Shi Li decided not to expose Gu Yuqing in front of her younger sister, so she replied with a smile, "That's right, I'm good friends with your elder sister. If you ever get bored, feel free to come and hang out with me."
Though Shi Li was dressed no differently from those around her, Gu Yulan couldn't help but be amazed by her stunning beauty.
People are visual creatures and subconsciously develop a liking for those who are physically attractive.
It's a common perception that girls tend to feel hostile towards other girls who are exceptionally beautiful. This is a misunderstanding. Just as men appreciate beautiful women, women also appreciate beautiful women.
At first glance, Gu Yulan noticed Shi Li in the crowd, her exceptional beauty setting her apart. She thought this elder sister was incredibly beautiful.
It was only after being introduced by Gu Yuqing that she found out that this was her sister's good friend.
Life at her adoptive parents' house hadn't been kind, and at a young age, she developed the knack to read people and situations. She sensed that Gu Yuqing and the beautiful elder sister didn’t have the aura of being close friends.
But the beautiful elder sister greeted her cordially, and Gu Yulan put away her trivial thoughts.
After Gu Yuqing introduced her sister to Shi Li, she left Gu Yulan in her care. "Ah Li, my sister just came home and is unfamiliar with many things. I hope you can spend some time teaching her."
"What the hell, isn't it Gu Yuqing who should be teaching her sister? Why is she throwing her sister at me?"
"I know, she's trying to set me up!"
Shi Qiuyu: Alright, enough with your tricks. I can't keep this up.
Gu Yuqing: Oh, she's so creative and cute!
Gu Yuqing was serious about leaving her sister in Shi Li's care.
"Why? What was she thinking?"
"Gu Yuqing isn't scared that I would bully her sister or lead her down the wrong path?"
Gu Yuqing: I'm not worried, and I trust you very much because you are a good person.
What further startled Shi Li was that Gu Yuqing herself was following her closely.
"This cunning woman, since she’s following, then she should take care of her sister herself!"
Gu Yuqing failed to realize her own mischief. She enjoyed watching Shi Li struggle internally while maintaining a calm exterior.
Shi Li wasn't good at nurturing.
She had the ability to interact with strangers, but to a limited extent.
Regardless of Gu Yulan's nature, she had recently arrived in a strange environment and chose to stay silent and observe her surroundings as a form of self-protection.
Neither of them said a word.
In stark contrast to Shi Li's intensely active inner thoughts, she simply stared at Gu Yulan's eyes wide.
Finally, Gu Yuqing, who proclaimed herself to be an older sister, realized it was her responsibility to take care of her younger sister.
With a gentle inquiry, she asked, "Are you thirsty? I can pour you some juice."
Without waiting for either of them to reply, she went to get two cups of juice.
She set one in front of Gu Yulan, and the other in front of Shi Li.
Shi Li took the orange juice from Gu Yuqing's hand awkwardly and said, "Thank you."
"Gu Yuqing has been acting strange these days. Has she been possessed?"
"Did she poison this orange juice?"
"Mom, I'm scared."
"Will someone come and save me?"
Shi Li pinned her hopes on her longtime best friend.
"Where has Shi Qiuyu gone?"
"Why is she always missing in action when I need her most?"
Shi Qiuyu, the traitor, had disappeared without warning.
Shi Li searched the banquet hall for her, hoping she could rescue her.
Too late, Shi Qiuyu had taken cover in the corner at the other side of the hall. Although she heard her desperate cries, she did not reveal herself.
"I am dead. Communicate via spirit papers."
She simply couldn't handle Shi Li's sudden outburst and inner turmoil.
As a best friend, she felt the secondhand embarrassment, and it made her feel terrible. It was better to hide away.
Regardless of how desperately Shi Li needed her, Shi Qiuyu had vowed not to approach.
Gu Yuqing had already downed half a cup of orange juice while Shi Li hadn't taken a single sip.
Shi Li had a genuine fear of food tampering, banquets are hotspots for incidents.
If something seemed off, it usually was. She couldn't trust how quickly Gu Yuqing was changing her attitudes towards herself, there had to be a reason.
Holding the orange juice, Shi Li didn't drink a single drop. If Gu Yuqing heard her inner thoughts, she could interpret Shi Li's refusal to drink as an affectation or hatred for orange juice.
Gu Yuqing had to stifle a laugh when she heard Shi Li's inner thoughts. She couldn't resist teasing Shi Li.
"Shi Li, you don't like orange juice? I see you haven't drink any."
Gu Yuqing, with her fiery eyes and lighthearted laugh, had a charming elegance about her. "Or are you concerned that I put something unexpected in the orange juice?"
When Gu Yuqing implied that she didn't drink the orange juice, Shi Li would never defend her paranoia by finishing her cup of juice.
Shi Li remained true to her own character and responded tranquilly. "How could you think so? I don't like drinking cold beverages in the winter. It doesn't agree with my health."
Gu Yulan glanced at her sister and then at Shi Li. Their sharp exchanges didn't reflect a close friendship at all.
Despite hearing Shi Li's inner dialogue, not a single classmate came to her rescue. Instead, they watched from a distance, entertained by the drama.
In the end, it was Wei Yi who couldn't bear to watch any longer. She and her deskmate Xue Xuejia came to Shi Li's rescue.
Wei Yi knew that Gu Yuqing didn't mean any harm, but it was also true that Shi Li was on the verge of tears.
Wei Yi put an arm around Shi Li’s shoulders, “We’ve been looking all over for you. You didn’t reply to our messages.”
Shi Li quickly understood what she implied, ”You need me? Let’s go and talk over there.”
The relief on Shi Li’s face was more than evident.
"Who says only those in the limelight can be heroes?"
Everyone turned towards the source of the off-key singing and fell silent: Dear, could your taste in music be more old-fashioned?
(Shi Li: You bet it could.)
Gu Yuqing watched as they left, grinding her teeth out of sight. All her prior actions ended up benefiting others.
She had driven Shi Li too hard, instigating her to want to escape.
Gu Yuqing changed her strategy quickly, deciding to take things slowly. Hurrying matters would do no good.
Gu Yulan noticed her sister’s gaze and her eyes sparkled.
“Sister, you really like her, don’t you?”
Gu Yuqing didn't find any excuses with her sister, she said, "Yes, it's thanks to that lady that you could be found and brought back."
Gu Yuqing didn't talk about the deeper topics with her sister, too much talk might risk exposing the secret.
Their entire class had signed a confidentiality agreement, vowing to keep the secret together.
When the confidentiality agreement was signed, Gu Yuqing joined in just to watch the drama unfold, never expecting that one day her family would benefit from it.
Shi Li was taken away by Wei Yi and Xue Xuejia, only then did she keep her voice low and said to Wei Yi, "This Gu Yuqing has been acting strangely lately."
It was only in this recent period, when her relationship with Wei Yi had improved, that she'd confide in her.
Wei Yi asked her without any visible reactions, "How is she strange?"
