She wore a simple white t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and a long ponytail tied with a light pink bow, like a stunning little flower he had glimpsed in a field when he was young.
He had been deeply attracted to her then and had rushed to help her with her luggage before other boys.
The chance encounter on campus was something he had deliberately orchestrated after quietly finding out her schedule.
He had thought she was a freshman, and he would have plenty of time to pursue her, but he hadn't expected that after her first summer break, she would be expelled from school and never return.
At that time, he couldn't believe that the girl he admired would disappear from his sight.
He had also gone to the school's academic affairs office to inquire about why Gu Susu had been expelled, but the staff only said she had committed a serious criminal offense and told him to stop asking.
Despite his unwillingness, no matter how much he inquired, the academic affairs office wouldn't reveal another word.
With an inexpressible regret, he completed his four years of university, and the stunning little flower seemed to have gradually faded from memory.
But more than a month ago, he never expected to unexpectedly meet Gu Susu again.
She hadn't changed at all from her university days, except she was thinner and lacked the lively spirit she had when she first entered university, appearing more mature.
He had always refused to believe that such a pure and lovely girl would commit a criminal offense, always feeling there must be some hidden reason.
So, no matter how badly Gu Susu described herself, he still unhesitatingly wanted to approach her and help her, even hoping to fulfill that college dream.
He had finally met her again and didn't want to let her go so easily.
"Susu, no matter what hidden reasons you have or how complicated your past experiences are, I don't care. Tell me, and we can face and solve it together!" As he spoke, he extended his arm and pulled her into his embrace.
Gu Susu's eyes widened in panic as she looked at him, struggling in his arms like a little bird, "Chang Qingchuan, what are you doing? Let me go!"
"Susu, can I hold you? From the first time... the first time I saw you on campus, I... I..." His emotions churned, and he mustered all his courage to confess his feelings.
Gu Susu interrupted him, "Don't say it. I trust you so much, how can you bully me?"
Chang Qingchuan let go, and Gu Susu hastily pushed him away, tears almost falling.
He didn't need to finish his confession; he already had his answer. He asked in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I thought I would never see you again, so I lost control just now... controlled my emotions. Can we still be friends?"
Gu Susu, like a startled little bird, took a step back and remained silent.
Chang Qingchuan raised his hands to show he wouldn't make any more impolite gestures.
Gu Susu quickly closed the door and, avoiding him, hurried downstairs.
Chang Qingchuan followed her, keeping a distance, not daring to touch her again.
When they reached the roadside, Gu Susu hailed a taxi. Before getting in, she turned back to Chang Qingchuan and said, "Qingchuan, you won't understand. You can't solve my problems. I will only drag you down. Let's not see each other again from now on. In my heart, you will always be the senior I respect the most."
Chang Qingchuan stood frozen, watching the taxi carrying Susu gradually drive away. Heartache and disappointment washed over him, but it was a case of unrequited love.
Yet, he always felt that Gu Susu must be facing some difficulties and needed help. It was just that he had been too impulsive just now. Would they not even be able to be friends anymore?
Gu Susu sat in the taxi, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She genuinely considered Chang Qingchuan as a senior and her best friend. During her most difficult times, it was thanks to him that she received help. She should have thanked him properly.
But now, her situation made it inconvenient to maintain contact with him. It was good that she had the chance to clarify things today.
Chang Qingchuan was a good person. He deserved to find his own happiness and shouldn't be held back because of her.
Gu Susu returned to the fitness center and rested in the lounge. When she felt it was time, she walked to the entrance.
The driver who was supposed to pick her up was already waiting in his car. After getting in, she went directly to Mishang Company.
During the handover at Mishang Company last time, Qin Tianyi had found some issues in the handover documents. While they were discussing it, the person who wanted to kill Qin Tianyi had disrupted everything.
Today, she could hand over the problematic parts of the documents to Fan Zhihua and have him investigate the reasons as soon as possible to avoid affecting the company's future operations.
...
In a villa by the sea, Qin Tianyi emerged from his study and sat on the balcony, gazing at the crashing waves in the distance.
Xiao Anjing stood beside him in silence. He could tell that the young master was in a bad mood today, his brows never relaxing.
At that moment, Grandma Chen, who guarded the house, brought tea and snacks and placed them on the European-style round table on the balcony. With a smile, she said, "Young Master, this old woman congratulates you. You're finally getting married, and to a prominent family's daughter. Miss will be very happy in heaven."
Qin Tianyi's brows remained furrowed, and he didn't even look at Grandma Chen. He simply said, "Thank you."
Grandma Chen, thinking he was dissatisfied with his new wife, was about to ask more, but Xiao Anjing quickly tugged at the corner of Grandma Chen's apron and whispered, "He's in a bad mood. You should go and attend to other matters."
Grandma Chen didn't press further and left the balcony.
Xiao Anjing had received a text message from the young master late last night, asking him to find an excuse to pick him up from the Qin family early this morning and to arrange for someone to track Gu Susu's movements.
They were just married, and could it be that the bride already had someone else? That shouldn't be the case, right?
He couldn't bear the silence any longer and broke the atmosphere, asking, "Did you two argue last night? What did she do to make you angry? You've been frowning all morning; aren't you afraid of getting wrinkles before your time..."
"Did the person you asked to find follow Gu Susu?" Qin Tianyi asked with a serious expression.
"Arrangements have been made for someone to follow her."
Qin Tianyi asked again, "How is the investigation into her situation abroad coming along?"
Xiao Anjing paused and said curiously, "I can't find anything. According to the diploma provided by the Ai family, inquiries were made at that fashion design school in France, but no one recognized her. Also... I couldn't find her residence in France, her credit card records, or any trace of her life there..."
"Then there's only one possibility: the diploma is fake," Qin Tianyi leaned back, rubbing his forehead.
Xiao Anjing was still confused, saying, "That famous fashion design school in France held an international design competition two years ago. Young Madam won the gold medal in this design competition, and that work is still mounted on the school's wall."
Qin Tianyi was also puzzled and asked, "Could there be a mistake?"
Xiao Anjing said with certainty, "No. The person who investigated asked the judging committee of that competition. The winner was a woman from China, but she submitted her work online. Her name was also Gu Susu, and even her identification number was the same as Young Madam's."