C11 Was It Because Your Old Sweetheart Left?

Wen Mian wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the shock of seeing him again after so long, but her nose tingled and her eyes felt warm. She wanted to speak, but the words were stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.

Knowing Gu Zhijian as well as she did, she realized his words were sincere. But sadly, they could never go back to how things were. "It's too late," she whispered, her voice breaking through her fingers in a hoarse, fractured tone. "It's too late, Gu Zhijian..."

"I'm here now," Gu Zhijian stepped forward, trying to steady her by the shoulders.

Wen Mian stumbled back, avoiding his outstretched hand, tears finally breaking free. "So what if you're back? Do you think everything can just be like it was? Do you think we can go back to that? Do you have any idea what it was like for me while you were gone? How could you do this to me, how could you..."

Just thinking about the life she led after Gu Zhijian left made Wen Mian shiver uncontrollably. His return couldn't erase those days, nor could his regret and apologies make up for them.

"I'm sorry." Gu Zhijian pulled her into an embrace as she backed away, trying to comfort her as she cried uncontrollably, his voice filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Mian. You can hit me, yell at me, whatever you need. Just don't keep hurting yourself. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

Ever since Gu Zhijian left, Wen Mian never imagined she'd find herself in his arms again. It felt like a dream, so unreal, yet his warmth enveloped her completely.

As she inhaled his familiar scent, her sobs gradually subsided, and her emotions began to calm. "You're tired. Let me take you home," Gu Zhijian finally spoke, his voice gentle and soothing, once her trembling had ceased.

"Okay." She gently pushed away from him, nodding like a little girl who had been wronged.

In the darkness, from a hidden corner, a pair of sharp eyes watched them intently. The face was handsome yet cold, with no expression, and the dark eyes held a fierce intensity.

After the car carrying Gu Zhijian and Wen Mian drove away, Yih Qianbo spoke in a detached tone, "Follow that car."

"Yes, sir." At his words, the driver, Zhang, shivered slightly before starting the engine to follow, not daring to delay.

Sitting in Gu Zhijian's car, Wen Mian remained silent, and he said nothing more, only glancing at her frequently through the rearview mirror. She noticed his gaze each time and deliberately looked away, realizing that Gu Zhijian still held an important place in her heart.

There was so much chaos tonight that Wen Mian felt overwhelmed. She leaned her head against the car window, staring blankly at the lights flashing by outside, her mind completely blank. All she wanted now was to get home and have a good night's sleep; she didn't even want to think about Gu Zhijian anymore. She was truly exhausted.

After Gu Zhijian left, Wen Mian never moved, so when he drove up to her building, she felt a moment of disorientation, as if he had never left.

“Thanks for bringing me back,” she said softly, looking at Gu Zhijian as she got out of the car.

“No problem.” Gu Zhijian shook his head, standing still and meeting her gaze. However, he didn't hear the invitation to come in. After a while, he gave a slight smile and said, “Get some rest. I'll call you another day. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Wen Mian replied simply. “You go ahead. I want to enjoy the breeze for a bit.”

“Don't stay out too long, or you'll catch a cold,” Gu Zhijian reminded her with concern, but he had no reason to linger. Soon, he drove away as Wen Mian watched.

The taillights flickered a few times before disappearing from her sight. With a long sigh, Wen Mian turned to head inside.

“What are you sighing about? Is it because your old flame just left?”

A teasing voice came from behind, carrying a hint of sarcasm that made it clear the speaker wasn't in the best mood, with an inexplicable touch of bitterness.

"Director Yih, what are you doing here..." Wen Mian was momentarily stunned to see Yih Qianbo.

Noticing the surprise in Wen Mian's tone, Yih Qianbo smirked mischievously, "You still haven't answered my question."

"What question?" Wen Mian tried to stay calm, bluntly attempting to dismiss him, "Director Yih, you must be drunk, talking nonsense. Have a safe trip home."

Recalling the earlier scene in the restroom, Wen Mian instinctively wanted to keep her distance from Yih Qianbo. Now, standing at her own doorstep, she would be relieved to see him leave without any fuss.

This man exuded a dangerous charm, and Wen Mian knew she couldn't afford to get involved with him. She had no desire to engage with someone who could brazenly walk into a women's restroom to confront her. Deep down, she wanted to avoid any further interaction.

With that, Wen Mian quickly headed for the door, fishing for her keys as she walked.

"Why are you running? I'm not some wild beast," Yih Qianbo said, striding forward to grasp the hand holding the keys, smoothly taking them from her.

Sure, you're not a wild beast, but you're definitely a scary one... Wen Mian swallowed hard, unable to suppress her inner grumbling.

"Director Yih, you know yesterday's incident wasn't solely my fault. It takes two to tango, right? Since we both messed up, let's just call it even and go our separate ways. What do you think?" Wen Mian forced a strained smile, trying to negotiate with Yih Qianbo.

"Not so much," Yih Qianbo replied, a slight smirk playing on his striking lips, his narrowed eyes glinting with a subtle sharpness.

"What do you mean by 'not so much'?" Wen Mian bit her lip, her patience wearing thin. She knew she was trying hard to keep the conversation civil with Yih Qianbo.

"I'm not interested in calling it even." Yih Qianbo watched with satisfaction as Wen Mian's expression shifted. He raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly. "I still stand by what I said. Miss Wen, you owe me an explanation today. As for what that explanation is... however you got into my business, you can repay it the same way."

Wen Mian arched her eyebrows, gritting her teeth as she forced out her words, "Yih Qianbo, you're being completely unreasonable!"

Yih Qianbo's words nearly made Wen Mian jump in frustration. How could he be so infuriatingly stubborn?

"Miss Wen, if you want to think I'm being unreasonable, go ahead. But... so what?" Yih Qianbo chuckled, his handsome face holding a playful, almost mischievous smile.

"Heh..." Wen Mian chuckled in disbelief, mimicking Yih Qianbo's narrowed eyes as she glanced at him sideways. "So, Director Yih, are you saying you want me to spend another night with you?"

Wen Mian couldn't quite grasp Yih Qianbo's motives. Could it be that last night was so enjoyable that he's hooked on playing the role of a gigolo? Come on, he's supposedly the wealthiest and most powerful man in the city!