Chapter 344: Northern Zhu Lin, Southern Gong Shu: Brothers at War

Seeing Gong Shu walk in and sit beside Zhu Lin, Wei Ming's chopsticks slipped a piece of chicken, and he grew nervous.

He was even a little excited!

This was the first time Wei Ming had ever seen Gong Shu and Zhu Lin sitting together in person—it was simply breathtaking, leaving him utterly enchanted.

One had willow-browed eyes and phoenix eyes, elegant as a delicate ink-and-color painting of a Jiangnan lady.

The other had sword-like brows and starlit eyes, a high, proud nose bridge, dignified and solemn like a Bodhisattva from Dunhuang murals.

In his past life, they had shared a stage once—at the founding of the Film Performance Art Society—Gong Shu hosted, while Zhu Lin performed a dance, but they never appeared together in the same frame, a great regret.

Thinking that both were his girlfriends, Wei Ming felt that famous writers, fairy tale kings, musical prodigies—all of it meant nothing; they were his greatest reward from this rebirth!

"Xiao Wei, aren't you feeling pretty proud right now?" Zhu Lin suddenly said, her smile hiding a chilling threat.

"No, I deeply regret it," Wei Ming warned himself: don't smile, absolutely don't smile, don't take advantage and act smug—show remorse and pain.

Under the table, Gong Shu gently tugged Zhu Lin's hand, signaling: don't scare the kid.

Zhu Lin resented his weakness: fine, spoil him!

At that moment, Wei Ming suddenly stood up and left, returning to his study with a camera—he now kept one camera and several rolls of film in every home, achieving photographic freedom.

"Can I take a photo of you two together?"

The scene was too beautiful; Wei Ming couldn't help it—and even more beautiful moments could only be imagined.

Hearing the word "photo," the two actresses immediately adjusted their appearances, their competitive instincts flaring.

Then, the first-ever photo of Southern Gong Shu and Northern Zhu Lin was captured on a tiny film frame, finally filling this historical void.

Wei Ming took several shots in quick succession, but it was nighttime—definitely needed to retake them in daylight.

When he put the camera away, Zhu Lin brought out a bottle of old Bai Gan from the kitchen, half-drunk before—placed there by Wei Ming, but consumed by Zhu Lin and Gong Shu.

During Wei Ming's time in Hong Kong and Britain, they'd often drowned their sorrows in alcohol, and after drinking, they spoke their true hearts, greatly deepening their understanding of each other.

"This is the first time the three of us have eaten at the same table. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I don't know when I'll see you again—let's have a drink," Zhu Lin suggested.

She was the only one who could handle more alcohol—after all, she carried Shandong blood in her veins; Wei Ming and Gong Shu both had average tolerance, but no one objected.

Such an unusual trio relationship would remain awkward without alcohol—now, alcohol became a good thing.

Just as the three raised their cups, the phone rang.

Wei Ming turned to answer it.

"Big brother." It was Mei Wenhua's voice.

"What is it?"

"Did you know? Feng Daxing, the thief and murderer I apprehended for acting bravely, has been executed." Mei Wenhua exclaimed excitedly.

"Wasn't that early this month? Don't you read the newspapers?"

"I do—but I read old ones. Only just found out now, hahaha."

"Anything else?"

"No."

"Then I'm hanging up." Wei Ming didn't hesitate.

Hearing the dial tone, Mei Wenhua told Xu Yunyun beside him: "Relax—he's still alive."

Xu Yunyun had been sitting on her balcony, first seeing Wei Ming return with Zhu Lin, then watching Gong Shu arrive by bicycle.

She panicked instantly—pregnancy had made her foolish for three years—and didn't think to call her brother to warn him; instead, she called Dongfang Xintiandi to summon Mei Wenhua for advice.

Then Mei Wenhua said: "Why not call Big Brother?"

"Yes! Warn him!" Xu Yunyun finally regained her wits.

Mei Wenhua thought: warn him about what? It's this late—just checking if they've fought, if anyone's dead.

Hearing his brother-in-law's voice sounded calm—he still had control of the situation. No wonder he's my Ming-ge!

When Wei Ming returned to the table, Zhu Lin and Gong Shu's cups were already empty.

Wei Ming blinked: "You finished already?"

Zhu Lin: "Yes, downed it in one. Your turn."

Gong Shu nodded too, wiping her lips.

Though Wei Ming suspected they were tricking him, he still drank it straight—he was a man, how could he lose?

After finishing the cup, he refilled all three: "I propose a toast: knowing the two of you is the greatest fortune of my two lives."

Zhu Lin: "Wait, isn't it usually 'three lifetimes of fortune'?"

Wei Ming: "If I can meet you again in the next life, that's true three-lifetimes fortune—I hope I get that."

In his first life, Wei Ming had only met Zhu Lin a few times, never deeply connected—she was already a renowned artist, while Gong Shu had long retired; sadly, they never crossed paths.

In this life, he met them, seized the chance, and didn't let them slip away—now he must keep them close.

These words moved Zhu Lin and Gong Shu slightly; the brat had promised a future-life bond? They each took a small sip.

Wei Ming panicked: "Hey hey hey, I drank mine—why are you two sipping so little?"

Zhu Lin refilled his cup: "One shot's enough for the first toast. After that, we sip slowly, chat slowly. Xiao Xue, say something too."

Gong Shu glanced at her cup: "Can I say anything?"

