<h4>Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Inappropriate</h4>


    "You haven’t even tried yet, so how do you know it’s not suitable?" Ling Xia had thought of countless ways—this was her only chance.


    She didn’t know what more she could do to be with him.


    "Xiao, I’ve already used every possible method to find you, but you still reject me like this. Is it because of Ji Yu?" She gazed at Gu Qixiao with questioning eyes. She couldn’t understand what was so special about Ji Yu that made him care so much.


    "I always thought you and I were the perfect match, but you’re telling me you like someone else, that you’re ready to give up on me. Do you know how much it hurts me right now?"


    Every time she persisted, it seemed to him like a kind of torment.


    Gu Qixiao couldn’tprehend why she insisted on behaving this way.


    "There’s nothing between us. I’ve told you this many times, but you insist on acting like this. What am I supposed to do?" He had said it countless times, but she refused to listen. Was this really their issue?


    "The things you’ve done—you don’t reflect on them; instead, you try to find fault with us. What right do you have to make me love you? I’ve said it before—I have someone I love."


    From beginning to end, his stance had remained firm. He hadn’t shown her even the slightest ambiguous behavior, yet she took everything as if it were to be expected. That was in wrong.


    "Ask yourself honestly—have I ever shown you any signs of affection? If I have, I’ll change."


    They had spoken to each other only on rare asions.


    Yet she insisted on pinning such usations on him. What else could he do?


    Ling Xia was left speechless.


    At this moment, Mr. Gu, with a darkened expression, ordered the door to be opened. When he saw the scene before him, he instantly understood what had happened.


    "Ling Baiqian, shouldn’t you give me an exnation? Why is my son trapped here, and why is your daughter dressed so inappropriately?"


    Initially, he had no grudge against their family. But if they resorted to such methods against the Gu family, then he wouldn’t tolerate it.


    Ling Baiqian immediately understood the situation when he saw this, but as his daughter, she had to be indulged.


    "Now, that’s where you’re wrong. Clearly, my daughter is the one at a disadvantage here. How can you use her of having ulterior motives?"


    "So Uncle Ling does acknowledge this as having ulterior motives, huh."


    Gu Qixiao said coldly, his face icy.


    At first, he had intended to ignore baseless rumors, considering the rtionship between the two families. But since they insisted on using such a tactic to coerce him, he had no choice but to set things straight, ensuring they harbored no further illusions.


    "I don’t know why you think this way, but I’ve said it many times: I have someone I care about. I hope you can respect my feelings and stop using such tricks to approach me."


    If they had even a shred of dignity, they wouldn’t continue down this path.


    "I’ve said it so many times, and yet you stubbornly persist. Now, our families’ coboration will have to end. My father is right here, and I’m sure he understands exactly what I mean."


    Mr. Gu did indeed grasp the gravity of the situation.


    Besides, since his son already had someone he liked, continuing this would only breed misunderstandings.


    "It’s time we reconsidered the cooperation between our families. If you’re always scheming to tie your daughter to my son, then it’s better we forego any further coboration."


    Coboration would necessitate continued interaction.


    And such meetings would inevitably lead the other party to indulge in unwee fantasies—a situation nobody wanted to deal with.


    Their expressions turned visibly grim.


    It was clear that terminating the cooperation would be a major blow to their family. They had fought hard to maintain this coboration up until now, hoping to solidify it through marriage between the two families.


    "Apologize." In the end, Ling Baiqian told his daughter to apologize.


    Ling Xia looked utterly incredulous. She couldn’t believe her father was the first to utter these words.


    "Dad, what did I do wrong? Didn’t you also agree to let me do this?"


    With that one sentence, the oue of the matter was essentially sealed.


    Gu Qixiao had no interest in continuing the conversation with them.


    His thoughts were on Ji Yu.


    At this moment, Ji Yu had already left, mainly to avoid running into Mr. Gu, which would have been awkward.


    When she received Gu Qixiao’s call, she thought everything had already been resolved.


    "Yu, where are you? I just ran into some trouble and couldn’t make it down to be with you."


    "I’m sitting by the flower bed outside." She wasn’t in the mood to socialize with those people, and she hadn’t had much of an appetitetely.


    Sitting here alone was a rare moment of rest.


    The tension inside earlier had been palpable, though she had no idea what had transpired. She guessed it was rted to Gu Qixiao.


    When Gu Qixiao came out, he saw her sitting by the flower bed.


    "Yu, something happened just now that might cause you some misunderstanding, but there’s really nothing between me and that person."


    He spoke with grave seriousness, his tone demonstrating clear disdain for the situation.


    "I figured something must have happened to dy you, but I still want to know what exactly went on." As his girlfriend, she felt she had the right to know.


    Gu Qixiao sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "I didn’t expect them to lock us in the same room, and they even had Ling Xia dress like that. If my dad hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what might’ve happened."


    Ji Yu thought back to the earliermotion—it turned out this was the reason.


    "It seems our President Gu is quite sought after." Otherwise, why else would such a situation arise?


    "Sought after? Hardly. My heart has always been set on you, and you should know that better than anyone." Deep inside, he was steadfast—it had always only been her. Everything that had happened recently only reinforced his conviction.


    In matters of the heart, he was exceedingly cautious, fearful of any mishap.


    "Haven’t I made my feelings for you obvious enough? Why are you always so cautious? You don’t need to be this careful." Ji Yu had always trusted in their love and felt his level of guardedness was excessive.


    Love, after all, required both people to nurture it for it to thrive.