Scum Woman1, Serves Her Right
Bai Xingrui Gets Caught
The change in time came so suddenly that both Lin Sifei and Luo Ke were a little stunned.
“In that case, let’s use up all our human time tomorrow too. We can see how long we can maintain this form now.”
Lin Sifei nodded, a thrill of excitement running through her. “Does this mean… I might not have to turn into a cat anymore?”
“It’s possible.” Luo Ke smiled and gently flicked her nose. “We can finally go on ordinary dates.”
Lin Sifei gazed at her, then wrapped her arms around her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss.
After a long moment, they separated. Lin Sifei caught her breath. “We need to finalize the invitation list for the engagement ceremony first.”
“Alright.” Luo Ke reluctantly pulled her hands back and opened her phone. “I can have my secretaries draw up a list of business partners.”
Lin Sifei propped her chin on her hand, thinking. “I don’t really know many people. I’ll just invite a few people I met on set.”
She began typing out names, picking a few she planned to call personally.
“Should we invite Yuan Mo?” Luo Ke looked at Lin Sifei. “I need to call Uncle Yuan in a bit anyway.”
“Sure, invite him. His business with Yan Yafei is all in the past now.”
With that, Lin Sifei dialed Chen Qiyuan’s number. “Yuanyuan, I’m getting engaged in a couple of days.”
“Engaged! Sifei-jie, is this for real?”
“Why would I lie to you?”
Chen Qiyuan let out a gasp of awe. “Who’s the amazing person who actually managed to catch your eye?”
“It’s Luo Ke,” Lin Sifei said, sliding closer to Luo Ke and linking her arm through hers.
Chen Qiyuan’s admiration only grew. “Send me the time and date. I’ll adjust my schedule.”
“Okay, I’ll send you the time and location in a bit. I’ll have the invitation sent to your company, for your manager. Just let them know.”
“Okay, thank you, Sifei-jie.”
Lin Sifei then invited Lu Heng, Director Chen, and others. After making a round of calls, she hesitated.
“Luo Ke, do you think I should invite Feng Tingyun? I don’t know him that well, and wouldn’t it be awkward for Lu Heng-ge?” She looked to Luo Ke for help.
Luo Ke had been about to tell her to do as she pleased, but then she heard the protective tone in her voice when she mentioned Lu Heng.
She took a deep breath. “I think you should. After all, you filmed a variety show together. If you don’t invite him, it’ll probably start rumors.”
“You’re right!” Lin Sifei’s eyes lit up. “I’ll invite everyone from the variety show. Everyone except Yan Yafei.”
She called Feng Tingyun and invited him to the engagement ceremony.
“My schedule is packed. I’m not sure I’ll have a chance to go,” Feng Tingyun said, his voice lacking any interest.
Lin Sifei rolled her eyes. “I already asked Lu Heng-ge. He promised he’d be there and has already gone to confirm his schedule.”
“Really?!” A sudden loud noise came from the other end of the line, making Lin Sifei jump.
A burst of static followed, and then Feng Tingyun’s voice boomed through the phone. “I’m going, I’m going! We filmed together for a few days, after all. Even though we didn’t talk much, you could still say we’re friends.”
Lin Sifei had no interest in listening to his reckless talk2 and cut him off. “The only reason we didn’t talk is because you were always stuck to Lu Heng-ge’s side, even when we weren’t filming.”
Feng Tingyun laughed awkwardly. “Anyway, thank you.”
“Wait!” Lin Sifei said, afraid he would hang up. “There’s one more thing I want to confirm. Lu Heng-ge isn’t straight, is he?”
She hadn’t thought much of it when she first met Lu Heng, but the more time they spent together, especially after Feng Tingyun showed up, the less he seemed like a straight man.
“Correct, he’s not straight. And don’t worry, I’m not a person without taste.”
Only then did Lin Sifei hang up, relieved. She invited Xu You next.
Feeling quite pleased with herself, she sidled up to Luo Ke to listen in on her calls.
Luo Ke’s conversations were much more concise. Since they were all business partners, she had to personally invite the more important ones, but each call was over in two sentences.
“President X, hello. I’m getting engaged and would like to invite you to attend.”
“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you and your family.”
And that was it.
Lin Sifei couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re being so perfunctory.”
Luo Ke reached out and hugged her. “We’re not close anyway.”
By the time the calls were finished, it was already getting dark.
Auntie Wu arrived to make dinner. Lin Sifei thought for a moment, then said to her, “Auntie Wu, Luo Ke and I are getting engaged.”
