The Seduction Begins

Even without understanding, comprehension was a necessity!

Otherwise, the next person to be mentally broken would surely be me!

“Excellent,” Gu Wei declared, settling back into her seat with a look of satisfaction. “Now go. Once the groceries are bought, your first performance is set to begin. Play your part well, and a reward awaits you.”

The moment she heard the word “reward,” Xiang Qing’s eyes instantly brightened, only to dim again just as quickly.

‘This money felt scalding hot in her hands!’

‘This wasn’t money at all; it was a down payment on her very life!’

Xiang Qing, utterly distracted, tumbled out of the car, floated into the market, bought some seemingly edible items at random, and then drifted back home.

The moment she opened the door, Shen Lanzhi, as if having anticipated her arrival precisely, came forward with a cup of warm water.

“Qing, you’re back? Are you tired? Have some water.”

This gentle and considerate demeanor made Xiang Qing’s heart plummet.

‘It was over; the crushing weight of guilt was rising within her.’

‘Sister Lanzhi was so kind to her, yet she was about to become a love swindler, destined to toy with her emotions!’

‘Xiang Qing, oh Xiang Qing, for the sake of money, you’ve utterly lost your heart!’

While silently cursing herself, she accepted the water glass and forced a professional, fake smile.

“Not tired at all, not tired. Thank you, Sister Lanzhi.”

“You sit down and rest for a bit first. I’ll take care of the groceries,” Shen Lanzhi offered, reaching for the shopping bag in Xiang Qing’s hand.

“No, no, no!” Xiang Qing quickly dodged. “Sister Lanzhi, your health isn’t good. Please go lie down on the sofa. I can handle this small task myself!”

‘Are you kidding? This was the crucial first step in her elaborate act!’

‘She absolutely had to demonstrate meticulous thoughtfulness and unwavering care!’

Xiang Qing gently pressed Shen Lanzhi onto the sofa, then, grabbing the groceries, she dashed into the kitchen like a gust of wind.

She worked with a fierce, almost tiger-like efficiency.

Washing vegetables, chopping them, preparing ingredients—her movements were as fluid as flowing clouds and water.

Shen Lanzhi sat quietly on the living room sofa, watching the busy figure in the kitchen, a faint smile unconsciously curving her lips.

Just as Xiang Qing finished her work and emerged from the kitchen, preparing to catch her breath, Shen Lanzhi suddenly stood up and walked behind her.

“Qing, you’ve been busy all morning; that was hard work.”

“Not at all, not at all, it’s all just what I should do…” Before Xiang Qing could finish her polite pleasantries, she felt two soft, warm hands settle on her shoulders.

Xiang Qing froze completely.

“I see your shoulders are stiff. Come, let me give you a massage.” Shen Lanzhi’s voice was so tender it seemed to drip with sweetness.

‘Here it comes!’

‘Gu Wei’s perverse mission—was it truly beginning right now?!’

‘Xiang Qing’s mind instantly went utterly blank.’

‘What should she do? Should she half-heartedly resist, or pretend to refuse while secretly welcoming it?’

‘Never mind, she’d just agree directly. Better to get it over with quickly, like tearing off a bandage!’

“Then… then I’ll trouble you, Sister Lanzhi…” Xiang Qing sat down on the sofa, her back ramrod straight.

Shen Lanzhi’s fingers were long and slender, and her touch was just right, neither too light nor too heavy, as she kneaded Xiang Qing’s stiff shoulders and neck.

“Your shoulders are really stiff. Do you often look down at your phone?”

“Ah… yes… I suppose so…” Xiang Qing was so embarrassed her toes were practically curling into a three-bedroom apartment.

“Qing, your skin is truly lovely.” Shen Lanzhi’s fingers gently slid down Xiang Qing’s neck. “So fair and smooth, like milk.”

The cool fingertips glided across her warm skin, making Xiang Qing shiver uncontrollably.

‘What kind of audacious words were these!’

‘She was now entirely covered in goosebumps!’

“Wh-where… where did you get that idea…” Xiang Qing’s face was practically burning, but she could only steel herself and begin her awkward flattery performance. “Sister Lanzhi, you are truly wonderful. Your hands… they’re so soft and fragrant…”

The word “fragrant” almost made Xiang Qing bite her own tongue.

‘Fragrant, my foot!’

‘It was clearly just the distinct scent of hand cream!’

Shen Lanzhi chuckled softly at her praise, her touch growing even more tender.

“You child, your words are so sweet.”

Her palm slowly moved from Xiang Qing’s shoulder to her back, kneading with a gentle, consistent pressure.

‘Xiang Qing felt like a piece of meat on a chopping block, utterly at another’s mercy.’

‘She now seriously suspected that Gu Wei, that pervert, had installed hidden surveillance cameras in the house!’

‘And was probably, at this very moment, holding her phone, watching the live broadcast, and cackling maniacally!’

“What shower gel do you use? It smells so nice.” Shen Lanzhi’s voice held a hint of curiosity.

‘Xiang Qing was on the verge of tears.’

