Gu Anjin continued, "As for you... I know it was always me who pestered you to come, but I’ve said before, I’ll be more sensible in the future. I won’t force you to do things you don’t like, and I know you don’t really enjoy these occasions, so I won’t ask you to accompany me."

"Force?" Yue Siqing’s voice was faintly cold, "No one can force me to do something I don’t want to do."

"Are you trying to tell me that from now on, my escort to parties can only be you?"

He didn’t answer directly, but the look in his eyes clearly expressed this sentiment.

Gu Anjin smiled softly, "Brother Siqing, I disagree. It’s just an ordinary party. It’s my freedom to come with any friend I want. If you wish for the person by my side to always be you, then you know exactly what I want."

"Jinjin..."

"I don’t want to hear from you that you only want to protect me. I’m an adult; I don’t need to be protected like this. Outside, you can convince me with the kidnapping incident, but on such occasions, there’s no so-called lack of safety."

Yue Siqing stared at her.

"I’ve liked you for so many years. You can’t refuse to love me yet still forbid me from interacting with any other men. Brother Siqing, I’m not your possession," Gu Anjin said directly before he could speak, "Alright, I don’t feel like staying here any longer. Wait for me a bit, I’ll go inform Senior Song Yi. Since you’re here, let’s head back."

"Okay." Yue Siqing responded.

Gu Anjin turned towards Song Yi.

"Senior Song."

Song Yi turned around upon hearing Gu Anjin’s voice.

His expression seemed much better now. It turns out this Mr. Murphy is very approachable, quite unlike the earlier condescending Asian.

Especially after he learned the truth about being Mr. Murphy’s stepson, he was even more surprised.

He knew well of Mr. Murphy’s prestige in Europe; the fact that his stepson would make a proactive move to meet Gu Anjin upon entering this high society shows that Gu Anjin’s status isn’t simple.

"I’m really sorry, I may have to leave early."

Song Yi felt slightly disappointed, but still said, "It’s alright, if you have other things to attend to, go ahead."

Huo Xun looked at Gu Anjin with a playful smile, "Don’t worry, Miss Gu. Mr. Song isn’t very accustomed to this place; I completely understand that mindset. Leave it to me."

Leave it to him?

Gu Anjin gave him a complex look.

"Miss Gu, is there another problem?" Huo Xun casually posed with a glass of red wine in one hand, the other in his pocket, exuding the demeanor of an aristocratic offspring.

"No problem." Gu Anjin replied, slightly irritated.

"Next time, you’re invited to my family’s castle." Huo Xun raised his hand to bid farewell.

Gu Anjin initially wanted to say she wasn’t interested, but thought better of it; if she wanted to understand more about this, it might be her only chance.

Of course, she wouldn’t put herself at risk alone.

Either she’d go with someone else, or it would be when Mr. Murphy is present.

Although she didn’t trust this guy, she believed that if Mr. Murphy were there, nothing would happen.

After Gu Anjin left, Song Yi’s gaze remained fixed in the direction of her retreating figure.

Only upon seeing Yue Siqing did he come to his senses.