What Should I Do if My Best Friend Is a Green Tea? [Transmigrated Into a Book]

Pei Yubai froze, cold sweat trickling down his neck, soaking his collar.

He stammered, "Qingyu, what are you talking about? When have I ever lied to you? Ye Luoyi and I were just putting on an act—didn’t I tell you? Everything I’ve done is for our future, for you..."

Zhou Qingyu flicked away the tie Pei Yubai was holding and scoffed. "You men are all the same—always imposing your own desires on women. What, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t manage Tianhui? You wouldn’t compete with Pei Hanli?"

"No matter who was by your side, you’d still do the same. You’re doing this for yourself, so don’t dress it up as being for me. I don’t need it."

"As for Yan Xi," Zhou Qingyu paused, "that’s between her and me. It’s none of your business."

With that, Zhou Qingyu turned and walked away, leaving Pei Yubai alone, grinding his teeth in fury as he flung the documents to the ground and stomped them into a crumpled mess.

Zhou Qingyu returned to her van, where Yan Xi was sitting inside playing a game. Seeing her approach, Yan Xi quickly scrambled out.

"Done talking?"

Pei Yubai hadn’t followed, and Zhou Qingyu didn’t look like she was in a good mood—clearly, he hadn’t succeeded.

Yan Xi let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had no idea what nonsense Pei Yubai had pulled this time, but as long as he failed, it was fine!

Zhou Qingyu fixed her with a cold stare. "Yan Xi, we need to talk."

Yan Xi blinked, startled by her sudden seriousness.

Zhou Qingyu shooed Little Meng away before turning back to Yan Xi. "Pei Yubai found out all your roommates are single. So, there’s no way you could’ve been heartbroken over their boyfriends. You lied to me about your breakup."

Yan Xi’s mind went blank.

Her thoughts stuttered to a halt as she met Zhou Qingyu’s beautiful yet icy gaze. She shrank back, unable to respond.

Zhou Qingyu bit her lip. "Why did you lie to me?"

[Warning! Warning!]

[Host is at risk of revealing plot details to the novel’s characters! The system will automatically censor any dialogue exposing plot-related information. Repeated violations will result in the host’s elimination!]

Yan Xi’s eyes widened. "Elimination? What does that mean?"

[Host, it means exactly what it sounds like.]

Yan Xi swallowed hard before looking back at Zhou Qingyu. "I... can’t tell you the reason."

Zhou Qingyu frowned. "Why not?"

Yan Xi clenched her teeth, carefully choosing her words to avoid triggering another warning. "All I can say is... I didn’t want you to end up with Pei Yubai. I didn’t want you to be called a homewrecker, or to waste your money on him... I wanted to help clear your name, to make sure you could live your own life..."

[Warning! Warning!]

[Host! Watch your wording! Your last sentence nearly revealed plot details! This time, we’ll let it slide, but don’t push it!]

"What does any of that have to do with faking a breakup?" Zhou Qingyu couldn’t make sense of it. After a moment, she added, "Did you want me to focus on comforting you so I wouldn’t have time for Pei Yubai?"

Yan Xi nodded vigorously.

Zhou Qingyu threw her hands up. "Then why not just say so? You could’ve told me straight up that Pei Yubai’s a scumbag who doesn’t deserve me! Why go through all this trouble?"

Yan Xi could only stare at her helplessly.

Because you wouldn’t have listened. Because you were bound by the plot. Because back then, your heart had no room for anyone but Pei Yubai...

But Yan Xi couldn’t say any of that. Whether it was Zhou Qingyu being controlled by the story’s narrative or the fact that this world was a novel, none of the truth could be spoken aloud.

Yan Xi lowered her head. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you."

This only made Zhou Qingyu angrier. She could tell Yan Xi was holding something back, and it frustrated her.

"Yan Xi! You’re the one I trusted the most! And you lied to me too? I hate being lied to!"

Too upset to continue, she turned away and marched back to the van.

"Little Meng! Let’s go!"

Little Meng, who had been wearing headphones and missed their conversation, hurried into the driver’s seat before glancing back. "Qingyu-jie, Yan Xi hasn’t gotten in yet!"

"Who cares about her?"

Zhou Qingyu huffed and slammed the door shut.

"Qingyu!"

Yan Xi lunged forward, trying to stop the door, but Zhou Qingyu was too fast. The door swung shut with a sharp thud, crushing Yan Xi’s hand in the process.

"Ah—!" Yan Xi cried out in pain.

Zhou Qingyu gasped and immediately yanked the door back open. Yan Xi’s fair skin was now marked with an angry red line, the skin scraped raw and bleeding.

