What Should I do After Binding the Wrong System and the Female Lead comes Knocking at my Door? - Chapter 43

“Happy New Year, Aunty Grandma.”

Pei Yuanxi stood at the entrance of the restaurant to greet Wen Liang and her family.

“Yuanxi, long time no see. We didn’t see you at home this year either.”

Wen’s mother helped the elderly lady into the private dining room.

“Aiya, I wanted to come! But I’ve been so busy this year. Now that I finally have time, I thought I’d treat you all to a big meal.”

The old lady happily took Pei Yuanxi’s hand. “I haven’t even congratulated you on winning Best Actress!”

Pei Yuanxi chuckled, “I owe most of that to you. Without your guidance back then, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

“Oh right, why didn’t Uncle come?”

Wen’s mother smiled and said, “It’s a ladies’ gathering—what would he do here?”

“Hahaha.”

Pei Yuanxi added, “I didn’t just invite you today—I also invited Bai Zhou’s mom. She came alone too. I asked her the same question and she gave me the same answer.”

Wen’s mother thought for a moment. “I think I’ve heard Wen Wen mention this Bai Zhou before, but not too many times. Is she also a good friend of yours?”

Pei Yuanxi was speechless. Wen Liang really kept things under wraps.

“The three of us have been friends for years. You could call us the best trio.”

Wen’s mother didn’t think much of it. “As long as you’re there, I’m fine with whoever Wen Liang hangs out with.”

If it had been before, Pei Yuanxi would have gladly accepted such praise with a big smile. But now, she couldn’t help feeling there was a deeper meaning behind the words.

“Auntie, I also have an important announcement to make—I have a girlfriend. She’s already in the room with Wen Wen and Ah Zhou.”

Wen’s mother paused mid-step, but the old lady just smiled and kept walking. “Then you must introduce her to us properly. You’ve been single all these years, and I’ve always worried about you.”

Wen’s mother regained her smile. “Does your sister know?”

The old lady subtly squeezed her daughter-in-law’s hand.

Pei Yuanxi nodded. “We had New Year’s dinner together at our old home with my sister and my sister-in-law.”

“Oh? Your sister’s seeing someone too?”

“Yes, they were college classmates. My sister-in-law has been by her side all these years.”

The old lady sighed. “That’s not easy. You siblings have had a tough journey, but I believe the best days are ahead.”

Pei Yuanxi hinted, “Wen Wen’s good days are coming soon too. Just you wait and see.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

Not only the old lady but Wen’s mother also looked curiously at Pei Yuanxi.

They knew Pei Yuanxi wouldn’t say such things without a reason.

“Let me keep it a surprise for now. It wouldn’t be meaningful if I were the one to say it.”

The old lady laughed. “Alright, alright, I’ll wait.”

Pei Yuanxi led them to the door of the private room. “Everyone’s here now. I’ll go grab the drinks. Auntie, Grandma, go on in.”

“Go, go. Don’t worry about us.”

After Pei Yuanxi left, the old lady turned to her daughter-in-law with a chuckle. “Still not giving up after all these years?”

Wen’s mother sighed in frustration. “Mom, I really thought Yuanxi and Wen Wen would be a perfect match. You’ve never supported me on this over the years. Now look—just like that, a good match is gone.”

The old lady snorted. “I’ve been performing opera since I was a teenager. I’ve seen the elite and the commoners. I can read people with my eyes closed.”

“You’re not wrong. If Wen Wen and Yuanxi had ended up together, it would’ve been a great match. But from the first time Yuanxi came to our house, I knew it wasn’t meant to be.”

“And anyway, the bond between Wen Wen and Yuanxi now—isn’t that a good fate too?”

Wen’s mother sighed again but then perked up. “From what Yuanxi said, does Wen Wen have someone?”

The old lady nodded. “I suspect it’s that Bai Zhou girl. Yuanxi said the three of them have been close for years. But think—how often has Wen Wen ever mentioned Bai Zhou at home? It’s always Yuanxi this, Yuanxi that.”

Wen’s mother had a sudden realization. She was nearly fuming.

So all along, the one her daughter really liked was the one she never talked about?

And all that mention of Yuanxi was just a smokescreen?

Still, she was a bit concerned. “From what Yuanxi said, Bai Zhou must be a good girl. But her mother’s here too…”

“Don’t worry,” the old lady comforted her. “Nothing seems out of place. Let’s hear what the kids say. We just need to be prepared.”

Pei Yuanxi had waited outside until the two had finished their conversation, then entered the room.

She had done this on purpose giving the elder ladies time to talk and prepare.

