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Lin Zhiwei was stunned for a long while.
Ming Zhao, you idiot… how reckless could you be?
She had actually dabbled in substitute literature right under everyone’s noses.
Her lips stiffened, and she awkwardly took a sip of her wine, completely at a loss for words.
She couldn’t even begin to imagine the disaster that would unfold if Zhou Tingyun found out…
Unable to help herself, she stole another glance at Gu He, watching as he awkwardly struggled to make small talk with Ming Zhao. It made her feel increasingly uncomfortable—as if she was sitting on pins and needles.
Why hasn’t this guy left yet?
Ming Zhao was growing impatient and abruptly cut off his meaningless small talk.
“What exactly do you want to say?”
The man remained silent for a few seconds. After a long pause, he spoke softly.
“I’m sorry.”
It was an apology he had owed her for a long time.
In his youth, insecurity made him defensive, surrounding himself with prickly walls. His pride was too strong, serving as both a shield and a weapon—one he hadn’t realized was the sharpest of all, cutting others the deepest.
Hearing this, Ming Zhao nodded indifferently.
“Oh, it’s fine.”
Since he had apologized, what else could she say?
It was better to avoid being labeled as someone who couldn’t let go, especially when she was in the right.
With that thought, she casually asked, “By the way, how’s your little childhood friend doing?”
Gu He’s heart clenched.
“Zhao Zhao, she and I… there’s nothing between us. Back then, I was only taking care of her because my parents asked me to, I…”
Lin Zhiwei couldn’t help but smirk—classic scumbag trilogy.
“I’m sorry. There’s nothing between us. I love you.”
What a joke.
“Zhao Zhao, I’ve already transferred that money back to you,” he said, his throat dry, lips trembling slightly.
“Can we…”
…start over?
“No need to return it,” Ming Zhao cut him off casually, not believing a word he said. “We just got what we wanted from each other.”
In the past, she had only liked his face.
Her personality wasn’t bad either.
But what kind of person was she, really?
If she had known that he and his childhood friend were already on the same page, how could she have possibly spent money like that?
He never spoke about the person he liked, yet he wore an expression of restraint—accepting her help with a sense of deep humiliation.
Meanwhile, she spent money, only to end up with a reputation of using power to break up a couple, making the entire situation even more frustrating.
…
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the mansion…
“Young Master Zhou,” Chen Zhou casually clinked his glass against Zhou Tingyun’s. “Miss Fang from the Tongsen Group is here. Aren’t you going to meet her?”
Chen Zhou was the CEO of Yuanfeng Technology, a company that cooperated with Huayu Group. He specialized in emerging industries such as new energy and artificial intelligence.
He had met Zhou Tingyun in the business world, and over time, they had become somewhat familiar with each other.
“No need,” Zhou Tingyun replied calmly.
The man clicked his tongue twice. “So, you’re planning to become a monk?”
“The benefits of a marriage between Huayu and Tongsen are obvious. The world is full of people seeking profit. How is it that you’re in this position yet have no desires or ambitions?” he continued.
Zhou Tingyun glanced at him quietly.
“If you want to form a marriage alliance with Tongsen, you’re welcome to pursue it yourself.”
Chen Zhou shrugged and fell silent.
He had only said it casually. After all, if they could have a conversation, it was clear they shared similar views. Sacrificing a marriage for business wasn’t his style.
He just thought, since Zhou Tingyun didn’t seem to have anyone, he liked, meeting with someone new might not hurt. Who knows? He might even find someone he likes…
The next second, he accidentally caught a glimpse of Zhou Tingyun’s phone screen.
In the chat box labeled “Little Cutie,” Zhou Tingyun was asking the other person what they were doing and whether they had eaten yet.
“……”
Perverted little sister complex.
Ming Zhao rolled her eyes and turned her gaze away, but her attention froze when she spotted something in the distance.
Huh? Isn’t that Mr. Gu from Lianfeng Technology?
Lianfeng Technology had been on a roll in recent years, with its stock price and market value climbing steadily. Recently, it had even been competing with their own Yuanfeng Technology for the same artificial intelligence project.
