Chapter – 27
I Don’t Like Whoever He Likes.
When Yu Zhi arrived at the bar, the VIP booth was already surrounded by Pei Nian’an’s entourage, leaving no room to squeeze through.
Yu Zhi glanced at Pei Nian’an, who sat elegantly at the center, swirling her champagne.
The young lady looked perfectly content with the chaos she’d caused.
“Move,” Yu Zhi said, pushing her way through the human wall until she finally saw the girl trapped in the middle—Wen Ying.
Wen Ying stood tall before Pei Nian’an, her back straight, eyes rimmed red, but her lips bitten in stubborn defiance.
Yu Zhi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. As expected of the heroine—pitiful yet unyielding, beautiful even when cornered. Not many could pull that off.
Seeing Wen Ying glaring back at her, Pei Nian’an’s red lips curved as she turned to the crowd.
“Well then,” she said sweetly, “what do you all think? If she dares to seduce my Chengnian-ge, how should I teach her a lesson?”
Then, blowing on her freshly manicured nails, she added casually,
“Whoever gives me the best idea—gets fifty thousand yuan.”
At that, Xia Qingqing, standing beside her, darted a quick glance at Yu Zhi before jumping in eagerly.
“Pei-jie, you’re just too nice! Everyone knows that Young Master Gu is your fiancé.” She glared fiercely at Wen Ying. “If you ask me, she deserves a beating and expulsion! Let her learn her place!”
Pei Nian’an seemed to like that idea. She nodded and looked back at Wen Ying.
“You heard her. Are you going to withdraw from school yourself, or shall I help you?”
Wen Ying’s lips curled in disdain. “Who do you think you are?”
The words made Xia Qingqing’s eyes widen. She jabbed a finger at Wen Ying.
“Still acting tough, huh? Don’t you know that Young Master Gu is Pei-jie’s fiancé? How dare you seduce him?!”
Wen Ying suddenly laughed—softly, but with firm resolve.
“Fiancé? Did Chengnian-senpai say that himself?”
The booth fell silent.
Pei Nian’an let out a disbelieving laugh. Rising to her feet, her ten-centimeter heels made her tower over Wen Ying.
“Say that again?”
Wen Ying met her gaze coldly and sneered. She hated being threatened like this. So what if she’s rich? Does she think she’s above the law?
With that thought, Wen Ying suddenly grabbed the wine glass from the table—
Splash!
Amber liquid splattered all over Pei Nian’an’s face.
Everyone froze.
Pei Nian’an screamed.
Yu Zhi reached for a tissue to hand her, but Xia Qingqing beat her to it, shoving Yu Zhi aside as she rushed to help Pei Nian’an.
Yu Zhi said nothing, simply stepped back a little.
As Xia Qingqing fussed over Pei Nian’an, Wen Ying stood her ground, defiant and unbowed.
“Are you sober now, Miss Pei?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly through the silence. She stood there—so righteous it was almost blinding.
“Pei Nian’an, if you’re sick, go to a hospital. Don’t come venting your madness on me. Whatever imaginary relationship you think you have with Chengnian-senpai, he and I are just classmates. Stop thinking everyone’s as filthy-minded as you!”
“Also—what right do you have to expel me? You’re treating me like this just because I’m a bar waitress, aren’t you?”
As she spoke, Wen Ying yanked off her employee badge.
“Well, I quit! Now what can you do to me?!”
Pei Nian’an was trembling with rage. She threw the tissues aside and shoved Wen Ying hard, sending her tumbling onto the couch. Then she turned to her shocked followers.
“What are you all waiting for? Get her!”
At her command, several girls lunged forward, pinning Wen Ying down on the sofa.
“Pei Nian’an! Tell them to let me go!” Wen Ying struggled and shouted.
Xia Qingqing raised her hand and slapped her hard, then looked back at Pei Nian’an.
“Pei-jie, do you want to deal with her yourself?”
Pei Nian’an glanced at the wine stains on her dress and nodded viciously.
“She dared to pour wine on me? Fine—let’s see how she likes it!”
She grabbed a bottle of wine and lifted it high. But before she could pour it, a hand seized her wrist with crushing force.
“Pei Nian’an! What the hell are you doing?!”
The voice cracked like thunder behind her.
Pei Nian’an froze. She turned, stunned—only to meet Gu Chengnian’s furious eyes.
“Chengnian-ge? You… why are you here?”
“If I hadn’t come,” he snapped, “I wouldn’t have seen this side of you.”
He threw her hand off so violently that she staggered back a step.
Pei Nian’an steadied herself and pointed at the trembling Wen Ying on the couch.
“Chengnian-ge, listen to me—it’s her fault! She was the one who seduced you first! She even poured wine all over me, look—my dress is proof!”
Gu Chengnian didn’t even glance at her dress. His eyes were fixed entirely on Wen Ying, who was curled up on the sofa.
His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “So your response was to gang up and assault her?”
“I—” Pei Nian’an stammered.
Xia Qingqing stepped in to defend her. “Young Master Gu, it’s Wen Ying’s fault! She hit Pei-jie first!”
“Get out!” Gu Chengnian roared. Then he glared at the girls holding Wen Ying down. “Who gave you the right to lay a hand on her?”
The followers exchanged terrified looks and immediately released her.
Gu Chengnian quickly took off his jacket and gently draped it over Wen Ying’s shoulders, his movements tender and protective.
Watching this, Pei Nian’an dug her nails so deep into her palms that blood nearly drew.
“Pei Nian’an,” Gu Chengnian said coldly, “I finally see you for who you really are.” His tone was filled with open disgust.
“I used to think you were just spoiled and willful—but I didn’t expect you to be cruel. To bully your classmate like this—do you even have a conscience?!”
Every word struck her like a blade.
Pei Nian’an reached out desperately. “Chengnian-ge, I was wrong—please, just listen—”
“Don’t call me that again.” He stepped back from her touch. “It makes me sick.”
With that, he turned and left, carrying the trembling Wen Ying in his arms. His back was rigid, his departure absolute.
Pei Nian’an stood frozen, a few curls falling over her face, her makeup smeared by wine and tears—like a ridiculous clown.
“Pei-jie…” Xia Qingqing whispered timidly, holding out a tissue.
Pei Nian’an slapped it away. “Get out! All of you, get out!”
The entourage scattered instantly.
Only Yu Zhi remained.
She watched Pei Nian’an crying alone on the sofa. Then she walked over quietly and draped a blanket over her shoulders.
Pei Nian’an turned, eyes red. “Why didn’t you leave?”
Yu Zhi said, “Didn’t dare. If I leave today, someone else might steal my spot as head flunky tomorrow.”
Pei Nian’an was still miserable—but at that, her mouth twitched despite herself.
“I’ll take you home,” Yu Zhi said.
Pei Nian’an shook her head, staring blankly at the photo of Gu Chengnian on her phone’s lock screen.
Yu Zhi sighed. “Pei-jie… do you really like Gu Chengnian that much?”
Pei Nian’an clenched her fists.
“Chengnian-ge is my fiancé! Next Saturday’s my birthday—we’re getting engaged. I’m going to marry him. So why shouldn’t I care who he likes?”
