Feigned Pity - CH 30

Everyone did not know why, but they could tell that Gu Jing Yuan was in a very bad mood. Tactfully, everyone stopped chattering.

“The room is stuffy, I’m going out for a walk.”

He left without taking his coat.

It was only after the lounge door closed, did someone dared to speak out, “What’s wrong with Brother Yuan?”

“I’m also not sure. But since he came, Brother Yuan’s mood seemed to be pretty low and then it suddenly exploded.”

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“Qi Yue, you and Brother Yuan got along best. Do you know what’s up with him?”

Qi Yue briefly replied, “He’s not angry at us. You guys continue, I’ll go and check on him.”

He picked up Gu Jing Yuan’s coat and went out to find him.

**

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She had her head titled to one side, twirling her pen. From his experience of studying with her, he could tell that she encountered a question she was having trouble with.

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Looking at her lowered silhouette, he could imagine her current expression. Staring at the problem, her lips would involuntarily pout while she sulked over ways to solve it. It was at times like this that she revealed her true feelings making her look rather endearing. It gave her a sense of charm that tempted others to want to pamper her and help her solve all her problems.

His scrunched brows eased as his thin lips raised ever so slightly. He was about to enter the library to seek her out.

It was so coincidental that they managed to meet here. Even if he was not able to help her solve her problem, he could still give her a good scare and help alleviate her mood.

It should also be quite interesting to see her caught off guard and alarmed expression.

Unfortunately, someone beat him to it.

Chen Ze approached from among the shelves. She raised her head and looked at him. From the distance, he could clearly see her expression and it was exactly as he had imagined.

At this very moment, it was not cute at all!

She gave Chen Ze a smile before pushing her book in front of him as the two of them lowered their heads together to analyze the question.

The handsome youth and attractive beauty surrounded by their evenly matched academically domineering aura unknowingly attracted admiring glances from passers-by.

Chen Ze’s appearance was a slap in his face, giving him a dose of reality; the problem that he could not solve, someone else would be able to.

The brooding youth was rooted on the spot for a long time. Several more daring girls who were attracted to his looks also did not dare approach, and some were even dragged away by their friends.

Gu Jing Yuan stared unwaveringly at the person in front of him.

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It was just yesterday she said she ‘currently’ had no such thoughts. But today she already set a date with him.

What a little liar.

“Brother Yuan,” Qi Yue reached his side.

Gu Jing Yuan glanced at him, “What are you doing here?”

“I brought your coat.” Qi Yue handed it to him.

Gu Jing Yuan received his coat but did not have any intention to wear it. He wanted to continue feeling the cold wind blowing, and hopefully, it would help him clear his head more.

“Brother Yuan, how can you fall in love with your sister?” Qi Yue asked helplessly but emotionally.

Just now, Qi Yue stood from afar and witnessed all of Gu Jing Yuan’s emotional changes in that short span of time.

“Bro, you can’t get married to anyone within three generations of your family line.”

Gu Jing Yuan glanced at him before replying, “We’re not blood-related.”

“Huh?” Qi Yue’s eyes widened, “Aren’t you brother and sister? What other relations can there be?”

“We’re step-siblings.”

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“Damn… Then which idiot spread the rumors that you two are cousins?”

Qi Yue cursed a bit before coming to another realization. Still a little stupefied, he added, “Then, is she the daughter of that woman?”

“En.”

“But Brother Yuan, isn’t that lady the person you hate the most?” Qi Yue was the closest to him hence Qi Yue was privy to some of Gu Jing Yuan’s family situations. He naturally knew how much Gu Jing Yuan hated his stepmother.

Ever since Brother Yuan’s mother passed away, he changed.

Gu Jing Yuan’s gaze became profound, “Indeed, I should hate her as well.”

She was Xia Yan’s daughter. He should hate her as much as he hated Xia Yan.

But when did it start to change?

Was it from the moment he discovered that she was different from Xia Yan? Or was it after learning about all the times Xia Yan and Gu Mu Yang made use of her?

It slowly separated her from them and he found himself slowly sinking in again.

Yet, Qi Yue exposed him, “But Brother Yuan, you don’t hate her. On the contrary, you like her very much.”

Gu Jing Yuan extracted himself from his whirlwind of thoughts and looked at Qi Yue, “It’s impossible between us.”

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Who knew who he was trying to convince with those words?

Qi Yue felt that the situation was more complicated and there was no easy way for him to express his thoughts. In fact, it might not be as simple as it seemed.