She watched for a moment before Chen Zhou couldn’t help but whistle, marveling at the sight.
“I really didn’t expect that Mr. Gu, with that rigid spine capable of piercing through anyone, would have such a humble side.”
He nudged Zhou Tingyun, who was bowing down low.
“Hey, which young lady is that? I don’t think I’ve seen her before. Wow, her dad must be really impressive.”
“Look at Mr. Gu, I can’t even watch it.”
Zhou Tingyun was initially uninterested, but his attention shifted the moment he heard Gu He’s name.
He looked up.
The younger sister, who hadn’t replied to his messages, suddenly appeared at the mansion.
She was deep in conversation with someone.
“Is it because of your brother?”
Hearing the mention of Zhou Tingyun from the person in front of her, Ming Zhao was taken aback.
Zhou Tingyun had indeed made it clear that he disliked him and had once pressured her to break up with him.
But isn’t the person who is wrong here him?
How could he act so arrogantly, as if he’s in the right?
Ming Zhao was speechless. “What does my brother have to do with this? You were the one who…”
But Gu He was consumed by the gossip he had overheard, and his expression grew darker.
It must have been that old man who had deceived her.
He stepped forward, closing the distance, and coldly interrupted her, demanding, “If you think it has nothing to do with him, what about him? Does he feel the same way?”
The sudden aggression from the man startled Ming Zhao, and she instinctively tightened her lips.
Why is he suddenly acting like this?
But she wasn’t about to lose in this battle of will. She forced herself not to step back.
She pulled Lin Zhiwei—who had a cold expression and was about to step forward to protect her—back and glared at Gu He.
“You’re being ridiculous. Move aside.”
It was a clear sign that she was about to lose her temper.
Gu He paused for a moment but quickly decided to back off, softening his tone.
“Zhao Zhao, I didn’t mean anything by it,” he said in a calming voice.
“I just wanted to say, don’t you think you two are a bit too close?”
What a nerve.
What does her closeness with Zhou Tingyun have to do with him?
Ming Zhao had already felt that Zhou Tingyun was deliberately keeping a distance from her, so Gu He’s words were like a perfect trigger.
“Why do you care?” She was so angry that her cheeks flushed.
Seeing the girl like this, Gu He panicked.
“But you’re not even related by blood!”
He hit another nerve.
What she hated most was the fact that they weren’t related by blood, and for Gu He to bring it up so casually—if it weren’t for her dress, she would’ve kicked him by now.
“So, what if we’re not?”
The man was in disbelief, his voice rising without him realizing.
“Zhao Zhao, do you even know what they’re saying now?”
Her anger was interrupted, and she froze for a moment, full of confusion.
“What are they saying?”
“They’re saying you and Zhou Tingyun—”
The sentence abruptly cut off.
Ming Zhao, who loved gossip, would never let her own rumors slip by either. Frowning, she pressed, “What are they saying?”
But Gu He’s face had turned ashen.
What was he doing?
Was he going to help them tear down the window for free?
His voice calmed down again. “It’s nothing.”
She hated people who only spoke half of something!
Just as Ming Zhao was about to curse him over his credit card limit, a deep, pleasant voice interrupted.
“Zhao Zhao.”
It was calm and steady, with no discernible emotion.
Ming Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively looked over.
Not far away, the man stood with a composed expression, tall and upright, his figure standing out from the crowd. He exuded a natural, steady air that came from being in a position of power for a long time.
The hand holding the wine glass revealed faint blue veins, clearly defined, subtly exuding a sense of control.
Meeting his dark, intense gaze, Ming Zhao bit her lip, her momentum faltering.
Just the night before, he had told her not to interact with Gu He, yet here she was, already engaged in several exchanges with him.
The cold, indifferent stare made her fingers instinctively curl, a shiver running down her skin, goosebumps forming.
The spot on her cheek, once held by his fingers, now seemed to burn, as if the imprint was still lingering, slowly heating up. It felt as though she were being gently but firmly grasped again, his soft voice asking why she hadn’t listened.