Chapter 661: Untitled

When Tan Yalan heard Gu Qingjiu's words, her heart trembled.

She thought that Gu Qingjiu wouldn't say anything and hadn't expected that the lass would blurt out the matter in front of so many people.

Her countenance turned too terrible suddenly.

Her original intent was to humiliate Gu Qingjiu. Still, she wanted no one to find out that Gu Qingjiu was her biological child.

As for Gu Qingjiu, at that moment, she finally saw Tan Yalan's true colors.

She could only see loath and resentment in Tan Yalan's eyes, and not a trace of the gentleness a mother ought to possess.

Perhaps Gu Qingjiu might never need the answers to specific questions.

Because the answers no longer mattered.

"Madam Tan, there's a saying that goes, 'You can eat whatever you like, but you cannot speak as you please.' You're going to have to bear responsibility for your defamatory speech."

"How was that slander?"

Tan Yalan deliberately raised her volume. "Shiwei saw it with her own eyes. If you aren't a mistress, you don't have what it takes to come and go into such a place as you wish."

"Yalan, Yalan, what exactly is going on?"

One of the rich women beside her, who could no longer bear to continue watching this ruckus, attempted to stop Tan Yalan once again. By then, there were more and more people stopping by to watch this show.

Those people were pointing fingers and gossiping, an incredulous look on their faces. They were clearly eager to watch a good show.

Ignoring those stares, she couldn't restrain the hatred in her heart as she looked at Gu Qingjiu's face.

She raised an arm, wanting to hit Gu Qingjiu. "I'm going to teach you how to respect your elders today. And also, for being a shameless wench!"

But before her palm could land on Gu Qingjiu's face, the latter grabbed her hand.

Gripping Tan Yalan's hand, she asked with an icy stare, "Tan Yalan, have you lost your mind?"

Never mind that she was getting into an argument with her. But to think she actually wanted to get physical.

"Let go of me!"

Tan Yalan struggled with all her might, but Gu Qingjiu refused to let go. Just then, noticing that something was amiss, a security staff came over with the manager.

The delighted Tan Yalan immediately said to them, "Quick, come over and chase this woman out. Gosh, seriously. Do you just let any Tom, Dick, and Harry come into this place?'

Angry and amused, Tan Yalan's companions started distancing themselves from the quarreling duo.

Those who came to this place were of a particular social status. Who would disregard their face entirely and quarrel with someone in public?

Especially since it seemed like this person was her daughter.

But when the hotel manager came over and saw Gu Qingjiu, he seemed flustered. "Miss Gu, err..."

Gu Qingjiu shook off Tan Yalan's hand and sneered as she cast a glance at her. "This crazy woman insists on quarreling with me here."

The hotel manager looked towards Tan Yalan, who was in disbelief. Seeing that she wanted to get physical again upon hearing Gu Qingjiu's words, he immediately stepped forward and blocked Gu Qingjiu from her. "Madam, my apologies. Our hotel doesn't welcome people like you."

Usually, hotels wouldn't do something like this to offend guests.

But this girl before him was a guest of the hotel's only presidential suite.

The hotel naturally couldn't afford to offend her.

Amid Tan Yalan's ear-piercing shrieks, she was forcibly dragged out of the place.

With a cold expression, Gu Qingjiu nonchalantly walked toward the dedicated elevator.

Those guests who saw her enter that elevator and were aware of where it led to, all exchanged glances.

Chapter 662: Untitled

Gu Qingjiu's countenance turned for the worse after returning to her room.

She bit her fist. Her tolerance all this while ended after she heard Tan Yalan's words earlier on.

Clearly, there wasn't a deep grievance between them. All she ever did was reject the Yu family's request.

And Tan Yalan had resented her so.

To think she even wanted to ruin her reputation in front of so many people. There was no longer any need for Gu Qingjiu to go easy on her.

Although the Yu family wasn't easy to deal with, perhaps there was another way?

The grudge from the previous life had to be repaid, eventually.

She absolutely would not allow the Yu family to continue acting so arrogantly.

When Helian Niancheng returned, he saw Gu Qingjiu lying on the sofa.

She wasn't sleeping and was only staring at the ceiling with her eyes wide open.

He walked over and gently caressed her face. "I've heard about what happened in the afternoon."

There was a solemn and murderous aura in his voice.

"The Yu family will see their end."

These few words caused Gu Qingjiu to sit upright and look towards him. "I wish to deal with the Yu family, but with my current strength, it's challenging to achieve."

"I will help you."

He had initially intended to let Gu Qingjiu do it herself. Still, the Yu family kept provoking her time and time again.

Helian Niancheng was getting irritated with such houseflies.

"Ye Huinan learned of what happened today. Whatever you do after this, he will no longer meddle in it."

These words were reassuring to Gu Qingjiu.

Ye Huinan had helped the Yu Family because of Yu Shiwei, but then again, Yu Shiwei's mother offended Gu Qingjiu...

Gu Qingjiu was his—Helian Niancheng's girlfriend. If he didn't stick up for her, now that such a circumstance arose, he would be too useless a boyfriend.

If Ye Huinan heard about what happened today, of course, he would understand.

"Do you still remember your Great Aunt?"

Helian Niancheng dropped Gu Qingjiu some reminder.

Gu Qingjiu was baffled. "My Great Aunt?"

Helian Niancheng nodded. "Your Great Aunt is currently working as a senior manager in the largest enterprise in your province and possesses the capability to take over the Yu family. If the Yu family got into trouble, and you notify your Great Aunt about it, she might develop some ideas and naturally will report it to her superiors."

Helian Niancheng's suggestion enlightened Gu Qingjiu.

