Chapter 8: The Breakup

On the steps outside the club, Zhao Qinglang carelessly let go, causing the person to be thrown forward. He panicked and stared wide-eyed, only to see a refined and handsome man step forward first, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

Just in time and perfectly so.

Gu Sheng landed safely.

Her face drained of color from fright; once her feet were firmly planted, she still clung nervously to He Wenzhou’s sleeve.

“You’ll tear it,” He Wenzhou said with a frown, lowering his gaze to gesture. “Your two hundred and fifty yuan won’t cover the damages.”

Gu Sheng’s eyelids twitched silently as she released her grip and stepped aside, feeling as if those words were an insult.

Nearby, Zhao Qinglang stood on the steps, glaring fiercely at the two who were almost shoulder to shoulder.

In this day and age, a hero saving a beauty was a sight to behold, but instead of feeling relieved, he was only more irritated.

Why was He Wenzhou everywhere he turned?

“Gu Sheng!”

Xu Ye’s voice, like a spell, darkened Zhao Qinglang’s face. He jumped down the steps in three quick strides, glared at He Wenzhou, and angrily yanked Gu Sheng toward an empty patch beside them.

His strength was great, causing Gu Sheng to stagger unsteadily. He shouted, “What’s your relationship with him? Have you no shame?”

Zhao Qinglang had been spoiled all his life, arrogant and proud. He could forgive his own mistakes but would never tolerate Gu Sheng betraying him—especially in front of everyone. For her to bypass him and run off with a pretty boy was a complete disgrace!

At these words, He Wenzhou raised an eyebrow but didn’t move, his sharp, deep gaze sliding sideways toward the woman checking her legs.

On this late autumn night, Gu Sheng’s right leg throbbed with a sharp ache from several stumbles. Startled again by Zhao Qinglang’s manic behavior, she frowned and forcefully shook off his hand.

“Are you crazy?” Gu Sheng lifted her chin, a disdainful smirk crossing her face. “That’s a question I should be asking you!”

Suddenly, the crisp click of high heels echoed in the night. She turned her head and caught sight of He Wenzhou still standing there awkwardly, just in time to meet the eyes of Cheng Yan as she hurried over.

Gu Sheng narrowed her eyes.

They hadn’t seen each other in a long time.

Cheng Yan was impeccably made-up, her chestnut curls cascading over her shoulders, dressed head-to-toe in the latest luxury Chanel-inspired skirt suit. She looked like a socialite, so much so that Gu Sheng barely recognized her face for a moment.

She had changed a lot.

But as their eyes locked, Cheng Yan’s quick pace faltered. She looked steadily at Gu Sheng’s impassive expression and, in the tense triangle between them, struggled to keep her footing, cautiously shielding her belly.

Everything was unspoken but understood.

Gu Sheng’s eyelids twitched.

She stepped forward, tugging the corner of her mouth into a sarcastic smile. “Congratulations. You even have a child now.”

Zhao Qinglang’s face froze, while Cheng Yan looked as if she’d been pushed to the edge, her silhouette wavering and eyes reddening.

“Shengsheng,” she sobbed, covering her face. “It’s my fault. Blame me. Hit me if you want!”

Gu Sheng looked at her in confusion. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”

Cheng Yan hesitated. “No, that’s not it…”

“Then why would I hit you?” Gu Sheng shrugged. “Hitting someone is illegal. I’m poor and can’t afford to pay damages.”

Cheng Yan’s gaze darted between Zhao Qinglang and Gu Sheng, both stunned. Only He Wenzhou, standing nearby, let a faint smile creep into his eyes.

She really was desperate.

But Gu Sheng’s personality had drastically changed; she was no longer the naive, easily coaxed girl she once was. Now she was sharp and biting, almost like a shrew.

Cheng Yan was at a loss, swallowing all her evasive words. She bit her lip and finally said with difficulty, “I didn’t mean to steal your fiancé. That day you were sentenced and went to jail, Zhao Zhao was upset, so…”

She was blaming Gu Sheng’s imprisonment.

