“The spare key for the room.”
“Oh!”
The receptionist handed the room key to Zhou Li.
Zhou Li walked up to Gu Changheng and said, “You’re coming with me.”
Gu Changheng nodded, and his earlier arrogance vanished instantly, as if the aggressive person just moments ago wasn’t him. “Thank you.”
Zhou Li looked at Gu Changheng in surprise, and it was difficult to connect this version of him with the person in his memory.
The arrogant person he remembered.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Changheng felt a bit uneasy under Zhou Li’s scrutiny.
“Nothing.”
Zhou Li held the key and led the way. They stepped into the elevator together.
The elevator was empty except for Gu Changheng and Zhou Li.
Zhou Li’s eyes roamed over Gu Changheng, making him uncomfortable. He spoke up, “Um, do we know each other? My memory is a little bad. What’s your name again?”
“Zhou Li.”
“Oh, you’re Zhou Li!” Gu Changheng looked as if he had suddenly realized something, but in fact he had no impression of this name.
“Yeah, I’m Zhou Li.”
Gu Changheng’s thoughts were filled by Zhao Yunfeng and the woman. After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, he lost interest in the conversation. The elevator fell silent until it chimed and the doors opened.
Zhou Li led the way to room 1224. Before unlocking the door, he paid attention to Gu Changheng’s emotions and said, “Stay composed,” then took out the key to open the door.
Gu Changheng took a deep breath and stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, he and Zhou Li heard Zhao Yunfeng’s voice along with the woman’s.
The woman asked, “When are you going to marry me, Zhao Yunfeng?”
Zhao Yunfeng coaxed her, “Right now, the Zhao family is in trouble. I need to stick with Gu Changheng until he can’t take it anymore and begs his parents to help me get through the Zhao’s crisis.”
“You’re lying. You said the same thing two years ago. It’s clear you don’t want to break up with him!”
“I swear to God, I don’t like men at all. I can’t stand Gu Changheng. He started chasing me shamelessly since junior high school, turning me into a joke in the whole school because a man was chasing me.”
“If it weren’t for the crisis at Zhao’s after I started school, needing insider information from Gu’s, do you think I would have agreed to this?”
“Damn, he’s so annoying, so disgusting.”
“Who knew that idiot would come out to his family to be with me? Now look, he’s been kicked out of the house. He can’t get the Gu family’s information or even find a decent job. He’s like a lapdog relying on me for support.”
“If it weren’t for his slight usefulness, I would have kicked him out long ago!”
…
With each word from Zhao Yunfeng, it felt like a knife stabbing deeper into Gu Changheng’s heart.
Before storming into the hotel, Gu Changheng was still thinking that if Zhao Yunfeng really cheated, he would definitely question him about how he had done anything wrong to him over the years, then beat him up to vent his anger. If it were just a casual fling, then… after a lesson, he could forgive it and move on.
But after hearing Zhao Yunfeng’s “heartfelt words,” Gu Changheng felt all his strength drained and replaced by an icy chill.
At this moment, he felt like a complete joke.
He had been toyed with by Zhao Yunfeng.
How could he degrade himself like this?
How could he?
Gu Changheng didn’t even dare to confront him. Zhao Yunfeng’s words were clear enough. Going out to catch him in the act would be equal to humiliating himself.
Zhou Li looked at Gu Changheng’s pale face and trembling body. He was about to say something, but Gu Changheng had already turned around and left the room.
The sounds inside became indescribable.
Zhou Li followed Gu Changheng out of the door, watching him press the elevator button to the first floor. Zhou Li hurried in after him and wanted to offer some comfort but found himself at a loss for words. He hadn’t seen him for so many years, but after they met, he couldn’t say anything. After a long pause, he finally managed to say, “No, it’s okay. There are plenty of other men in the world. There will be new ones. Don’t be too sad, everything will be alright.”
Gu Changheng suddenly looked up with red eyes. He said angrily, “You don’t understand. What do you know? You don’t know anything.”
Zhou Li’s eyes dimmed.
In fact, he knew a bit.
In the third year of junior high school, Gu Changheng’s pursuit of Zhao Yunfeng was known to the entire school!
Back then, Gu Changheng was the arrogant young master of the Gu family, shining brightly. He hardly acknowledged anyone except Zhao Yunfeng. Only Zhao Yunfeng could catch his eyes, and only for him would he chase without any dignity.
How many years has it been?
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened.
Gu Changheng’s vision was blurred by tears, and he walked out with a pale face.
Seeing his dazed expression, Zhou Li couldn’t just stand by. He hurried to follow him and walked out of the hotel entrance. He told a security guard, “I’m taking the rest of the day off. I have urgent business and leave first. I’ll leave this place to you.”
The security guard quickly replied, “Leaving early will cost you your bonus.”
Zhou Li was usually a frugal person. He would even come to work when sick, so the security guard reminded him.
“Then deduct it, I don’t care!”
The security guard watched Zhou Li’s departing figure in astonishment. He wondered what could have happened to make Zhou Li leave early.
Gu Changheng got into his car and tried to start the engine several times. However, trembling hands and feet made it impossible. With “bang, bang, bang,” he angrily pounded on the steering wheel.
Zhou Li opened the passenger door and saw Gu Changheng slamming the steering wheel in anger.
The steering wheel shook violently under his hands.
After holding back for a long time, Zhou Li said, “Gu, Young Master Gu, where are you going? Let me drive you there!”
Gu Changheng turned his head and looked at Zhou Li, his eyes misty. He said, “To Night Shade.”
Night Shade was a well-known bar in Gu City.
