In the end, Bai Ziyuan and Gu Qianran also tagged along to Ji Tang's company. Ji Tang's company had been registered with the help of a distant relative, and its scale was not very large yet. A few shareholders under Ji Tang originally looked down on a minor like Ji Tang, but after witnessing Ji Tang's decisive, no nonsense methods, they quietly shut up.
Ji Tang was not surprised by the result. Ji Tang had already honed her first edge inside Ji Zhu's company, and under the tutelage of the already forged blade that was Gu Qianran, Ji Tang had learned that edge to an almost perfect degree.
At the front entrance, Stormfall's logo hung overhead. A receptionist with fine features greeted the group with a bright smile, then went savage on the company group chat. My heavens, the boss and her friends have such insane looks. I am turning gay, sob sob sob.
Coworker 1: Sis, same sex marriage is about to be legal. You still have a shot. Go for it.
Coworker 2: Wait what, the boss is in the office. My data report is not done.
Coworker 3: Data report my foot. We in finance can barely make sense of the numbers. The boss's game is about to blow up. Top up revenue is shooting straight up.
Coworker 4: Off topic off topic. But the two girls walking at the back, by my gaydar they are eighty percent official already. I can only daydream about the boss and the one beside the boss.
Coworker 5: Have you all forgotten they are a bunch of minors. Beasts.
Coworker 6: How is the boss a minor. The boss looks more like going through menopause.
Coworker 7: The boss is in this group.
Everyone froze. Then it was mass delete, mass apologies, and a stampede to disperse.
Utterly unaware, the four of them strolled along. Gu Qianran explained various gaming rigs to Bai Ziyuan, while Ji Tang led Bai Zilu to look at the characters she had drawn. Bai Zilu operated the character with shining eyes, pacing it back and forth, grinning so hard her teeth vanished.
There was an unconscious fondness in Ji Tang's gaze as Ji Tang leaned over the monitor, watching Bai Zilu's movements. On screen, the character Bai Zilu controlled met an enemy and was quickly killed. Bai Zilu's sunny face clouded over at once. Bai Zilu dropped the mouse, sulking.
"This Jian is way too weak. Not fun. Hmph." Bai Zilu pouted at Ji Tang. Ji Tang's face flushed red in a very obvious way and Ji Tang turned her eyes aside. Seriously, how can this person be so cute. So cute it makes you want to bully her.
"Hey, Ji Tang. I am talking to you." Bai Zilu did not understand why Ji Tang was blushing. Shouldn't you blush because you are shy. Did a casual complaint make Ji Tang feel ashamed.
"Oh. Oh." Ji Tang hurried to calm down. Honestly, why did these strange feelings keep popping up in her head.
But the moment Ji Tang saw Bai Zilu's play, all those feelings went down the hatch and transformed into deep speechlessness.
With flexible serpentine footwork, Bai Zilu ate every single skill with perfect precision. The top highlight was using Flash to dodge the enemy's basic attack.
Unfortunately, she Flashed into the turret and was killed by the bot again.
"You are using a mage to bayonet duel a fighter." Ji Tang was helpless. Bai Zilu was a gaming talent in the most chaotic sense. Melee mage, tanky marksman, those were basic operations. As the saying goes, a mage who cannot fight in melee is not a good support.
And Bai Zilu's face was tense like she was playing a world championship. That contrast cuteness succeeded in making Ji Tang laugh. Ji Tang swore the laugh was because Bai Zilu was cute, not because of the gameplay.
After getting killed by bots twice, Bai Zilu got even grumpier, quit the game, and sat there. Ji Tang leaned closer and asked gently, "Got mad." Bai Zilu kept silent. As long as she did not mention it, being killed by bots could be rounded down to never happened.
Seeing that look, Ji Tang knew this person had once again been driven to tears by her own silliness. Ji Tang put the smile away and comforted her with good temper. A moment later, R and D received a private message from the boss.
Little Boss Ji: R and D, buff the hero Jian. The stronger the better. Do not worry about balance. Just add a ban slot. Right. If you spend one million on top ups, Jian cannot be banned.
R and D: what.
