Hidden truth, intricate love

Li Hao's suspicions about Gu Yao gradually deepened. Recalling the various "coincidences" and "concerns" between them, he began to realize that her care seemed to be hiding a certain purpose. He silently observed Gu Yao's words and actions, trying to uncover her true intentions beneath her disguise.

Gu Yao keenly sensed Li Hao's coldness and distance, and her unease grew. To regain control of the situation, she tried to mask her anxiety with more "considerateness," frequently approaching Li Hao and even proactively arranging time for them to be alone together in an attempt to regain his trust.

One evening, Gu Yao suggested that they go out to dinner alone, under the pretext of "celebrating a successful project." Li Hao agreed, but remained wary. During dinner, Gu Yao was exceptionally attentive, not only meticulously arranging a seat for Li Hao but even taking the initiative to order his favorite dishes, demonstrating her meticulous care.

"Li Hao, you have worked really hard during this period. Without you, the project would not be so smooth." Gu Yao said with a smile, her tone gentle and concerned.

Li Hao responded calmly: "Thank you, Gu Yao, you helped a lot too."

Seeing his cold attitude, Gu Yao felt flustered. She bit her lip slightly and said softly, "Actually, Li Hao, there are some things I have been holding in my heart for a long time. I... I really hope you are happy."

There was a hint of tenderness in her eyes, trying to impress Li Hao with her affectionate expression. However, Li Hao was already alert in his heart and avoided her gaze. He just said coldly: "Gu Yao, thank you for your concern. I know you are a very good friend."

When Gu Yao heard the word "friend", she couldn't help but feel disappointed. A trace of anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and pretended to smile calmly: "Friendship is also a kind of fate, I cherish it very much."

Just as Li Hao's trust in Gu Yao was gradually crumbling, Zhang Kai found him again, his tone full of worry: "Haozi, I've noticed something recently, and I feel something is wrong."

Li Hao frowned slightly and waited quietly for Zhang Kai to continue.

"Gu Yao may seem harmless on the surface, but I always feel that her concern for you is too close, even a little abnormal." Zhang Kai whispered, "Have you ever considered that the misunderstandings between you and Lin Yue might not be accidental?"

Li Hao was shocked when he heard this. His mind flashed back to the anonymous letters and rumors, and he recalled Lin Yue's helpless expression under the attack. He began to realize that perhaps he had been deceived by someone's carefully manipulated lies, or even that Gu Yao was behind all these misunderstandings.

"You mean... Gu Yao might be involved in all this?" Li Hao's voice was low, with a hint of suppressed anger.

Zhang Kai nodded. "I can't say for sure, but these rumors and her existence are indeed too coincidental. If you still care about Lin Yue, perhaps you should try to restore the truth."

Li Hao's heart burned with anger, yet also with deep regret. He suddenly realized that perhaps it was Gu Yao's provocation that had completely shattered the trust between him and Lin Yue. If that was true, he would pay the price for his mistake.

At Zhang Kai's suggestion, Li Hao decided to test the waters. He deliberately reduced his contact with Gu Yao, even publicly displaying concern for Lin Yue to gauge her reaction. Seeing Li Hao's change in attitude, Gu Yao grew increasingly uneasy and began frantically searching for excuses to approach him.

One day, Li Hao deliberately asked about Lin Yue's work progress in front of Gu Yao at the company, with a hint of concern in his tone. Gu Yao stood aside and saw his subtle concern for Lin Yue. The fire of jealousy in her heart instantly ignited, and the smile on her face gradually froze.

"Li Hao, how is Lin Yue's project going recently?" He asked deliberately, but his eyes glanced at Gu Yao.

Lin Yue smiled slightly, nodded and said, "The project is progressing smoothly. Thank you for your concern."

Gu Yao gritted her teeth and tried to maintain a smile, but her heart was filled with anger and dissatisfaction. She felt Li Hao's gaze gradually shift towards Lin Yue, and her sense of crisis grew stronger.

After Lin Yue left, Gu Yao couldn't help but find an opportunity to question Li Hao: "Li Hao, you and Lin Yue have been so close recently. Do you still have feelings for her?"

Li Hao glanced at her calmly, his expression calm: "Gu Yao, she is my colleague and my friend. It is normal to maintain a normal working relationship."

Gu Yao's expression froze instantly, her heart filled with uneasiness. She whispered, "But you've had so much unpleasantness before, I'm just worried that you'll get hurt again."

Li Hao smiled slightly, with a hint of coldness in his tone: "Sometimes, unhappiness may not be the other person's fault, it may also be that we have been blinded by certain things."

When Gu Yao heard this, she was shocked and vaguely felt that Li Hao seemed to have noticed some of the truth. Her heart was filled with fear, but she still pretended to be calm on the surface.

Li Hao decided to find the source of the anonymous letters and uncover the truth. He approached a colleague in the technical department and asked him to help him find the sending records of the anonymous letters. After some effort, he discovered that the account from which the anonymous letters were sent was actually connected to the contact information of a friend of Gu Yao.

Li Hao's heart was filled with anger, and he finally realized that Gu Yao was most likely the author of these anonymous letters. She had carefully planned all this, fabricating rumors and forging evidence, in order to drive Lin Yue out of her life and replace her.

That night, Li Hao returned home angrily, his heart filled with regret and resentment. He suddenly realized that his indifference and distrust of Lin Yue was entirely due to Gu Yao's lies, and he had easily fallen into her trap.

He decided to apologize to Lin Yue, expose Gu Yao's disguise, and clear Lin Yue's name.

The next day, Li Hao took the initiative to find Lin Yue, filled with guilt and regret. He took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Lin Yue, I owe you an apology."

Lin Yue was slightly stunned and looked at him in confusion: "Apologize? Li Hao, it's all in the past. There's no need for us to talk about it anymore."

Li Hao's eyes were filled with deep regret. "No, it's not over. I just realized that those rumors and anonymous letters were deliberately fabricated. I... misunderstood you too deeply."

Lin Yue was silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, and his tone was cold: "Li Hao, I explained again and again, but you never wanted to believe me. Now you suddenly come to apologize, I don't know how to accept it."

Li Hao lowered his head and said in a low voice, "I know I was terribly wrong, and it may be impossible to make amends. But I just want you to know that I have never stopped feeling for you. I was just... taken advantage of and mistakenly thought you betrayed me."

Lin Yue's heart ached. Although she had once deeply loved Li Hao, the pain she had experienced these days made it difficult for her to let go. There was a hint of coldness in her eyes: "Li Hao, whether you misunderstand me or not, I have decided to let go of the past and start over."

Li Hao was filled with regret when he heard her words. He knew that he might never be able to salvage this relationship, but he still hoped to tell her the truth to protect her from rumors.