C16 He Could Use One Example to Infer Three

Ye Ziyan was careful to speak just enough, wary of coming across as too calculated. She was convinced that after this, Gu Qinian wouldn't harbor any fondness for Ye Tian.

Two roads diverged, and the cars took separate paths.

"Ziyan, I've got some unfinished business at the office. Let Director Ye know we can catch up another time," Gu Qinian said as they reached the Ye residence, suddenly changing his mind. Ye Ziyan considered trying to convince him to stay, but she knew well that once Gu Qinian made up his mind, it was set in stone. She reluctantly agreed with a nod.

"Daughter, isn't that Director Gu's car? Didn't he bring you home? Why didn't you invite him in?" Ye Yongcheng questioned Ye Ziyan as soon as she walked through the door. The house was all set for a grand feast at her behest, and yet, Gu Qinian had left right at the doorstep.

"Forget it, I'm really frustrated right now!" Ye Ziyao snapped, flinging her purse onto the couch before storming off to her room. It had to be Ye Tian's fault, without a doubt!

Meanwhile, Ye Tian had barely stepped out of the car and was about to thank Lu Jingyue when she sneezed violently. It looked like she was indeed catching a cold.

That cursed Ye Ziyan and that unfortunate Gu Qinian—she never had any luck when they were involved!

Her phone chose the worst possible moment to ring. Ye Tian hesitated, pulling out her mobile and staring at the caller ID, unsure whether to answer or ignore it.

"The weather's dropping fast. Make sure to bundle up and get some medicine to ward off a cold," Lu Jingyue advised with genuine concern. Ye Tian felt a warmth spread through her at his words, offering a heartfelt thanks and watching his car disappear before finally turning to answer the call.

"What's the matter, is it inconvenient to talk while you're with a man?" Gu Qinian's voice dripped with sarcasm as soon as she answered.

"What's the matter, are you following me?" Ye Tian retorted, not taking him seriously. She was determined to contradict him at every turn, just to get under the skin of this despicable man.

"Heh, Lu Jingyue isn't interested in married women," Gu Qinian stated icily.

Ye Tian was startled. "Are you actually following me?!"

"I don't have the time to waste on you. Remember, you're a married woman, and you need to act accordingly. I won't be made a fool of," Gu Qinian warned her sternly.

She was the one to be made a fool of? Wasn't he the one flirting with Ye Ziyan? Had she ever made a fuss about it?

He was like the official who sets the fire but won't let the villagers light a lamp!

"So, I can't be made a fool of either?"

"You're quick to draw conclusions," Gu Qinian snapped, losing his patience. "If you want the doctor to keep treating your grandfather, then get yourself to the apartment and play the part well. I don't need another call from Grandma about you."

"I was going to thank him anyway. You already agreed to that. We agreed on one thing; you can't just..." Ye Tian cut herself off, realizing that Gu Qinian held all the cards. Arguing would only put her at a disadvantage. It was better to comply if it meant less suffering for her grandfather.

After ending the call, Ye Tian gathered her resolve and hailed a taxi. The apartment was in an affluent area with no access to subways or buses.

"We agreed on the fare before I got in. Why are you doubling it now that we've arrived?" Ye Tian protested upon reaching Jinghao Residence. The driver's attempt to hike the price was unacceptable.

Even as a wealthy heiress, she refused to be taken advantage of. Did he think she was just throwing around money she got from nowhere?

"This area is remote. If I weren't driving you, think of how many fares I could have picked up! And you live in a wealthy district, no less!" The driver eyed Ye Tian through the rearview mirror, seeing an opportunity to make an extra buck.

He had pegged her as a naive rich girl, clueless about the real world, but the woman in the back seat slammed a bill on the dashboard and stepped out of the car, "You've been paid in full. Don't ask for more," she said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

The driver sat there, dumbfounded, for a moment.

It wasn't until he saw her registering at the security gate that he realized what had happened. In a fit of spite, he spat out the window in Ye Tian's direction, muttering, "Turns out she's nothing but a hustler! What a jinx!"

Ye Tian grumbled under her breath, feeling like today was definitely not her day. She sneezed once more at the thought.

"Director Gu didn't give us any heads-up. Please go ahead and sign in," the security guard said, his experience in the affluent neighborhood evident in his courteous demeanor. Ye Tian nodded in agreement, completing the registration before proceeding inside.

It was only when she had to walk that she realized the vastness of the Jinghao Residence. The road was lined with trees and grass, and the gentle breeze at this late hour added an eerie touch to the darkness. Ye Tian pulled her coat tighter around her and, invoking Amitabha, hurried forward.

She was at a complete loss; she couldn't remember which apartment was Gu Qinian's. In the darkness, the buildings all looked strikingly similar.

Gu Qinian seemed to have no intention of returning, which left her at a loss for whom to ask.

Lost in her thoughts, she was startled by two beams of light suddenly piercing the darkness behind her. Ye Tian turned to find that it was Gu Qinian's car.