Forbidden to Flirt and Run 28

Chapter 28

Looking at her own face in the glass window, Xu Qingtang forced a smile.

After explaining to Teacher Qi for a long time, she finally managed to brush it off as vocal training. After hanging up, Xu Qingtang let out a breath, turned to look at Gu Yizhi, and couldn’t help but glare. “You’re still laughing?”

Gu Yizhi pinched Xu Qingtang’s face. “Why are you so cute?”

Xu Qingtang sat up straight and scoffed. “Cute? I’m so embarrassed.”

After speaking, Xu Qingtang couldn’t help but glance at Gu Yizhi and ask, “My mom seems to like you a lot. What did she want to talk to you about?”

Gu Yizhi started the car again, her voice light. “She wanted to introduce me to someone.”

“…” Xu Qingtang said, “Ah? Why?”

Gu Yizhi turned her head and smiled very gently at Xu Qingtang. “Perhaps because Miss Xu didn’t introduce me.”

Xu Qingtang, who had been inexplicably shaded: …

Knowing she was in the wrong, she fiddled with her hair and said, “Who made you look like a fairy? Alright, alright, it’s my fault.”

According to Gu Yizhi, after she had taken Teacher Qi home just now, a neighbor had seen Gu Yizhi and asked about her. Learning that she was single, she had enthusiastically wanted to introduce her to someone.

But before she could even mention the person’s information, she was interrupted by Xu Qingtang’s sassy operation.

But Xu Qingtang inexplicably felt it was very strange.

In recent years, Teacher Qi rarely meddled in other people’s affairs. Even with her, although she would verbally urge her, she had never actually set her up on a blind date.

Why was she so enthusiastic when it came to Gu Yizhi?

Xu Qingtang decided not to think about things she couldn’t figure out.

It was the weekend, and Xu Qingtang didn’t go home in the end. Instead, she went to find Tang Gui, and the two of them spent the afternoon in a private cinema.

Just as the movie started, Tang Gui was rushing to finish a design draft on her laptop. After finishing, she looked up and found that Xu Qingtang next to her was even less attentive than she was, her face dazed. She couldn’t help but ask, “Qingtang, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been spacing out a lot when we’ve been out recently.”

This was not a one-time thing. Every time she had asked Xu Qingtang out recently, she looked like a flower that had been drained of its nutrients, wilting.

“Work too tiring?” Tang Gui took a sip of her drink. “Didn’t you go to South Mountain to watch the sunrise recently? Why don’t we go again?”

“Don’t mention that.” Xu Qingtang sighed.

Tang Gui’s smile suddenly turned mischievous. “I heard you went with Gu Yizhi. I heard that’s where young couples go to witness their love. How was it? My guide wasn’t a waste of time, was it?”

“Don’t mention that thing either.” Xu Qingtang sighed again.

The movie was at an exciting part. Tang Gui watched intently for a while, then turned her head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xu Qingtang forced a smile and told Tang Gui from beginning to end about the embarrassing incidents she had experienced because of that thing, of course, omitting a little bit about what had happened with her and Gu Yizhi in bed.

Finally, she summarized, “Gu Yizhi is really my ancestor.”

Anyway, when she’s around, nothing good happens.

Tang Gui caught the key point. “The post?”

Xu Qingtang nodded. “Yes.”

Tang Gui was full of doubt. “What post? I haven’t heard of it. A beautiful new colleague came to our department during that time, and there were quite a few posts about her on the forum. Gu Yizhi… who would dare? Unless they wanted to quit.”

Xu Qingtang glanced at the screen. It happened to be showing Harley Quinn jumping into a chemical vat for the Joker. At this point, what else was there not to understand?

Gu Yizhi, you bitchy woman!

On Monday, Xu Qingtang arrived at the theater early in the morning.

Just as she reached the main entrance, she saw her senior apprentice-sister waving at her from a distance. She stopped and waited for a while. When they met, she realized there was a fair-faced boy following behind her.

Xu Qingtang had an impression of him. It was the “puppy” her senior apprentice-sister had mentioned last time, named Xiao Lin.

Xiao Lin sized up Xu Qingtang and greeted her, “Qingtang, good morning.”

Her senior apprentice-sister teased, “What’s wrong with you? You call all of us ‘sister,’ but you just call her by her name? You think we’re old?”

Xiao Lin’s face turned a little red, and he didn’t speak.

Xu Qingtang smiled. “He’s still a kid. Don’t tease him, Senior Sister.”