What is that supposed to be. Sitting at our desks, and a meteor of workload lands from the sky.
Soon someone discovered Jian was the debut piece of White Heron Unfrosted, Little Boss Ji's favored illustrator. And with reasonable deduction, the quiet girl beside Little Boss Ji today had to be White Heron Double Unfrosted.
Alright then. This wave was for love.
Nearby, Gu Qianran and Bai Ziyuan had already walked themselves tired, so the two curled up in the lounge. Bai Ziyuan sat on Gu Qianran's lap, nibbling the fruit Gu Qianran fed her like a squirrel.
Gu Qianran licked her lips. The last piece of fruit slid back and forth between their mouths and it was not clear who ate it in the end. When the kiss ended, a suspicious silver thread clung to the corner of Bai Ziyuan's lips, and her eyes were dewy. Panting, Bai Ziyuan thumped Gu Qianran with a tiny fist. "How can you have so little self control. We are still out in public."
Gu Qianran raised a brow. This little one was getting bold on the strength of being spoiled. Gu Qianran leaned in with a deliberately wicked smile, breathed lightly at Bai Ziyuan's ear, and asked, "So you mean at home we can. Xiaokeai."
Bai Ziyuan shivered sensitively and her body went soft all at once. Leaning in Gu Qianran's arms, Bai Ziyuan's voice trembled. "You are a rogue."
Gu Qianran smiled. Was this little one down to only that line. Every day calling her a rogue. "Then this kind of rogue, do you want her."
Bai Ziyuan's cheeks burned. Bai Ziyuan whispered, "Want."
Gu Qianran laughed even happier and hugged Bai Ziyuan, rolling around the sofa with no image to maintain.
When Ji Tang pushed open the door, this was exactly the scene on display. Four faces looked at each other. In the end, Gu Qianran sat up, straightened her clothes, and coughed lightly. "Ahem. Well, just pretend you saw nothing."
Bai Ziyuan nodded so hard her head might fall off. Ji Tang and Bai Zilu held back their laughter and accepted the rare request from the usually composed Gu Qianran.
They went to eat together at an elegant western restaurant. They ordered steaks. Gu Qianran very naturally took Bai Ziyuan's plate, cut the steak into bite sized pieces, then raised a forkful. Bai Ziyuan opened her mouth to take it, eyes half lidded as she chewed.
Ji Tang glanced at Bai Zilu, then took Bai Zilu's steak and began to cut. Ji Tang's movements were very graceful. With the restaurant's hazy lighting and gentle music, an ambiguous mood slowly warmed. Looking at Ji Tang, Bai Zilu said carefully, "Actually, cutting steak like this is usually something lovers do." Parents also cut steak for children, but Bai Zilu was afraid that in this romantic atmosphere Ji Tang would say something explosive like, so what, son.
"Oh." Ji Tang's reaction was surprisingly flat. Bai Zilu widened her eyes and saw Ji Tang set the cut steak in front of her, expressionless. "You are not a kid anymore, and you still believe that." Cutting steak, what is the big deal. Parent and child also works. Does Bai Zilu want to be my son.
Ew. Creep.
The look in Bai Zilu's eyes grew complicated. Never thought that after guarding against it in every way, the other party would fail to get the point at all. Is this a question of belief. It is a matter of fact. And what is with that look like she is staring at a creep.
Tsk. Stubborn little thing.
Gu Qianran watched their back and forth with interest, until Bai Ziyuan snatched Gu Qianran's gaze back with a paw. "Ranran, do not look at them. Look at me."
"Okay, okay, looking at you." Gu Qianran's eyes dropped to Bai Ziyuan's lips, and her smile turned very strange, exactly like a hardcore creep.
Wait a second. Qin Qiufan's eyes widened as she stared at her daughter's lips. Qin Qiufan had been around the block and could certainly tell this was not from eating chili. It was clearly from being kissed. And the only suspect who could have done it was Gu Qianran.
Which meant the "friend" of the daughter she thought so highly of had suddenly become a son in law, or was it a daughter in law.
As Qin Qiufan's thoughts drifted off target, she yanked them back, carried the dishes to the table, and shot Bai Ziyuan a glare. "After dinner, go wait for me in the study."
