Did she say she wanted to go home with her? That wasn’t something that Xu Weilai had been expecting to hear.

  Gu Xue had always hated her ever since they’d first met at Gu Yu’s 18th birthday party; even the sight of Xu Weilai infuriated her. She had always been out to cause trouble for her. Now, she was saying that she wanted to go home with her?

  The night’s events had probably shaken her up so badly that her mind wasn’t functioning properly at the moment…


  Xu Weilai could empathize with her. No girl would be able to remain calm after having experienced such an incident. Even more so for someone like Gu Xue, who had been protected and shielded since birth.

  Not every girl was like Xu Weilai, who had no choice but to learn how to defend herself because of what life had forced upon her.

  Xu Weilai couldn’t bear to turn the girl down. “Alright, then,” she said with a nod.

  Although the apartment wasn’t her home, and the decision hadn’t been hers to make, Gu Xue was still Gu Yu’s cousin after all. Gu Yu couldn’t very well take offense to her bringing Gu Xue back to the apartment, could he?

  Qiao Chu dropped them off at the lobby of their apartment. Only upon seeing them enter the building did he drive off.

  It was already late at night, and Mrs. Lin had gone to bed. Xu Weilai brought Gu Xue into the house and poured her a glass of water. She watched as Gu Xue drank it, then proceeded to lead her to the guest room.

  She retrieved a set of her pajamas and handed it over to her. In a gentle voice, she said, “The only clothes that will fit you here are mine. Just make do with them for the time being.”


  Gu Xue didn’t mind at all. She took the pajamas from Xu Weilai and held it as if it were some precious treasure.

  “I’ve turned the water heater on for you. Go on and take a shower!”


  Gu Xue was being extremely obedient. She nodded her head and walk to the bathroom. After taking a few steps, she turned around uncertainly and looked at Xu Weilai. “Can you please… wait for me here?” she asked.

  Xu Weilai had to suppress her urge to chuckle before she readily agreed to her request. “Alright. I’ll be waiting here for you.”


  Slowly, the fear in Gu Xue’s eyes dissipated as she headed into the bathroom.

  Seemingly afraid that Xu Weilai would leave if she took too long, Gu Xue showered very quickly. When she emerged, she looked around frantically for Xu Weilai. Only when she saw on the couch typing on her laptop did Gu Xue let out a sigh of relief. She walked over to her and sat beside her.

  Gu Xue saw that Xu Weilai was writing an article regarding what had transpired earlier that evening. Although she had not broadcasted it live, she had nevertheless left her camera running and recorded the whole incident on her phone.

  When Xu Weilai eventually decided to release it alongside the testimonies she received from Mei, the other fan, and Gu Xue, Rong Wang would be permanently done for!

  As Gu Xue watched from the side, her eyes reddened again uncontrollably as tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt her heart being crushed by a massive weight, causing it to hurt unbearably.

  “I liked him for seven years! I dedicated my entire youth to him, from the time he debuted up to now. I adored him so much. I loved how he looked when he danced. I loved how he looked when he sang. I loved his shy smile. Why… why did he turn out to be someone like that? Why…?”


  Xu Weilai paused her typing. She turned around to face Gu Xue and sighed gently.

  She understood how Gu Xue was feeling at that moment. It was never an easy thing to experience the emotions and convictions of one’s youth going up in ashes. She understood that feeling all too well.

  Unsure if the consolation was meant for herself or Gu Xue, she said, “Gu Xue, everyone will meet a scumbag or two in their youth. As long as you learn your lesson and don’t go near such scumbags in the future, they won’t be able to hurt you again.”


  The somber and meaningful tone in Xu Weilai’s voice inspired Gu Xue to ask, “Are you saying that… Brother Gu… is a scumbag to you as well?”


  –


  Gu Yu rushed back to the apartment as soon as he received the news. As he walked to the door of the guest room, he heard voices coming from inside the room.