Springtime: "Damn, is that Gu Zhi in the video? She’s taking on two at once!!?"
Knowing is knowing: "Holy shit! Wifey is so badass, one punch per guy, I’m drained!! @Gu Zhi why are you so awesome!"
Zhilia Zhilia: "So, what has Zhi Zhi been through /crying, weren’t there so many men at the time? Isn’t she afraid? And still, people are spreading such nasty rumors, it’s so heartbreaking /crying"
My wife is Golden Cicada: "Spreading rumors is easy, debunking them is a marathon. Just a few misleading videos and photos and people get bashed for hours, then just an apology to end it, that’s the world we live in /shrug."
Little Fairy: "Wow, Gu Zhi is actually this fierce, I’m a fan now!"
Did Director Qi propose to Yiyi today: "Badass, my ass, no matter the marketing, it doesn’t change the fact she loves to ride coattails! /vomit"
Quite a few bystanders clicked into the threads, all in awe.
But despite the truth, some netizens continued with their harsh words.
The online controversy intensified, and the public opinion kept reversing.
But soon, these voices gradually drowned out.
Gu Zhi didn’t bother with it, used to these storms by now.
However, Weibo saw an influx of private messages from Little Zhilia:
Zhilia Zhilia: "Wifey, don’t be afraid, Little Zhilia will always be there for you /hug."
Gu Zhi sleeps with me: "Zhi Zhi, as a girl, you must protect yourself, stay away from those jerks /crying!"
Orange Juice Soda: "Being an old fan, I only now realize how tough your journey has been /crying, Zhi Zhi don’t let those filthy online words affect you, you’re always the best!"
Seeing this, Gu Zhi smirked, feeling warmth in her heart. It’s always been these Little Zhilia who warmed her, in the past and still now.
After wrapping up filming, she went straight back to the apartment.
Qi Hanyu had just returned from a business trip, saw a figure standing at Gu Zhi’s door as soon as he got back to his apartment.
Unlike Gu Wenbai’s elegance, the man wore a faded plaid jacket, and his jeans were discolored, leaning slightly against the door, holding a faded thermos.
Unknown how long he waited, no impatience on his proper-featured face, only some anticipation.
The man opposite noticed him too and was startled by Qi Hanyu’s gaze, a hint of unease flashed on his face.
But he seemed to remember something, raised his eyes to meet Qi Hanyu’s gaze, and quickly nodded as a greeting.
Qi Hanyu was slightly stunned, politely responded, then quickly looked away and opened his own door.
The assistant behind him didn’t notice their interaction, continuing to gossip as he scrolled his phone, "Brother Qi, do you remember the female star we saw beating someone in the box that night? She’s actually joined Director Tang’s crew! Damn! She must have compromised with the company, or else she’s depending on..."
His words were cut off as he walked into the apartment, his voice muffled by the door.
The man standing at Gu Zhi’s door frowned at these words.
He didn’t wait long before Gu Zhi returned.
Seeing the man at the door, Gu Zhi was momentarily stunned, quickly recalling he was the Qin family’s eldest brother, Qin Ji, she’d seen his photo before.
The man heard footsteps, immediately looked up at her, "Zhi Zhi."
"Big brother," Gu Zhi walked towards him, her lips curving subconsciously, "How long have you been waiting, why didn’t you call me?"
"Not too long, you’re back already." The man looked down at her, his tone somewhat distant, but the warmth in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
"Oh, mom made some shepherd’s purse dumplings you like and asked me to bring them to you," Qin Ji handed her the thermos, concerned, "Are you alright these few days?"
They had heard about the online issues, closely monitoring Gu Zhi’s situation, but were powerless, only able to watch as she was criticized.
"I’m fine, it’s all sorted out." Gu Zhi took the thermos, opening the door, "This isn’t the place to talk, let’s go inside first."
Qin Ji shook his head, "I won’t go in, eat your dumplings and get some rest, don’t overwork."
But Gu Zhi grabbed his sleeve, "I happen to be free, let me change and go back with you."
Qin Ji was stunned; ever since she returned to the Gu family, she rarely got this close to them.
They went inside, Gu Zhi washed her hands and unpacked the thermos Qin Ji brought.
Inside were dumplings, beneath them simmered chicken soup, the aroma filled the air once opened, Gu Zhi unexpectedly found her appetite, missing Mrs. Qin’s cooking skills.
She poured the chicken soup and dumplings into a bowl, covered them with plastic wrap, and put them in the fridge.
Just as she thought to wash the thermos, Qin Ji already took it to the kitchen.
Gu Zhi watched his back, hesitated for a moment, but said nothing.
Once changed, she grabbed some things and prepared to return to the Qin family with Qin Ji.
Just as they were leaving, the door opposite opened as well, Qi Hanyu’s assistant had just finished talking with him, seeing Gu Zhi and a man leaving together, recognized her from online.
The assistant was stunned, quickly turned back to the person in the living room, "Holy shit! Brother Qi, Gu Zhi actually lives opposite you!"
Qi Hanyu was about to go upstairs, hearing this, he glanced at the assistant.
The assistant felt he’d stepped over a line, "Brother Qi, be careful, this woman might be doing it on purpose. Be cautious she doesn’t use this to cling to you for clout!"
Qi Hanyu frowned slightly, asked, "Where are they now?"
"Just left." The assistant, reminded of this, couldn’t help but gossip, "But she actually has a boyfriend, was that guy in the corridor waiting for her?"
The man’s face changed subtly, expressionless as he glanced at him, "You can leave now."
Qi Hanyu couldn’t be bothered with him anymore, turning to go upstairs.
Did I say something wrong?
When Gu Zhi and Qin Ji arrived at the Qin family, it was dusk.
Having heard in advance that Gu Zhi would come home, Mrs. Qin had Father Qin and the third brother, Qin Zheng, make a trip to the market, buying lots of dishes Gu Zhi loved, quickly preparing a feast.
Qin Zheng carried dishes out from the kitchen, "Had I known Zhi Zhi was coming today, I’d have gone with big brother to pick her up!"
Mrs. Qin heard this and lightly tapped him from behind, "Just trying to slack off, if you go, who’d buy groceries and cook for Zhi Zhi?"
"True." Qin Zheng smiled, walked straight over to Gu Zhi, openly hugged her, "Zhi Zhi, welcome home!!"
Gu Zhi smiled faintly, hugging back, although her original self didn’t get the love she deserved from her biological parents, the Qin family more than made up for it.
Once seated, Mrs. Qin kept serving Gu Zhi food.
"Zhi Zhi, eat more, look at you, haven’t seen you in days and you’re thinner!"
"Thanks, mom." Gu Zhi glanced at the empty seat opposite, "Won’t second brother and little brother be back?"