During the meal, Gu Jingxu didn’t eat much. Chi You, who wasn’t much of a talker, aside from the subtle sounds of utensils clashing, could only hear the melodious cello music in the restaurant.

She leisurely finished her steak before finally looking at Gu Jingxu, who had been silent all along. She spoke lightly, “You can say it now.”

Gu Jingxu looked up to meet her gaze. The feeling of being seen through by her returned, and his throat felt a bit dry. He picked up the water glass, took a sip, and then spoke slowly, “I want to cooperate with you.”

Chi You asked, “What kind of cooperation?”

“Stay by my side.”

Saying such things for the first time felt unfamiliar. Gu Jingxu felt each word was exceptionally difficult.

He handed the documents he had brought when he got off the car to Chi You. He had never heard of such a thing before; this document was prepared by Assistant Wang.

When he said this, Chi You’s eyes narrowed with a meaningful smile. She took the documents and flipped through them, raising an eyebrow. “Fulfill the obligations of a lover?”

Gu Jingxu remained composed. “Yes.”

Assistant Wang said that this was something every lover should do.

He wanted to see Chi You, and she had to come to his side whenever he wanted.

Chi You smiled meaningfully.

The document looked formal, giving the impression of having secured a formal job.

Gu Jingxu obviously came prepared.

But Chi You did not immediately agree.

She looked up and asked, “Why should I cooperate with you?”

Gu Jingxu replied, “I can provide you with anything you want. The Chi family won’t help you, but I can.”

He paused, attempting to find more convincing reasons. “Don’t you want them to know that even if you leave the Chi family, you can still live well.”

The man’s tone was steady, seemingly confident.

Chi You looked at him, then casually closed the document.

“Mr. Gu, you’ve got something wrong.”

The girl’s voice was cold, and her smile from earlier vanished.

“I don’t care how the Chi family sees me. It has nothing to do with me.”

When negotiating business, Gu Jingxu always held the upper hand by understanding what the other party desired. However, facing Chi You at this moment, he found himself at a loss.

After Chi You finished speaking, she asked, “If I don’t agree, will you use the power of the Gu family to suppress me?”

Gu Jingxu was puzzled, “Why would I do that?”

He disdained it, and he wouldn’t do such a thing.

Chi You didn’t answer, just smiled lightly.

Gu Jingxu observed her expression.

A somewhat inexplicable sense of loss arose in his heart, realizing that Chi You wouldn’t agree. He slightly shifted his gaze away.

But in the next moment, Chi You spoke lightly, “I agree.”

Gu Jingxu was momentarily stunned. Before he could regain his composure, she continued, “But when I’m busy with acting, I won’t come whenever you call. If you have time, bring the modified contract and the health examination report.”

Although Gu Jingxu didn’t understand why a health examination report was needed, he nodded as he looked at Chi You’s face with an almost eager tone, “Anything else?”

Chi You contemplated, “I don’t want to see anyone else by your side. If you have any involvement with others in the future, our relationship automatically ends.”

Gu Jingxu’s eyes were deep, as if they only saw the face of Chi You, exquisite to the extreme.

“There won’t be anyone else.”

He paused for a moment and couldn’t help adding, “Similarly, you need to cut ties cleanly.”

He didn’t explicitly say, but Chi You already understood his meaning.

That day, he indeed overheard what Du Xu said.

Thinking of these past few days without seeing Du Xu on the set, Chi You’s eyes deepened. She nodded, “Is there anything else?”

Gu Jingxu’s profound gaze lingered in her eyes, as if brewing something.

After a long pause, he lowered his voice and asked, “Why did you agree?”

Just now, he thought Chi You would refuse him.

Upon hearing this, the girl in front of him slightly narrowed her beautiful eyes and lifted a faint smile on her pretty face.

“Can’t Mr. Gu figure it out?”

“Because I really like you.”

————-

In the evening, Gu Jingxu once again escorted Chi You back home.

The black Maybach parked downstairs in the run-down residential area. Chi You opened the car door, got out, and looked into the car through the window.

The light downstairs was dim, and half of the man’s face was hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to discern his expression.

Caught off guard by her straightforward remark, Gu Jingxu had been somewhat absent-minded since then.

Chi You raised her eyebrows slightly and said softly, “Mr. Gu, remember to let me know when you get home.”

Gu Jingxu’s thoughts were drawn away by her words. His throat tightened, and he responded, “Hmm.”

Without saying more, Chi You turned and left.

The girl’s figure disappeared in the corridor. The lights in the corridor flickered, and after a while, the car parked at the bottom of the building slowly drove away.

…

Gu Jingxu had thought that he would wait for some time before contacting her again. Therefore, when Chi You woke up the next morning and saw the messages on her phone, she was somewhat surprised.

She reclined on the bed, looking with interest at the chat history between her and Gu Jingxu.

The first message was from him after he arrived home.

[x: I’m home.]