Chapter 8: Never Meet Again

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Inside the government office building, there were not many people attending to their affairs. Gu Xinyao had rushed in without pause, her haste causing the staff at the reception desk to grow somewhat worried. Although there were no longer issues like petitioners coming to complain, no one could guarantee that small mistakes wouldn’t happen. She certainly didn’t want to be sent home after just a few days on the job.

“Excuse me, ma’am, is there anything I can help you with?” A young, handsome receptionist stepped out from behind his desk, standing kindly before Gu Xinyao. He blocked her path but was genuinely curious about the reason behind her urgency.

Gu Xinyao had intended to ask inside the office area, but since the receptionist stopped her, she thought it would be the same to ask him directly. “I’m looking for Du Gu Yi. Did he come to work today?”

The receptionist’s gentle eyes showed a flicker of surprise before he smiled and replied, “You mean Secretary Du Gu? He works part-time here at the government office. His schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Today’s Thursday, so he should be at the university.”

Hearing this, Gu Xinyao frowned. Earlier, when she overheard the two clerks talking, a heavy feeling settled in her chest. She had rushed here without thinking if it was appropriate, but now learning Du Gu Yi wasn’t here, her previously steady heart began to waver.

“I… I want to ask… is Duan Mu Feng getting married?” Gu Xinyao hesitated but decided to start with Duan Mu Feng. As for Du Gu Yi, she planned to find him to ask why he went back on his word—how could he say he wouldn’t marry and then change his mind?

The receptionist’s expression grew wary when Gu Xinyao mentioned Duan Mu Feng. Director Duan Mu was her idol; what was this woman planning?

Gu Xinyao noticed the change in the receptionist’s demeanor and tensed. She thought for a moment, then slowly said, “I heard she’s marrying someone from the Du Gu family. She’s done a lot for us, so I wanted to give a congratulatory gift.” Her expression showed some reverence. Judging by the receptionist’s attitude, if she intended harm to Duan Mu Feng, she wouldn’t let it slide.

“Oh? Is that so? Then that’s good. Director Duan Mu is indeed marrying someone from the Du Gu family. They’re a perfect match.” The receptionist’s face beamed with pride, as if she herself were the bride.

Gu Xinyao’s heart sank. So Du Gu Yi really was going to marry Duan Mu Feng? Her hands clenched tightly, numb to the pain.

“You don’t really need to bring a gift. Just showing up will do. With the influence of the Duan Mu and Du Gu families, they probably don’t care whether you give a gift or not…” The receptionist, feeling she had found a kindred spirit, began to chatter on.

Gu Xinyao had no patience for the rambling and simply said, “Thank you,” before turning and leaving the government building.

Standing outside, her eyes gazed at the dazzling sun overhead, but her heart felt heavier than ever. She didn’t know what to do next—should she find Du Gu Yi to talk, or confront Duan Mu Feng? The resolute determination to seek out Du Gu Yi earlier had been shaken by the receptionist’s words.

After all, what could she and Du Gu Yi have together? Happiness? Selfishly, she believed she could give him happiness—at least in life and love. But in this country, many things couldn’t be achieved by words alone; they required strength and a powerful background, both of which she lacked.

She trudged down the steps, head bowed, her earlier momentum gone. She didn’t even notice someone approaching from the opposite direction.

As they passed each other, the person behind her suddenly stopped.

“Have I seen you somewhere before?” The voice was a female alto, pleasant and curious.

Gu Xinyao, lost in her own sorrows, barely heard the question and had no intention of stopping.

“Do you know Du Gu Yi?” the woman asked again.

This time, Gu Xinyao stopped, frowned, and turned to look at her questioner. Upon seeing her, her gaze sharpened.

“No,” she said curtly, a mixture of stubbornness and melancholy in her tone. The woman before her was none other than Duan Mu Feng.

Duan Mu Feng stood there in a perfectly tailored suit, her long hair pinned neatly at the back, silver-rimmed glasses resting on her nose. She carried the air of a scholar with a confident, unrestrained aura absent in ordinary people.

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Duan Mu Feng’s features were exquisitely delicate and beautiful. A thoughtful expression graced her face, accompanied by a faint smile that could easily charm anyone who saw it. Only those with strong will would not be swayed by her smile.

“That night, I saw how you dealt with Shangguan Liu. You’re quite bold,” Duan Mu Feng continued, unfazed by the fire in Gu Xinyao’s earlier words.

“You?” Gu Xinyao’s face flashed with surprise, then quickly turned angry. If Duan Mu Feng saw how she handled Shangguan Liu, she must have also seen what Shangguan Liu did to Du Gu Yi. Why didn’t she rescue Du Gu Yi then, instead letting Shangguan Liu take him away?

“Why didn’t you stop Shangguan Liu? Do you just let others bully your lover?” Gu Xinyao couldn’t help but defend Du Gu Yi. She didn’t know what relationship the Duan and Shangguan families had, but she would never allow anyone to use Du Gu Yi as a pawn.

Duan Mu Feng raised an eyebrow, her face cycling through various expressions before settling into a half-smile, half-smirk.

“Lover? You think he’s my lover?”

“You’re getting married, aren’t you? What else would you be?” Gu Xinyao was dumbfounded by the question. Weren’t they lovers?

