She only wanted to find Chang Qingchuan now and clarify things that hadn't been said clearly before. He really didn't need to give up his current job for her.
She understood too well how difficult it was for an outsider like him to establish himself in this big city. Once he lost his job, the pressure to survive would hit him like a tidal wave.
Mishang's treatment was very good. He should keep this job for now, and look for a new one while still employed. He shouldn't be so impulsive.
But her calls to Chang Qingchuan went unanswered several times. When she tried again, expecting him not to pick up, he actually did.
"Xuezhang, where did you go? There are some things I want to clarify with you. Finding this job has nothing to do with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so surprised to see you today..."
"I'm by the lake, by the lake in the street park opposite Mishang," Chang Qingchuan said concisely.
"I'll come find you right away."
...
Qin Tianyi watched her storm out, unfazed. It was just a woman, no different from other women. There was no woman he couldn't tame.
But after a few seconds, he suddenly realized something. Gu Susu hadn't gone to the restroom; she had gone after that man!
He immediately stood up, snapping the pen in his hand in two. This hateful woman was incredibly audacious right under his nose.
Qin Tianyi immediately called Xiao Anjing and asked, "Where are the people you were supposed to find to keep an eye on Gu Susu? Are they following her?"
"I haven't told them to withdraw. They'll follow her whenever she leaves the Qin family or the company," Xiao Anjing replied inexplicably, then felt something was wrong and asked, "Aren't you both at Mishang Company now? Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
"She left the company. Tell the people following her to report her location at all times." Qin Tianyi thought of something and added, "And everything she's doing, I want to know it all!"
"Understood." Xiao Anjing was about to ask for more details, but Qin Tianyi had already hung up.
He had no choice but to relay Qin Tianyi's instructions to the private investigator who was constantly following Gu Susu.
Gu Susu arrived by the lake in the street park and saw Chang Qingchuan's figure facing the lake from afar.
Chang Qingchuan was at least 1.8 meters tall. Although his posture wasn't as upright as Qin Tianyi's, his broad shoulders and back gave him the aura of a man who could provide a sense of security to women.
She remembered that in college, many girls in her class had a crush on Chang Qingchuan, but none of them succeeded in pursuing him.
Gu Susu walked over cautiously and stopped about a meter away from him. She called out to him from behind, "Xuezhang, I think there are some misunderstandings that need to be clarified."
Chang Qingchuan's heart was filled with pain and anger. He had never been able to let go of her, and the girl he had liked for so long was already married and had become his superior in the blink of an eye. He simply couldn't accept it!
"What's there to explain? I just never knew you were a rich young lady, married to a man who could provide you with a life of ease. Your new life is quite good, isn't it?" Chang Qingchuan's tone was laced with sarcasm, mocking her and himself.
"It's a long story. My biological parents are indeed wealthy, but they didn't have much affection for me. I was an orphan since I was little..." Gu Susu told him her life story from childhood, regardless of whether he was listening.
As Chang Qingchuan listened, he couldn't help but turn around to look at her and asked in disbelief, "Are there parents like that in the world?"
Gu Susu said helplessly, "I wish they hadn't found me and brought me to the Ai family. Perhaps I would have stayed in the orphanage, relied on others' donations to finish college, found a job, and lived a simple life."
Chang Qingchuan moved closer to her and held her hand. Knowing that she wasn't materialistic and was forced by her family, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You should have told me this earlier. I could have helped you and Xingxing escape from here, and they would never have found you."
Gu Susu pulled her hand back and waved it, saying, "It's useless. Xingxing and I can't escape."
After she was released from prison, she should have left the city with Xingxing and gone somewhere the Ai family couldn't find them. Perhaps she could have avoided the Ai family's coercion.
But now, it wasn't just the Ai family. Having married Qin Tianyi, neither the Qin family nor Qin Tianyi would let her go.
Qin Tianyi was a man with extreme possessiveness. Unless he was willing to let her go, it would be very difficult for her to escape him.
"With me here, you don't have to be afraid..."
Gu Susu stopped him. His courage was commendable, but he couldn't fight Ai Shunan, let alone Qin Tianyi. He would only be dragging himself into trouble for nothing.
"I'm telling you this not for you to help me, but because I don't want you to harm yourself by continuing like this. I don't want to drag you down."
"For you, I'm not afraid of anything. I can't let those bad people bully you anymore!" Chang Qingchuan couldn't listen to her words and was indignant.
Gu Susu patted his shoulder and said, "I appreciate your kindness. I'm fine and will take care of myself. Since you've joined Mishang Company, you should work hard in the design department. In the company, just pretend you don't know me and don't ruin your future. If you rush into the CEO's office like you did today and say whatever comes to mind, it won't just be losing your job. The Qin family might ensure you have no foothold in Lancheng."
Chang Qingchuan said sadly, "We're in the same company. Are you telling me I have to watch you being bullied by an idiot?"
"He's not bullying me. He and I are legally married now. And he's not an idiot. Please don't say such things in the future." Gu Susu stared at him, her eyes slightly red. "Work hard and find a proper girlfriend. Since you chose to stay here after graduation, you should have your own house and car here soon, a place to settle down."
"But..."
"I'm not suitable for you," Gu Susu said with a smile to comfort him. "Even if you don't think for yourself, you should think about your family back home. Why did you choose to stay in this big city after graduation?"
Chang Qingchuan felt a lump in his throat. Besides saying nice things, he truly couldn't do anything. In terms of strength and wealth, he was like a pebble against a boulder compared to Qin Tianyi.
He smiled bitterly, feeling how ridiculous his actions were. "Take care of yourself. If you need any help, just ask."
Seeing that he had finally come to his senses, Gu Susu smiled and nodded.
"But have you ever thought that you are in the midst of a complex business world where everyone treats you as a pawn? How will you withdraw then?" Chang Qingchuan asked, still worried.
Gu Susu said confidently, "I'll have a way when the time comes."
Chang Qingchuan just nodded and said, "I believe you. You'll be able to live a normal life in the future."
"Thank you for your good wishes. In the future, Xingxing and I will live a life undisturbed." Gu Susu saw that he was no longer dwelling on those matters. "Time is almost up, I need to go back to the office. Remember to complete all the new employee registration procedures at the company later."
With that, she turned and walked back in the direction of Mishang Company.