Why hadn't she thought of this before?

Of course, it wouldn't have occurred to her. Because she simply had no idea what her Great Aunt was working as.

Now that Helian Niancheng reminded her, Gu Qingjiu understood it immediately. He also gave her sufficient space.

If she were to get Helian Niancheng to help, Gu Qingjiu would feel embarrassed. It would be different if she sought help from her Great Aunt.

Her Great Aunt was a member of the Gu family.

When her father was accused and thrown into prison, her Great Aunt flew into a big rage.

So long as she informed her Great Aunt of this, her Great Aunt would know what to do.

Gu Qingjiu instantly got up from the sofa. "I'll go and ask my Great Aunt."

Gu Qingjiu didn't feel any mental barrier seeking help from her Great Aunt.

But she couldn't say it explicitly and could only tell her Great Aunt about the Yu family's matter.

At most, she could tell them what happened with the Yu family before. Her Great Aunt was too wise; the more Gu Qingjiu spoke, the more likely she would say something wrong.

Her grievance with the Yu family wasn't something that could be explained clearly in a matter of moments.

If Helian Niancheng hadn't reminded her, she might never find out what her Great Aunt did for a living.

She turned her head and thanked Helian Niancheng. "Chief Instructor, thanks."

Thanks?

The man behind her revealed a glorious smile.

What he had been expecting wasn't this word of thanks.

Chapter 663: Untitled

It was the first time Gu Shouyan received a phone call from this niece of hers.

It was very sudden.

But the matter the other party brought up was also too sudden.

She quickly went to ask about company acquisition.

Gu Shouyan couldn't quite understand, but she still patiently explained a little to her.

But she hadn't expected Gu Qingjiu to mention the Yu family.

At the mention of the Yu family, Gu Shouyan felt her blood boiling.

Of course, she knew about the Yu family's background, and even more so that Gu Qingjiu was a child of the Yu family.

Other than finding it shocking, Gu Shouyan didn't understand the finer details.

What enraged Gu Shouyan was, as Gu Qingjiu mentioned, when her younger brother, Gu Hong, got sent to prison, it was the Yu family's doing.

This made Gu Shouyan feel hatred towards the Yu family.

Gu Qingjiu went straight to the point. "Great Aunt, I know that I'm a daughter of the Yu family. Hence, you might have some thoughts about this. But I feel very disgusted with the Yu family. Their aim in asking me to go back to their household back then was to enter an alliance marriage with the Li family through me. It was so to inject funds into the Yu Corporation to help it tide over the crisis. Because of this incident, Dad even went to jail. Do you have any idea how mad I am about it?"

Gu Shouyan could tell there was a deeper meaning behind Gu Qingjiu's words, and she raised her brow slightly. "Of course, I've heard that the Yu Corporation was in trouble earlier on. But you didn't go back, and the Li family didn't help Yu Corporation, so how did they tide over the crisis?"

Gu Qingjiu didn't hide it from her. "Because the First Miss of the Yu Corporation, Yu Shiwei, who was supposed to marry into the Li family, managed to hook up with someone rich and influential in the capital. But this protective shield is about to lose its use. What I mean is, if the Yu Corporation descends into a debt crisis again, would you help your niece and take advantage of this crisis?"

Despite her trembling heart, Gu Shouyan's voice remained calm. "Qingjiu, you're thinking too much. Great Aunt cannot take over such an enormous corporation."

Gu Qingjiu let out a chuckle. "Great Aunt, I know that. Since that's the case, I won't make things difficult for you."

Just as she was about to hang up the call, Gu Shouyan suddenly asked, "Do you really hate the Yu family so? They're your biological parents."

"Great Aunt, do you know that on this earth, there are some people who aren't fit to be parents. Since they harmed Dad once, there's no guarantee they wouldn't do it a second time. I currently don't have great means..." Gu Qingjiu's tone was so vicious that Gu Shouyan froze on the other end of the line.

"Are your news reliable? There seems nothing wrong with the Yu Corporation for now."

As she stood next to an office chair, Gu Shouyan's gaze fell on a proposal on the desk.

That was their company's proposal for expansion, and they were seeking an appropriate target.

Gu Qingjiu's call came at too coincidental a timing.

This aroused some suspicions in Gu Shouyan.

"Whether or not it's true, you'll find out shortly after, Great Aunt."

Gu Shouyan resumed her calm tone of voice and said goodbye to Gu Shouyan with a smile.

After the call ended, Gu Qingjiu then turned to Helian Niancheng beside her. "I told my Great Aunt about it. But Chief Instructor, taking over a corporation is not an easy feat. I can't pin all my hopes on Great Aunt."

"If your Great Aunt's company has expansion plans, it might tempt her."

Helian Niancheng's lips arched as he said this meaningfully.

Gu Qingjiu paused. What had Helian Niancheng done?

Chapter 664: Untitled

However, for them to truly get into action, it would definitely take some time.

Gu Qingjiu was in no hurry.

She slightly narrowed her eyes as she pondered what Helian Niancheng meant by those words.

Helian Niancheng reached out and pulled Gu Qingjiu to sit on his lap.

"You don't need to worry about it so much."

He said those in a low voice, as though comforting Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu actually didn't mind at all.

In the past, she had so badly wanted to take revenge on the Yu family. Still, from the looks of it, it wasn't easy to take revenge on the Yu family in the corporate world just by merely entering the military.

Especially since Yu Shiwei hooked up with Ye Huinan.

But now that she had sorted out her thoughts, she understood something.

What was there to think about dealing with the Yu family?

Simply use whatever means there was available.

Even if she couldn't wreck the Yu family, she had to inflict some severe damage at least for them to have a hard time turning things around.

