What Should I do After Binding the Wrong System and the Female Lead comes Knocking at my Door? - Chapter 42

“A Qing, A Qing!”

“Wake up, it’s snowing!”

It was the morning of New Year’s Day.

Gu Qing drowsily opened her eyes from the warm blankets. Still wrapped in lingering sleepiness, the first thing she saw was Pei Yuanxi sitting at the edge of the bed, gazing out at the snow-covered world.

Overnight, the rooftops looked like they were wearing thick white felt hats, and the ground was blanketed with soft white fluff. It was nature’s most beautiful gift—pure poetry rising in the cold dawn air.

Pei Yuanxi turned back, eyes sparkling. “Let’s go outside and build a snowman later, okay?”

“No.”

Gu Qing lazily yawned, slowly scooting over to snuggle up behind Pei Yuanxi, wrapping the blanket tightly around them both.

Pei Yuanxi blinked in surprise. “What’s wrong?”

She had always loved snow. As a kid, building snowmen was one of the few joys that didn’t cost money pure happiness.

Even now, Pei Yuanxi would build a snowman every time it snowed, take a photo, and post it on Weibo.

Gu Qing rested her forehead on Yuanxi’s back and mumbled, “You’re really asking me that? Do you remember what time we stopped last night? You had endless energy.”

“Ahem, ahem…” Pei Yuanxi coughed awkwardly.

They had gone a bit wild last night. Even when Gu Qing was too exhausted to move, Pei Yuanxi had insisted she put on the bunny costume.

That little bell jingled for a long time…

The memory made Pei Yuanxi’s face flush bright red.

“You rest a bit more. I’ll go make dumplings and call you when they’re ready.”

Gu Qing shook her head and wrapped her arms around Yuanxi’s neck. “Carry me to the bathroom.”

“At your service, my lady!” Pei Yuanxi said as she hoisted Gu Qing up by the legs.

Gu Qing chuckled helplessly but still played along and patted her on the shoulder.

“Giddy-up… giddy-up!”

Pei Yuanxi carried Gu Qing while bouncing slightly, heading toward the bathroom. As she walked, she provided her own sound effects:

“Guo Degang… Guo Degang…”

Gu Qing snuggled her cheek into Yuanxi’s neck and curiously asked:

“What does that mean?”

“I’m imitating the sound of a horse running. Oh right, you’re a time-traveler, so you don’t get the reference.”

Gu Qing made a few grumbly noises and dropped a deadly question:

“Are you saying we have nothing in common to talk about?”

“Uhhh…”

“A Qing, you’ve changed!”

“Okay, okay how about I call it ‘Pigsy carrying his wife,’ does that work?”

Gu Qing nodded in satisfaction. “Then make Pigsy’s noise.”

“How does Pigsy sound again?”

“Hmph-chhh… hmph-chhh.”

Pei Yuanxi adjusted Gu Qing’s position. “Turns out the one I’m carrying is a little piglet!”

“Pei Yuanxi!”

“Ah! Hahaha don’t tickle me stop! I’m dying, hahaha!”

…

“So beautiful…”

Pei Muchan stood at the doorway, gazing out at the snow-covered world. Everything her eyes touched was pure white, whispering the quiet elegance and gentleness unique to snow. The world seemed so calm, so clean.

Chu Qingyan rolled her eyes.

“You’ve been standing there since early morning. Just admit you’re waiting for Yuanxi. Stop pretending you’re ‘admiring the snow.’”

Pei Muchan shook her head. “I just think the snowy roads are slippery. I’m a little worried about Xiao Xi and A Qing.”

Chu Qingyan muttered, “You never run out of things to worry about.”

Then she smirked, eyes glinting. “Hey, they’re still not here could it be… something happened last night that made them sleep in?”

Pei Muchan: …

“Xiao Xi has loved snow since she was little. Maybe they got caught up playing and lost track of time.”

“Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that. But I’ll say this now that you’ve accepted Gu Qing, you better treat her like your own sister. No favoritism.”

Pei Muchan nodded. “Of course.”

Chu Qingyan pointed outside. “Look, here come your two ‘dear little sisters.’ I gotta say they do look good together.”

Pei Muchan watched Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing approach.

“Hmm. Standing next to A Qing, Xiao Xi actually looks more mature.”

But just as she said that, the sister she’d just praised bent down to scoop up a big snowball and shouted, “Sis! Over here!”

Pei Muchan watched helplessly as that giant snowball flew straight at her and splattered on her coat.

Pei Muchan: …

Chu Qingyan burst out laughing.

Pei Yuanxi, grinning, pulled Gu Qing up to them. “Sister, Sister-in-law Happy New Year!”

Gu Qing also chimed in softly, “Happy New Year, Sister. Sister-in-law.”

Chu Qingyan pulled out two big red envelopes and handed them to Gu Qing. “Happy New Year to you both. These are from me and Muchan.”

Gu Qing smiled and accepted them without fuss. “Thank you, Sister-in-law. Thank you, Sister.”

Pei Yuanxi looked confused.

“Sister-in-law, where’s mine?”

Gu Qing quietly pointed at Pei Muchan.

Pei Yuanxi got the hint and leaned over with a cheeky smile. “Oh dear, sis, how did your coat get all snowy? So careless! Here, your little sister will clean it for you.”