Whenever Qin Qiufan said that, it meant a scolding was coming. Bai Ziyuan looked around for help. Ji Tang and Bai Zilu were clearing the table and did not see, while Gu Qianran tried to come over but was blocked by Qin Qiufan.
"Shoo. Do not put on your loving couple act in front of me. Bai Ziyuan, you go by yourself. No calling anyone to keep you company."
Gu Qianran raised a brow. Loving couple. Auntie had figured it out. But how did she notice, a woman's intuition.
Dinner passed with everyone lost in their own thoughts. Bai Zilu happily ate the shrimp Ji Tang peeled for her, joining Bai Qishan in the duo who had not noticed the strange mood.
Ji Tang sensed the oddness hanging in the air, but could not put a finger on what was wrong. Bai Ziyuan picked at her food, worried about whatever she had done to earn a lecture. Seeing her dazed look, Gu Qianran quietly hooked their hands together under the table.
Looking at this tableful of people made Qin Qiufan's head pound. Looking at Bai Qishan, who was calmly eating without a clue, made Qin Qiufan's head hurt even more.
It was not that Qin Qiufan was overthinking, but the atmosphere between this girl named Ji Tang and her elder daughter felt strange too. So Qin Qiufan simply hauled Bai Zilu into the study as well.
Downstairs, Ji Tang and Gu Qianran helped Bai Qishan with the dishes. For some reason, Ji Tang felt a sense of pressure, like something heavy was strapped to her back.
Like a pot.
In the study, Qin Qiufan glared at Bai Ziyuan and asked coolly, "What exactly is going on between you and Gu Qianran."
Other people might be frightened, but Qin Qiufan, like the two Bai sisters, was better at playing cute than being truly angry. Her expression now was more helpless than stern.
"Huh. Um." Bai Ziyuan was slow on the uptake. Qin Qiufan slapped the desk. "Do not play dumb with me. Your lips are red from kissing. Do not tell me there is nothing between you two."
In her heart, Bai Zilu lit a candle for her little sister and for Gu Qianran. Forced out of the closet by being too eager. Her little sister was truly tragic. As for Gu Qianran, once those two came out, they should be ready for the iron fists of mother and daughter.
But why was she being called in for her sister's issue. She and Ji Tang still had nothing going on.
Bai Ziyuan looked in the mirror and realized there was still a faint swollen red on her lips. She cried out inwardly. She had been too busy enjoying herself and had not noticed. Ranran as well, she had said not at home, and now look what happened. She was about to cry.
Qin Qiufan just looked at her. Helpless she was indeed helpless. Her daughter had been silly since childhood and never much into dating. How did silly turn into bent. And by the looks of it, she was the one who got carried off.
Bai Ziyuan hesitated for a while, then summoned her courage and bowed to Qin Qiufan. "Mom, I am sorry. We are together."
Her eyes were rimmed red. She decided that if her mom tried to split them up, she would cry for her.
"Is she serious." Already braced for a storm, Bai Ziyuan looked at her mother in confusion. Qin Qiufan sighed, helpless. "Look at you. I have not said anything and you are already about to cry. If I really got angry, who knows what foolish thing you would do. Seems like Gu Qianran has truly carried you off. Your mom is open minded. The legalization of same sex marriage is about to be implemented. I just hope you two are serious, not fooling around."
Bai Ziyuan nodded like mad. "Yes yes yes, we are definitely serious."
Qin Qiufan slanted her a look, full of disdain. "Look at you. Your dad and I started in high school too, so I will not lecture you. Just remember, study well, and do not delay that girl. She looks very outstanding to me, not short on admirers."
"Mhm mhm, Ranran is super outstanding." Bai Ziyuan knew her mom had agreed, and her eyes lit up at once. To her, praising Gu Qianran felt even better than being praised herself.
Could not be helped. She had good taste. She had found such an excellent girlfriend.
Seeing her daughter's heart take flight, Qin Qiufan waved her away.
Bai Ziyuan blew her mother a flying kiss on the way out. "Thank you, Mom. Mom, you are the best."