“Really? I wish you both happiness.” Auntie Wu beamed.
Lin Sifei bit her lower lip. “Don’t you think it’s strange? A girl with another girl.”
“It was a little strange at first, but I’m just here to work,” Auntie Wu said, expertly opening a bag and taking out a chicken. “Besides, after you arrived, Miss Luo came back to life. Times are different now. Being happy is what’s most important.”
Lin Sifei nodded and smiled. “Actually, I wanted to invite you to our engagement ceremony.”
She paused, then added, “You don’t need to bring any gift money3. We just hope to have more people there. The guests Luo Ke is inviting are all work-related. She has few friends and no family attending, and I don’t have any family either, so I was hoping you would come.”
“Oh my, of course I’ll go.” Auntie Wu wiped her hands, her smile radiant. “I’m so happy you would invite me.”
“Then you must come. I’ll arrange a seat for you at the front, so you’ll have a clear view of us.”
Luo Ke, having put her laptop away, came downstairs and saw her in the kitchen. She walked over. “Are you causing trouble in the kitchen again?”
“I am not.” Lin Sifei pouted, her eyes darting around. “I’m learning some skills from Auntie Wu. That way, if she’s busy or has to take time off, we can cook for ourselves.”
Luo Ke stepped into the kitchen, watched Auntie Wu turn on the gas stove, and pulled Lin Sifei back a step. “In that case, it’d be more reliable if I were the one to learn.”
“I want to learn too. It’s another skill.”
Auntie Wu waved her hand with a smile. “You two stay back, or the oil will splash on you.”
Hand in hand, Luo Ke and Lin Sifei took a large, synchronized step backward.
Auntie Wu shook her head, amused. “You can learn if you want, but cooking is time-consuming, so you might not enjoy it. Still, it’s a good thing to know. Let me tell you, the wok must be completely dry before you start, that way the oil won’t splatter…”
She talked as she cooked, and in no time, several dishes were ready.
Lin Sifei was full of confidence. “I’ve got it!”
Auntie Wu smiled. “Then come over and try.”
Lin Sifei walked over, washed the wok, dried it over the flame, and then poured in the oil.
“Pour slowly. You don’t like too much oil in your vegetable dishes,” Auntie Wu instructed from the side.
When she finally put the vegetables in, Lin Sifei picked up the spatula to stir-fry, but with every movement, vegetables flew out of the wok.
“Is… is there too much food in here?” Lin Sifei tried desperately to salvage her pride.
Auntie Wu was merciless. “Not at all. This will be just enough for one plate when it’s cooked.”
“Then we should buy a bigger wok.” Lin Sifei turned to Luo Ke. “Right?”
Luo Ke couldn’t hold back her laughter. She covered her mouth with her hand and tried to nod seriously. “Right.”
“Oh, you two…” Auntie Wu shook her head, smiling, and took the spatula from Lin Sifei. “Stir it like this. You try again.”
Lin Sifei tried again, and failed again.
Her head was spinning. This was probably one of those moments—
Brain: You got it. Hand: I don’t!4
Luo Ke, on the other hand, got the hang of it quickly. With a little guidance from Auntie Wu, her stir-frying became more and more skilled.
Lin Sifei sat at the dining table, resting her chin in her hands.
Maybe I really don’t have a talent for stir-frying, she thought. That’s fine. I can learn to cook rice. Making congee seems pretty good.
“Auntie Wu, tomorrow… no, the day after tomorrow, can you teach me how to make congee?”
“Of course.” Auntie Wu brought a dish over. “Congee is easier to learn. The main thing is just preparing the ingredients.”
Lin Sifei breathed a sigh of relief. Good.
Once the meal was ready, Auntie Wu went home.
Luo Ke and Lin Sifei sat at the table, looking at the dishes.
“This is the one you kept flinging out of the wok. See? It doesn’t even fill the plate.”
Lin Sifei pouted. “There’s so much food, it’s definitely enough to eat. I think we should reduce the number of dishes, otherwise it’s too wasteful.”
“Then two dishes and one soup tomorrow. One meat, one vegetable.”
Lin Sifei nodded. She ate a piece of chicken, happily spitting out the bone. “This tastes so good.”
“It’s a new recipe Auntie Wu learned.”
Lin Sifei, still reeling from her recent cooking trauma, said, “That’s amazing. She can even learn new dishes.”
After dinner, Luo Ke brought over an orange and sat next to Lin Sifei on the sofa.
