Forbidden to Flirt and Run 24

Chapter 24

The carriage seemed to have frozen. Only the constantly changing floor numbers reminded Xu Qingtang that this was not a dream.

Xu Qingtang felt like she could die.

Gu Yizhi glanced at the papers on the floor and said softly, “Miss Xu, could you please help me pick them up?”

Xu Qingtang: “…”

With the enthusiastic help of everyone, the small booklet was quickly restored to its original state, but it was now in Gu Yizhi’s hands. She even said calmly, “Thank you.”

The others’ faces were tense, afraid that if they accidentally lost their composure, they would be fired the next day for entering with their right foot first. Hearing their boss’s words, they all waved their hands. “It’s what we should do, what we should do.”

Gu Yizhi turned to look at Xu Qingtang, her slender fingers intentionally or unintentionally fiddling with the ring binder on the small booklet, smiling but saying nothing.

Xu Qingtang: “…”

She really wanted to die right now, she really, really wanted to die.

After returning from Zhishang, Xu Qingtang felt awkward looking anyone in the eye. She took out her phone, sent a “thank you” to Gu Yizhi, and after a moment’s thought, added a cat sticking its tongue out emoji.

The message went out and sank like a stone into the sea. Gu Yizhi never replied.

Instead, Zhou Jiaran sent her a message, asking her out for a meal.

Xu Qingtang had been lying to Gu Yizhi when she said she was busy in the afternoon. She immediately agreed, put on some lipstick, and went to the appointment.

Zhou Jiaran had asked her to meet at a restaurant near the television station. As soon as Xu Qingtang entered, she noticed Zhou Jiaran in the corner. She walked over and teased, “How rare.”

After saying that, Xu Qingtang was stunned for a moment.

She vaguely remembered that Gu Yizhi had said the same thing to her not long ago.

But Gu Yizhi, that fox, spoke with a seductive charm. It wasn’t like teasing, more like flirting.

This is not good. She’s actually been subtly influenced by that bitchy woman. Xu Qingtang thought.

After Zhou Jiaran changed her major, the two of them spent less time together, but they still had a tacit understanding. She shook her head and clicked her tongue. “Qingtang, you’re an artist, how did you learn the ways of the capitalists? No matter how busy I am, I still have time to rest, okay?”

Xu Qingtang sat down and laughed. “If I were a capitalist, I’d definitely let you lie flat every day.”

After she sat down, the restaurant waiter served her a cup of coffee. Xu Qingtang took a sip, and it was so astringent she could barely drink it. Then she looked at Zhou Jiaran and said, “What’s wrong? The new variety show isn’t going well?”

Zhou Jiaran was eating. Hearing this, she put down her chopsticks. “It’s not that it’s not going well, it’s just not as simple as I thought. In the past, when I was shooting photos and short films, I did everything myself. Apart from being a bit tired, I thought it was quite simple. Now, with this group of people, I have to listen to everyone’s opinions. I’m like a nanny waiting to clean up their messes… Forget it, let’s not talk about this.”

Her voice paused for a moment. “There are a total of six guests this time. One who can sing a bit of opera said she was going to shoot some big movie abroad and bailed on me.”

Xu Qingtang listened to her finish, then asked, “So what now?”

“Now? Now I can only find a new person,” Zhou Jiaran took a sip of juice and sighed. “If only you still did variety shows, wouldn’t our collaboration be better than someone whose words are like farts?”

Xu Qingtang had been short on money in college. At that time, there was a “national style” trend, and she was often approached by variety shows. Later, after she had some savings, Xu Qingtang refused to have anything to do with this circle.

At first, Zhou Jiaran was puzzled. It wasn’t until she saw the pile of threatening packages at Xu Qingtang’s home and the seriously ill Teacher Qi that she suddenly understood.

Xu Qingtang laughed, then said, “You want me to find someone for you?”

“Talking to you is just so straightforward,” Zhou Jiaran nodded and said directly, “I want to find someone who specializes in opera, in their twenties, and who is generous.”

Xu Qingtang said, “Wouldn’t it be better to ask Teacher to introduce someone to you?”

