Chapter 761: Caught Red-handed

As they walked over, he said, "I can rest assured handing my daughter to you."

As he spoke, he side-eyed Gu Qingjiu and rolled his eyes.

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

It looked as if some kind of evil deal was struck between Gu Hong and Helian Niancheng.

However, it was evident that she was the one being rejected.

Gu Qingjiu couldn't wrap her head around this.

Helian Niancheng had a satisfied smile. Even until night, when they were about to sleep, Gu Qingjiu still couldn't figure out what Helian Niancheng had said.

Her dad agreed to the marriage.

Because she was at home, even if Gu Qingjiu and Helian Niancheng were officially married, they slept in separate rooms to prevent drawing any more ire.

Helian Niancheng slept in Gu Qingmo's room since he didn't return to the room was temporarily lent to Helian Niancheng.

In the past, he would stay at the hotel whenever he came over.

Gu Qingjiu couldn't sleep, so she wanted to sneak over.

Gu Qingjiu opened her door deep into the night, but Gu Hong, who was pouring a cup of water in the living room, caught her.

The room's soundproofing was done too well. She couldn't escape even if she wanted to.

Looking at Gu Qingjiu's suspicious demeanour in her pyjamas, Gu Hong asked with a straight face, already knowing what the answer was. "Why are you up in the middle of the night?"

Gu Qingjiu laughed sheepishly. "Dad, you haven't slept? I woke up to go to the toilet."

What a lame excuse.

There was no need to ask if Gu Hong believed her. Even she didn't believe in her own words.

Her family was all evident that she doesn't wake up in the middle of the night.

Gu Hong didn't go back immediately after getting water, instead of shooting two looks at her. "Daughters are not meant to be kept, hmph!"

Gu Qingjiu laughed sheepishly, an answer to Gu Hong's words.

"I can't control you, but you are about to wed, can't you be a little more careful? Furthermore, you're marrying a royal family. Don't... disgrace the royal family."

"Dad, you are still worried about me, so how will I disgrace them! I don't need to show my face there."

She only found out afterwards as well. Although Helian Niancheng was a prince and was his consort, his identity was not public. The media didn't dare release information about him, so Gu Qingjiu didn't need to worry about her face being plastered over the newspaper to do something disgraceful.

Matters of the Penalan royalty had always been handled together by the Morian family. They were the representatives of Penalan's royal family.

So what Gu Qingjiu was worried about wouldn't happen.

No one would comment about her identity as well.

Furthermore, it wasn't like she had nothing to show?

She was someone who brought honour to her country.

Which added value for her!

"I can't win you. Just take note."

Gu Hong probably felt vexed and was about to bring the water back into his room.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Gu Qingjiu quickly asked, "Dad, what did you talk to the chief instructor in the afternoon?"

Gu Hong smiled secretively. "Take a guess."

As he spoke, he pushed his door open.

But before he entered, as if recalling something, he pointed at Gu Qingjiu. "Go back to your room."

"....Oh."

She had no choice but to return to her room.

With Gu Hong catching her red-handed, it wouldn't do for her to seek Helian Niancheng to still seek Helian Niancheng out. She laid on her bed, filled with muddled thoughts, before falling asleep.

When she woke up, she didn't get much chance to ask Helian Niancheng about it because he refused to say. Two days later, he left.

Chapter 762: Last Student Gathering

Of course, this trip was not in vain.

To ask for her hand, he brought gifts that Qi Yuefeng felt too shocked to accept.

A Rolls-Royce luxury car and property at the capital.

One under Qi Yuefeng's name and the other under Gu Hong's.

Helian Niancheng had already mentioned long ago that what was his was Gu Qingjiu's as well.

Moreover, Gu Qingjiu had a villa downtown as well.

The price of that estate could make people faint.

They handed over the things to Qi Yuefeng on the day of his departure. Qi Yuefeng's house itself came with a garage.

When Qi Yuefeng saw the extra Rolls-Royce that day, she thought someone had parked it there.