So now, she understood that Helian Niancheng might have done something behind her back. Then again, she no longer had any objection about it.

Gu Qingjiu hadn't expected that Yu Shiwei would actually show up the next day to look for her.

When the manager called and said that someone wished to see her, it mildly surprised her.

After confirming the other party was looking for her and not Helian Niancheng, Gu Qingjiu asked who it was.

It turned out it was Yu Shiwei.

Her heart paused for a moment, and a hint of a smile curled at the corners of her lips. But she didn't refuse. "Let her come up."

Gu Qingjiu left the bedroom and went to the guest room on the first floor.

Yu Shiwei wore a white silk dress that day.

The fitting fabric accentuated her perfect figure.

As she walked, her hips swayed, exuding a mix of innocence and seductive allure. Perhaps no men could shift their gaze away from her.

She bit her lips as she entered the elevator, but then, flames of fury nearly shot out from her eyes.

She had no idea what the hell was wrong with her mother to argue with Gu Qingjiu in this hotel even.

She had always known that Gu Qingjiu was staying there, and she was also the one who told Tan Yalan about it.

But she honestly hadn't expected that her mother would act so recklessly.

Ye Huinan had ordered her not to mess with Gu Qingjiu, regardless.

It was only because of that reason alone that she restrained herself.

Now that something of the sort had happened, her mother got chased out of the hotel and blacklisted.

After learning of this incident, Ye Huinan threw a great temper, something he rarely did.

Someone informed him right after the incident happened. One could be sure that someone had told him about it.

That was the first time Yu Shiwei saw Ye Huinan get so angry. He merely said this one line with a dark countenance, 'If you cannot make her forgive you, just wait for the person backing her to fix you to death.'

This brought fear to Yu Shiwei's heart.

She roughly knew that the person backing Gu Qingjiu was that army officer she saw before.

Gnashing her teeth in a fury, she had a hard time holding in the anger.

She didn't mind the fact that she was forced to come and apologise to Gu Qingjiu. But what exactly did that man see in Gu Qingjiu?

She was that unpresentable younger sister of hers whom she had never taken to heart.

Yet, she could meet someone who even Ye Huinan was wary of.

The previous incident already clarified that the other party's identity was not simple.

No wonder Ye Huinan flew into such a great rage this time.

Hence, she took special care in dolling herself up. Even if she was around to apologize, she had to attract this person's attention.

When the elevator door opened, she saw the place where Gu Qingjiu stayed. Luxurious facilities filled the entire floor that she couldn't help but feel more jealous and hateful.

Why was it that Gu Qingjiu could stay in such a place as she wished?

Gu Qingjiu, who was standing not far away, suddenly stuck out her body and caught Yu Shiwei off guard. She hurriedly plastered on a coquettish smile.

But that man wasn't standing behind Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu sized up Yu Shiwei, a sneer surfacing in her eyes. "What brings the First Miss of the Yu family here?"

Failing to see the person she wanted to see, Yu Shiwei recalled what her aim was for coming and could only suppress that sour sensation.

But she refused to bow down to Gu Qingjiu.

Raising her chin, she faced Gu Qingjiu with an arrogant attitude. "I'm here to apologize to you. I'm very sorry about what my mother did yesterday."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Looking at Yu Shiwei's manner, Gu Qingjiu very much wanted to ask her what the hell was wrong with her.

She was here to apologize, yet she didn't have the attitude of someone apologizing?

Those who didn't know better might think that the person in the wrong was Gu Qingjiu.

"Who am I to receive your apology? I don't even know what your mother did wrong. Why should you come here and apologize?"

Gu Qingjiu slightly tilted her head sideways to show her confusion.

Yu Shiwei's blood boiled at her response. "Gu Qingjiu, don't think that you can be arrogant simply because you hooked up with someone powerful. You're going to fall to your death eventually when you get dumped!"

Shortly into her supposed apology attempt, she lost it and blurted out something.

Yu Shiwei really couldn't keep her cool in front of Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu curled her lips. "Are you describing yourself? Me and my boyfriend are mutually fond of each other, and us dating doesn't get in anyone's way. On the other hand, are you Ye Huinan's proper girlfriend?"

Yu Shiwei's countenance changed abruptly.

Having stayed around for quite some time, Gu Qingjiu had heard of some discreet gossip.

A short while ago, she heard of Ye Huinan bringing some girl to a function. In contrast, this First Miss of the Yu family was nothing in his eyes.

Or else, why wouldn't he bring her as his companion to that function?

Her words pricked Yu Shiwei where it hurt.

In Ye Huinan's heart, perhaps he never considered Yu Shiwei as a woman; she was just a plaything to him.

If he were in the mood, he would toy with her. If not, he would treat her in whatever way he pleased.

Back then, it took her much effort to hook up with Ye Huinan to save her Yu family. And now, it was too late for regrets.

Although Ye Huinan was indeed outstanding, only Yu Shiwei herself would know the misery within.

He didn't even give her a proper status. Although the prideful Yu Shiwei couldn't swallow the humiliation, there was nothing she could do about it.

Now that Gu Qingjiu brought it up, her eyes nearly turned red from anger.

"You, with the surname Gu, what are you so arrogant about?"

Seeing Yu Shiwei's red eyes, Gu Qingjiu got a great kick out of it.

If not for Yu Shiwei, she wouldn't have died in prison in her previous lifetime, and she wouldn't have lived her last days in torment.

What happened in her previous life was still fresh in her memories. Yu Shiwei's gestures made her yearn to laugh out loud.

However, Gu Qingjiu maintained a calm expression and slightly raised her eyelids. She said, "If this is the attitude you display when apologizing, I'm afraid I don't have the good fortune to accept it."

