Wu Siyuan was a little surprised. He didn’t expect the fish to take the bait so quickly.
After all, he was the protagonist; shouldn’t he be suspicious of Wu Siyuan’s ill intentions?
Wu Siyuan had even been thinking about how to trick Jiang Jingtong into coming to him, seeking him out as an emotional counselor. And yet, just like that? Already hooked?
If Wu Siyuan had known what Jiang Jingtong was actually thinking, he wouldn’t have thought this way.
Next, Jiang Jingtong quickly replied.
— Sure. So, what advice do you have?
Looking at Jiang Jingtong’s text, Wu Siyuan propped his chin on his hand and pondered.
In the original novel, after Shi Yuanbai returned to the country, he had agreed to Jiang Jingtong’s proposal only because he was jealous that the original host had become Jiang Jingtong’s partner, and gained power and status. Even though Jiang Jingtong treated the original host as a substitute, he never shortchanged him financially.
What Shi Yuanbai envied was the money the original protagonist received. Of course, that was Shi Yuanbai’s perspective. The original host was foolish and didn’t use much of Jiang Jingtong’s money during their marriage. He didn’t have a job, stayed at home all day, basically like a housekeeper.
A live-in housekeeper would at least earn a decent salary every month, but the original host didn’t take a cent. Meanwhile, his husband was out embracing his lovers every day, and he still firmly believed Jiang Jingtong would turn back to shore1.
But when it comes to cheating, if there’s a first time, there will be a second time. There’s nothing worth turning back for.
Moreover, the original protagonist was becoming more and more selfless, which made it even less likely for Jiang Jingtong to turn back.
As for love, perhaps there was some between them? Otherwise, Jiang Jingtong’s lovers would have long replaced the original host in the official seat. But Jiang Jingtong never allowed that.
Everyone kept pretending nothing was wrong… until Shi Yuanbai came back.
Since that was the case, Wu Siyuan felt he could start from there.
— Given how complicated things are between you two, I need to understand some details.
Wu Siyuan sent this message directly, making Jiangjing Tong laugh.
He had thought this Gu Siyuan really wanted to help him reconcile with Shi Yuanbai, but turns out this junior had other intentions.
‘As expected’, he thought. After all no one could resist such an excellent man as himself.
He had thought it would take some effort to pursue Gu Siyuan. But it turned out to be the same old story.
— Alright, ask whatever you like. I’ll tell you everything, no holding back.
Seeing Jiang Jingtong being so cooperative, Wu Siyuan continued step by step with his plan.
— When you were with Shi-shixiong, you never refused him, right?
Jiang Jingtong smiled contemptuously and tapped away at his keyboard.
— Of course. How could I bear to reject my beloved?
‘Envious? Don’t you wish you could replace Yuanbai and enjoy it all?’
Beloved? Wu Siyuan stared blankly. This so-called protagonist gong must be mentally ill. Just a while ago, he tried to flirt with him, and now he dares to say beloved.
Did this idiot even know what those four characters mean?
Wu Siyuan continued to reply; this was work, and he couldn’t let his personal emotions interfere.
— I’m afraid you need a new attitude. Ever heard a certain saying?
What saying hadn’t he heard? Why not just say it all at once? Jiang Jingtong didn’t bother to respond, convinced that the other side would spill it soon enough.
Seeing that Jiang Jingtong didn’t reply, Wu Siyuan stopped sending messages. Tossing his phone in the drawer, he started to study earnestly.
The teacher, who had thought Wu Siyuan was daydreaming, noticed he had returned to paying attention and decided not to scold him anymore.
‘To know one’s mistakes and correct them, that’s the greatest good.’
When no further message came, Jiang Jingtong became furious.
As soon as the class ended, he thought Gu Siyuan might rush over to find him. Was this a case of retreat in order to advance? He had seen plenty of people use this method to seduce him.
But since Gu Siyuan had a good-looking face, Jiang Jingtong was willing to play along.
So he sat in the classroom, already rehearsing what expression he’d show when Gu Siyuan came.
But he waited, and waited and no one came.
With a gloomy face, Jiang Jingtong went to find Gu Siyuan. Perhaps Gu Siyuan didn't know which classroom he was in today.
When he arrived at the place where Gu Siyuan’s class was supposed to be, it was quiet and empty, with the residual coolness of the air-con being the only sign anyone had been there.
“……” Jiang Jingtong took a deep breath and turned to leave.
Damn it!
What’s more infuriating was that Chen Xuyao came back to get a pen he had forgotten and saw Jiang Jingtong.
Unlike Gu Siyuan, Chen Xuyao wasn’t polite. He glared coldly and asked, “What are you doing here?”
Jiang Jingtong, who didn’t get along with him, ignored him and left.
Chen Xuyao snorted, then went back to the dorms to share it as a joke.
Wu Siyuan checked his phone to see that Jiang Jingtong still hadn't replied to his message.
“Siyuan, I suspect he was looking for you,” Chen Xuyao said.
Wu Siyuan shook his head. “Thats unlikely.”
Chen Xuyao added, “Whatever, nothing good ever comes out of him being around anyway."
Wu Siyuan agreed. “Actually, we don’t need to be scared of him. I think he just has some mental issues.”
“And yet you’re still his CP fan?” Gao Minda asked in disbelief.