She didn't recognise the car plate, just that its appearance was cool. Many car owners were taking photos of that car.

"Damn, the newest model of Rolls-Royce..."

"Moon X-890! Hell, this is crazy impressive!"

"This car would cost about a hundred million, right?"

"Who's so rich!"

Even if they were in the city center, cars worth hundreds of millions were still eye-catching.

Qi Yuefeng felt weirder the more she heard.

Until someone came to her to say that the car was for her husband, she was still stunned. "It cost hundreds of millions to bring it in! I have never seen how many hundreds of millions it would be and this was gifted to your father."

"It's that expensive?"

Gu Qingjiu was a little surprised.

She knew that Helian Niancheng was generous, but she never thought it would be this scary.

She managed to accept his ways because she was getting married to him, but her parents would not accept it.

"Quickly send it back."

"Send it back?"

Gu Qingjiu was troubled. "Mom, aren't you scared that the chief instructor would think both of you are disagreeing with the marriage if ever you sent this back? How about the two of you talk to him about it?"

How was Gu Qingjiu supposed to talk to him about this?

"This child."

Qi Yuefeng could feel her soul leaving in shock.

She quickly called Gu Hong.

On Gu Qingjiu's cell phone, she suddenly received a message from a person who she hadn't contacted in a long time.

It was the class monitor from her third year in high school, Zhong Xiaoxiao. It had been a long time since they met, so long that Gu Qingjiu had almost forgotten about this person's existence.

Zhong Xiaoxiao: Gu Qingjiu, I heard that you are back at the capital? Someone saw you at Dayi City recently. Now that most of us have graduated, I'm going to organize a class gathering. Come along. Some of them are going to try out new things while others are going overseas so you can treat this as a final gathering.

Seeing the message, Gu Qingjiu fell silent and complicated feelings welled up.

Chapter 763: Untitled

She didn't have many memories with this bunch of classmates because there wasn't much interaction between them.

But they have never treated her poorly as well.

They just weren't the kind of people she would continue keeping in contact with.

But Zhong Xiaoxiao helped her a little when she joined the army, so there was no harm going for his sake.

She was not the same from the past.

Thinking about that, Gu Qingjiu replied.

[ —- Sure, where will the meeting be? ]

[ Zhong Xiaoxiao: You're back? Oh my gosh, I thought that this number was no longer in use. It's good that you're coming. The place is Gu Yu Hotel, Room 302. It will be this Saturday at noon. Come earlier. Noon is the time we start eating. ]

Gu Yu Hotel was the only five-star hotel in the city. She had been there quite a few times with the chief instructor.

It was quite an expensive place, so to have organized the gathering at this place meant that this gathering was quite significant.

Usually, for such student gatherings, the people would split the cost. It couldn't be that someone offered to pay for everyone, right?

Else, it wouldn't be called a student gathering. She replied, once again.

[ —- How much do I need to pay you? E-transfer you? ]

[ Zhong Xiaoxiao: No need. Someone's paying for it entirely, so you don't have to pay. ]

That line stunned Gu Qingjiu.

She then chuckled softly. Sure, she would just go and take a look.

Saturday was two days later. Gu Qingjiu's house was not far from Guyu Hotel, but it would take her over ten minutes to walk there. Under the sweltering heat, the ten minutes would make her sweat a lot. Gu Qingjiu raised her head and asked, "Mom, is anyone using Dad's car on Saturday? I am going to drive to a student gathering."

Gu Hong had a personal car, a BMW, which cost around three hundred thousand. When they bought it from a client with good ties, it was only approximately a hundred thousand.

Or Gu Hong wouldn't buy such a car.

"If you were to drive that, what will your Dad drive on Saturday when he brings us out?"

Qi Yuefeng was troubled. "You're going for a student gathering? We are also going out to your dad's former classmate. If there's no choice, you can take the bus."

"...Isn't there still Dad's Rolls-Royce?"

Gu Qingjiu couldn't help but laugh when she said that.

