"Teacher Qin must be very busy today, so I won't bother you any longer." Gu Yao said, getting up and walking towards the courtyard gate.
The moment the courtyard gate was opened, Qin Xiuyuan's voice came from behind: "Fair competition?"
Gu Yao laughed: "Is there any fairness in this world? You're so old, while I'm just in my prime. Is this kind of competition fair?"
Besides, is it fair to compare my decent looks to yours? And I can remain single for her sake, without any ties or obligations, so she doesn't have to make any sacrifices to accommodate me. Can you do that?
Forgive my bluntness, but if Teacher Qin has so much free time, she should think more about her son and herself. Don't waste what little life you have left on a fruitless twilight romance.
After saying that, Gu Yao left without looking back, leaving Qin Xiuyuan standing motionless with his teacup in his hand.
Qin Xiuyuan watched the figure walk away through the doorway, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
Gu Yao's reputation has never been very good.
It's said that he's willing to use any means to achieve his goals, but that's not what makes others feel the most uncomfortable.
What makes him most unpleasant to others is that he blatantly walks in the gray area.
You've seen it, and you've obtained the evidence, but you just can't do anything about it.
He used to think that Gu Yao's choice to study law was more about exploring the bottom line of the law so that he could escape legal punishment rather than upholding justice, and he always felt that others had a prejudice against him.
However, after Gu Yao said those threatening words to him just now, even he felt that the rumors were not entirely unbelievable.
But this time, he has no intention of backing down.
He's old, but to be defeated without a fight is shameful!
But... what exactly is the relationship between Gu Yao and her?
It doesn't look like a typical superior-subordinate relationship.
After thinking it over, Qin Xiuyuan decided to figure this out first, so he dialed Zhou Chunhua's number.
Just then, Zhou Chunhua's phone, which was charging in the living room, rang. Old Chen quickly called out, "Chunhua, someone is calling you."
"Who is it?" Zhou Chunhua's hands didn't stop washing the dishes.
"The caller ID shows it's Teacher Qin."
"Could you please answer this for me? If it's not urgent, just tell him I'll call him back in a bit." There were only a few bowls left, and she didn't like doing things halfway through and then having to do something else.
Moreover, Gu Yao said that he didn't need her and Qin Xiuyuan's case anymore.
After responding, Old Chen picked up his phone and answered the call.
"Hello."
There was no sound on the other end of the phone.
"Hello? Who is this?" Old Chen asked again.
"Hello, is this Ms. Zhou Chunhua's phone number?"
"Yes. She's busy right now. May I ask who this is? What can I do for you?"
"May I ask who you are?"
“Oh! I’m her friend. If you’re not in a hurry, she said she’ll call you back when she’s done.” Old Chen answered without missing a single word.
"Oh, I see. I'm her friend too. Could you please tell her that I called?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the phone call ended.
Old Chen stared blankly at his phone, his face contorted in a grimace.
This person is so strange! Why would they deliberately emphasize that they are Chunhua's friend?
Old Chen, who was always straightforward, didn't think much of it and just assumed that it was a polite way of introducing himself.
So he turned his back and relayed his words to Zhou Chunhua.
Zhou Chunhua was just coming out of the kitchen, wiping the water off her hands.
He picked up his phone and called Qin Xiuyuan back.
Qin Xiuyuan's deep voice carried a clear hint of joy.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries like old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time. Then Qin Xiuyuan said, "Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to ask you for a favor."
"I'm so sorry, Teacher Qin. I have something to do tomorrow, and I don't know how late I'll be busy."
"Really? That's quite unfortunate. Is it work-related? Or should I come to your law firm to find you?"
Zhou Chunhua quickly said, "No, I have to go out with Teacher Gu tomorrow to take care of some trivial matters. Perhaps..."
"Oh, I see. Work is more important. Let's do it another day. I'm not in a hurry."
Hearing Qin Xiuyuan say that, Zhou Chunhua finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She thought that after she politely declined Qin Xiuyuan's offer last time, he would not contact her again.
I never expected to call her again.
But she had no interest in romance and was also keenly aware that Qin Xiuyuan and she were not from the same world. The reason he expressed his love for her was most likely because she looked like his deceased lover.
She is who she is, not a substitute for anyone.
After saying "I'm sorry" a few times, she hung up the phone.
"Are you going out with Gu Yao tomorrow?"
Old Chen suddenly spoke, startling Zhou Chunhua.
"Yes. It's something related to work."
After she finished speaking, she noticed that Old Chen looked nervous and his face was not looking good.
"What's wrong?"
Old Chen sat down: "Chunhua, Attorney Gu... and you..."
He wanted to ask them what their relationship was and when they met, but when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he realized that he had no right to ask that question.
At this moment, Old Chen began to reflect on their relationship over the years.
Friends? Through so many days and nights, they encouraged and supported each other. Even in the most difficult and suffocating times, they walked hand in hand.
In his heart, Zhou Chunhua was more than just a friend!
Family? Yes, he doesn't know when it started, but in his heart, she has become second only to his son.
That's why he placed finding Nini and finding his son on equal footing, and why even with a knife to his throat and knowing he was close to death, he was unwilling to hand over the eight million.
But what about her? What am I to her?
Old Chen let out a long, uncertain sigh. Perhaps... they're just friends.
He stared blankly at the woman's profile.
If he hadn't met her, he might have accepted his ex-wife's idea and given up on finding his son.
It was her sense of responsibility, fortitude, and resilience that rekindled his hope and gave him the courage to start afresh.
Without her...
Old Chen dared not think any further. Deep inside, a voice kept shouting, "I can't live without her."
Yes! He can't live without her!
He... fell in love with Zhou Chunhua!
Old Chen was shocked; his pupils dilated.
He faced his truest thoughts with surprise, but... Gu Yao and her... was it too late for him?
He took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
Just as he was about to look directly into the room and ask the question, his phone suddenly rang.
He took his phone out of his pocket; the caller ID showed Gu Yao.
Old Chen unconsciously squeezed a "川" (river) shape into his forehead.
Why would Gu Yao call him at this time? A coincidence?
Just as Lao Chen was about to hang up the phone and continue to openly express his inner thoughts to Zhou Chunhua, a WeChat message flashed by, forcing him to swallow back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.
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