“How would I dare,” Zhou Jiaran shrugged. “I’m already a bad student myself. If I ‘corrupt’ someone else, Teacher will scatter my ashes.”

Then she put her hands together in a prayer. “Qingtang, please spare me.”

“I can help you ask, but I can’t say for sure if I can find someone. You should also keep an eye out on your end.”

Zhou Jiaran raised her glass. “I really love you to death, darling.”

Hearing “darling,” Xu Qingtang was suddenly choked by water. She coughed for a long time, looking at Zhou Jiaran and forcing a calm expression. “Sure, sure.”

Zhou Jiaran handed her a tissue.

Xu Qingtang wiped the corners of her lips. When she looked up, she found that Zhou Jiaran had been staring at her. Xu Qingtang was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Like a scanner, Zhou Jiaran looked her up and down. “I should be the one asking. Qingtang, what’s wrong with you? You seem strange today.”

At the thought of the embarrassing experience in the elevator at noon, Xu Qingtang felt a little unwell. She threw the tissue into the trash can and said, “What’s wrong with me? What’s so strange about choking on saliva?”

Zhou Jiaran suddenly smiled. “Qingtang, have you started dating again recently?”

“Pfft.” Xu Qingtang choked again.

Zhou Jiaran spread her hands. “See, see? I just asked casually, and you reacted so strongly.”

Xu Qingtang felt she really couldn’t explain herself. Dating? She was about to die young.

Xu Qingtang regulated her breathing and said, “Don’t mention it. I’ve been very unlucky recently.”

For someone who cared about her face, face was more important than anything else. But ever since she had met Gu Yizhi, Xu Qingtang had always felt that her face was light and airy. Face? What’s that? She had lost it all long ago.

Zhou Jiaran was a little skeptical. “Is that so? I think you’re radiant.”

“Really.”

Zhou Jiaran nodded in realization and suggested, “In that case, let’s go to Lingji Temple. I heard that whatever you pray for there is very effective. We can go there and change our luck.”

Xu Qingtang also wanted to go out and clear her mind, to forget that experience. The two of them hit it off and set off after eating.

Lingji Temple was in the suburbs of Lin City. When they arrived, there were quite a few people in the temple. There was a place in the temple to interpret fortunes. Xu Qingtang casually drew a lot and asked about her recent love life. In the end, she got a top-grade lot.

At that moment, Xu Qingtang felt that this cure-all temple was not very effective.

With her recent messy life, she still got a top-grade lot?

She would be lucky if no one visited her grave.

Zhou Jiaran was overjoyed. “See? I told you. You’re radiant. You obviously have good luck in love.”

Xu Qingtang just smiled and said nothing.

The scenery in the temple was very beautiful. The two of them wandered around. In the evening, the afterglow of the sunset was like a brocade, and the bright orange light made one’s eyes dizzy. Xu Qingtang suddenly received a call from Lin Huaijia.

Xu Qingtang’s pace down the steps did not change. On the phone, Lin Huaijia asked her if she was free tomorrow and said, “I want to get everyone together tomorrow. We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

The evening wind was gentle, making one’s face slightly warm. Xu Qingtang said, “Alright.”

Lin Huaijia said a few more words. After hanging up, Zhou Jiaran tidied her chestnut-colored long hair and hugged her arms. “Your ex-girlfriend?”

Xu Qingtang hummed in agreement.

“Why are you still in contact? Got back together?”

“No.”

Zhou Jiaran said, “Seriously, Qingtang, that ex-girlfriend of yours is really no good. She can’t handle things. It’s a good thing you broke up.”

Unlike her other friends, Zhou Jiaran had disliked this person from the first time she saw her. In the past, Xu Qingtang had asked her why. Zhou Jiaran had said that because she had seen a bad woman, she knew what kind of person Lin Huaijia was.

Hearing her say “bad woman” with a sweet expression, Xu Qingtang just smiled.

Then, Xu Qingtang thought of Gu Yizhi.

Heh, this was also a bad woman.

Always thinking of ways to tease her.

