Gu Qiaoqiao looked at Shang Qing sitting opposite her and thought for a moment before asking, "So what do you plan to do? Did you come to me for this matter?"
Shang Qing looked at Gu Qiaoqiao, aware that her feelings were wrong, but there was no alternative. Seeing Xiao Bai tearfully holding a piece of paper describing Dongfang Yuâs condition, her heart really hurt. She couldnât bring herself to like anyone else now, and she knew the relationship with Dongfang Yu was ill-fated.
But cutting off such a doomed fate isnât that easy either.
At this moment, Shang Qing knew she shouldnât hide anything from Gu Qiaoqiao. Speaking her mind candidly might present a turnaround, so she softly said, "Qiaoqiao, I want to take care of him."
"Have you really thought it through that you want to take care of him?" Gu Qiaoqiao responded.
Shang Qing hesitated for a moment, then nodded without hesitation, "Yes, I didnât sleep all night last night. Iâve decided, I canât just stand by. If I didnât know, it would be different, but now that I do, I canât watch him suffer like this..."
Gu Qiaoqiao suddenly stood up from the sofa, causing Shang Qing to quickly close her mouth.
Gu Qiaoqiao felt a bit agitated, pacing back and forth before sitting next to Shang Qing and looking at her fixedly, saying tactfully, "Shang Qing, even if we donât consider Dongfang Yuâs past character and actions right now, shouldnât you think about what it means for a young woman to take care of a single man? Is that really good for you?"
Shang Qing lowered her head deeply, clasping her hands together without speaking.
"Shang Qing, not to mention that youâre about to start school soon, and if Dongfang Yu doesnât recover quickly, what then?" Gu Qiaoqiao advised sincerely.
Shang Qing finally raised her head to look at Gu Qiaoqiao and softly said, "Qiaoqiao, I havenât thought further about it. I just want to take care of him now, let him recover quickly, and then I will leave him alone forever..."
Gu Qiaoqiao laughed, but there was a coldness in her voice, "Shang Qing, we arenât children anymore. You think you can fool others with these words?"
"Iâm serious, Qiaoqiao. Iâm not lying. Once heâs healthy, Iâll leave him alone..." Shang Qing hurriedly promised.
Gu Qiaoqiao leaned back on the sofa, crossed her legs, and rested her hand on the armrest. She didnât even realize that she was lightly tapping on the armrest just like Qin Yize did, the clear sound quickly breaking the silence between them. Gu Qiaoqiao swiftly withdrew her hand and said indifferently, "Since youâve made up your mind, why did you come to me?"
"Qiaoqiao, I know what Iâm doing isnât right, Iâm putting a moral burden on you, but I still hope you wonât blame me."
Gu Qiaoqiao gazed steadily at Shang Qing. She didnât blame her because Dongfang Yu was someone she and Qin Yize had saved, so she didnât have the right to blame Shang Qing. Still, she felt a little uneasy inside.
The unease wasnât because Shang Qing betrayed her.
Back then, Shang Qing had risked her life. If Dongfang Yu had walked away, Shang Qing would have been dead long ago and wouldnât be sitting here alive in front of her now. Thinking of this softened Gu Qiaoqiaoâs heart. Having experienced the heart-wrenching pain of losing a loved one in a past life, she cherished her family and friends dearly.
The discomfort was because that bastard Dongfang Yu had such a lovely girl like Shang Qing loving him. He didnât know how lucky he was...
Thinking of this, Gu Qiaoqiao finally softened her expression and said, "If you want to go, then go. Donât worry, I wonât blame you."
Gu Qiaoqiao didnât tell Shang Qing that Dongfang Yu was someone she and Qin Yize had rescued, as the fewer people who knew about it, the better.
Shang Qing was surprised by Gu Qiaoqiaoâs words and grabbed her arm excitedly, "Qiaoqiao, you... really donât blame me, thatâs wonderful."
"Is my opinion that important?" Gu Qiaoqiao stared at Shang Qing and asked.
"Yes, yes..." Shang Qing nodded vigorously, "Your opinion is very important to me."
"But you clearly wonât listen to me," Gu Qiaoqiao glared at her and said irritatedly.
Shang Qing smiled sheepishly, "Qiaoqiao..."
Nevertheless, Gu Qiaoqiao asked seriously, "Shang Qing, one more time, have you really thought it through?"
Shang Qing straightened up and looked sincerely at Gu Qiaoqiao, "Qiaoqiao, Iâve really thought it through."
"Have you discussed it with your family?" Gu Qiaoqiao asked worriedly.
As far as she knew, the Shang Family was actually quite strict with Shang Qing. Although initially they intended for her to be with Dongfang Yu, later on, some incidents occurred. Even though the Shang Family wasnât entirely aware of these incidents, they knew about Dongfang Yu using their daughter against the Gu Family.
Shang Qing quickly shook her head, "I havenât talked to my family yet. If I tell my parents, they definitely wouldnât agree."
"Yes, any normal parents wouldnât agree with what youâre doing. Whatâs this about? Not even a relationship, even though itâs modern times and not concerned with gender propriety, but itâs not that open."
"Qiaoqiao..."
Shang Qing coyly called Gu Qiaoqiaoâs name and gave her a gentle push, blinking, "Qiaoqiao, Iâve already come up with a plan."
"Youâve quickly come up with a plan?" Gu Qiaoqiao glanced sideways at the girl about to risk everything for love.
"But this is the only way. Iâll tell my family Iâm going out to have fun for a while and then return when school starts."
"Where will you tell your family youâre going?"
"Iâll just tell them Iâm going to the Great Northwest with classmates."
Gu Qiaoqiao rolled her eyes at her, "I thought you might say youâd be going to Jinling City with me..."
"Oh Qiaoqiao, Iâm not that stupid. If I say that and something happens, youâd get into trouble, and the matter would be exposed."
"At least youâve got some sense. Did you tell your family yet?"
"Not yet, Iâm going to Dongfang Yuâs apartment today for a look. Honestly, Iâm not confident. If Dongfang Yu kicks me out, this wonât work either." Shang Qingâs voice sounded somewhat muffled.
"Do you think Dongfang Yu would kick you out?"
Shang Qing shook her head, "I donât know either."
In this regard, Shang Qing wasnât confident. She wasnât a foolish girl and knew that with someone like Dongfang Yu, things were unpredictable. Maybe heâd be grateful, or maybe heâd be angry. In any case, Shang Qing didnât have a sure guess.