My girlfriend is from the future!

Once inside, the two separated automatically. Wen Liang, like a canary in a cage, lay down on the sofa without any hesitation and started watching TV, leaving He Tianran and Yu Naoqiu to chat about "serious business."

Although Yu Naoqiu felt disgusted by this eyesore, the groundwork laid by the "writer" was too well done. From the beginning when the two discussed cooperation, the man made it clear that he was a womanizer; to the deliberate arrangement on the variety show, the breakup with Cao Aiqing afterward; and finally, the extravagant spending at the Bulgari dinner in Shanghai...

After all this, even the cunning Yu Naoqiu felt that Wen Liang's appearance here at this moment was perfectly normal, and there was no sense of abruptness at all.

But, today is different from the past.

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

He Tianran took a bottle of mineral water and came over. Since Wen Liang had taken over the sofa, Yu Naoqiu sat down at the table where the three of them had been writing couplets.

"I didn't come here specifically; I was just passing by and stopped by to see you."

I didn't come here specifically, but it was an unconscious decision.

Ever since He Yuanchong caught him red-handed, Yu Naoqiu had been looking for someone to discuss this matter with. Now, it was a foregone conclusion which of the two He brothers would have a better chance of winning in the future. Whether it was about profit or sentiment, He Tianran was the only choice. As for his past stains, Yu Naoqiu believed that they were nothing compared to He Tianran's "unrestrained" behavior.

This man will definitely understand; they're in the same boat. Besides, from the very beginning, He Tianran said they would each do their own thing. Considering their shared interests, he'll definitely help him. Maybe he can even use this to turn the tables on He Yuanchong and get him completely out of the game!

But all of this, besides being based on his own and He Tianran's interests, also includes...

trust.

Before meeting Wen Liang today, Yu Naoqiu believed that the two could form a united front simply by binding them together with their interests.

It was only after seeing Wen Liang that Yu Naoqiu suddenly realized something: He Tianran didn't only have him as an option. If he were to be disgraced, he could simply choose someone else, just like he said at the banquet that day.

So, given that He Tianran is not the only potential partner and lacks trust in this relationship, would He Tianran really choose to help him after learning about this?

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about? You're just sitting there without saying anything."

He Tianran's question interrupted Yu Naoqiu's thoughts, but the woman's gaze drifted to Wen Liang not far away, and she said:

"He Tianran, I don't care how you philander in private, but shouldn't you keep our conversations private?"

The man followed her gaze to the beautiful figure reclining on the sofa and chuckled softly:

"Don't worry, Wen Liang doesn't have your family background, she can't be your enemy. If you feel that there are some things that are not easy to say today, then we can go to my study to talk. I am very happy that you came to see me during the New Year, but I can't just kick someone out, can I?"

"You want me to avoid her?"

Yu Naoqiu's voice suddenly turned several degrees colder, his face filled with incomprehension.

In her view, she came with important business. If she really had to prioritize, she should have cleared out all the irrelevant people. Besides, she was the one who was going to marry He Tianran in the future. Even if it was just a formality, she could turn a blind eye. But right now, how could a wife give way to her lover?
"You can't say that."

Faced with Yu Naoqiu's questioning, He Tianran showed no remorse whatsoever. Instead, he looked at Wen Liang, who was playing on her phone, with a doting expression. Then, he turned his head, lowered his voice, and said in a slightly helpless yet enjoyable "scumbag" tone:
“She’s exhausted from filming these past few days. I finally managed to cheer her up and get her back to keep me company. If you ask her to move or kick her out now, she definitely won’t be happy. Besides, you’ve seen how she throws a tantrum at Bulgari. If this lady starts making a scene, how are we supposed to talk about serious business?”

As he spoke, he shrugged, giving off an irritating "I'm in a difficult position, but I'm enjoying it" look.

"Besides, the study is soundproof, has a private environment, and is a better choice for discussing business. So why bother arguing with an outsider about these things? It's not worth it, don't you think?"

These words, a combination of rebuttal and attack, both elevated Wen Liang's favored status and pointed out the female celebrity's status as an outsider, thus appeasing Yu Naoqiu's arrogant heart.

Yu Naoqiu glanced at him coldly. Although she felt extremely uncomfortable seeing the man's undisguised doting affection, reason told her that it was indeed beneath her to argue with a canary about status.

“…Okay, let’s go to your study.”

Yu Naoqiu suppressed her emotions and stood up. She was currently embroiled in trouble and needed He Tianran's help, so it wasn't the time to throw a tantrum.

Just as the two were about to move to the study, Wen Liang, who had been pretending to watch TV on the sofa, suddenly spoke up lazily:

"oops--"

This drawn-out, coquettish cry sent chills down He Tianran's spine, and Yu Naoqiu paused in her tracks.