Yu Shiwei started panicking. She had let anger get the best of her and forgot all about her mission. At the moment, she felt a tinge of regret. Restraining herself, she said, "Gu Qingjiu, if you're capable, don't let... that person help you! You're nothing without him. You don't even have what it takes to make Ye Huinan have a high opinion of you!"

In her anxiousness, she even thought of goading Gu Qingjiu. Gu Qingjiu simply replied casually, "I know. I don't need Ye Huinan to have a high opinion of me, anyway. I don't even know him. Besides, why are you saying all this to me? Did I say I was going to do something?"

But if her boyfriend reminded her and offered to help, you couldn't blame this on her.

Sure, she asked her Great Aunt to help, but she wasn't the one taking action.

Gu Qingjiu's words made Yu Shiwei think that Gu Qingjiu would do nothing to the Yu family, causing relief to wash over her. "Gu Qingjiu, I've already said my piece. Although Mom was in the wrong, she's after all your mother. All is fine after the misunderstanding clears up. Why do you need to get into a fight with her in such a place? Even bringing embarrassment to the two of you?"

"..."

Gu Qingjiu felt like she might have overestimated Yu Shiwei's intelligence all along.

The incredulous Gu Qingjiu stared at her smug face as she left before returning to her room.

Helian Niancheng had been on the phone, and when he saw Gu Qingjiu enter, he quickly hung up.

"Done talking?"

"Mm."

Although she felt that there was a screw loose in Yu Shiwei's head, Gu Qingjiu didn't wish to bring up such vexing matters in front of Helian Niancheng.

"I'll be going over to my teacher's to resume training in a few days. When next semester begins, I'll begin preparation for the shooting competition."

"Mm. Work hard."

He went along with what she was saying. Gu Qingjiu turned her head and glanced at him, then suddenly laughed.

Helian Niancheng stroked her hair. "No longer mad?"

"I wasn't mad, to begin with."

Gu Qingjiu wore a beam on her face. If she bothered to get mad with that sort of person, she would long have been driven to death by anger.

She had suffered enough of such anger in her previous lifetime.

"I have to make a trip back to Penalan in September, for about two weeks. Focus on training."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "Got it."

It was like this with her and Helian Niancheng. Without the need for excessive words, there was a tacit understanding between the two of them.

After this incident with Yu Shiwei, Ye Huinan seemed to develop a wariness of Helian Niancheng.

He directly retracted his help towards the Yu family.

The Yu family, who was turning things around, suffered an even greater blow than the last one after this incident.

However, regardless of how Yu Shiwei begged Ye Huinan, the latter never stepped out to help this time.

It wasn't worthwhile for him to offend someone from the Helian family for the sake of a woman.

This woman was dispensable to him, to begin with.

Without Ye Huinan's help, the Yu Corporation went back to the dire state it was in before.

The corporations that had designs on the Yu Corporation back then were tempted after seeing this state of things. They wished to take over the Yu Corporation for themselves.

This was a disaster for the Yu family.

Without the Yu Corporation backing them up in North City, how could they maintain the glory they enjoyed?

Yu Shiwei knew that this matter must have something to do with Gu Qingjiu, but she had no evidence. Moreover, she had no means of seeing Gu Qingjiu anymore. So naturally, there wasn't anything she could do about it.

Gu Shouyan, who had been observing the situation, finally struck out.

She submitted a proposal to her superiors, a proposal regarding the acquisition of the Yu Corporation.

If she had submitted this to the higher-ups back then, it might not evoke much of a response.

Since her company had plans for expansion, Gu Shouyan's proposal received approval quickly.

However, what surprised Gu Shouyan was that although she was only responsible for submitting the proposal, the management board made a somewhat surprising decision.

That was for Gu Shouyan to handle the acquisition of Yu Corporation.

Gu Shouyan knew very well that if the acquisition was successful, it would cause massive profits for her company.

But it was impossible for her to be entrusted with such an important task. Why was such a decision made so suddenly?

A friend in the management she had ties with secretly revealed that it was the highest management's decision for Gu Shouyan to reform the Yu Corporation.

As for who it was, that friend did not know.

Although she didn't understand, Gu Shouyan naturally obliged since this was the company's arrangement.

It wasn't that she hadn't considered the possibility that it was because of that niece of hers. But then, the lass gave her that piece of information at such a coincidental timing.

However, her company was one of the largest enterprises in the country. Surely her niece didn't have the means to influence all this?

Hence she simply dismissed the idea and went about executing the acquisition of Yu Corporation.

The acquisition negotiations would take some time. The Yu family was still hoping that Ye Huinan would change his mind and continue to lend support to them. Hence they were putting up a last-ditch struggle and refusing to give up.

Facing the pressure from other corporations, the Yu family refused to give in.

Naturally, this would cause a stalemate for some time.

But how long could they hang on?

...

August arrived.

Gu Qingjiu was pleased to hear that things were unsteady at the Yu Corporation. It was a matter of time before they would be swallowed whole by some company.

Even if she couldn't do it personally, the Yu family's collapse was considered revenge taken for her.

Without the Yu Corporation backing up Yu Shiwei and her parents, one could just imagine what the rest of their lives would be like.

Of course, she knew that Yu Shiwei desperately wanted to look for her.

But Gu Qingjiu was somewhere heavily guarded by their country, so Yu Shiwei couldn't get to see her.

It was time for her to strive hard for her own goals.

It had been a long time since she got to touch a gun, ever since she got injured.

Although Elder Gong was blind, he had a kind heart.

When Gu Qingjiu came to this training center today, he only said, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just take things naturally like before."

