Noticing the progress between Gu Qinghan and Cheng Yanxi’s relationship, Xia Ning felt a slight discomfort in her heart. It was so faint that she thought it might be an illusion and quickly suppressed it.

Instead, she offered her sincere blessings: “That’s wonderful. This is what I’ve always hoped for. You two must stay happy together!”

Gu Qinghan, however, disliked Xia Ning always grouping him and Cheng Yanxi together. He changed the subject and asked, “Your birthday is coming up. How do you plan to celebrate it? Are you going back home?”

Xia Ning shook her head. “No, I’m staying here.”

Gu Qinghan nodded, showing no disappointment. He calmly said, “Then Yanxi and I will come celebrate with you.”

Xia Ning paused and, fiddling with her fingers, replied hesitantly, “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble? It’s a lot for you both to travel back and forth. I heard Yan Yan fell into the water recently and hasn’t fully recovered. Don’t go through all this effort for me.”

“Celebrating your birthday can’t be called trouble.” Gu Qinghan’s tone left no room for debate. “Yanxi is in great health; she’s not dying. It’s decided. We’ll head over early to celebrate your birthday.”

Great health and not dying?

Cheng Yanxi raised her eyes to glance at Gu Qinghan, finding him truly cold and heartless. Did he not care about her even a little?

“No, no,” Xia Ning suddenly said firmly, “I don’t want you to come. It’s just a birthday. There’s no need to go to such lengths. I can celebrate with my friends and classmates. Brother Qinghan, don’t trouble Yan Yan over this.”

Gu Qinghan initially remained calm, but when he heard Xia Ning’s final words, a violent tension suddenly emanated from him, as if a storm was brewing.

Yanxi, standing nearby, felt the oppressive atmosphere immediately.

How scary. Why is he suddenly so angry?

Xia Ning’s attitude was resolute; she wouldn’t allow Gu Qinghan to visit her. She hung up the call directly.

The screen on his phone went dark, and with a burst of strength, Gu Qinghan shoved Yanxi, almost knocking her to the floor. She managed to catch herself in time, but her ankle twisted painfully, and she hissed from the sharp ache.

What’s wrong with Gu Qinghan?

Why did he suddenly lash out?

Yanxi glared at him angrily, not even getting the chance to speak before he grabbed her chin forcefully. His cold, handsome face loomed closer.

“Cheng Yanxi, did you start this?” Though phrased as a question, Gu Qinghan had already sentenced her in his mind.

It must be her stirring up trouble. Otherwise, why would Xia Ning suddenly refuse to let him visit for her birthday?

“You’re such a wretch!” His deep, piercing eyes filled with disdain. “Are you scheming again to force me into bed with you? Do you think that by stopping me from seeing Xia Ning, I’ll suddenly become interested in you? Let me tell you, dream on!

“Even looking at you disgusts me, let alone touching you. Every inch of you is revolting.

“Didn’t the last punishment teach you enough?”

With that, he tightened his grip around Yanxi’s neck, as if wanting to strangle her.

Yanxi gasped for air, the suffocating sensation of near-death washing over her again.

Panic and terror surged uncontrollably within her. She grabbed a nearby laptop and, with all her strength, swung it at Gu Qinghan.

Gu Qinghan, quick on his feet, dodged the attack. The laptop missed him and smashed into the wall, breaking into pieces.

He frowned at the shattered laptop and then glanced at Yanxi, surprised.

She used so much force—did she actually intend to kill me?

His grip loosened, and Yanxi immediately inhaled deeply, greedily drawing oxygen into her lungs.

Once she caught her breath, she picked up her phone without hesitation and called Xia Ning.

There was no point in arguing with Gu Qinghan. With his deep biases and tinted perspective, nothing she said would matter. Only hard evidence could shut him up.

When Xia Ning answered, Yanxi went straight to the point. “Miss Ning, why don’t you want us to come celebrate your birthday?”

Xia Ning paused. She thought Yanxi was calling for something else, not expecting this question.

She chuckled lightly. “Of course, I just don’t want to trouble you two. Your health hasn’t fully recovered, and Brother Qinghan is busy with work. How could I bear to have you both run around for me?”

“We’re not afraid of the trouble. I’m fine, and the esteemed Mr. Gu isn’t busy either,” Yanxi said firmly. “We are definitely coming to celebrate your birthday.”

Xia Ning froze for a moment, puzzled by Yanxi’s sudden determination.

Realizing she couldn’t dodge anymore, Xia Ning reluctantly stammered the truth. “Actually, I have other plans.”

“What plans? Could anything be more important than your birthday?” Yanxi pressed further.

Xia Ning blushed, hesitating before admitting shyly, “Yan Yan, you know Lu Huaichen, right?”

Yanxi’s heart clenched, her blood freezing the moment she heard that name.

Unaware of Yanxi’s reaction, Xia Ning continued, “I found out Lu Huaichen will be in the U.S. during those days. I want to see him.”

As she spoke, her eyes lit up, brimming with admiration and longing.

Yanxi instantly realized—Xia Ning had feelings for Lu Huaichen!

It made sense. That man only acted like a scoundrel around her, but in front of others, he was charming and composed, skilled at leaving an impression.

A few years ago, he was even voted the world’s most desirable bachelor, ranking higher than Gu Qinghan.

Unlike Gu Qinghan, whose cold and moody demeanor made him seem like a grim reaper, Lu Huaichen carried an aura of aloof grace, an unattainable air that enchanted people.

Not wanting to dwell on Lu Huaichen, Yanxi ended the call abruptly. She then turned to face Gu Qinghan and said sharply, “Did a donkey kick your brain? Blaming me without knowing the facts? Sleep this, sleep that—you think you’re a luxury mattress, and everyone wants to sleep with you?

“Someone like you is just a waste of oxygen while alive and a waste of land when dead. Your only contribution is proving that bizarre creatures like you can exist in this world!”

Not wanting to see his infuriating face another second, Yanxi turned and stormed out.

Staying even a moment longer with Gu Qinghan felt suffocating.

Someone as twisted as him didn’t belong in the mortal realm—he should stay locked in hell forever!

Her movements were swift and precise, and her words sharper than knives. By the time Gu Qinghan processed what had happened, Yanxi had already slammed the door behind her.

He clenched his fingers, trying to calm his erratic heartbeat, and cursed under his breath, “Damn.”

For the first time in his life, a woman had pointed at him and scolded him. What’s more, she hadn’t used a single vulgar word, leaving him no room to retort.

When did Cheng Yanxi become this fierce?

So fierce, so defiant, and yet so radiant.