*

The next day, Zhaomu Restaurant.

Just as Xu Qingtang arrived, she happened to run into Youling getting out of her car. The two of them greeted each other politely.

Youling smiled. “The great ice-breaking. Our hearts have been hanging in suspense for you two all this time. We were really afraid you two would break up.”

Xu Qingtang just curled her lips into a smile and didn’t reply, looking a little cold.

When they were seated, Youling asked again, “Qingtang, do you want to drink tonight?”

Xu Qingtang lowered her head to tidy her long hair, as if she hadn’t heard.

Youling was just making small talk. Everyone could see it and knew why Xu Qingtang was reacting this way. After all, Fenghé was not peaceful recently. Between a friend and a girlfriend, anyone with a clear head would know who to side with, right?

Lin Huaijia, whose gaze had been on them all along, suddenly smiled, poured a glass of soda for Xu Qingtang, and said, “You have a performance tomorrow. It’s better not to drink. It’s bad for your throat.”

Just as the atmosphere was getting good, someone suddenly shouted, “Huh? Where’s Xiao Yu? She’s usually never absent.”

“Who misses me so much?” Just as the words fell, Su Mengyu walked in wearing a white, flowing long dress, her smile sweet. “There was traffic on the road, so I’m late. Ai, I’ll punish myself with three drinks first.”

Then, her gaze turned to Xu Qingtang, and she smiled. “Qingtang, long time no see. I was so happy when I heard from Huaijia that you were coming.”

Then, she took out a bracelet from her bag and said, “A while ago, Huaijia was always coming to my place to drink at night. She threw up in my house several times. I knew she couldn’t let go of you. Here, this is a little blessing from me to you. You must accept it.”

With several pairs of eyes watching, Xu Qingtang took the bracelet, looked at it carefully, and said, “It’s very pretty. Thank you. This number is also very interesting, 333… it’s not called ‘little three,’ is it?”

Su Mengyu’s face changed.

Xu Qingtang looked down again. “Oh, I misread. It’s not all 3s. There are three 8s at the end. Little 3 and 38, quite a match. Which brand is this bracelet from? The designer is quite interesting.”

Her face was sincere, and she had insulted both Lin Huaijia and Su Mengyu. Su Mengyu gritted her teeth. She was sure the number on the bracelet was not like that. She could only smile faintly on the surface and say the brand name.

Lin Huaijia didn’t quite react, only thinking that Xu Qingtang was jealous. She was a little pleased and a little nervous, and said to Xu Qingtang in a low voice, “Qingtang, Xiao Yu insisted on coming. We all know each other, so I couldn’t be too harsh.”

Xu Qingtang smiled faintly and said nothing.

Lin Huaijia was even more satisfied.

After the gathering, most of the friends had left. Lin Huaijia was a little tipsy from drinking. She leaned towards Xu Qingtang and said, “Xiao Zhi… Qingtang, are you going home tonight?”

This was a couples’ restaurant.

Upstairs was a hotel.

Lin Huaijia had chosen this place, clearly with a certain intention.

“I just booked a room.”

In the past, she had thought that there was some possibility between her and Gu Yizhi, so she had never touched Xu Qingtang, wanting to remain a virgin for that person. But she had been with Su Mengyu, and more than once, so there was no need to maintain this idea.

Recently, although she and Xu Qingtang had made up, she always felt that there was a layer between them. Perhaps, if they were more intimate, everything could go back to the way it was.

Xu Qingtang pretended to send a text message on her phone, then looked up and said, “I promised Teacher Qi I’d go back tonight. She asked me. I’m leaving now.”

After Xu Qingtang went out, Su Mengyu leisurely returned to Lin Huaijia’s side. Lin Huaijia was a little angry. “Xiao Yu, didn’t I tell you not to come tonight?”

Lin Huaijia felt that this was probably one of the reasons why Xu Qingtang had not agreed to her tonight.

Su Mengyu sighed and said, “The more I hide from Qingtang, the more it seems like there’s something between us. Only by being open will she believe it. Alright, I didn’t think it through. Don’t be angry, okay?”

