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Ning Qinghong's gaze shifted, but he didn't answer.
Qiao Yiwei bit her lip, her heart full of grievance. "You were clearly helping her just now, trying to introduce her to Mr. Huo. If it weren't for the fact that you still keep thinking about Gu Suiran, you wouldn't even hear me calling you Qinghong. Do you… still like her…"
Please, just don't say it!
Qiao Yiwei silently prayed in her heart.
"Yi Wei."
The corners of Ning Qinghong's lips softened slightly, but a chill flashed across Qingjun's brow. He tucked Qiao Yiwei's loose hair behind her ear.
"Don't ask me that question again."
His tone was gentle, still filled with affection, yet it delivered a cruel answer.
Qiao Yiwei's body trembled violently. She hadn't worn much makeup, and the thin layer of lip balm could barely cover the paleness of her lips.
She pressed her lips together, her voice weak, her face as pale as if she were gravely ill, but she forced a smile: "Alright… I won't ask anymore. I won't ask again in the future."
Even Qinghong couldn't bring herself to lie to her.
…
After Ning Qinghong and Qiao Yiwei left, Gu Suiran felt her taut nerves suddenly relax.
It was as if she had just survived an exhausting battle—but she hadn't won.
Her gaze fell on her wrist. She twisted her slender wrist, feeling a bit disappointed.
I feel empty inside.
Gu Suiran nonchalantly lifted the corners of her mouth in a faint smile and suddenly asked An Wan, "Wan, do I look like a mistress?"
"Ah! Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" An Wan froze. Who asks such a question?
"You said it before."
An Wan studied her nonchalant face carefully. This was not an easy question to answer.
Her whole family was exceptionally beautiful. For a girl, such an attractive, stunning appearance could almost feel like an offense, incredibly frustrating.
She thought for a long moment, embarrassed to be indirect, and finally said:
"Anyway… you are beautiful. How should I put it? Girls might not like you because of your looks. But I've spent so much time with you, I understand you. I… I like you."
Gu Sui didn't comment on her answer.
After speaking, An Wan continued: "It's fine. I want to ask you a question. If you don't want to answer, that's okay."
"Go ahead."
An Wan glanced around, making sure no one could overhear, and carefully asked:
"Were you ever in a relationship with Ning Yingdi?"
"Hmm." Gu Sui thought, she's being cautious, probably asking something tricky. She didn't want to be involved with Ning Qinghong, but this question wasn't exactly taboo.
An Wan was surprised: "When you first entered the industry, you dated Ning Ning?"
Her secrecy was impressive.
"No," Gu Sui said. "We were together before entering the industry, but after entering, we split."
Clearly, they had pursued their dreams in the entertainment industry but parted ways because of it. Could anything be more absurd?
"Oh." An Wan and Gu Xuanyuan hadn't gone to the same school. Xuanyuan had mentioned she had a boyfriend but couldn't remember the details.
An Wan pressed further, her tone cautious, afraid of accidentally touching on something painful, yet she couldn't resist asking:
"Why did you break up? I don't think Ning Yingdi had feelings for you. Was it because you didn't like him?"
Gu Sui was startled.
There was no immediate answer to that question.
Did Ning Qinghong still have feelings for her?
From his recent behavior, there seemed to be unresolved emotions in his heart. He appeared deep in thought, yet it was he who had first proposed the breakup…
She seemed so easy to abandon.
Ning Qinghong, Qi Muwei.
Even Fu Changye no longer wanted her—he said he wanted that girl to explain herself, but… could you dare bring the new wealth heir to face the old one?
Fortunately, she still held onto that hope.
Buzz.
At that moment, the small pocket on Gu Suiyi's evening dress vibrated—her phone.
Gu Suiran casually picked it up, and saw it was a multimedia message. She didn't pay it much attention at first, but when she opened it, she froze.
Instantly, her face turned as pale as paper, and her small hand could barely hold the phone.
She staggered slightly, almost colliding with An Wan.
