Living in a county town, starting as a stock market maker...

A private plane took off from Beijing in the night, heading northeast.

Gu Ming was unaware of all this.

He just resolved the farce at his doorstep with a lawyer's letter.

In his view, the matter was over.

But for Li Li, the real trouble was just beginning.

The consequences of that lawyer's letter were far more serious than she had imagined.

The school didn't expel her directly, but the situation was even worse than if she had been expelled; everyone started avoiding her.

In the principal's office, Principal Wang looked at her with a cold, disappointed gaze.

"Teacher Li, you should suspend your duties and reflect on your actions first."

"As for what happens next, please wait for the bureau's opinion."

Her former enthusiastic colleagues now avoid her whenever they see her.

As soon as she approached, her colleagues instinctively avoided her gaze, immediately stopped chatting, and dispersed.

It's the same in WeChat groups; as soon as she speaks, everyone immediately falls silent.

She used to love spreading rumors in the teaching community, thinking she was well-informed, but now no one in that circle pays attention to her anymore.

The pressure at school was already immense, but the situation at home made it even more overwhelming for her.

Her parents were honest people who valued their jobs and reputation above all else. After learning about this from relatives, they flew into a rage at home.

Her father yelled, "Ugh, you're infuriating! How did we raise such a gossipy woman like you in our family?!"

"Do you even know who you've offended? They're a key entrepreneur the city is supporting! Aren't you just tarnishing the government's reputation?!"

Her mother was crying, muttering, "You've completely disgraced our family!"

The atmosphere at home was tense every day, and relatives were gossiping behind her back. Li Li felt like she was going crazy.

A respectable job, the admiration of her colleagues, the pride of her family—everything she once had was gone in just a few days.

She is now disgraced and completely isolated in the small county town.

Late that night, Li Li was alone in her room and drank most of a bottle of red wine.

The alcohol emboldened her, but it also intensified her resentment and grievances.

She couldn't understand how things had turned out this way.

It was just a few idle words, wasn't it? Who in this small county doesn't gossip a little?

Why should she be the one to be wiped out?

Why is Gu Ming so heartless?

He clearly liked me! The way he looked at me during our blind date was different!

Yes! It must be love turned to hate!

He retaliated so fiercely because he was rejected by himself!

The alcohol clouded her judgment, and she came up with a ridiculous excuse for herself.

Since it's love turning into hate... then if I beg him and satisfy him, will he soften his heart?

A crazy idea popped into my head.

Li Li looked at her face in the mirror, her makeup ruined by tears and flushed from drinking.

This is her last asset.

She suddenly stood up, grabbed her coat, and staggered out of the house.

She was going to confront Gu Ming and beg him for help.

If begging doesn't work... then use a woman's body to soften his heart.

……

The lights were still on in Star Media's office.

Gu Minggang just finished a video conference with the Danish technical team and finalized the last details of the "100 Million Pixels to See the Earth" project.

He glanced at the time; it was already 11 p.m.

Gu Ming rubbed his temples, turned off his computer, and prepared to go home.

These past few days, the house has finally been quiet.

His mother, Meng Xiaoyan, noticed that those neighbors who used to gossip about her were now avoiding her, and no one dared to say another word.

She finally believed that her son was capable of solving the problem.

As Gu Ming stepped out of the office building, a gust of cold wind made him feel much more awake.

He enjoyed the feeling of having everything under control; no matter what trouble he was in, he could solve it in the fastest way possible.

Just as Gu Ming walked towards his parking space.

Suddenly, a staggering figure stumbled out from the dark corner, reeking of alcohol and perfume, and grabbed Gu Ming's arm.

"Gu Ming!"

Gu Ming frowned subconsciously, shook off the hand, and took a step back.

By the light of the streetlamp, he could see that the person who came was Li Li.

Her hair was a mess, her makeup was smeared from crying, her eyes were red, and she reeked of alcohol; she didn't look like a teacher at all.

"Gu Ming, I beg you..."

When Li Li saw him dodge, she pounced on him again, this time grabbing his leg and kneeling on the ground.

Her cries were particularly jarring in the quiet parking lot.

"I was wrong... I was really wrong..."

"I shouldn't have said those things, I shouldn't have been jealous of you... I just had a sharp tongue..."

"Please, let me go... can you have your lawyer withdraw the complaint?"

"I can't be without a job... I can't be fired... Please..."

Li Li cried loudly, abandoning all dignity.

Gu Ming looked down at the woman kneeling at his feet, his face expressionless.

His eyes were devoid of any emotion, as if he were looking at something unrelated to himself.

"You chose this path yourself."

Gu Ming spoke coldly, his voice devoid of any warmth.

Hearing Gu Ming say this, Li Li lost all hope.

She looked up and saw Gu Ming's cold eyes, which made her tremble with fear.

She knew that begging for mercy was useless.

In a moment of impulsiveness, she suddenly stood up from the ground and opened her arms to hug Gu Ming tightly.

Her face was pressed against his chest, and tears soaked his shirt.

She shouted with all her might, revealing her last trump card.

"Gu Ming! I know I was wrong! I'll do anything you ask... I... I don't want anything..."

Her voice trembled, as if she were going all out.

"I only want you..."

Her response was met with tremendous force.

Gu Ming looked disgusted and pushed her away abruptly, as if he had touched something dirty.

Li Li lost her balance and fell to the ground again.

Gu Ming took two steps back, straightened his wrinkled collar, and made no attempt to hide the disgust in his eyes.

He couldn't be bothered to say another word.

Gu Ming turned around, took out his wallet from the car, and pulled out a few red bills.

Then he walked up to Li Li and let go of her hand.

A few banknotes fluttered down and landed next to her tear-streaked face.

This action is extremely insulting.

"I'll take a taxi home."

Gu Ming's voice was cold.

"After you sober up, think about where you went wrong."

He looked at Li Li on the ground as if she were a pile of garbage.

"You, your body, to me."

"Worthless."

Done.

Gu Ming didn't look at her again, turned around, got into the car, and started the engine.

The black car roared to life and quickly disappeared into the night.

Li Li was left alone, slumped in the empty parking lot.

A cold wind blew by, rolling up a few banknotes on the ground and swirling them around her.

She stared at the departing car lights, then glanced at the money beside her, her mind blank.

Then she burst into tears, her cries carrying far into the cold night.