"Are you stupid? Didn’t you see the door closing?"

Yan Xi looked up at her with pitiful eyes. "Qingyu, it hurts... You wouldn’t really leave me here alone, would you?"

Zhou Qingyu scowled. "Stop playing the victim. It won’t work on me anymore!" She turned to Little Meng. "Where’s Lin Zhi? Isn’t she the VP’s assistant? Why isn’t she here?"

Little Meng pulled out her phone. "I’ll call Lin Zhi-jie right now!"

Zhou Qingyu shot Yan Xi another glance, her expression softening slightly before hardening again. "Lin Zhi has a car. She can take you to the hospital."

Yan Xi pouted. "You won’t take me yourself?"

Zhou Qingyu crossed her arms. "I’m still mad at you! Don’t push your luck!"

Little Meng hung up. "Qingyu-jie, Lin Zhi-jie already left."

"She’s an assistant—how is she leaving before the VP?"

"It’s Saturday today. She was only here for overtime..."

Zhou Qingyu sighed. With Lin Zhi gone and Master Zhao already off duty, it seemed she had no choice. Fine, she’d take Yan Xi to the hospital—but not because she forgave her! As her boss, she was just being responsible!

Just as she was about to relent, a deep voice cut in from behind.

"I’ll take her to the hospital."

Zhou Yanci stepped forward.

"As VP, I oversee all corporate management. Yan Xi is also under my jurisdiction. I’ll handle this."

Zhou Qingyu bristled. Who asked you, you scheming old fox?!

But she couldn’t bring herself to backtrack. Yan Xi had deceived her for so long and still refused to explain why. She couldn’t just forgive her so easily—what would that say about her pride? At least this old fox, for all his slyness, was pursuing Yan Xi. He wouldn’t do anything too outrageous.

"Whatever! Do what you want!"

With a haughty flip of her hair, she stormed back into the van without another glance.

---

Watching the van speed away, Yan Xi exhaled heavily. She’d known this day would come—just not so soon.

Zhou Yanci examined her injury carefully as a Rolls-Royce glided to a stop beside them.

"Let’s go. To the hospital."

"It’s fine, really. It’s not that bad."

Though it stung, Yan Xi could tell it was just a surface wound—nothing broken.

Zhou Yanci bought iodine, cotton swabs, and bandages from a nearby convenience store, then sat her down on an outdoor bench to tend to her hand.

"Zhou Yanci, do you think Qingyu is really angry?" Yan Xi asked nervously. Having known Zhou Qingyu for so long, this was the first time she'd seen her lose her temper at her.

Zhou Yanci raised an eyebrow. "You call this anger?"

"Isn't it?"

Zhou Yanci didn’t know how to respond. In his memory, hadn’t Zhou Qingyu always been domineering toward everyone? If things didn’t go her way, she’d throw a fit—hence the rumors in the entertainment industry about her being a diva. She really was like that often.

But he didn’t point it out, instead asking, "Why didn’t you just tell her the truth?" In Zhou Yanci’s view, if Yan Xi had lied to Zhou Qingyu, there was probably a good reason.

Yan Xi fell silent, unable to answer.

The two of them sat quietly as Zhou Yanci carefully tended to Yan Xi’s wound.

The summer night carried a slight chill, and when the breeze brushed past, Yan Xi shivered, goosebumps rising on her skin. Zhou Yanci took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Zhou Yanci," Yan Xi suddenly called his name, "If one day you find out I’ve been hiding something from you too, would you be angry?"

Zhou Yanci replied indifferently, "That depends on what it is."

Yan Xi hesitated.

Like… the fact that getting close to you wasn’t because I liked you, or because I genuinely cared about your well-being… but because of Qingyu.

But Yan Xi didn’t dare say it.

Zhou Yanci lowered his gaze, watching her prolonged silence, and arched a brow.

"I would be angry."

Yan Xi’s heart skipped a beat.

The next moment, Zhou Yanci wrapped an arm around her waist, his voice soft yet mesmerizing. "So, since you’ve already kept it from me before, just keep hiding it. Hide it from me forever—don’t ever let me find out the truth. Understood?"

---

In the darkness, at the corner of a convenience store.

Zhou Qingyu stood in an M-brand haute couture gown, its voluminous skirt making movement difficult. Yet she still clutched the hem, peeking out from behind the store’s wall.

"What is Zhou Yanci doing? Just applying medicine—why is he touching her? Weren’t they supposed to go to the hospital? That scheming old tea master!"