Sensing the change, An Wan grabbed Gu Sui's hand and asked worriedly:
"Are you okay? Feeling unwell? You just recovered from a cold yesterday. Should we wait to talk to Qingning later? Let's go back, you need to rest."
Gu Suiran whispered softly: "It's… because I'm dirty."
"Ah!" An Wan felt she hadn't heard correctly, as if someone had spoken something obscene.
"Good night. Weren't you just asking why we broke up?"
Gu casually glanced at An Wan, her tone gentle yet laced with a hint of mockery. She smiled faintly. "Ning Qinghong broke up with me because I was… dirty."
"Whatever…" An Wan was stunned. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing." Gu Sui shook her head, clutching her phone tightly, taking a deep breath, her face still paper-white.
She seemed fragile, as if the slightest touch could shatter her.
She said to An Wan: "Listen carefully. I have something to do now and must leave. If I don't contact you within twenty minutes, go to Qingning immediately."
An Wan was confused: "Anyway, you're leaving now—what do you plan to do?"
"Nothing."
Gu Suiran didn't want to say more, emphasizing again: "Twenty minutes. Don't let Qingning know before then. But if twenty minutes pass and I haven't contacted you, call Qingning immediately and have him come to Room 024 upstairs to see me."
Her expression was serious, her face pale, as if she might collapse at any second.
Seeing her pale, haggard face, An Wan was extremely worried: "We still can't find Qingning?"
"Absolutely not," Gu Sui suddenly raised her voice. "It's impossible now."
An Wan, startled by Gu Suiran's seriousness, nodded quickly. "Got it. If you haven't contacted me in twenty minutes, I'll have Qingning go to Room 024 upstairs immediately."
"Mm." Gu nonchalantly nodded, her small hand gripping the phone tightly. The cold glint in her eyes flashed as she recalled the multimedia message…
After saying good night, she walked toward the wooden spiral staircase.
Her steps were heavy, and walking in heels was difficult.
As she reached the staircase, about to ascend, Gu Sui lowered her head, took a deep breath, and raised her head again, her face cold and expressionless.
Mechanically, she lifted her foot and climbed the steps, thinking about the multimedia message, following its instructions to Room 024 upstairs.
Her mind was in chaos. Who had sent the message? It was a number she didn't recognize.
She climbed the stairs in heels, feeling despair. After just two steps, she missed a step, lost her balance, and fell straight backward…
"Miss, are you okay?"
Gu nearly collapsed, but someone suddenly caught her from behind, supporting her waist.
"I'm fine," she said, standing up abruptly—and realized the person holding her was a female server.
The server had short, ear-length hair, delicate features, wearing a uniform that combined feminine softness with neutral sharpness—professional yet casual.
She looked at her with concern and apologized: "The stairs are steep. Please be careful going up."
Gu casually nodded: "Thank you."
"No problem." The server smiled brightly, her fair face adorned with two small dimples—very cute.
Gu nodded again, thanking her once more: "Thank you."
The server smiled again, showing a faint pear-shaped dimple, warm and radiant.
Gu gave her a casual smile and said he had something to do upstairs.
The server bowed elegantly and left.
Gu ascended the second floor, just one level above the banquet hall.
The music and chatter from downstairs vanished.
The corridor was dimly lit, lined with private rooms on both sides, all closed. The soundproofing was excellent, and the area was quiet.
Gu Sui nonchalantly climbed in her heels. After wearing them all night, her heels hurt. She walked forward, stepping on the thick, dark carpet, searching for Room 024.
She urgently wanted to know who had sent the message.
022…
023…
The room numbers drew nearer.
Her heart pounded.
Her body trembled uncontrollably, fear gripping her.
Suddenly, she didn't want to go to Room 024. She didn't want to know who had sent the message. She didn't want to know. Too much time had passed. It was all over.
That powerful woman's actions were in the past. When she went to prison, she used her connections to secure a heavy sentence. She certainly wouldn't be released.
So… who sent her the message now?
---Side note--- [Thanks for your subscription]
[Thanks to lisajane1975 for the monthly ticket!]
Everyone, guess who sent the message?
The big reveal is coming soon…