The people around them were a bit disoriented as they listened to the two women sing in unison, working together to target Qi Li.
How to put it, they seemed not only physically similar but even their manner of scolding was so alike.
It was truly fascinating.
Qi Li, however, was genuinely triggered. After all, he wasn't sure if Guo Yalan still had feelings for him, but how could Han Ziyu, a young girl still in school, possibly not like him?
"How could you not like me? You've been by my side for so long. If it wasn't for liking me, how could a woman easily agree to be someone else's stand-in!" Qi Li was desperate, frantically trying to prove himself.
Others thought it made sense. Being a stand-in, if not for love, then for climbing the social ladder. Otherwise, who would be so self-deprecating?
If it was for climbing the social ladder, there was no reason to refuse being Qi Li's mistress now.
But then again, if it was love, how could things have gotten so ugly?
The crowd was truly confused.
Han Ziyu snorted coldly, "Since you brought this up, it's not me breaking the contract. Don't you remember how we started? It was an employment contract. You hired me to play Sister Yalan for a month, fifty thousand yuan. I was just working for a salary. If it weren't for the orphanage being on the verge of collapse, I wouldn't have taken this job. It was a clear-cut employment relationship. Why would you think I should like you? Did I act too realistically, work too diligently? And our contract has expired, yet you continue to harass me. Isn't that going too far!"
This revelation was like a thunderbolt.
Although they had previously thought Han Ziyu would benefit a lot from being with Qi Li, this clearly marked employment contract was a completely different story.
"Isn't Qi Li too funny? He hired someone himself and forgot?"
"So it was a monthly salary. No wonder she left so decisively."
"Now I can understand Han Ziyu's attitude today. It's like dealing with a former boss."
"Qi Li just thought those two would fight over him. I can't help but laugh."
"I always thought Qi Li was narcissistic, but I didn't expect it to be this bad."
"So, out of the three, only Lily truly likes Qi Li?"
"Too bad, Qi Li picked and chose, but only Lily wanted to be chosen."
"The previous drama was all a solo act, wasn't it? I can't help but laugh when I think about it."
The onlookers were thoroughly entertained.
Qi Li's friends felt utterly embarrassed. After all, Qi Li had shown off so much in front of them, making them think of Han Ziyu as: such a devoted stand-in who could never gain Qi Li's emotional response, how pitiful.
Who would have known it was all an act paid for by Qi Li?
They felt both angry and humiliated, unable to look at Qi Li without cringing. But thinking about how Qi Li had deluded himself, they couldn't help but laugh and feel annoyed.
Ji Fei, on the other hand, was ecstatic, jumping up and down.
【Finally, the truth is out! Ahhh, I've been holding it in, hahaha!】
Qin Xian quickly pulled Ji Fei into his arms as she bounced on the chair, but she was still laughing uncontrollably, her eyes curved and sparkling.
Qin Xian was momentarily lost in her gaze, though he knew those emotions weren't for him.
Qi Li's mind was still reeling from Han Ziyu's sudden confession.
In his mind, paying Han Ziyu was his way of preventing her from liking him. After all, that amount of money meant nothing to him. He never thought she would take the job because she desperately needed the money, willing to endure any work.
He had thought the money was just an excuse, a way to avoid emotional entanglement.
Little did he know, it was all his own self-delusion.
Even with his questionable judgment, he could now clearly see the genuine disgust in Han Ziyu's eyes.
Instantly, the humiliation and anger washed over him, but what angered him even more was that he had developed feelings for her.
Qi Li leaped up, wanting to rush to Han Ziyu to ask if she had ever felt anything for him. He couldn't accept the reality in front of him.
But Guo Yalan stood in his way.
"Why... why are you doing this? I once treated her as your stand-in. Shouldn't you hate her?" Qi Li was forced to face reality again as Guo Yalan showed no intention of opposing Han Ziyu.
She was against him!
"Qi Li, get this straight. The only one doing disgusting things here is you. You want to have your cake and eat it too? You're such a scumbag. I'm officially declaring here that neither of us likes you, we both hate you. Stay away from us, or watch out for my slap, you scumbag!"
Qi Li's eyes turned red with fury.
Suddenly, he saw Guo Yalan take Han Ziyu's hand and shield her, acting as if she were protecting her very soul. A lightning bolt struck his mind, and he exclaimed in horror and disbelief, "You... you like her, don't you? That's why you two are teaming up against me!"
The more Qi Li thought about it, the angrier he became, feeling like he had been double-crossed, his anger reaching its peak.
The previously chattering crowd fell into an eerie silence once again.
【Hahahahahaha, he really thinks that? His imagination is as big as ever.】
Ji Fei was laughing so hard she was rolling in Qin Xian's arms.
But Qin Xian was starting to worry. After all, there was the issue of them being related that needed to be addressed privately. And now...
The suppressed laughter from the crowd finally burst out, making Qi Li realize no one believed him. He immediately shouted in anger, "You never minded liking women before, that's what you said yourself. And when have you ever felt such an instant connection with someone? You didn't like it when people imitated you before, let alone someone who looks so much like you. The way you're protecting her is just strange. Do you like her? Have you fallen for her!"
His hastily pieced-together arguments made some people start to doubt.
After all, Guo Yalan's level of protection for someone was hard to explain by mere good looks or a sense of justice.
The crowd's eyes darted between Guo Yalan and Han Ziyu.
Guo Yalan had been accused of liking men before, but this was the first time she was accused of liking a woman. Did she ever say such things? She didn't remember, probably just casual talk.
"You really need to get your head checked," Guo Yalan said, exasperated.
"If you don't admit it, then why are you being so nice to her?!" Qi Li raged, "We've known each other for years, and we were once in a relationship..."
Qi Li's point was that Guo Yalan, being the kind of person who should side with her own, should be biased! Why was she helping Han Ziyu against him? Even that abnormal Ji Fei hadn't stepped forward!
Unless their relationship was deeper than anyone imagined.
