But then Gu Chengyuan said something that disappointed her: "But in my opinion, he is not that person."
That person, of course, refers to You Ran's boyfriend.
After her initial excitement was short-lived, You Ran began to feel angry and became even more determined not to speak to Gu Chengyuan.
But she quickly lost her composure when Gu Chengyuan asked a question, either casually or deliberately: "I heard that Qu Yun is your tutor?"
Upon hearing this name, You Ran almost dropped the fork in her hand.
Having known Gu Chengyuan for so many years, You Ran's sixth sense told her that Gu Chengyuan's question was not without purpose; in fact, it was the main reason he came to see her today.
You Ran slowed down her eating speed—eating too much would cause brain hypoxia, which would seriously affect intelligence, and now was the time for her to use all her brain cells to deal with Gu Chengyuan.
"Qu Yun, Teacher Qu? That's right, he's our grade's counselor." You Ran's tone was perfectly normal.
"Then why did you seem not to recognize him at all when I took you to school last time? Or..." Gu Chengyuan softened his tone slightly, "...because you didn't recognize him in front of me?"
You Ran's heart tightened, realizing that Gu Chengyuan had indeed become suspicious of her relationship with Qu Yun. She calmed herself down and said something that was half true and half false: "Because I hate him."
"Oh." Gu Chengyuan's voice carried a scrutinizing tone as he judged her words.
You Ran wanted to continue explaining, but before she could finish speaking, she calmed down and resumed her previous indifference, continuing to eat her steak.
Being too hasty will only arouse Gu Chengyuan's suspicion.
A moment of silence fell over the two at the table, broken only by the clinking of knives and forks.
After a while, Gu Chengyuan continued to ask, "Why do you hate him?"
"You should ask him why he hates me," You Ran said with a deliberately cold snort.
"He treated you badly?" Gu Chengyuan asked.
"I've always wanted to ask you something," You Ran said, raising her eyes to look at Gu Chengyuan for the first time. "Do you and that Qu Yun have some kind of grudge?"
"Why do you ask that?" Gu Chengyuan looked at You Ran, his eyes like the wilderness shrouded in mist. Although it was calm at the moment, something dangerous could leap out at any time.
You Ran gripped the knife tighter, an unconscious defensive gesture. She had been wary of Gu Chengyuan, but she maintained her previous tone: "I don't know if it's just my imagination, but ever since he found out about my relationship with you, he's started targeting me."
"Is that so?" Gu Chengyuan's expression was still shrouded in mystery, and this statement did not necessarily mean that he believed You Ran.
You Ran continued to work hard: "I failed my exam last semester, and he deserves some credit for that."
“So,” Gu Chengyuan smiled, “it was me who caused your trouble… there was a little unpleasantness between him and me.”
You Ran frowned slightly. She had originally made this up, but unexpectedly it turned out to be true.
Did Qu Yun and Gu Chengyuan have a grudge? Why didn't Qu Yun tell me about this?
However, after thinking about it carefully, You Ran realized that since Qu Yun, that damned man, had even kept his birthday a secret from her, it wasn't surprising that he was hiding this matter as well.
But now is not the time to think about other things. Facing Gu Chengyuan's direct gaze, she leisurely raised one corner of her mouth, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm: "I'm used to it. You've hurt me more than once."
"How about this, I'll call him and talk to him, and tell him not to make things difficult for you." After saying that, Gu Chengyuan picked up his phone and dialed Qu Yun's number directly.
At this moment, You Ran felt a cold sweat break out on her back—Gu Chengyuan had done a thorough job, even managing to get Qu Yun's phone number; it seemed that everything today was planned.
Listening to Gu Chengyuan talking to Qu Yun across the room, You Ran's palms, which were holding a knife and fork, were covered in sweat.
"Qu Yun? I am Gu Chengyuan."
You haven't forgotten me, have you?
"It's nothing important, just that my sister and I—I think you know who—she told me something. She said...you were bullying her?"
"Really? I hope she's mistaken, but given our past unpleasantness..."
"Oh, that matter?... Actually, it's been a long time, I think we should forget about it."
"What exactly is wrong with me? It's like this, Youran is my only sister... I don't want her to get hurt."
"So... I'd appreciate it if you could take care of things for me. I'll personally come to thank you another day."
Gu Chengyuan's tone was like that of a casual chat between true friends, but You Ran felt that it wasn't like that at all.
That's not the case.
After Gu Chengyuan hung up the phone, You Ran couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "What exactly happened between you and him?"
"We were impulsive when we were young, and we didn't like each other. We argued a few times, but it was nothing serious," Gu Chengyuan said casually.
You Ran reserved her opinion on this statement.
“However, you should still avoid provoking him,” Gu Chengyuan said.
"Oh," You Ran replied absentmindedly, but a thought suddenly popped into her head amidst the noise.
If Gu Chengyuan really finds out, then... well, it might be good to let Qu Yun suffer a bit.
Actually, both of them have grudges against me now, so watching them kill each other is quite amusing.
However, thinking of Qu Yun's kiss that night, that minty kiss, You Ran's heart softened again.
She sighed inwardly—Fine, Qu Yun, I'll let you off this time.
After finishing her meal, You Ran used the excuse that she needed to study to prepare to leave.
"Can't you even spare such a short time?" Gu Chengyuan asked.
"I think you should know that what I just used was just an excuse." You Ran chose to be honest because there was no need to be polite with Gu Chengyuan.