Xiao Lin glanced at Xu Qingtang and emphasized, “I’m only one year younger than you.”

After the three of them went in, her senior apprentice-sister and Xu Qingtang watched their colleagues practice flips. After Xiao Lin walked away, her senior apprentice-sister joked, “Qingtang, this little puppy doesn’t have a crush on you, does he?”

Xu Qingtang held her training clothes, walked towards the changing room, and said, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Her senior apprentice-sister smiled and said, “A younger man who doesn’t call you ‘sister’ has a wild heart. Haven’t you heard that saying?”

This not only failed to arouse any of Xu Qingtang’s interest in Xiao Lin, but it also reminded her of the first time she had met Gu Yizhi at the hospital, when Teacher Qi had told her to call her “sister”…

Her calling Gu Yizhi ‘sister’?

The more Xu Qingtang thought about it, the more awkward it felt.

On Wednesday, the beginning of autumn, it rained a little in Lin City.

The evening wind was brisk. Xu Qingtang was stopped by the rain as she came out of the theater. She took out her phone and opened a ride-hailing app. A voice sounded from behind her.

“Qingtang.”

Xiao Lin came out from inside with an umbrella, sized her up, and asked, “You didn’t bring an umbrella?”

Xu Qingtang nodded. “It’s a good thing I can get a ride.”

Xiao Lin took a step closer. “Qingtang, you’re so popular. The person who always sends you flowers must be your suitor, right?”

As long as Xu Qingtang was at the theater, Gu Yizhi’s flowers were never absent.

Xu Qingtang said vaguely, “Maybe.”

She continued to tap on the ride-hailing app. Just as she had entered her starting point, Xiao Lin’s voice sounded again. “Qingtang, why don’t we go for a late-night snack on the way? I’ll take you home when the rain gets lighter.”

Xu Qingtang had already placed her order. As if she had just heard him, she smiled faintly. “I don’t like to eat at night. My car will be here soon. You can go back first.”

Xiao Lin said, “Oh. Alright.” Then he opened his umbrella and left.

It was hard to get a ride in the rain. There were nine people in front of her in the queue. Xu Qingtang stood there and scrolled through her Moments for a while. Just as she had liked Tang Gui’s post cursing a client, a message from Gu Yizhi popped up.

[Miss Xu, look up.]

Xu Qingtang looked up.

In the hazy rain, Gu Yizhi’s car slowly drove over and finally stopped at the edge. Xu Qingtang walked over and saw Gu Yizhi’s face clearly through the fine rain and the car window.

Xu Qingtang leaned in. “What are you doing here?”

Gu Yizhi got out of the car with a black umbrella. When she reached Xu Qingtang, she brought with her a chill from the wind and rain. “Just passing by. Was that an audience member just now?”

Xu Qingtang said, “My colleague.” She glanced at Gu Yizhi and added, “He wanted to treat me to a late-night snack.”

Gu Yizhi’s smile faded. “Why didn’t you go?”

“How do you know I didn’t go?” Xu Qingtang glanced at the notification on her phone that the driver had arrived and smiled brightly at Gu Yizhi. “Of course, I have to go home, take a bath, burn some incense, and then put on makeup and a dress before I go.”

With that, she rushed into the taxi that had been waiting for a long time and smiled faintly at Gu Yizhi from a distance. “Goodbye, CEO Gu. Continue passing by.”

Xu Qingtang was in an inexplicably good mood. This mood lasted all the way home. She still felt her nerves were in a state of excitement until she saw a figure squatting at her door and was startled.

“Guigui?”

Xu Qingtang called out tentatively.

Tang Gui turned around, her expression exceptionally aggrieved. “Qingtang…”

Xu Qingtang asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Don’t mention it. I left my keys at the office, and my phone is dead.” Tang Gui sighed. “I can only come to you for shelter.”

Xu Qingtang opened the door and said, “Of course. I have new clothes too. Miss Tang is always welcome to stay.”

After changing her shoes, Tang Gui leaned her elbows on the shoe cabinet, stared at Xu Qingtang, and said aggrievedly, “You’re not serious, are you? I’m so miserable, and you can still laugh?”

Xu Qingtang subconsciously said, “Ah,” and saw her own face in the glass partition. Sure enough, the corners of her lips were turned up, and her smile was obvious…

She rubbed her cheeks and cleared her throat. “I’m not laughing at you. It’s Gu Yizhi…”

She told her about how she had teased Gu Yizhi just now.

