"Based on what you’re saying, it seems like you two might not be suitable for each other. There’s no need to keep thinking about him."
Ji Yu absolutely hated this kind of behavior.
But Feng Qinqin refused to let it go. "I went through so much to find him. I liked him the moment I saw him, and I really wanted to have a proper talk with him. So why did things turn out ?"
She didn’t do anything wrong, so why was she treated this way?
Situations are bound to make one feel utterly hopeless.
Ji Yu didn’t know how to comfort Feng Qinqin, but she knew this wasn’t Feng Qinqin’s fault. "Don’t blame yourself. This is his problem. If staying with him only makes you miserable, then stop torturing yourself ."
These distressing feelings are surely hard to bear. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novｅlfire.net
Ji Yu understood what her friend was feeling, and this was the only way she could think of to deal with it.
Feng Qinqin said nothing more, and as she left, an overwhelming sense of confusion swept over her.
Meanwhile, Ji Yu received a phone call from Gu Qixiao.
She was utterly exasperated, but still answered. "Gu Qixiao, I don’t want to be part of these stupid games of yours, so can you please stop talking to me?"
She couldn’t help but feel this whole situation was ridiculous. Was discussing it briefly with a friend or venting to someone supposed to magically solve everything?
"Gu Qixiao, we’re not kids anymore. You know what I’m like. Why bother doing this?"
Once it’s clear you won’t continue liking someone, why drag things out in this way?
Ji Yu felt genuinely exhausted.
Gu Qixiao remained silent, merely listening as Ji Yu spoke.
"If you don’t speak, I’m hanging up. I don’t want to keep arguing with you. I’m not exactly a rational person, so don’t provoke me with things in the future."
She didn’t want to hurt Gu Qixiao.
Listening to Ji Yu’s voice, Gu Qixiao could sense her mood wasn’t good at all, and his heart ached deeply.
"If I’ve truly been that terrible, then maybe I do deserve being ignored by you."
Ji Yu couldn’t understand why Gu Qixiao would say something like that, but she had a nagging feeling he seemed to be out somewhere alone.
"Are you drunk and still not home?"
He didn’t answer her question, instead asking, "Was I really so awful to you that you couldn’t feel even the slightest spark of emotion?"
Back when they were in the orphanage, he always thought at least the connection they shared was good. So why did things feel so different now?
"Gu Qixiao, when problems outweigh affection, it’s time to let go. I wasn’t trying to hurt you—you’re a good person. But the problem is, we just aren’t compatible."
Being honest about these things could be painful.
But this time, Ji Yu was unflinchingly straightforward. She wasn’t trying to persuade Gu Qixiao, just trying to make him see the truth.
Gu Qixiao felt indescribably heartbroken, yet he couldn’t deny Ji Yu’s words made a certain kind of sense.
"What you’re saying is absolutely logical, but why can’t I bring myself to accept it?"
Even as he said this, his heart was heavy.
"Gu Qixiao, people can’t face life with this attitude forever. Don’t you think our relationship is better suited to friendship than romance?"
They could share some ambiguous dynamics and even plan for the child’s future, but blindly staying together would never work.
"I’m touched by all you’ve done, but some things require clarity and calm reflection before they can be understood. You might need some time to cool off."
She was willing to give Gu Qixiao time to think.
But this time, Gu Qixiao was unusually obstinate—perhaps influenced by the alcohol. His stubbornness was striking. "Ji Yu, I truly care about you. I want to be with you. There’s nothing ambiguous going on between me and Song Xuan."
He repeated this over and over.
Ji Yu could faintly hear the sound of car horns from his end of the line and realized he probably wasn’t thinking clearly from the drinking.
"Gu Qixiao, go home. It’s dangerous out there."
She didn’t forget to contact Assistant Li to locate him.
Assistant Li soon arrived at the hotel entrance and saw Gu Qixiao in a state he’d never witnessed before.
Sitting there, his eyes reddened, he looked as though he’d lost something very precious.
"President Gu, Miss Ji just called and asked me to take you home. Please don’t be upset—Miss Ji must have feelings for you."
"Really?" Gu Qixiao didn’t know how to prove Ji Yu’s sincerity.
He only knew Ji Yu was likely disappointed in him; this time, he truly messed things up.
"President Gu, you’ve had too much to drink. If you stay here, Miss Ji will worry. She’s pregnant—do you want her to come and look for you herself?"
These words seemed to snap Gu Qixiao out of it.
With some effort, he stood up. "Fine, I’ll go home."
He couldn’t let Ji Yu worry. Maybe she was still waiting for news of him getting home.
He walked unsteadily, evidently having had quite a bit to drink.
Assistant Li couldn’t help feeling helpless. He didn’t understand why their president’s love life had to be so complicated. The two of them liked each other, yet somehow ended up —it seemed only their president could manage that.
"President Gu, should I take you to the villa or...?"
"To the villa." He couldn’t return to the old mansion in this drunken state.
For once, he was cooperative. When he got home, he even sent Ji Yu a photo.
Looking at Gu Qixiao’s dazed expression, Ji Yu thought he was somewhat endearing.
But even so, their relationship couldn’t progress any further.
It seemed they were destined to have deep feelings but shallow fate.
[Get some rest. Don’t drink again because of me—it’s unfair to you.]
After sending the message, she drifted off to sleep, completely unaware that Gu Qixiao spent the entire night staring at it, unable to sleep.
He wasn’t even sure if he could be considered drunk. All he knew was that Ji Yu was incredibly important to him, and he couldn’t simply let go.
The next morning, Assistant Li noticed how haggard Gu Qixiao looked and was genuinely worried about his health. "President Gu, are you feeling unwell? If you’re sick, you should skip work and rest."
Seeing how worn out Gu Qixiao was, Assistant Li even hoped he’d take a break instead of pushing himself.
But Gu Qixiao shook his head. "It’s fine. Let’s go to the office. I’m okay."