Tan Huilin's trick was seen through. Biting her lip, she asked, "What do you want?"
Su Mianmian held up the recording on her phone, her tone firm. "Apologize publicly on the forum. Otherwise, you know, I can immediately sue you for public defamation."
Tan Huilin was still defiant. "I only heard these things from others. Can you sue everyone who said them?" Su Mianmian shook her head and pulled up a video on her phone. "Was that photo posted by everyone together?
Tan Huilin, I'll give you two minutes to consider. If you don't apologize, I'll call the police immediately!" Saying this, she actually took out her phone and started timing.
Tan Huilin bit her lower lip tightly, watching the timer tick by. Her face suddenly turned deathly pale. Less than half a minute had passed when she couldn't take it anymore and begged for mercy. "I apologize, I apologize, okay?"
At nine o'clock that evening, a post suddenly appeared on the forum with a real name issuing an apology.
The letter detailed why Tan Huilin harbored resentment towards Su Mianmian, how she deliberately took photos of Su Mianmian without her consent, and how she stirred up trouble behind her back. It concluded with a sincere apology and an appeal to everyone to stop spreading rumors.
The onlookers were met with a chorus of boos. Some cursed Tan Huilin, calling her a treacherous and malicious person. Others said such a backstabbing roommate should be kicked out of the dorm as soon as possible.
A few others, still not satisfied with the gossip, said the apology letter meant nothing; Su Mianmian's luxury car and her relationship with a wealthy man were facts. This comment sparked another round of discussion.
Su Mianmian silently screenshotted all these comments, along with several particularly vulgar and deliberately provocative remarks. She also posted them on the forum along with the legal provisions regarding the criminalization of spreading rumors that Cheng Yuli had compiled for her.
This finally brought some order to the chaotic comments on the forum. After all, keyboard warriors can chat about gossip and vent their frustrations, but when it comes to illegal activities, they don't dare to be too outrageous.
Just when everyone thought this farce was over, someone named "Meow Meow" posted a message.
"Just between us, I saw Su Mianmian eating with a man in the school cafeteria today. According to an insider, that man is her brother-in-law, and I remember him very well—he's Gu Yizhou, the president of the Gu Group, who donated a library to the school last year."
This comment immediately caused the previously quiet forum to erupt in activity again. "What? Gu Yizhou? I saw that man too! He's so handsome and has such a great presence! Oh my god, he's actually the president of the Gu Group?!"
"No way, Su Mianmian's brother-in-law is such a big shot? I really didn't know! She's usually so low-key."
"So, those who accuse others of marrying rich men, with her family background, she's rich herself, okay?"
"Waaah, I'm so envious! I want a handsome and rich brother-in-law like Su Mianmian!"... Song Zhi couldn't help but chuckle as she read the comments.
"Haha, sure enough, I'm not the only one with good taste! Good brother-in-laws should be shared with everyone!"
Su Mianmian silently turned off her phone and lay down on the bed. Now, the whole A University thought Gu Yizhou was her brother-in-law. Song Zhi was still muttering to herself. "Mianmian, do you think your brother-in-law did it on purpose? He deliberately accompanied you to the cafeteria to reveal your relationship and then silence the rumors." Su Mianmian frowned; Song Zhi's words had indeed reminded her.
She wondered why someone as busy as Gu Yizhou would accompany her to the cafeteria for no reason; it turned out he was helping her in his own way! Su Mianmian felt a subtle current flow through her veins to her heart.
Suddenly, she remembered the thing Gu Yizhou had slipped into her hand when he left. Su Mianmian quickly sat up in bed and took the small box out of her pocket. It was a small velvet box; opening it, she found a necklace lying quietly inside.
It was an exquisitely crafted tassel butterfly design, uniquely shaped, exuding a fresh and youthful charm. As Su Mianmian was admiring it on her fingertips, a fluffy head suddenly peeked out from beside the bed. "Wow, I've seen this necklace in a magazine!"
Song Zhi's eyes lit up. "It's a new product from T brand, the final work of renowned designer Jon. They say there's only one in the world, and it was pre-ordered by a mysterious person as soon as the design was released."
Song Zhi was always quick to spot fashion trends, and Su Mianmian, unsuspecting, examined the necklace again. It shone brilliantly under the light, clearly very valuable.
Song Zhi looked on with envy. "I never thought I'd see this necklace made in my lifetime! Mianmian, my beautiful girl, Mr. Z gave it to you, right?" Su Mianmian nodded, a faint blush spreading across her face.
Song Zhi sighed deeply. "A Maybach again, a limited-edition necklace... just who is your mysterious boyfriend?" Su Mianmian pursed her lips. If she told her now that Mr. Z was actually Gu Yizhou, Song Zhi would probably explode on the spot.
Just as she was about to speak, Song Zhi waved her hand, "Never mind, Mr. Z is so rich, he must have a special status. I won't force you if you don't want to talk about it."
Song Zhi shook her head and sighed regretfully, "It's just a pity about Cheng Yuli. This secret and humble unrequited love is destined to fail without a fight, ending without a trace..." Su Mianmian pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't. She parted her lips slightly, "Zhizhi, let me treat you to dinner tomorrow, and invite Tang Yunzheng and Cheng Yuli too."
Song Zhi said resentfully, "Are you trying to gather all your suitors together for a total wipeout?" Su Mianmian chuckled, "No, you all helped me a lot this time, I'm just expressing my gratitude."
After talking with Song Zhi, it was already a bit late. Thinking for a moment, she still typed a message and sent it to Gu Yizhou. "The matter has been resolved. Also, thank you for the necklace."
After waiting a while and not receiving a reply from Gu Yizhou, Su Mianmian assumed he was already resting, so she put down her phone and fell into a deep sleep. ...The next morning, Su Mianmian woke up to find an unread message on her phone.
It was a reply from Gu Yizhou at 1 a.m.: "Sorry, I just finished work and didn't hear your message. It's good that things are resolved. As for the necklace, if you like it, wear it for me tomorrow." Su Mianmian blushed at Gu Yizhou's message so early in the morning.
She touched the sparkling necklace around her neck, a slight smile playing on her lips. That evening, Su Mianmian invited Song Zhi and the others to dinner. On her way to the restaurant, Su Mianmian remembered to text Gu Yizhou. "I might be back late; I'm going out to dinner with some classmates."
Gu Yizhou had just come from the company. Seeing the message, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He replied, "Where are we eating?" Two seconds later, Su Mianmian sent him a restaurant name. Gu Yizhou glanced at it, put away his phone, and turned to look at Gao Ze.
"When did you schedule the meeting with President Guo?" Gao Ze bowed slightly. "President Gu, it was scheduled for next Monday." Gu Yizhou: "Hmm, changed it to tonight."
Gao Ze asked suspiciously, "Didn't you specifically instruct me to keep Friday through Sunday free?" Gu Yizhou remained unfazed. "The plans have changed. Let's arrange it at that themed restaurant on Zonghua Road." Plans changed?
Gao Ze blurted out, "Is your wife not coming home tonight?" Gu Yizhou gave him a cold look, and Gao Ze realized his mistake and immediately lowered his head. "I'm sorry, President Gu, I spoke out of turn. I'll arrange it right away."