Women’s thoughts are truly hard to guess.
When you revolve around her, she treats you with indifference.
But when you have a sudden awakening and realize you should withdraw from her world, she demands to know what you’re trying to do.
I’ll do whatever I want, as long as it has nothing to do with you—what business is it of yours?
Maybe I used to fawn over her perfectly fine, and suddenly stopping makes her feel disrespected?
Perhaps whether I fawn over her or not must be decided by her, otherwise I don’t even have the right to stop?
Gu Chenshi really couldn’t be bothered to guess her thoughts.
Lin Ranran glared at him angrily: “Say something! Why aren’t you speaking?”
Gu Chenshi tried to curl his lips but found he couldn’t.
In front of Lin Ranran, he wasn’t even willing to pretend anymore.
He truly didn’t understand what gave Lin Ranran the confidence to boss him around like this.
Was it confidence in her own looks, or his past submissiveness?
So she thought that no matter how unreasonable she was, he would continue wagging his tail in front of her as always?
Lin Ranran, what do you take me for?
But it doesn’t matter anymore. Now, you’re nothing to me either.
Gu Chenshi didn’t want to waste words with her and said bluntly: “Nothing much. I just suddenly realized I shouldn’t waste my time and energy muddling along anymore—I want to focus on studying. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”
With that, without giving her a chance to react, he stood up to leave.
He thought he’d made things clear enough and that this could end here. Unexpectedly, Lin Ranran seemed even angrier and chased after him: “Gu Chenshi, what exactly do you mean? Are you saying you wasted your time and energy on me before?”
Gu Chenshi nodded: “If you say so.”
Lin Ranran’s eyes suddenly reddened, overwhelmed by a sense of grievance she had never felt before.
Gu Chenshi was so unreasonable, actually saying that caring for her and keeping her company before was a waste of time and energy…
How could he be like this!
Beneath the surging waves of grievance hid another emotion Lin Ranran couldn’t ignore and felt helpless about—fear.
She suddenly felt terrified that if she let Gu Chenshi leave this time, he would never pay attention to her again…
But weren’t they fine just a few days ago?
He even told her with a face full of affection that he had prepared a special birthday gift for her…
Lin Ranran said furiously: “Gu Chenshi, did I ever beg you to waste your time and energy on me? That was your own problem!”
Gu Chenshi looked at her calmly.
Not a trace of embarrassment or sadness showed on his face.
Because he had already guessed what she would say.
So, he couldn’t be bothered to bring up the scarf incident. What would be the point? He still remembered her response from his past life.
Even if he mentioned it now, she would surely say righteously: Since you gave it to me, it’s mine, and I can do whatever I want with my things.
Anyway, she would always have her reasons, and she would never be wrong.
So what else was there for Gu Chenshi to say?
He was no longer hung up on right or wrong; he just wanted to completely withdraw from her world. Was that okay?
Gu Chenshi said: “Yes, it was indeed my own problem. So now I want to take back my time and energy—that’s my freedom.”
Lin Ranran was left speechless.
That’s right—it was his freedom.
What right did she have to accuse him?
But perhaps that wasn’t the right way to think about it?
How could he just withdraw his attention from her so easily?
The love in his eyes when he looked at her—how could it just vanish?
He was still angry, yes, that must be it.
Kong Xiao walked up to him and snapped, “Gu Chenshi, are you fucking crazy? Why do you always mess with Lin Ranran?”
Gu Chenshi glared at him coldly. “Say that again, I dare you.”
Kong Xiao faltered.
If it really came to a fight, it was hard to say who would end up looking worse.
Only after Gu Chenshi had walked away did Kong Xiao muster the courage to curse at his retreating back. “What a piece of trash!”
He hurried over to Lin Ranran and asked with concern, “Ranran, are you okay? If that bastard bothers you again, just tell me, and I’ll deal with him for you!”
Lin Ranran felt a surge of anger at the sight of Kong Xiao.
If it weren’tt for him taking her home that night, Gu Chenshi wouldn’t have been so angry with her for so long.
Lin Ranran snapped, “Who said you could call me Ranran? We’re not that close! Don’t ever call me that again!”
Kong Xiao: “…”
So he was just getting the cold shoulder?
But he was used to it and didn’t mind at all.
He was more than happy to endure the cold shoulder from his goddess.
Lin Ranran returned home in a daze, slammed the door shut, and locked herself in her room.
Lin’s mother, unaware of what had happened, was frightened and quickly knocked on the door. “Ranran, what’s wrong? Tell me what happened.”
“Nothing,” came Lin Ranran’s muffled voice from inside.
How could it be nothing?
Lin’s mother was worried.
In the past, her daughter would come home, hug her, act a little spoiled, have some fruit or snacks, play with the cat, admire the flowers, and only after dinner would she linger a bit before going to her room to do homework.
But today, she came home from school ignoring everyone. Something must have happened.
After thinking for a moment, Lin’s mother called a classmate she knew to find out more.
That call ended up reaching Kong Xiao.
Kong Xiao’s family had business dealings with Lin Ranran’s family, so the two households were quite familiar.
Kong Xiao, who had been brooding over how to get back at Gu Chenshi, was delighted to receive Lin’s mother’s call. He eagerly exaggerated and slandered Gu Chenshi, painting him in the worst possible light.
By the time she hung up, Lin’s mother was furious.
It was no wonder she was angry.
According to Kong Xiao’s account, Gu Chenshi had become a despicable villain who, after failing to win Lin Ranran’s affection, had turned his love into hatred and started bullying her.
Enraged, Lin’s mother immediately used her connections at the school to find Gu Chenshi’s address. Grabbing her purse, she stormed over to confront him.
Before Lin’s mother arrived, Gu Chenshi had tied on his mother’s apron and was washing and chopping vegetables.
Jing Lan was working the night shift this week and wouldn’t be home until nine.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of someone pounding on the door echoed through the house.
It wasn’t a knock—it was a pounding, the kind that made you think someone was rolling up their sleeves, ready for a fight.
Puzzled, Gu Chenshi went to open the door.
Outside stood a middle-aged woman dressed like a wealthy lady. As soon as he opened the door, she frowned and demanded, “Are you Gu Chenshi?”
Confused, Gu Chenshi nodded. “Yes, I am. Auntie, you—”
“You little bastard! How dare you bully my daughter? I’ll beat you to death!”
Before he could finish, the woman—Lin’s mother—raised her hand and swung at his face.
Fortunately, Gu Chenshi reacted quickly and caught her wrist mid-swing.
Was this woman some kind of lunatic who had just escaped from a mental hospital? She seemed seriously unhinged.
He didn’t know her, so naturally he couldn’t have offended her either.
Gu Chenshi’s face turned cold: “Who are you? Why did you hit me?”
Lin’s mother raised her other hand and swung her bag at Gu Chenshi’s head, angrily saying, “You ask who I am? I’m Lin Ranran’s mother!”
Hearing this, Gu Chenshi froze.
Lin Ranran’s mother?