Zhou Qingyu dug her fingers into the convenience store’s wall, nearly scraping off the paint.

Little Meng, standing behind her, was thoroughly exasperated.

"Qingyu-jie, can’t we just go out properly?" Sneaking around like this was ridiculous! What if paparazzi were nearby?

"No! Yan Xi can’t see me!" Zhou Qingyu insisted. She hadn’t cooled off yet—if Yan Xi found out she was worried about her, wouldn’t that mean she’d lost?

"But how long are we going to stay here…?" Little Meng rubbed her arms, uneasy in the dark.

"Ugh, just a little longer! Just a little longer!"

---

Zhou Yanci had already finished bandaging Yan Xi’s wound.

It was getting late. Yan Xi had an early flight the next morning to Country X for a variety show filming, and she still hadn’t packed. She needed to return to the Zhou residence.

As she stood up, her system materialized beside her.

[Host, the young miss is hiding by the convenience store, watching you.]

Yan Xi: !!!

"She hasn’t gone back yet?"

[Nope!]

Yan Xi peeked in the direction the system indicated. Sure enough, she spotted a fluffy head peeking out furtively.

The moment their eyes met, Zhou Qingyu jerked back behind the wall.

"Did she see me?" she asked Little Meng.

Little Meng: "No way! It’s pitch black out here. Yan Xi’s a top student, and top students are usually nearsighted!"

Zhou Qingyu comforted herself with the same logic. "Right, most smart people wear glasses. Even Zhou Yanci’s nearsighted—Yan Xi must be too. There’s no way she saw…"

"Qingyu?"

Yan Xi’s voice suddenly sounded from behind. Zhou Qingyu startled so badly she nearly tripped over her gown, saved only by Little Meng’s quick reflexes.

Yan Xi, her hand wrapped in bandages, appeared before her, eyes brightening with delight. "Were you worried about me? Couldn’t bear to leave?"

Zhou Qingyu stammered, "N-nonsense! I was just thirsty, came to buy water! Right, Little Meng?"

Little Meng stiffened, nodding frantically. "Y-yes! Qingyu-jie definitely wasn’t here for you! We just came for water!"

Yan Xi deliberately drew out her words. "Ohhh… then where’s the water?"

Zhou Qingyu froze.

She turned to Little Meng. "Where’s the water?"

"W-water… I’ll go buy it now!"

Little Meng clutched her phone and dashed into the store, leaving Zhou Qingyu standing stiffly, spine rigid.

She shot Yan Xi a haughty glance. "Just so you know, I didn’t come here because of you. Don’t flatter yourself!"

"Mm, I know!" Yan Xi replied sweetly. "Of course you didn’t come because of me. I’m the one who deliberately picked a convenience store you’d visit. It’s all me—has nothing to do with you."

Zhou Qingyu nodded in satisfaction. "That’s more like it!"

When Little Meng returned with the water, Zhou Qingyu took a few elegant sips, carrying herself like a proud swan.

As she passed Yan Xi, her eyes flicked to the bandaged hand. She clicked her tongue. "Zhou Yanci, what kind of sloppy wrapping is that? It’s hideous!"

Zhou Yanci was torn between laughter and exasperation. "My fault?"

Zhou Qingyu: "Obviously! It’s an eyesore! Make sure Doctor Li redoes it when you get back. This mess is an affront to aesthetics!"

Before ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Zhou Yanci could respond, Yan Xi cut in, "Okay~ I’ll have Doctor Li redo it as soon as I get back~"

---

That night, Yan Xi rode back to the Zhou residence in Zhou Yanci’s Rolls-Royce.

The third destination for Journey was Queen’s City in Country X—a 12-hour flight south. They were set to depart at eight the next morning.

The following day, Yan Xi woke to find Zhou Yanci still home. He brought over the first-aid kit to change her bandages.

—Though Zhou Qingyu had insisted on Doctor Li redoing them last night, it had been too late. The doctor was already asleep, and Yan Xi hadn’t wanted to disturb him. She thought Zhou Yanci’s bandaging was fine.

Zhou Yanci carefully removed the old bandages and reapplied the medicine.

"Should I make it a bit bulkier?" he asked. "Qingyu has a soft heart."

Yan Xi was tempted but shook her head. "No… if she finds out I tricked her again, she’ll be even angrier."

At the entrance hall, Zhou Qingyu had just finished packing—four massive suitcases, far too heavy for her to carry alone.

Yan Xi bounded over eagerly. "Qingyu, let me help!"

Zhou Qingyu lifted a brow. "Fine, but just because you volunteered! Doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you!"