Wen Liang leaned halfway out from the sofa, blinking her alluring peach blossom eyes at He Tianran:

"Piggy~ I want to drink that... the bird's nest and white fungus soup I bought for you, could you heat it up for me, okay~"

Yu Naoqiu's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Instructing He Tianran?
At this time?
She turned her head, about to lash out, but then noticed that He Tianran's face was also tense...

Pig?

What the hell is this...?

But there was no other way. Even though He Tianran was covered in goosebumps, he still reluctantly agreed and asked hesitantly:
"Ah...did you...buy this for me?"

Wenliang brought hot pot ingredients today, didn't she? Where did this bird's nest and white fungus come from?
“I bought it. I put it in when I was organizing the refrigerator for you. It’s in the middle shelf and it’s sealed. You can just take it out and heat it up. Don’t take too much. I’ll save some for when I make chicken soup for you tonight.”

He Tianran was stunned. Wen Liang's words not only put pressure on Yu Naoqiu and himself, but also made him want to try the tonics that Cao Aiqing brought in advance. He hadn't even discovered that there were such good things. Wen Liang was really sharp-eyed. She really played along with his plan and put pressure on three people at once!
"I……"

"He Tianran, are you leaving or not?!"

Before the man could respond, Yu Naoqiu couldn't take it anymore and stormed upstairs.

With his back to the psychologist, He Tianran pointed to Wen Liang, whose head was leaning against the edge of the sofa with a mischievous grin. Of course, his warning was practically worthless; in the end, he still had to play along, feigning concern and comforting her in a doting tone:

"Baby...Baby, take care of this yourself first. We still have some things to discuss. It'll be quick, right away."

"Okay, come back soon, little piggy~"

Wen Liang blew a kiss, then glanced at Yu Naoqiu's somewhat exasperated back, a mischievous glint in her eyes and a hint of lingering satisfaction in her eyes. She added a final, sarcastic remark:

"Miss Yu, please take care. The study is over there. Don't go into the bedroom by mistake; there are some things in there that you shouldn't see."

"Wen Liang, you...!"

Yu Naoqiu gritted her teeth silently. She almost tripped and fell as she turned her head. She had never been treated like this in her life.

In her world, everyone is concerned with interests and rules. Whether it's at the negotiating table where people tear each other apart or in the pleasure quarters where sex and profit intertwine, there is no one as pure as her, who is so illogical yet receives complete indulgence and arrogance!

This is a triple blow to her intelligence, dignity, and appearance!
Before the powder keg could explode, He Tianran grabbed Yu Naoqiu by the back and half-pushed her towards the study.

"Look at her like that, why are you arguing with her? Let's go, let's go."

Yu Naoqiu forcefully pushed He Tianran's hand away, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, his eyes turning sinister:
"He Tianran, lust has clouded your judgment. Don't spoil her too much. Some birds, if kept for too long, will peck out their owner's eyes!"

"I know what I'm doing, I know what I'm doing..."

He Tianran chuckled and finally got this plague god into the study.

"boom."

The moment the study door closed, Wen Liang in the living room immediately dropped her coquettish expression. She made a face at the study, eagerly jumped up from the sofa, and then glanced around. He Tianran's house was decorated very openly, and the living room was the kind that could be seen at a glance. She hadn't seen Cao Aiqing since she entered the house, so when He Tianran suggested that Yu Naoqiu go to the study, she deliberately told the woman not to go to the bedroom, thinking that Cao Aiqing should be hiding there.

She picked up her phone and sent a message to Cao Aiqing:
"Are you hiding in your bedroom? Can you hear what's going on in the study next door?"

Shortly after, she received a reply from Cao Aiqing:

"You almost made a mistake. There are only two rooms in Tianran's house, one downstairs and one upstairs. Aunt Bai lives downstairs, and he lives upstairs. The study he took Yu Naoqiu to is actually his bedroom, where he lives and plays games. You should be glad that Yu Naoqiu probably doesn't know all this yet..."

Wen Liang was stunned. She had only visited He Tianran's house a handful of times. The last time she visited He Tianran's house after filming "Wild in My Heart", Cao Aiqing hadn't even returned to China yet. Now that he was back, it was even more inappropriate for her to come again.

What surprised Wen Liang even more was that Cao Aiqing knew everything about what was happening in the living room, and even knew the words she had used to mock Yu Naoqiu.

This made her suspicious, and her fingers flew across the virtual keyboard:

Where are you?

Whew, whistle, messages kept popping up on my phone:

"Wen Liang, it seems you really enjoyed your performance this time."

"But remember, there are gods watching over you, and I will be watching you."

"And also, you're not allowed to touch a single bite of the bird's nest I bought!"

"(￣^￣)"

……

Looking at these messages, Wen Liang looked up and around again. As a female celebrity who often needs to be on camera and has experienced incidents like being secretly filmed, she has a keen sense for cameras. She drew the curtains of the French windows, and the light in the room immediately dimmed. Then she opened the camera function on her phone and scanned up and down. She easily spotted a pinhole camera with an infrared dot on it in a corner of the eaves.

