I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Fang Yutong's expression stiffened for a moment, then she regained her composure, conveying just the right amount of apology:

"I'm sorry, Zizi, I was just too worried about you and asked a couple more questions. Don't mind me. You go ahead and get busy. I'll go prepare too. I have a photoshoot later."

After saying that, she nodded gracefully, turned and left, her back still slender and graceful.

Shu Zi watched her retreating figure and muttered, "Like a weasel paying respects to a chicken."

After she finished getting the water, she was about to go to the practice room to stretch her muscles when her phone vibrated in her pocket.

She took it out and saw that it was a WeChat message from Gu Yan.

A certain Mr. Gu, a despicable person: "Want to have lunch together? I made you sweet and sour pork ribs."

Shu Zi stared at the line of words, recalling Sister Wen's stern warning, Fang Yutong's feigned probing just now, and the jumbled, unresolved thoughts in her mind.

Her finger hovered over the screen for a long time before finally slamming it down on the keyboard in a fit of pique in reply:

"I'm not eating! I'm on a diet! Just looking at you annoys me!"

Still not satisfied after posting, he added an angry rabbit emoji.

Then he put his phone back in his pocket and strode towards the practice room.

She doesn't want to see him!

Once we meet, I'll definitely be annoyed by his calm and confident gaze, as if he has everything under control!

Yes, that's it!

She wasn't scared, nor was she shy; she just... just needed to be alone! Think it through!

Meanwhile, in the president's office of the Gu Group.

Gu Yan looked at the two messages that popped up on the screen, especially the angry rabbit emoji. He could almost picture her puffing out her cheeks, glaring at him, looking like she wanted to throw her phone away.

A faint smile flickered in his eyes as he tapped the screen lightly to reply:

"Okay, have Wu Qiwei deliver the food to the company. Remember to pick it up."

Then, he put down his phone and said to Wu Qiwei, who was waiting nearby, "Take lunch downstairs at Tomato Media and give it to her assistant. Also..."

He paused, his tone flat and even, "Check Fang Yutong's recent schedule, the resources she's been in contact with, and... her situation with Yu Shize."

Wu Qiwei understood immediately and nodded, "Yes, President Gu."

"Also, the cleaning of Miss Shu's original apartment has been completed, and all items have been disposed of as you instructed. Do we need to find Miss Shu a new place to live now?"

"No rush." ​​Gu Yan looked back at the computer screen, his gaze calm and profound.

His little quail seemed quite frightened by what happened last night, and also... quite bothered by some flies.

But it's okay.

The net has been cast; she cannot escape his territory.

As for those buzzing flies...

He will clean them one by one.

He had plenty of time and patience to wait for her to think things through before walking in himself.

Shu Zi was stretching in front of the mirror in the practice room, but her mind was in turmoil. Sister Wen's words, "What exactly are you people?" were making her feel uneasy.

Is he just an older brother I grew up with?

Or... something else?

He called her Nuonuo, but this nickname was only used by the elders in the family, and she never allowed others to call her that.

But Gu Yan was the only exception.

What exactly does it mean?

She also wanted to know.

The girl in the mirror gradually developed a layer of confusion in her eyes.

Her phone suddenly vibrated. She picked it up; it was a message from Wu Qiwei:

"Ms. Shu, your lunch has been delivered to the reception desk downstairs. Mr. Gu instructed you to eat on time."

The photo was followed by a picture of an exquisite insulated food container, with a small box of washed strawberries next to it.

Shu Zi stared at the box of bright red strawberries, and the little bit of unease in her heart instantly vanished.

Forget everything else, eating is the most important thing!

She put away her phone and decided to go get her lunch first. Just as she stepped out of the practice room, she almost bumped into someone at the corner of the corridor.

It's Fang Yutong.

She seemed to have just come from a filming studio; her makeup was a bit heavier than before. Upon seeing Shu Zi, she immediately put on a smile again.

"Zizi, want to go eat?" Fang Yutong's gaze swept over Shu Zi's face with a hint of inquiry.

"You still don't look too good. Want to come along? I know a new light meal place that just opened nearby. It's really good, especially for those who are trying to control their weight."

The last sentence seemed both casual and pointed.

Shu Zi's anger flared up instantly.

These past two days have been filled with shocks and interrogations, and now there's this fake flower in front of her who's always spouting sycophantic remarks. She simply can't take it anymore!

"No need, thank you for your kindness, Professor Fang."

Shu Zi stopped, crossed her arms, and slightly raised her chin. The perfunctory look in her beautiful almond-shaped eyes was gone, replaced by a bright, sharp, and mocking glint.

"I eat my own food, you don't need to worry about it."

"But Ms. Fang, your makeup seems a bit heavy. The powder is almost caked up to your cheeks. Remember to have the makeup artist touch it up during the shoot so you don't look shy in front of the camera."

She chuckled softly. "After all... you can't let your image of being naturally beautiful crumble, right?"

Fang Yutong's smile froze instantly, as if she had been punched in the face, and her carefully drawn eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

She probably didn't expect Shu Zi to be so direct and ruthless in her response, especially targeting her appearance and public image.

"You..." Fang Yutong's chest heaved, but she quickly suppressed her anger, barely managing to maintain a smile, though the smile was already somewhat distorted.

"Zizi, why are you talking like that? I'm just concerned about you..."

"Are you concerned about me?"

Shu Zi interrupted her, took a step forward, and moved closer to Fang Yutong. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a reckless air.

"Teacher Fang, we don't seem to be that close, do we? You keep saying you're worried and concerned. People who know you might think you're just being overly compassionate, while others might think you have feelings for me."

She paused, looked at Fang Yutong's face which flushed instantly, and sneered:

"Or is it that Teacher Fang thinks I was too scared to think straight last night, and that I'm particularly easy to get information out of you? Are you determined to find out some exclusive inside information about me and Gu Yan from me so you can share it with your best friends?"

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Fang Yutong finally couldn't hold back anymore. Her voice suddenly rose, but she immediately realized they were in the company corridor, so she suppressed it, her face flushing red and then pale. "Shu Zi, don't make false accusations! I meant well..."

"I appreciate your kindness, but I really don't need it."

Shu Zi interrupted again, her tone lazy but full of sarcasm, "With this free time, Teacher Fang should worry more about herself."

"I watched your reconciliation with Yu Shize and you acted quite convincingly. How come you were all flirting on the show but acted like strangers off-screen?"

"Tsk,"

Shu Zi shook her head. "With acting skills like this, it's a real shame you're not competing for Best Actress. I just wonder if Yu Shize's fans will buy into your 'deeply affectionate' persona?"