Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 438

Chapter 438: 438

Today is a rest day. Su Hui’s at work, Gu Ling’s out with new friends she met, and Lin Xi is rehearsing with her dance group. This left just Gu Fan at home, who out of the blue, began feeling bored.

He spent some time gaming and watching television, but Gu Fan still felt listless. Everything seemed dull to him. It was in these moments he realized that having a woman around did have its perks.

Just when Gu Fan was at a loose end, he received a message from Ning Qi. She requested to meet him somewhere privately, claiming there was something important she needed to discuss. She emphasized that Gu Fan had to come alone, or else, she wouldn’t say a word.

Having arrested Qian Ying during their last encounter, but not seeing Ning Qi, he theorized that she might have fled. Moreover, she might have information on the whereabouts of other members of Shennv Xuanhui.

This was intelligence he couldn’t pass up, so Gu Fan agreed to meet her at a beach. Ning Qi insisted punctuality was essential; even being a minute late would make her suspicious and cause her to leave.

Arriving early, Gu Fan sat by their meeting spot waiting. Shortly after, Ning Qi pulled up in a car, stopping by the road, gesturing him into the front passenger seat.

"Long time, no see!" Gu Fan climbed into Ning Qi’s car. He wasn’t naive enough not to be on guard against potential tricks. Gu Fan had come prepared with a tracking device. If he didn’t return within a certain time frame, his team could activate the device, figure out where he was, and come to his rescue.

Instead of starting the car, Ning Qi observed their surroundings, "Looks like you kept your word and came by yourself."

Gu Fan nodded, "Yes indeed. I’m one to always honor a commitment. However, if my trust is used against me, I’ll regret it. Please don’t give me a reason to feel that way."

Unimpressed, Ning Qi responded, "Don’t worry. Right now, I’m here firstly to thank you for capturing Qian Ying. To be honest, I can’t bear to see that woman anymore."

The implication of Ning Qi’s words dawned on Gu Fan; it seemed Ning Qi too had been forced into submission by Qian Ying. Arresting Qian Ying was also doing Ning Qi a good turn.

"So, what’s the second matter?" Gu Fan queried, intrigued. He knew Ning Qi searching for him wasn’t merely to thank him.

A meaningful grin spread across Ning Qi’s face, "The second matter is to settle the score for what happened that evening. You asked me to be your girlfriend. After some consideration, and seeing you are a good person, I’ve decided to accept your offer. Are you happy now?"

"Ah, I am kind of happy..." Gu Fan was taken aback by her reference. On that night, he’d merely tried to chat her up to buy some time. Ning Qi probably hadn’t discovered anything amiss about Gu Fan, but by the time Lin Xi was rescued and Qian Ying was arrested, she must have realized his true intentions - he was just playing for time and wasn’t genuinely pursuing her.

Pondering for a moment, Gu Fan figured Ning Qi might be trying to embarrass him. Deciding to turn the tables on her, he began staring at her intently, as if looking forward to whatever was coming next.

Having become somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, Ning Qi, who meant to tease him, was surprised at his thick skin.

However, Ning Qi had anticipated this. She took out her cell phone, flashed its screen before Gu Fan’s eyes, and played a video of that night in the car, when they’d gotten somewhat hot and heavy.

Frowning, Gu Fan was alarmed to learn Ning Qi had installed a video camera in the car.

"Gu Fan, since you’ve had your way with me, you should take responsibility. You said you wanted me to be your girlfriend and I believe you were serious. I believe you aren’t the kind to casually toy with emotions." Ning Qi chuckled while speaking, looking like she had Gu Fan wrapped around her little finger.

After some thought, Gu Fan, disliking his helpless situation, retorted, "What we did barely amounts to anything. We didn’t even go that far; there’s no need for responsibility. Concerning my pursuit of you that night, I was serious. But I was disappointed to find out that you were in cahoots with Qian Ying. This left me disheartened, and I chose to be with Lin Xi instead. Now, you’re telling me you were also being manipulated by Qian Ying. What can I do about that? I’m in a tough spot too. We can only accept that we’ve missed our opportunity."

Hearing this, a furious Ning Qi retorted, "Well done, Gu Fan! This is the second time, counting the incident on Yuxueyun Mountain, that you’ve messed with my feelings. I’m not unwanted. There are many who pursue me, wherever I go. But fate had me cross paths with you, my nemesis. Why should I put up with all this from you alone? No one else has the audacity to do so."

After hearing all this, Gu Fan looked at Ning Qi, seeming wronged. He felt the whole scenario had been flipped - Ning Qi was the wronged party and Gu Fan, the villain.

Gu Fan held back, refusing to uncover the real Ning Qi. Back on Yuxueyun Mountain, Ning Qi had been ambivalent about him, and had maintained dubious relations with several men around her. She seemed to have thoroughly utilized all resources around her.

Even if Gu Fan hadn’t ended up back with Lin Xi, he wouldn’t have chosen Ning Qi. It’s wise to keep a distance from such a woman.

What puzzled Gu Fan was why Ning Qi thought he was the one playing with her feelings. It made no sense.

Feeling at a loss for words, Gu Fan attempted to leave, saying, "If you have nothing else to say, I’ll be on my way. Hopefully, you can find someone you truly love, and who truly loves you."

Just as Gu Fan was about to leave, Ning Qi managed to grab his arm. A teasing smile played on her lips. Her eyes held a challenge, "Don’t rush. I haven’t yet gotten to the real issue."

An exasperated Gu Fan retorted, "Now you’re getting to the real issue? What was all of that before? An appetizer?"

"Even if you’ve captured Qian Ying, you probably don’t know about the other two cryo-chambers." Ning Qi’s words startled Gu Fan, instantly prompting him to ask, "You know where the other two cryo-chambers are? Tell me now."

"That’s precisely why I’ve come here - to tell you. But it isn’t free of charge." Ning Qi gave a mischievous wave of her finger, looking as if she was waiting for Gu Fan to take the bait.

"Name your price," Gu Fan said, aware his anxiousness would only give Ning Qi the upper hand. But right now, he felt he had no other choice. He knew only by completely resolving the Shennv Xuanhui crisis could he truly be with Lin Xi and live peacefully.

Ning Qi grinned slightly, waving her finger, "My condition is simple. When necessary, within your scope of ability and acceptance, you need to do three things for me."