CHAPTER 267: CHAPTER 249: DON’T SEE HIM AGAIN_2

The defense was crucial for her smooth graduation, so Gu Qili took time off for the first time from Liu Zhining, even though the restaurant opening was imminent. But Liu Zhining was not an unreasonable man; knowing she had to attend the graduation defense, he readily gave her two days off.

After asking for time off, Gu Qili excitedly started to text Mu Shuoqian, but halfway through drafting her message, she suddenly deleted it all.

In more than half a month since they had seen each other, she really missed him to death. Although they exchanged messages and calls daily, and when he wasn’t busy, they would also be affectionate over video, the comfort provided through phone lines and screens couldn’t quench her immediate longing. She wanted to see him, and it would be best if she could sprout wings and fly directly to his side.

Gu Qili quickly packed her luggage and booked the earliest flight back to Aus City.

At the airport, she bought some specialties from City A, and when she passed by a boutique, she was attracted by a uniquely crafted tie.

Mu Shuoqian liked black and white, and this tie perfectly incorporated the black and white color match to its utmost degree, making it a perfect complement to any of his suits.

Standing in front of the shop window for a long time, the more she looked at the tie, the more she liked it, but she hesitated when she saw the price was unexpectedly high—into the five-digits.

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She hadn’t been earning a salary for long and had given half of it to Zhu Ping not long ago, so she didn’t have much left, and she would have to wait a few days for this month’s salary.

She had the card he gave her, but using his card to buy him a gift seemed a bit insincere.

Reluctantly taking one last look at the tie, a slender figure appeared unexpectedly in her line of sight.

She was just like her, earnestly examining the tie, a tall girl with a fashionable dress, and a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her upturned nose.

"Do you also think this tie is nice?" the girl suddenly lifted her head and said with a beaming smile.

Gu Qili didn’t expect her to suddenly ask for her opinion; after a moment of surprise, she responded with a smile: "It’s nice."

"Are you going to buy it?"

"Just looking."

"Then I’ll buy it." She took the tie down and said to the sales clerk who was hurrying over, "Please wrap this up for me."

The girl seemed very polite, and just listening to her made one feel quite comfortable.

"Miss, would you like one as well? We can arrange for stock from another store," the sales clerk, having noticed Gu Qili standing there for a long time without leaving, politely asked.

Gu Qili, who was still hesitating about whether to use Mu Shuoqian’s card, thought since someone else was interested in this tie as well, it meant there was no fate between her and the tie. For things without fate, no matter how much she liked them, she wouldn’t insist on having them.

"No, thank you."

Having said that, Gu Qili left the boutique.

However, on the plane, Gu Qili saw the girl who bought the tie again; she sat in first class, reading a magazine. Sensing Gu Qili’s gaze, the girl looked up and smiled at her: "Hey, what a coincidence, you’re going to Aus City too?"

"Yes." Gu Qili replied with a polite smile, as the passengers behind her were boarding, so she didn’t linger in the aisle for long and said goodbye before heading to the economy class.

After the plane landed, the first-class passengers disembarked first, so Gu Qili did not encounter the girl again.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of Mu Shuoqian, naturally not paying attention to anyone else’s matters.

Half a month passed in a flash, and returning to the soil of Aus City, the summer wind felt cool, as if to welcome her with a breath of spring.

Gu Qili took a taxi back to Jing Mountain, ignoring the weariness of her journey, she immediately went to the supermarket after dropping her luggage to pick groceries, selecting only the ones Mu Shuoqian loved to eat.

She hurried back home like a gust of wind, washed vegetables, made soup, simmered rice, and even hummed a little tune because of her good mood.

All the dishes were ready, she showered, changed out of her home clothes, and pulled out a dress she had just bought recently from the closet. After touching up her makeup in front of the mirror, everything was prepared, and the clock pointed towards six-thirty.

He finishes work at five, and if nothing special happens, he will definitely be home by six-thirty.

Gu Qili sat on the sofa and turned on the TV. Usually, she enjoyed the shows, but now they all felt bland, as her eyes kept darting towards the front door.

It was six-forty. Mu Shuoqian should be back by now, right?

It was six-forty-five. Why hasn’t Mu Shuoqian returned?

It was six-fifty. Could Mu Shuoqian be working overtime?

How unlucky?

She had already played the scene of him opening the door to see her countless times in her mind, but as she watched time slowly pass by, the dishes gradually cooling, there was still no movement at the door.

Finally, Gu Qili couldn’t stand it anymore, she took out her phone and dialed Mu Shuoqian’s number.

Unexpectedly, he hung up her call.

Before, no matter how busy he was, even if he was in an important meeting, he would always respond to her texts immediately, let alone a phone call.

The first time he hung up on her was when she went to City A.

Although he later explained that he had important things to handle, what could be so important? Adding this time, this was the third time he hung up on her.

Gu Qili was actually quite upset, but she consoled herself that she shouldn’t be capricious just because of his indulgence. Maybe he indeed had something very important and couldn’t answer the phone.

At seven-thirty, Mu Shuoqian finally called back. Seeing the name flashing on her screen, the slight frustration vanished, and she enthusiastically answered with a "hello."

"Got caught up a bit earlier," his explanation was the same as before.

"It’s okay, I know you’re busy," Gu Qili snuggled on the couch, touching her somewhat hungry stomach, suddenly asked: "Where are you right now?"

There seemed to be a pause on the other end, followed by his casual and mild voice: "At home."

Gu Qili’s hand, which was changing the TV channel, stopped right there.