C12 Who Followed You?

Gu Tianqi stared at Du Xiaoxiao for a long time, and she could feel herself shrinking under his gaze. Swallowing, she couldn't find the courage to even utter a word.

The commotion had already attracted the attention of the surrounding customers. It had also been spotted by Chu Yinyin and the lobby manager as they were walking over.

Everyone leaned in, wanting to see what would happen next.

The lobby manager first spotted the woman's face. It was pale white, and her bottom lip was trembling. She looked like she had just seen a ghost. Chu Yinyin frowned. "Why is Xiaoxiao standing there?"

As soon as the lobby manager heard that, he immediately walked over, wanting to act as a hero coming to rescue her. His forehead crinkled in distaste. "What's all this commotion? Miss, if you'd just come with me–"

However, before he could finish, he was met with Gu Tianqi's gloomy expression. His legs had become like jelly that he almost gave out.

"I–I didn't know that Young Master Gu had come here to eat." His attitude turned a 180 almost instantly. "You–you should've told us. What would you like to order?"

Gu Tianqi sat elegantly on the chair with his legs crossed. His eyes were still narrowed at the young woman sitting in front of him.

"I have some private matters I need to settle. Clear up the place."

He didn't even need to say it twice. Bowing his head, the lobby manager took a step back. All the pride he had running into his veins vanished. "Yes, Sir, I'll go right away."

As the man pulled back, Chu Yinyin hurried to Du Xiaoxiao's side. "What happened?" she whispered urgently. "Did you provoke him again? What did you do?"

She stared at her friend in helplessness and despair. Chu Yinyin's heart almost skipped a beat in fright. This was the first time she had ever seen her friend look so desperate.

The girl must obviously be in big trouble, and Gu Tianqi already looked furious. What had happened? Although she had seen the man in a few banquets, it wasn't like she could get close to him. After all, compared to the Gu's, the Chu's were just small fishes in the sea.

"Please, excuse us, but Young Master Gu had asked us to clear the lobby," the manager requested, clapping his hands together. The upper class didn't need to be told twice as they hurried out of the restaurant. After all, no matter how rich they are, they couldn't afford to offend someone like him.

As soon as everyone had left, the lobby manager returned. "Young Master Gu, what do you need?"

Gu Tianqi raised his head. "This young lady standing in front of me...how did she come in? I'm very curious."

"What are you talking about?" Du Xiaoxiao clenched her fists. Not knowing what the man was trying to do, she stepped forward. "I told you I was invited by a friend, didn't I? I didn't come here to follow you!"

Why did this man have to insist she was following him? It's not like she was a reporter anymore! Because of him, she had gotten fired!

Chu Yinyin had already grown up in this circle, so she knew exactly how his temper was like. Pulling her friend back, she awkwardly stood between them. "Young Master Gu, you have to forgive my friend. She's...she's very impulsive when it comes to these things." She shook her head. "I apologize on her behalf."

"And you are?" Gu Tianqi's eyes swept over her.

"Chu Yinyin from the Chu Family. Mu Ye is my father."

"Ah." Although he nodded in understanding, his glare was still as cold as ice. "Well, Miss Chu, this matter concerns only me and your friend. Outsiders shouldn't interrupt. I'd advise you to leave now, lest you get involved. It's hard to predict what will happen in the future."

"I..." Gu Tianqi was the king of A City. Whatever he says, goes. Even if it really was but a small offense, he could turn anyone–even the mayor, into a nobody.

If she didn't leave now, then she'd only bring great trouble to the Chu Family. But if she did leave, then her best friend would be subjected to even more humiliation.

What was she going to do?

As soon as Du Xiaoxiao heard the man's threat, she hurriedly pulled Chu Yinyin out of the way. Despite being small, she was quite strong herself. She stepped forward between the two of them, straightening her back.

"This matter is between the two of us, Yinyin," she stated. "You should leave first."

"But–"

"It will only make matters worse. Besides, I still need to settle a score with him. Just...please leave..." Du Xiaoxiao didn't even look at her friend as she stared up at the man in front of her. "Don't bring anyone into this mess."

The corners of his lips twitched up into a small smile. There was something about her bright eyes that drew his attention every single time she gazed up at him.

She was small, but her eyes were filled with stubbornness.

"You're right. Let's not involve anyone else," he agreed. "All of you, get out."

The manager didn't know what else to do. Instead, he helplessly pulled Chu Yinyin back, afraid that she'd make matters worse. "Miss Chu, let's go," he whispered. "They're right."

Chu Yinyin stared at her friend for a long time, before slowly nodding. The last thing she needed was to make him even angrier and make things worse for her friend. With one last nod, she turned and left.

As soon as they heard their retreating footsteps, Gu Tianqi crossed his arms over his chest. "You should be thanking me," he snarked. "At least you won't let your friend see you embarrass yourself."

"Embarrass myself? What are you going to do? Tell the police I slapped you?" Du Xiaoxiao snorted. "Go right ahead."

"It seems your trip to the station did nothing to you." He stared at her with raised eyebrows. "Tell me, are you stupid or are you just impulsive?"

She pursed her lips. "It's not like I did anything wrong, did I? So what if I stayed at the police station? My conscience is clear."

"Are you trying to provoke me?"

Du Xiaoxiao plastered a smile on her face. "Mr. Gu, let's call it a draw this time, all right? You screwed me once, I tricked you once–we don't owe each other anything."

Don't owe each other anything?

Gu Tianqi resisted the urge to snort.

Did she think that provoking him would leave her just like that?

If it had happened before this, he would've let it go...

But now, what reason did he have to let her go that easily when she keeps knocking on his door?

Gu Tianqi pursed his lips. "In this world, there is no such thing as 'not owing each other anything.' Du Xiaoxiao, you should know that there are consequences in everything you do. If you provoke someone, the least you can do is apologize for it."

She scowled. "So if I apologize, you'll let me go?"

Even then, a part of her hesitated.

Was this even possible? If so, then she should be the one apologizing, right? It wasn't because she felt as if she were in the wrong, but because she needed to ensure her safety.

"The lady you scared off right now had been arranged by my family's elders," he slowly said. "That will cause me endless trouble in the future."

As soon as she heard that, her face darkened. It was obvious that he wasn't going to let her go that easily. "It's not like you wanted to go on a blind date with her in the first place."