<h4>Chapter 20: Chapter 20 When Affection Eventually Runs Out</h4>


    Gu Qixiao arranged for people to protect Song Xuan’s safety, stemming from the life-saving act of her brother.


    Three years ago, despite the changing seasons, he had never forgotten the scene from that day...


    Three years ago, abroad.


    Gu Qixiao, who had originally nned to return home, encountered a local terrorist attack afterpleting a client meeting. Initially unaffected, Gu Qixiao and the two groups of clients intended to flee separately.


    Unexpectedly, after the clients left, Gu Qixiao’s party was discovered by the terrorists.


    Surviving amidst a hail of bullets was exceedingly difficult. Under the protection of numerous bodyguards, Gu Qixiao could have safely withdrawn. However, just as everyone least expected, a gunshot came straight at Gu Qixiao.


    If subsequent investigations hadn’t confirmed that these terrorists had been active locally, it would have been hard to determine whether their target was truly Gu Qixiao.


    "Tingdong!"


    When everyone witnessed Song Tingdong take a bullet for Gu Qixiao, the group was stunned.


    Screams and shouts mingled with the thick smoke billowing nearby, filling the air with chaos.


    Yet Gu Qixiao and his entourage stood rooted in ce, watching Song Tingdong’s life quietly fade before their very eyes.


    And then there were Song Tingdong’sst words, entrusting his sister to the group...


    Thinking again of Song Tingdong, Gu Qixiao’s mood soured. Assistant Li, who had also experienced the terrorist attack firsthand, understood Gu Qixiao’s behavior all too well.


    Over the past three years, Gu Qixiao had tolerated Song Xuan’s temper solely out of respect for Song Tingdong’s dying wish.


    Back then, when Gu Qixiao had just taken over thepany and his position was precarious, the incident with the terrorists had inadvertently solidified his status as head of the Gu family.


    But over time, everything has its expiration date—sentiment eventually runs dry.


    Song Xuan, however, was oblivious to this.


    Having been saved by Cai Xun, Song Xuan sat down with his assistance. In his eagerness to curry favor and have Song Xuan speak positively about hispany, Cai Xun stayed close behind her.


    Typically sheltered by Gu Qixiao, Song Xuan experienced being protected by someone else for the first time, and her heart began to race.


    However, because this person was not Gu Qixiao, the excitement didn’tst long.


    "Thank you, Little Mr. Cai."


    Recalling how Assistant Li had addressed him earlier, Song Xuan instinctively used the same title to express her gratitude.


    Looking at Song Xuan thank him sincerely, Cai Xun briefly entertained thoughts of pursuing her, were it not for her being Gu Qixiao’s wife.


    Yet, because more pressing matters awaited, Cai Xun didn’t act on those impulses.


    After exchanging contact information, the two parted ways without lingering further. In the days that followed this brief encounter, Song Xuan and Cai Xun remained in frequent contact.


    However, after a near-fatal car ident, Song Xuan and Cai Xun began to maintain a safe distance. That is, until the day Song Xuan, gued by headaches in her search for a stic surgery clinic, unexpectedly received a message from Cai Xun.


    [Mrs. Gu, are you looking for a reputable stic surgery hospital?]


    Seeing Cai Xun’s text, Song Xuan felt ted. After all, Ji Yu had previously refused to let her undergo surgery to resemble her.


    She had even brazenly used her surgery as leverage to seduce Xiao right in front of her!


    Recalling Ji Yu’s firm rejection of her request for the procedure, Song Xuan’s distaste for the woman deepened.


    As she thought of Ji Yu, Song Xuan quickly typed her response.


    [Yes.]


    Learning of Song Xuan’s desire for stic surgery, Cai Xun spared no effort in helping her contact hospitals and doctors. Meanwhile, the partnership between the Canning Group and the Gu family had sessfully been signed.


    Several dayster, Feng Qinqin and Ji Yu were still agonizing over the Feng family’s contract negotiations, when the new assistant Tian proactively reached out to Ji Yu.


    As one of the major figures in the industry, Ji Yu rarely performed surgeries herself, except for cases of extremeplexity. The cost associated with these surgeries was also exorbitant.


    What set Ji Yu apart, often intimidating clients, were her "special requirements" for patients.


    Originally, Cai Xun had thought finding a stic surgeon for Song Xuan would be rtively simple, given the resources avable. That is, until he received a call from Tian and discovered the client information that Ji Yu had outright rejected.


    "If this Miss Song approaches me again for any projects, don’t bother contacting me. You all can handle her yourselves."


    Anticipating that Song Xuan might require subsequent maintenance work, Ji Yu made her stance clear over the phone before preparing to hang up.


    "Oh, and one more thing: no one is permitted to perform surgeries on patients I’ve worked with without my explicit consent—especially my clients. Vitors will face the enforcement of clinic rules."


    Tian didn’t understand why Ji Yu had made such an arrangement but remained dutiful, as always.


    In Xi Medical Beauty stic Surgery Hospital, inside the chief surgeon’s office.


    Apanied by Cai Xun, Song Xuan nced at the doctor and met their gaze, a momentary eye contact thatsted only seconds.


    Looking at the doctor before her, Song Xuan’s desire to enhance her appearance intensified.


    "Doctor, I want to undergo stic surgery to look like..."


    The process, initially presumed to beplex, turned out to be surprisingly straightforward as soon as Song Xuan presented Ji Yu’s photo. After a brief discussion of precautions, the surgery was scheduled for the next day.


    Despite the doctor’s quick agreement and the smooth arrangements, Song Xuan meticulously reviewed the surgical precautions before the operation.


    She even called Gu Qixiao half an hour before the surgery.


    Though reluctant to meet Song Xuan, Gu Qixiao eventuallyplied due to her threats, arriving just a minute before the surgery was set to begin. After a brief nce at her, he left without further interaction.


    Meanwhile, as Song Xuan eagerly anticipated transforming herself into someone Gu Qixiao might favor, the Feng family’s business partners began to suffer fallout from the Gu family’s decisions.


    For a time, the partners engaged in heated debates, with many choosing to stay out of the fray to avoid trouble.


    Yet when Gu Qixiao lit this metaphorical fire, he never considered the coteral damage it might cause.


    "Xiao, deep down you still care about me."


    Before the surgery, Song Xuan was ecstatic to see Gu Qixiao visiting her.


    Her words only agitated Gu Qixiao further, as memories of Song Xuan wielding Song Tingdong’s death to manipte him resurfaced, dragging him back into turmoil.


    And just before Song Xuan was ushered into the operating room, Assistant Li gave her one final reminder, "A word of advice: your brother’s favor to President Gu will run out sooner orter."