Children have their own fortunes. Parents should provide guidance, but the choices should be left in the children's hands. Every child is an independent person. Parents should not think they can control everything just because they gave birth.
Bai Zilu was utterly baffled. That was it. She had thought her mom would deliver a long and earnest lecture to her sister, but it ended in a few lines. And with approval.
She was just about to leave when Qin Qiufan called her back. "Bai Zilu, I have not asked you about you and Ji Tang."
Bai Zilu pulled a long face. "Mom, you cannot suspect me just because my sister is bent. Ji Tang and I have nothing. Yet."
"Yet. What do you mean yet. Be honest." Rarely, Qin Qiufan seized the key word in her daughter's sentence. Bai Zilu's heart gave a thump. So that worked too. Sherlock Holmes would call that professional. She had just been teasing her sister for being forced out because of swollen lips, and then she turned around and sold herself out.
Ah. This time she really would be driven to tears by her own stupidity.
Knowing she could not hide it, she ducked her head and muttered, "It is just that I like her, but I do not know if she likes me."
Qin Qiufan's head ached double. She knew it. If one daughter was not bent, fine, but if she bent, she bent into a pair.
"She does not even like you and you still crowd forward." At this moment, Bai Zilu was very stubborn. "Anyway, she is single too. I am set on her for life. Mom, do not say anything. I am definitely going to win her back home." Bai Zilu decided to go all in. This was heaven dropping a chance. Her sister had just come out, and her mom's acceptance had been decent. If she came clean now, she might even get her mom's support.
For the sake of her future happiness, Bai Zilu decided to gamble. To gamble that her mom would not stand in her way.
"Then go chase her." Qin Qiufan's tone took a sudden hundred eighty degree turn.
Bai Zilu: huh.
Qin Qiufan continued, fiercely protective. "You are not lacking either. Why would she not like you. If you like her, then chase her, like your dad chased me back then. You two are grown. I cannot manage much. Just do not get hurt."
Bai Zilu's eyes also turned a little red. Though strict sometimes, Qin Qiufan had always given them absolute freedom in matters of personal privacy. Like now, something most families would beat their kids over, and their mom simply asked them not to get hurt.
For Bai Zilu to be born in such a family, she must have saved the world in a past life.
Qin Qiufan dabbed her eyes and asked her to call Bai Qishan over. When she opened the door, she saw Bai Ziyuan standing there with the look of someone caught in the act. Bai Ziyuan had not left at all, but had snuck around the corner to eavesdrop on Bai Zilu's coming out. While listening, she thought, clearly my sister can be quite alpha, so why does she turn all timid when it is Ji Tang.
Best girlfriends should listen in on each other's walls. Bai Zilu chased Bai Ziyuan around until she was out of breath, then went to fetch Bai Qishan.
Bai Ziyuan skipped downstairs and dove into Gu Qianran's arms, sitting with her on the sofa. Gu Qianran stroked her hair and smiled. "Xiaokeai, did something good happen."
With her head on Gu Qianran's shoulder, Bai Ziyuan grinned brilliantly. "Ranran, I came out to Mom. She agreed. Hee hee." Just thinking that from now on she could openly show off her love with her Ranran made her want to throw her head back and laugh.
Gu Qianran had already guessed. Although coming out on the third visit with the Bai parents felt sudden, the outcome was at least good. Holding her little one, Gu Qianran looked over at Bai Zilu, and saw Bai Zilu with reddened eyes burrowed into Ji Tang's arms, sobbing, while Ji Tang soothed her helplessly. Look closely and you could see that the corners of both mouths were slightly raised.
Bai Ziyuan: you can really act.
On the other side, Dad Bai walked into the study with a bewildered face, and came out a while later just as bewildered. He stared wide eyed at the two pairs downstairs. After a moment's thought, he decided to keep his mouth shut. Heaven knew how shocked he had been when his wife told him both daughters had been carried off.
But since the wife agreed, he would let them be. It was just dating. He and his wife had done it too. As long as his wife was still his, everything was fine. Wife is always right, wife forever, wife is supreme. Henpecked Bai Qishan thought this and that was that.