It was because Gu Qingjiu had injured her arm and had recently just removed the bandage.

Even the scar had yet to fade.

Since it had been a while since Gu Qingjiu touched a gun, nobody dared to guarantee if the injury would affect Gu Qingjiu. Hence Elder Gong advised her to take it easy.

Gu Qingjiu nodded, inhaled a breath of air before gripping the gun handle.

Yin Ruoyi, who rarely came around, watched by the side.

Though, ever since the international competition ended, Yin Ruoyi frequently came to this place.

He watched as Gu Qingjiu held the gun and fired a shot at a hundred-meter moving target.

And quickly hitting the bullseye.

However, it was apparent Gu Qingjiu's expression froze momentarily.

Seeing this, Yin Ruoyi commented with his arms crossed, "Not bad. The injury probably didn't affect you that much."

Even though it had been a long time since she held a gun, she still hit the bullseye. Clearly, her capabilities were still there.

When Elder Gong heard the reported result, he nodded. "Qingjiu, how do you feel?"

Gu Qingjiu's expression revealed that she was a tad surprised.

She replied blandly, "Feels like there aren't any problems, and my arm isn't affected. But because of the scar on my left arm, it doesn't feel as nimble as before."

But most importantly, it had been a long time since she practiced.

Gu Qingjiu felt that her sensitivity towards the bullseye had increased instead of decreased?

However, it was just a fleeting feeling in her heart. Gu Qingjiu had to practice more to be sure.

Chapter 665: Untitled

"This is normal. It's fine so long as it doesn't affect your shooting hand."

Elder Gong nodded and tapped the ground with his walking stick twice. "You should practice finding back the feeling today. I won't say much. Ruoyi, if you wish, you can also just practice here."

Gu Qingjiu and Yin Ruoyi nodded simultaneously. "Got it, Teacher."

Elder Gong slowly left the training hall with his walking stick.

Gu Qingjiu picked up a gun and prepared to train. Beside her, Yin Ruoyi said, "When I went back, I analyzed Cruff's video. That first shot he fired was a judgment made because he understood that opponent very well. No one can truly predict the future."

Gu Qingjiu raised her brows. She hadn't thought of this back then.

But since Yin Ruoyi and Helian Niancheng made the same judgment, that proved that his observation skills were not bad.

She nodded. "Afterwards I went online and looked it up. Cruff and that French player trained at the same venue, so he definitely knows this guy's style well."

"In terms of combat capabilities, I don't think that Cruff is that much stronger than I am."

Yin Ruoyi frowned, clearly still thinking about what had happened in the international competition.

Gu Qingjiu paused, then said with a smile, "But the truth is you lost. Now everyone thinks that you're slightly inferior to Cruff. You need to avenge yourself in the international competition three years from now and prove yourself."

Yin Ruoyi's handsome eyes looked in surprise towards Gu Qingjiu. "I shan't take part in the nationwide shooting competition in October. As my junior, you'll be letting me and Teacher down if you don't win first place."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Of course, she wanted to win, but Gu Qingjiu was used to considering all sorts of situations.

After loading the gun with bullets, Gu Qingjiu slowly said, "Senior, I understand what you're saying. But I don't dare to guarantee something accidental might happen that will prevent me from winning first place. Why don't you practice with me for now?"

Not because of other reasons, but if she trained alongside the skilled Yin Ruoyi, it would undoubtedly benefit Gu Qingjiu.

Yin Ruoyi, however, turned around and waved at her. "Forget it, you can practice here. I wish to empty my mind for awhile. I'm going home to play video games."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She couldn't stop him.

Yin Ruoyi's nerves had been tightly strung for too long from preparation for the international competition. Now that he had lost the competition, it was already not bad considering his mentality wasn't much affected.

It was understandable that he would want to unwind.

But Gu Qingjiu couldn't do the same. After Yin Ruoyi left, she started practicing.

As of now, Gu Qingjiu could freely hit the bullseye of a two-hundred-meter moving target.

100% of the time.

Especially now.

As if absorbed in thought, she looked towards the bullseye that she hit three times consecutively, then pressed the button next to her and began practicing with a circular moving target.

As the name implies, a circular moving target was a moving target that, instead of moving in a straight line, would shift 360 degrees around Gu Qingjiu.

This made for a broader range of speed and area.

As Gu Qingjiu stood at the corresponding position, not only did she have to adjust the direction, she also had to adapt her own body.

There wasn't much time for one to shift their body in a significant way.

Moreover, the circular moving target's speed wasn't fixed; it might be slow when it was behind you, but when it reached a certain distance, it would rapidly speed up.

The nearest distance of a circular moving target had to be a hundred meters. Because it was too perverse, it wasn't used in competitions.

Chapter 666: Darned Pervert, Performing Acrobatics?

Despite having trained for so long, it was Gu Qingjiu's first time challenging the circular moving target.

Considering the fact that a circular moving target was more similar to the way a human moved, Gu Qingjiu was rather excited.

After she pressed the button, the corresponding target started moving in the large shooting range.

Gu Qingjiu had her eyes on the fifth target. When it slowly moved along the circular trajectory, Gu Qingjiu fired a shot after determining it was the perfect timing to do so.

With a swoosh, the circular moving target suddenly sped up.

Gu Qingjiu's shot missed the target.

It felt like how a person would dodge after sensing danger.

Gu Qingjiu narrowly missed the timing just as the circular moving target changed speeds.

That was why she didn't hit the target.

Gu Qingjiu wasn't discouraged by that first failed attempt. Instead, she even started feeling an indistinct excitement in her heart.

It would only be fun if it were challenging.

