Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 454 Gao Fangfang's Fantasy Shattered! Zhao Ruilong's Clever Motivational Boost!

Yao Anjie's heart skipped a beat.

The smile on his face suddenly froze.

Why? Why?

"I fawned over him and flattered him, pursuing him relentlessly for so long."

"In the end, Gao Fangfang told Zhong Xiaoai that we were just college classmates."

"Classmate... Heh, what do you mean? Does she mean I'm not even considered a friend?"

Yao Anjie felt a sudden sense of loss.

But the thought that Zhao Ruilong, who was specially invited by President Steve Jobs for a visit, might arrive at any moment...

Considering Gao Fangfang's powerful family background, she certainly has the right to be picky...

Even though Yao Anjie was very unhappy, he could only try his best to hold back.

but……

His change in expression naturally did not escape Zhong Xiaoai's notice.

He used to work within the system; now he's in public relations.

Observing words and expressions is naturally the most basic skill.

She could see Yao Anjie's disappointment at a glance and guess what he was thinking.

Stanford University is located in the Higgin Hills of California.

If they were just classmates, why would Yao Anjie have followed Gao Fangfang to Zhigao?

"It's okay, classmates turning into lovers is a common occurrence."

"Hou Liangping and I, weren't we classmates first and then husband and wife?"

As soon as Zhong Xiaoai finished speaking, Gao Fangfang chuckled:

"But didn't you two eventually get divorced?"

"..."

Zhong Xiaoai was embarrassed and speechless.

Gao Fangfang's counter-question left him speechless.

I originally wanted to smooth things over and prevent Yao Anjie from being too disappointed.

No relationship develops overnight; it's always a process.

At first, they were all classmates, colleagues, fellow villagers, neighbors, etc., and gradually they got to know each other, fell in love...

Unfortunately, I used the wrong metaphor, using myself and Hou Liangping as examples.

This immediately triggered Gao Fangfang, who had not been chosen by Hou Liangping back then.

"Many girls liked him back then, but he only chose you. Why did you let him down and not wait for him to be released from prison?"

Filled with regrets from the past, Gao Fangfang suddenly raised a question.

This question left Zhong Xiaoai somewhat bewildered.

"Did I let him down?"

Zhong Xiaoai pointed to her nose.

"Yes! He's so sunny, cheerful, and talented. I believe that with his character, it's impossible for him to have embezzled or accepted bribes. The reason he was sentenced to prison must be because..."

"Why? Because you helped me take the blame?"

Zhong Xiaoai interrupted Gao Fangfang and quickly raised a question.

"Also, you only remember him as sunny, cheerful, multi-talented, and even a bit handsome, but do you really know him?"

"Do you know why so many girls like him? There are plenty of girls who are gentler, prettier, and more elegant than me, but he still chose me?"

Gao Fangfang remained silent.

He looked at Zhong Xiaoai with slightly reddened eyes.

"I'll tell you the answer!"

"Hou Liangping may seem sunny and handsome, but he is actually shrewd and opportunistic!"

"He chose me over you entirely because my father, Zhong Zhengguo, is the top official in Handong!"

"That's why, despite having no connections, he was able to be directly assigned to the Supreme People's Procuratorate of Handong right after graduation."

"After only one year and two months in the Economic Investigation Department, he was quickly transferred to Yanjing on the grounds that our separation was detrimental to our marital relationship."

"In contrast, what about Qi Tongwei, who performed exceptionally well in the student council and was even more capable? He was assigned to a judicial office in a remote rural area after graduation!"

"In order to go to Yanjing and be with Chen Yang, he volunteered to become a narcotics officer. He fought a bloody battle with drug dealers at Lone Eagle Ridge, and was shot three times and almost lost his life, but it still didn't work out."

"As for why he embezzled and accepted bribes, you can easily find out. He was dragged down by his childhood friend Cai Gongcheng, who is the former chairman of Jingzhou Dafeng Garment Group."

"You know perfectly well that he's all show and no substance, a sycophantic scoundrel who'll be serving his sentence until at least 2010, so why should I wait for him to be released?"

Zhong Xiaoai's words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving Gao Fangfang completely dumbfounded.

Yao Anjie, who is quite intelligent, quickly understood.

Suddenly I realized.

The reason why Gao Fangfang was so reluctant to accept him.

It turns out that she fell hopelessly in love with Hou Liangping while studying at Handong University.

It's not surprising that a young, inexperienced girl might fall for a handsome, talented boy during her school years.

But Gao Fangfang obviously didn't expect that Hou Liangping, whom she still can't forget, was actually a shrewd and opportunistic villain.

If someone else had told her the truth, Gao Fangfang would definitely not have believed it.

But the person who exposed the truth was Zhong Xiaoai, the ex-wife of Hou Liangping, who was also once powerful and influential.

Seeing Gao Fangfang shaking her head repeatedly, looking pained and uncomfortable.

Yao Anjie felt a surge of satisfaction.

"Cry! Just cry it out!"

"No wonder I pursued him so persistently for so long, yet he remained unmoved!"

"It turns out she hasn't let go of Hou Liangping in her heart all along, and probably still fantasizes about being with him!"

"Now that my illusions have been shattered and my beautiful memories have been completely destroyed by Zhong Xiaoai, I need to have a good cry!"

"But... what exactly does 'good-looking but useless' mean? Does it mean Hou Liangping is impotent?"

