Her smile widened as she set her chopsticks down, pretending to savor the flavor of the food. Inside, however, the gears of her mind spun quickly, feverishly.
If he fears Lu Yanchen, then Lu Yanchen is the key. But why fight a mountain when I can stand behind one?
The answer came to her with startling clarity: she wouldn't oppose Jiu Wensian. Not openly. She would use him. His name, his connections, his reach. He would be her shield, her sword—whether he realized it or not.
And through him, Gu Mianmian's perfect little world would crumble.
---
The clinking of dishes punctuated the silence between them, but to Xuelan, it was like music underscoring her thoughts.
Mianmian, Mianmian, Mianmian.
