At seven in the morning, Gu Xi finished breakfast and went back to her room. Before long, Assistant Fang came knocking at her door. As she went downstairs and got into the car, she spotted her suitcase that had been left behind at the film set hotel. Assistant Fang explained with a smile, “I retrieved your luggage for you, Miss Gu. Nothing should be missing. I also informed the production crew over there.”
He had also bought breakfast and sent it over. The crew members were quite courteous to him, and he had tactfully brought up the matter regarding the female lead, which had helped preserve Miss Gu’s dignity.
Gu Xi thought to herself that Bai Shulin’s subordinates certainly knew how to handle things. She wondered how much they were paid, though she definitely couldn’t afford their salaries.
Last night, that man surnamed Li had also come. He drove a commercial vehicle, with Assistant Fang in the passenger seat, while Gu Xi and Bai Shulin sat side by side in the back.
Mr. Li seemed to have a good relationship with Bai Shulin, chattering nonstop throughout the ride. Fang Qi beside him responded politely. Eventually, probably out of boredom, Mr. Li struck up a conversation with Gu Xi.
“Niece, when do you graduate? Is that kid Bai Yuzhou treating you well? If not, your uncle here can introduce you to someone better. I have a nephew who just got his PhD this year and works at a university. He looks just as handsome as me, but he’s always buried in research and has no time to meet girls. Are you interested?”
“Not to be harsh, but that kid Bai Yuzhou is just lucky. His father was full of schemes back in the day—used his good looks to win over the department beauty, then cheated on her. Damn, if I’d known, I’d have shamelessly pursued her too. I’m no less good-looking than him.”
“Oh, right, boss. I remember the department beauty actually liked you at first, but you were too busy staying faithful to your first love and always wore a cold face. That’s how Liu Chao got his chance.”
Gu Xi hadn’t expected to hear about their past. In her previous life, she would have definitely pressed for more details about Bai Yuzhou’s parents, but now she had no interest whatsoever.
She kept her head down, playing a simple game on her phone. When Mr. Li recommended his nephew, she looked up with a polite smile. “I’m not considering those things for now.”
Mr. Li misunderstood, thinking she meant she wasn’t considering changing boyfriends for the time being. He had just been speaking casually anyway, so he felt no regret upon hearing her response. He then turned his attention to Fang Qi in the passenger seat and urged him to get married. “Why aren’t you married yet? You’re not getting any younger, you know?”
“No rush. Planning to get the certificate next year…”
The two bantered back and forth while Gu Xi lowered her head again to play on her phone. But she had suddenly lost interest. The “first love” Mr. Li mentioned was something she had never heard Bai Shulin speak of in her past life. Then again, there hadn’t been much communication between them to begin with. Most times they met, he was busy with his own affairs, while she lazed around in bed scrolling through her phone or binge-watching shows.
If Bai Shulin had remained single all this time because he was waiting for his first love, then what was she to him?
Gu Xi didn’t love him, but hearing that still made her feel uneasy.
Mr. Li turned out to be somewhat unreliable—only upon arriving at the airport did he realize he’d gotten the time wrong. Their tickets were for tomorrow, so they had to buy the latest available ones on the spot, downgrading from business class to economy.
Feeling somewhat guilty after his blunder, Mr. Li quickly made a hasty retreat, though not before shamelessly saying he’d find Bai Shulin for a drink sometime.
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long. After getting their tickets, they went through security. The three seats were relatively close together, with two side by side. Fang Qi moved quickly—as soon as his boss sat down, he promptly took the row behind.
Gu Xi glanced at him. Fang Qi didn’t look back at her, so she had no choice but to sit down next to Bai Shulin.
The man beside her had a book in his hands. Feeling bored—this was ten years ago, when phones couldn’t be used on planes—Gu Xi tilted her head and peeked at the book in his hands. It was entirely in English, most of which she couldn’t understand.
Her English wasn’t very good. When she was younger, Bai Yuzhou had a one-on-one English tutor, and she had joined those lessons too. But the tutor, seeing that she wasn’t a member of the Bai family, didn’t pay her much attention, which made her dislike English as well.
Everyone wants to do well in their studies, and she was no exception. That’s why, in her previous life, after learning she was pregnant, she made a point of listening to English songs and radio broadcasts every morning and evening for the baby’s early education. Later, he found out about it. Though he didn’t say anything, she caught the hint of amusement in his eyes, which annoyed her so much that she demanded he sing for her.