Tang Gui walked up to her with a “da-da” sound, staring at her face from left to right. “Just that? I don’t see any mockery. I do see a face full of spring. Are you two dating?”

“What are you talking about?” Xu Qingtang walked to the sofa. “Who’s dating her?”

“Forget it, forget it. I can’t meddle in your affairs. I still have to serve my client ancestors. Ai, that project in City C still needs to be rushed. I wish I could cut myself in half.”

After her phone turned on, Tang Gui sat down with her legs crossed.

Xu Qingtang asked, “It’s easy to have earthquakes there. Do you have to go there too?”

“Yes.”

After a few seconds of pause, Tang Gui looked up again. “By the way, you two really aren’t dating?”

Xu Qingtang smiled helplessly. “Weren’t you going to serve your ancestors?”

Tang Gui was serious. “Work and gossip don’t conflict. Balance work and rest.”

Hearing this, Xu Qingtang was suddenly reminded of Jiang Wan and chuckled softly. “I was going to ask you, what’s going on with you and Jiang Wan?”

“What’s going on…” Tang Gui immediately became as quiet as a chicken and made a truce gesture. “Let’s not talk about it. I’m busy now.”

*

Near the Mid-Autumn Festival, the theater organized a team-building event, an outdoor barbecue.

Xu Qingtang changed into a more casual denim skirt. Just as she had finished applying her lipstick, there was a knock on the door. Her senior apprentice-sister was at the door. She stared at her for two seconds, then “ah-ah-ah-ed” to show her respect for her outfit.

There was respect, but not much.

There was perfunctoriness, but not much either.

Xu Qingtang sighed. “Senior Sister, I still miss the time when you recited ‘The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River’ to me.”

Her senior apprentice-sister also sighed. “I just made a mistake that all women in the world make.”

When the two of them arrived at the team-building gathering, most of their colleagues had already arrived.

Just as Xu Qingtang sat down, Xiao Lin came over with a menu and naturally sat down beside her. “Qingtang, what do you want to eat? Everyone has already ordered. You’re the only one left.”

Xu Qingtang said, “I’ll have the same as Senior Sister.”

“Alright.”

While their colleagues were discussing where to go for the Mid-Autumn Festival, her senior apprentice-sister had already booked a flight on her phone, then asked Xu Qingtang, “Qingtang, you’re not going to stay at home again, are you?”

Her senior apprentice-sister said earnestly, “It’s good to go out for a walk.”

Xu Qingtang said, “There are too many people during the holidays. What’s the point of squeezing with people? Besides, Senior Sister, you know me. The bed is my attraction when I travel. Isn’t it just changing a place to sleep?”

Her senior apprentice-sister gently pinched her cheek. “Alright, don’t let me catch you on a honeymoon with someone in the future. Otherwise, you’ll be fined.”

As the two of them were talking and laughing, they suddenly heard someone testing a microphone. They looked up and saw Xiao Lin standing in an open space, holding a guitar and starting to sing. He was singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and his eyes were fixed on Xu Qingtang. In the end, he even called out Xu Qingtang’s name.

Everyone was a veteran, and Xiao Lin really didn’t know how to hide himself. Everyone started to hoot. Her senior apprentice-sister leaned on Xu Qingtang’s shoulder and whispered, “I told you, he definitely has a thing for you. He’s good-looking, but his singing… forget it, affection is the most important thing, but this is too direct. Qingtang, what do you think?”

What do I think…

Xu Qingtang felt extremely embarrassed.

Especially when all her colleagues were hooting.

This was completely different from the feeling of social death in front of Gu Yizhi. Xu Qingtang couldn’t say what the difference was between them. She only knew that she not only felt awkward now, but also a little angry.

“Senior Sister, I’m going out for some fresh air. It’s so hot.”

“Alright.”

Xu Qingtang stood up and left. She was enjoying the evening breeze not far from the restaurant when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Xiao Lin walking over with a bouquet of ice blue roses. “Qingtang, why did you come out? I was a little carried away just now. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I saw these flowers at a flower shop nearby just now. I thought they were very pretty and suited you, so I wanted to give them to you.”

Xu Qingtang was a little cold. “Thank you, I’m allergic to pollen.”

“But…” Xiao Lin clearly hadn’t forgotten that she would accept the flowers delivered by takeout every day. He didn’t insist and said, “We haven’t known each other for long, and I’m younger than you. It’s normal for you to have concerns. I know you don’t like me now, but I still want to give it a try.”

Xu Qingtang was still cold. “Sorry, I like someone else. I don’t want others to misunderstand our relationship because of your behavior.”

