What Should I do After Binding the Wrong System and the Female Lead comes Knocking at my Door? - Chapter 50

What is called a surprise?

Would someone please explain what exactly is called a surprise?

What! Is called a surprise!

A bunch of people who were each secretly preparing surprises for each other all ended up… surprised.

After a moment of stunned silence, the group began to reshuffle.

Gu Qing returned to Pei Yuanxi’s side. Pei Muchan was being pulled away by Chu Qingyan to pick out a new ring. Bai Zhou and Wen Liang, having nothing more to watch, went back into the store, giggling. In the end, only Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing were left standing at the original spot.

Gu Qing hooked her pinky finger with Pei Yuanxi’s. “We’ll talk when we get home. Let’s buy the rings first.”

Pei Yuanxi wanted to laugh but forced herself to stay serious.

The moment she saw Gu Qing, she realized  Aqing also wanted to prepare a surprise for me.

The reason things turned out this way was simple: too many people were trying to prepare surprises at the same time…

But really, are rings that cliché?

Why did everyone pick rings as their surprise gift?

And all from the same store?!

But…

Even if the ring surprise had lost its effectiveness, it didn’t really matter to Pei Yuanxi.

Because her trump card had never been the ring  it was the lingerie wedding dress!

In fact, this could work out even better.

Aqing probably suspected that something romantic would happen on Valentine’s Day  just like she herself had been anticipating a surprise from Gu Qing.

Once someone starts guessing what’s coming, the impact of the actual surprise is greatly reduced.

But now, since both sides’ surprises had been exposed in advance, neither would be expecting anything else for Valentine’s Day.

So when she finally brings out her trump card  the lingerie wedding dress  how could Aqing possibly resist?

Meanwhile, over on Gu Qing’s side, she was also deep in thought.

First, she felt relieved  relieved that she and her sister Pei Muchan had made buying rings the final stop.

After having tea, the two of them had first gone to a bridal shop to try on wedding dresses. One of the dresses Gu Qing tried on had already been sent directly to her original villa.

Then they helped set up a Valentine’s Day surprise: all the billboards and lights across the entire city would display Chu Qingyan’s name and photo. Only after all that did they come to buy the rings.

Which means… Pei Yuanxi shouldn’t know about the dress.

Gu Qing’s thoughts aligned with Pei Yuanxi’s: her wedding dress card would now become her ultimate surprise the ace up her sleeve.

Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing went back into the shop to pick out their rings.

The clerk who had been serving them was dumbfounded…

How long had it been? Why were they all shuffled again?

Still, her strong professionalism kept her smiling as she introduced the rings one by one.

The value of a diamond ring lies not in the ring itself but in the meaning people attach to it — love.

Those who like diamonds really like them. Those who don’t, see them as a mere formality.

Honestly, none of the people in this group seemed to care too deeply about diamond rings.

Even Bai Zhou  when Wen Liang showed her a gigantic pigeon-egg-sized diamond ring she’d picked out stomped on Wen Liang’s foot.

“If you’ve got that kind of money, why not just buy gold bars like Pei Yuanxi said?!”

Let’s be real  between a safe full of diamonds and a safe full of gold bars, which would you pick?

Too many diamonds would just dull the senses. But gold bars?

Has anyone ever complained about having too much gold?

So no one got too hung up on the selection they all picked their rings casually.

After all, the Valentine’s Day surprise rings were just accessories.

Pei Yuanxi and Gu Qing had already discussed it: the real romantic gesture was Pei Muchan’s grand surprise across the city. For Chu Qingyan, the fact that Pei Muchan was willing to prepare a ring gift at all was already deeply moving.

As for Chu Qingyan  well, the ring really was all she prepared.

But then again… she had waited for Pei Muchan for more than a decade. Pei Muchan had better not expect anything more! Would she dare?

And Bai Zhou and Wen Liang…

There’s just no explaining them.

Because you never know what these two are capable of…

They might not even plan to wear their rings on Valentine’s Day…

After the ring shopping, Pei Muchan invited everyone: “Since we all met up like this, why don’t we grab a meal together?”

Everyone immediately found an excuse to leave.

Pei Muchan: …

Chu Qingyan chuckled, “C’mon now, you know they all get stressed around you.”

“I just didn’t think even Xiao Xi and Aqing wouldn’t eat with me.”

Chu Qingyan smirked. “That’s because they’re rushing home to settle accounts. It’s one thing to prepare a surprise with good intentions, but lying to your lover while doing it? Not okay. Isn’t that right, dear Muchan, who needed something from Xiao Xi?”

Pei Muchan: “…Can you let me save some face? Let’s talk at home.”

Back home…

“Student Aqing, who went shopping with her ‘sister-in-law,’ it’s now time for your explanation. I’ll determine your punishment based on how well you justify yourself.”

Pei Yuanxi sat on the sofa, arms crossed, looking down at Gu Qing, who obediently hung her head.

“I was wrong,” Gu Qing admitted instantly, no hesitation at all.

Pei Yuanxi raised a brow. “Oh? What were you wrong about?”

“I was wrong to lie to you. Even if I wanted to prepare a surprise, I shouldn’t have done it this way. I’m sorry. Next time I’ll still uh, I mean, next time I’ll change.”

“…”

Pei Yuanxi cleared her throat. “Fine. Since your attitude is sincere, I’ll forgive you this time. But you still need to be punished.”

Gu Qing mumbled under her breath: “Please go easy on me, Master.”

Pei Yuanxi: ???

She stared at Gu Qing in disbelief. “What… did you just say?!”

Did she really just hear that come out of Gu Qing’s mouth?!

