Chapter 2

Everyone in Lu Che’s circle knows it’s my birthday today.

He started a countdown on his Moments last week, and at midnight today, he posted our travel photos right on the dot, captioned: “Happy birthday, Baby. Happy one-year anniversary.”

When he was showing off all the birthday wishes in the comments, I noticed Gu Siyin had liked the post too.

I didn’t expect that after being quiet all day, she’d pull such a stunt at night.

After I commented, I immediately took a screenshot of her Moments and sent it to Lu Che.

A few minutes later, my phone started buzzing.

But it wasn’t Lu Che replying-it was notifications from the Mutual Friends Group chat.

Siyin Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Sister Manman, I twisted my ankle after work. My parents didn’t want me going home alone, so they asked Brother Che to take me. I didn’t mean to intrude on your time together.”

Siyin Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Sister Manman, I know you’re upset. You can scold me however you want, but please don’t be mad at Brother Che. He’s innocent.”

Siyin Doesn’t Eat Coriander: “Picture.”

I opened it and burst out laughing.

Gu Siyin really is something. She sent a screenshot of just my curse, and only that line.

I clicked her profile again-she’d already deleted that Moments post.

The group instantly got lively. Gu Siyin and Lu Che’s childhood friends were the first to jump in, sending question marks one after another.

Zhimeng: “Some people are nuts, huh? Jealous of everything?”

Zhimeng: “Letting an injured girl go home alone at night-what if something happens? Not afraid of karma? *eye roll*”

Joni: “Probably knows she’s plain-looking, so she’s extra jealous of pretty girls. Haha *smirk*”

Song Xiao: “Sister-in-law, what era is this? Girl-on-girl rivalry is so outdated, Nidie.”

Zhimeng: “Can’t stand people who are obsessed with their relationships. Hurry up and apologize to Yinyin! Do you even know your own worth?”

Joni: “Nidie.”

…

New messages kept popping up-some trying to mediate, some sarcastic, some outright insulting.

The loudest was Gu Siyin’s bestie, Song Zhimeng.

I watched, chin in hand, thoroughly entertained. When more than twenty people had chimed in, I leisurely dropped the earlier screenshot.

Hunting time!

Nidie: “Nidie is here!”

Nidie: “Miss Gu’s brain is as twisted as her ankle. Did she think deleting her Moments post would erase everything? I have a screenshot-bet you didn’t see that coming?”

Nidie: “If your ankle’s hurt, why not go to the hospital? Or is my finance-major boyfriend walking you home more effective than Yunnan Baiyao? Or maybe posting selfies with him and that kind of caption is a miracle cure for sprains and bruises?”

Nidie: “Zhimeng, some people really are sick. Didn’t expect that after all this time, Miss Song’s Helicobacter pylori still hasn’t been treated. I don’t know if girls going home alone at night will get into trouble, but if you don’t go to the dental hospital soon, your fiancé is definitely going to suffer.”

Nidie: “Joni, ‘plain-looking’ is debatable, but I can punch the Dog Head off any two-faced jerk. If you call me ‘Dad,’ I wouldn’t mind blessing your family with good fortune.”

Nidie: “Song Xiao’s fart is loud and clear. Next time your mom goes after Mistresses Three and Four, make sure you stop her-tell her it’s just a couple more sisters and a few extra chopsticks. Girl-on-girl rivalry is so outdated.”

I typed fast, flooding the group. The ones who were yelling the loudest just moments ago didn’t even send a single emoji now.

Song Zhimeng was the first to react.

Zhimeng: “An Man! You bitch, what nonsense are you spouting!”

Zhimeng: “How dare you slander my family? Say it again if you’ve got the guts!”

Nidie: “Screenshot/picture *smirk*.”

Nidie: “I can say it as many times as you want, Miss Song. If it’s still not enough, I can have it engraved on your tombstone.”

I finished typing slowly, then tagged Gu Siyin for good measure.

Nidie: “Miss Gu hurt her ankle, so why is she playing mute now? Come out and say something.”

Nidie: “I should thank you for the juicy gossip. Being able to roast your teammates today is all thanks to you, Miss Gu. *handshake* *smirk*”

Song Xiao: “?”

I collapsed laughing on the sofa.

A while back, I borrowed Lu Che’s laptop and accidentally saw the messages Gu Siyin sent him.

She said the Song family was in chaos again over another affair, and Song Zhimeng was crying and yelling to her every day, leaving her exhausted too.

Lu Che was on a business trip at the time, and Gu Siyin kept hinting for him to come back soon, take her out to eat, watch a movie, go shopping, and unwind.

I didn’t do anything then because Lu Che firmly refused her, saying he’d take me on a trip when he got home.

Gu Siyin didn’t reply after that.

But soon she messaged me privately, repeating everything word for word, except this time the reason for Lu Che to come back was that the Song siblings needed him.

Hilarious-did they need Lu Che to come back and help deal with the Mistresses?

I didn’t agree or refuse, just told her to talk to Lu Che herself.

That matter naturally fizzled out.

Now, Song Zhimeng was already grilling Gu Siyin in the group, so I could retire and watch the drama unfold.

The next second, Lu Che called me.