She was intentionally teasing Qi Yuefeng.

Qi Yuefeng rolled her eyes. "If we were to drive that there, we won't even make it back. We will send you there."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "That works too."

She asked curiously, "Where is your gathering at?"

"It's far, all the way at North City. We are not sure what time we will be coming back, most probably on the second day. Make yourself some food at home."

Gu Xiaoxi interrupted from the side. "Who will I be going with then?"

Qi Yuefeng cupped Gu Xiaoxi's tiny face and smiled. "Of course you will be going with us. I'm worried your Sister Qingjiu will starve you since she cannot cook."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Who was her biological daughter!!

After discussion, Qi Yuefeng was still worried. "Qingjiu, we can't accept the car. How about your dad talk to Niancheng to return it?"

"Mom, it's not in my place to say. These are things you feel are expensive, but in the chief instructor's eyes, maybe they are the same as any random watch that he wears. He doesn't feel much for it. I don't know what he will think if they returned it to him."

Chapter 764: Class Monitor

Gu Qingjiu and Helian Niancheng have been married for two years after all. Some principles would surely change.

The dowry that Qi Yuefeng was shocked about was normal in Helian Niancheng eyes.

This was the difference in values between the different classes.

Upon hearing what Gu Qingjiu had to say, Qi Yuefeng called off that idea.

"Mom, if you really cannot stand it, you can just leave it there and not drive it."

Since someone was in charge of maintenance fees.

Seeing Gu Qingjiu's cheeky smile, Qi Yuefeng rolled her eyes once again before instructing, "You're already getting married. Take note of your image."

Image... These two days, the thing people reminded her most was to take note of her image.

Saturday, everyone was done packing.

Gu Hong took the chance of his rare vacation to bring Gu Xiaoxi and Qi Yuefeng to participate in his own students' gathering at North City.

Gu Qingjiu couldn't go with them as she had her own students' gathering to attend.

When it was about eleven in the morning, Gu Hong sent Gu Qingjiu to Gu Yu Hotel.

When she alighted, Qi Yuefeng instructed once again, " Go back earlier and look after the car..."

'The car is too expensive, someone will steal it' was what Qi Yuefeng's eyes were telling her.

Gu Qingjiu was speechless. "It is not that easy to steal that kind of car. Don't worry, we will be able to find it. Mom, I will be going in."

"Okay, let's go hubby."

Qi Yuefeng and her family waved to Gu Qingjiu as they left.

Gu Qingjiu was wearing a black summer-style off-shoulder batwing top paired with black shorts.

Nowadays, she seldom shopped for her clothes. All these were tailor-made by Helian Niancheng's designers.

A lot of clothes were sent to her each year so there was no point shopping for herself.

She wore heeled sandals which accentuated her long slender legs.

Her hairstyle was just nice as well.

Gu Qingjiu also wore rose red lipstick which was rare for her. As a woman who had been in the army for so long, it was still reasonable for her to dress up on suitable occasions.

Her appearance was that of youthful beauty. The only thing she lacked was probably flowing long hair. Who would connect such a Gu Qingjiu to the sharpshooter who claimed the championship at an international competition?

A stunning beauty was an apt description of Gu Qingjiu. Her pale skin was eye-catching no matter where she went.

Her aura of indifference caught the people's eyes as usual. The moment she got down from the car, many people turned to look at her.

Unlike the other time when she came, her appearance now stood out a lot more than her army uniform.

She carried a pearl white purse to put her cell phone in it.

After confirming the address, she made her way into the hotel.

At the entrance of the hotel, there was even a signboard.

Indicating the student gathering's location.

Gu Qingjiu followed the directions.

Since she stayed considerably nearer than the rest, she should be one of the earlier ones.

Gu Qingjiu saw the private room which had its door half open. From within came soft sounds of people chatting. A peek inside showed a room as big as the lobby and there were already a few people inside.

One of the girls had long wavy hair and an aura of a goddess. Her silhouette alone was enough to intoxicate people.

