After I went bankrupt, the school heartthrob I humiliated actually wanted to…?

“Mr. Gu, although this place is small, it’s actually really nice…” 

When these customers first walked into the bar, Song Qiuzhi immediately noticed Gu Yan, the most eye-catching among them. 

Gu Yan definitely remembered him too. 

At the very least, he wouldn’t forget that period of time when he was humiliated by her.

“Not bad.” 

Gu Yan looked up and saw Song Qiuzhi singing with a guitar on stage, she was wearing a casual indigo plaid shirt and black pants, her hair barely covering her ears, with a streak of ash gray dye. 

Song Qiuzhi frantically lowered her head. In their current circumstances, she didn’t have the courage to make eye contact with Gu Yan during this reunion.

Ex-boyfriend? 

Although she had transmigrated to this world for almost twenty years, Song Qiuzhi was a proper man in her previous life and would never have liked men even if it killed her. 

Her relationship with Gu Yan was more complicated than that nonsensical ex-relationship status. 

To be precise, Song Qiuzhi had once kept Gu Yan as a sugar baby. 

Yes, kept him, the kind of relationship where money was exchanged for designated services.

Gu Yan was an exceptional person. Growing up in a single-parent family, despite extremely difficult financial circumstances, he had gotten into the nation’s top university with the sixth-highest score in the province. 

But before he could share this good news with his only remaining parent, his mother, a sudden car accident left her bedridden and in a vegetative state.

Song Qiuzhi met Gu Yan at a restaurant off-campus. She learned his story from the restaurant owner

Later, she arrogantly told Gu Yan,  “Don’t work odd jobs anymore. I’ll cover your living expenses. From now on, do whatever I tell you.”

Gu Yan had wanted to refuse, but thinking of his bedridden mother, he could only grit his teeth and agree to Song Qiuzhi’s terms.

Song Qiuzhi didn’t know if what she did counted as kindness… On one hand, she really did feel sorry for Gu Yan, and after transmigrating, her family circumstances were genuinely very, very well-off, so she impulsively made such a proposal.

But on the other hand, during those university years, she had indeed called upon Gu Yan regardless of time or place, making him do anything she could think of.

So many years had passed, Song Qiuzhi really hadn’t expected to meet Gu Yan again after so many years in such a time.

“Qiuzhi, a customer requested ‘Cold Rainy Night.'” 

The bar’s owner, Sister Jing, came over and said quietly “Also… don’t space out!” 

Song Qiuzhi snapped back to reality, realizing she had been mindlessly repeating a chord.

“Sorry, Sister Jing…”

She moved away from the microphone, whispered an apology to Sister Jing, and her fingers on the strings smoothly changed tempo—

The prelude to “Cold Rainy Night” began.

Song Qiuzhi recognized the middle-aged man who brought Gu Yan to the bar. he was a regular customer who had been coming occasionally to relax since last winter. 

Having some drinks, listening to music. if you didn’t know his identity, it would be hard to imagine that this unremarkable middle-aged man was one of the top two restaurant industry leaders in the city, owning two of the top three-ranked restaurants in the city. 

Song Qiuzhi knew him because this uncle had once been her father’s friend, though probably just an acquaintance. 

However… 

Given how respectfully this uncle had brought Gu Yan here to drink together, Gu Yan’s current status probably wasn’t low either, right?

“On this cold rainy night, I’m by your side, hoping you would know~” 

“If only you knew my heart~” 

The voice, tinged with a hint of weariness but not hoarse, sang clear and bright, making Gu Yan’s heart tremble as he sat in the distance. 

When was the last time he heard Song Qiuzhi sing? It seemed to be in their junior year when she had drunk a lot after a conflict with her father. With nowhere else to go, she had called him, and by the time he rushed over, this girl was standing by the river, singing at the top of her lungs… 

For a moment, Gu Yan became lost in thought.

“Mr. Gu?” 

Sun Changhai called out, smiling: “How is it, this place isn’t bad, right?” 

Gu Yan came back to his senses and took a small sip from his wine glass. 

“Not bad…” 

“Does Mr. Sun come here often?” 

When this topic came up, Sun Changhai’s tone notably heightened

“Yes, I discovered this place last winter.” 

“Oh right, Mr. Gu probably doesn’t know?” 

Sun Changhai suddenly leaned in closer, this boundary-less behavior making Gu Yan unconsciously furrow his brows. 

“This resident singer girl, her family used to be quite powerful. Her father was the owner of Xinlan Real Estate, quite a prominent figure back then!” 

“Unfortunately, two years ago, due to land reform issues, their capital chain broke, and even a company of Xinlan’s size couldn’t withstand it…” 

“They say old Song disappeared after the bankruptcy. Some say he couldn’t handle the pressure and committed suicide, others say creditors had him killed. There are all sorts of stories.”

Gu Yan remained silent, just quietly drinking with his head lowered, some emotions flashing briefly in his eyes. 

He had heard about Xinlan Real Estate’s collapse two years after graduating from university. Actually, Gu Yan wasn’t very interested until he heard that person mention, The deceased Xinlan owner Song Tianming had a daughter named Song Qiuzhi. 

That year, Gu Yan was twenty-four, starting his business while trying to find Song Qiuzhi, until now when he was twenty-eight…

“Mr. Sun.” 

Gu Yan slowly put down his wine glass and said flatly “Let’s end it here for today. Regarding the contract, let’s meet somewhere at 10 AM tomorrow to discuss the details.” 

Hearing this, Sun Changhai’s expression filled with barely contained joy: “Really? Manager Gu, thank you so much!” 

Gu Yan shook his head, his gaze falling on Song Qiuzhi singing on stage. 

“No, Mr. Sun…” 

“Actually, I should be the one thanking you.”

All songs must end.

By the time Song Qiuzhi finished this song and looked back towards Gu Yan’s area, the booth was empty. 

Had he left? 

Doubt appeared in Song Qiuzhi’s eyes, Gu Yan… would he let her off so easily?

“Alright Qiuzhi, today’s six songs are done, Xiao Hai and the others have arrived.” 

Sister Jing suddenly spoke up, interrupting Song Qiuzhi’s thoughts. 

Song Qiuzhi put down the guitar, jumped off the stage, and smiled at Sister Jing saying “Okay, Sister Jing, then I’ll head back first.” 

“Mm.” 

Sister Jing nodded: “I’ve transferred the money to your Alipay.” 

Song Qiuzhi didn’t check her phone. Working part-time at Sister Jing’s bar for over a year, they had never had any disputes over money. 

“Alright Sister Jing, I’m off then. My mom should be waking up about now, I’ll go back to cook.” 

“Mm, be careful on your way.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Song Qiuzhi secured her guitar on her back and walked straight out of the bar. 

Whew~ 

The air outside still felt better to breathe! 

Feeling the gentle evening breeze, Song Qiuzhi slowly closed her eyes, breathing deeply.

“Song Qiuzhi, have you fallen so low that you’re living on air now?” 

Unexpectedly, A very familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her ear, cool and detached, seemingly devoid of emotion. 

Song Qiuzhi was startled so badly her whole body jerked. 

This voice, she was way too familiar with it! 

Instinctively turning her head to the side, sure enough, under the streetlight, the tall figure of Gu Yan stood there coldly. 

“Gu Yan? You didn’t leave?!” 

Faced with Song Qiuzhi’s panic and surprise, Gu Yan still maintained that almost unchanged expression. 

He raised an eyebrow. “Why should I leave?” 

“After all, I’ve been looking you for four years…”