Or else what was the meaning of this if it had been easy all along?

She would have to note the halt just before changing speeds, or else she would miss her chance and make a misjudgment.

This time, Gu Qingjiu narrowed her eyes, focused on the target's moving speed, and decisively fired a shot after determining the center point.

Like a regular moving target, she hit the circular moving target that had yet to change speed.

"Beep, target number 5, tenth ring!"

The hundred-meter target wasn't much challenging. Hence Gu Qingjiu extended the distance to two hundred meters.

She noticed that although a circular moving target was more flexible than the average moving target, she could still grab that opportunity to shoot as it changed speeds.

Gu Qingjiu also felt that her agility and sensitivity had visibly elevated.

Her intuition towards the bullseye had also become stronger.

Especially this one time. When she didn't even take a proper look with her eyes and only noticed the circular target flashing by in front of her eyes, she immediately raised her arm and fired a shot.

Bang!

She accurately hit the bullseye.

That meant that now, she no longer had to focus her attention on this point.

Her response had reached another level.

As though she could raise her arms and easily hit the bullseye.

In such training, her tremendous improvement astounded Gu Qingjiu; on the other hand, she quickly lost interest in the circular target.

It was too easy and no longer felt challenging, taking away the excitement and passion.

Gu Qingjiu sat on the floor and fell into deep thought. Gazing at the tens of stationary targets around her, she suddenly had an idea.

If one target wasn't difficult, what if there were several of them?

There would be a certain level of difficulty in hitting several targets at the same time.

Excitement welled up in Gu Qingjiu's heart once again, as she got up and opened up five circular targets, as well as two normal moving targets as disruption.

She did not know if anyone had trained in this way before, to operate several targets with varying speeds simultaneously, but all were perfectly avoiding each other's trails that intersected.

Even Gu Qingjiu felt dazzled watching those few targets moving at different speeds.

She stood at the center of those circular targets. Although the two regular moving targets were nearer, there was the disruption from the circular targets, so it was bound to affect Gu Qingjiu's judgment.

She kept her calm as she observed her surroundings and speedily fired two shots based on her feeling earlier.

Bang!

Bang!

"Beep, target number 6, tenth ring!"

"Beep, target number 9, tenth ring!"

Not bad, she managed to hit the bullseye.

But her speed lagged.

Her judgment wasn't as swift as earlier.

The change in speed of the targets would disrupt her judgment towards the other targets

If she could hit the bullseye within several seconds, she would more or less be able to deal with the seven targets before her eyes.

Hence, with this thought, Gu Qingjiu started practicing enthusiastically.

The patrolling guard's eyes in the surveillance room nearly popped out when he saw this scene taking place in the shooting hall.

Was this lass performing acrobatics? Damn!

Chapter 667: Buying a House

For so long, this was the first time the patrolling guard saw someone doing such fancy tricks with the shooting targets.

In his words, it wasn't the doing of a human being but a pervert.

He rubbed his eyes. As he had nothing better to do, he simply watched Gu Qingjiu playing in such a manner for an entire afternoon.

She started only managing to deal with two out of the seven targets until she gradually mastered shooting down four as they changed directions simultaneously.

The patrolling guard finally could be sure that students under Elder Gong all had a perverse level of talent.

This young lady had even more fanciful tricks than Yin Ruoyi back then.

After Gu Qingjiu finished training, she shut off all the moving targets with her forehead covered in sweat.

However, she felt a complete sense of fulfillment.

Such training was much more interesting than the usual same old, boring type of training.

As of now, she could, with some effort, control four targets out of seven. Hitting the bullseye of all those targets simultaneously was something she could barely manage to do for now.

As for other people...

It was something they wouldn't even dare to think about...

The sweaty Gu Qingjiu left the training center and rushed to the hotel in a cab.

She was staying with Helian Niancheng already.

Even though there wasn't a genuine breakthrough between the duo, they had pretty much done everything else they should have done...

But Gu Qingjiu didn't feel that it was anything to be embarrassed about regarding such a situation.

When you truly fall for a person, you wouldn't mind such stuff.

By the time she got back to the hotel, Helian Niancheng had yet to return.

Ever since he stepped down from his military duties in China, he seemed to have started going into business.

Gu Qingjiu saw him bringing back documents all the time, and Helian Niancheng didn't hide it from her either.

But Gu Qingjiu only had a superficial understanding of the contents, and regarding certain aspects to her, it was no different from abstruse writing. Thus, she wasn't fond of reading these documents of his.

After taking a shower, the pajamas-clad Gu Qingjiu applied medicine to her arm.

Her arm was pretty much fine now, and she simply disregarded it during this afternoon's training. It was just that Gu Qingjiu found the scar ugly looking.

Girls were all born vain, it seemed.

By the time she was more or less done, Helian Niancheng came back.

He opened the door, and as he stepped on the soft carpet in the room, he didn't make any noise.

The cold air instantly enveloped Gu Qingjiu. She looked up and saw Helian Niancheng gazing downwards at her from a height.

Though it didn't feel too imposing, Gu Qingjiu shifted backward as she wasn't used to it. "Chief Instructor..."

"Mm."

He sat down too.

But instead of casually sitting on the carpet like Gu Qingjiu, he sat down on the sofa.

When he returned today, he carried nothing with him. Guessing he wasn't busy with anything, Gu Qingjiu rested her head on his lap and told him about her training.

"When I went training today, I didn't feel affected by my injury. Moreover, my response and speed have enhanced as compared to before..."

"So it was a blessing in disguise?"

There was a faint smile in his voice. He lowered his head and kissed Gu Qingjiu on her cheek. "But something like this is not to happen a second time."

