<h4>Chapter 197: Chapter 197: A Stab in the Back</h4>


    "I have many interests, but not every one of them is worth the price I’d have to pay. Besides, I can uncover the truth myselfter—why would I need to get the answer from you?"


    She kept her rity intact in matters like these, fully aware that the situation ahead could not rely on such tactics.


    "Ji Yu, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you were willing to stay by my side? I’m certain the two of us would reap a lot of rewards together."


    Theirbined abilities indeed could yield unforeseen results, but Ji Yu simply didn’t enjoy such a way of living.


    "I can wait for you to take your time and think about it, but this matter will still demand a price from you."


    "Hasn’t the price I’ve paid been staying here this long? Now that I’ve agreed to remain here quietly as you asked, I won’t go back on my word."


    Ji Yu said calmly.


    Li Yu didn’t seem the least bit surprised.


    "You want to leave here? First, you should see if you even have the ability to pull it off."


    There was no point in arguing over this. If she truly wanted to leave, there were still many ways to make it happen.


    However, since she was carrying a child, she opted to avoid unnecessary turmoil.


    What happens next all depends on Gu Qixiao.


    Gu Qixiao had long grasped Ji Yu’s intentions, so he had decisively returned to thepany.


    He gave Hong a brief update on Ji Yu’s situation.


    "Sister Yu shouldn’t encounter much trouble. Since she’s earned the trust of these people with her abilities, they’re bound to seek her out again in the future." Things like this often have a second urrence once there’s a first.


    So, for the time being, they did not need to worry about Ji Yu’s daily safety.


    "I just went over the clues Sister Yu left behind. It seems we can’t act for now." Handling this matter perfectly was indeed proving difficult.


    "Sister Yu is carrying your child, so we can’t act rashly either. For now, we can only wait until the time is right."


    Ji Yu had always taken situations like these in stride, thinking them no big deal despite the asional bumps, but now that she was pregnant, such matters had to be avoided wherever possible.


    "I understand." He grew increasingly certain that this had something to do with Song Xuan.


    "I must go back and find out who leaked this information." His anger was palpable, and it was clear he intended to settle scores with whoever was responsible.


    "I suggest you don’t react in anger over this—there’s a chance this person could still end up helping us." There were plenty of ways to deal with someone like that.


    For a moment, Gu Qixiao was torn, uncertain whether he should go trouble Song Xuan or exercise some restraint for now.


    "If you’re unsure, why not test the waters? You might get some answers in the end." He never thought this situation warranted overreaction.


    "In any case, I’ll head back first and figure out what’s really going on. If she’s truly the one who leaked the information, we’ll have no reason to keep any further contact."


    When he returned home, Song Xuan greeted him with an overly cheerful demeanor and even warmly wrapped her arm around his.


    "Xiao, how do you have time to visit me today?" She acted so obedient and surprised, as though she hadn’t the faintest clue she’d been found out.


    "Shouldn’t you tell me who you’ve been in contact withtely? I don’t understand why you would do what you did, but you’ve crossed my line."


    She appeared bewildered, as though clueless as to why this was being pinned on her.


    "Xiao, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Did someone tell you lies about me, making you act like this? I truly haven’t done a thing wrong. You even arranged for bodyguards by the door; how could I have gone anywhere?"


    She put on a pitiful face and attempted to reach out to hug him.


    Gu Qixiao dodged her without the slightest hesitation.


    "I don’t know what made you think this was okay, but I’m furious right now." Why must the business between the two of them be drawn into Ji Yu’s affairs?


    "I don’t like you, so there’s no way the two of us could ever be together. Who I choose to be with has nothing to do with you." He spoke with cold finality, leaving no room for misinterpretation.


    Song Xuan couldn’t even fake a smile anymore.


    "Xiao, how can you use such hurtful words on me? We used to be so close, but ever since Ji Yu came into the picture, everything has changed."


    "Back then, it was because of your injury that I took care of you—how could I have had any other intentions?" He saw nothing wrong with the way things had been then.


    "Xiao, our rtionship isn’t something anyone else should define. And why should we keep our distance? I’ve done nothing to hurt you."


    Recently, she’d gone out of her way to behave as docilely as possible, hoping to ease his guard, but why did it seem to have no effect now?


    "Everything you’ve been doing only frustrates me further. I hope you won’t push my limits again." His tone carried a distinctck of patience now.


    "Xiao, I really haven’t done anything wrong. You can’t pin this on me."


    Gu Qixiao couldn’t shake the thought that if it wasn’t for her, then who else could have leaked the information? Besides, she was one of the least likely to remain clueless about it all.


    "Whether you’ve done wrong, you know best in your heart. I don’t want to argue with you anymore. Just make sure the days toe won’t be too difficult."


    Still, his mind was preupied with concerns for Ji Yu.


    "Xiao, you wouldn’t be this worried unless something happened to Doctor Ji, would you?"


    Her voice carried a hint of probing.


    "Our matters have nothing to do with you, and you don’t need to concern yourself with her." He had a strong gut feeling that this somehow connected to her.


    "You’d better be as innocent as you im, or else I won’t hesitate to show you the door." Everything about the situation seemed off to him.


    "Xiao, if you really want to drive me out, you don’t need such an excuse. I’ve already been prepared for it. Didn’t you promise before that you’d still visit me often?"


    Her dissatisfaction with the situation bubbled to the surface. Seeing how things were now, she clung even more tightly to the hope he might stay.


    She threw her arms around Gu Qixiao. "Xiao, don’t leave tonight, alright? Let’s just focus on us—forget about everything else."


    She had mustered all the courage she could, hoping this time she’d seed.


    "Do you really think this is meaningful at all?"