4

Zhuang Jing paused for a moment, then spoke calmly and unhurriedly:

"Gu Qin's family and mine have been old friends, we grew up together."

"She went abroad for several years and is unfamiliar with things at home, so I went to welcome her back."

Zhuang Jing's manner of speaking was open and unguarded, unlike any attempt to dodge my gaze.

It seemed like I was the one being unreasonable.

I felt suffocated inside.

"Then why immediately withdraw the hot topic, delete comments, control the evaluations?" I questioned him.

Zhuang Jing furrowed his brow slightly, pressed my shoulders with his hands, and started massaging them:

"Gu Qin plans to return to the entertainment industry this time, it wouldn't be good if she was photographed."

"We're just ordinary friends, there's nothing more to it."

I stood up and freed myself from Zhuang Jing's hands:

"If there's truly nothing more to it, then why the secrecy?"

I seldom show such an aggressive side, but Zhuang Jing's temper remained as good as ever.

He smiled helplessly and slowly explained:

"Ordinary friends having a meal, if seen by someone, it inevitably leads to speculation. See, even you started speculating, let alone those idle paparazzi."

Zhuang Jing was quite articulate, I couldn't out-talk him, but lies always have holes, so I picked up my phone:

"Then why did you hang up the phone? Why didn't you answer the calls afterward? Why not return my calls?"

This time, Zhuang Jing didn't respond swiftly as he did last time.

He stood there, his mouth opening and closing, unable to produce any sound for quite some time.