Gu Jianhong's face was still tight with irritation when he shoved open the door of the private room. Ji Rexun caught up quickly, plastering on a smile as if to smooth things over.
"Brother Hong, don't be so worked up. The schoolteacher will contact you sooner or later. She's probably just busy right now."
Gu Jianhong gave a sharp sneer, eyes dark with contempt. "Busy? Do I look so pathetic that I'm standing around waiting for a poor woman to spare me a glance?"
He brushed past Ji Rexun, but just as he stepped into the corridor, his shoulder clipped against someone else's. He looked up—and saw Qin Yichen.
The irritation in Gu Jianhong's chest eased in an instant, replaced by a familiar gloating fire. His lips curled. "Well, if it isn't Young Master Qin. Heard you've tucked away those frivolous dreams of yours. No more playing racer? Joined Qin Corporation already, have you?"
Qin Yichen's gaze was cool, unreadable. He said nothing, simply shifting as if to walk past.
That silence only fueled Gu Jianhong's provocation. He tilted his head, voice oozing mockery. "Oh, and I heard a little rumor. Your stepsister… she's back at the Qin family, isn't she?"
Qin Yichen, who had been suppressing his irritation the entire night, finally stopped in his tracks. He turned, eyes like sharpened steel. "Gu Jianhong, you must be very free these days. Free enough to ignore your fiancée and waste your nights drinking here."
Before Gu Jianhong could retort, Qin Yichen pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. A picture lit up—the image of Feng Xinyue, smiling across a table at Qin Haoyu.
Gu Jianhong's breath caught. His face turned an ugly shade of black. Everyone in their circle knew Feng Xinyue had chased after Qin Haoyu for years. To see her sitting with him now—his fists itched to slam the wall.
But Gu Jianhong was not the kind of man to give his rival the satisfaction of seeing him lose control. He swallowed the rage, smoothing his expression into a mocking smirk.
"So what if she's with him? Let her play around. After all, what else do Qin family men know how to do, except cling to women with deeper pockets? If it wasn't for Song family, your precious Qin Corporation would have collapsed years ago."
That hit its mark. Qin Yichen's expression flickered, and the calm veneer cracked into anger.
Before the two could collide head-on, a steady voice cut between them.
"President Qin, the meeting is waiting," Secretary Du said as he stepped forward, his posture firm but respectful.
Qin Yichen exhaled, gaze hardening one last time at Gu Jianhong before he slipped his phone back into his pocket. Without another word, he strode away.
Secretary Du and Manager He Ting followed closely at his heels, leaving Gu Jianhong standing there, his smirk brittle at the edges.
Ji Rexun gave a low whistle, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Tsk, you really love riling him up. If you want to ruin Qin Yichen, why not reveal Zhou Shunhao now? That would make the Qin family lose face instantly."
Gu Jianhong's lips curved into a thin, cold smile. "Not yet. The timing isn't right. When the blade falls, it has to be clean."
With that, he turned and left. Ji Rexun shrugged and trailed after him.
—
Qin Yichen pushed open the car door and sank into the backseat. His jaw was tight, his fingers drumming once against his knee before going still.
Outside the car, He Ting hovered uncertainly. "President Qin…"
Secretary Du glanced at him. "If the other party is sincere, we can still renegotiate."
He Ting's tense shoulders finally loosened a fraction. He bowed deeply toward the car. "Understood. I'll make sure it doesn't go wrong again next time. Please rest assured, President Qin."
With that promise, he stepped back. Qin Yichen didn't spare him another look.
Secretary Du slipped into the front passenger seat and fastened his belt. "President Qin, where to now?"
Qin Yichen leaned his head back against the leather seat, eyes half-lidded but still sharp with suppressed fire.
"Home."