Cheng Yan paused just right and glanced toward Zhao Qinglang for help, but he never gave her a glance. Instead, like a stubborn child, he stood silently beside Gu Sheng, head bowed.

That’s men for you.

Selfish and heartless.

Cheng Yan closed her eyes and choked out, “I’m sorry, Shengsheng. We’re friends, but I…”

Her voice trailed as she lowered her head, seemingly unconsciously touching her belly with a faintly provocative look.

The atmosphere stiffened. Gu Sheng suddenly understood and nodded. “Oh, so you still remember we’re friends.”

Tears trembled in Cheng Yan’s eyes.

She had always thought of Gu Sheng as soft-hearted and saintly. She even believed she could use this child to persuade her.

But…

Gu Sheng looked at her with a mocking smile. “Then why did you forget I was your friend when you took off your pants?”

Cheng Yan instantly paled and stammered, “Shengsheng, why are you talking like this…”

“Want to say I’m mean?” Gu Sheng laughed, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Zhao Qinglang’s sullen face. “You should be thanking me. If I hadn’t gone to jail, would you even have had the chance to strip and sleep together?”

Cheng Yan was rendered speechless, trembling all over.

“People should learn gratitude, not play the victim and dream that I’ll just let you two…” Gu Sheng paused, her voice turning bitter, eyes narrowed into slits as she spat out, “Scoundrels!”

That struck a nerve, and Zhao Qinglang finally lost his temper.

“Gu Sheng, I told you it was an accident! Why do you have to be so cruel?” Zhao Qinglang grabbed her arm, heartbroken and accusing. “You weren’t like this before… you weren’t…”

“Try going to jail yourself,” Gu Sheng said coldly, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “If it were you, it might be even worse.”

No food, no security, constant bullying, sleepless nights—anyone would go mad.

It was a dark, painful chapter.

But one day, after months of nightmare, she was moved to a single cell.

Gu Sheng thought, how lucky.

At last, she could sleep soundly, no longer scared of being strangled in her dreams. She had hot meals, no backbreaking labor, even the guards treated her kindly.

She had survived a journey through the gates of hell and learned to fight for survival. This was already good enough.

Surviving was good enough.

Yet all these people said she had changed.

How ridiculous.

Thinking this, Gu Sheng’s eyelids twitched. “Zhao Qinglang, anyone can say I’ve changed, but you have no right.”

Mentioning this, Zhao Qinglang’s expression faltered. His accusing look dissolved into panic. He glanced at He Wenzhou, who watched with a meaningful smile. Lips trembling, he turned his head away without a word.

“So listen carefully,” Gu Sheng said, her heart numb as she looked at Cheng Yan, “Our engagement is over. Remember to repay what you owe me.”

With that, she broke free from Zhao Qinglang’s grip and, steadying herself, walked toward He Wenzhou.

He was the creditor; she still had to escort him home.

Cheng Yan looked confused, her eyes flickering between the two. Suddenly, Zhao Qinglang went mad and chased after them.

“Gu…”

But the crisp slap echoed through the air. Startled, Cheng Yan cried out, “Zhao Zhao!”

Zhao Qinglang had received a solid slap.

Gu Sheng’s strike was fast, fierce, and precise. He Wenzhou blinked, then raised an eyebrow as a spark flashed in his eyes.

“Calm down now?” Gu Sheng said, putting all her strength into the slap, leaving a clear handprint on Zhao Qinglang’s face. Seeing his disbelieving look, she shook her aching hand and said coldly, “Still not embarrassed enough?”

Zhao Qinglang stood frozen, clutching his face.

“Zhao Qinglang, you know I hate betrayal the most,” Gu Sheng said as she stepped back. “You disgust me.”

“Don’t come after me again.”

Without another word, Gu Sheng turned without looking back and walked toward He Wenzhou, expression unreadable. As she drew near, she lifted her chin.

“Had enough of the show?”