He didn’t sing, but he read her an article instead—in perfect British English. His voice was deep and magnetic, soothing and pleasing to the ear.
Gu Xi suddenly realized that at some point, they had accumulated so many memories together.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but ask the man beside her, “Uncle Bai, who is your first love?”
Alright, she was still a little unwilling to let it go.
The man beside her probably hadn’t expected such a question. He paused mid-page-turn and slightly turned his head to glance at her.
The girl was very pretty—fair, translucent skin, delicate features, a small pink mouth, her lips lightly pressed together as if she were somewhat pleased. She probably hadn’t noticed that a strand of her hair had gotten tangled around her button.
Seeming to sense that he was looking at her, she lifted her eyelids and met his gaze. Her amber eyes were clear and sharp, carrying a faint, barely perceptible emotion.
When he didn’t answer, she said flatly, “Uncle Bai, I don’t want to marry Bai Yuzhou. The fiancé you picked for me is no good.”
Bai Shulin withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, “It would be the same no matter who it is.”
His voice was cool and detached, as if he didn’t care at all.
Now it was Gu Xi’s turn to fall silent. Deep down, she knew that Bai Shulin was absolutely right.
No matter who he had taken in back then, in an environment like the Bai family, the outcome would never have changed. No one wants to remain trapped in a single identity without freedom—Bai Yuzhou was like that, and so was Gu Xi.
But in her previous life, he hadn’t said that. Instead, he had told her to cut ties with Bai Yuzhou completely, smiling as he said the fiancé he’d picked for her was no good.
Gu Xi rarely saw him joke, so she had been momentarily stunned back then.
Now she found herself wondering if he had actually loved her in her past life. Perhaps it was just possessiveness—refusing to allow her to have anyone else in her heart.
Gu Xi said no more. The plane flew quickly, and two hours later, they arrived at C City Airport.
Assistant Fang had already arranged a car. The driver, Liu Xuan, was waiting outside and took their luggage without being asked. Gu Xi didn’t go with them—she hailed a cab and left on her own.
Bai Shulin frowned as he watched her retreating figure. Before leaving, the girl had only said goodbye to Fang Qi, without so much as a word to him.
Fang Qi also noticed that Miss Gu seemed upset. He rubbed his nose, feeling a bit secretly gleeful—it was the first time he’d seen anyone dare to give his boss the cold shoulder.
Gu Xi returned to school and told Fang Pingping about her recent experiences. Fang Pingping was so alarmed that she bowed toward the sky and prayed, “Buddha bless, Erlang Shen bless—thank goodness you’re okay.”
“You’re really lucky. Running into an acquaintance in a situation like that—anyone else would have been in serious trouble. Looks like being a celebrity isn’t all that great. I’d better just focus on grad school.”
After saying that, she tugged Gu Xi to bow as well. “They say Erlang Shen is especially responsive. You should pay your respects too.”
Gu Xi hadn’t realized she was so superstitious, but she obligingly followed along with a bow.
Her classes had ended the day before she returned, so Gu Xi didn’t have time to think about anything else. Over the next few days, she busied herself copying notes and cramming for the upcoming final exams.
During this time, Grandpa Bai called her. Gu Xi said she’d visit him in a few days. On the phone, Grandpa Bai seemed somewhat apologetic. “I won’t do that kind of thing again. From now on, I won’t let that boy come around.”
Gu Xi smiled and gave a soft “mm” in acknowledgment. She truly didn’t want to see Bai Yuzhou.
But Bai Yuzhou didn’t seem to be giving up. Just two days after she returned, he showed up again outside her dormitory building. She managed to avoid him, though she couldn’t dodge Song Rumeng.
Song Rumeng was two years ahead of her and had been quite a popular figure on campus—pretty, gentle, and socially adept. Many underclassmen liked her, so it wasn’t particularly surprising that someone had tipped her off about Gu Xi’s whereabouts.
Gu Xi and Fang Pingping had found an empty classroom to study in. When Song Rumeng arrived, Gu Xi was copying Fang Pingping’s notes when a female voice came from above. “Gu Xi, I’d like to talk with you.”
Gu Xi looked up and met a fair, delicate face.
Song Rumeng wasn’t exceptionally beautiful—her face was on the rounder side—but she had lovely almond-shaped eyes. When she smiled, her brows curved gently, giving off an approachable and warm vibe.
