I don't know how much time had passed. When Shen Youjin returned to the private room, she was told that Ling Qiuqiu had left earlier due to an unexpected matter.
Shen Youjin stared at the empty seat, and a part of her heart seemed to go empty as well.
She was absent - minded until the end of the gathering.
"Let me give you a ride?"
Gu Zhiyuan suddenly appeared beside her at the door. She looked around and found that everyone had left.
"No, thanks. I drove here myself."
Her voice was gentle, but her refusal was firm.
"Are you still mad about what happened before?" Gu Zhiyuan looked at her and said with a half - smile, "You had someone extort 500,000 yuan from me, and I'm not even mad. How about we call it even?"
If he hadn't mentioned it, Shen Youjin might not have been so annoyed. But now her mood soured even more. "You deserved it."
If he hadn't sent someone to follow her, how could she have given away 500,000 yuan for nothing?
Seeing her angry, Gu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Then how do you want me to apologize so that you can forgive me?"
The way he looked at her was like looking at a child throwing a tantrum, as if all the threats he had made before were just a joke.
Shen Youjin was already in a bad mood. Hearing his words, she became even more impatient. "I want Teacher Gu to obey me unconditionally from now on. Would Teacher Gu agree?"
Gu Zhiyuan was taken aback and then laughed out of anger.
"Little apprentice, are you trying to rebel?"
Shen Youjin knew he wouldn't agree. In a way, he was just like Fu Qingye.
Fu Qingye's possessiveness was out in the open, while Gu Zhiyuan's was deeply ingrained.
In short, neither of them would allow anyone to get the better of them.
Fu Qingye had his weaknesses; he would occasionally be vulnerable and compromise.
Gu Zhiyuan was like an iron - walled fortress. He was truly heartless!
"If you don't want to, forget it." Shen Youjin looked at Gu Zhiyuan, her delicate features showing a hint of provocation. "Goodbye, Teacher Gu."
She waved her hand and stepped down the stairs. Gu Zhiyuan stood there for three seconds in a daze and then followed her leisurely.
He couldn't understand why this little girl, who had been so obedient by his side before, now had such a rebellious streak.
When they reached the parking lot, the class monitor was already trotting over with a gift box in hand. He blocked Gu Zhiyuan's way.
"Teacher Gu, this is a little something I prepared for you today. Please accept it as a token of my respect, teacher."
Gu Zhiyuan glanced at the logo on the box and took it graciously.
The class monitor was immediately overjoyed and then brought up the matter of the project.
Gu Zhiyuan lifted his eyes. His gentle face looked almost like a refined gentleman, but his eyes behind the glasses were sharp.
"I need to think about it." His gaze involuntarily fell on Shen Youjin again. "I need to see your sincerity."
The class monitor knew he had been rude to Shen Youjin today. Although reluctant, he immediately said, "I'll go and apologize to classmate Shen!"
Gu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction. At this moment, Shen Youjin had just found her car when the class monitor's voice rang out from behind.
She frowned and turned around. The class monitor had already trotted up to her and bowed slightly.
"I'm really sorry about what happened today! I didn't expect them to say such things. I'm also to blame. Classmate Shen, please don't take it to heart."
Shen Youjin was slightly stunned. She looked past him and saw Gu Zhiyuan smiling at her not far away. It was obvious that Gu Zhiyuan had put pressure on him.
"Do you have anything else?" Her tone was a bit irritable. "If not, I'm leaving."
If it had been before, she would have been touched by Gu Zhiyuan's actions, thinking it was a sign of his love for her and his reluctance to let her be wronged.
But now, she only felt like she was being stared at by a venomous snake, which made her very uncomfortable.
Seeing her like this, the class monitor didn't insist. Anyway, he had apologized. Whether Shen Youjin accepted it or not was none of his concern.
She reached out and opened the car door, got in, and drove away.
Seeing her leave, Gu Zhiyuan casually tossed the gift into the nearby trash can and got in his car.
The class monitor didn't see this scene. When he turned around, there was no one behind him.
It was three o'clock in the afternoon when she got home. Shen Youjin looked at the gift box on the passenger seat and started thinking about how to mend her relationship with Ling Qiuqiu.
She knew she was wrong at that time. She just knew Ling Qiuqiu's personality too well.
Even if she had told Ling Qiuqiu the truth, the latter wouldn't have stayed away from her. Instead, she might have gone to find Shen Qilin and teach him a lesson.
It seemed that she had made the wrong decision at that time! She should have at least told Ling Qiuqiu the truth in advance.
But time couldn't turn back. She could only try her best to make amends.
If Ling Qiuqiu really didn't want to forgive her in the end, she wouldn't force it.
Her departure would be the last gift she gave to Ling Qiuqiu.
She changed into her home clothes and checked the group chat. She learned that Ling Qiuqiu had just returned and hadn't started working yet, nor had she changed her address.
After some thought, she decided to give it a try tonight.
She stayed at home until sunset and then went out again with the gift bag in hand.
Just as she reached the entrance of the community, she saw two familiar figures.
One was Bai Beichen, and the other was Gu Zhiyuan.
Bai Beichen was wearing casual clothes, looking full of youthful and sporty energy.
Gu Zhiyuan was dressed in a suit with silver - rimmed glasses on his nose, a perfect image of a suave villain.
The two seemed to be arguing, looking on the verge of a fight.
She wanted to hide at first, but they both turned their heads at the same time and saw her car.
She sighed. There was no way out, so she unbuckled her seatbelt and walked up to them.
As soon as Bai Beichen saw her, he immediately looked at her with his teary peach - blossom eyes. "Sister, I seem to have caused trouble again today. Will you think I'm stupid?"
Gu Zhiyuan frowned at his words. The Bai family kid was really good at changing his attitude. Just now, he had been acting so arrogantly towards him.
"What's going on?" Shen Youjin looked at Bai Beichen. "Why are you two here together? Did you plan it?"
"Sister, my family lifted my house - arrest. I didn't expect to meet Young Master Gu here." Bai Beichen leaned towards her aggrievedly and grabbed the sleeve of her clothes. "Let's go out for dinner together, okay? I miss you."
Shen Youjin was a bit embarrassed. "I'm busy now. It's not convenient."
A look of disappointment flashed across Bai Beichen's eyes, but he slowly let go of her sleeve.
"Okay! Maybe some other day then."
He looked so pitiful, as if he had been abandoned. Even the security guard in the booth was stunned.
Sure enough, those from wealthy families really knew how to act!
"Where are you going?" Gu Zhiyuan looked at her. "Maybe we're going the same way?"
"No, we're not." Shen Youjin forced a smile. "You can play with your little brother here. I can go by myself."
"Really?" Gu Zhiyuan smiled thoughtfully. "With me around, the person you want to see might be more polite to you."