Gu Qingjiu pushed the door open lightly. "H... Hello."

She was still not used to greeting.

The first girl who heard her voice turned around. Upon seeing Gu Qingjiu, she appeared to be shocked.

Gu Qingjiu recognized the girl as well. She was the class monitor, Zhong Xiaoxiao.

Chapter 765: Classmate From Back Then

Zhong Xiaoxiao did not look rather bad back then and had good results.

From hearsay, her family background was not bad. Hence, she was probably the definition of an ideal woman (beautiful, pale skin, and rich).

These few years of settling down made Zhong Xiaoxiao more elegant and graceful.

She was confident in herself. The white top paired with a half see-through long dress made her stand out from the rest.

However, her startle showed that she didn't register that this was Gu Qingjiu.

Zhong Xiaoxiao had once seen Gu Qingjiu change appearance after her three-month training and Gu Qingjiu back then still appeared youthful.

The Gu Qingjiu now was a big beauty that attracted the attention of many people. Zhong Xiaoxiao's memory door unlocked, and she called out, "Gu Qingjiu!"

"Gu Qingjiu?!"

"What the heck, she isn't, right?"

Oof!

Her male classmates – men now – who stood at the side could not believe it when they heard Zhong Xiaoxiao's words.

Shell shocked!

A male classmate even exaggeratedly spat the water he was drinking back into the cup.

And a blurrier student asked, "We had a Gu Qingjiu in our class?"

After saying that, another guy slapped his shoulder, making eyes at him as he whispered, "She's one of those unpopular girls from our class back then. The one who had pale skin and was plump..."

Hearing that, a cold smirk danced along Gu Qingjiu's lips.

She didn't mind it.

Back then she was like a speck of dust in a desert, not even a little eye-catching.

No one took note of her so it was normal if there were classmates who couldn't remember her.

Just like how she didn't remember some of her classmates.

Because she never placed them in her heart.

Zhong Xiaoxiao kicked the male classmate who said he didn't know of Gu Qingjiu. She sent a warning glare his way.

She then turned to Gu Qingjiu with a radiant smile. Walking over, her hands looped over Gu Qingjiu's shoulders like they were close to one another. "I thought you would be coming later. After seeing you back then, it has been three years, right? You became pretty, such a huge difference."

Zhong Xiaoxiao was complimenting Gu Qingjiu from the bottom of her heart.

But her intimate gesture made Gu Qingjiu uncomfortable, feeling that she was acting too chummy.

But in front of so many people, Gu Qingjiu wouldn't embarrass her.

"Come over. Let me introduce you to our old classmates."

Zhong Xiaoxiao pointed at the guys. "Yang Fan, Huang Zhongliang, Tan Yijun, Yang Han. They are doing a business together and have achieved a small success with it. They are all big bosses of their own. They sponsored this students' gathering."

Zhong Xiaoxiao specially introduced them to Gu Qingjiu.

The few guys were originally putting on airs but seeing how pretty Gu Qingjiu was, their eyes shone.

They waved their hands humbly. "We don't dare. We are humbled to be helping."

"We just opened a company. It's still at its establishment stages, not enough to call ourselves big bosses."

"That's right!"

The one who was the most eye-catching amongst them was the guy called Yang Han.

Compared to the other three, Yang Han felt more poised and gentlemanly.

Yang Han used to be the most handsome person in the class, no wonder Gu Qingjiu had some impression of him!

Back in those days, Gu Qingjiu remembered that girls from the other classes would come to visit him, showing how popular he was.

Yang Han had eyes like peach blossoms, tender-looking eyes which could enrapture people. These eyes were focused on Gu Qingjiu. He stretched out his hand as if seriously introducing himself. "Gu Qingjiu, it's nice to meet you. I'm Yang Han."

Chapter 766: I Have A Boyfriend

He was tall with slender legs and was clad in a suit. If one were to talk about appearances, he was the most handsome around.

His aura itself was different.

Talking about her embarrassing, youthful, and ignorant past, Gu Qingjiu could vaguely remember that she once held feelings for this Yang Han.