She wore a light-colored coat, her dark brown hair loosely waved, with a baguette bag slung over her shoulder. College students ten years ago weren’t nearly as fashionable—most dressed quite plainly—and Song Rumeng stood out a bit from everyone else in the classroom.
She seemed to realize this too and said softly, “Let’s talk outside.”
With that, she stepped out first and stood by the classroom door waiting for Gu Xi.
There were other students in the room, and a few turned their heads with curious glances. Gu Xi couldn’t imagine what they had to talk about, but not wanting to disturb the others, she told Fang Pingping she’d step out and followed Song Rumeng.
Fang Pingping desperately wanted to tag along but held herself back.
Gu Xi went outside, and the two walked to the stairwell. Song Rumeng looked at the girl across from her, her feelings complicated. Gu Xi was stunning—the kind of beautiful that was unforgettable at first glance. Tall and slender, with fair, delicate skin and striking, refined features. Even now, wearing nothing more than a simple black puffer jacket with no makeup on, she still made others feel inferior. Standing together, it only made Song Rumeng feel like she was trying too hard.
Song Rumeng still remembered the first time she heard her roommate say that a particularly gorgeous freshman had arrived, leagues ahead of the department beauty. At the time, she had been filling out a financial aid application and hadn’t thought much of it—she’d been called pretty her whole life too and figured her roommate was exaggerating.
Later, she happened to join Bai Yuzhou’s company, and the two developed a flirtatious tension, though nothing was official yet. Then Gu Xi showed up. That was the first time Song Rumeng truly saw her, and she remembered it vividly. That day, Gu Xi was wearing a long white coat, her caramel-colored hair in voluminous waves, her face meticulously made up, and a high-quality scarf around her neck. She walked in like that, so radiant and dazzling that it was impossible to look away.
The entire office fell silent. Even the chattiest colleague stopped talking, sneaking glances at her.
Only later, after learning about designer brands, did Song Rumeng realize that scarf alone cost two months’ worth of her salary.
Even after she had confirmed Bai Yuzhou’s feelings for her, she often couldn’t help feeling insecure, terrified that one day he’d grow tired of her and go back to Gu Xi.
That girl was beautiful, wealthy, and confident. Song Rumeng couldn’t muster even a shred of confidence to compete with her.
She just hadn’t expected this day to come so soon. She hadn’t seen Bai Yuzhou in half a month. She’d managed to get through to him by phone only once, and he’d told her not to contact him again.
So she came to find Gu Xi. Truthfully, she didn’t even know what she wanted to say—she just wanted to see him one more time, a lingering unwillingness in her heart.
Song Rumeng got straight to the point. “I want to see Yuzhou.”
She found it hard to even say the words. She knew she had no rightful claim—Gu Xi was his fiancée—but she had no other choice.
Gu Xi didn’t hide anything. “There’s no point coming to me. I haven’t seen him.”
Hearing this, Song Rumeng seemed taken aback. She furrowed her brows and asked quietly, “Then do you know where he is?”
Gu Xi’s tone was cold. “No.”
Song Rumeng had just lowered her head when she heard the girl across from her suddenly speak again—”Song Rumeng—”
She looked up and saw Gu Xi looking at her with a half-smile. “You really want to see him?”
Before she could answer, Gu Xi let out a troubled sigh. “He has been coming to see me lately, constantly calling and begging me to get back together. But I haven’t seen him, and I can’t be bothered to answer his calls. To me, men are like clothes—if I like them, I’ll wear them more often. But if someone else has worn them, then I’m no longer interested, because there are plenty of more beautiful clothes waiting for me.”
She finished and looked at Song Rumeng, frowning with irritation. “If you do see him, please tell him—I really don’t like him anymore, and he should stop pestering me. Behavior like that is just contemptible.”
Song Rumeng’s face paled slightly, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. The person she had been desperately searching for was being treated with such disdain by the girl before her.
She felt that coming here had been nothing but humiliating. But even more than that, she resented Bai Yuzhou for debasing himself like this—loving someone one moment, then not loving them the next, completely disregarding her feelings.
Still, she managed to say in a hoarse voice, “I understand, Miss Gu. I hope you remember what you said today.”
She gave Gu Xi one last look, then turned to leave. After a few steps, a voice came from behind—
“Don’t worry. I’m not one to go back to old flames.”
Song Rumeng unconsciously clenched her hands. If Bai Yuzhou came back to her, would she take him back?
She didn’t know.
But deep down, she was well aware—besides Bai Yuzhou, she couldn’t find anyone better.