After going bankrupt, the school beauty I was dating became my boss.

Following the address given by Li Wei, Gu Yannian arrived at Professor Qin's residential area.

As Gu Yannian passed through the community garden, she saw Professor Qin playing chess with someone in the pavilion.

Seeing this, Gu Yannian hesitated for a long time before walking towards the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Professor Qin was engrossed in a fierce fight with his neighbor, completely unaware of anyone approaching. It was the neighbor who first noticed Gu Yannian and asked Professor Qin, "Old Qin, is someone looking for you?"

Professor Qin looked up upon hearing this, and when he saw Gu Yannian clearly, his smiling face instantly darkened.

Gu Yannian knew that Professor Qin didn't like her, but she still took the initiative to greet him: "Hello Professor Qin, I'm Gu Yannian. I've come to see you."

"Humph."

Professor Qin snorted coldly and lowered his head to study the chessboard again. Gu Yannian didn't move either, just stood there quietly.

The neighbor, sensing something was amiss, began to pack up the chessboard: "Alright, alright, let's stop here for today. I have other things to do. We'll continue tomorrow!"

"Old Li, what are you doing?" Professor Qin asked, displeased. The game was only halfway through, why did you stop now?

"Tomorrow, tomorrow, I have something to do today."

The perceptive neighbor packed up his things, waved to Professor Qin, and left the garden.

Seeing this, Professor Qin glared at Gu Yannian and said irritably, "I knew it, nothing good ever comes from seeing a brat like you!"

"Professor Qin, you can say whatever you want. I'll just listen here and I won't go anywhere."

Upon hearing this, Professor Qin's eyes narrowed slightly. Although Gu Yannian wasn't as arrogant as other rich kids, he was still a troublesome character with a lively personality and a glib tongue.

After many years, this person has become more composed.

"What's there to scold me for? You're not my student."

Professor Qin's attitude softened somewhat; although his tone was still a bit impatient, it wasn't as aggressive as before.

Gu Yannian noticed the change in Professor Qin's attitude, stood still, and gave Professor Qin a fawning smile.

Professor Qin looked at Gu Yannian's smile and waved his hand: "Speak, what do you need me for? Let me be clear from the start, I'm just a retired old man now, I can't help with anything. If you want my help, you've come to the wrong person."

"Professor Qin, I came to see you today not to ask you for a favor. I came to thank you for protecting Yan Xi."

Gu Yannian spoke sincerely. After hearing what Li Wei had said, Gu Yannian's first thought was to thank Professor Qin properly. If it weren't for Professor Qin, he might never have met Su Yanxi.

Upon hearing Gu Yannian mention Su Yanxi, Professor Qin immediately became alert: "When did you return to China? Have you already met with Xiaoxi?"

Gu Yannian did not hide anything and told Professor Qin the truth: "I have been back in China for a long time. I am now the manager of a subsidiary of Changfeng Group. Yan Xi and I have met before."

Upon hearing this, Professor Qin stood up abruptly, glared at Gu Yannian, and then turned and left.

Seeing this, Gu Yannian immediately followed closely behind.

Professor Qin stopped short of them, turned around, and snapped at Gu Yannian, "Don't follow me!"

"Professor Qin, please don't be angry. I know I did a lot of ridiculous things before, and I can apologize to you."

Fearing that Professor Qin wouldn't believe her, Gu Yannian immediately took two steps back and bowed to Professor Qin in apology.

However, Professor Qin remained unmoved: "Gu Yannian, let me tell you, don't give me that. Do you think you can just say a few 'sorry's' and pretend nothing happened? Let me tell you, no way!"

I remember all the harm you caused Xiaoxi. How dare you still cling to her side? You'd better leave Xiaoxi immediately, or I'll personally go to her and have her fire you and kick you out!

Professor Qin actually had a good impression of Gu Yannian, but after Gu Yannian started taking Su Yanxi as his mistress, Professor Qin lost all goodwill towards Gu Yannian. Especially when Gu Yannian left without a word, leaving Su Yanxi to face the mess alone, Professor Qin only felt disgust towards Gu Yannian.

“Professor Qin, I know I’ve made many mistakes in the past, and I can’t go back and change them. But now, I really hope I can use everything I have to make amends to Yanxi. Please believe me and give me another chance, okay? I promise you, I will never hurt Yanxi again.”

"If you're so confident, why did you come to tell me?"

"Because I know how important you are to Yanxi, Yanxi would be happy to receive your blessing."

Gu Yannian knew from Professor Qin's words that Su Yanxi hadn't told Professor Qin about her situation when she came back last time.

"Blessings? I will not bless you!"

Without much thought, Professor Qin rejected Gu Yannian, saying, "It hasn't been easy for Xiaoxi to get to where she is today. Most importantly, she already has Shi An by her side."

Gu Yannian, ask yourself honestly, in what way do you compare to Shi An? When Xiaoxi needed help the most, Shi An unconditionally supported her; when Xiaoxi was most lonely, Shi An was there to comfort her. What about you? What have you done? Besides gossip and pain, what else have you brought to Xiaoxi?

“Professor, let me explain. When I proposed to be her sugar daddy, it was really just a rash decision. I didn’t mean to humiliate Yanxi at all. Later, my family went bankrupt, and creditors came to our door every day. I thought about taking Yanxi with me, but I knew she couldn’t leave her seriously ill father. Most importantly, I didn’t know what the future held, and I didn’t dare to take her with me on this risk.”

Gu Yannian's voice trailed off at the end. At that time, his family had gone bankrupt, his parents had died in an accident, and he didn't even know what his own future would hold, let alone how to give Su Yanxi happiness. So, at that moment, letting go was the only thing he could do.

Upon hearing this, Professor Qin looked at Gu Yannian, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself. He had heard about the Gu family's affairs before, and originally thought that Gu Yannian had run away because of the bankruptcy, but he didn't expect there to be other hidden reasons.

However, when Professor Qin thought of Su Yanxi, he forced himself to harden his heart.

"No matter what, the harm you caused Xiaoxi cannot be erased. Therefore, I will absolutely not agree to your relationship with Xiaoxi."

"professor."

Gu Yannian wanted to try again, but Professor Qin didn't give her that chance and turned away.

Watching Professor Qin's retreating figure, Gu Yannian felt a deep sense of bewilderment.