Gu Yizhou raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Oh? What do you mean?"
Su Mianmian vividly recounted the afternoon's events to Gu Yizhou. "Luckily you reminded me last night, otherwise, I would have been wrongly accused to death."
"Liu Shu said, 'Su Mianmian, you're simply not suitable for our language department. Starting tomorrow, you don't need to come anymore.'
At that time, everyone thought I was definitely leaving. But at the crucial moment, Manager He appeared, and I took out the backup from my phone. You didn't see it; Liu Shu's face turned pale with anger."
Gu Yizhou listened to the young woman's eloquent speech, feeling as if he were there himself, and gently patted her back. "Since you've turned the tables, why are you still in a bad mood?" Su Mianmian, who had just been speaking passionately, slumped her shoulders upon hearing this.
"Gu Yizhou, can I ask you a question?" Gu Yizhou replied. "Go ahead." Su Mianmian hesitated for a moment, then asked, "In the face of reality, is truth and justice never important?"
Gu Yizhou pondered for a moment. "Is it because of what your manager, Mr. He, said to you that you felt wronged?" Su Mianmian's nose stung, and she snuggled closer to Gu Yizhou.
"He said he could have the truth, but only if I didn't choose to work at Huarui anymore. I know he's right; you can't fight city hall. How could Huarui fire a middle manager just because of a lowly intern like me? But I still feel terrible."
Su Mianmian didn't know how to describe this feeling; it was like winning in a very frustrating way. Gu Yizhou understood Su Mianmian's feelings. He just didn't know how to explain it to the young woman in a way that she could accept the cruel reality. He thought carefully for a moment and said, "For others, without a powerful background, truth and justice are indeed less important than reality. Patience and accumulating strength are the best choices."
"But Mianmian, you're different. You have me. You can always be kind and always uphold your beliefs." "You don't need to bow down to anyone. Those who bully you, whoever they are, I'll take them down by any means necessary. I'll bear all the consequences."
Gu Yizhou's voice wasn't loud, but it was so firm and powerful. Su Mianmian nestled against his chest, feeling her heartbeat resonate with his rhythm. The pessimism and depression she felt just moments before vanished.
Su Mianmian felt that Gu Yizhou was truly amazing, always able to continuously provide her with energy. She finally understood what Zhizhi meant when she said, "Mianmian, you've really struck gold to have Gu Yizhou as your husband."
Thinking this, Su Mianmian finally lifted her head from Gu Yizhou's embrace, blinking her wet eyes as she looked into his gaze. "Gu Yizhou, I feel like my feelings for you have grown a little more."
Gu Yizhou hadn't expected the girl to jump around so quickly. It took him a couple of seconds to react, a smile gradually appearing in his eyes. He pinched Su Mianmian's cheek. "A little bit isn't nearly enough, sweetie, I want all of you."
As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed Su Mianmian's lips… When the car arrived, Su Mianmian belatedly realized that this wasn't Yushui Bay. "Where is this?" Gu Yizhou stood by the car door, taking Su Mianmian's hand as they got out. "Didn't you say you'd treat me to Japanese food?"
Japanese food? Su Mianmian looked up and, sure enough, saw the car parked in front of a Japanese restaurant.
Her face flushed slightly, and she muttered, "Didn't you say you didn't want to eat…" Gu Yizhou, with his sharp ears, heard Su Mianmian's words clearly. He smiled and leaned close to her ear. "Then what I want to eat, Mianmian, will you give it to me?"
He actually asked such a question in public. Su Mianmian glared at Gu Yizhou shyly, "No!" Gu Yizhou's smile deepened, "So, after thinking it over, we decided to have Japanese food."
As they were talking, just as they were about to go inside, a group of people came out of the Japanese restaurant. The woman in the middle, with a beautiful face, fair skin, and red lips, wearing a beige cashmere coat, stopped in her tracks upon seeing Gu Yizhou, her gaze seemingly glued to him.
"Ah Zhou, what a coincidence, you're here for Japanese food too?" She then seemed to notice Su Mianmian and smiled faintly at her. "Mianmian, you're here too."
This was the first time Su Mianmian had seen Xue Jing since the misunderstanding in Gu Yizhou's office. She didn't know how Xue Jing felt, but Su Mianmian felt somewhat awkward. She recalled Song Zhi's assessment of Xue Jing: a high-level acting green tea bitch.
Su Mianmian wasn't as enthusiastic towards Xue Jing as before, only offering a faint smile. "Sister Xue Jing." Xue Jing didn't really care about Su Mianmian's attitude towards her. She looked at Gu Yizhou, her gaze almost palpable.
