I’m the Villain’s Lackey, and I Started by Forcibly Kissing the Villain’s Sister - Chapter 31:

Chapter 31: Bringing Poet Su Chen, Online Chicken Soup for the Soul

“Tch! I’m the Bai family’s heiress. What could possibly trouble me?” Bai Gucheng instinctively retorted after hearing Su Chen’s words. As she spoke, she picked up her wine glass and took a large gulp, nearly choking on it. After catching her breath, Bai Gucheng turned her head and noticed Su Chen still staring at her face. Her cheeks flushed, as if her thoughts had been laid bare by Su Chen.

“It’s just some company matters, a bit bothersome,” Bai Gucheng rarely showed a trace of vulnerability and didn’t bother hiding it anymore.

The stark contrast in Bai Gucheng’s demeanor tugged at Su Chen’s heart. In the eyes of outsiders, she was an invincible business queen, the Bai family’s heiress. But she carried not only the Bai family’s honor but also a heavy sense of responsibility from her lineage. Beneath her cold exterior and ever-unfazed expression was a mask she wore.

Yet Su Chen knew that this woman had poured her heart and soul into managing every store and company under the Bai family’s name. With a massive estate and the Bai family patriarch aging, the person who could handle all this had to be Bai Gucheng. After all, Bai Zihang was hopeless when it came to business. Fortunately, the Bai family had someone as intelligent and capable as Bai Gucheng. Otherwise, they might have had to hire outsiders to manage their empire.

“The air here isn’t good. Come with me to the rooftop for some fresh air,” Bai Gucheng suddenly said, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.

“Sure,” Su Chen naturally agreed. He hadn’t yet been up to his own rooftop terrace.

Following Bai Gucheng, the two arrived at the villa’s rooftop observation deck. From there, the city’s nightscape unfolded before them. The dazzling lights, the endless stream of cars, the colorful lights on skyscrapers — all accompanied by the cool evening breeze. Their hearts instantly calmed a little.

Su Chen looked at Bai Gucheng’s perfect side profile as she leaned against the railing, and his heart stirred.

“I don’t know what you’re going through, but I have a poem I’d like to share with you,” Su Chen said.

Bai Gucheng was stunned, her face illuminated under the night lights, revealing some doubt. Su Chen could write poems? Was he joking? Or had he drunk too much and was about to recite some sloppy rhymes?

But Bai Gucheng wasn’t in the mood to shoot down his goodwill. She smiled lightly, “Alright, I didn’t expect our scholar Su to be a poet too. Truly versatile.”

Her words were laced with subtle mockery, but Su Chen wasn’t annoyed at all.

“This poem is called ‘The Road Not Taken.'”

Bai Gucheng propped her chin on her hand, looking at Su Chen with a face full of amusement, her affectionate eyes glimmering with a hint of a smile.

“Go ahead,” she said.

Su Chen cleared his throat seriously and began reciting in a deep voice that blended with the night breeze.

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both.
And be one traveler, long I stood,
And looked down one as far as I could,
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there,
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay,
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh,
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

After the last line, the air around them seemed to grow still. Bai Gucheng’s face no longer wore its earlier smile — it was now filled with astonishment.

At first, she thought Su Chen was just joking and would recite a few casual lines. But she didn’t expect him to deliver a modern philosophical poem instead.

Bai Gucheng was a proper high-achiever, a returnee from abroad, with a strong appreciation for such literature. It was precisely because she understood the meaning of the poem that she was even more surprised and touched.

This guy had actually recited a poem for her. His intention was obvious — to cheer her up.

Bai Gucheng quietly made a note of this gesture in her heart.

“Did you really write this?” she asked.

Su Chen shook his head decisively, “Of course not. It was written by a friend of mine named Robert.”

“Robert?” Bai Gucheng frowned, racking her brain for the names of renowned poets and scholars. But no matter how much she thought, she couldn’t recall anyone by that name!

If such a poem had really been written by this Robert, he should have been famous long ago! The poem’s profound meaning and resonance made it a masterpiece, worthy of awards even.

Thus, Bai Gucheng came to her own conclusion.

“Oh, your friend has quite the talent. You should introduce me sometime,” she said.

Uh-oh! Miss, introducing him might be a bit difficult!

Seeing Su Chen’s stiff expression, Bai Gucheng couldn’t help but chuckle. Somehow, teasing him made her feel especially good.

Just like the poem said, everyone faces many crossroads in life. Once you choose your path, you should walk it with unwavering faith.

Besides, a man named Su Chen had suddenly entered Bai Gucheng’s life.

She pursed her lips and beckoned to Su Chen, “Come here. I have something to tell you.”

Su Chen looked puzzled. Was she going to criticize his poem? That poem had been included in textbooks in his previous world — its level was definitely not ordinary!

He leaned in, curious about what Bai Gucheng wanted to say.

But as soon as he got close, Bai Gucheng suddenly hugged him.

Feeling the pleasant fragrance and the soft body in his arms, Su Chen was stunned.

Miss, mind your identity! Aren’t you the female lead?!

Bai Gucheng had just taken a bath, and her whole body exuded a charming scent. Her tall figure fit just perfectly against Su Chen’s chin.

Feeling her intense heartbeat, Su Chen sighed. What a temptation! This woman was a siren!

He gently brushed aside a few messy strands of her hair and tucked them behind her ear.

Feeling Su Chen’s tender touch, Bai Gucheng suddenly looked up.

They locked eyes for a few seconds. Bai Gucheng’s gaze flickered, and then she stood on tiptoe and pecked his lips.

“Don’t recite poems for anyone else from now on… or else… hmph!”

Su Chen: “……”