Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Feelings are mutual
Gu Yan was slightly stunned, could it really be him? Did he hear it?
She explained, "It’s not what you think. He said that just to keep Gu Qin from bothering me again."
"There are many ways to keep Gu Qin from bothering you. Why use this one? Gu Yan, you actually dare to acquiesce!"
In the darkness, she felt Tang Yuxiu’s presence move a step closer. Behind Gu Yan was the door, offering no retreat. She could only stare straight ahead, offering a flimsy explanation: "I didn’t think much at the time, just wanted to quickly deal with Gu Qin."
"Ha." Tang Yuxiu chuckled lightly. They say darkness makes one more sensitive, more aware of the other’s emotions, but Gu Yan couldn’t discern what was hidden in Tang Yuxiu’s chuckle.
"Gu Yan, this is what you really want, isn’t it? To leave me and be by Qin Junnan’s side."
To leave Tang Yuxiu, to be by Qin Junnan’s side.
Gu Yan shook her head slightly, though Tang Yuxiu might not see it.
She wanted to leave him, but never thought of going to Qin Junnan.
If it were when she first met him, she might have had such thoughts, but now, having developed feelings for him, how could she possibly be with another man?
"Tang Yuxiu, what do you really want to say? Just say it."
She heard Tang Yuxiu’s cold snort, then he said, "Gu Yan, as long as you’re my concubine, stay away from Qin Junnan!"
"Is that all?" Gu Yan smiled sadly to herself, "Young Master Tang, you brought me to such a place just to warn me to stay away from Qin Junnan? You are indeed a responsible benefactor."
She is a concubine, she is always just a concubine!
"Gu Yan, stop being sarcastic with me."
Listening to Tang Yuxiu’s words, she could easily imagine his gloomy expression at the moment.
"What, not even allowed a concubine to express her opinion? Besides, I was praising you."
Tang Yuxiu’s hand clenched tightly at his side, holding back.
"Gu Yan, if I hadn’t heard you say you don’t care for me, I’d probably think you had fallen for me."
Tang Yuxiu’s hand suddenly touched her face, gently stroking, his gaze in the darkness was unclear, inscrutable.
Why don’t you care for me? Favor Qin Junnan? How am I any worse than Qin Junnan!
Gu Yan’s heart trembled, those words were heard by him, no wonder he pulled her in so roughly.
"Yes, I don’t care for you, how could I like you? Don’t overthink it."
The hand that was caressing her face paused, the hand propped on the door suddenly clenched tightly, Gu Yan could feel in that instant his gaze hidden in the darkness turned angry and dangerous.
He forcefully clasped her jaw, making her lift her head, his breath closed in, finding her lips accurately, kissing forcefully, Gu Yan felt a sharp pain.
He seemed to be retaliating, biting heavily on her lip, almost drawing blood.
Tang Yuxiu’s gaze deepened, after all he couldn’t bear it.
"Gu Yan, whether you like me or hate me, you can only stay by my side, as my mistress, until I say it ends, you will never think of leaving!"
Gu Yan’s eyes stung, "I know all this, you don’t need to repeatedly remind me. I know I’m a mistress, I know I can’t be seen, I know I’m shameless and wretched! And soon, I’ll become a despised homewrecker. Tang Yuxiu, I know all this and keep it in mind every moment. You don’t need to keep using it against me."
If there were ability, if there were a good life, if the person liked you back, who would want to be a concubine, who would want to be a homewrecker.
But she, every moment is reminded by the person she likes, she is just a concubine, nothing more, not important at all!
Tang Yuxiu’s heart shook fiercely, concubine, unseen, shameless, homewrecker...
These words from her mouth, her tone calm, yet hidden with a sense of sadness and trembling.
This wasn’t what he wanted.
Gu Yan, why can’t you see the person in front of you, what is his true heart!
He’s acknowledged, but she never cares.
"Young Master Tang, I think you better not stay here, maybe Miss Nie is looking for you everywhere now." She said with some sarcasm.
"Gu Yan..." he wanted to say something, but she interrupted.
"Young Master Tang, really don’t know what you think, already having a fiancée, why still keep me as a concubine."
"I didn’t know about that!"
"Then what? Does it have anything to do with me? Things are settled anyway. Young Master Tang, have you ever thought that one day the matter of you keeping a concubine would be exposed, how would your fiancée see you, and what kind of setback would your career suffer?"
"What do you want to say?"
Gu Yan closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath, said: "I think, for your sake, you should let me go."
Tang Yuxiu suddenly grasped her shoulders forcefully, "No matter what you say, it’s all just to escape from me. Gu Yan, you really have used every possible means."
"If you don’t let go, that’s fine, anyway, if it’s found out, I’ll just be pointed at and cursed for being shameless, called a homewrecker, and have mud slung at me, but you, your loss is greater than mine."