Gu Yizhou nodded slightly, gesturing to the several somewhat drunk men behind her. "It's quite a coincidence. You and your friends?" Xue Jing's smile froze. "They're the director and investor of the new film." Gu Yizhou nodded, indicating understanding. "Then Mianmian and I will go in first."
He said, pulling Su Mianmian's hand and walking towards the Japanese restaurant. Xue Jing looked at their tightly clasped hands, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.
Just then, the investor, who had drunk a few too many drinks, reached out and grabbed Xue Jing's buttocks, muttering lewd words.
Xue Jing was furious. Being taken advantage of at the Japanese restaurant was disgusting enough, and now Gu Yizhou, who hadn't even gone far, was touching her inappropriately.
Xue Jing felt a wave of nausea. She glanced at Gu Yizhou's tall and imposing back, gritted her teeth, and shoved the investor hard. The investor, a portly man, stumbled and nearly lost his balance after being shoved by Xue Jing.
He was used to women throwing themselves at him, but this was the first time someone had dared to openly disrespect him. Enraged, he slapped Xue Jing across the face.
A sharp "smack" rang out, and Xue Jing's head snapped to one side, a handprint instantly appearing on her pretty face. "You bitch, what are you pretending for? You dared to push me? Don't you want to film your new movie anymore?"
Not satisfied, he slapped Xue Jing again on the other cheek. Su Mianmian, who had already entered the Japanese restaurant, heard the commotion behind her and turned around, just in time to see Xue Jing being slapped. Reflexively, she tugged at Gu Yizhou.
"Gu Yizhou, someone hit Sister Xue Jing!" Xue Jing, still dizzy from the investor's two slaps, saw Gu Yizhou stop in his tracks and, not wanting to let the situation escalate further, decided to add fuel to the fire. "I'd rather never get another acting job than be taken advantage of by an old and disgusting man like you!"
This remark naturally resulted in the investor intensifying the beating. Xue Jing was kicked in the stomach by the investor, causing her to hunch over and squat on the ground, her whole body convulsing in pain. She knew another kick was about to land on her back.
Suddenly, a swift figure appeared. A painful scream escaped the investor's lips. Xue Jing felt a wave of relief; she knew Gu Yizhou would come to her rescue. She had won her gamble.
Xue Jing lay half-reclined on the ground, completely exhausted. Su Mianmian rushed over to help her, worriedly asking, "Sister Xue Jing, how are you?" Xue Jing frowned slightly. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Go and watch over A-Zhou. Don't let him get hurt."
Su Mianmian was naturally worried about Gu Yizhou as well, and also concerned for Xue Jing. She protected Xue Jing while simultaneously checking on Gu Yizhou's situation.
Although Gu Yizhou was facing two opponents, his tall stature and imposing presence allowed him to easily subdue the director and investor with a few punches and kicks.
The two drunkards lay on the ground, still cursing, "Who the hell are you? Daring to meddle in my business? You're asking for trouble!" "You're the ones asking for trouble! Daring to lay a hand on the president of the Gu Group!" Xue Jing, though weak, spoke with considerable force.
While the director and investor were well-connected in their circle, they were no match for Gu Yizhou. Upon hearing Xue Jing mention Gu Yizhou's reputation, they turned pale with fright. "You're... President Gu?"
"President Gu, we were blind to your greatness. We were drunk and offended you greatly. We hope President Gu will be lenient and let us off the hook!"
Gu Yizhou had only intended to have a pleasant meal with Su Mianmian, but this unexpected incident had ruined his mood, and he radiated a chilling aura.
He parted his thin lips slightly, uttering a single word, "Get lost!" Seeing the two drunkards stumble and scramble away, he turned back to look at the two women, one squatting and one lying down. His brow furrowed slightly, and he strode over.
First, he took Su Mianmian's hand, feeling how icy it was from the cold wind, and took off his suit jacket to drape it over her. Then he asked Xue Jing, "Where do you feel unwell? I'll call an ambulance." "Don't call an ambulance!"
Xue Jing grabbed Gu Yizhou's trouser leg, her voice filled with anguish, "If I get in an ambulance today, it'll definitely be reported in the media tomorrow..." Gu Yizhou frowned. "Can you get up by yourself? I'll take you to the Gu Group's hospital."
Xue Jing tried to move, then shook her head, her face contorted in pain. "I can't get up, my stomach hurts so much."