Peach-Orange! – Chapter 244 – Su Tao’s “Love Rival”

Si Chen was unaware of the original plot and could only analyze based on existing information, naturally assuming Xiao Ming was fake.

Last time, he was kicked by Dongfang Yang without putting up any resistance. When the marriage contract was torn up, he merely uttered some harsh words before scurrying away in disgrace.

From an outsider’s perspective, how could the Dragon King possibly be so pathetic?

But Chi Xiaocheng knew the truth.

This was the real Dragon King.

In the original story, if he was told to endure for three years, he would genuinely endure.

What she hadn’t expected was that the key to finding Su Tao’s father would, after all this circling, still revolve around such a male lead.

Although he faded into the background later in the original story, his presence almost negligible, he still had protagonist halo after all.

Without a poisoned apple to neutralize his protagonist halo, the will of the world would still side with him.

But Chi Xiaocheng didn’t voice her thoughts. Instead, she asked, “So, are you planning to investigate Xiao Ming with full effort?”

Si Chen nodded firmly. “That’s why I wanted to confirm the plan regarding Su Tao with you again. If you don’t need me for the next steps, I intend to focus entirely on tracking down Xiao Ming.

“He’s aligned with Ye Liang’s side. Now that he’s gone missing, I feel a faint unease.”

Chi Xiaocheng could understand him.

He had to return to the Si family for the New Year.

This time, he was bound to face humiliation. The sooner he found Su Tao’s War Hero father, the sooner he could turn things around.

Before, there wasn’t much use for him.

But this time was different!

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Chi Xiaocheng looked at Si Chen seriously. “There’s actually something I’d like to ask of you.”

Her earlier plan was missing a tool.

Ningning wouldn’t do.

Just hearing the name “Dongfang Yang” made Chi Xiaocheng want to laugh. Definitely not him.

Si Chen noticed Chi Xiaocheng staring at him motionlessly and felt a chill. “I get the feeling you’re thinking something impolite.”

“Not at all~”

Chi Xiaocheng grinned. “The help I need from you is actually part of the plan. You’re aware of Tao-Tao’s current situation through Dr. Lin, right?”

“It seems she likes you a bit, but I don’t know why she’s still hesitating, too afraid to make a move. My idea was to apply some pressure so she’d have no choice but to seek you out.”

“Exactly, that’s it!” Chi Xiaocheng clapped her hands. Si Chen’s words perfectly aligned with her thoughts.

Talking to someone with high intelligence was different. If it were Dongfang Yang, he’d still be stuck on “sister this, sister that.”

Si Chen immediately grasped what she wanted to do and understood Su Tao’s current dilemma.

So Chi Xiaocheng continued, “While I’m still ‘amnesic,’ I think we can create a fake love rival. Have someone pretend to like me to pressure Su Tao. What do you think?”

Si Chen’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea!”

Chi Xiaocheng smiled. “You think so too, right? Then I’ll leave this task to you.”

“No problem!” Si Chen nodded seriously. “As long as it helps you secure Su Tao firmly, this is nothing. I’ll arrange for a few handsome guys… no, for you two, it should be beautiful girls to pursue you.

“How about campus belles, award-winning actresses, or rising idols? I can arrange them all.”

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“Uh…” Chi Xiaocheng was momentarily speechless. “Do you think something so artificial would work?”

Ordinary outsiders pursuing her wouldn’t create much sense of crisis. Ningning would be more effective.

Besides, Chi Xiaocheng wanted to mold Su Tao into half a yandere. What if she had an episode?

She didn’t want unrelated strangers getting hurt either.

But her question left Si Chen stumped. “If that won’t work, then who should we pick?”

Chi Xiaocheng looked Si Chen up and down.

Si Chen froze, then glanced at himself.

A sudden realization hit him, and his body stiffened.

He pointed at himself. “Me?”

Chi Xiaocheng nodded lightly.

The usually rational young master finally cracked. “No… I’ll call you ‘big sister,’ okay? Su Tao and I have already laid everything out. She knows I’m aware you two are in a romantic relationship… unlike that idiot Dongfang Yang, who still thinks it’s ‘sisterly affection.’

“Since I already know, and she knows I know, how can I pretend to like you?”

Chi Xiaocheng crooked her finger. “It’s simple. You don’t have to outright say you like me in front of her. Just praise me more, say you think I’m great, and visit me a couple of times. She’ll naturally start overthinking.”

“This…” Si Chen was at a loss for words.

It wasn’t entirely unworkable.

Given Su Tao’s mental state, she’d definitely overanalyze it.

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But why did this proposal feel… chilling?

Seeing him hesitate, Chi Xiaocheng asked, “What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Si Chen shook his head, then nodded. “Then let’s do it this way for now. Tomorrow night’s banquet, you’re attending too, right? Instead of posing as my sister, how about coming as my date? That’d be more effective.”

“No!” Chi Xiaocheng refused without hesitation. “Even as a pretense, that kind of identity is unacceptable.”

‘My love for Tao-Tao is unwavering!’

Seeing this, Si Chen could only reluctantly agree.

Well, as long as he showed a little extra attention to Chi Xiaocheng, it should work. And as for Su Tao….

Even if she became a little unhinged later, she couldn’t possibly be as terrifying as Chi Xiaocheng. ¹ hehehehheehehee

‘At most, Su Tao was slightly more capable in a fight than the average girl. Could she really one-shot me?’

‘Come on, she’s only 1.66 meters tall. I’m 1.9 meters!’

After discussing the plan in more detail, Si Chen left.

The next day, as planned, he came to apply some pressure on Su Tao.

His excuse was that he needed to coordinate with Chi Xiaocheng on their personas for that night’s banquet.

For Su Tao, the banquet was just something to pass the time with Xiaocheng. What she really looked forward to was carrying Xiaocheng when she got too tired to walk.

Though she felt a little uncomfortable, she didn’t dwell on it.

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With Si Chen around, she decided to return home for a bit.

But something puzzled her: the cat food she’d prepared for King two days ago was almost gone, and the seemingly supernatural cat was nowhere to be seen.

She’d prepared a five-day supply.

Yet, in two days, it was nearly finished.

Unable to make sense of it, she assumed King’s appetite had grown.

After watering her potted plants and refilling King’s food bowl, Su Tao spent the day practicing acting techniques in front of the mirror.

Surprisingly, it felt quite easy.

Before she knew it, half the day had passed.

By evening, she and Dongfang Yang headed to Si Chen’s place.

Chi Xiaocheng had already been discharged from the hospital with Si Chen. The hospital said she still needed IV drips, but as long as she returned by midnight, there’d be no issues.

Sitting in the young master’s car, Su Tao’s WeChat notifications kept flashing.

One was from Si Chen, asking when she’d arrive.

Another was from Cheng Cheng, chatting about Xiaocheng.

And one from her middle school friend Tang Tang, who was also attending the banquet and excitedly asked when she’d get to see her and Xiaocheng together.

This middle school friend seemed to ship her with Xiaocheng.