chapter 41
After leaving the classroom, Gu Qingning went straight to the cafeteria.
She had overslept in the morning and hadn’t had time for breakfast.
The large cafeteria was almost empty and eerily quiet.
Only one counter was still open.
“Hello, student. What would you like to order?” the aunt at the counter asked with a cheerful smile.
Gu Qingning’s calm eyes scanned the few remaining buns in the steamer. Her red lips parted slightly. “Two buns and a box of yogurt, please.”
“All right.”
The aunt quickly packed the food with tongs and put it in a bag.
“That’ll be nine yuan.”
Gu Qingning took the bag and pulled a ten-yuan note from her pocket, handing it over.
The aunt took the money and gave her the change.
“Do you want a coin?”
A rough, callused hand held out a coin. Gu Qingning glanced at it and nodded lightly.
She took the coin, slipped it into her pocket, and slowly walked away with the bag.
…
Once class ended, the entrance to Senior Year Class C was packed with people.
There were three layers of students inside, and three layers outside, causing quite a commotion.
“He’s so handsome.”
“Can I ask him for an autograph?”
“When will he ever teach us a class?”
Gu Zhao ignored the whispers around him and scanned the classroom.
After looking around, disappointment flickered in his eyes.
Where did he run off to this time?
At that moment, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
“Gu Zhao, what are you doing here?”
He turned and met Xu An’s puzzled gaze, shrugging. “Looking for someone.”
“Who? That would make Third Young Master come in person?” Xu An crossed his arms and teased with a smile.
“My sister.”
Xu An instinctively thought he meant Gu Wanwan and blurted out, “Isn’t your sister in second year? Why are you here in senior year?”
“….”
Gu Zhao’s handsome face darkened, and he nearly smacked him.
He spoke slowly and deliberately: “My sister is Gu Qingning.”
Xu An casually went “Oh,” then suddenly realized, eyes wide. “Your sister is Gu Qingning?”
Their conversation hadn’t been quiet, and dozens of ears nearby heard it clearly.
Gu Qingning is Gu Zhao’s sister?
The crowd looked as if they had been struck by lightning, their expressions shocked.
Gu Zhao glanced at Xu An with a cold gleam. “Is it so strange that my sister is Gu Qingning?”
Xu An frowned. “But everyone at school says Gu Qingning is a relative’s daughter of your family.”
When Gu Qingning first transferred to the school, there were already numerous rumors about her—various versions of them.
At this, the atmosphere around them suddenly turned icy.
People felt a chill and went silent.
Gu Zhao’s handsome face darkened further, veins twitching at his temples.
Which bastard spread this nonsense?
He lifted his gaze and shouted at the crowd, “I, Gu Zhao, have only one sister, and that is Gu Qingning. From now on, if I hear anyone gossiping, don’t blame me for being rude.”
The surroundings went eerily quiet.
Xu An, standing beside him, was stunned as well.
He had known Gu Zhao for so long, but this was the first time he had seen him so angry.
In a quiet corner, a slim figure appeared at the back door.
After finishing breakfast, Gu Qingning hadn’t expected to encounter this scene.
Hesitating for a moment, she turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, her sharp-eyed deskmate saw her.
“Qingning!”
Sun Qiaoqiao ran over, the two little braids on her head bouncing as she went.
“Qingning, your brother is looking for you.”
Gu Qingning paused and reluctantly turned around.
Looking up, she saw Gu Zhao walking toward her.
People in the aisle made way, eager to watch the unfolding scene.
Their eyes met.
Gu Zhao’s gaze was filled with apology and guilt. “Qingning, I’m sorry, I didn’t know—”
The explanation faltered on his lips.
It was because they hadn’t returned earlier that the rumors had spread so wildly.
Gu Qingning’s expression remained calm. She looked past him, resting her gaze on Xu An. “Teacher Xu, I need to take leave. I’ll bring the leave note this afternoon.”
Xu An came to his senses and glanced at Gu Zhao, smiling as he agreed. “No problem.”
With permission granted, Gu Qingning turned to leave, and Gu Zhao hurried to follow.
Xu An was curious, but this was a private family matter—he wasn’t foolish enough to follow.
He tapped the table and shouted, “Everyone, disperse and go back to class.”
Gradually, the three layers of students inside and outside dispersed.
Chu Xu cheekily leaned toward Xu An. “Old Xu, that’s unfair. She only asked for leave, and you agreed right away.”
Xu An snorted coldly and slammed his iron-hard palm onto his head. “If you can, go get a perfect score too.”
What a little brat, so impertinent.
…
Outside the teaching building, the siblings walked one after the other.
Suddenly, a figure appeared from the corridor corner.
Gu Qingning paused, her eyes coldly scanning the newcomer.
The person lowered his gaze respectfully and said, “Miss Qingning.”
Seeing the butler appear, Gu Zhao felt a pang in his heart.
He stepped forward, placing himself in front of Gu Qingning. “Uncle Wan, why are you at the school?”
The butler smiled. “Third Young Master, the Old Master has returned and wants to see Miss Qingning.”
Gu Zhao’s face changed drastically. “Grandpa wants to see Qingning? Why?”
“Third Young Master, don’t worry. The Old Master just hasn’t seen Miss Qingning before and wants to meet her. He also said you should come back so the whole family can gather for a meal,” the butler explained.
Gu Qingning stepped out from behind Gu Zhao, her voice indifferent. “I don’t have time.”
Knowing her temper well, the butler, feeling the weight of the Old Master’s order, sighed helplessly. “Miss Qingning, please come back with me.”
“The Old Master said, no matter what, you must return. Don’t make it difficult for us.”
Hearing the slight threat in his words, Gu Qingning glanced at the black-clad bodyguards not far away, a cold smirk curling her lips.
If they insist she go back, she wouldn’t be responsible for the consequences.
Her narrow eyes narrowed slightly. Her tone was calm: “Let’s go.”
Seeing her relent, the butler finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Zhao glanced at her worriedly. No one could predict the Old Master’s intentions.
He came back and immediately wanted to see Qingning—something must be up.
Could it be that Cheng Yu went to complain to the Old Master?
…
The engine quieted as the car stopped steadily in the courtyard.
Returning to the Gu residence, the servants’ expressions toward Gu Qingning had changed.
No longer was there disdain or mockery—only fear and guilt.
Gu Zhao closed the car door and walked over to Gu Qingning, whispering, “Qingning, stay by my side. Third Brother will protect you if anything happens.”
Gu Qingning remained silent.
Gu Zhao sighed. “Let’s go.”
Stepping into the living room, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung in the air.
Cheng Yu, seeing the girl following Gu Zhao, was reminded of the shattered jewels and her hatred deepened.