Yan Xi nodded. "Of course~"

Queen’s City was in the middle of winter, and Zhou Qingyu’s four suitcases were stuffed to the brim. Yan Xi, as usual, traveled light with just one. But even with her own luggage, moving Zhou Qingyu’s four was no easy task.

Especially with her left hand injured—using only her right, she could barely lift them.

As she descended the steps, Yan Xi stumbled, nearly falling before Zhou Yanci caught her.

He frowned. "Let me."

Zhou Qingyu peeked out worriedly, spotting the bruise on Yan Xi’s shin from hitting the step. She gritted her teeth. "Stop carrying them! You’re so clumsy—you’ll dent my luggage!"

"Uncle Yu!" Zhou Qingyu called out, "Get a few people to help me carry my suitcases out."

Butler Yu chuckled warmly, "Of course."

Zhou Qingyu strutted proudly at the front, with two servants trailing behind, hauling her four suitcases.

As she passed by Yan Xi, Zhou Qingyu shot a glance at Zhou Yanci, "What are you standing around for? Grab Yan Xi’s luggage and keep up!"

Then, she turned to Yan Xi, declaring matter-of-factly, "I’m not helping you—I just don’t want you slowing me down! It’s a 12-hour flight to Queen’s City, and I refuse to waste time on you!"

"Got it!" Yan Xi grinned, "The young mistress is worried about time, not me!"

.

Once inside the van, Zhou Qingyu slipped on an eye mask and leaned back to catch up on sleep.

—She had woken up too early, and her body clock hadn’t adjusted yet. She planned to sleep on the plane too.

The servants loaded the luggage into the back, and Zhou Yanci was the last to place Yan Xi’s suitcase inside.

Yan Xi lowered her voice, whispering, "The flight attendants will help with the luggage at the airport, so don’t worry. Hurry to work already!"

The CEO of Zhou Corporation couldn’t afford to be late all the time.

Zhou Yanci gently tapped the tip of her nose, "Call me when you board."

Yan Xi glanced around nervously, making sure no one was watching, before sighing in relief, "Stop being so handsy! What if someone sees?"

Zhou Yanci pinched her cheek, "I’m touching my girlfriend. Who’s going to complain?"

Yan Xi’s face flushed instantly, "I’m not—"

Zhou Yanci raised an eyebrow, feigning shock, "You’re denying it after kissing me? Yan Xi, are you that heartless?"

Yan Xi stammered guiltily, "...Just don’t let Qingyu find out for now!"

Zhou Qingyu was still holding a grudge against Zhou Yanci. Besides, after Pei Yubai had exposed Yan Xi’s deception last night, she could easily guess he’d spun it as her scheming for the Zhou family’s resources—or worse, seducing Zhou Yanci to marry into wealth. If Zhou Qingyu found out they were together now, wouldn’t that just confirm Pei Yubai’s accusations?

A secret relationship wasn’t so bad.

"Anyway! No touching me right now, got it?"

Zhou Yanci was almost amused by her audacity, "You’re worried about Zhou Qingyu’s temper, but not mine?"

Yan Xi blinked, baffled, "Why would you be mad? You’re the older one—be mature and stop being so dramatic!"

Zhou Yanci: "..."

"Alright, alright!" Yan Xi patted his shoulder reassuringly, "We’ll only be gone five days. Stay in Hai City and focus on work, okay?"

Zhou Yanci remained visibly displeased.

Yan Xi: "I’ll bring you back a gift!"

Zhou Yanci stayed cold.

Yan Xi: "I promise to text you every day!"

Zhou Yanci scoffed.

Yan Xi gave up. Men were impossible to placate.

Fine, let him sulk. It wouldn’t kill him. She still had to get to the airport, or Zhou Qingyu would notice the delay.

Ignoring Zhou Yanci, she turned toward the van.

Suddenly, an arm yanked her back. Off-balance, she tumbled into a warm embrace—just as soft lips crashed against hers.

His tongue invaded before she could react, overwhelming her senses completely.

She tried pushing him away, but Zhou Yanci was too strong, kissing her so fiercely she could barely breathe. Trapped in that small space, her legs grew weak beneath her.

Only after what felt like forever did Zhou Yanci finally release her.

Yan Xi’s lips were swollen, her breathing ragged.

Zhou Yanci brushed his thumb over her damp lower lip, wiping away the moisture.

"There. That’s better."

Yan Xi seethed, "Zhou Yanci!"

He smirked, whispering in her ear, "Any longer, and Zhou Qingyu will throw a fit."

Right on cue, Zhou Qingyu’s voice rang out from the van as she lifted her eye mask.