When she stepped in, the room was full of laughter. The families had already introduced themselves to each other.

Pei Yuanxi sat beside Gu Qing and took her hand, introducing her to everyone: “This is my girlfriend, Gu Qing. Aunties, you can just call her Xiao Qing.”

Bai Zhou’s mom smiled. “We’ve already introduced ourselves. I must say, she and you look so perfect together just seeing you side-by-side, I can tell. And her personality is absolutely lovely. I dream of having a daughter like that.”

Bai Zhou rolled her eyes but said nothing.

Pei Yuanxi gave Bai Zhou and Wen Liang a look and mock-scolded them, “The three of us are such good friends, and yet this is the first time our aunties are meeting? What’s going on with you two?”

Then she tapped the table in mock regret. “This is partly my fault too. I didn’t realize how clueless you two could be without me. So today’s dinner has two purposes: One is to introduce my girlfriend to all of you, hoping for your blessings. The second is for everyone to get to know each other better.”

Cough cough cough…

Wen Liang almost choked on her tea.

Seriously so this is what “the good kid in the eyes of parents” looks like?

Pei Yuanxi, you’re such a fox!

Wen’s mother nodded in agreement. “She’s right. I’ve just met Xiao Qing and I already feel like we’ve known each other forever. If only these two could be half as thoughtful as Yuanxi, I wouldn’t have had to worry so much.”

Bai Zhou’s mom nudged her daughter. “Look at you. You’ve been following Yuanxi as her manager for years, and yet this never occurred to you?”

Pei Yuanxi laughed quietly to herself.

Gu Qing shot her a disapproving glance, warning her not to push too far.

Pei Yuanxi straightened up. Time to switch gears it was time to help the other two leave a good impression.

“Let me reintroduce them properly. Wen Liang was the first good friend I made when I entered the entertainment industry, and after all these years, she’s still the only true friend I have in this circle.”

“All this time, we’ve worked together closely. I truly believe she’s no less talented than I am she’s just been missing an opportunity. She’s now part of my studio, and I believe it won’t be long before everyone sees her brilliance.”

She then turned to Bai Zhou.

“Ah Zhou has been my manager all these years. She’s highly educated, well-raised.”

“Honestly, I sometimes feel I’ve held her back.”

“She often says being a manager is the least impressive of her many talents, and I have to agree.”

“Before becoming my manager, she was part of my sister’s elite secretary team at Mu Xi Investments. She got in right after college through several rounds of interviews and was immediately noticed by my sister-in-law.”

“My sister-in-law wanted to mentor her, but then I entered the entertainment industry, and my sister wanted someone smart and reliable by my side someone who could represent Mu Xi externally and support me internally. So they chose Ah Zhou.”

“Even recently, both my sister and sister-in-law tried to bring her back. They said keeping her with me was their biggest regret it’s a waste of talent.”

Wen’s mother looked thoughtful. “She’s a good girl.”

Bai Zhou’s mother smiled awkwardly. “Yuanxi gives her too much credit. I’m just glad she’s safe and steady by Yuanxi’s side.”

Meanwhile, the two “honorees” sat quietly, nibbling their food without saying a word.

They knew this wasn’t their stage.

Pei Yuanxi continued, “Honestly, both Wen Liang and Ah Zhou have taken care of me all these years. I’ve always thought of them like big sisters.”

“And especially now that I’m with Ah Qing, these two sisters helped us a lot behind the scenes!”

“But then I thought how come they’re so smart, yet can’t get their own love lives together?”

Bai Zhou stiffened and muttered, “Strategists never fight on the battlefield!”

Her mom kicked her under the table.

If she didn’t realize what was going on by now, she’d be an idiot.

This whole gathering was clearly orchestrated with intent.

And now, her daughter couldn’t even act mature in front of the other parents?

Pei Yuanxi grinned. She’d been wondering how to segue now Bai Zhou had handed it to her.

“Ah Zhou, didn’t you always say you were straight? Why the sudden coming out recently? What happened?”

Bai Zhou froze.

She glared at Pei Yuanxi, who looked back fearlessly.

“Pei Yuanxi! Just you wait!”

“You think I’m scared of you?”

Before they could finish their staring contest, Bai Zhou’s mother joined in. “I’d like to know too. This kid’s never been in a relationship. Then one day she suddenly tells me she likes women. I don’t mind—love is love, as long as she’s happy. But I still want to know what made her realize it?”

Bai Zhou turned to Gu Qing with pleading eyes.

Boss lady, save me.

Gu Qing gave her a helpless look.

