Chapter Seventeen: You Were Deliberately Hinting to Us All Along, Weren't You?

Silently, she wiped away a handful of bitter tears for her dear boss, but her outward expression remained perfectly composed.

Retracting his attention, he once again scanned the three people before him with a gentle yet unmistakably firm tone:

“I hope from now on, when you discuss matters, you’ll clearly explain the sequence of events. Otherwise, damaging General Lu’s reputation would be quite distressing for him~”

The faces of the three opposite him drained of color.

Qi Hehe was filled with unwillingness. She fixed her gaze on Gu Yao, her eyes brimming with hatred.

She didn’t understand why ever since high school, General Lu had always protected her like this!

What was so special about Gu Yao?

No family background, no connections—if it weren’t for the Lu family, Gu Yao wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying their Qi family’s shoes!

Yet, she had also grown up playing alongside Lu Zheng!

In fact, she had known Lu Zheng even earlier than Gu Yao and Liu Yuan.

So why was Lu Zheng’s relationship with Gu Yao better, to the point that in the end, Lu Zheng even...

She clenched her teeth, suppressing the rising suspicion.

The possibility that Lu Zheng liked Gu Yao was something she never dared to contemplate in detail.

Taking a deep breath, she raised her head to meet Lu Zheng’s gaze:

“Young Master Lu, you must have misunderstood. We grew up together; you wouldn’t really think we’re bullying Gu Yao, would you?”

Qi Hehe clenched her palms tightly, the sharp tips of her manicured nails pricking into her skin.

Since Lu Zheng and Ming Lang had appeared, Gu Yao had remained silent.

She had anticipated the provocation from these people long before returning to Ning City.

But now, seeing Qi Hehe’s expression, a sudden insight flashed through her mind.

She had always wondered why Qi Hehe tormented her so.

Others at school disliked her mostly behind her back or gave her strange looks, but never actually acted against her.

Yet Qi Hehe had been scheming against her in secret since high school began.

Looking back, the times she was targeted at school were all because of Qi Hehe, but in the end, she was the one who got ostracized!

Now, watching Qi Hehe’s gaze fixed on Lu Zheng, she suddenly understood.

Qi Hehe’s actions weren’t for Liu Yuan’s sake; she herself might have feelings for Lu Zheng!

With this realization, seeing Liu Yuan standing beside Qi Hehe suddenly seemed much more interesting.

Her lips twitched involuntarily, and a faint smile finally slipped out.

Seeing Gu Yao’s expression, Qi Hehe’s mind went blank for a moment before she asked stiffly:

“What are you laughing at?”

Her words drew the attention of everyone around, all eyes involuntarily settling on Gu Yao’s face.

Gu Yao simply laughed more heartily.

Her red lips curved into a seductive arc as her gaze swept between Qi Hehe and Liu Yuan, finally locking onto Qi Hehe’s eyes:

“I’m laughing because you two have such a good relationship!”

Qi Hehe was stunned, then her expression darkened!

She understood Gu Yao’s meaning!

Yet she was inexplicably frightened.

Those feelings she deliberately hid—knowing they were impossible—were something she never dared to mention, lest she lose face.

But now Gu Yao had seen right through it...

When the three confronted Gu Yao, they were so proud and confident; now, as they left, they were so ashamed and regretful.

By the time they exited the villa, all three had red-rimmed eyes.

The summer night breeze still carried the day’s warmth, yet it felt chilling against their skin.

Liu Yuan hugged her arm, her mind filled with Lu Zheng’s cold, abyss-like eyes.

All her life, she was never short of suitors.

But only Lu Zheng never gave her even a single gentle glance.

Not even during high school, when their families collaborated and they became acquainted.

Later, after Gu Yao left, there was even less.

She sat in the car when Zhao Yulin suddenly stopped and called out to her.

“Yuan Yuan...”

Liu Yuan looked up dazedly to hear Zhao Yulin’s doubtful voice from outside the window:

“Back in high school, everyone thought Lu Zheng liked you, but actually, you were the one deliberately hinting at us, right?”

Liu Yuan’s pupils constricted, her face turning deathly pale.

At the same time, standing behind Zhao Yulin, Qi Hehe’s eyes flickered with a trace of satisfaction.

The fifth-floor banquet hall.

By the time Gu Yao finally entered, most of the event had been tidied up.

The remaining food had been taken downstairs, with the edible portions handed out to the servants and the rest discarded.

Fortunately, Uncle Wang, the Lu family’s long-serving steward who had cared for Gu Yao since childhood, greeted her with a warm smile:

“Here to check on the dessert feedback? Don’t worry, the guests all liked it very much. Not much is left. I just took photos of the more abundant items and sent them to your phone.”

Gu Yao smiled upon hearing this. Uncle Wang had been with the Lu family for many years and treated Gu Yao like one of his own.

She was quite close to him as well.

Hearing his words, she knew there was no need to check further and thanked him sincerely:

“Uncle Wang, thank you for your trouble!”

He waved her off:

“No trouble at all. Just don’t forget to let me know when your company opens—I want to send you a grand opening gift!”

Gu Yao nodded without hesitation:

“Of course, I’ll be sure to tell you in advance!”

The banquet hall still required some attention.

Gu Yao didn’t interfere with Uncle Wang’s work and quietly left.

Taking the elevator down to the first floor, she slowly walked toward the room she shared with Han Yuncai.

But before she reached it, she saw Lu Zheng leaning against the wall by the door, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

Her steps halted, but the man immediately noticed and turned to look at her.

Their eyes met, and neither spoke.

Perhaps it was tens of seconds, or even minutes, but after the long silence, Lu Zheng moved first.

He looked at Gu Yao, raised his hand, and knocked on the door beside him. The narrow, deep-set eyes under the lamplight only seemed more profound:

“Not letting me in?”

Gu Yao glanced at the silent door and guessed Han Yuncai was probably still in the old lady’s room and hadn’t returned.

She didn’t respond but stepped a little closer and asked:

“Is there something you need, Mr. Lu?”

Today, Gu Yao wore a green blouse paired with casual slacks, appearing both professional and subtly mature and alluring.

Two buttons at the top of the blouse were undone, revealing a large expanse of skin that, contrasted with the dark green fabric, made her complexion seem even paler than snow.

Seeing Gu Yao had no intention to open the door, Lu Zheng suddenly smiled.

There was a hint of authority in that smile.

Gu Yao’s heart tightened as the man’s low, hoarse voice sounded above her, tinged with coldness:

“Gu Yao, you’re so clever—are you sure you want me to say this to you out here in the hallway?”

Gu Yao’s eyes flicked up sharply, her brows knitting tightly.

Just then, hurried footsteps came down the stairs not far away.

Her heart raced as she quickly took out her keycard, opened the door, and slipped inside, pulling Lu Zheng in with her.

The moment the door closed, the footsteps were muffled outside.

Ming Lang stood on the stairs, gazing toward Gu Yao’s room with clenched fists, lightly tapping one palm against the other.

Boss, this is as far as I can help you!