The Heiress's Game

It's almost dinnertime.

"Brother, you don't need to wait for me for dinner tonight." Bai Tianyi said while typing on his phone without looking up.

"Did you make plans with someone?"

"Yes, we've invited Gu Yunjin and Zhang Zhuoran. We didn't get enough of the barbecue at that stall in Dahai City last time, so we're having another round today."

After sending the last message, Bai Tianyi looked up and asked with anticipation.

"Do you want to come with us? Just the three of us..."

Zhang Zhuoran has recently been collaborating with Yun Jin on an AI project. He's a good friend of mine and a very interesting person.

Bai Junze thought for a second and then refused in a calm tone.

"You guys go ahead. I have an international video conference tonight to finalize some technology licensing terms with the European side. It's scheduled for this morning local time, and I can't change it."

Bai Tianyi remained silent for a moment, then looked at his older cousin with a profound gaze beyond his years.

There was helplessness, a sigh, and a sense of resignation in his eyes, as if to say, "I've done my best, but even a god couldn't save you."

"Brother," he patted Bai Junze's arm, his tone solemn.

"I've finally come to my conclusion—you're truly beyond saving."

Calling you a piece of wood is an insult to wood. At least wood knows how to absorb some water; you don't even do photosynthesis.

"Fine, you go ahead and hold meetings. Your life is all about meetings. I'll just ask you one question—do you even know we're going back to Yunjing tomorrow?"

Who knows when we'll see each other again? Forget it, don't bother answering. I know your answer—"We'll get married sooner or later anyway."

You'll be fine watching your videos; I'll go keep your future wife company in your place.

He turned and took two steps toward the elevator, then turned back and added, his tone genuinely concerned.

"I'm starting to feel sorry for Gu Yunjin now. How do you think she'll live with you in the future?"

"Such an interesting person has to spend their whole life with a blockhead like you—that's too tragic."

Bai Junze glanced at him indifferently: "Didn't you say Gu Yunjin was a good match for me?"

"It is suitable, indeed!" Bai Tianyi lamented.

"The problem is, just because it suits you doesn't mean you won't be bored! Forget it, I'm going. You'd better watch yourself." With that, he turned and entered the elevator without looking back.

The night market on Dahaicheng Temple Street is still bustling with people and vibrant with life. The air is filled with the aroma of charcoal grilling oil, mixed with the strong smell of stinky tofu from the stall next door.

When Gu Yunjin arrived, Zhang Zhuoran had already taken a seat, ordered the first batch of skewers, and was skillfully wiping disposable chopsticks with a tissue.

He was wearing a light blue polo shirt, and his smile was gentle and handsome.

Bai Tianyi arrived last. As soon as he sat down, he gulped down half a cup of herbal tea and then started ordering. He didn't even look at the menu and just recited the names of the dishes. The owner couldn't keep up with all of them.

The skewers were served faster than the three people could chat.

While gnawing on a chicken wing, Bai Tianyi began his important mission for the evening—to speak well of Bai Junze.

"Yun Jin, let me tell you, although my older brother seems quiet, he's actually a very good person, really."

He put down the chicken wing and earnestly held up his finger.

"First of all, he is very thoughtful. When you went to the beach trail that day, he told you to walk on the inside, right? There were no cars on the inside. He never mentions these kinds of details, but he does them."

Do you know how fast he usually walks? Even his assistant has to jog to keep up with him on the short walk from the meeting room to the elevator, but he walked with you the whole way, didn't he keep a slow pace the entire time?

"Yes," Gu Yunjin said, picking up the herbal tea and taking a sip.

"He did slow down, but there was a short stretch in the middle when he sped up again, and then he slowed down again after realizing it."

"Look!" Bai Tianyi slammed his hand on the table. "That's the kind of person he is—he never says anything good about himself; you have to judge for yourself."

"Secondly," he said, raising another finger, fully transitioning into sales mode.

"My older brother is a very capable person. Don't be fooled by his current success; he had a tough childhood."

How old was he when his second uncle went missing? Five or six years old, I guess. He was worried about his second uncle while also trying to comfort his second aunt.

In his efforts to protect the Bai family's assets, he offended countless people.

That's the kind of person he is; he doesn't make promises lightly, but once he does, he always keeps them.

"Tianyi, are you doing a brand promotion for your older brother?" Zhang Zhuoran chimed in with a laugh.

"Whatever brand promotions I'm talking about, I'm just telling the truth," Bai Tianyi said, picking up another skewer of mutton with a confident air.

"You just don't know—never mind, Zhang Zhuoran, shut up, you're not married to him."

Zhang Zhuoran was momentarily speechless, then raised his hands in surrender and turned to look at Gu Yunjin.

Gu Yunjin was peeling a grilled shrimp. "Actually, I didn't care too much about whether he was a good person or not, or whether he was considerate or not."

"It's an arranged marriage, not a free choice. As long as the people are of decent character and respect each other, that's enough. But after all that you've said, I'm certain of one thing."

"What is it?" Bai Tianyi asked nervously.

"Your older brother is really quite boring."

Bai Tianyi opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that he couldn't, because what he had said in the hotel corridor was even harsher than this.

He could only lower his head and gnaw on his chicken wing, muttering indistinctly, "You haven't seen him skiing; he's quite handsome."

Zhang Zhuoran chuckled beside her, looking at Gu Yunjin in a half-joking, half-serious tone, and said, "So, does that mean I really have no hope?"

Before Gu Yunjin could even speak, Bai Tianyi reacted faster than a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

He slammed the bamboo skewer in his hand on the table, sat up straight, and looked at Zhang Zhuoran with an unprecedentedly serious expression: "Zhang Zhuoran, let me tell you, you are my best brother, I'm not lying to you. But I have to make a statement on this issue."

He picked up the herbal tea and held it up in Gu Yunjin's direction, as if making a solemn declaration, "If Gu Yunjin were to become my good friend's wife, I would certainly be happy."

But if she could be my sister-in-law—that would be a whole different level. Even though you're my good friend, I'm sorry, I've chosen her to be my sister-in-law.

"You switched positions so smoothly." Zhang Zhuoran was amused.

"It must be smooth! On matters of principle, it's better to sacrifice a friend than myself."

Bai Tianyi spoke eloquently, then realized he had gone too far and quickly added to his statement.

"No, what I mean is, you can meet other people in the future. But my brother only has one Gu Yunjin in his life. If he misses this opportunity, he'll never have another one."

Gu Yunjin picked up the iced tea, hiding the smile on her lips.

Zhang Zhuoran shook his head, picked up a skewer of roasted mutton and handed it to Bai Tianyi, acknowledging this deep friendship of "better to die than for me."

It's not that he can't let go—it's been so long since he was rejected, he should have moved on by now.

Looking at the situation before him, he felt that life was indeed quite strange. He had pursued Gu Yunjin, but was rejected. Now she was going to be Bai Junze's wife.

The person who spoke highly of Bai Junze and even wanted to find love for him was actually Bai Tianyi, his best friend.

"Alright," Zhang Zhuoran poured himself a cup of iced tea.

"Whether it's a marriage alliance or a romantic relationship, we'll still be business partners in the future. This toast is to Yun Jin, and also to that blockhead Bai Junze."

"A toast to the wood." Bai Tianyi also raised his glass of herbal tea.

"At the same time, I wish my elder brother success in marrying Sister Yun Jin, and I wish Sister Yun Jin success in reforming my elder brother."

I wish Zhang Zhuoran continued success in the AI ​​field and that he can forget this non-existent relationship. I wish myself a peaceful and uneventful life under the protection of my elder brother and sister-in-law.