She spoke as if it didn’t matter, but didn’t know how her heart trembled.
If exposed, she would probably find it hard to survive in Jiang City.
Tang Yuxiu listened to her recount so calmly, and couldn’t help but feel annoyed, not because she said he suffered great losses, but because even when insulted harshly, she seemed to care about nothing at all.
Did she not think about abandoning the identity of a concubine, and standing openly by his side!
"Gu Yan, nothing you say will make a difference, stay by my side obediently!"
Even if the masses condemned him, he was never afraid!
He let go of her shoulders, pulled her aside, and went out the door.
The light outside flashed by, and as the door closed, darkness returned.
Gu Yan leaned powerlessly against the door, hanging her head, feeling desolate inside.
Tang Yuxiu, you have no feelings for me, and you are about to be with someone else, so why do you still hold onto me.
Are all men like this, feeling more comfortable having several women by their side?
She didn’t want to become such a woman, someone to be summoned at will, not even granted the right to feel jealous or throw a tantrum.
She had to leave; she must leave Tang Yuxiu.
With this thought firmly settled in her heart, she slowly stood straight and left this room without light.
In the banquet hall, Gu Yan didn’t know where Qin Junnan was, so she thought of going to the rest area to rest for a while, unintentionally seeing Tang Yuxiu and Nie Rong standing beside him.
These two really were a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman.
She mockingly smiled to herself, turned her head, and turned around.
Tang Yuxiu, across the crowd, saw her turning back, gripping the wine glass slightly harder.
When Qin Junnan found Gu Yan, she was leaning on the sofa with her eyes closed, resting.
He walked over, gently nudged her, and asked with concern, "Gu Yan, are you tired? How about we leave first."
Gu Yan opened her eyes and asked puzzledly, "Is that okay?"
"No problem, the important segments are done, now just socializing remains, nothing crucial."
Gu Yan still felt uneasy and said, "I’ll just leave by myself then. Senior, you’ve just returned to the country, these are all famous people in the business world, you should interact with them more, it will be helpful for your future. You don’t need to miss this opportunity because of me."
Qin Junnan, listening to Gu Yan’s considerate words, felt pleased in his heart and replied warmly, "It’s alright. If I stay here and my date leaves, then I’d lose face."
Gu Yan felt a bit troubled, "Maybe I’ll just rest here then, and leave a bit later."
She had promised Qin Junnan after all, it wouldn’t do well to leave early because of her personal feelings, otherwise, it wouldn’t be much different from not agreeing to come with him in the first place.
She wanted to leave not because she was tired but because she didn’t want to stay in the same place as Tang Yuxiu, because Nie Rong by his side was too much of an eyesore and it made her uncomfortable.
Yet Qin Junnan, feeling sorry for Gu Yan, saw that she seemed more worn-out than when they arrived, and insisted, "I will take you away first; there are plenty of such occasions, one won’t make a difference."
Gu Yan was still hesitating, not expecting Nie Rong and Tang Yuxiu to walk over together.
"Young Master Qin, Miss Gu."
Nie Rong’s voice was still so gentle, at least in front of others, she always maintained the image of a gentle and virtuous lady.
Qin Junnan turned around, seeing them, he took two steps forward, "Congratulations to President Tang, and congratulations to both of you."
Gu Yan stood up silently behind him, saying nothing.
Nie Rong glanced at Gu Yan as if unintentionally and smiled at Qin Junnan, "Thank you."
Tang Yuxiu didn’t say anything nor did he look at Gu Yan, as if she didn’t exist.
"Thank you two for gracing us by attending Yuxiu’s promotion banquet."
"Of course, next time we’ll be attending your engagement party."
Nie Rong shyly smiled, gazing affectionately at Tang Yuxiu beside her, her heart sweet, "We will definitely send an invitation to Young Master Qin then."
Nie Rong glanced at the silent Gu Yan behind Qin Junnan and said, "I wonder when we might drink to Young Master Qin’s marriage?"
Qin Junnan smiled warmly, "That, I’m afraid is still far off in the future."
"How come? You and Miss Gu..."
Qin Junnan glanced at Gu Yan behind him, a faint sense of loss crossing his heart, "Miss Nie misunderstood, Gu Yan and I are just ordinary friends."
"Ordinary friends? Then, indeed, I misunderstood."
Nie Rong smiled at Gu Yan, who returned a faint smile.
Tang Yuxiu glanced at her. Qin Junnan had admitted they were just ordinary friends, so why did he not feel relieved or happy inside?
He had always misunderstood her, one thing after another, no matter how she explained or defended herself, he always only believed what he first heard and saw, never trying to trust her.
He would only realize his mistake when others revealed the truth, admitting he had misunderstood her.
Yet she said nothing, caring about nothing anymore.