Chapter 23: Can you stop making a fuss?

Xia Yangyang pursed her lips, waiting for Gu Qichen to speak. He remained silent for a long time. Finally, she asked, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Gu Qichen sighed. “Yangyang, can you stop messing with me?”

“I’m messing with you? Gu Qichen, you’re the one who, without considering right or wrong, throws accusations at me! You misunderstood the situation with Gu Zhaohan, and now you say I’m messing with you? Do you really think I’m that easy to bully? I can’t swallow this insult. This matter won’t be easily resolved!”

“Xiao Han likes you!” Gu Qichen’s icy remark cut her off.

Xia Yangyang, stunned, asked, “What did you say?”

Gu Qichen repeated clearly, “I said Xiao Han likes you, the way a man likes a woman.”

Xia Yangyang was incredulous. After a moment, her outrage flared. “Isn’t it enough that you’ve accused me? Now you’re accusing your nephew as well? Gu Qichen, I’m truly disappointed. If you’re here to level false accusations, leave. I don’t want to hear another word.”

Gu Qichen’s anger was evident. “Xia Yangyang, do you not understand what I’m saying? You’re a fool who knows nothing.”

“Even if I don’t understand, it’s better than your unfounded accusations,” Xia Yangyang retorted, furious. He’d insinuated she’d pursued Gu Zhaohan, and now claimed Gu Zhaohan was interested in her. “Are you happy forcing this cuckold’s cap onto your own head?”

Gu Qichen stepped forward, grasped her hand, and pushed her against a closet. His eyes were frosty, his grip firm on her wrist. “I’ll say it again: Xiao Han likes you. I don’t care what you think, but from today on, you aren’t allowed to provoke or flatter him. You don’t need to understand why; just do as I say.”

“I am not your servant. Why should I obey you? I have my own choices, my own ideas.”

“So, your choice is to oppose me? Your idea is to continue flattering others?”

Since then, Xia Yangyang hadn’t seen Gu Zhaohan again. Although the school was large, they occasionally bumped into each other, but she deliberately avoided him. She felt uncomfortable, but she had never actively flirted with Gu Zhaohan, and never would. Gu Qichen’s dictatorial tone, disregarding her feelings, revealed his lack of trust.

“Gu Qichen, if you’re so determined, there’s nothing I can say.”

Xia Yangyang fell silent, turning away, her chest heaving. She felt his grip tightening, the pain in her wrist sharp and intense. She gritted her teeth and endured it.

Gu Qichen’s rage intensified. He couldn’t understand her. Wasn’t it obvious Gu Zhaohan liked her? Did she, a young girl, not understand a man’s desire? She stubbornly believed it was pure friendship. If this continued, things would only worsen; Gu Zhaohan might become obsessed and turn against him.