"I know."

She responded obediently. And then she heard him say, "We'll go property viewing tomorrow."

Gu Qingjiu raised her head in surprise. "Why are we viewing a property?"

"Don't tell me you wish to keep on staying here?"

Helian Niancheng placed his slim and long finger on his hairline and looked at her, seemingly in thought. "Of course, I don't mind staying wherever. But it's, after all, inconvenient for me and you to stay at a hotel."

Chapter 668: Property Viewing

What he meant was, he didn't mind staying anywhere if it was just him alone.

But with Gu Qingjiu with him, it wasn't a good idea for them to stay at a hotel every day.

Gu Qingjiu felt her face turning red. "Why don't I move to the training center?"

Elder Gong and the rest knew about her matter, and it was just that no one meddled in it.

Elder Gong had suggested for Gu Qingjiu to move over to stay for the time being. The living conditions there were not inferior to what she would get staying outside.

Gu Qingjiu had been considering this proposition.

"No."

Helian Niancheng grabbed Gu Qingjiu's hand. "Since you're already staying with me, don't think of moving."

Though this sentence sounded aggressive, there was a lingering gentleness within.

From his appearance to his temperament, Gu Qingjiu couldn't bear to part with this man.

He pulled Gu Qingjiu into his arms and held her earlobe between his lips, breathing out scorching hot air as he spoke. "We'll go and view houses tomorrow."

"Mm..."

Gu Qingjiu responded in a muffled tone. This touch made her feel very sensitive.

There was an uncontrollable restlessness.

Thankfully, Helian Niancheng quickly calmed down. He then ordered dinner and ate together with Gu Qingjiu.

After which, they rested.

Although it wasn't too peaceful, Helian Niancheng restrained himself.

When the next day arrived, because she had agreed to view the property with Helian Niancheng, Gu Qingjiu informed Elder Gong that she would just be practicing in the morning and wouldn't be there in the afternoon.

Elder Gong didn't particularly mind.

These few days, Yin Ruoyi was in a somewhat degenerate state at home, so even if he wanted Gu Qingjiu and Yin Ruoyi to train together, it couldn't be done.

Hence he simply let Gu Qingjiu be.

But when he heard that Gu Qingjiu had practiced with several targets simultaneously, he merely revealed a smile and didn't seem overly surprised.

After she was done practicing in the morning, Gu Qingjiu left the training center.

Helian Niancheng was waiting for her outside the training center.

A luxurious private sedan with a famous logo was parked outside, exuding an air of luxury and making the nearby car owners subconsciously give way to it.

When Gu Qingjiu came out, the car door slowly opened, revealing Helian Niancheng sitting in the back row.

He wore a white shirt, like the sacred moonlight that was not to be violated.

She could sense that bold and aggressive aura coming towards him inadvertently.

"Chief Instructor."

Gu Qingjiu greeted him with a broad beam, then closed the car door.

She looked up and, seeing that the driver was Joker, revealed a vibrant smile at him. "Hi there, Joker."

Joker gave an imperceptible nod at Gu Qingjiu in the rearview mirror. But Helian Niancheng's gaze suddenly turned towards him, carrying with it a hint of darkness.

It made Joker retract his gaze right away.

The Major-General was getting increasingly possessive of Miss Gu.

Helian Niancheng reached out an arm to circle around Gu Qingjiu, who appeared unwilling. "I haven't showered... let me go back to the hotel to take a shower first."

"Mm."

He nodded lightly. "What kind of house do you like?"

Gu Qingjiu hesitated a moment before replying, "I'm fine with anything."

In any case, the big boss forking out the money was him, so the freeloading Gu Qingjiu rarely had much of an opinion.

Knowing Gu Qingjiu wouldn't give any constructive suggestion, Helian Niancheng nodded once more, as though he had made up his mind.

He first took Gu Qingjiu to eat, and at noon Gu Qingjiu took a shower in the hotel, following which she went to view housing with Helian Niancheng.

Only when they reached their destination did she know what sort of place Helian Niancheng had set his sights on.

It was the most prosperous villa area in the capital, "Imperial Park."

It had an ideal location.

Although it was in the city center, the environment within was tranquil and elegant. Also, the facilities were top-notch. From property management to security, everything was perfect beyond an ordinary man's imagination.

Of course, it also carried an exorbitant price tag that exceeded most people's imaginations.

Chapter 669: To Think He Would End Up in This State

Gu Qingjiu had occasionally heard others talking about the property prices in Imperial Park when she was still in school.

She had no idea how many zeros, but Gu Qingjiu didn't bother asking.

She was afraid her heart couldn't take it.

However, the person serving Helian Niancheng was the person-in-charge with the highest authority here, the property area's director.

He was solely in charge of all the Imperial Park arrangements, and because of his busy schedule, ordinary clients wouldn't get to meet him. Yet, he came to welcome Helian Niancheng today.

Gu Qingjiu didn't understand all this. She only knew that the person before her had a great understanding of Imperial Park and was adept at reading clients' psyches.

Even someone like Gu Qingjiu, who couldn't afford the property there, was extremely tempted after hearing what he had to say.

Never mind those who came intending to buy.

"Our Imperial Park villas are sold individually. The villas have a 500 square meters area, excluding the swimming pool and private garden area. If you have any thoughts about this, Mr. He, our property management staff and renovation company, will do our best to cooperate..."

As he spoke along the way, the director brought them to view all the remaining properties in Imperial Park.

The prices around were too exorbitant, and the land here was costly as well.

Those who could afford it were among the wealthiest and most prominent families in the capital.

It was an enormous area, and basically, one would need to drive in and out of this place.

