Youyou's sweet face.
Sister-in-law was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Moreover, as she spent more time with her, she found Sister-in-law to be quite nice after all.
The villa's living room was quite crowded.
Si Youyou's eyes immediately found Lu Yanchuan, dressed in white casual wear.
While others were playing games or on their phones, only Lu Yanchuan sat quietly in a corner reading a book.
Sunlight from outside the window fell on his handsome, refined face, casting a golden halo.
The fringe on his forehead was a bit long, partially covering his slender eyes.
He had a tall nose bridge and thin, rosy lips.
He appeared aloof and proud, impossible to ignore.
Seeing Lu Yanchuan made Si Youyou's heart beat uncontrollably.
Bai Youwei pulled Si Youyou to the corner. "Senior, Youyou is here."
Si Youyou raised her hand to tuck the hair on her right cheek behind her ear, somewhat afraid to meet Lu Yanchuan's gaze.
Lu Yanchuan put down his book and greeted Si Youyou with a warm smile. "Junior, I heard you applied to Yecheng Academy of Fine Arts."
Si Youyou nodded, her face slightly flushed. "Yes."
"Our university is right across from your academy. If you need anything in the future, you can come find me."
Lu Yanchuan took out his phone and proactively added Si Youyou as a contact.
Facing the senior she had a crush on, Si Youyou's heart raced, her mind went blank, and she completely forgot Wen Yan's inner thoughts.
Or perhaps, she couldn't believe that this gentle yet aloof senior would later commit such beastly acts!
Wen Yan sat to the side, watching Si Youyou and Lu Yanchuan exchange WeChat contacts with a faint, knowing smile.
Since certain events hadn't happened yet, little Youyou naturally wouldn't know how to guard against them. But soon, little Youyou should be able to see this senior's true nature!
Although it was a bit cruel.
Some hardships and lessons needed to be experienced firsthand for one to have a sudden awakening.
After adding WeChat with Lu Yanchuan, Si Youyou went into the kitchen.
A young lady who had never done housework in her life, she was tirelessly happy to get splattered with hot oil if it meant making her best friend happy.
Wen Yan stood at the kitchen door watching for a while.
Such a pure, kind-hearted girl who always thought of others first—in this society, you'd be hard-pressed to find another even with a lantern!
When Wen Yan returned to the living room, she caught sight of Lu Yanchuan and Bai Youwei heading towards the back garden, one after the other, from the corner of her eye.
Wen Yan followed them discreetly.
Bai Youwei and Lu Yanchuan stood behind some shrubs, speaking in hushed tones.
"Yanchuan, later during the meal, I'll put the truth serum in Si Youyou's drink. After she drinks it, she'll spill her true feelings and confess to you."
"When that happens, don't reject her outright, but don't agree either. You must keep her hanging, make her fall desperately in love with you."
Lu Yanchuan had one hand in his pocket, unlike his previous aloof demeanor in the living room. With his other hand, he lifted Bai Youwei's chin with his long fingers. "You're full of cunning ideas."
Bai Youwei shot him a coquettish glance. "You and I both want to change our destinies. Si Youyou's family is rich, and she's as dumb as a post. She's the perfect tool and stepping stone."
Lu Yanchuan's hand, which was under Bai Youwei's chin, suddenly wrapped around her slender waist. "Serve me well tonight."
Remembering Lu Yanchuan's prowess in bed, Bai Youwei's face instantly flushed. "I know. You have to satisfy me too."
...
Si Youyou expended tremendous effort to make a dish of braised pork ribs.
It truly lived up to the saying: easy to learn, hard to master.
Her fair, slender arms were burned with several blisters.
But in the end, the flavor was quite good.
This made her happier than when she had passed her Grade 10 piano exam.
"Youyou, I never would have guessed you could make braised pork ribs that look, smell, and taste so perfect. I love you so much." Bai Youwei hugged Si Youyou and gave her a loud kiss on the cheek.
Si Youyou's pretty face instantly turned bright red.
Over a dozen dishes were laid out on the marble dining table.
Bai Youwei arranged for Si Youyou and Lu Yanchuan to sit together, with Wen Yan sitting opposite them.
Bai Youwei raised her glass of red wine and spoke cheerfully, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday party. I hope everyone has a great time tonight. I especially want to thank my best friend. I hope she finds her own happiness soon and all her wishes come true."
As she spoke, Bai Youwei winked at Si Youyou.
The meaning in her eyes was known only to the two of them.
Si Youyou was too shy to even glance at Lu Yanchuan beside her. Even without looking, his clean, pleasant scent occasionally wafted to her nose.
Her heart fluttered with uncontrollable palpitations.
Being all young people, they chatted while drinking, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.
Wen Yan did not drink, as she had to drive later.
As the meal was nearing its end, Bai Youwei suggested playing a game of Truth or Dare.
Wen Yan leaned back lazily in her chair, the corners of her long, rosy eyes slightly upturned, a faint, elusive smile playing on her lips.
Even though she did nothing and didn't participate in the game, she captivated quite a few of the young men present.
Even Lu Yanchuan secretly glanced at her several times.
People are visual creatures—who doesn't love a stunningly beautiful, enchanting woman?
On the third round of the game, the mouth of the bottle pointed at Si Youyou.
Under the table, Bai Youwei gently kicked Lu Yanchuan's foot.
She had put a drug containing ketamine into Si Youyou's drink.
That kind of drug, once consumed, would cause a person to lose control of their mind and involuntarily speak their true thoughts.
Amidst the crowd's urging, Si Youyou stood up from her seat.