Did Gu Qing steal Bai Zhou and Wen Liang’s script?

Damn…

This was… kinda hot.

“Don’t try that with me! I’m not going easy on you just because you say a few spicy lines!”

Pei Yuanxi pointed righteously at Gu Qing.

“Yes, Master. I never planned to escape punishment. Please, unleash your full wrath!”

Pei Yuanxi couldn’t hold back anymore. She placed a hand on Gu Qing’s forehead, then pinched her cheeks. “No fever. Are you sure you’re my Gu Qing? Did the system mess up, and my Aqing returned to her original world?”

“Begone, demon! Return my Aqing to me!”

“Dawei Tianlong!”

Gu Qing lowered her gaze slightly. “Then are you coming to exorcise me?”

Pei Yuanxi: …

She scooped Gu Qing up in a princess carry and walked toward the bedroom.

“I’m only doing this to exorcise the demon. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Gu Qing looked up at her with shining eyes. “Then can I ask… how exactly do you plan to do it?”

Pei Yuanxi let out a dark chuckle. “You’ll find out very soon.”

Just as she was about to pounce on Gu Qing in bed, Gu Qing poked her on the forehead with a finger.

“There’s something I want to discuss. It’s about our future.”

Pei Yuanxi: …

Here we go again?

So, if she gives the “wrong” answer, there’ll be no “punishment,” huh?

Such a sneaky move!

Pei Yuanxi scoffed, totally forgetting that the “pounce” was meant to be a punishment in the first place.

“Alright, speak.”

Gu Qing took a moment to gather her thoughts.

“Yuanxi, if our relationship were to become public one day… what would you do?”

Pei Yuanxi paused. “Then I probably wouldn’t be able to stay in the entertainment industry anymore. Why? If you still want to act, I can find a way”

Gu Qing smiled softly. “Don’t be so hasty. What I meant was  after leaving the industry, what would you want to do?”

Pei Yuanxi thought for a moment.

“Probably stick with my original plan  focus on developing the studio. Actually, it’s about time to sign a few more artists. Wenwen can’t carry everything alone. And I want to plan for Wenwen and Bai Zhou’s future too.”

Gu Qing nodded  that was exactly what she had expected.

She hugged Pei Yuanxi close. “Then what about me? What do you plan to do with me?”

Pei Yuanxi scratched her head awkwardly. “Well… I was thinking I’d make you my personal secretary. Like how my sister and sister-in-law work together.”

Gu Qing gently stroked Pei Yuanxi’s cheek.

“But what if I don’t know how to do anything?”

“Once the studio starts running, there’ll be tons of work. You’ll be swamped. If I can’t help and just add to your burden, wouldn’t that be worse?”

Pei Yuanxi thought Gu Qing was backing out of the secretary job and got flustered. “I can teach you! No one’s born knowing everything. It’s all about learning!”

Gu Qing interrupted. “That’s something only someone bearing the burden can say.”

Pei Yuanxi froze.

“What… what do you mean?”

Gu Qing sighed. “Of course you can say you’ll teach me even if you’re busy — because you’re the one shouldering the responsibility.”

“But I can’t. I couldn’t accept it in good conscience. I’d always feel guilty. And have you thought about how it would look to your employees?”

“They’d think the boss just hires based on favoritism. So what if they pull a few strings? Who’s going to stop them?”

“Especially in the entertainment industry, where connections and reputation mean everything.”

“You might not see the effects right away, but do you really think it’ll be good for the company?”

Pei Yuanxi was speechless.

She wasn’t dumb. She’d thought about all this. She just hadn’t wanted to face it.

“So what do we do?” she asked softly.

Gu Qing smiled. “What if I go to MuXi?”

“Huh?”

Pei Yuanxi was caught off guard. How did this suddenly involve MuXi?

“My sister asked if I wanted to study at MuXi for a while. Honestly, I’m tempted. I’d be working under my sister-in-law, not even part of the core team. But I’d actually be learning.”

“She and my sister would teach me everything they know. Once I’ve learned enough, I can come back to help you. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Pei Yuanxi let out a breath.

“All that talking just to say this? Honestly, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve suggested you train under my sister sooner or later. You just brought it up earlier than I’d planned.”

“Actually, going earlier might be a good thing.” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Alright. No problem.”

“But Aqing, you are coming back afterward, right?”

She couldn’t have Gu Qing disappear into MuXi forever  what about her “Office Romance: Hidden & Forbidden Love” plan?!

But Gu Qing shook her head. “My sister wants me to ask you something: If I turn out to have strong business talent, would you still want me back in your little studio?”

Pei Yuanxi: ??

She felt a little indignant  what do you mean, “little” studio?!

But… if Gu Qing really had a head for business, she didn’t want to waste that talent.

Gu Qing chuckled. “Don’t worry. If that happens, I won’t abandon your side.”

Pei Yuanxi’s eyes lit up. “What do you mean?”

“Your studio is still privately owned. I’d probably use MuXi’s name to acquire it  use it as MuXi’s stepping stone into the entertainment industry. That way, I’d stay close to you, and your career would reach new heights.”

Pei Yuanxi was stunned.

Wow.

Nothing’s even happened yet, and you’re already planning to acquire my studio?!

Gu Qing wasn’t done.

“Actually, my sister should’ve done it long ago. She probably just wanted you to enjoy your freedom a little longer.”

Pei Yuanxi nodded.

“Well, it’s fine. Your sister wants you happy. Your wife wants you with her. Who do you choose?”

Pei Yuanxi’s eyes widened.

Wife?

Wife!!

She lunged like a hungry tiger.

Gu Qing: …

Oops.

Maybe that was a bit too much…