At her own birthday banquet, she had said herself that she didn’t want to like him anymore, but she still couldn’t control herself.
It seems she was really just being cheap.
Shangguan Yu looked towards Gu Yao, who was casting her eyes down and pursing her lips, and his mouth curled into a smile only he understood: after all these years, you still can’t lie.
"Then thank you, Miss Gu, for gracing us with your presence. I have someone to take care of, so please feel free to do as you wish," he said.
As soon as Gu Yao heard these words, she immediately looked up at him, wanting to tell him that she wasn’t just passing by, that she had come especially for him.
But Shangguan Yu had already looked away.
Was she that repulsive to him, that he couldn’t even bother to glance at her?
"...Someone to take care of?" Gu Yao looked at Wen Xiao’ai, who was happily eating alone. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel⦿fire.net
From the moment she entered, she had noticed Wen Xiao’ai, not just because she was joking and bickering with Shangguan Yu, but also because of her appearance.
Gu Yao had to admit, this girl was really beautiful, the kind of beauty that stands out in a crowd, the kind that one glance would make a lasting impression.
Not to mention boys, even she, a girl, liked her looks and temperament.
And it was the kind of appearance that could only make people envious, without a trace of jealousy, almost wanting to protect it.
In her heart, Gu Yao had probably guessed what this celebration was all about.
She was so foolish to have thought it was just an ordinary celebratory banquet...
Shangguan Yu looked at Wen Xiao’ai and didn’t know how to answer for a moment because he knew that Gu Yao had misunderstood.
In his heart, he had always harbored a faint hope.
Hoping that one day they could reconcile, but reality was cruel...
But he really wasn’t willing to give up.
"A friend?" Gu Yao gave a bitter smile.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before ’just friends’ was an understatement.
Gu Yao looked at Wen Xiao’ai and extended her hand in a straightforward manner: "Hello, I’m Gu Yao."
Wen Xiao’ai glanced at the hand extended before her, then at Gu Yao, uncertain of the meaning.
But seeing Gu Yao introducing herself, she also followed with, "I’m Wen Xiao’ai."
But she did not extend her hand to shake Gu Yao’s.
Gu Yao waited a moment, then withdrew her hand.
Having persistently chased after Shangguan Yu for nearly two years, this girl must be aware of it, so it was quite normal for her to treat Gu Yao with that attitude.
Although Gu Yao felt somewhat upset inside, she didn’t say anything.
Looking at Wen Xiao’ai, her heart and eyes were filled with envy for her.
"You are really beautiful."
For the first time in her life, she truly envied someone.
Envy that in the near future, she could legitimately stay by Shangguan Yu’s side, and for a lifetime at that.
"Thank you, you’re very beautiful as well," Wen Xiao’ai responded with a smile.
She reached for a plate with pastries on the table and offered it to Gu Yao: "This is delicious, would you like to try?"
Gu Yao shook her head slightly: "No, thanks. You go ahead and eat."
"Oh." Wen Xiao’ai put the plate back on the table and continued with her own food.
Gu Yao watched Wen Xiao’ai for a while, observing her lively and spirited actions, each one so charmingly adorable.
Inside, she no longer had the courage to compete with her...
Seeing that Shangguan Yu was also watching Wen Xiao’ai, Gu Yao felt as if she’d been stabbed in the heart, her eyes welling up, and tears blurred her vision.
She took a deep breath and mustered the courage to say to Shangguan Yu, "Can I talk to you alone?"
Shangguan Yu looked at Gu Yao, and the tears welling up in her eyes hurt his own.