Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Deliberate Noncooperation
Qu Fulan had been targeted by women before, even in modern times.
Because she was the most capable assistant to the boss, spending almost all her time working with him, except for sleep, and often dining together.
Therefore, those women who adored the boss inevitably harbored hostility toward her, simply because of her appearance, which others described as being like a fairy.
Women repelled by other women, she naturally became a thorn in the side of many, as if plucking her out would make the boss like them instead.
But when she came to ancient times, she was caught off guard by Pei Lan and Yao Xing’s animosity. She wasn’t even with their husbands, yet they were inexplicably targeting her, leaving her puzzled for a while.
Later, she gradually came to understand that in ancient times, it was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Women, upon seeing someone of humble status yet attractive, couldn’t help but want to control or destroy them, to eliminate potential threats and secure their own interests.
Now, even Chen Ru, as a cousin, harbors hostility towards her, which is self-explanatory.
Having confirmed the other’s hostility, the last event of climbing high was intentionally done.
To get to the bottom of it, Qu Fulan changed the gameplay after a few rounds of "Who’s the Spy".
"How about we play a game of ’Charades’? The rules are to team up in pairs, one person acts it out while the other guesses. The team that answers the most questions correctly within the time limit wins. The one acting can use verbal clues and body gestures, but can’t describe the pronunciation or writing of the words. The topics range from household items, fruits and vegetables, place names, to idioms."
It sounded like a really fun game, and Fang Yuan couldn’t wait to join.
Qu Fulan added, "To be fair, we can’t form teams based on personal preferences. For example, Third Miss and Fang Yuan have grown up together, their rapport is too good, so if you team up directly, it wouldn’t be fair to others. Hence, teams will be formed by drawing lots, whoever you draw is your teammate, fair and reasonable, what do you think?"
The method quickly gained approval, and Qu Fulan said, "Let’s have Miss Cheng handle it. Last time during the climbing event grouping, Miss Cheng did an excellent job, no one can match you in this regard."
Fang Yuan and Third Miss both found it reasonable and let Cheng Ru handle the grouping like last time, fair and logical.
Seeing everyone’s anticipation, Cheng Ru naturally didn’t decline.
She wrote everyone’s names, pairing two people at a time, drawing lots to decide each pair in sequence.
Finally, Qu Fulan was paired with Third Miss, Fang Yuan with Pei Yuan, and Cheng Ru with the Heir Pei.
Qu Fulan’s group went first, as she proposed the game, she had to demonstrate for everyone to understand.
The topic was Lotus.
Qu Fulan directly said, "Two words, something that appears in ponds everywhere from June to September, and is very beautiful?"
She also mimed the shape of a flower with her hand.
Third Miss immediately understood, "Lotus!"
Correct, on to the next topic.
Qu Fulan thought for a moment and said, "Typically appears from late April to mid-May in spring, loves to dance among flowers, two words, name an animal."
The phrase "loves to dance" immediately conjured an image in Third Miss’ mind, and she said, "Butterfly!"
Gradually, except for three or four errors, the rest were correct.
Then it was Fang Yuan and Pei Yuan’s turn.
The topic was: Monkey.
It was Fang Yuan’s turn to act. She stood there for a while, unable to think of a suitable adjective, and blurted out, "The one with a red butt."
"Pfft!"
The maids nearby couldn’t help but laugh.
Fang Yuan glared over, "What’s so funny? Do any of you have a better description?"
Even Pei Yuan felt embarrassed by Fang Yuan’s words, yet he answered, "Monkey."
The next topic was: Fish.
Fang Yuan scratched her head, then said, "Swims in the water, can be steamed or fried, anyway, it’s delicious."
Pei Yuan guessed correctly again.
The next topic was more challenging: an idiom, Dong Shi Xiao Pin.
Fang Yuan thought for a long time, unable to articulate it, but unwilling to give up. The game had an added rule: skipping a topic would incur a penalty. Fang Yuan didn’t want to be punished, so she thought hard and finally said, "Some people do something beautifully, like dancing, and when another copies it, they do it awkwardly. What is that called? It’s an idiom, four words."
Pei Yuan answered correctly once more.
Their team wasn’t bad either. They hadn’t tallied the results yet, so no one knew which team had the most correct answers, especially with the Heir Pei and Cheng Ru’s group still to go.
It was Cheng Ru acting for the Heir Pei.
This was Cheng Ru’s first time collaborating with the Heir Pei on something, her joy and excitement were beyond others’ understanding. If not for her self-control, her happiness would have overflowed from her eyes.
The topic was: A Smile Over the Shoulder.
Cheng Ru thought for a moment, then walked a few steps, turned back with a smile, and finally said, "Four words."
Pei Ji’an, "Pass, no idea."
Cheng Ru’s smile froze, but she tried again, "Heir, please think carefully, it’s an idiom."
Pei Ji’an nonchalantly said, "I can’t think of it."
Being said this, they had no choice but to move to the next topic: Dejected.
Cheng Ru, having just gone through the previous ordeal, felt low and uncomfortable at this phrase, as if it was mocking her. But it was a game, and she had fought hard to team up with the Heir, so she wasn’t going to miss any interactive opportunity.
"It’s about someone feeling very down when something doesn’t go well, also four words."
Pei Ji’an, "Listless?"
"Incorrect."
"Sighing?"
"Also incorrect."
"Undervaluing oneself?"
"... Still incorrect, Heir, try to think of something similar."
Pei Ji’an looked harmless, "I really can’t guess, let’s move to the next one."
Just like that, from the first to the last topic, Pei Ji’an didn’t get a single one right. Cheng Ru’s expression went from joy to stiffness, to embarrassment, to mortification, it was quite a spectacle.
Those watching suspected the Heir was doing it on purpose.
Purposely not cooperating.
But nobody spoke up, as the Heir was always like that, doing whatever he pleased was his nature.
Upon leaving the Furong Courtyard, Cheng Ru finally shed tears of grievance in front of Third Miss and Fang Yuan.
"Is Second Cousin annoyed with me, so he deliberately didn’t cooperate?"
Third Miss and Fang Yuan hurried to comfort her, "Don’t overthink it, Second Brother is just like that, does whatever he pleases. When he’s in a good mood, everything’s fine, when he’s not, he couldn’t care less. He might have encountered something frustrating today that caused this."
Meanwhile, Qu Fulan wasn’t really concerned about winning or losing the game.
She was more interested in the handwriting Cheng Ru left behind. The writings from the climbing event were burned, but now she had fresh ones, didn’t she?
How coincidental was it to end up paired with the Heir Pei?