Chapter 15: Three Women, One Drama

Compared to Qin Chuan, who was enjoying the show with an eager and relaxed attitude, the atmosphere between the two women at the heart of this storm of conflict was tense and bristling.

“Oh? Who’s speaking? Why can’t I see anyone?” Liu Qingcheng said, shading her eyes with her right hand and pretending to look around.

“I didn’t expect your eyesight to be even worse than your character. You’d better get your eyes checked at the hospital. I’ll even pay for your glasses,” Lan Jin shot back, refusing to be outdone.

“Yes, that’s the spirit!” Qin Chuan thought to himself, feeling that the first round was a draw.

Liu Qingcheng’s opening jab was to mock Lan Jin for being short, leveraging her own advantage. In truth, Lan Jin was not short for a girl—she stood about 1.65 meters—but compared to Liu Qingcheng’s impressive 1.75 meters, it was a clear difference. Lan Jin was the petite, sweet, and delicate type, while Liu Qingcheng exuded a tall, elegant, and seductive charm. Their contrasting styles each had their own allure.

“Oh, so you’re here! What was it you just said, that I’m stealing your man? What’s the matter—are you two married?” Liu Qingcheng swiftly shifted the topic, easily deflecting Lan Jin’s jab about her eyesight and, with effortless grace, homed in on a more crucial point.

“We’re not married, but he’s my boyfriend. Ever heard of first come, first served? Oh, but someone like you, with your questionable morals, probably doesn’t feel any guilt about things like this. After all, interfering in other people’s relationships is practically your daily routine,” Lan Jin retorted, seamlessly following Liu Qingcheng’s lead to turn the attack back on her, painting her as a notorious homewrecker in Qin Chuan’s mind.

Qin Chuan watched with relish; both women were holding their own, neither one getting knocked out. When the receptionist brought him some peanuts and sunflower seeds, he became even more eager for the next round in their sparring match.

“Lan Jin’s fighting spirit is impressive—looks like I picked the right shield!” Qin Chuan silently congratulated himself on his judgment, munching peanuts and seeds with such contentment that the receptionist rolled her eyes at the sight.

The two women’s battle raged on. Faced with Lan Jin’s sharp words, Liu Qingcheng remained unflustered and countered with confidence.

“If you’re not married, then I don’t have any moral qualms about competing for him. It’s a fair contest—may the best woman win. In the end, it’s up to Qin Chuan to choose, isn’t it?”

Lan Jin snorted. “Only you could make being a homewrecker sound so noble. Truly, if you have no morals, you don’t fear being judged by them. Impressive, really!”

“Miss Lan, there’s no need for this sarcasm,” Liu Qingcheng pressed on, relentless. “And perhaps you don’t know—Qin Chuan and I are engaged. Strictly speaking, you’re the one intruding here.” She had now taken the upper hand, her tone aggressive and commanding.

What’s more, Liu Qingcheng was telling the truth, which left Lan Jin momentarily at a loss. Still, she was not one to give up easily.

“I suppose you don’t know—Brother Chuan is here today to break off that engagement,” Lan Jin shot back, deciding to call in reinforcements. Yet for some reason, she couldn’t quite trust Qin Chuan to play the part.

Despite all her earlier insults about Liu Qingcheng’s looks, Lan Jin knew deep down that in terms of appearance and charisma, she held no advantage. Her only edge was the rumor about Liu Qingcheng’s questionable private life—but was it really true, or just malicious gossip? What if someone was slandering Liu Qingcheng on purpose?

The thought made Lan Jin even more anxious. She stared at Qin Chuan, her gaze burning with hope that he would deliver a decisive blow to Liu Qingcheng, perhaps even throw the engagement contract in her face and allow Lan Jin to claim complete victory.

When Qin Chuan didn’t respond immediately, Lan Jin decided to play her trump card. She shook his arm gently, pleading, “Brother Chuan, you won’t let me down, will you?”

A woman’s charm can move mountains, Lan Jin prayed silently.

But just as Qin Chuan was about to speak, Liu Qingcheng quickly moved to his other side, leaned in close to his ear, and whispered, “If you don’t call off the engagement, I’ll keep you warm at night. Think it over before you decide!”

She finished her words with a gentle breath against his ear, a faint fragrance enveloping him. Qin Chuan felt a tickling sensation in his ear and an even stronger itch in his heart.

Especially now, up close, Qin Chuan was more convinced than ever that the rumors about Liu Qingcheng’s wild private life were nonsense; she was, in truth, as innocent as a freshly appointed young official. Of course, he didn’t suspect Lan Jin of slandering her maliciously—this was likely a rumor Liu Qingcheng herself had started for some unknown purpose.

“I can’t hear you; say it louder,” Qin Chuan said, feigning deafness.

Liu Qingcheng raised a brow but showed no other sign of emotion. After a brief pause, she spoke much louder, “I said: if you don’t break off the engagement, I’ll keep you warm at night.”

“Liu Qingcheng, you shameless woman!” Lan Jin exploded, pointing at Liu Qingcheng in outrage.

Liu Qingcheng shrugged, utterly unrepentant. “It’s called fair competition—may the best woman win. If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to try the same tactic!”

“I—” For a moment, Lan Jin was truly at a loss. She knew Liu Qingcheng had her cornered, certain that she would never say something so shameless in public and risk shattering her image as a pure and innocent beauty.

“This woman is so devious!” Lan Jin clenched her teeth, wishing she could bite Liu Qingcheng in retaliation if not for her own reputation.

“I gave you the chance, but you didn’t take it. Don’t blame me for that,” Liu Qingcheng said with a hint of triumph.

Just as Lan Jin had guessed, Liu Qingcheng was well aware of Lan Jin’s style—her so-called open-mindedness was reserved for her closest friends. In public, when it came to boldness, Liu Qingcheng set the standard.

Qin Chuan could only feel a moment of sympathy for Lan Jin. She was, after all, a paper tiger—when faced with someone who really dared to play, she was bound to lose.

As Qin Chuan was contemplating how to diffuse the mounting tension, a cool, clear voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

“President Liu, so you’re here. Have you had the chance to consider the partnership proposal I mentioned?”

Everyone turned to look and saw a stunning woman in a sharp business suit approaching.

Upon seeing her face, a faint smile played at the corners of Qin Chuan’s mouth.

“Three women make a drama—looks like I’m in for a real treat,” he thought, calling the receptionist over again. “Go get me a few bottles of beer.”

The receptionist was even more bewildered, silent for half a minute before, as if possessed, she asked, “Do you want it cold or at room temperature?”

Qin Chuan’s mouth twitched slightly, feeling as if she were teasing him—but he had no proof.