Chapter 50: Now it’s my turn to laugh

Chen Xinya didn’t go back to her own place.

Meng Zhi carried her all the way home, and without even changing clothes, Chen Xinya flopped onto the bed and passed out.

Meng Zhi was fine, used to pulling all-nighters. She took a shower, washing off the sweat from carrying Chen Xinya, and changed into a clean, fresh shirt.

Coming out of the bathroom, she grabbed an ice-cold soda from the fridge, sat on the couch, and scrolled through her phone while sipping.

…Besides tracking stocks and funds, Meng Zhi liked exploiting information gaps to buy things that would soon spike in value.

Like sneakers, CS skins, or physical Yu-Gi-Oh cards.

She didn’t obsessively chase profits like a scalper, but when she noticed or remembered something, she’d casually buy a few.

Like now, while scrolling videos, she stumbled across the release date for Yu-Gi-Oh’s next card pack, 1110. Recalling what was in it, she immediately ordered dozens of Cyberse cards on a mini-app.

The profit wasn’t huge, but making small money like this was its own kind of fun.

In this life, aside from dealing with those girls, Meng Zhi spent most of her time on things like this. Finding little hobbies that brought joy, seeking out things she loved. Anything to avoid slipping back into nihilistic moods, always prioritizing her own happiness.

Do what you love. After so many rebirths, why overthink it?

Her phone hit some risqué videos, and Meng Zhi happily clicked through. Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of eye candy?

Spicy content lifts the mood. Yup. Definitely a way to stay happy.

But while scrolling, she accidentally tapped a pop-up message. Clicking in, she saw a selfie of a girl in front of a mirror, wearing a revealing low-cut top that showed off her cleavage.

Meng Zhi didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just another spicy post she’d stumbled on. But when she tried to scroll and couldn’t, she realized she was in a WeChat private chat.

That risqué photo had just been sent to her.

“What do you think?”

“…Are you insane?” Meng Zhi stared at Feng Xiyue’s name, replying with a scowl: “What’s with sending this kind of photo first thing in the morning?”

“No reason.”

Feng Xiyue sounded completely unbothered, casually saying: “Just, when I got up and put on my bra, I noticed my chest seemed a bit bigger.”

“Checked in the mirror and thought, wow, if I squeeze a little, there’s a cleavage line! It’s so white and big, super spicy.”

“Then I figured it’s probably your morning wood time, so I sent it as a side dish. No need to thank me.”

…What a nutcase! Meng Zhi nearly laughed in exasperation.

Forget whether normal people would send photos like that in the morning.

The real question was, bigger where?

You’re squeezing so hard, and it’s still just a tiny line, okay?

It’s white, sure. Can’t say it’s not spicy.

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

Meng Zhi shot back sarcastically: “I’m not into lolis. I only like curvy, busty older sisters.”

“Eh~ So you’d rather ignore a ready-made beauty like me and go watch porn online?”

Meng Zhi could almost see Feng Xiyue’s mocking smirk through the screen: “No way, right?”

Meng Zhi’s teeth itched with irritation. But then, she thought of a way to clap back.

“Nah, I mean, I don’t even need to take care of those urges.”

Then Meng Zhi snapped a photo of Chen Xinya sleeping on her bed and sent it.

She even threw in a peace sign.

As expected.

After the photo went through, the other side went silent for several minutes.

Meng Zhi chuckled lightly, ignored her, and kept scrolling.

Feng Xiyue had been lounging on her bed, legs kicked up, giggling as she sent messages.

But when the photo came through, her smile froze.

“What!?” She gripped her phone, staring daggers at the screen, practically shoving her face into it.

“That sneaky green tea… she actually spent the night with Meng Zhi?”

“Damn it, I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her! All that ‘three rules’ nonsense was just a stalling tactic! She used the agreement to keep me in check, then snuck in to sleep with Meng Zhi!”

“I can’t believe I actually trusted her…” Feng Xiyue sulkily shut off her phone.

For a moment, she found the idea of trust between people utterly laughable.

Fair competition? Relying on your own skills? All lies.

In love, it’s always about playing dirty!

…No, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Feng Xiyue couldn’t stand it. She jumped up, threw on clothes, and got ready to hail a cab to Meng Zhi’s place.

Since she didn’t want to stay at the bar, Feng Xiyue had been crashing at her bandmate’s place lately. The drummer, still applying a face mask after just waking up, saw Feng Xiyue storm out of her room and asked:

“This early? Where you off to?”

“To rip that green tea apart,” Feng Xiyue growled.

“Whoa, what’s that? Drama? Take me along, let me watch!”

“No need. I’ll bring back her head, and you can enjoy the show then.”

As she slipped on her shoes and opened the door, the drummer waved cheerfully behind her: “Go get ‘em! Protect our bro, don’t let anyone steal him!”

“What ‘our bro’? He’s my bro!”

Feng Xiyue spun around, glaring like a possessive puppy: “Mine alone!”

“Alright, alright~”

Slamming the door shut, Feng Xiyue headed downstairs.

But after a few steps, her hurried pace slowed.

She saw someone standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking at her.

A woman in high heels and a sharp suit, with bold red lipstick. Her meticulously curled hair and heavy makeup hid the traces of age on her skin.

Her gaze on Feng Xiyue was like the deep sea—calm on the surface, but with a surging undercurrent beneath.

Feng Xiyue hadn’t expected to run into her here. With a brief glance, she quickened her steps, passing by as if she hadn’t seen her.

“Stop right there.” The woman’s sharp voice halted her.

“What do you want?” Feng Xiyue turned calmly.

She wasn’t unfamiliar with this scene. She was used to it, even.

In her last life. And this one.

People always had irreconcilable conflicts. Like in her last life, as long as she eloped with Meng Zhi and left this city, she could escape this woman for good.

So Feng Xiyue wasn’t scared of her. She looked at her with ease and confidence.

But the woman’s next words sent shockwaves through her eyes.

“I know I can’t control you. So I’m going to make a call right now.”

“…To Meng Zhi.”