Qu Jing’s devotion and displays of loyalty had an undeniable effect on Zhou Yuwen. While he appreciated her efforts, he remained cautious, knowing how easily things could spiral out of control.
As Qu Jing nestled closer, Zhou Yuwen gently placed a hand on her slender waist and patted her stocking-clad leg.
“You’ve worked hard,” he said softly.
Qu Jing, emboldened by his touch, guided his hand higher with a mischievous smile. She leaned closer, her nose brushing against his ear, and whispered in a sultry tone, “I don’t mind, you know. I’m all yours, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Though her forwardness was evident, Zhou Yuwen cleared his throat and shifted the mood. “Alright, break ti’s over. Let’s get back to work. Don’t overdo it with your injury.”
“I’m fine!” Qu Jing chirped, flashing a radiant smile. “You’ve already rewarded . I’m more motivated than ever!”
Despite Zhou Yuwen’s insistence that she rest, Qu Jing refused. “I’m fine, really. Besides, so many girls have ssaged
today, apologizing for their earlier behavior. They all want to work for you again. What should I do?”
Zhou Yuwen raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?”
Qu Jing hesitated for a mont before offering her perspective. “Honestly, only a handful of girls were the real troublemakers. Most of the others were just following along, unsure of the situation. I think we can let the innocent ones back in.”
Zhou Yuwen nodded in agreent. “Sounds reasonable. No need to punish the whole group for a few bad apples.”
Qu Jing bead at his approval but couldn’t resist venting her frustrations about Tao Tian. “It’s all her fault! She’s the one who spread those lies about you. She deserves to be a laughingstock forever!”
“Enough,” Zhou Yuwen interrupted. “I’m not blaless. I gave her reasons to misunderstand. I’ll clear things up with her this afternoon.”
Qu Jing knelt before him, her voice trembling with emotion. “It’s not your fault! She’s greedy and selfish. I’m not like that—I’m happy just being by your side.”
Zhou Yuwen sighed and placed a hand on her head. “Alright. Go back to your dorm later and pack your things. I’ll find a place for you to stay.”
Qu Jing’s eyes widened with excitent. “You’re getting
a place?”
Zhou Yuwen nodded. “I’ll arrange for an apartnt near campus.”
Qu Jing smiled warmly. “Anything you say, Zhou Yuwen. I’ll do whatever you ask of .”
---
That afternoon, Zhou Yuwen and Liu Shuo visited a few apartnts near the school. Though Liu Shuo had suggested renting a small unit, Zhou Yuwen decided it was more practical to buy.
“It’s an investnt,” Zhou Yuwen explained. “Even if she doesn’t stay long, others can use it later.”
In the end, Zhou Yuwen purchased two units in a nearby developnt: one fully furnished and ready for imdiate move-in, the other a bare-bones unit he planned to convert into employee housing.
“Brother, where do you get all this money?” Liu Shuo asked, still in shock over Zhou Yuwen’s decision.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t need answers to,” Zhou Yuwen replied curtly.
---
At 4:30, Zhou Yuwen arrived at the billiard hall, where Tao Tian was already waiting.
She looked pale and drained, her usual vibrancy replaced by a fragile vulnerability. Dressed in a deep green slip dress and high heels, she appeared disheveled yet striking.
As Zhou Yuwen entered the room, Tao Tian imdiately stood, her eyes brimming with tears. Min Min, sensing the tension, excused herself, leaving the two of them alone.
The mont the door closed, Tao Tian broke down. She rushed toward Zhou Yuwen, wrapping her arms around him from behind.
“Zhou Yuwen, I’m sorry! Please forgive !” she sobbed, her voice cracking.
Zhou Yuwen sighed and gently tried to pry her hands away. “Tao Tian, this isn’t appropriate. If soone sees us, there will be more misunderstandings.”
His words cut deep, as they implied a complete dismissal of their past connection. Tao Tian’s sobbing grew louder as she clung to him.
“I was wrong! I’ll do anything—just please forgive !”
Zhou Yuwen’s patience wore thin. With a firm tug, he pulled her hands away, causing her to collapse to the floor in a heap. Desperate, she grabbed at his pant leg.
“Zhou Yuwen, I’ll give up everything! I won’t fight with Zheng Yanyan anymore. I don’t need to be your girlfriend. Just let
stay by your side!”
Tears stread down her face as she begged.
“Please, add
back on WeChat! Look, I’ve sent you so many ssages!” she said, holding up her phone to show him the countless unsent texts.
Zhou Yuwen remained unmoved.
“Tao Tian, do you know what your biggest mistake was?” he asked coldly.
She froze, staring up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes.
“It wasn’t your attitude toward Yanyan or your ambitions. I could even overlook you rallying the Arts Departnt girls against . But what I can’t forgive is your behavior at the exhibition center.”
Squatting down, Zhou Yuwen gripped her chin, his tone icy. “You’ve disappointed . I thought you were smarter than this.”
His words hit her like a thunderclap.
“Stupid?” she echoed, her voice barely a whisper.
Zhou Yuwen stood and walked to his desk, loosening his collar.
“I could have forgiven everything else. But you’ve crossed a line. Your outburst could have ruined the entire event. What if Qu Jing’s injuries were worse? Did you even think about the consequences?”
Tao Tian stamred, “I-I didn’t an to hurt her! She started it! Look, she scratched
too!”
Desperation filled her voice as she pointed to the red marks on her arms. “See? It wasn’t just . She hit
too!”
But Zhou Yuwen’s expression remained impassive, his disappointnt palpable. Tao Tian’s frantic pleas only deepened the chasm between them.
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