C8 Dismissed

Du Xiaoxiao didn't ask any more questions after that.

However, there was just something about the man's demeanor that left a warm spot in her heart. A small smile slipped into her lips as she shook her head. Sometimes, just one small little act could brighten someone else's day.

Turning around, Du Xiaoxiao strolled out of the Oriental Plane Forest. There were a couple of people walking in her direction, so she immediately pulled herself together.

She never thought that the person who had given this brooch to her was none other than the mayor of this city! Not only that but the brooch was also carved in pure gold! Even the ruby engraved into the surface was genuine.

If she had known about this, she would've been scared out of her mind. After all, how the hell was she going to accept such an expensive gift?

Stepping out into the light, Du Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and hurried home. Memories of last night faded at the back of her mind as she changed her clothes and headed back to the company.

She had been stalking that bastard for half a month, which was why she wasn't able to report in time in the company. At this point, her words played over and over again, and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. This wouldn't end in a happy-ever-after, that was for sure.

"Well? Where's the big news we agreed on?" Just as she had thought, the chief editor immediately ambushed her as soon as she stepped inside the office.

"I–I'm sorry." Du Xiaoxiao bowed her head. "I lost him. Just...please give me another chance."

"I've already given you twelve days, haven't I? At this point, I doubt you're even taking this job seriously." The Chief Editor snorted, shaking his head. "I've already given you enough chances, now it's best that you head to the finance department to settle your bill. You don't need to come tomorrow."

Her heart sank. "Sir, please–I know I made a mistake, but I swear this won't happen again. Just give me another chance–"

"Haven't I already given you enough? Life is already cruel enough, now pack your things and leave!"

A part of her had already known she messed up, and she had already mentally prepared herself for what's to come. But even then, she couldn't help but feel miserable about her predicament.

With a sigh, she packed up her things and walked out of the company.

The universe truly must've hated her.

Her gaze fell on the camera she was holding. She had bought all her equipment by herself, invested all her time and effort into getting the right camera for the right occasion. And now, she didn't even have half the chance to get her investment back!

The salary she had received wasn't even enough to pay off the camera. Du Xiaoxiao sniffled, running her fingers down the surface. In the end, not only did she fail to earn money, but she had also lost money.

Was this all for nothing?

"It's a good thing my parents left us a house," she murmured to herself, gazing up at the sky. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have enough money to pay off the rent."

Forget it. She'd just look for another job. The little money she had earned would be enough to treat her brother to a good meal when he'd return for the weekend. With a shake of her head, she turned to the other side of the street.

She didn't even realize that she had already arrived at the busiest area of the city center.

Everyone was gorgeously dressed. The women were caked with makeup and designer wear, looking as if they had just stepped out of the runway. Their bags were from Louis Vuitton. Their lips were smeared with Givenchy's lipstick. Their bodies wafted off Chanel or Dior.

The men were dressed in Italian suits, with Montblanc belts and Vacheron Constantin watches wrapped around their wrists. Even the cars they ride were of top class, all limited editions.

While she wasn't that materialistic, Du Xiaoxiao couldn't help but sigh in envy. These were the type of people who didn't have to care about getting a salary. Why would they when they have a credit card that could buy them anything they want?

If she had such a life, she would've gone ahead and chased her dreams.

Her fingers fiddled around her clothes. She had always wanted to design clothes for a living, but she never really had a chance.

Being a reporter was the only way she could earn some cash.

However, she never really realized who difficult the world was. Back when she was in school, they always told her to learn a lot of skills–that way, they can follow their dreams. It was only when she stepped out of those walls did she realize how difficult it is to even find a job.

"The Gu's Group has reached an agreement with an American fashion company, Ozor. Els, their president, has stated how Mr. Gu was the most refined man they ever met. Calm, wise, reserved, and elegant, it was only predictable that they'll be favored by the biggest fashion magnate. It seems that Gu's Group is climbing up to newer heights."

The LED screen displayed the woman reporter as she told them of the massive news. Her eyes were glittering on the screen, and Du Xiaoxiao had the urge to vomit.

She tightly held her bag.

This was the same person she had promised to never meet in her entire life.

She wanted to take revenge against him–wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine, but it wasn't like she could do anything. After all, everyone could see how powerful he was! Her fingernails dug into her palms.

Even now, her figure looked like a dot compared to the large screen in front of her.

She was insignificant to him–a little dot on the wall.

They weren't on the same level.

With a sigh, she turned around and continued forward.

Not so far away, there was a luxury car parked by the roadside. Its heavily tinted windows glinted under the sunlight, attracting attention from the passers-by. Even then, Gu Tianqi couldn't seem to care less as he stared at Du Xiaoxiao's tiny frame.

"The police said that she had stayed at the police station till three o' clock in the morning. Only then did her friend bail her out." The secretary took a deep breath. "After that, she had gone to the company, where she was fired from her job."

"Ask the police to wipe her record." He pursed her lips. "As for her work, it's for the best that they fired her. Don't worry about that."

"Yes, Sir." The young man gazed at her retreating figure. Hesitation flashed across his eyes as he slowly said, "It's rare for you to be so interested in a woman. If you like her very much, why don't you just–"

"I'd prefer you stay quiet." He glared at him.

Zheng Yue, his secretary, pushed his glasses up his nose. Despite this, he didn't seem to be intimidated by the man's glare, having seen it multiple times in the past. "I just assumed that it will be different this time around."

"There are rules that we must follow in this world." He looked away. "While she's different, that doesn't mean that there's anything more between us. Don't think too much about it. If anything, she's still nothing to me."

"Of course she is." Zheng Yue smiled bitterly.

In reality, he thought otherwise.

A part of him couldn't help but think if Gu Tianqi was really trying not to indulge himself with any women in his life or if he was actually trying to keep his heart in check. He drummed his fingers on the side of the car and turned away.

Besides, what were views if not subjected? Even the slightest action or a small meet-up could change how a person would see the world.

"Let's just go where we need to go." Gu Tianqi finally closed his eyes.

They immediately headed to the Gu Family Residence. There, he was not the flashy CEO, but rather a man who still didn't have a wife–a man that they were all desperate to see marry off!

He had always been used to these kinds of conversations.

It had always been a bunch of old men discussing about his potential matches with great detail.

They talked about how beneficial it would be for him to get married–especially if it was to another incredibly famous woman. But he never really needed the money or the prestige. Why would he?

He didn't even know where those old fogeys got their ideas from.

Gu's Group didn't need to rely on any other companies like he didn't need to rely on any other woman.

It was a good thing he still respected them as seniors, otherwise, he would've just upped and left. The last thing he needed to hear after all was how he was lacking in 'that' department if he didn't find a girl to marry.

Gu Tianqi snorted and shook his head. As if he needed that lecture from them.

Du Xiaoxiao didn't even notice that someone was staring at her from afar. Instead, she simply pushed the man to the back of her mind.

For her, her conflict with Gu Tianqi was nothing but a nightmare. All she could do was abandon the past, endure the pain, and forget it ever happened.

After heading back, she went to the market to buy a couple of bags.

As soon as she got home, Du Xiaoxioa saw a large guy sitting on the sofa with a large smile on his face. He didn't have a shirt on, and there was a towel hanging around his neck. He had clearly just taken a bath.

Rolling her eyes, she patted his head. "Brat, put on your clothes."