Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!-Chapter 345 - 344: You and Me, I’m Sorry

"What’s going on between you and my second brother?"

Fang Shaonan suddenly stopped the car. Gu Xiaojie looked up from the back seat at the two people in front, confused.

"Xiao Jie, there’s a wonton shop up ahead. Go grab something to eat. Big brother’s treating. I need to have a word with your sister."

Gu Xiaojie looked at the tense atmosphere between the two, then willingly opened the car door and got out.

Gu Xiaoqing watched Gu Xiaojie’s retreating figure.

"Fang Shaonan, what do you mean by this? Don’t make me think you’re being a sore loser."

Gu Xiaoqing could understand Fang Shaonan’s anger, but she wouldn’t accept having it directed at her.

She had never deceived anyone’s feelings, be it Fang Shaohan or Fang Shaonan. Other people’s unrequited love couldn’t be blamed on her.

Even if there was something between her and Fang Shaohan, there was nothing tangible. She hadn’t made any promises to Fang Shaonan, so why act like he’s caught a cheating wife?

Fang Shaonan turned his head, staring intently at Gu Xiaoqing, his eyes filled with intense anger and resentment. "What do I mean? Do you really not know? Are you still going to play dumb? I like you, Gu Xiaoqing. You obviously know that. You’re so cruel, always pretending to be so innocent and clueless, yet you refuse to be honest about your feelings with me.

Am I that scary? Am I not handsome enough? Am I not someone worth relying on? Why is it that you never glance my way, never pay any attention to me? I feel like a stranger, a familiar stranger, and you always stand at a not-too-close, not-too-far distance, just watching my downfall."

The outburst, the shouting, seemed like the Fang Shaonan that Gu Xiaoqing knew, the boy she had once stood side by side with.

Gu Xiaoqing waited for Fang Shaonan to calm down. In such an angry state, he couldn’t possibly have a rational conversation with her. Continuing like this, they would only end up in a big argument with no resolution in sight.

Yet, the more silent she remained, the angrier Fang Shaonan became. He yanked the necklace from the rearview mirror and threw it out the window without a word.

Gu Xiaoqing was a bit lost; she wasn’t good at handling emotional problems like this, always taking a turtle’s approach to avoidance. When faced with Fang Shaohan’s persistent advances, she could retreat, even to the point of where they were now.

That was because Fang Shaohan was willing to relent for her sake, allowing her to remain unscathed.

However, Fang Shaonan wasn’t the same as Fang Shaohan. Fang Shaohan had a maturity that allowed him to handle such awkward situations, while Fang Shaonan was impulsive.

"Fang Shaonan, it’s not that I don’t understand your feelings, or that I’m purposely avoiding your emotions. I know you have a fondness for me, but I can’t accept it.

Your fondness for me is built on the adventurous passion we shared, one born out of a specific environment, a natural admiration under those circumstances.

But we’re not kids. As we’ve grown, our experiences have differed, as have the people and things we’ve encountered.

Your family has destined your life towards a smooth path in military and political circles. With your background, you’ll go higher and farther, but the person who can accompany you on that journey isn’t me.

I only see you as a friend. I like you, but not in a romantic way—it’s a pure, friendly affection. You are like a brother I can rely on, but definitely not a lover."

Fang Shaonan lit a cigarette, the small flame silencing them both.

"The same goes for Fang Shaohan. He’s good to me, but our family backgrounds dictate that there can’t be a continuation between us. Maybe I feel fondness for him too, but it’s not worth the heavy price to pursue it.

So what is there to question? I’m not interested in either of the brothers. Moreover, if your mom knew you two were at odds because of a woman, do you think she’d like me?

If I were a mother, I wouldn’t want to see two brothers fighting over a woman. I’d hate her."

Gu Xiaoqing and Fang Shaonan were long-time friends. She didn’t want to completely break ties.

Fang Shaonan flicked the cigarette butt away, the beast-like man from before seemingly vanished without a trace.

"Gu Xiaoqing, you don’t seem like a twenty-year-old woman at all. Your calmness and rationality are terrifyingly unbelievable. You analyze things so logically and coherently, which is hard for me to comprehend.

Both my brother and I have feelings for you and want to be with you, but you just ignore us both. That unsettling feeling is what doesn’t sit right with me. Shaohan should have tried to win you over, but it’s your heartlessness that left him in his current state of despair, right?

I’ve noticed something off with Fang Shaohan for a while now. He’s become a workaholic, leaving early and coming home late, barely resting, neglecting even to shave. He’s fallen into a state of despondency and self-destructive resignation.

Of course, today doesn’t count. He probably made an effort to clean up and present himself decently in front of the Gu Family."

Gu Xiaoqing remained silent. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

She couldn’t explain anything.

Fang Shaohan and Fang Shaonan were different. Fang Shaohan probably understood the obstacles between them better than she did. Compared to Fang Shaonan, her heart leaned more towards Fang Shaohan because that undeniable spark of interest had once existed.

Even though she tried to restrain herself and distract her feelings, it didn’t change the fact.

Gu Xiaojie had returned to the car, sitting in the back seat.

Observing the strained atmosphere inside the car, he couldn’t help but ask, "Can we go home now?"

Fang Shaonan silently started the car.

The three of them returned to the Gu Family this way.

Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie got out of the car. After saying goodbye to Fang Shaonan, Gu Xiaojie ran into the house.

Gu Xiaoqing stood by the car. "I’m sorry."

It might have been the only thing she could say.

Fang Shaonan drove away.

Gu Xiaoqing knew that this friendship from their youth might end here, as examples of love turning to hate were not uncommon.

But she couldn’t deceive a boy’s feelings, pretending to maintain an ambiguous relationship when she clearly didn’t reciprocate. That would be unethical of her.

She hoped Fang Shaonan would pull himself together. She was just a dream from his youth, and she hoped he would find his true happiness.