Forward

When Ji Qingyi heard these words, a wave of helplessness and exhaustion washed over her, her expression darkening abruptly. Her eyes brimmed with complex emotions—indescribable in any language to capture her current state of mind.

Gu Ruoxue’s meaning was clear: she believed Su Cheng’s failure to consider them was his own issue.

He might have his own reasons. But that didn’t change her opinion of him.

She firmly declared that she wouldn’t abandon her convictions under external pressure or others’ judgments. She would stand her ground until the very end, until the outcome revealed itself.

This was a bold statement, a steadfast commitment to her true feelings.

She believed that even if Su Cheng disregarded them, it didn’t justify retaliating by drifting with the tide. What difference would there be between treating Su Cheng that way and how he treated them?

Such unyielding resolve left Ji Qingyi stunned.

She had never imagined Gu Ruoxue could possess such resolve, and it filled her with a sense of powerlessness.

She had only wanted Gu Ruoxue to yield before her, but instead, the other woman had turned the tables and begun lecturing her.

She had assumed Gu Ruoxue, like her, couldn’t voice her innermost thoughts. Now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

A flicker of displeasure crossed her face, as if she had already lost this battle to Gu Ruoxue.

Hearing this, Ji Qingyi rose from her seat, looking down at Gu Ruoxue with a low, resolute voice: "I could never lower myself to please anyone the way you do."

Gu Ruoxue stood as well, meeting her gaze firmly. "If pursuing what truly matters to you is considered ‘pleasing’ in your eyes, then what in this world is worth striving for?"

Ji Qingyi’s eyes darkened like stagnant water, momentarily speechless. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "Since we can’t reach an understanding, I’ll take my leave."

"Take care," Gu Ruoxue replied calmly, her tone devoid of emotion.

After their curt exchange, Ji Qingyi left the café alone.

Meanwhile, Gu Ruoxue returned to her seat, sipping her tea in quiet composure, as if the earlier confrontation had left no mark on her. The tranquil afternoon carried only the faint aroma of tea and the unwavering determination in her eyes.

Inside a luxurious car, opulent decor exuded an air of extravagance.

Ji Qingyi stepped in and gracefully settled into the back seat. Two others were already inside—the driver, Ji Xiaze, and her maid, Liu Qingyue.

"It seems your discussion with that young lady didn’t go well," Liu Qingyue murmured softly, her eyes brimming with sympathy.

"You figured that out?" Ji Qingyi’s gaze flashed with irritation as she glanced at her.

Liu Qingyue nodded slightly. "I overheard a little. Even though the café had good soundproofing, I caught some of it."

But as she spoke, Ji Qingyi’s expression grew colder. Liu Qingyue quickly backtracked. "Miss, perhaps I should speak with her instead?"

Ji Qingyi replied icily, "No need. Drive."

With that, she turned to gaze out the window, as if she had lost all interest in continuing the conversation.

"Wait!" Liu Qingyue suddenly called out to the driver, then turned back to Ji Qingyi. "Miss, there’s no need to be upset. I have a way to make Gu Ruoxue bow to you willingly—just grant me permission to negotiate with her."

Ji Qingyi immediately turned to face her. "Are you certain you can make her yield?"

Liu Qingyue nodded. "Yes, Miss. If you authorize me, I guarantee our plan will proceed smoothly."

Ji Qingyi fell silent. Liu Qingyue’s refusal to disclose her methods made her wary. After all, this maid had repeatedly wounded her pride in the past—she couldn’t afford to trust her too easily.

So, Ji Qingyi closed her eyes, quietly resting.

"Miss, she sought you out today," Liu Qingyue pressed on. "That alone proves the situation is urgent. And I promise I won’t negotiate in any way that goes against your wishes."

Ji Qingyi frowned but didn’t respond immediately.

"As she said, every minute wasted could mean missing something crucial," Liu Qingyue coaxed, her tone persuasive. "If not for yourself, then for Su Cheng’s sake, you should at least try."

At these words, Ji Qingyi slowly opened her eyes.

She gave a slight nod. "Fine. Go ahead."

"Leave it to me." Liu Qingyue smiled in satisfaction before stepping out of the car.

Now, only Ji Qingyi and the driver remained inside, the atmosphere thick with tension.

"How exactly did she eavesdrop?" Ji Qingyi asked the driver while staring out the window. "I didn’t notice a thing."

"Well…" Ji Xiaze hesitated before pulling out a stethoscope-like device from his pocket. "She probably used this."

"What is this…?"

Ji Qingyi took the peculiar object and instinctively placed it over her ears. After a moment of careful listening, she looked at Ji Xiaze in confusion.

"Why can’t I hear anything?" She removed the device, puzzled. "What trick did she use? Did she turn it off?"

"No, Miss." Ji Xiaze pointed out the window toward another shop, where a one-way mirror faced their direction.

"She pressed this stethoscope against the glass to listen in," he explained cautiously. "This device can pick up conversations clearly through the one-way transparency. And she was extremely careful in positioning it."

An awkward image flashed through Ji Qingyi’s mind, leaving her momentarily stunned.

But she quickly snapped out of it.

"That’s impossible. Even if someone was hiding outside, my instincts should’ve detected them at that distance." She shook her head, unconvinced, then suddenly glared at Ji Xiaze. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"I wouldn’t dare! I’m telling the truth," Ji Xiaze hurriedly defended.

"Prove it," Ji Qingyi commanded. "Show me how it works—and listen in on what they’re saying now."

Without hesitation, Ji Xiaze took the stethoscope, stepped out of the car, and crossed the street to the shop’s window.

She pointed at the glass, then approached it.

Crouching down, she raised the stethoscope and pressed it against the window.

The pose was utterly undignified.

Even passersby couldn’t help but let out mocking laughter.

"How utterly pathetic…"

Ji Qingyi averted her gaze in disdain, but soon, the driver returned to the car and explained to her, "She noticed me and gave a warning by tapping on the window."

However, before Ji Qingyi could respond, she was surprised to see Liu Qingyue emerge from the café and walk straight toward her.

"So soon? How is that possible?"

Ji Qingyi’s face was filled with bewilderment.

"Young Mistress, please be aware—Gu Ruoxue is about to come out and will soon approach you," Liu Qingyue’s tactful reminder made Ji Qingyi whip her head around.

At that moment, she caught sight of a familiar figure stepping out of the café. Gu Ruoxue, dressed in her school uniform, walked toward her, confirming Liu Qingyue’s words—she was indeed coming for Ji Qingyi.

A flicker of doubt flashed in Ji Qingyi’s eyes.

She had originally intended to eavesdrop on Gu Ruoxue and Liu Qingyue’s conversation, but things had escalated far quicker than expected. What’s more, Gu Ruoxue hadn’t stubbornly held her ground—instead, she was taking the initiative to approach.

Soon after, Liu Qingyue calmly entered the car and took her seat with effortless grace.

Meanwhile, Gu Ruoxue strode forward without hesitation.

Ji Qingyi silently watched her. Gu Ruoxue met her gaze head-on, unwavering.

For a moment, their eyes locked in the air, as if time itself had frozen.

After a long pause, Ji Qingyi finally looked away, her voice as cold as a frozen lake. "I thought you’d refuse to yield."

Gu Ruoxue shook her head. "My only goal is for us to stand on the same side in this matter."

"Oh? Is that so." Ji Qingyi’s tone was icy. "How convenient for you. Fine, get in. We have plenty of time to talk."

Gu Ruoxue stepped into the car and sat across from Ji Qingyi.

Yet her first words were, "There’s no time for lengthy discussions. We need to head to Su Cheng’s house immediately—we can talk on the way."