Zhu Lin: "Of course—speak freely."

Gong Shu pursed her lips: "Xiao Wei, do you like me more, or do you like Sister Lin more? You can't say you like us equally."

Zhu Lin smiled at Wei Ming: "Come on, answer honestly—if you can't, you drink."

Wei Ming realized: these two women had set a trap for him today.

"Fine, drink I will." Wei Ming downed it in one gulp—let's see who panics when I can't get up later.

After three cups, Wei Ming quickly ate food to settle his stomach, then said sincerely: "Bring on more questions."

Then he refilled his own cup.

Even if he had to drink soybean juice, he deserved it.

Gong Shu felt sorry for her little brother; Zhu Lin, seeing his stubbornness, snorted: "Boring. Eat, then sleep."

Wei Ming smiled: "You want fun? Say so earlier—I've got lots of fun little games, great for deepening friendship. Want to play?"

The two women exchanged glances, knowing it wouldn't be anything proper—but both nodded.

Zhu Lin said: "Fine, let's play."

Wei Ming: "Eat first. After dinner, we play in bed."

Zhu Lin sternly said: "Xiao Wei, don't get carried away."

Gong Shu added: "Yes, you can't take advantage of our affection for you like this."

Wei Ming: "You two are overthinking. Isn't the Simmons mattress comfortable? If you don't mind a sore butt, we can play on the floor too."

Gong Shu and Zhu Lin exchanged glances again, finally agreeing: we must hold our line—no way he wins.

Wei Ming added: "Xue Jie, shouldn't you change clothes? You're not dressed for this."

Wei Ming and Zhu Lin had both changed into their usual sleepwear—loose and thin.

"Got it, I'll change in a bit."

After dinner, when Gong Shu emerged in a silk nightgown, she saw Wei Ming brushing his teeth.

"Why are you brushing your teeth?"

Wei Ming rinsed his mouth: "We'll play soon, then sleep—better to wash up now. You two should too."

Zhu Lin craned her neck toward the bathroom: "I'll wash the dishes first."

So Wei Ming guided Gong Shu to the bathroom, and along the way, he didn't hold back—hugging and cuddling were inevitable.

The bathroom was directly opposite the kitchen; Gong Shu, shy and alert, watched the door, afraid Zhu Lin might see—but never thought to refuse Wei Ming.

Because when it was just the two of them, this was their usual way of being together.

After Gong Shu finished brushing, Wei Ming checked her mouth thoroughly before letting her go, then told her to bring Zhu Lin over.

Xue Jie pouted, stomped her foot, but went anyway—had it not been for her and Zhu Lin's plan to give this brat a little reward, she'd have refused outright.

When Zhu Lin came over, she picked up the toothbrush and began brushing; Wei Ming hugged her from behind, steadying her since the floor was slippery.

When the two emerged from the bathroom, they nearly collided with Gong Shu at the door—finally, all three sat blushing on the Simmons bed.

Wei Ming spoke seriously: "I believe one must be honest and brave. So the game we're playing next is Truth or Dare."

This social game likely didn't exist yet—Wei Ming invented it—and it worked whether played clean or risqué, letting players set their own limits.

Wei Ming pulled out a deck of cards and explained the rules: "Each draw one card. The person with the lowest number picks a challenge—Truth or Dare—then the person with the highest number poses the question. The lowest must complete it, or drink a penalty cup."

Wine and glasses still sat on the nightstand.

They understood. Gong Shu asked: "How do you know if someone's lying in Truth?"

Wei Ming: "The rule is you must tell the truth. If you don't want to answer, drink instead—but lying is a character flaw."

Hearing him invoke "character," Gong Shu and Zhu Lin took it seriously.

Wei Ming: "Alright, first round is a demo—doesn't count."

He drew a nine, Zhu Lin a six, Gong Shu a three.

Wei Ming pointed at Gong Shu; she said: "Truth."

Wei Ming: "Who's prettier—Sister Lin or you?"

Gong Shu hadn't expected the brat to turn her own question back on her.

Gong Shu looked at Zhu Lin and said seriously: "Truth? Sister Lin is prettier. I see my own face too often—I always notice flaws. Seeing someone else's face, I naturally focus on their strengths."

Zhu Lin immediately took Gong Shu's hand: "If I faced this question, I'd say Xiao Xue—I really like the elegance of Jiangnan beauties."

Wei Ming watched their clasped hands, cleared his throat twice: "You two aren't even pretending to hide it anymore? I'm right here."

The more he said it, the tighter Zhu Lin and Gong Shu held hands—the two women laughed triumphantly, as if they'd jointly humiliated Xiao Wei.

In reality, Wei Ming was also helping them grow closer—the more united they became, the harder it would be for them to part when the three-year deadline arrived.

"Alright, let's begin properly." Wei Ming shuffled the cards, and everyone drew anew.

Wei Ming drew the Ace of Spades: "Haha, I've got the highest."

Zhu Lin: "That's a one—it should be the lowest."

Gong Ying chimed in: "Exactly, exactly."

Wei Ming didn't argue over this small detail; he glanced around and saw that Zhu Lin had a seven—the highest number.

"I choose truth or dare." Wei Ming said bluntly.

Zhu Lin grew excited—oh, what should she make him do?

The difficulty of the dare had to be carefully chosen: too hard would be equivalent to forcing him to drink, too easy would be boring.

Suddenly, Zhu Lin glanced out the curtain at the opposite side.