With no choice, Ji Shanshan continued to hide in the corner, her view obscured by a large bouquet of flowers that perfectly shielded her from the others’ sight.
Although Ji Shanshan hadn’t been exposed yet, watching her two friends being subdued made her extremely anxious and uneasy.
Gu Moqian’s gaze, initially fixed on Ji Wei’s face, suddenly shifted. Narrowing his eyes, he asked seriously, "What happened to your arm?"
Ji Wei had nearly forgotten about the burn on her hand, but Gu Moqian’s question brought it back to her mind. "Got burned by coffee," she replied.
There was a wound on Ji Wei’s arm—a careful person like her wouldn’t have been so negligent as to burn herself.
Then, the person who burned her must be...
Gu Moqian suddenly looked up, his gaze landing on Zhang Yun, who was on the verge of collapse, her face filled with panic. "Was it you?"
As soon as Zhang Yun heard the dangerous tone in Gu Moqian’s voice, her entire body trembled violently. Instinctively she shook her head. "I-I didn’t do it on purpose, truly, I didn’t..."
Gu Moqian’s expression grew even darker. Without saying a single word, his looming presence alone had Zhang Yun trembling in fear, wishing she could dig a hole to bury herself in.
His cold gaze lingered on Zhang Yun momentarily before he turned his head toward Ji Wei. "What do you want me to do?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yun’s legs gave way and she fell to her knees on the spot.
"I wasn’t hurt. I already splashed the coffee back at her just now," Ji Wei replied.
Gu Moqian’s lips curved into a smile as he held her hand. "Even when I’m not around, you’ve learned how to protect yourself. You’ve improved. From now on, never let anyone bully you, understand?"
"Understood," Ji Wei nodded, feeling a warm sensation blossom in her heart.
Listening to their exchange, Zhang Yun thought she might escape unscathed. She secretly exhaled in relief, but in the next second, Gu Moqian suddenly spoke, "However, bullying my woman is something I cannot let slide."
Gu Moqian turned his attention to the trembling coffee shop server standing nearby and said, his tone frosty and sharp, "Bring a cup of coffee, and make sure it’s scalding hot."
The server hastily complied.
Without needing to guess, Zhang Yun knew exactly what Gu Moqian intended to do. She was so frightened her limbs went weak, barely managing to crawl to Gu Moqian’s feet while trembling.
Stretching out a hand, she grabbed the hem of Gu Moqian’s trousers, pleading desperately. "Mr. Gu, please, don’t. I know I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have collided with Miss Ji. I beg you, spare me..."
Gu Moqian unhesitatingly raised his foot and kicked her aside, his facial features cold and rigid.
Unwilling to give up, Zhang Yun endured the searing pain in her chest and lunged forward again.
This time, however, before her hand could even touch Gu Moqian’s trousers, she was rudely dragged away by a bodyguard.
"Mr. Gu, please spare me! I swear I won’t do it again! I truly didn’t do it on purpose..."
Zhang Yun wailed miserably in despair, but Gu Moqian couldn’t be bothered to respond. Wrapping his arm around Ji Wei, he guided her to sit down at a table.
Before long, the server returned carrying a cup of coffee.
"Give the coffee to her."
Gu Moqian’s emotionless voice rang out, his finger pointing at Lilan, who had secretly been celebrating her good fortune.
Upon hearing this, Lilan’s face instantly turned pale, her distress evident as she panicked and shook her head. "No, please don’t, Mr. Gu, please don’t!"
Gu Moqian’s voice remained icy. "This cup of coffee—either it gets splashed on her, or it gets splashed on you. Choose one."
"No, I won’t choose..."
Lilan’s face was ashen, her frantic resistance now accompanied by tears.