One wouldn't be able to reach the ends on foot.

Honestly, Gu Qingjiu felt it was all pretty good, but when Helian Niancheng tilted his head and asked her, Gu Qingjiu said after a pause, "I think it's pretty good. The most important thing is that you like it."

She really couldn't feel that Helian Niancheng was buying this house for her.

But just then, Gu Qingjiu suddenly caught sight of a camper van driving slowly over from afar.

It was parked not far away from Gu Qingjiu and company, and in front was an already occupied villa.

Gu Qingjiu merely glanced over in curiosity, but the person she saw coming out of the car made her expression turn stiff for a moment.

It was a rich woman, who despite having maintained her figure well, one could still tell that she wasn't young anymore.

Clad in an expensive Dior outfit, she had hooked her arms with a man's.

As for that man, he was dressed in branded clothes from head to toe and with his shirt simply rolled up, exuding the innocent air of a student.

When he came out of the car, the woman even planted a kiss on that man's face with no qualms.

When her gaze turned in their direction, she saw Helian Niancheng. She was stunned momentarily.

However, when she saw how Helian Niancheng was like a moon surrounded by the stars, she seemed to realize something.

She loosened her grip on the man and turned her head to leave in the manner of an arrogant rich woman. That man slavishly followed behind her like a servant.

However, he seemed to sense something that made him turn around at that moment. When he saw Gu Qingjiu, his face turned pale instantly.

He even halted in his footsteps.

That man was Su Lingche.

His eyes were still as gentle as Gu Qingjiu remembered them to be. It was just that they had a putrid quality to them.

However, seeing Su Lingche appear in such a place plus how that middle-aged woman had kissed him...

Gu Qingjiu didn't believe she was simply Su Lingche's relative.

She felt a mix of disbelief and gratification.

Su Lingche, who didn't become acquainted with Yu Shiwei, underwent such a dramatic change in his fate. To think he had degenerated to this state and was now a pretty boy kept by a rich woman?

That youthful boyish vibe he exuded was indeed something that certain rich women could find charming.

But it was too laughable. Gu Qingjiu simply hadn't expected she would get to witness such a scene.

Chapter 670: An Angry Man is an Irrational Man

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

"Lingche..."

From the front came the rich woman's fed up voice. At that instant, Su Lingche's lips trembled.

He retracted his gaze, lowered his head, and walked into the villa under Gu Qingjiu's complicated gaze.

She got a kick out of seeing him end up like this, and at the same time found it laughable.

"What are you looking at?"

A cold and deep voice suddenly rang beside her.

Gu Qingjiu, who then remembered that Helian Niancheng was standing next to her, looked up at him.

Standing with his back facing the light, there was a dark and solemn vibe in his pupils, causing the surrounding air to turn chilly suddenly and also bringing about a sheepish feeling in Gu Qingjiu.

"Nothing..."

She was just too shocked to see Su Lingche.

But she hadn't noticed that the person beside her might develop certain ideas about her reaction.

Everyone instantly sensed that something wasn't quite right.

Helian Niancheng was green in the face, making the director break out in a cold sweat.

He wondered if he had somehow offended this big boss.

It was clear that they couldn't carry on with the villa viewing. Helian Niancheng merely stared at Gu Qingjiu and said, halting with every word, "Who is he?"

It was his intuition as a man speaking.

Helian Niancheng could immediately feel that Gu Qingjiu treated that man differently from others, that the fluctuation in her emotions was excessive.

It was the first time Helian Niancheng felt a conflicted feeling in his heart.

That was an uncomfortable sensation that he had never felt before.

Lips trembling, Gu Qingjiu couldn't possibly tell Helian Niancheng that he was her first love in her previous lifetime, so she merely said, "We met a few times. I don't know him..."

Her voice was slightly lower than usual, and one wouldn't be able to tell if she was lying or something.

Helian Niancheng's countenance turned yet colder. He turned his head, and his expression froze like ice once more. "Joker, let's go back first."

The director wore a meek look on his face, clearly realizing that the couple was in conflict.

Not daring to speak excessively, he merely respectfully said, "Mr. He, please go home safely."

Nonetheless, as Helian Niancheng left, he pulled Gu Qingjiu's hand.

Gu Qingjiu felt her heart thumping wildly. She could sense that this time, Helian Niancheng was incredibly furious.

She had revealed her emotions earlier. With his keen observation skills, he must have detected something.

But she didn't dare to tell him the truth.

Also, she was astounded to see Su Lingche appear here as a kept man.

She had imagined hundreds, thousands of scenarios of Su Lingche's outcomes, but she never expected him to end up in this state.

On the way back, both she and Helian Niancheng kept silent.

The atmosphere was tense.

Like a tightly strung string, whoever first spoke could cause this uneasy atmosphere to explode.

Seated in the back row, Gu Qingjiu's hands balled into fists nervously.

The oppressed feeling in her heart reached her throat, eager to vent.

Time and time again, she suppressed it back down with her rationality.

She couldn't tell him that. Who knew what consequences it would cause if she did?

They arrived at the hotel amid such an atmosphere. Gu Qingjiu could feel that although he was angry, there was a gentleness in how he held her hand. It was just that there was now a hint of sternness added to it.

His icy face deterred others from getting near him.

Only when they got back to their hotel room did Helian Niancheng let go of her hand.

He stood before the French windows, gazing downwards at the city scenery outside.

However, his figure exuded loneliness and coldness.

Gu Qingjiu slowly walked to the center of the living room and sat down on the sofa. Biting her lips, she slowly spoke, "Chief Instructor, I really don't know him and have merely met him a few times. I was just a tad shocked to see him with that woman earlier..."