Pei Muchan sighed and gently tapped her sister’s head, finally handing over the red envelopes.

Since Chu Qingyan’s whole family was spending New Year’s at Pei Muchan’s place, Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing gave New Year greetings to Chu’s parents before heading out.

There really wasn’t much for them to do there, and Pei Muchan and Chu Qingyan were taking the Chu family on a tour of the capital anyway.

So, Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing figured they might as well go hang out with Bai Zhou and Wen Liang.

The timing worked out, and soon the four of them were sitting in a café together.

“Isn’t today New Year’s Day? Why are you two still stuck together?” Pei Yuanxi couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Bai Zhou really was something.

Always saying she was just “playing with Wen Liang’s feelings” and could never fall for her—yet here they were, practically glued together every day. And Bai Zhou didn’t even seem to mind.

Bai Zhou waved her off. “Forget her I actually came to find you. My parents invited you over. They want to thank you for all you’ve done for me over the years. So I figured you and A Qing could come for dinner?”

But before Pei Yuanxi could answer, Wen Liang chimed in:

“Too bad. My family also asked me to invite Yuanxi over. It’s been a while since you came by, and Grandma misses you.”

A few years ago, Pei Yuanxi had played an opera singer in a drama. Wen Liang’s family were opera experts, so Yuanxi had gone to their house often to learn.

Over time, they’d grown quite close. Wen Liang’s family had even tried to get Yuanxi to come over more often.

After Pei Yuanxi’s real identity was revealed, they became more reserved probably to avoid misunderstanding or awkwardness between her and Wen Liang. Smart folks.

And Pei Yuanxi held deep respect for Wen Liang’s grandmother. Every year, she’d go pay her respects during the New Year.

Pei Yuanxi chuckled. “Sounds like both your families are treating me like a future daughter-in-law.”

Suddenly, both Bai Zhou and Wen Liang went silent.

Feeling Gu Qing’s cold fingers around her waist, Yuanxi started to panic.

“Wait, why aren’t you guys saying anything?! Say something call me narcissistic or something!”

“Wen Liang, speak!”

Wen Liang rubbed her temple. “You know, Yuanxi, my family has known I like girls for a long time. You’re my first true friend over the years, and they really like you too… So yeah, it’s kinda natural they’d try to play matchmaker.”

Pei Yuanxi’s fingers went numb. “Okay… I can accept that logic. But what about you, Bai Zhou? Aren’t you the straightest girl in existence? Why would your family think that?”

Bai Zhou awkwardly cleared her throat. “Well… I came out.”

Everyone froze. Wen Liang looked at her, stunned. “Since when? How come I didn’t know?”

“Why would I tell you!?” Bai Zhou snapped.

“It was just a few days ago. My mom tried to set me up again, so I told her I like women. She was surprisingly chill about it, and even started trying to guess who I liked.”

“I didn’t tell her, but she started speculating and figured it might be you since I’ve always been around you…”

Pei Yuanxi felt like collapsing.

Was she even going to be allowed in her own bed tonight?

She dared not look at Gu Qing’s quietly resentful expression, so she forced a laugh. “Welp… what a mess this turned into.”

“That’s why I wanted you and A Qing to come over,” Bai Zhou said matter-of-factly. “Once they see you two together, they’ll drop it.”

Wen Liang raised her hand. “Same here.”

Pei Yuanxi finally turned to Gu Qing. “What do you think?”

Gu Qing smiled. “I’m fine with it.”

A Qing’s smile… sign of impending doom.

Alright then. Since these two had just destroyed her chances of sleeping peacefully tonight, she might as well enjoy the show.

“You know, since the timing overlaps… I have an idea,” Yuanxi said. “We’ve known each other for years, but your families still haven’t met. Isn’t that a bit weird?”

“So how about we all go out for dinner together? My treat. We can introduce our families and make a little announcement about me and A Qing while we’re at it. Sound good?”

She finished with a sweet, sly smile as the other two exchanged stunned looks.

“Why so quiet again?” she teased.

“What are you afraid to meet each other’s parents?”

Bai Zhou slammed the table. “Of course not!”

“So you guys do think this won’t last, huh? That’s why you’re avoiding it?”

Wen Liang slammed the table harder. “No way!”

Yuanxi grinned and slapped the table a third time. “Good! Settled. I’ll pick a date and better yet, I’ll personally call them and invite them over.”

Bai Zhou & Wen Liang: …

They were so hoping to agree now and delay later.

Pei Yuanxi turned to Gu Qing and flashed a victorious look.

Ha! If I couldn’t outplay you two after all these years, I wouldn’t be worthy of being your boss.

Gu Qing suddenly found that even the annoying jingling of the bunny suit’s bell from last night didn’t seem so irritating anymore in fact, it was rather… lovely.

Not because she liked Pei Yuanxi publicly declaring their relationship or anything like that…

Nope, just because… she liked the bell.

Watching Yuanxi already dialing a number, Gu Qing quietly pulled out her own phone to do some searching.

She always called her “Teacher Pei,” and Yuanxi really seemed to like that.

Hmm… wonder if Teacher Gu was something Yuanxi would like?

Oh, and she’d definitely need a pointer stick…