But that was just a young girl's crush.

No matter who it was, as a young girl, they would feel differently towards handsome-looking boys in the class.

Gu Qingjiu in the past had low self-esteem.

Too many things happened later on, and Gu Qingjiu matured.

This crush from her past was like wisps of smoke blending into plain air. If it wasn't for this students' gathering, she would've forgotten about this person's existence.

This was life.

At Yang Han's greeting, Gu Qingjiu graciously shook his hand, expression neither cold nor warm. "Nice to meet you."

She remembered back then that this Yang Han didn't bother with girls who were not pretty.

This was why they had a good relationship with Zhong Xiaoxiao and another girl who she remembered – Xie Yuning.

If Gu Qingjiu was still her from before, just with Yang Han's current accomplishment, he would've ignored Gu Qingjiu all the way.

But youngsters were all like this. Gu Qingjiu simply smiled at it.

Seeing how Yang Han was acting, the rest of them smiled knowingly at each other.

These guys were close friends with Yang Han and came together. Zhong Xiaoxiao looked at Yang Han and intentionally asked, "Qingjiu, it's been such a long time. Have your military training ended?"

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "It already ended. I'm just waiting for dispatchment now."

"Oh? Don't blame me if it sounds bad but I'm just curious. In the army, do basic troops as you get allocated to different jobs?"

She could indeed tell that Zhong Xiaoxiao held no ill intentions. The army ended within a few years nowadays. Unless the person performed well in their department, it was indeed not easy to find a job.

Gu Qingjiu shook her head and did not bother hiding. "That's not the case. I initially joined the army, but because I performed well, I was transferred to a military university in the capital city. I've just graduated so the university will arrange for the displacements.

"Wow, Qingjiu, you're great."

Zhong Xiaoxiao stared at her in amazement and the rest of the guys appeared a little startled as well.

For her to be transferred to a university straight from the army meant that her performance was indeed good.

For Gu Qingjiu who was plain in every aspect back then, to walk to where she was now, was quite an amazing feat.

Hearing that, Yang Han's eyes, which were on Gu Qingjiu, seemed to shine a little more.

As if seeing something, Zhong Xiaoxiao cheekily smiled. "Qingjiu, the army is strict so you don't have a boyfriend yet, right?"

Yang Fan's friends chuckled at the question, knowing why Zhong Xiaoxiao asked. They added on, "Xiaoxiao, you're such a gossip. Addicted to becoming a matchmaker now? Trying to matchmake Qingjiu?"

"Yeah. She just came back from her school training so she probably doesn't have the time to think about these, right?"

They acted like they were close with Gu Qingjiu, adding on to each other's words as if determined by the fact that Gu Qingjiu didn't have a boyfriend.

Gu Qingjiu chuckled awkwardly. "I do have a boyfriend. Oh, not actually. He's already my fiance. We are about to get married. If I have time then, I will send you guys an invitation."

Zhong Xiaoxiao was speechless.

Everyone went speechless.

The moment those words left Gu Qingjiu, the entire place seemed to plunge into silence.

Chapter 767: Who Is This Girl

If one had to use a sentence to describe Yang Han and his friends' expressions...

It would be like them changing faces.

Their expressions seemed to stiffen and their eyes lost some of their former glints.

But that didn't affect much. Zhong Xiaoxiao probed, "The army allowed you to have a boyfriend? Didn't you mention that they were very strict?"

"It is strict. My fiance was from the army as well."

Gu Qingjiu briefly explained, letting them know about how she met her fiance.

"Oh..."

Everyone seemed to come to a realization. Other than Yang Han's expression, which didn't seem as nice as before.

Since she had a fiance, Zhong Xiaoxiao knew that some things shouldn't be said anymore so she simply teased, "Why didn't you bring your fiance along today for us to take a look? We've just graduated from university. Who knew you would already be getting married."

"My fiance just left because he has some things to settle." Gu Qingjiu smiled lightly, not intending to hide anything.

