Chapter 45: The problem is not with Shi Li, but with you.

Chapter 45

Even though Shi Li's words weren't pleasant, Gu Yuqing, owing her a great favor, still maintained her polite smile.

Shi Qiuyu, on the other hand, was not as composed; she wanted to cover both her face and her ears out of embarrassment. If she couldn't hear or see anything, she wouldn't be embarrassed for Shi Li.

There's a saying: if you're not embarrassed yourself, then the embarrassment is on others. Shi Li, oblivious of the awkward situation she has created, remained nonchalant, while her close friend Qiuyu was dying of embarrassment.

"Ah, she still calls me Ah-Li," thought Qiuyu, who had gone from wanting to cover her ears to wanting to gag Shi Li. Enough is enough, she thought.

Several people surreptitiously glanced at Gu Yuqing to gauge her reaction to Shi Li's comments, worried that they had upset her.

In their interactions in the class, they knew Gu Yuqing wasn't an easy-going person. Some feared she might immediately lose her temper when hearing Shi Li’s words.

The class representative was already prepared to protect Shi Li, should Gu Yuqing lose her temper. The first year class would be gravely impaired without Shi Li--like the West without Jerusalem.

To everyone’s surprise, Gu Yuqing's tone was even more gentle. "I honestly hope you'll come. I hope you will honor us with your presence," she said.

At this, even Shi Qiuyu began to suspect Gu Yuqing had ulterior motives for Shi Li. She's never seen Gu Yuqing being this accommodating.

But she quickly dismissed her own speculation. After all, Shi Li had just helped Gu Yuqing find her sister. If Gu Yuqing were to turn against Shi Li, it would not be too soon.

Gu Yuqing didn't take offense at Shi Li's candid words; she started reflecting on herself instead. It was her fault for not being kind enough to Shi Li in the past, making Shi Li doubt her intentions. She pledged to alter Shi Li's impression of her in the future!

Shi Li, ever the diplomat, dipped her head slightly, saying, "Thank you for inviting me. I'll definitely come."

Gu Yuqing, who had previously found Shi Li's two-faced nature derogatory, was now mentally screaming, "She's so cute!"

Her naive best friend had offended someone unknowingly, and Shi Qiuyu was left to handle the fallout.

Back home, she added Gu Yuqing's contact information (stressing how artificial their previous relationship had felt, not even having her contact before).

For the sake of her clueless friend, an apology was inevitable. She was genuinely afraid Gu Yuqing would hold a grudge and mess with Shi Li in the future.

Bracing herself mentally, Qiuyu was the first to break the silence with a light-hearted emoji.

Shi Qiuyu: [Please don’t take any of Shi Li’s words seriously. She tends to speak her mind in private.] Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

Gu Yuqing: [It's fine. I didn’t take it to heart. Shi Li is a benefactor to our family. If anything, I’m grateful to her]

Gu Yuqing: [Moreover, don’t you find Shi Li's insincerity adorable?]

Shi Qiuyu: ... I think I get it now. Shi Li's not the crazy one, you are.

Other people also had classes on the weekend, but everyone rearranged their class schedule to an earlier day so they wouldn't miss out on the gossip.

But Gao Yun didn't know Shi Li would also be attending; she assumed that because Shi Li and Gu Yuqing weren’t on good terms, Shi Li wouldn't be coming.

Moreover, Gao Yun's weekend schedule was jam-packed. Even if she wanted to adjust her classes, she was helpless.

At the banquet, everyone was dressed modestly, especially Gu Yuqing's classmates—they didn't wear formal attire, only casual outfits, to avoid burdening students from ordinary households.

The class president had announced in the group chat (the one with Shi Li) Friday night that as it was a casual family banquet, everyday wear would suffice.

At Gu Yuqing's request, anyone with a sibling the same age was to bring their siblings with them.

The Gu family members at the banquet were also dressed modestly.

Sft Shi Li’s first encounter with Gu's mother a week ago showed her a pallid face, she was now all smiles with a rosy hue to her cheeks, holding tightly to the hand of a tall, slender girl with a dark complexion.

Upon seeing this girl, everyone knew this was the youngest daughter of the Gu family, who seemed to have suffered a fair share of hardship living outside.

Gu Yuqing was sitting by the side of her mother and sister when a group of classmates caught her attention. "Mom, my classmates are here, I'm taking my sister over to hang out with them."

Her mother nodded in agreement, "Your little ones would feel more comfortable in each other's company, go on and accompany your sister."

Their daughter, once lost but now found, made her unwilling to let Gu Yuqing out of sight. However, she knew that her younger daughter should spend more time with her peers now, instead of following her around for various social occasions.

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet the elder relatives later.

The most important task at hand is to adapt to the surroundings.

Clasping her sister's hand, Gu Yuqing led her to her group of classmates.

She introduced each of her classmates to her sister, leaving Shi Li to be introduced last.

"This is my very best friend, isn't she pretty?" she asked her sister.

'Wait, when did I become her best friend,' Shi Li wondered silently.

'I highly suspect that Gu Yuqing finds me attractive and feels proud to have a gorgeous friend like me. She is saying that I'm her best friend just to elevate her own social standing,' she added her silent commentary.

Everyone present wondered aloud, “Who said that beautiful women aren’t aware of their own beauty? She sure looks confident to me."

Shi Qiuyu sighed for the umpteenth time, "Oh, my dear friend, if only you knew that your inner thoughts are audible to everyone, you would be mortified enough to bury yourself in a hole."