“I… I’ve forgotten too…”

‘How would she possibly know what brand it was!’

“It really does smell good.” Shen Lanzhi’s hand moved down a few more inches, reaching Xiang Qing’s waist, her fingertips tracing light, almost imperceptible circles there.

Xiang Qing gave a jolt, nearly springing off the sofa.

‘Sister! Stop touching me!’

‘If you keep touching me, something’s going to happen!’

‘Even though this body had transformed into a woman’s, her soul was still that of a pure man!’

‘Being provoked like this by a woman, she truly couldn’t endure it!’

Xiang Qing took a deep breath, deciding to take the initiative and seize control of the conversation!

She abruptly turned half her body, looking up at Shen Lanzhi, forcing the most sincere and adoring expression onto her face.

“Sister Lanzhi! You’re truly amazing! So gentle and virtuous, you know how to do everything! Unlike me, who’s so clumsy!”

‘She decided: she would go for the “silly, sweet, and innocent” route!’

‘She would make Shen Lanzhi believe she was just a small-town bumpkin, utterly captivated by her mature charm!’

Shen Lanzhi was amused by her sudden barrage of flattery, stopping her hands and dotingly pinching Xiang Qing’s cheek.

“Silly girl, you’re very capable too.”

‘Xiang Qing cried out inwardly: ‘Sister! I’m not a silly girl, I’m an undercover agent! I’m the love swindler that pervert Gu Wei sent to trick you!”

But on her face, she had to maintain that innocent expression—a mix of shyness and happiness—after being praised.

‘Act, keep acting.’

Xiang Qing mused inwardly that Shen Lanzhi was already interested in her, so this seduction mission should, in theory, be on easy mode.

Yet, for some unknown reason, whenever she looked into Shen Lanzhi’s gentle, sincere eyes, a tidal wave of guilt surged within her, gushing forth like water from an opened dam.

‘Forget it, a heart was merely an impediment; she might as well do without it!’

“Sister Lanzhi, you’re truly so kind to me.” Xiang Qing took the opportunity to grasp Shen Lanzhi’s hand, which was still resting on her cheek, enveloping it with both of her own, and gazed up at her with sparkling eyes.

This move was called the “starry-eyed attack,” an essential skill for streamers, specifically used to charm top donors… or rather, top donor sisters.

Shen Lanzhi, as expected, was utterly charmed.

She visibly froze for a moment, then a blush of surprise bloomed on her cheeks.

It was worth noting that while Xiang Qing had always been polite to her, there had always been a sense of distance, like a small cat unwilling to be approached.

‘What was happening today?’

‘Was she actively seeking closeness?’

“You… you too.” Shen Lanzhi’s heart skipped a beat, and her voice wavered slightly.

“It’s almost lunchtime, I’ll go make food!” Xiang Qing, knowing when to retreat, sprang up energetically and dashed into the kitchen. “Sister Lanzhi, just wait, I’ll show you what I can do!”

Shen Lanzhi watched her lively retreating figure, unable to hide the smile playing on her lips, and followed her into the kitchen.

“Let me help you.”

“No, no, it’s fine. Sister Lanzhi, you can just watch from the side!”

One busy, one accompanying, the atmosphere in the kitchen was incredibly warm and cozy.

While slicing potatoes, Xiang Qing racked her brain, desperately searching for topics of conversation.

“Sister Lanzhi, what do you usually do at home?”

“I read books, listen to music, and tend to my flowers.”

“Wow, how wonderfully refined! Unlike me, I’m just a gaming-addicted girl obsessed with playing video games.” Xiang Qing said, self-deprecatingly praising Shen Lanzhi.

Shen Lanzhi chuckled at her antics.

“That’s also very good, very cute.”

Just then, a cold voice drifted from the kitchen doorway.

“In someone else’s kitchen, it’s best to keep your hands clean. Don’t take the opportunity to poison anyone.”

Gu Wei, having changed into loungewear at some unknown point, was now leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on Shen Lanzhi with ill intent.

The cozy atmosphere in the kitchen instantly froze over.

The smile on Shen Lanzhi’s face faded. She turned her head, her voice still gentle, but her words carried barbs sharp enough to kill.

“CEO Gu must be joking,” Shen Lanzhi retorted. “I’m not like some people, whose hearts are so dark they see filth in everything.”

“Hmph,” Gu Wei scoffed, a cold sneer on her lips.

‘Oh my god!’

‘Here we go again!’

Xiang Qing felt her nerves were about to snap, stretched to their breaking point by these two ancestors.

She quickly raised her spatula, squeezing herself between the two to act as a peacemaker.

“Oh, CEO Gu, Sister Lanzhi, please don’t be like this! I’m making Coca-Cola chicken wings for lunch today! Wouldn’t it be better if everyone just ate happily?”

Having said her piece, her eyes darted, a plan forming in her mind, and she turned to Shen Lanzhi with a radiant smile.

“Oh, and Sister Lanzhi! I heard there’s a new movie out recently with excellent reviews. How about we go watch it together tonight?”