Chi Qingya lifted her head to look at Su Li.
Her throat bobbed slightly, lips parting and closing over and over, but the words of apology just wouldn’t come out.
Apologizing to Su Li always made her feel like she was losing face.
As her body temperature gradually rose and her cheeks began to burn, Chi Qingya’s mouth opened and closed again.
Su Li, however, paid her no further attention.
There was absolutely no reason to waste more time on her.
It was only when Su Li began to stand, preparing to leave, that Chi Qingya glanced around the classroom.
Apart from the students passing by in the hallway on their way to class, no one was watching.
Even if she was doing something embarrassing, no one would notice.
“Su Li, I’m sorry.”
“I was wrong before…”
Chi Qingya’s voice was barely above a whisper— so quiet that only the two of them could hear.
But she knew Su Li could hear her.
She had imagined this apology would be a simple formality, just a few words to smooth things over.
But now, with the moment here, she realized it wasn’t that easy.
And now, she didn’t even know what to say next.
Wasn’t this the part where, after she said sorry, Su Li would reply, “It’s okay,” and everything would go back to normal?
Yet the response she was waiting for never came. Sweat formed unknowingly on Chi Qingya’s forehead.
Her face flushed deep red. She didn’t know whether it was embarrassment from Su Li’s silence, or frustration.
Her heart thumped anxiously. Her lips trembled slightly, but still, no further words came out.
Her mind went blank. She had no idea what to say.
The atmosphere in the classroom had gone completely quiet, and Chi Qingya’s brow slowly furrowed.
Had Su Li left without responding?
She had already apologized and given Su Li a way out. All Su Li had to do was go along with it, and things could go back to how they used to be.
They could make up, and maybe even tonight, Chi Qingya would allow Su Li to come back home.
The house hadn’t been cleaned yet, so Su Li could help tidy up while she was at it.
She had taken ninety-nine steps— was Su Li really not willing to take the last one?
Lifting her head, she realized Su Li hadn’t left. She was still standing there, expressionless as always, quietly staring at her.
But with nothing more to say in response, Su Li turned and left.
In her mind, Chi Qingya was already a closed case—a former client.
And a good horse never returns to grazed pastures.
The best outcome for a concluded client is no further contact.
From the moment Chi Qingya changed and began ordering her around like she was disposable, Su Li had known this was a rotten case.
Chi Qingya had never been a quality client to begin with.
The kind she hated most were the ones who talked about feelings when it was time to talk money— and money when it was time to talk feelings.
Chi Qingya was exactly that kind of client.
Their relationship— both emotionally and financially— had long since been made clear.
So Su Li had no interest in any further entanglement.
If it weren’t for the fact that they had to attend the same university, Su Li would’ve preferred to never see her again.
Now, she treated Chi Qingya as a stranger with no connection to her whatsoever.
Su Li’s mood remained calm, but she did feel a faint trace of regret— for having wasted time on Chi Qingya.
She had thought that if Chi Qingya truly felt guilty and wanted to apologize, they could part ways peacefully.
After all, as an emotional therapist, Su Li still preferred to profit peacefully.
She just didn’t want to keep in touch.
But Chi Qingya had done nothing but waste her time.
Time she could have used to prepare for dealing with MOKA.
Just as Su Li neared the doorway, Chi Qingya’s voice called out again behind her.
“Su Li, I’m sorry. I know I was wrong before.”
“If there’s anything I’ve done wrong, I can change.”
Chi Qingya sounded flustered now, her expression growing anxious.
She didn’t know when she might get another chance to speak to Su Li.
She used to be so good at apologizing…
Maybe it was because the situation was urgent, but the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could think.
“I know I’ve done things you can’t forgive, but I’m willing to change— little by little. I just hope you’ll give me a chance.”
“It’s okay if you don’t want to move back in right now. Our door is always open to you.”
“It was only after you left that I started to realize how wrong I was— that I can’t live without you.”
“I… I think I might actually like you.”
“I just never noticed it before.”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller.
She lowered her head, fidgeting with her hands, her tone full of nervousness.
She didn’t even dare to look at Su Li’s expression.
She had already humbled herself so much— Su Li should be appeased by now, right?
That’s what Chi Qingya told herself, just wanting to resolve the situation quickly.
But Su Li simply stared at her in silence, watching her apology as if it were some kind of performance.
Then she glanced at the time on her phone and looked toward the classroom door.
The hallway had gradually quieted down, replaced by the distant voice of a teacher lecturing.
Break had ended long ago— right around when Chi Qingya started apologizing.
Su Li had now wasted more than ten minutes on her.
Her face remained expressionless, but her voice turned noticeably colder.
“Chi Qingya, you still haven’t realized your mistake.”
“You’re just not used to not having someone around to serve you.”
“It’s not me you need— it’s someone who will take care of you, cater to your emotional whims, and let you use them as a trash can for your feelings.”
“And besides, I’ve already paid you back several times over. Where that money came from has nothing to do with you. It’s none of your business.”
“As for how you want to spend it, that’s your problem too. If you want someone to do what you used to ask of me, go pay someone else to do it. If one isn’t enough, hire two.”
With that, Su Li stood up and walked out, not sparing a single glance or reply to anything Chi Qingya tried to say afterward.
It was only long after Su Li had left that Chi Qingya, still standing there, began to fume— her teeth clenched, foot stomping hard against the ground in frustration.
Sure, she had been acting just now— but she had gotten a little caught up in it.
There had been some sincerity in it too.
And Su Li had the nerve to show her no respect at all?
She was furious!
She never wanted to forgive Su Li again!
Not unless Su Li got down on her knees and begged— licking her feet for forgiveness!
She was Su Li’s benefactor, after all! The campus beauty of their university!
How dare Su Li remain so indifferent!
That could only mean the “new master” behind Su Li was someone truly powerful— powerful enough to give Su Li this kind of audacity.
She’d have to work even harder if she wanted to win Su Li back!
After all, she’d known Su Li for much longer.
She was more familiar with her than anyone.
Compared to that new master behind Su Li… she still had a major advantage!