"Next time if we meet again, bring him out for me to see."

Zhong Xiaoxiao whispered to Gu Qingjiu. At this time, other classmates started to arrive.

Since she was the organizer, she would have to welcome the rest.

Zhong Xiaoxiao was curious. Gu Qingjiu, who didn't stand out back then, became a big beauty today. Who knew how outstanding her husband would be?

Or...

She didn't intentionally think negatively but Zhong Xiaoxiao could tell straight away that Gu Qingjiu's clothes were branded and limited edition.

These high-end goods were not sold in the common market. She only saw it coincidentally on television which was why she remembered.

This brand's logo was hard to imitate. Zhong Xiaoxiao was near so she could tell that Gu Qingjiu's clothes' quality was not any common material, definitely not a fake product.

To be able to wear such branded things and for her aura to change this greatly, Zhong Xiaoxiao felt that Gu Qingjiu's fiance's background was surely not average.

It made her more curious.

Seeing that Zhong Xiaoxiao went to welcome other people, Gu Qingjiu found a place to settle down to use her cell phone.

The venue was decorated in a traditional Chinese manner, with several large tables, like a festive reunion.

There was a sofa at the side which Gu Qingjiu sat on.

She didn't have many ties with her former classmates because of many reasons.

She didn't deny that she wasn't outstanding enough in the past but she didn't like socializing with people even now.

Yang Han and the gang went to socialize with the classmates who just arrived.

The classmates came into groups. There were some Gu Qingjiu knew while there were also those who she could only vaguely remember.

There will always be those few whose name she cannot remember even if she stood in front of them.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingjiu, who was sitting quietly on the sofa, caught the attention of many.

The students who have all grown up now knew to dress up. Hence, their aura and poise have all increased several folds compared to the past.

But one didn't grow out of their faces. For a big beauty to appear at this place, they were all shocked.

Was there someone this pretty back then?

That shining white skin was like milk.

Elegant and poised with an air of indifference that exuded her gracefulness, it would not be an exaggeration to call her a goddess.

She wasn't lacking compared to those goddesses they interacted within the society.

So the question came. Who was she?

Chapter 768: Envious And Shallow Discussions

Some of them thought she was a relative someone brought.

Some of them couldn't resist and asked Zhong Xiaoxiao softly, "Eh, Xiaoxiao, who is that sitting on the sofa?"

Upon hearing that, Zhong Xiaoxiao smiled cheekily. "Take a guess. A hint, she was our classmate."

Some of them were befuddled and covered their mouths as they laughed sheepishly. "I really can't tell. Did we have someone so good-looking amongst us? Could it be plastic surgery?"

That statement made some uncomfortable.

Zhong Xiaoxiao teased them a little more. "Of course not. I'm a witness, she didn't go for plastic surgery." Pausing for a while, she revealed the answer. "She's Gu Qingjiu."

"Gu Qingjiu... Hell!"

"What?! That's Gu Qingjiu?"

Those people couldn't help themselves.

Those gazes, all filled with curiosity were like tiny needles, prickling Gu Qingjiu.

Like she was a rare breed of sorts.

That face and figure...

Of course that skin. They knew that Gu Qingjiu back then had fair skin.

That was why many girls liked to mock Gu Qingjiu back then. If she was so ugly, why did she need to have such fair skin?

Those girls were not even close to Gu Qingjiu's fair shade.

Her fair skin was blinding.

The white was as pure as milk and she had unbelievably good skin.

She was just slightly plump and had a bad hairstyle.

With that thought, if they thought back carefully, they could see the shadow of Gu Qingjiu in this person.

Who knew that after revealing her supple forehead that even her apple-styled hair couldn't affect her good looks.

After slimming down, her five features were that of an ice queen.

She was probably only covered in light makeup with a smudge of lipstick to accentuate her features.

Her looks made some girls jealous.

Some people who were probably born sour chuckled when they saw Gu Qingjiu's huge change. "Xiaoxiao, don't be so sure. She changed so much. I don't believe that she didn't undergo plastic surgery. Think of her features back then..."