Bai Zhou clenched her fists and took a deep breath, just as she was about to speak—

Ding.

Wen Liang had placed her teacup down.

Wen Liang calmly wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“It was me.”

Bai Zhou looked at her in shock.

Wen Liang lowered her gaze. “Sorry. That was my fault.”

“All these years, I’ve had someone I liked. But she always insisted she was straight, so I buried those feelings deep.”

“A few days ago, seeing Yuanxi and Ah Qing together made me realize I was jealous. I didn’t want to keep hiding anymore. I needed to be honest with my feelings.”

“So I took the initiative and confessed to Ah Zhou.”

“That night, I got her drunk. I won’t go into details, but we’ve been together ever since.”

Wen’s mother looked at her daughter in disbelief. Her hands trembled as she pointed at her. “What? How could you do that! Is this how I raised you?”

“Sorry. That was my mistake.”

Wen’s mother slapped her across the face.

“How dare you?!”

Gu Qing looked worriedly at Pei Yuanxi, who shook her head slightly and whispered, “It’s okay. If Wen Wen really wants to be with Ah Zhou, she has to take this slap.”

“Her approach was wrong, too manipulative. If we don’t address it now, it’ll become a bigger issue later.”

“I think Wen Wen realized that too, or she wouldn’t have spoken up in front of everyone.”

Gu Qing nodded thoughtfully. “So… this was all planned?”

Pei Yuanxi shook her head. “No. This is about responsibility and accountability.”

Bai Zhou stared at the red mark on Wen Liang’s face, her eyes reddening.

Her mother stepped in, trying to de-escalate. “Don’t hit the child—I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as she made it sound.”

“I know my daughter. She’s no innocent. Bai Zhou, speak up!”

Bai Zhou’s eyes stayed fixed on Wen Liang. Her voice trembled as she said, “Auntie, don’t hit her. I wasn’t drunk that night. I… I was sober. I agreed.”

Wen Liang was stunned, but lowered her gaze again and said nothing.

Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing were dumbfounded.

Wait… you mean all that performance in front of them at the hotel, and the show you put on at Yi Ren’s place…

Was all of that to help them out?

Don’t do this, Zhou God!

Please say it was just to cover for Wen Liang…

Otherwise, the three of themPei Yuanxi, Gu Qing, and Wen Liang would look like complete clowns.

Sobs…

Bai Zhou’s mom huffed. “She’s always been a tricky one. I’ll admit, Wen Wen made a good impression on me, but trying to trap this girl with such tactics? Almost worked.”

“So relax. Just consider it a way to deepen their feelings.”

Wen’s mother finally let out a breath.

“Wen Liang, your turn.”

Wen Liang took a deep breath. “Mom, Grandma, Auntie I promise you, I’m serious about Ah Zhou. Please give me a chance.”

Bai Zhou’s mom beamed. “Come, sit. Bai Zhou! Go ask the waiter for some ice for Wen Liang’s face!”

Bai Zhou got up silently and left the room.

Wen Liang’s gaze followed her. Once she was out, she stood up too. “Sorry, I’ll go check on her.”

After Wen Liang left, Wen’s mother turned to Bai Zhou’s mom. “Sister, I’m sorry.”

Bai Zhou’s mom waved her hand. “I’m more than happy. I’m satisfied with these two being together.”

The old lady smiled. “Let Yuanxi and Ah Qing take me home. You two go out and spend time with the kids.”

Wen’s mother nodded. “You free?”

“Of course I am.”

Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing helped the old lady out. As they passed a side room, Pei Yuanxi peeked inside and saw Bai Zhou and Wen Liang.

The old lady patted her hand. “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

Pei Yuanxi smiled. “Not without your help.”

Seeing Gu Qing’s confused look, Pei Yuanxi explained, “Grandma knew Wen Wen liked Bai Zhou a long time ago. But since Wen Wen never made a move, she didn’t step in.”

“I told her earlier today that Wen Liang’s good news was on the horizon to let her know the relationship had progressed.”

“Without Grandma’s backing, I wouldn’t have dared pull this off.”

Gu Qing looked at the two foxes and wondered quietly: So… who’s the clown now?

Inside the side room

Bai Zhou gently pressed ice to Wen Liang’s cheek.

“Does it hurt?”

Wen Liang shook her head. “I’ve been wanting to apologize seriously, but never had the chance.”

Bai Zhou wiped her tears, forced a smile, and hit Wen Liang lightly. “You idiot had to do it here?”

Wen Liang hesitated. “So… were you really sober that night?”

Bai Zhou huffed. “You’ll never know.”

Wen Liang: ……