Qiao Chuchu was momentarily stunned, frowning slightly.
Out of politeness, she should agree.
But—
【Although I quite like this kind of dangerous person, letting such a dangerous figure into my life, I really can't.】
【After all, I have no idea what kind of dangerous business the Lou family is involved in. The novel didn’t explain it clearly—just that they're like a mafia. What if they’re involved in something unspeakable?】

"I'm a weapons dealer, legally abroad. I don’t touch anything related to gambling, drugs, or prostitution," Lou Ting Si spoke, his peach blossom eyes smirking as he gazed at her. "Miss Qiao, don’t tell me you think I’m not a good person and don’t want to chat with me?"
Qiao Chuchu froze for a moment, quickly explaining, "No, how could I think that?"
She felt a shiver run down her spine.
【Can this guy read my mind? He just got right to the point.】

Lou Yue Jue looked at his father in surprise.
Could it be that his father also—
Lou Ting Si smiled meaningfully and gestured toward a sofa. "Please, sit."
Qiao Chuchu reluctantly sat down next to Lou Ting Si.
Lou Yue Jue was on her left, Lou Ting Si on her right.
Both of them subtly leaned closer to her.
She sat awkwardly between the father and son, the faint scent of tea lingering in the air, and felt uneasy.
【Why are these two sticking to me? According to the script, the female lead will show up soon, and Lou Yue Jue will notice that she has a warmth like his mother’s. From then on, he’ll become a little fanboy, completely devoted to her.】
【At this point, according to the script, I’m already dead, and my role in this world is over. Why are they even looking for me?】

Qiao Chuchu felt like crying.
【Tsk, it’s my first time talking to a weirdo like this. What should I say? I’m so nervous.】
For some reason, she felt like the atmosphere around her had grown more subtle.
Lou Ting Si handed her a glass of champagne. "Miss Qiao, have you heard of us before?"
Qiao Chuchu took the champagne with both hands and replied softly, "I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Lou. My brothers handle all the matters at home. I’m not very familiar with them."
【That’s a lie! You’re one of my favorite characters! Of course I know about you. I even know what color your tea leaves are!】

Lou Ting Si raised an eyebrow, glancing at Qiao Chuchu.
Qiao Chuchu stared at the bubbles in the champagne, her inner monologue flowing smoothly:
【Born in Y country, Lou Ting Si is an exceptional strategist in his family business. He started practicing shooting at the age of ten, always hitting the mark. Cold-hearted but not without honor, he witnessed his mother with another man and learned that his brother had no blood relation to his father. His mother, holding his brother, shot herself—this childhood trauma caused him to develop a strong aversion to women.】
【But because of his career, he had no choice but to plan for his family’s business. So he borrowed an excellent egg and had his son, Lou Yue Jue, raising him like a single parent. Lou Yue Jue is well-loved and cared for, though he lacks a mother’s love, and is a perfect replica of Lou Ting Si, inheriting his ruthlessness and coldness.】
【Honestly, aside from their mental instability, this father-son duo doesn’t really have any flaws. They don’t deserve such a tragic fate.】

Lou Yue Jue puffed out his chest.
To him, his father’s opinion was the highest praise.
【Actually, this father-son pair has no real issues, other than some mental instability. They shouldn’t end up this way.】
Qiao Chuchu sighed a little regretfully, her gaze drifting inadvertently to the female lead, Xia Xue Chun, who had just arrived. A sharp, excited sound rang in her mind—
【Ah! The female lead is here!】

Pei Yuan and the other brothers looked toward the source of the noise.
The female lead is here?
Lin Qing immediately turned around.
The female lead is here?
Lou Yue Jue looked toward the door.
The female lead is here?!
Qiao Chuchu locked her gaze on Xia Xue Chun, who was holding a tray and moving through the crowd. As she passed in front of their group, Qiao Chuchu smiled at her, saying, "Hello!"
Xia Xue Chun looked at her, and Qiao Chuchu handed her the champagne. "Sorry to trouble you."
Xia Xue Chun slightly furrowed her brow, reluctantly taking the champagne that Qiao Chuchu had already sipped, her gaze briefly landing on Lou Ting Si and Lou Yue Jue, widening in shock.
Qiao Chuchu felt a little secretly excited.
She had inadvertently made Lou Yue Jue notice the female lead, right?