Moreover, Brother Yuan, this time around you didn’t even realize that you stopped denying the fact that you liked her.

Gu Jing Yuan watched as the two separated. He saw Chen Ze stepping away to answer a call while Tao Yi Xi watched his retreating back. Gu Jing Yuan’s thin lips pursed tightly into a straight line and his heart felt extremely stifled.

“Let’s go back.”

“Huh? Go back where?”

“To the lounge.”

Looking at his countenance, Qi Yue doubted that he was returning to play with the others.

**

It was pure coincidence that Tao Yi Xi encountered Chen Ze. Yet, at the same time, it made sense. After all, this was the place he recommended, so it should be the place he came most often to.

She keenly noticed that he had borrowed several new books. The library card in his hand was worn out.

When it came to reference books, most students would directly purchase a copy for convenience’s sake.

It seemed that they were both people who were financially strapped.

She sized up his attire. He was wearing a shirt and jeans, both of which had seen better days, but they were clean and fresh.

“Student Chen Ze, what a coincidence.”

“Indeed.” He noticed her books and asked, “Have you managed to borrow all the books you needed?”

“I managed to find most of it. But there seems to be one that I can’t find. It is clearly recorded in the system that it’s in the library. I’ll try to find it again the next time I’m here.”

“Maybe someone took it and misplaced it when they put it back on the shelves. What’s the title of the book?”

She told him the title and with ease, Chen Ze made a couple of rounds around the shelves before finding the book.

“How did you know where to find it?” She was a little surprised.

“Usually, if people do not sit near the section where they found the book, they would bring it to the reading corner at the other end.”

“I see, thank you.” She took the book and gave him a smile. Her pale pink lips tilted upwards and her eyes looked like crescent moons.

After receiving help, her smile was very sincere.

At such close proximity, her delicate facial features were impeccable. The small mole under her left eye stood out dazzlingly.

Chen Ze fell momentarily into a daze. He had never experienced such a peculiar visual blow before.

“Are you staying to study?”

“En.”

“Then shall we study together?” She wanted to have a glimpse into the depths of his profound knowledge.

“Okay.”

The study tables in the library were quite large. With both parties seated on opposite ends and the lack of conversations, they both were immersed in their own revisions and self-studies.

Tao Yi Xi circled a few questions that she needed help with. When he took his break, she would then bring them up to him.

With just a glance, he could pinpoint the scope of her difficulties and find a book to help her with her weaknesses. When he came back with the book, it was this very scene that Gu Jing Yuan witnessed.

Chen Ze’s phone was muted but she saw that the screen kept flashing with a string of local landline numbers.

“Student Chen Ze, your phone is ringing.”

Chen Ze answered the call, “Hello. What hospital? My mother…”

She only managed to catch a few words as he was whispering and walking toward a corner when he picked up the call. But she could roughly guess from his solemn expression.

After hanging up the phone, he quickly packed his schoolbag, “I’m leaving first. If you have any other questions we can discuss them on Monday.”

“Okay, thank you for your help today.”

She planned to stay longer in the library but looking at the dark clouds rolling in, she flipped through her schoolbag and found that she did not bring out an umbrella today.

The moment she stepped through the entrance, she was greeted with the sight of shopping bags and gift boxes from major luxury brands littering the floor.

It seemed that Xia Yan had returned. She was currently having decadent desserts with a lady decked up in jewelry.

Spotting Tao Yi Xi, Xia Yan waved to her with a smile.

“Xiao Xi is back! Where have you been?”

“The library.”

The lady blatantly scrutinized her from head to toe. Tao Yi Xi was acutely aware of the contempt oozing from the lady’s aloof gaze.

“Xia Yan, who is this?”

“My daughter, Xiao Xi. Come say hello to Mrs. Xu.”

The corners of Tao Yi Xi’s lips curved into the perfect perfunctory smile, “Hello Mrs. Xu.”

“Umm,” Mrs. Xu nonchalantly hummed a reply as her gaze stayed on Tao Yi Xi for a few more seconds.

“Xiao Xi’s grades are excellent. She’s top in level at Fu Middle School,” Xia Yan pridefully declared.

“That is quite amazing.”

Before Xia Yan could relish in her words, she heard Mrs. Xu adding, “But as a woman, what is the point of doing so well in your studies? In the end, when you marry, you’ll still need to rely on your man in this society.”

Xia Yan embarrassedly said, “What Mrs. Xu said makes sense. But excelling in one’s academics could be like the icing on top of the cake.”

“That is true. But a lady should not be too powerful as she’ll overshadow the men. The men would be under a lot of pressure then.”