"If that's really the case, then that would be even more interesting! The man that countless girls admire and like is actually all show and no substance!"

Yao Anjie couldn't help but let out a mocking smile.

I was really hoping that Gao Fangfang would break down and burst into tears on the table.

however……

Gao Fangfang did not break down in tears; instead, she smiled slightly.

"It seems my mom was right."

"It's easy to draw the skin of a tiger, but hard to draw its bones; it's easy to know a person's face, but hard to know their heart!"

Zhong Xiaoai scoffed, "Actually, when he chose me instead of any of you, you should have known that he wasn't as perfect as you imagined."

"After all, putting aside family background, my looks and figure are not the best at all. That campus belle from Han University who pursued him for three years, how could she not be better than me in every way?"

Gao Fangfang gave an awkward smile.

"How is she doing now?"

Zhong Xiaoai shook her head slightly.

"I'm not sure. I only remember that after she graduated, she was assigned to Handong TV Station, but I haven't seen her host any programs in all these years, so I don't know if she's still around."

"But she's so beautiful and has such a great presence. She'll definitely have no shortage of excellent suitors after she enters the workforce. If she hadn't been working at Handong TV, she probably would have been married long ago."

Gao Fangfang nodded slightly.

"Probably, but at this point, none of that matters anymore."

"But now you're the public relations manager of Huilong Group, a standard high-level white-collar worker."

"You probably have no shortage of admirers and suitors right now, right? Have you ever thought about starting a new relationship?"

Zhong Xiaoai shook her head with a smile.

She thought to herself, "I'm already with Zhao Ruilong, why would I need any other suitors?"

There are men younger and more handsome than Zhao Ruilong, but there are absolutely none who are richer and more powerful than him.

Moreover, Zhao Ruilong is very generous to women, buying them houses and cars, and he never has to worry about money.

Most importantly...

Compared to Hou Liangping, who was all show and no substance, Hou Liangping was all show and no substance.

Zhao Ruilong is incredibly capable.

On her first day with Zhao Ruilong, Zhong Xiaoai experienced unprecedented happiness.

If she didn't stay with Zhao Ruilong, but instead accepted the advances of other men...

Zhong Xiaoai didn't believe that a divorced woman like herself could find true love.

If someone pursues you, they must have ulterior motives.

He wanted a good job with a high income, and he wanted to be in the management of Huilong Group and wield real power...

I would never do it for my own looks or good figure.

At thirty years old, no matter how diligently you take care of yourself and exercise, you can't catch up with an eighteen-year-old girl!

People have self-knowledge.

Zhong Xiaoai no longer longs for pure and romantic love.

She wanted to be Zhao Ruilong's secret lover, which would be both happy and sweet, and she could also make a lot of money.

If she could bear children for Zhao Ruilong, thus gaining status through her sons, that would be even better.

Even if Zhao Lichun, the pillar of the Zhao family, fails in his advancement and the Zhao family is purged...

Since neither she nor Zhao Ruilong had made their relationship public.

I am just an employee of Huilong Group.

If the Zhao family is truly to perish, they can naturally retreat unscathed with their children and assets.

"Why? You should be thirty years old by now!"

"If you don't fall in love and get married soon, it will be very dangerous for you to become an older mother in the future!"

No sooner had Gao Fangfang finished speaking than Zhong Xiaoai retorted:

"Don't just talk about me, what about you? You're only a year younger than me, and you'll be thirty next year!"

"At least I've had one relationship and been married once, but you've never even had a relationship!"

"Do you plan to finish your master's degree and then pursue a doctorate, dedicating your entire life to biology?"

Gao Fangfang shook her head decisively.

"Of course not. If there's a suitable person, I wouldn't mind dating and getting married!"

Upon hearing this, Yao Anjie involuntarily straightened his back slightly.

My initial gloomy mood vanished instantly.

Suddenly I felt that I still had a chance to win Gao Fangfang's heart.

"I think your college classmate is quite nice!"

"He's very polite and refined, which matches your temperament quite well."

Zhong Xiaoai looked at Yao Anjie with a smile.

Yao Anjie immediately returned a grateful look.

He knew he didn't need to hide anything.

We're all adults, don't we understand?

If he didn't like Gao Fangfang, why would he have come here with her?

Throughout history, how could a man be nice to a woman for no reason other than admiration and pursuit?

however……

Zhong Xiaoai even said a few good words for herself.

Yao Anjie thought Gao Fangfang would say something tactfully.

Even if you don't make a clear statement, a shy smile would be fine!

However, Gao Fangfang chose to shake her head.

"Sister Ai, please don't misunderstand. An Jie and I are just ordinary friends!"

Upon hearing this, Yao Anjie felt as if he had been stabbed.

My mood was completely chilly.

Ordinary friends...

That's so easy to say!

Since he started pursuing her, he has been extremely attentive and caring towards her.

Gao Fangfang loves reading and often stays in the library until the librarian clears the room before leaving.

In the pitch black, I was like her protector, staying by her side through thick and thin as we walked back to her dorm.

Hearing that she had caught a cold, I immediately brought her some cold medicine...

She often became so engrossed in reading and studying that she forgot to eat and sleep, and she would bring her food...

When I heard she was coming to Zigago, I didn't hesitate to take time off work, buy a plane ticket, and go with her...

He acted like a loyal follower, always appearing by Gao Fangfang's side, accompanying her and comforting her.