Hearing this, Xiao Lin looked quite sad and turned to leave.

Xu Qingtang thought he had probably given up, but who knew her senior apprentice-sister would send her a message again: [Qingtang, Xiao Lin is asking if you’re free later. He seems to be saying something about wanting to watch fireworks with you by the sea?]

Her senior apprentice-sister clicked her tongue: [These young boys nowadays are so clueless. The puppy filter is broken.]

Xu Qingtang was full of anger: [Tell him I’m not free.]

Gu Yizhi: [Him?]

Gu Yizhi?

Xu Qingtang had been so angry just now that she hadn’t noticed the sender was Gu Yizhi. She scrolled up. Gu Yizhi had asked her when she was free to give her the clothes.

It was the set that had gotten wet at South Mountain last time.

Xu Qingtang replied half an hour later: [The colleague who asked me out for dinner last time.]

She then sent a picture of red roses: [He even sent me flowers. Do you think I should say yes? Fireworks by the sea are quite romantic.]

Gu Yizhi: [Fireworks are not allowed now.]

Gu Yizhi: [It’s illegal.]

Gu Yizhi: [Where are you? I’ll bring you the clothes.]

Xu Qingtang slowly sent a location.

Twenty minutes later, Gu Yizhi’s car stopped in front of Xu Qingtang. Xu Qingtang opened the car door, put the roses on her lap, fiddled with the petals with her fingers, and smiled faintly. “So fast, CEO Gu. You weren’t just passing by again, were you?”

Gu Yizhi stared at the roses in Xu Qingtang’s arms and pursed her lips. “Miss Xu, I have a cold recently. I can’t smell pollen.”

“Ah…” Xu Qingtang said helplessly, “Alright then. I’ll get out of the car. Sorry, CEO Gu. These flowers are very precious to me. I can’t throw them away.”

“Forget it. Since I’m already here, I’ll take you home.”

The car slowly started in the faint, swaying lights. The air was filled with a faint smell of alcohol. Gu Yizhi turned her head to look. “You’ve been drinking?”

“Yes, everyone was drinking, so I had a little too.”

“Is he pursuing you?”

Xu Qingtang fiddled with the roses again. “Yes.”

“What’s he like? Do you like him too?”

Gu Yizhi’s voice was even clearer in the cold and quiet night. Xu Qingtang seemed to be thinking about how to describe him, then said, “He’s quite good. The person who sent these roses… of course I like him. He’s good-looking, has a good character, and a nice voice. He’s the best choice whether as a friend or a partner.”

Gu Yizhi seemed very silent tonight. She didn’t reply to this until they returned to Xu Qingtang’s home. It wasn’t until she got out of the car that she looked at Xu Qingtang seriously and said, “People who can be friends are not necessarily suitable to be together.”

Xu Qingtang clicked her tongue. “What are you talking about?”

Gu Yizhi: “Sorry.”

Xu Qingtang scoffed. “You insult me and then just say sorry?” With that, she stuffed the roses into Gu Yizhi’s arms, feeling that the flowers looked better and better in front of her. “I’ve received so many of your flowers. It’s only right to return the favor.”

Gu Yizhi held the roses and suddenly smiled. “Miss Xu, why are you so cute again?”

Xu Qingtang attributed all the words she couldn’t understand from Gu Yizhi’s mouth to sarcasm. She snorted coldly and said, “I learned it from you.”

“Young and beautiful boss?”

“The distortion of human nature or the loss of morality?”

Xu Qingtang repeated the key points of that so-called post word for word. She gritted her teeth. “I’ve almost lost all my face because of this damn post of yours.”

Gu Yizhi was stunned for a moment, then said with regret, “How did you only find out now?”

Xu Qingtang: …?

“What’s with that attitude? Don’t think that this is over just because you sent me a few damn flowers. If you don’t explain this to me properly tonight, this isn’t over,” Xu Qingtang deliberately put on a fierce expression. “And, you have to record yourself meowing like a cat too. Otherwise, don’t even think about leaving my house in one piece tonight.”

Gu Yizhi suddenly smiled.

Xu Qingtang was furious. “You still have the nerve to laugh? Gu Yizhi, you’re just asking for a beating.”

“How are you going to beat me?”

Gu Yizhi took off her jacket, leaned towards Xu Qingtang, and in the darkness, took Xu Qingtang’s hand and placed it on her side waist.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, my great top of the lesbian circle.”

“You must beat me well.”