Qiao Chuchu looked eagerly at Lou Yue Jue.
She was about to witness the expression of "interest" that she had heard so much about.
But—
Lou Yue Jue’s eyes were more distracted than a yo-yo, his gaze wandering all over the room, as if looking for something.
Where? Where’s the female lead?
Qiao Chuchu: "?"
【This guy should be completely smitten with the female lead by now. How come, even though she’s right in front of him, he’s looking elsewhere?】

Lou Yue Jue finally looked up and spotted Xia Xue Chun.
Their eyes met.
He froze.
【Ah! They locked eyes! Lou Yue Jue and the female lead finally locked eyes! How’s that, kid? Isn’t your little heart racing now?】

Lou Yue Jue felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
This?
This ordinary woman, the kind you find on any street, could make him feel the warmth of his mother?
She could make him want to die for her?
Just this???
Xia Xue Chun noticed he had been staring at her for a while and, understanding, bent down slightly. "Young Master, would you like something to drink?"
Lou Yue Jue, his anger flaring, snapped, "Screw it, go away!"
Xia Xue Chun: "?"
Qiao Chuchu: "! Lou Yue Jue, what are you doing?"
Lou Yue Jue glared at her. "What do you mean, what am I doing? Do you think I’ve never seen a beautiful woman? How could I possibly care about a woman like—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lou Ting Si suddenly pulled him away!
Lou Yue Jue struggled in Lou Ting Si’s grip. "Dad! Let go of me!"
Lou Ting Si walked off without looking back.
Qiao Chuchu watched the father and son walk away and awkwardly looked at the female lead. "Sorry, this kid’s a little crazy. Don’t take it personally."
Xia Xue Chun stood up straight, her posture becoming high and aloof. "It’s fine."
She muttered softly, "Rich people are always like this, so full of themselves."
Qiao Chuchu: "…"
Full of themselves?
Lou Yue Jue, of course, had offended her.
But was she Qiao Chuchu really full of herself?!
And besides, her seven brothers, Lou Yue Jue, Lou Ting Si, Lin Qing, and all the innocent people—
They were all going to die for the sake of the male lead’s love story!
They were all just stepping stones for these two idiots’ romance!
Why did she think she could call them full of themselves?!
If she could, then why didn’t she just not marry a rich person?!

On the other side, Lou Ting Si pulled his son to a secluded spot and warned, "Don’t say anything reckless!"
Lou Yue Jue confirmed, "Dad, you heard Qiao Chuchu’s thoughts, right? She’s insulting me. How could I possibly like such an ordinary woman? And just like you, I don’t need a mother’s care."
Lou Ting Si’s tone was indifferent. "We still don’t know if what she says is true. Why are you getting angry over something uncertain?"
Lou Yue Jue came to his senses.
Right, this woman’s words could be lies. What if she and her father really had gone crazy?
Lou Ting Si’s voice grew colder. "I’m taking you over there to listen to more of what she says. We’ll verify the truth before deciding."
The two of them walked toward Qiao Chuchu.
Qiao Chuchu was intently watching Xia Xue Chun’s retreating figure.
【Hmph, female lead, go ahead and act tough in front of me. I won’t respond because you’re about to spill red wine on some woman. You have your own calamities to face!】
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Xue Chun suddenly stumbled and fell into the arms of a woman, spilling the red wine!
The scene erupted in screams!
Xia Xue Chun and the woman fell together, and the woman got up furiously, slapping Xia Xue Chun hard. "What are you doing?!"
Xia Xue Chun slapped the woman back. "I didn’t do it! You hit me, why?!"
The commotion exploded!
Meanwhile, Qiao Chuchu, confidently crossing her arms, lifted her chin and smiled.
【See? I told you, I know the plot like the back of my hand. No character can escape my watchful eyes!】

Lou Yue Jue was stunned, exchanging a glance with Lou Ting Si.
It was true.
What she had said… it was all true!