"Yan Xi? What’s taking so long?"

"Coming!" Yan Xi called back before shooting Zhou Yanci a glare, "You’re dead when I get back!"

Little did she know, even her fiercest glare looked adorable to him.

He grinned, "Looking forward to it."

.

The van sped toward the airport.

As soon as they settled in, Zhou Qingyu noticed Yan Xi’s lips. "You’re wearing lipstick? It’s nice."

Yan Xi’s heart raced as she stammered, "Oh, it’s not a big brand—just a small label that sent us free samples for promotion..."

Zhou Qingyu lost interest the moment she heard it wasn’t luxury. The young mistress only used high-end cosmetics, after all.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Hai City Airport.

Though the Zhou estate was in the suburbs, it wasn’t far from the airport.

Yan Xi didn’t spot the Lu Family’s private jet. The staff explained that Lu Beiyu and Ye Luoyi had left half an hour earlier—they’d woken up much sooner.

Flight attendants hurried over to assist with their luggage as they stepped out.

Zhou Qingyu studied Yan Xi again. Her lips had faded from their earlier red to a soft pink.

"That lipstick is trash. Toss it," Zhou Qingyu declared.

"Huh?" Yan Xi was lost.

Zhou Qingyu flipped her phone to selfie mode, angling it at Yan Xi. "Look, it’s barely been any time since we left, and it’s already gone. What kind of brand has such terrible staying power? Avoid it at all costs!"

"And tell our artists not to endorse it either. A brand this pathetic isn’t worth it!"

The moment they entered the airport, the reality show’s live broadcast began—so Zhou Qingyu’s remark reached every viewer.

[Is the young mistress exposing a crappy brand today?]

[If it fades that fast, it’s definitely garbage. Name and shame!]

[What makeup brand is this? So bad!]

Yan Xi turned crimson, on the verge of tears.

How could she name a brand? Making one up would tank some innocent company’s sales!

She mumbled, "I... forgot. I’ll check when we get back!"

Zhou Qingyu didn’t press further, though she still preferred Yan Xi’s earlier red lips.

Pulling out a diamond-encrusted tube from her bag, she tilted Yan Xi’s chin and swiped it on. "There. This shade suits you."

She tossed the lipstick to Yan Xi. "Use this one." Then she added sternly, "I just don’t want you embarrassing me. Don’t get the wrong idea!"

Yan Xi clutched the glittering lipstick, nodding, "Understood! The young mistress isn’t being nice—she just hates embarrassment!"

Satisfied, Zhou Qingyu strode toward the boarding stairs, head held high. Yan Xi grabbed her purse and hurried after her.

At the plane’s entrance, a familiar figure stood waiting.

"Good morning, Qingyu, Yan Xi."

Pei Yubai, dressed in a crisp suit, greeted them from the cabin aisle.

Yan Xi’s breath hitched. "Why is he here?"

Zhou Qingyu shrugged nonchalantly. "Pei Yubai said he wanted to accompany me on this trip. He’ll be acting as our travel butler, handling all our arrangements."

Yan Xi’s brows furrowed deeply.

"System, is Qingyu being controlled by the plot again?"

[Impossible.]

[Once a character’s luck value exceeds 60, they’re immune to control. That’s an absolute rule.]

[Most likely, Pei Yubai volunteered to be the travel butler to win back the young miss. This way, he can stay close to her and have a better chance at mending things.]

Yan Xi’s eyes darkened. "As if he’d get his way!"

.

For the rest of the trip, Yan Xi did everything she could to keep Zhou Qingyu and Pei Yubai apart. But Zhou Qingyu was still upset with her, and all her efforts backfired.

When Zhou Qingyu mentioned wanting pineapple, Yan Xi leaped forward. "I’ll do it!"

Before she could even pick up the fruit knife, Zhou Qingyu cut in, "Who wants fruit cut by you? Pei Yubai, you do it."

When Zhou Qingyu craved milk tea, Yan Xi rushed again. "I can make it!"

Zhou Qingyu shot her a sidelong glance. "With those useless hands of yours? Pei Yubai, I want a four-season milk tea—three parts sugar, room temperature, with pearls, red beans, and Oreo crumbs! Don’t get it wrong."

Watching Pei Yubai hustle around while she stood helpless, Yan Xi could only seethe in frustration.

Yan Xi gritted her teeth. "This is infuriating! Damn Pei Yubai!"

The system glanced at the neatly sliced pineapple by Yan Xi’s left hand, then at the freshly made milk tea on her right—

[Host, wouldn’t it be nicer… to just relax?]