“Aren’t you going upstairs?”
Lin Sifei peeled the orange and shook her head. “There aren’t any good movies or shows on lately. I just feel like watching the news.”
“You actually like watching the news,” Luo Ke laughed.
Lin Sifei raised an eyebrow. “There’s interesting news, too.”
She picked up the remote and searched for a channel. “This one.”
Finding the program, Lin Sifei started watching from a week ago. This news show was indeed interesting; besides the major events, it also featured amusing stories from the internet.
On the television, a line of ducks quacked as they charged into a crowd, surrounding a small child who shrank back, hands held tight.
The host laughed. “It looks like these ducks are here to block someone’s path. Hey, you! Don’t you dare leave after school!”
Lin Sifei burst out laughing. “It really looks like that. Why are those ducks blocking that kid?”
“Who knows.” Lin Sifei wrapped an arm around her and laughed along.
Just as they were chuckling at the news, a call came from Bai Xingrui.
“Hello?” Luo Ke put the call on speaker, and Lin Sifei turned down the TV volume.
“Luo Ke!” Bai Xingrui’s voice, with all the power of the lioness’s roar from Hedong5, thundered from the phone, nearly shaking the building to its foundations.
Luo Ke quickly lowered the volume, bracing for the next shout.
As expected, Bai Xingrui’s voice didn’t get any quieter. “Why didn’t you invite me to your wedding!”
Lin Sifei looked at Luo Ke in surprise. Seriously? You didn’t invite her?
Luo Ke waved her hand dismissively. “I was going to tell you, but weren’t you hiding from someone? For your own safety, of course I didn’t notify you.”
Bai Xingrui snorted indignantly. “Don’t make excuses. You definitely weren’t planning on inviting me. I’m telling you, I’m coming!”
“If you get caught, that’s your own problem.”
Bai Xingrui hesitated for a second. “It’s fine! That person is stubborn. You tricked her into leaving, so she won’t be able to catch me there. She won’t come back.”
The more she spoke, the more confident and happy she became. “I’ll go pick out a gift for you two tomorrow. Remember to open the door for me.”
With that, she hung up.
Lin Sifei looked at Luo Ke helplessly. “Looks like I have to turn back into a cat tonight after all, and we’ll have to recalculate the time tomorrow.”
Luo Ke frowned in thought. “No, let’s calculate the time today. You can meet her as a cat tomorrow. She wanted to see the cat last time anyway. But be careful. Don’t let her touch you.”
“Huh? Why can’t she touch me?”
Luo Ke’s face scrunched up as she suddenly pounced on her. “Because she loves to huff and pet cats, and I’m jealous!”
Lin Sifei yelped, then swatted at her. “It’s just normal cat-huffing.”
“But you’re not a normal cat.” Luo Ke pressed down on her and stole a kiss. “Promise me you won’t let her touch you all over.”
“You’re being unreasonable.”
Luo Ke kissed her again, her hands gripping her waist tightly. “If you don’t promise, I’ll just keep kissing you. Promise or not?”
“I don’t promise!”
Luo Ke continued to kiss her.
After this repeated several times, Lin Sifei’s cheeks were flushed with a rosy pink. She lay on the sofa, panting. “At this rate, am I supposed to promise or not?”
Luo Ke’s heart pounded. She pressed her forehead against hers. “If you behave, I’ll do more than just kiss you.”
Lin Sifei’s eyelashes fluttered, her lips glistening. “Okay, then I’ll behave.”
Luo Ke lunged down, kissing the side of her neck.
…
The next day, Bai Xingrui went out to buy a gift as soon as she woke up.
Following her usual habit, she went straight to her favorite brand-name store. “A friend of mine is getting engaged. I’d like to get them a pair of matching brooches.”
“For a pair of brooches, please come this way.” The sales associate smiled and took out several pieces. “These are all couple’s brooches.”
Bai Xingrui looked for a while before her eyes landed on a pair of silver brooches decorated with fencing foils.
“You have excellent taste. The design concept for this pair is ‘to pierce your heart.’”
“To pierce…” She smiled. “A little aggressive, isn’t it?”
The associate’s smile froze for a second. “Isn’t love about breaking down each other’s defenses and, in a single moment, entering each other’s hearts?”
“That makes sense.” Bai Xingrui smiled. “I’ll take them. Please wrap them up for me.”
She carried the gift, put on her sunglasses, and walked out of the mall where her driver was waiting.
“To Luo Ke’s place.”
