C20 Tip

Gu Tianqi didn't want Du Xiaoxiao to leave this place so soon. If she had left, then it would've all just been so boring. His eyes narrowed at the way she walked away from the other customer, and the grip he had on his spoon loosened.

Plus...

He couldn't help but think back to the scene he had just witnessed as he was coming to pick her up. The image of her holding hands and smiling with the young man...it would've been too embarrassing if he had rushed to protect her.

He was the CEO of Gu's Group. There was no way he'd be caught dead protecting such a stupid woman.

Thinking about it some more, he pressed the bell on the table and called for her.

Du Xiaoxiao finally returned to the table, only to see that he wasn't using his chopsticks. He wasn't even eating. Her fists clenched even tighter. Could this man ever be more inconvenient?

"What's wrong, Mr. Gu? Is the food I cooked not suitable to your taste?"

She had worked so hard to make them, and this man wouldn't even take a bite! Was he doing this to torture her or something?

"I just want to drink some wine." He waved his hand. "Why don't you get me a glass?"

"You're going to eat that with wine?"

"What's wrong? Can't I?" Even then, his arrogance was through the roof!

He had such a noble air wafting around him. Even if he ate rice balls and water, he'd still manage to consume them elegantly. Chinese food and red wine–while their taste didn't match–he could still make that work.

Despite being hesitant, she followed his orders.

After she had poured the wine, he casually took out his card and placed it on the table. "Go out and find a clothing store," he slowly said. "Then, you can pick a set of clothes and come back. Think of it as a tip from me."

What? "I don't want it."

"It's just a tip."

"No."

She was against Gu Tianqi giving her anything of the sort–whether it be monetary or personal benefits. Besides, the shops outside probably cost tens of thousands of yuan. The price was just too extravagant to her taste, even if the tip was substantial.

"I'm asking you to buy a shirt because your uniform doesn't suit you," he said impatiently.

Didn't this woman know what was good for her?

Even then, Du Xiaoxiao was still stubborn. She shook her head. "Thank you for your good intentions, but I think I wear this quite well," she snapped. "There's no reason for me to change my clothes."

This time, he finally had enough of her excuses. Grabbing a glass of red wine, he flung it towards her. "Now, you have a reason to change your clothes. Go and buy."

"What the hell?" Her bottom lips trembled.

The lobby manager happened to pass by when the scene unfolded in front of his eyes. As soon as he saw what was happening, he felt as if he wanted to pass out.

What was the relationship between the two? Young Master Gu had obviously left her to his care even after their fight, so he had assumed that they were civil with one another. Why were they fighting now?

"I'm sorry, Young Master Gu," he apologized as he hurried over to the pair. "I–I'll teach her a good lesson and–"

"Who said anything about teaching her a lesson? Her uniform doesn't suit her. Go and buy her a new one."

"Manager, you don't have to go–I have my own clothes with me," she spat out through gritted teeth. She held her ground before turning away. "I'll go to the fitting room and change. I'm not going to wear anything that he has given me!"

She didn't even wait for him to speak as she stomped right out of their way.

Even the lobby manager didn't know what to say. What was even happening? "Uhm...Young Master Gu..."

Gu Tianqi's expression changed instantly.

Why did she keep refusing his help?

His gaze darkened, and his forehead creased. His hands started to change in anger. What the hell was wrong with her?

He had every right to be angry! Every time he come across this woman, it was as if life had wanted to toss him a whiplash of obstacles! From the minute he had met her, it was as if he couldn't get any peace.

Every time he wanted to take care of her or wanted her to be better, he'd just get a slap on the face.

Not only did she not accept his concern, but she even stared at him like he was an idiot.

What stupid woman bites the hand that feeds her?

What he didn't know was that his roundabout and complex method of catching a woman's attention didn't work to the oblivious Du Xiaoxiao. Having never really been in a relationship, she didn't really know what to think about what's happening, much less why this man kept bothering her.

The man was just being an asshole!

That was it!

No one would even think twice to see if he was helping her! He was obviously just looking for trouble.

No matter how you look at it, trouble was his middle name!

Du Xiaoxiao stomped into her changing room and wiped the red marks that now stained her uniform. However, no matter how many times she struggled to wipe the stained spots, they still wouldn't come off!

Gazing at the mirror, she gritted her teeth. "That bastard! What the hell did I ever do to you?"

If looks could kill, everyone would've already been ten feet under.

Outside, Gu Tianqi was also sulking after her outburst. He looked to the side, wanting to see where the pervert had gone. After all, he was the one who had caused this mess in the first place! However, he was already nowhere to be found.

It seemed that the man had already snuck out while the two were quarreling.

He snorted coldly as his gaze returned to the table. The dishes and soup were all laid out in perfect order. His chopsticks drummed against the side of the table.

A part of him wanted to leave it as it was, but something stopped him.

After all, the long day had made him a bit hungry.

It was almost two o'clock in the afternoon! Sure, the woman had made him angry, but the food was innocent. He wasn't going to waste it away like some unprincipled monkey.

He picked up a mouthful of vegetables and took a bite.

His eyes widened. The dishes weren't as good as the ones being served at high-class restaurants. The spice could've been better as well, but there was something so ordinary about this dish that made it seem so...comforting.

It felt like tasting home.

It wasn't dull in the slightest. While it may not be as rich and flavorful as all the European dishes he had been fond of, there was something so fulfilling with each bite he had.

His subordinates always said that they'll be sick of all the delicacies they had ever tried in different high-class restaurants. But they'll never be sick of the dishes they eat at home.

At first he thought they were stupid, but now, he coudln't help but understand them.

Gu Tianqi fell silent. It had been a while since he had tasted such a warm, homecooked meal.

It was like visiting another world.

He finished the meal in silence. Half an hour had already passed and Du Xiaoxiao was still nowhere to be found. It was obvious that the woman was still avoiding him.

This time, however, he didn't pester her any further.

Instead, he paid the bill and left. The newly poured wine glass on his side remained undrunk.

The dishes she had cooked were far better with rice. She was right–red wine really wasn't suitable for the dishes she had made. The corners of his lips twitched.

But it wasn't as if he had intended to drink it in the first place.

Du Xiaoxiao stayed in the bathroom this entire time, refusing to come out. She didn't even know that Gu Tianqi had already left. She stared at the ceiling, counting the number of seconds that had passed.

The last thing she needed was to bump into him again. Might as well make sure that he had already left.

Just then, two pairs of footsteps tapped against the tiles as two women entered the bathroom. It was only when they had walked closer did she finally hear what they were saying.

It was about her!

What were they saying?

"The girl just pissed him off! Just like that!"

"I feel like something's going on between the two, don't you think? I mean, didn't you see that she went into the kitchen to cook for him?"

"He's obviously making things difficult for her. He even spilled some wine on her!" There was a pause as the lady sighed. "It's just embarrassing. If I were her, I would've already dug myself a hole to hide in."

"I just hope nothing happens to our restaurant because of her." Another woman snorted. "The man could have us shut down with just a wave of his hand!"

"Ugh, I hate that bitch already! I'm going to tear her apart when I see her.

The conversation gradually faded away, and Du Xiaoxiao hugged her knees.

Why did they think she was the one who had caused this? After all, she was the victim here! He was the one who should've been torn apart–not her!