Volume One, Chapter 67: Lodging a Complaint

Now that Song Qingyu suspected Gu Yuandong might have feelings for Xie Liuzheng, she couldn't help but scrutinize him every time she saw him—as if she were evaluating him on behalf of her best friend.

Gu Yuandong was simply too aloof. He exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay. Hidden behind his mask, his expressions and emotions were unreadable, but whether he was pleased or displeased was obvious to everyone from the atmosphere around him.

Clearly, President Gu had been in a foul mood these past couple of days, radiating a barely suppressed hostility. Every employee was on edge in his presence, and Song Qingyu, unwilling to draw his ire, kept her distance whenever she caught sight of him.

On Wednesday afternoon, Song Qingyu received a message on WeChat. It was from Liu Mengyi, an upperclassman from her university club days. Liu Mengyi was getting married over the National Day holiday and had invited Song Qingyu to her wedding.

If not for Liu Mengyi’s help, Song Qingyu never would have completed her design for "Interpreter" so smoothly. Naturally, she had to attend her wedding.

Knowing Song Qingyu was already married, Liu Mengyi invited her to bring her husband along as well. Song Qingyu wasn’t sure if Pei Jingmo would be available, so she asked him when she got home that evening.

Pei Jingmo was only too happy to meet her friends. "I’m free. I’ll go with you," he replied.

"Alright," she agreed.

Suddenly, she realized Pei Jingmo didn’t own a proper suit. Despite his protests that he didn’t need new clothes, Song Qingyu dragged him to the mall.

At the entrance, Song Qingyu covered his mouth with her hand. "Today, you have to do exactly as I say. No arguing."

Her soft, fragrant palm rested on his lips, sending a tremor through Pei Jingmo's heart. He gazed at her with gentle affection. "Alright, whatever you say."

They entered a suit shop. Song Qingyu cheerfully picked out two outfits and had Pei Jingmo try them on.

But the shop assistant took one look at Pei Jingmo’s plain clothes and the absence of brand names on Song Qingyu, and curled her lip in disdain. "If you want to buy, buy. These are all bespoke suits—no trying on."

Song Qingyu’s face fell. "How can you tell if it fits without trying?"

"If the size fits, it fits. If not, we don’t have any," the assistant sneered, casting a contemptuous glance at the two of them. "If you can’t afford them, don’t touch. If you get them dirty, you couldn’t possibly pay for it."

Song Qingyu’s good mood evaporated. She was about to retort when another shop assistant hurried over.

"Hello, this way please—" The words died in her throat as she recognized Song Qingyu.

Song Qingyu was equally surprised to run into Lin Tiange here.

Lin Tiange was in uniform, clearly working at the store. Hadn’t she been a caregiver before?

Lin Tiange quickly composed herself and offered her trademark smile. "Miss Song, Mr. Pei, please come this way to try on the suits."

No sooner had she spoken than the earlier assistant, Xu Xiaoqing, shoved Lin Tiange hard. "What are you doing? If they get the clothes dirty, are you going to pay for it?"

Caught off guard, Lin Tiange fell to the floor, her leg striking a chair.

Seeing her pale and shaken, Song Qingyu hurried over to help her up. "Are you alright?"

Lin Tiange shook her head, but before she could speak, a shrill, cutting voice rang out from the doorway. "Well, isn’t this lively!"

Sheng Yuru, clad head-to-toe in designer brands, curled her lips in mockery upon seeing Song Qingyu supporting Lin Tiange. "Song Qingyu, playing the saint, are we? Even willing to lend a hand to the woman who ruined your relationship."

Lin Tiange lowered her head, looking mortified.

Song Qingyu released her and replied coolly, "She is at fault, but in the end, what happened between Chu Xingzhi and me was our own problem."

"Hmph, that’s awfully generous of you."

Xu Xiaoqing’s demeanor changed instantly when she saw Sheng Yuru. "Miss Sheng, you’re here!"

Sheng Yuru handed her bag to Xu Xiaoqing with a superior air, then began browsing the clothes. "I’m here to pick out suits for my cousin and my boyfriend. Get everyone else out of here—I won’t have them ruining my mood."

She turned to Lin Tiange, her voice cold. "As for you, you’re fired."

Lin Tiange frowned, about to protest, but Sheng Yuru cut her off with a smug snort. "What? Not convinced?"

Swaggering, Sheng Yuru continued, "This mall belongs to Tianqi Group. I’m letting you leave on your own instead of having security throw you out. You should be grateful."

Xu Xiaoqing, emboldened, sneered, "Didn’t you hear Miss Sheng? Get out before the guards drag you away."

Song Qingyu fixed Sheng Yuru with a cold stare. "If President Gu finds out you’re treating customers like this, do you think he’ll let it go?"

"Ha—don’t try to use my cousin to threaten me. There’s no way he’ll find out. And even if he does—"

Before she could finish, Sheng Yuru’s phone rang.

"Mom? What is it?"

"What is it? Have you forgotten the president of Tianqi Group is now that unpredictable Gu Yuandong, not Gu Mubei? I told you to behave, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you’re throwing your weight around at the mall and people are calling to complain to me! Aren’t you ashamed?"

"I—"

"Get back here immediately. Your allowance will be cut in half from now on."

"What? You can’t! Mom... Mom...!" But the dial tone was all that answered her pleas.

Devastated, Sheng Yuru shot Song Qingyu a venomous glare. "Song Qingyu, have you no shame? Dragging my cousin into our quarrel!"

All her earlier arrogance gone, Sheng Yuru slunk away, hissing three words as she passed Song Qingyu.

"Tattletale!"

Song Qingyu could only stare, speechless. When had she ever complained to President Gu?

Just then, the mall manager hurried over. "Miss Song, we’re so sorry for your unpleasant shopping experience. To express our apologies, any clothes you like today are yours at ninety percent off."

Sensing the change in fortune, Xu Xiaoqing immediately tried to curry favor. "Miss Song, this suit would look perfect on your husband. The fitting room is this way."

But the manager’s face turned icy. "You’re fired!"

"What?" Xu Xiaoqing’s face drained of color as she fell to her knees, begging for mercy.

In the end, it was she who was dragged out by the guards.

Lin Tiange remained to assist them.

Everything happened so quickly that Song Qingyu could barely process it all.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind. Was President Gu being so helpful because of his feelings for Xie Liuzheng?

Despite the unpleasantness, Song Qingyu was still delighted to buy the best suit for the lowest price. And as they left, the manager handed her a stack of vouchers—enough to save her several thousand yuan.

On National Day, Pei Jingmo donned his suit, and Song Qingyu adjusted his tie.

A simple white shirt and black suit—yet on his tall, solid frame and with his chiseled features, he looked less like a wedding guest and more like a man ready for a fight.

She used her two index fingers to lift the corners of his mouth. "You look best when you smile. Smile more often."

Pei Jingmo took her hands in his, gazing at her with indulgence. "Alright, whatever you say."

Whenever he said those words, his eyes were so intent that Song Qingyu’s heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, she remembered Xie Liuzheng’s words—

"With the way Pei Jingmo treasures you, there’s no chance he’d cheat."

"You should see the way he looks at you—his eyes are brimming with affection."

Even the nurses at the hospital had commented, "Your husband really dotes on you."

Meeting Pei Jingmo’s deep, shadowy gaze, Song Qingyu’s heart gave a sudden jolt.

Could it be that Pei Jingmo had truly fallen for her?