The car slowly merged into the flow of traffic. Bai Xingrui rolled down the window, letting the warm breeze wash over her face. She hadn’t been out in so long; she’d been suffocating.
I’ll go home in a couple of days and tell Mom and Dad not to reveal my whereabouts.
When she arrived at Luo Ke’s door, Bai Xingrui checked the time. It was exactly noon. She could even freeload a lunch.
She jogged happily to the door and rang the doorbell.
She pressed it several times before the door finally, slowly, creaked open.
Luo Ke, dressed in loungewear, tilted her head and looked her over. “Why are you here so early?”
“Early? It’s almost noon!” Bai Xingrui’s eyes widened, then a smirk spread across her face. “Oh, were you too tired last night?”
Luo Ke sighed and pulled the door open, turning to go back inside. “What nonsense are you talking about? Come in.”
Bai Xingrui walked in, gift in hand. “I bought you an engagement gift, come see… Ah!”
She let out a sudden, sharp scream.
Luo Ke’s hand shot out, grabbing a screwdriver she had hidden nearby as she spun around to face the newcomer.
The person took off a baseball cap, and long, silver hair cascaded down. She gently closed the door with one hand, the other still gripping Bai Xingrui’s wrist.
“Hello, I’m looking for someone.” She turned her head, her blue eyes fixed on Bai Xingrui. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
Bai Xingrui violently shook her hand free. “Why do you have to find me!”
“I was worried about you!” Diana gripped her shoulders, scanning her from head to toe before letting out a long sigh of relief. “Thank goodness you’re okay.”
Diana’s brow was furrowed tightly. Since she was much taller than Bai Xingrui, she bent her knees to speak to her. “Why did you leave without telling me? I’ve been having nightmares every day. I was so scared.”
Luo Ke looked at the milk dog-like6 Diana, then back at Bai Xingrui. “I think you lied to me before.”
“Uhh—” Bai Xingrui bit her lower lip. “While there were some personal emotional factors involved, most of it was true.”
“I don’t believe a word you say anymore. Now get out with your girlfriend.” Luo Ke walked to the door and pulled it open. “Hurry up and leave.”
“Your gift,” Bai Xingrui said, holding it out.
Luo Ke snatched the paper bag. “Gift received. I love it. Now get out.”
Bai Xingrui stepped out the door, looking guilty. “Forgive me.”
“I refuse.” Luo Ke slammed the door shut.
Lin Sifei came down the stairs and hopped onto the table in front of her. “Meow?”
“That was Bai Xingrui, dropping off a gift.” Luo Ke placed the paper bag on the table. “I kicked her out. Her and Diana’s situation is nothing like we thought.”
Lin Sifei blinked, then her pupils widened as she excitedly pounced toward the window.
Sure enough, Bai Xingrui and Diana were outside, bickering. The way Bai Xingrui was throwing a tantrum, she didn’t look like someone facing any danger at all.
“Meow meow meow.” Lin Sifei watched them walk away, pawing at the window as if she wanted to squeeze through and keep watching.
“Why are you such a gossip?” Luo Ke chuckled, gently pinching the scruff of her neck and lifting her into her arms before returning to the sofa.
Lin Sifei was incredibly curious about Bai Xingrui’s situation, but she restrained herself and looked at the gift on the table.
She padded over with her cat-like steps, avoiding the other items, and used her paw to pull the box out. She nudged it open to reveal a pair of brooches lying inside.
“Meow!” Lin Sifei touched a brooch. It’s quite pretty.
Luo Ke saw the brooches in the box and raised an eyebrow. “Her taste is decent, at least.”
Lin Sifei smiled, jumped onto the sofa, and grabbed Luo Ke’s phone to send Bai Xingrui a message.
【Luo Ke: Are you okay】
【Bai Xingrui: ??? You’re Lin Sifei, aren’t you】
【Luo Ke: It’s me. How did you know?】
【Bai Xingrui: Because with Luo Ke’s temper, she would never ask about my situation. She could ignore my corpse being exposed in the wilderness7】
Lin Sifei glanced at Luo Ke, who had started working beside her, and silently said nothing.
【Luo Ke: What’s the situation with you and Diana now? It’s completely different from what you said last time. You even admitted you lied.】
【Bai Xingrui: …I was careless. I should have just denied it and said Diana was playing the victim.】
A crow flew over Lin Sifei’s head. How is this person still thinking of framing someone? Does she dislike Diana that much?