"Gu Qingjiu's features back then were not bad, right?"

Zhong Xiaoxiao tilted her head in confusion. "I recall that Gu Qingjiu back then just didn't like to raise her head. Her thick bangs probably covered her eyes? She was slightly fatter? Furthermore, when she first came out after entering the army for three months, I met her. She was clad in her uniform and she had already slimmed down. She was quite pretty then without any make-up on. With make-up on, what's wrong with looking like an angel? Unless you're saying that Gu Qingjiu didn't join the army and instead especially went for plastic surgery?"

Zhong Xiaoxiao held mirth in her smile as she stared steadily at her classmates. She helped clear the misunderstandings with Gu Qingjiu. Although her expression was that of a smile, something was off about it.

With Zhong Xiaoxiao stuffing their mouths in such a way, their exquisite features with make-up twisted into something grotesque. As if dissatisfied by the outcome, they added, "Who knows. Maybe she didn't join the army? You had people in contact with her back then? Who would know!"

Zhong Xiaoxiao frowned.

Her words made someone at the side stand up for her. "That's enough, Xiaoyue. Everyone is here for the gathering, why are you getting angry at Xiaoxiao?"

Chapter 769: Fate Liked to Play With People

Zhong Xiaoxiao was the class monitor so people in the class respected her.

Now that she was also an ideal woman, the influence she held in the gathering was unquestionable.

Which was why people spoke up for her.

Just like in the past when the outcast Gu Qingjiu and Xie Yuning got into an argument.

The situation was just different now.

Xiaoyue's expression was displeased, but she didn't continue.

Gu Qingjiu sat at the side as if not hearing them.

In fact, as a sharpshooter with keen senses, she had already sensed that those people were discussing her.

Their gazes kept turning to her made it all the more obvious.

But her change was indeed drastic so Gu Qingjiu could understand why they were discussing it.

Although she hasn't participated in any student gatherings before this, she could roughly tell the true purpose of it.

She wouldn't participate in these things. As long as they didn't say it straight to her face, they could speculate anything they wanted.

She knew that she was innocent, anyway.

More and more people arrived. There were about forty students in her class.

Although Zhong Xiaoxiao didn't mention how many she managed to contact, looking at the current situation, quite a few have already arrived.

There were even a few who were family men.

Gu Qingjiu saw who brought their girlfriends and boyfriends and even some who brought their family.

Who brought their child.

As the number of people increased, the venue became rowdier.

People were all immersed in their conversations while Gu Qingjiu sat alone at the side as if not involved in the gathering.

From there, the cliques were evident.

Well-to-do students were dressed well and fashionably would go to Zhong Xiaoxiao and Yang Han's circle.

People who didn't appear as well would sit at the side self-consciously.

One of the girls was carrying her one-year-old child, dressed casually in denim and didn't put on any make-up.

Making her look frowny as she sat on the sofa opposite Gu Qingjiu.

She looked up and unconsciously started sizing up Gu Qingjiu. Her eyes glint with envy and self-disdain flashed across her eyes.

And when she saw Gu Qingjiu look up at her, she tightened her arms uneasily around her child.

Probably because it was too tight, the child wiggled unhappily and tapped the mother's face.

Gu Qingjiu sighed inwardly. She used to look at others with that gaze as well.

She took a clearer look at the girl in front of her and tried, "Ji Yunshi?"

Ji Yunshi paused before replying awkwardly, "Ah, you... you know me?"

She seemed nervous, not expecting Gu Qingjiu to recognize her.

Gu Qingjiu smiled warmly. "I'm Gu Qingjiu."

She introduced herself naturally, with no intention behind her words.

Ji Yunshi stared at Gu Qingjiu as her eyes widened. Her tongue twisted. "You... you are Gu Qingjiu?"

She thought that Gu Qingjiu was some classmate's relative. The thought that this outstanding girl was Gu Qingjiu never crossed her mind.

