Chapter 108: The Boomerang of Those Years

Meng Shutang remained silent and gave no answer.

Gu Yunci didn't intend her to answer; to her, every sentence he has said so far has been a wound.

He slowly turned around, looked up at the figure at the third‑floor window, and said, "If you stay silent, I'll take it as you're feeling sorry. Tomorrow you go claim the prize, and I'll go with you."

Meng Shutang stared at him, slowly put her phone away, and then slowly drew the curtains shut.

When the lights went out and the night grew cool, Gu Yunci finally lifted Song Yilin back into the child seat and drove back to Qian Shui Wan.

The next day.

Zhonglin Dasha.

Wanxing Ge won this time, just like the competition they entered half a year ago.

In the waiting area, Gu Yunci placed a glass of orange juice beside Meng Shutang, his hand brushing her knuckle almost unintentionally.

The woman recoiled nervously, while the man remained unhurried, his elbow propping the table before her as he stood lazily in front of her.

"Stop looking; it's already this late. Your Brother Lu Shenyang probably isn't coming."

Meng Shutang didn't look at him, nor did she respond.

Gu Yunci suddenly recalled a day when he had run into Lu Shenyang taking Meng Shutang to a couple's restaurant, where Lu Shenyang had also bought her gifts and flowers.

"Lu Shenyang is very shy; I don't think he has the courage to confess to you."

If Lu Shenyang were to confess, he would have done so two years ago—not wait until now!

Meng Shutang pressed her lips into a light smile, "I know, so I wasn't planning to let him confess; I'll wait slowly.

You can see it too, right? He and I are on the same wavelength; we'll be together. Bless us!"

Meng Shutang deliberately provoked him.

A teasing smile tugged at the man's mouth, as if he were about to say something.

Meng Shutang called out toward the distance, "Brother Lu Shenyang."

Gu Yunci's hand paused briefly, and he turned toward the voice, seeing Lu Shenyang carrying Xin Xin walking this way.

It turned out Lu Shenyang's tardiness wasn't a slip at the crucial moment; he was going to fetch Xin Xin.

A few steps away, Xin Xin struggled off Lu Shenyang's arms and ran to Meng Shutang, "Mom."

She flopped into Meng Shutang's arms, lingered a moment, then greeted Gu Yunci, "Uncle Gu."

At the sight of Xin Xin, Gu Yunci's gloomy expression brightened a bit, "Xin Xin, come over and keep Mom company!"

Xin Xin nodded.

When the time came, Meng Shutang pulled Xin Xin inside, and Gu Yunci followed, but at the doorway a staff member stopped them, "Sir, where is your invitation?"

Attendees must have an invitation; this invitation isn't issued by the organization but given by the awardees.

Gu Yunci couldn't produce one, so he was barred from entering.

Xin Xin looked at his pitiful face and said, "Mom, let Uncle Gu in!"

Meng Shutang replied, "You don't want Uncle Gu."

The award ceremony's red carpet was laid out, its brilliance flowing, more magnificent than four years ago.

Standing on the podium, Meng Shutang suddenly recalled the scene of her previous award ceremony here.

At that time, Gu Yunci had promised her that if she took first place, he would come to accompany her to receive the prize.

But that day he broke his word.

He only had Qin Zheng deliver fresh flowers, while he himself ran across to arrange a painting exhibition for Bai Cixian.

She stood on the stage then and clearly saw Gu Yunci's spot empty.

Across the exhibition hall, Bai Cixian's art show was bustling with chatter; Gu Yunci had specially invited several industry bigwigs to attend…

Outside the door.

Gu Yunci stood at the entrance of the award hall, in a suit and polished shoes, holding the champagne roses Meng Shutang liked best.

He saw Meng Shutang standing on the stage, confident and radiant; Lu Shenyang sitting below with Xin Xin, who clapped furiously and, in a baby‑like voice, shouted "Mom is the best."

The live broadcast close‑up captured the three of them together, a warmth so bright it was blinding.