Lin Huaijia didn’t pursue the matter. “It’s a good thing Qingtang didn’t overthink it.”

“Huaijia, let me take you upstairs. Don’t fall later…”

Lin Huaijia glanced at the entrance of Zhaomu. The huge glass door outside reflected the brilliant light, and Xu Qingtang’s figure was long gone. She gave Su Mengyu a deep look, and after a long while, she hummed in agreement.

*

On the other end, after Xu Qingtang left Zhaomu and got into a taxi, her phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated.

The sender was Gu Yizhi.

She had sent a picture.

Xu Qingtang was a little sensitive, afraid that it was another picture of a thong or a small toy. She subconsciously glanced at the driver, then opened it. Unexpectedly, it was a screenshot of the company’s internal forum.

[Shocking! The young and beautiful boss also has a little-known side. The melon is ripe, come and watch!]

Then, another picture followed.

The second picture was a vivid description of the story in the elevator that day. Of course, the protagonist of the social death and embarrassment had become Gu Yizhi, while she herself was the helpless little thing hiding in the corner.

Not only was the poster’s wording quite sharp, but their eyesight was also very good. They could even list the names of those things one by one. In the end, they lamented, “Is this the distortion of human nature or the loss of morality, the darkness of society, or the pleasure of indulgence…”

It was… it was quite sudden.

When Xu Qingtang saw these two pictures, she was silent for a moment, then put herself in her shoes. She felt both embarrassed and wanted to die. She sincerely typed to Gu Yizhi: [I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.]

Gu Yizhi: [That’s it?]

Xu Qingtang: [You tell me, what do you want?]

Gu Yizhi: [Come to my place.]

Just as Xu Qingtang hesitated for two seconds, Gu Yizhi’s message came again: [I don’t want to discuss this on WeChat. Let’s talk in person, it’s easier to resolve.]

On second thought, Xu Qingtang felt it made sense.

If someone had caused her to be posted on some forum and become the center of attention, and then only apologized on WeChat, she would be furious in a minute.

Xu Qingtang told the driver and changed the address.

Half an hour later, she knocked on Gu Yizhi’s door. The door was quickly opened from the inside. Xu Qingtang didn’t dare to look Gu Yizhi in the eye, feeling very guilty.

Following her into the living room, Xu Qingtang sat down on the sofa and first apologized sincerely again. “I’m very sorry. I didn’t expect to cause so many people to misunderstand you.” Then, she proposed a solution. “I’ll help you clarify that those things are actually mine. Don’t worry.”

Gu Yizhi didn’t say anything from beginning to end. She was wearing a red slip dress, sitting next to Xu Qingtang, her legs crossed, a smile on her lips.

“What do you think?” Xu Qingtang continued. “Or if you have other requests, you can say so. If I can do it.”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“This matter is not urgent,” Gu Yizhi put down her long legs, her bright red lips slightly pursed. “I’m very curious about one thing.”

Xu Qingtang was unprepared. “Go on.”

Gu Yizhi: “Why did you buy that kind of book?”

Xu Qingtang was about to say that she hadn’t bought it, but when she thought of her friend who would be putting down roots at Zhishang in the future, she suppressed the impulse and changed her explanation. “Actually… actually, I didn’t know what was inside.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that day…” Xu Qingtang’s mind raced, and she quickly came up with a flawless explanation. “That day, my colleague and I saw a novel bookstore having a clearance sale on our way. Ai, you know I’m a nostalgic person. I definitely have to check out this tear of the times. Then I thought the cover was pretty, so I bought it. I didn’t look at the content inside. Who knew… I’m sorry, I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.”

“So that’s how it is…”

Gu Yizhi stood up from the sofa, picked up a small booklet from the coffee table. Xu Qingtang recognized it at a glance as the culprit that had caused her so much embarrassment.

Xu Qingtang’s gaze was fixed on the booklet.

Gu Yizhi flipped through it page by page. When she reached the last page, she looked up and read the words on it to Xu Yizhi, word for word.

“Strive to make Little Cat Gu feel both pain and pleasure, to live and die for it?”