She smiled slightly, drew back the curtains, and saw through Cao Aiqing's "feigned mystery." Wen Liang stood smugly under the camera, hands on her hips, glanced at the refrigerator, her eyes darting around, and said to the camera:

"I want to eat bird's nest, so come out and hit me!"

After saying that, she actually walked towards the refrigerator. Meanwhile, on the other side of the camera, in Wu Xiao's home, Cao Aiqing, sitting in front of the monitor, shook her head, both amused and annoyed by the other party's shameless attitude. Her gaze fell on the upper left corner of the screen, where the live feed of He Tianran's "study" was displayed.

……

In the study room.

With the television and the warm, hushed conversations of the living room shut out, the air finally quieted down, but it also became more oppressive.

Calling this a study is a bit of a stretch; it's more like He Tianran's gaming room. There's a bed, a computer desk, a gaming chair, fancy RGB lighting on the wall, and a display cabinet that combines bookshelves and a display of figurines. The room is big, but it feels more like a geek's haven than a proper "study" for serious business.

Fortunately, Yu Naoqiu had been here once before, the time when He Tianran broke up with Cao Aiqing at home and she came to avoid him, so she wasn't surprised.

He Tianran casually pulled over a gaming chair, gesturing for Yu Naoqiu to sit down. He then took the ashtray from the computer desk, casually pulled out a cigarette from the pack, twirled it in his hand, but didn't light it, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Tell me, what's so important that you'd make this trip during the Chinese New Year?"

His tone was casual, even somewhat nonchalant, a complete contrast to his doting, love-struck demeanor in the living room just moments before.

Yu Naoqiu sat down as instructed, her gaze fixed on He Tianran's ambiguous smile. The truth that was on the tip of her tongue, about certain game videos she had played under the guise of psychological counseling while studying abroad, got stuck in her throat and she swallowed it back down.

She didn't dare to gamble.

If she hadn't run into Wen Liang today, it wouldn't have mattered, because in her eyes, He Tianran was even more cunning than her, and the two of them were birds of a feather.

But right now, Wen Liang is outside, and He Tianran's indulgence of this "canary" far exceeds her imagination.

If He Tianran is a cold-blooded animal who only cares about interests, then handing over her secret might bring her a genuine alliance; but if he is a "madman" who is blinded by beauty or acts entirely on impulse, then wouldn't telling him this secret that could ruin her life be like handing the knife to someone else?
She had to test the waters first...

Let's test whether "profit" or what he calls "pleasure and romance" weighs more on He Tianran's scales.

In a flash, Yu Naoqiu's eyes sharpened, and he quickly changed to a story that could easily be used to deflect the issue.

"Your brother has held a grudge against you ever since what happened with Bai Lingye last time. You should know that."

She glanced at the door, her tone becoming unusually serious:
"So, now that you're acting like this with Wen Liang, aren't you afraid that He Yuanchong will retaliate in kind?"

He Tianran raised an eyebrow slightly, relaxed his body, one hand supporting himself on the soft bed, the other holding a cigarette in his mouth. He seemed unconcerned about this hypothetical situation.

"Nao Nao, we're all adults. What kind of news is it in the industry that I support a female celebrity? Some things would be completely different if it were someone else. Is He Yuanchong using this to get back at me? Has he lost his mind?"

"He's no threat to you, but he can disgust my father!"

Yu Naoqiu's voice rose a few decibels:

"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I'm going to Nanshan Jiadi to pay New Year's visits. On the eighth day, it's my father's 60th birthday. Not only will you be attending, but many of your business partners will also be there. Have you thought about what I would do, and what we would do, if your messy affair with Wen Liang were exposed before then?"

She stared intently into He Tianran's eyes, observing his every micro-expression:

"Think about it, my father is such an old-fashioned man. If he knew that his future son-in-law was having a passionate affair with an actress during our engagement, and that it had become the talk of the town, not only would you be disgraced, but the entire Yu family would be ruined! How could this marriage possibly go through? How could our cooperation continue?"

He Tianran remained silent for a moment upon hearing this.

He finally took out his lighter, lit the cigarette with a "snap," and took a deep drag.

"so what?"

He squinted behind the smoke, his tone flat:

"what do you want me to do?"

coming.

Yu Naoqiu decisively presented her "test question":
"I want you to temporarily sever your relationship with Wen Liang."

Her tone was firm and left no room for argument:

"You don't need to completely cut ties, but at least until we get married, you must have a clean life around you. That's a reasonable request, isn't it?"

This was her test.

If He Tianran is willing to sacrifice Wen Liang without hesitation to save face for both families and for future business interests, then it shows that he is a rational ally who prioritizes interests.

Only then would Yu Naoqiu dare to tell him his truly fatal weakness.

Just like...

He could abandon Cao Aiqing for the sake of profit.

Would He Tianran make the same choice a second time? (End of Chapter)