Volume 1, Chapter 106: Toying

Shangjing University placed great importance on this centennial anniversary.

Not only had they invited outstanding alumni from all walks of life, but they had also gathered many prominent figures.

It was only when Song Qingyu arrived on campus and saw Gu Yuandong and Chu Xingzhi that she realized they had been invited as well.

As CEOs, the two of them were accompanied by university leaders, while Song Qingyu stayed with her senior classmates.

Seeing her former class monitor again, Song Qingyu walked over with a smile. "Monitor—"

"Qingyu, you're here."

The class monitor was named Zhou Yuze. Wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses, he wasn't particularly striking in appearance, but he excelled in social skills. Those who interacted with him held him in high regard; he was tactful and considerate in every way, not at all like a typical STEM student.

"Monitor, thank you—"

"Hmm? Why are you thanking me all of a sudden?"

"For the matter with the Tianqi Group."

Zhou Yuze was taken aback, then seemed to realize something as a look of embarrassment crossed his face. "Speaking of that, I actually wanted to apologize to you. I didn't know my brother had already been transferred in the first half of the year. I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help."

Song Qingyu froze.

The monitor's brother had been transferred in the first half of the year? Then Manager Xie was...

"Monitor, if you don't mind me asking, what is your brother's last name?"

Zhou Yuze smiled. "My biological brother shares my last name, of course. His name is Zhou Tianze."

Song Qingyu was utterly bewildered. "Then do you know someone named Xie Changhe?"

"No. Who is that?"

Song Qingyu's feelings grew complicated. She had always assumed Xie Changhe was the monitor's brother, which was why he had taken such good care of her. Since that wasn't the case, Manager Xie's kindness toward her seemed a bit unusual.

Yet Manager Xie had never done anything to harm her or suggest any unspoken rules. Why on earth was he doing this?

"Qingyu?"

"Oh, it's nothing. He's my current direct supervisor."

Zhou Yuze smiled. "I knew you would succeed. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Monitor."

***

For the centennial celebration, besides speeches, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and performances, there was also the essential segment of guiding the distinguished guests and leaders to tour the university's most famous landmarks.

Knowing that Xie Changhe was not the monitor's brother left Song Qingyu somewhat distracted.

Suddenly, hearing the president call her name, Song Qingyu looked up and saw that everyone's eyes were on her.

The monitor whispered, "The president is calling you. Go on."

Song Qingyu felt a bit socially anxious, especially in front of so many prominent leaders. She walked over uncomfortably and bowed to the president. "Hello, President. Hello, leaders."

The president looked at Song Qingyu with deep appreciation, then turned his gaze to Chu Xingzhi. "Everyone, this is Song Qingyu, a graduate of the Class of 2016 whom I mentioned earlier. She excelled in both character and academics, possessed outstanding abilities, and was a prominent figure on campus. Moreover, she and our CEO Chu make a golden couple that everyone envies."

Song Qingyu frowned. Before she could speak, the president added, "CEO Chu, when you two get married, you must let the university know. It will be a grand celebration for us."

Chu Xingzhi looked at Song Qingyu affectionately. Guessing that she probably wouldn't embarrass the president by announcing their breakup at such a moment, he smiled at the crowd. "Of course. I hope everyone will be able to attend mine and Qingyu's wedding when the time comes."

Pei Jingmo looked at Chu Xingzhi coldly, his handsome face beneath the mask devoid of any expression.

He hadn't expected the man to still be so persistent.

Song Qingyu took a deep breath and spoke slowly to the president, "I'm sorry, President, but to avoid any misunderstanding, I must make it clear that CEO Chu and I have already broken up."

Chu Xingzhi's face instantly darkened, and an embarrassed look washed over the president's face.

"This..."

Seeing Song Qingyu disregard all appearances to draw a clear line between them, Chu Xingzhi clenched his fists tightly.

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Song Qingyu nervously pinched her palms. The moment her gaze caught Gu Yuandong's, she suddenly calmed down. "I am very grateful to the university and the leadership for nurturing me. I will continue to work hard in the future, using the knowledge I've gained to earn a living and help more people in need."

The president immediately smiled. "Excellent. CEO Gu, I heard Qingyu is currently at your company. Please take good care of her in the future."

Pei Jingmo gave a faint smile. "Miss Song is a rare talent. Naturally, I value her highly."

Song Qingyu: "Thank you, CEO Gu."

The brief episode passed just like that.

Perhaps because being at the university brought back memories of their past at every turn, Chu Xingzhi refused to let go. As everyone headed toward the library, he dragged Song Qingyu to the side.

Grabbing her by the shoulders, his eyes bloodshot and his face contorted in anger, he hissed, "Even in this place, you won't save me any face at all?"

Song Qingyu looked at him coldly. "We have already broken up. You shouldn't have lied."

"We did break up, but the president was so happy, and everyone was just teasing us. We could have just played along and let it pass. Why did you have to reveal the truth and make everyone uncomfortable?"

Song Qingyu shoved Chu Xingzhi away forcefully. "The only one uncomfortable is you! I have no obligation to play along with your acting, and I certainly don't want others to misunderstand."

***

As Song Qingyu turned to leave, Chu Xingzhi called out to her from behind in despair, "Do you really feel nothing for this place anymore?"

Song Qingyu paused.

"We used to walk hand-in-hand through this classroom building."

"By that lake, you used to lie on my lap as we read books and basked in the sun."

"And at the basketball court, when I played, you would wait for me with water and my jacket—"

"Enough!"

Song Qingyu cut him off. She had to admit that their past had indeed been beautiful, but those days were long gone.

"You didn't think of any of this when you betrayed me. Now you bring it up to hold me hostage with memories. Isn't that ridiculous?"

If Song Qingyu had still harbored a tiny shred of affection for Chu Xingzhi right after their breakup, now, after everything that had happened, not a single trace remained.

Chu Xingzhi felt as if his heart were tearing apart, the pain almost unbearable.

Knowing she had also been invited to the anniversary, he had been overjoyed, but she was simply too heartless.

Memories of the past flooded his mind, and the more he thought about them, the more unwilling he was to let go. Chu Xingzhi rushed forward and hugged Song Qingyu from behind. "Qingyu, can we go back to the way we were? I love you, only you. I can't live without you!"

Over this period, he had tried to forget her, but he couldn't. Even when holding other women, his mind was filled only with his Qingyu.

"Let go!"

Song Qingyu struggled angrily. The harder she struggled, the tighter Chu Xingzhi held her.

He missed her too much. Looking at her face so close to his, his heart raced, and he leaned down to kiss her.

In the next second, his arms were suddenly empty, and a heavy punch landed squarely on Chu Xingzhi's face.

Clutching his face, Chu Xingzhi glared at his assailant in fury. But the moment he saw the mask, his expression changed drastically, and his voice began to falter. "C-CEO Gu..."

Pei Jingmo patted Song Qingyu's back reassuringly, his icy, piercing eyes fixed on Chu Xingzhi.

"Isn't CEO Chu dating Yuru? Don't tell me you want to play both sides, toying with Yuru's feelings while trying to ruin Miss Song's family?"