Wu Siyuan wagged a finger. “You don’t get it! I just want the two of them to be locked together forever.”
“Well said!” Chen Xuyao walked over and patted Wu Siyuan on the shoulder, “That’s my wish too. From today, I’m also their CP fan!”
Wu Siyuan figured Chen Xuyao must have been burned by the pair too, even though the original plot never mentioned him.
The remaining two roommates were also dragged into becoming CP fans.
Gao Minda and Feng Jiazhen roughly knew why Chen Xuyao hated Jiang Jingtong and Shi Yuanbai, but they hadn’t expected Gu Siyuan, who seemed to have nothing to do with Jiang Jingtong, would also dislike him.
Maybe the idol filter had shattered.
Chen Xuyao was very proactive. “So how do you plan to get them together?”
Wu Siyuan didn’t have a plan yet. He pulled out a copy of Psychology and Methods of Courtship. “For now, I need to study these, then teach Jiang Jingtong how to properly pursue Shi Yuanbai.”
He clenched his fist. “With his current methods, Jiang Jingtong wouldn’t succeed in a hundred lifetimes. So we need to pool our wisdom and push them together!”
Gao Minda asked, “And what good does that do to you?”
Wu Siyuan answered, “The benefits are huge. First, he won’t bother me anymore. Second, it would reduce the casualties of innocent bystanders.”
“That’s right!” Chen Xuyao nodded furiously.
Wu Siyuan looked at him and really wanted to ask what those two had done to him. Moreover, Jiang Jingtong and Shi Yuanbai were not of the same age as Chen Xuyao. Even though they were all from powerful families, it didn’t mean they’d hang out.
But since Chen Xuyao didn’t say anything, Wu Siyuan didn’t pry. More allies was better than scheming alone.
Meanwhile, Gu Yingzhuo, seeing that his son was genuinely interested in the family business, started occasionally sending some company issues to Wu Siyuan, letting him try to solve them.
Wu Siyuan also asked about the stock market, and the relationship between father and son improved day by day.
Eventually, Jiang Jingtong couldn’t take it and messaged Wu Siyuan.
— So what is it? Why did you stop halfway?
Wu Siyuan picked up his phone and typed out each word carefully.
— I thought Jiang-shixiong wasn’t interested.
Looking at this message, Jiang Jingtong narrowed his eyes dangerously.
— Are you playing with me?
— No. But if you weren’t interested, why would I ruin your mood by sending it?
Wu Siyuan replied smoothly, sounding considerate.
Jiang Jingtong thought about it and felt it was true. Gu Siyuan probably didn’t have the guts to play with him.
He hurriedly asked Wu Siyuan to say the rest of the sentence.
— Of course. The saying is licking dogs never meet a good end2!
— Are you insulting me again? Calling me a dog?
“……” Although that was implied, Wu Siyuan hadn’t expected him to react so strongly.
— Don’t overthink it. I meant your attitude. I just want you to understand that being too eager can be counterproductive.
Jiang Jingtong considered it. Between him and Shi Yuanbai, he had always been the more proactive one. Watching where Shi Yuanbai’s eyes landed, immediately bringing him whatever caught his attention. If the other expressed the slightest liking for something, he would buy it for him.
Jiang Jingtong was a bit puzzled. Didn’t Shi Yuanbai like this? Impossible. Every time Shi Yuanbai received the gifts he sent, he would smile very happily.
— What’s wrong with giving my beloved what he wants?
— There’s no problem with that, but there’s a technique to it.
Jiang Jingtong sneered. In the end, Gu Siyuan just didn't want Shi Yuanbai to receive gifts.
He coldly replied to Wu Siyuan.
— Fine. I know what to do.
Wu Siyuan shrugged at the message. Typical dumb, rich, scumbag gong. Clearly, Jiang Jingtong still didn’t get it.
Forget it. He wasn’t worth the effort.
Over the next month, Wu Siyuan focused on his own life.
His father kept sending him small company issues to resolve, and Wu Siyuan gradually learned how the company generally operated.
Of course, he didn’t forget to hype up the zombie super-topic every day, and hosted weekly raffles.
Soon Chen Xuyao joined him, using the same raffle method to level up quickly.
As a result, when Shi Yuanbai opened this super topic again, he found the two of them frequently holding raffles, asking everyone to make a wish that he and Jiang Jingtong would get together soon.
“……” He wasn’t even a celebrity, but for the first time, Shi Yuanbai felt the horror of fanatical fans.
Lately Jiang Jingtong’s behavior had been strange. In the past, as long as he gave a hint, Jiang Jingtong would present him with whatever he wanted.
Now, the gifts were still sent, but he had to spend more time with Jiang Jingtong.
What had happened to make Jiang Jingtong’s attitude change?
Could it be because of Gu Siyuan?
Shi Yuanbai immediately dismissed the idea. No way. With Gu Siyuan’s brainless behavior, upon seeing Jiang Jingtong, he’d probaby react the same way he did with Shi Yuanbai. The first thing he would ask would definitely be: ‘So when are you two getting together?’
Shi Yuanbai felt he knew Gu Siyuan too well.
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Turn back to shore: Buddhist phrase, now slang for “repent / stop going down the wrong path.”
Licking dogs never meet a good end: Licking dog: someone who pathetically worships their crush no matter what AKA a simp. The phrase means bootlickers in love always end up miserable.