"You offered me a way out, but I didn't take it. It seems I'm really being unreasonable." Gu Chengyuan's voice suddenly darkened, and that gentle, low huskiness returned: "But, I'm really unwilling to just watch you leave."
You Ran glanced at the cars on the road and said, "Gu Chengyuan, you can't bully me like this."
The voice was so soft it seemed to be swallowed by dust, and Gu Chengyuan's resolute jaw tightened.
“My silence, my lack of fuss, my lack of complaint, my lack of revenge, does not mean I will stand still and endure your wrath again.” The car’s shadow was reflected in her calm eyes, speeding past like endless fragments of memory: “That one time was enough.”
“You haven’t forgotten,” Gu Chengyuan looked at her, his eyes gentle, “our past.”
He was a cold and handsome man, and to You Ran, the water in his eyes was like snowflakes.
You Ran shook her head slowly: "You'll never know what I went through back then, you'll never know."
You Ran is smarter than a white mouse, so she won't get shocked twice in the same place in the maze. Even if she's been hungry for ten days, even if there's a rich and delicious cheese in front of her, she will resolutely stop.
“I don’t know what Mom and Dad did in the past, but I’m sorry for hurting you… However, that year, I suffered your revenge, and I think I’ve repaid everything and owe you nothing anymore.” You Ran looked at Gu Chengyuan with clear eyes: “So, if you do anything to hurt me or my family again… I will not be manipulated by you.”
After announcing her bottom line, You Ran decided to leave.
But as she took a step, Gu Chengyuan grabbed her arm. His voice was cold and authoritarian: "Break up with that person, and then... come back."
"Do you think this is possible?" You Ran moved the corners of her mouth, but did not laugh, because there was no need to laugh.
"I won't let him go, and... you too." Gu Chengyuan seemed to be making his next vow.
You Ran suddenly used her skillful strength to free her arm from Gu Chengyuan's grasp. She took three light steps forward, creating some distance between herself and Gu Chengyuan.
Then, she turned around, looked at Gu Chengyuan, tilted her head slightly, and smiled, saying, "And I will show you how happy I am with him."
Her gentle smile was like a daisy in the spring breeze, with a transparent fragility, yet possessing an invisible resilience.
Gu Chengyuan was rooted to the spot by the laughter. By the time he came to his senses, You Ran had already run into the school gate.
You Ran said that she would be happy with Qu Yun and show Gu Chengyuan.
However, given that the two parties are currently having a conflict and cannot create any happiness for the time being, You Ran decided to stick to the original plan and focus her energy on reviewing.
The exam schedule was very tight, with almost one exam every day. Over the course of seven days, You Ran was so busy that she didn't even have time to eat sunflower seeds, so she only asked Qu Yun once.
It was in the toilet, because she wanted to defile Qu Yun with the stench.
The exams were like bombs, they passed quickly with a bang and a crash, and then everyone started preparing to go home for the Chinese New Year and winter vacation.
You Ran's heart did not fly home early as usual, but stayed with Qu Yun.
Still no news. That reckless man.
You Ran was confused. The person who should be angry should be herself, so why did Qu Yun seem like the one who had been offended?
"I think you two have broken up," Xiaomi said, deliberately bringing up the most sensitive topic. "Qu Yun is probably with that woman from the coffee shop last time."
He leisurely packed his luggage, his teeth clenched so tightly that a vein appeared on his forehead.
"The veins in your head look like earthworms," Xiao Mi reminded her.
"have a finger in the pie."
"I'm just saying that you may be foreshadowing your future."
"What's the meaning?"
"Earthworms are hermaphroditic. You can learn from them. You won't need to find a partner. From now on, you can live a solitary life."
"..."
Not wanting to become an earthworm, You Ran stayed behind to leave, hoping that Qu Yun would come to her senses and take the initiative to find her.
But even after almost everyone in the dormitory had left, Qu Yun was still nowhere to be seen.
In a fit of anger, You Ran picked up her luggage and left.
While I was carrying my luggage on the bus to the train station, my mistress called again.
He came to tattle: "I saw Qu Yun shopping with a hot girl."
You Ran almost jumped up from her seat. "Really?!"
The mistress calmly replied, "It's fake."
You Ran: "..."
After giving her mistress a good scolding, she leisurely put her phone back into her bag, turned to look out the window, and took it out again after the bus had traveled one stop.
The date displayed on the screen was January 18th.
Yes, it's Qu Yun's birthday.
This time, You Ran truly stood up from her seat—she couldn't just leave like this; she had to confront Qu Yun and get back at him.
As if riding on wheels of fire, You Ran arrived at Qu Yun's house in an incredible amount of time, carrying her suitcase.
Two minutes after using the Pegasus Meteor Fist, the door finally opened. You Ran took a sip of mineral water and began to berate Qu Yun: "Qu Yun, you better explain yourself! What is it about me, Li Youran, that's good enough for you? I may not be the most beautiful, but my nose, eyes, and mouth are all in the right places; I may not have a large bust, but I still have a nice figure; I may not be the kindest person, but I'll give money to beggars and help elderly people cross the street; I may not be a top-notch cook, but I'm much better than someone like you who can burn a pot. Tell me, what is it about me that's not good enough for you? You always act like you're half-dead, and you're so sarcastic just because I asked about your birthday. Are you on your period or something? You…"
You Ran had prepared tens of thousands of curses in her mind, but she couldn't say any of them.
Because her mouth was gagged.