【Luo Ke: What is really going on between you two?】
【Bai Xingrui: I was traveling in Russia and met her. We dated for a while, and when I felt it was time to go back to my country, I suggested we break up. She wouldn’t agree, so I made up a story about being hunted by assassins and being afraid of dragging her into it. Who knew she’d actually believe me? And her background is so powerful, she locked me in a villa, saying she was protecting me】
Lin Sifei: That’s so scummy.
【Luo Ke: You brought this on yourself, you scum woman】
【Bai Xingrui: I regret it now】
【Luo Ke: Then just tell her the truth. Stop lying to her. She’s been chasing you for so long】
The realization that she had helped King Zhou commit his evil deeds8, even tricking Diana into running off on a wild goose chase, made Lin Sifei’s conscience ache.
【Bai Xingrui: I can’t bear to. She’s too beautiful. The moment I see her face, I can’t bring myself to say the words to dump her.】
Lin Sifei: …Scum woman, serves her right!
She furiously tapped the phone with her paw, drawing a strange look from Luo Ke.
Lin Sifei pushed the phone toward her. Luo Ke closed her eyes and sighed. “I told you, she’s total scum. She’s had a lot of girlfriends, basically all chosen for their looks, and she breaks up with them after a month. This isn’t the first time she’s been cornered by a girl.”
Lin Sifei’s cheeks puffed out. She felt like she’d been deceived.
“However, the person she’s provoked this time isn’t simple. She might just be the one to tame her.” Luo Ke’s eyes narrowed as she thought of Diana.
Lin Sifei tilted her head in confusion. She couldn’t see how Diana could possibly tame Bai Xingrui. She just looked like a pitiful little thing who’d been tricked out of her love and affection. It was too tragic!
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll both be at the engagement ceremony, so we can see then. If it’s really not working out, I’ll go talk to Diana myself.”
Lin Sifei gave her a strange look, wondering why she was taking Diana so seriously.
Speaking of the engagement ceremony, Lin Sifei suddenly remembered she hadn’t told her manager. Because he was such a background board9, and with no work recently and no one leading the rhythm online, Li Tao had been absent from her life for a long time.
She sent the news of her engagement to Li Tao. Almost instantly, her phone vibrated. It was a call from him.
Lin Sifei was still a cat. How could she possibly answer the phone? She decisively rejected the call.
【Lin Sifei: Just text me if you need something. It’s not convenient for me to take calls】
【Li Tao: You’re getting engaged! Your career is just starting, and you’re telling me you’re getting engaged!】
【Lin Sifei: Is there a problem with that?】
Li Tao felt as if life had nothing left to love. 【President Luo recently took over the entertainment company directly. Is it because of you?】
Lin Sifei blinked guiltily. It wasn’t Luo Ke who took it over; it was her.
【Lin Sifei: Why do you care about that? Are you coming to the ceremony or not?】
【Li Tao: …I’ll come. But let me warn you, getting engaged will have a huge impact on your career. Be careful that President Luo doesn’t get tired of you one day and kick you to the curb. Then you’ll truly have nothing.】
Lin Sifei saw his message and broke into a smile. While his concern was valid, it felt strange when applied to Luo Ke.
She patted Luo Ke’s hand with her paw, showing her the phone.
Luo Ke sighed helplessly and pressed the voice message button. “You don’t need to worry about that. First, I won’t be someone who betrays a marriage. Second, Xiao Xiao isn’t someone who would have nothing without me. She’s very capable. Even if we get engaged, or even married, it won’t stop her from reaching the top. The process will just be a little longer.”
Hearing her words, Lin Sifei’s eyes crinkled with happiness. She jumped up and kissed her on the cheek.
Luo Ke was caught off guard by the pounce, and Lin Sifei’s teeth bumped against her.
Lin Sifei slid down her body, covering her nose with her paws, her eyes watering. She’d bumped her nose. It hurt.
Luo Ke chuckled and rubbed her head. She then played the voice message Li Tao had sent back.
“I believe in Lin Sifei, and I believe in President Luo. I hope you two will join hands for a lifetime. I will be there.”
✨ Unlock Early Access to Chapters! ✨
Choose your perfect membership at bamboopandatl.net:
📚 Full Access ($4.99)
• Advanced chapters of ALL ongoing novels
• Access to complete finished novels
• Ad-free reading experience
📖 Single Novel Access ($1.49)
• Advanced chapters of ONE specific novel
• Ad-free reading for chosen novel
PayPal is the only current payment option!