Her fists were tensing.

Xia Yan still assented, “What Mrs. Xu said is correct. I heard that your son is a very outstanding young man. After graduating, he took over the family’s business and is making the company more prosperous.”

Mrs. Xu covered her mouth and faintly chuckled, “He’s doing alright. He only closed a couple of projects after joining and it’s all because the bosses gave him face.”

“Mrs. Xu is too modest. This is proof of your son’s capabilities.”

Seeing that the glass of tea was empty, Xia Yan instructed Tao Yi Xi, “Xiao Xi, help Mrs. Xu refill her cup.”

Xia Yan gave her a look. It was a look asking her to be more quick-witted.

Tao Yi Xi lowered her eyes. If she remembered correctly, Gu Family was at the helm of the corporation, but Xia Yan kept fawning over the other party. How could Xia Yan establish herself in an inferior role?

Mrs. Xu took a sip of tea before taking the initiative to ask, “What about Young Master Gu? I’ve heard that recently he has made improvements?”

Xia Yan pursed her lips, “Him? There are slight improvements but it’s still not very promising.”

This was the first time Tao Yi Xi saw that her mother was two-faced.

“What a pity.” Although Mrs. Xu said those words, the gloating that painted on her face was too obvious.

Currently, the Gu Corporation was not to be reckoned with, but even so, it would still be destroyed by the hands of their prodigal son. When that time comes and the Gu Family topples, it would be their turn to rise.

Even thinking about it now was so wonderful.

Noticing that Xia Yan wanted to flatter her and would not contradict her words, Mrs. Xu started to speak more sarcastically, “It seems that there’s a reason when people say that wealth cannot be maintained for three generations- Oh! What did you do!”

Mrs. Xu frantically grabbed a few tissues to wipe the tea that was spilled onto her.

“Ah! I’m so sorry, Mrs. Xu, I didn’t mean to. Did you get scalded? Are you alright?”

Tao Yi Xi held tightly onto the box of tissue preventing Mrs. Xu from taking more. She slowly drew out a piece of tissue and help dab at Mrs. Xu’s clothes.

Soon, the water was completely absorbed into the clothes, but the tissue paper in Tao Yi Xi’s hand was barely half wet.

In a fit of madness, Mrs. Xu roared, “You, get away from me!”

The sudden shout from Mrs. Xu frightened Tao Yi Xi into dropping the box. Tao Yi Xi covered her mouth as her eyes filled with tears and a look of guilt on her face.

“I’m so sorry Mrs. Xu. You’re not wrong to scold me, after all, it was I, who accidentally spilled water onto you. I’ll leave now. Sobs…” Tao Yi Xi left in tears.

Mrs. Xu, “…”

It felt like she was the one being unreasonable and making a fuss over nothing.

Tao Yi Xi hurried away in small steps. There was no trace of tears left on her face despite her crying like raindrops on a pear blossom just now.

As she walked past Gu Jing Yuan’s room, the door suddenly opened and a hand stretched out and pulled her inside.

Tao Yi Xi’s eyes widened in panic and she was greeted with an enlarged view of a handsome face.

“Why did you do that? You nearly scared people to death!”

After getting a closer sniff, she felt that something was amiss.

“And did you consume alcohol?” She frowned disapprovingly.

Leaning against the door panel, she looked up at him. She was in no hurry to push him away.

There was an inexplicable sense of security when she was around him. She knew he would definitely not do anything untowardly to her.

He trapped her between his chest and the door, staring down at her. His black hair fluttered in front of his eyes.

He looked a little sluggish and discombobulated. Not only did he ignore her question, but he also directed another back to her.

“Why did you help me?”

She blinked, “It was just an accident. Besides, how did you know?”

The timely breeze lifted the thin curtain gauze between his bedroom and the balcony, clearing her doubts.

“Is it? I don’t believe you,” he murmured. His dark eyes filled with some unknown expectations.

Maybe it was because of the alcoholic flush on his face while he pretended to look nonchalant. He did not realize how clumsy he looked in her eyes.

She pondered on the best way to go about answering him before saying, “I just don’t like her lack of ability to read others accurately. Ge-ge is obviously very outstanding. Even I was envious of your memorization and comprehension capabilities. If Ge-ge worked hard, there wouldn’t be a need for me to come.”

She blinked her bright fluttering eyes while her compliments were soft and sweet, making people’s hearts tremble.

Her look of innocence was so sincere that it caused him to have no other choice but to believe her unconditionally.