That plump girl who wasn't that memorable in Ji Yunshi's memories.

Underwent such a drastic change.

Chapter 770: Arrogant Girl

"You must be kidding me."

Ji Yunshi mumbled with a pale face.

Gu Qingjiu heard that clearly, but she didn't deliberately ask. She merely cast a glance at her child and said, "You're married and even have a child? Your child is adorable."

With that, she greeted the baby in a friendly manner.

Snot bubbles blew out from the baby's nose as the baby happily gazed at her.

Ji Yunshi shifted the child's face away, looking displeased as she replied blandly with a hum.

Gu Qingjiu, who could tell that Ji Yunshi wasn't too keen on continuing this conversation, stopped talking.

She wasn't interested in engaging someone who was showing her a cold attitude.

From what she remembered, Ji Yunshi was a girl as high-profile as Zhong Xiaoxiao in their class.

Ji Yunshi was multi-talented, and at the time liked singing and dancing. She was the sort of outstanding girl who would participate in the school's annual singing and dancing competitions.

Although her academic results weren't particularly striking, back then she also had plenty of admirers.

Gu Qingjiu remembered that Ji Yunshi was in that group that wanted to enroll in university, but from what she could see now, it was clear that she didn't finish her university studies, or maybe never even enrolled in it.

Or else, she wouldn't have such a child of this age so quickly.

Her countenance also looked quite terrible, making one wonder what she had gone through.

Life was unpredictable like this.

"Yunshi, Qingjiu."

Zhong Xiaoxiao walked over and greeted them with a smile. Gu Qingjiu naturally nodded in response. Ji Yunshi, however, appeared a tad awkward as she evaded Zhong Xiaoxiao's gaze and then hummed.

Ji Yunshi's condition was very much like that when she first saw Gu Qingjiu. But after Gu Qingjiu revealed her identity, she seemed to grasp something.

However, facing Zhong Xiaoxiao, Ji Yunshi looked pathetic in comparison.

She was reluctant to even look at the duo before her.

Zhong Xiaoxiao lowered her body and teased the baby in Ji Yunshi's arms. "Your child is pretty adorable. Such an obedient baby."

She had just finished speaking when Ji Yunshi suddenly spoke out in a displeased, shrill voice. "Stop with the sarcasm."

Zhong Xiaoxiao halted, then sat down beside Gu Qingjiu. "I wasn't being sarcastic. I was only speaking the truth. Back then it was your choice to have the baby. No one forced you into it."

Ji Yunshi stared at the two girls before her, who were similarly poised, elegant, pretty, and had an outstanding disposition, without the vulgar air of some ordinary girls. They were the perfect example of a fair, rich, and beautiful woman.

Even the chubby lass Gu Qingjiu whom she used to despise, was now so strikingly outstanding.

Contrasting herself, who had a sloppy and ungroomed appearance, on top of a terrible countenance, and a child in her arms, looking totally like a married woman.

The contrast was stark.

They were seated opposite, and the distance between them was like a distinguished line, piercing into the depths of Ji Yunshi's heart which had become increasingly fragile in recent years.

She clenched her teeth and simply walked away with her baby.

Unwilling to speak another word with them.

Gu Qingjiu didn't say anything. Zhong Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, looked up and murmured as she stared after Ji Yunshi's back view. "She was the one who chose her path. Who could she blame? Back then she insisted on being together with that man and as a result, didn't even get to attend university. Now that she turned into this state, who could she blame? Aye..."

She sighed as she explained the reason behind Ji Yunshi's transformation.

There were plenty of people like her in real life, and myriads of reasons could have caused them to land in such a state.

Just then, someone pushed open the door from outside, following which a glamorous person entered.

Clad in a white dress, with long hair draping past her shoulders, carrying a small handbag, looking exquisite and gracious. As she entered, she cast a glance that carried a hint of arrogance at the others.

There was a high-and-mighty air about her.

And this person was Xie Yuning whom Gu Qingjiu was on bad terms with back then.