Duan Mu Feng covered her mouth to cough, a strange smile tugging at her lips. “Yes, we’re getting married. But I don’t love him, and he doesn’t love me. I think we’re just using each other.”

She shrugged, seemingly indifferent to the nature of her marriage.

Gu Xinyao felt a heavy lump of frustration in her chest. This woman, with a face like a goddess, might not have a heart as pure. How could she watch as Duan Mu Feng dragged Du Gu Yi into a trap? Whether he wanted it or not, Gu Xinyao had to confront him. If he could marry Duan Mu Feng, why couldn’t he marry her? Even if she was poor, she could work hard to give him a good life.

“I won’t give you the chance to hurt him,” Gu Xinyao said, clenching her fists. She wanted to hit this hypocritical woman but held back, knowing causing a scene here would only bring trouble upon herself.

With that, she turned and walked away, her destination clear without needing to be stated.

Duan Mu Feng stayed where she was, the earlier carefree expression replaced by a wistful sadness.

“Ah Yi, this is all I can do for you. Don’t miss your chance at happiness.” She glanced at Gu Xinyao striding away before shaking her head and climbing the steps.

***

Springhui University, where Du Gu Yi studied, was located in the southeast of Kangnalia, forming a right angle with Du Gu Yi’s apartment and farther from the grocery store.

At 4:30 p.m., classes had ended. Some students were out on dates, others chatting in campus corners. Few doctoral students like Du Gu Yi still frequented the campus.

After arriving anxiously at the university and asking the gatekeeper, Gu Xinyao learned Du Gu Yi was not in the teaching building but at the library.

The Springhui University library stood apart, not adjacent to classrooms or dormitories. It was a separate three-story white building, resembling a scholarly sage quietly watching over diligent students.

Gu Xinyao walked down the teaching building corridor, passed a wall of flowers, and reached the library’s front garden. Various colorful flowers bloomed beautifully, and tall cypress trees stood like loyal guardians protecting the scholar’s sanctuary.

But Gu Xinyao had no mind to admire the beauty. She only wanted to find Du Gu Yi and ask what he truly wanted.

On the library’s second floor by the window, she finally found Du Gu Yi deeply engrossed in a thick legal casebook. He wore rimless glasses perched on his nose that partially concealed his face, whether for vision correction or style.

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Even so, he was the most dazzling figure in the room. Across from him sat two girls who paid little attention to their books, frequently glancing at Du Gu Yi and making odd noises, seemingly trying to catch his attention. But Du Gu Yi was wholly absorbed in his studies, unwilling to be distracted.

Gu Xinyao approached the table, disregarding the place, grabbed Du Gu Yi’s hand holding the book, and said, “Come with me.” Then she pulled him toward the exit.

Du Gu Yi was engrossed in an international finance case and hadn’t expected someone to suddenly grab him and pull him away.

“Who are you?” He was about to ask, but she suddenly turned her head, and in that glance was an icy coldness that silenced him instantly, making him forget he could resist.

The two girls opposite Du Gu Yi watched the fierce woman pull him away. They wanted to stop her but saw Du Gu Yi did not resist, so they could only sit and watch.

Once outside the study room, Du Gu Yi finally thought, why did she have the right to pull him around so confidently? She wasn’t even anyone to him.

“Do you have something to say?” Du Gu Yi composed himself and asked coldly.

“Are you getting married?” Gu Xinyao ignored his effort to shake off her hand and asked directly.

A flicker of surprise crossed Du Gu Yi’s eyes, though he showed no obvious reaction. Coldly, he said, “What does that have to do with you?” He had wanted her to be his lover before, but she refused. Why should she question him now?

“If you’re getting married, why not consider me? I’ve met Duan Mu Feng. She said she doesn’t love you, and you don’t love her. You’re marrying to use each other. That kind of marriage won’t bring happiness. Even if you don’t want to marry me, please don’t marry Duan Mu Feng.” Gu Xinyao spoke earnestly, not wanting to see him hurt. If men were the weaker sex in this world, they shouldn’t challenge women’s rights. If he wanted to use Duan Mu Feng for gain, he might end up with nothing.

A bright sparkle flashed in Du Gu Yi’s eyes but didn’t last.

“She, Duan Mu Feng, lied to you. She isn’t marrying me; she’s marrying my cousin.” He intended to say harsher things to crush her hopes, but the words stuck in his throat and changed to something else.

Gu Xinyao was momentarily incredulous but saw in Du Gu Yi’s expression that he wasn’t lying. She found herself at a loss for words.

“Can I go now?” After a long pause, Du Gu Yi asked hesitantly.

Gu Xinyao looked at his calm expression with a twinge of disappointment. Yes, he wasn’t marrying Duan Mu Feng, but he wouldn’t marry her either.

“Don’t you really want to consider me?” She tried once more, though knowing it was wishful thinking.

Du Gu Yi smiled rarely, a beautiful smile that made Gu Xinyao think he had changed his mind.

“I said I won’t marry. If you don’t want to be my lover, then it’s best we never see each other again.” With that, he pushed open the study room door and walked in.

Gu Xinyao stood dumbfounded, his words echoing in her mind: best we never see each other again.