The scene was harmonious, like a family of three.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed as he whispered, "I just want to go in and watch you receive the award."

Gu Yunci knew that her glory didn't need him as a spectator.

The flowers in his hand slowly drooped, and the man's eyes were filled with disappointment.

A graceful figure suddenly approached, peered inside, and came close to Gu Yunci, "I heard this child isn't Minister Lu's.

Seems sister has been busy all these years, not idle at all.

Brother Yunci, don't set your thoughts on her; she isn't the one you expect."

Gu Yunci seemed not to hear, turned and walked away.

Bai Cixian looked at the drooping flower in his hand and said, "What a beautiful flower, sister—don't… how about you give it to me!"

She reached for the flower in Gu Yunci's hand, deliberately brushing his back of the hand ambiguously; Gu Yunci, as if pricked by a needle, stepped back and handed the flower to Qin Zheng, "When she comes out later, I'll give it to her myself."

After speaking, he lowered his head and left, but after a few steps he turned back, took the flower from Qin Zheng, and said, "I'll deliver it myself."

Qin Zheng and Bai Cixian both thought he would rush in, but he didn't.

The man walked straight away, flower in hand.

Bai Cixian's brows twitched slightly, "Brother Yunci, where are you going?"

His stiff silhouette gave no answer.

Gu Yunci drove to the Wanxing Ge studio on Ninggu Road, placed the flower at the reception desk, and said, "Congratulations, President Meng, on winning another big award."

Zhao Jing stood up and took it, "It looks so beautiful; I'll arrange them."

Chen Man realized something was off and asked, "President Gu, where did you come from?"

Gu Yunci lightly pursed his thin lips, "Zhonglin Dasha."

"Then why don't you personally give it to her?"

Gu Yunci looked at Chen Man, without answering directly, "Congratulations on her award."

After saying that, he turned and left.

After receiving the award, to celebrate, Lu Shenyang took Meng Shutang and Xin Xin to a Hong Kong-style restaurant.

He had originally planned to confess to Meng Shutang directly at the restaurant, but with the child there, his stiff propriety made him feel it was not right, so he thought of delaying it further.

He and Meng Shutang strolled about; after all these years, they weren't short on this brief moment.

On the way to send them home, Xin Xin, having missed her nap, leaned against Meng Shutang's embrace and slept peacefully.

Lu Shenyang saw through the rearview mirror that the mother and daughter's profiles, in the dim yellow light, were soft beyond words; watching this scene, his chest tightened repeatedly.

At some point the night sky began to rain; when they arrived at Qingluju, the rain gradually lessened.

He parked the car steadily, opened his umbrella and got out, then opened the car door for Meng Shutang.

The night breeze was slightly cool, ruffling Meng Shutang's skirt; she held the sleeping Xin Xin and got out of the car unhurriedly.

Perhaps the ground was wet and slippery; as her foot touched down, she twisted slightly, and her slender, well-proportioned figure lurched sideways.

Not far away, the man who had been waiting long under a black umbrella panicked and rose, almost instinctively reaching out to support her.

Being too far away, he couldn't help support her.

Beside him, Lu Shenyang reached out, firmly embracing Meng Shutang's waist, which could not be encircled by one hand, and helped her into his arms.

The two were close, the atmosphere ambiguous.

Lu Shenyang could clearly smell the faint fragrance from her hair, feel the even breathing of the child in her arms, and see the slight reddish softness at the corner of her eye.

His body stiffened there; the hand supporting her tightened, his voice lowered, tinged with an uncontrollable hoarseness, "Tangtang, I..."

He no longer wanted to be her brother; let him protect her, protect Xin Xin, give him a chance, okay?

But the words reached his lips and yet he couldn't utter them.

Meng Shutang blinked slightly, looked up at him.

"Shenyang ge, what do you want to say to me?"

Gu Yunci stood there, his heart twisted into a knot, the hand gripping the umbrella handle whitening at the knuckles.