Chapter 110: Even If I

When she won the award four years ago, Gu Yunci also sent a bouquet of champagne roses.

Back then, it was perfunctory.

But now, it's clearly not.

Meng Shutang stood where she was, her fingertips slightly curled, and felt her head throb again.

She didn't know why, but lately her headaches have become more frequent.

Before, a chill would give her a headache; now, just thinking of Gu Yunci brings one.

She sat in the office for a while, trying hard not to think of him.

Chen Man saw her, pushed the door open and sat opposite her, "What, does the flower give you a headache?

Or should I just throw it away?"

She stood up, cradling the flower as if to do so, but had no real intention of discarding it.

Meng Shutang remained silent, one hand supporting her forehead, maintaining a thoughtful pose.

"Gu Yunci… genuinely likes you, and you can't let go. In my opinion, you two could try again."

As she said, she sat opposite Meng Shutang.

Meng Shutang, after listening, slowly lowered the hand that had rested on her forehead, her delicate fingertips grazing the pale yellow petals, lost in thought.

"These days I've been pondering the two of you, and suddenly recalled many past events.

Tang Tang, do you remember? Once, for Gu Jin Xing's birthday, he invited us to his home.

You didn't mingle in the living room; instead you held your notebook and stood under the camphor tree, talking with Jin Xing.

At that moment, Gu Yunci came down the stairs; half the room was filled with girls, yet he looked at none of them, only gave you a glance out the window."

"Later, he often appeared at our school and even took the three of us out for a meal.

From then on I realized he loved watching you; though it was subtle—a fleeting glance—I knew it wasn't a passing fancy or a boss's pastime.

He is unable to let go of you; he's devoted."

Meng Shutang listened, her hand on the petals pausing briefly.

"At that time, he had already been atop the hierarchy for five years, wielding power and immense wealth, yet he never flaunted it before you.

Once, I brought a handful of champagne roses back to the dormitory; everyone thought you and Gu Jin Xing were a golden couple, and that Jin Xing had given them to you.

It put me in a position where I couldn't speak the truth; actually, Gu Yunci had asked me to deliver those flowers,

including all the later champagne roses, even the ones given when you and Jin Xing got engaged—they were all from him.

I was careless, always assuming they were ordinary roses, until today I happened to hear Zhao Jing say that the flower language of champagne roses is, 'I am devoted to only you!'"

Meng Shutang's hand froze there; she grabbed her bag and stood up, "Manman, I'll step out for a moment."

【9】 She went straight to the Gu Clan, entered the first‑floor lobby, didn't see the way clearly, and collided head‑first with Qiao Mo.

She went straight to the Gu Clan, just entered the first‑floor lobby, didn't see the way clearly, and collided head‑on with Qiao Mo.

Qiao Mo saw her, smiled and replied, "Teacher Meng, are you okay?"

Meng Shutang apologized to her, "Sorry about that."

After speaking, she stepped aside and left.

Qiao Mo kept smiling, but when she looked up she saw Bai Cixian with arms crossed at the doorway, walking over with a grin, "Cixian."

Bai Cixian said nothing, walking to the empty spot where no one stood.

Qiao Mo, seeing this, followed.

Bai Cixian reached out and tapped her, "I see you've been nice to her lately; have you switched sides?

'Pretending to be close with my older sister on the surface, but secretly leaning toward Meng Shutang?'

"No way, I'm not close with her." Qiao Mo stood there, her face unmoved,

"If it were the old you, given today's scene, you'd raise your hand and slap her."

"You said that was the past; I barely managed to get into the Gu Clan again, I won't be as reckless as before, making enemies everywhere."

Bai Cixian had someone check Qiao Mo; indeed her entry was compliant.

The clause that bans lifetime re‑employment was aimed mainly at key personnel in core departments.

Qiao Mo is just an ordinary staff member, not on the blacklist.

Bai Cixian raised her eyes, "What is she doing?"

Qiao Mo replied, "She said she had an urgent matter or something; I think… she's probably going to see President Gu!"

28th floor, the CEO's office.

Meng Shutang didn't knock, pushed the door open, and walked straight in.

The man was reviewing documents; hearing a movement, he lifted his eyes for a glance.

Seeing her, he put down his pen.

She stood before him and said, "Those champagne roses—were they from you?"

Gu Yunci slowly set down his fountain pen and, in a hoarse voice, said, "Yes, all of them were mine! I didn't dare to give them myself, so I had Chen Man deliver them."

Later she told me that everyone mistakenly thought Jin Xing gave them, and I didn't let her explain.

"Do you know the flower language of champagne roses?"

The man looked at her and nodded slightly.

"So, you've liked me since then?"

Meng Shutang looked at him, a faint tear glimmering in her eyes.

Gu Yunci's Adam's apple bobbed as he rose slowly, coming to her side, "No, it was even earlier.

I met you before Jin Xing did; you still recall your speech at the bidding conference four years ago, where you said you met someone at an exhibition.

I know the person you mentioned was me; I don't know what you felt then, but I was instantly devoted to you, deeply enamored.

Later, he sought Meng Shutang, but it ended without result.

By a twist of fate, Gu Jin Xing brought her back home.

Moreover, the classmates said they were a golden boy and jade girl.

He also saw Gu Jin Xing's feelings for Meng Shutang; fate played a trick, and the two brothers still ended up at this point, falling in love with the same girl.

As the legitimate eldest son, he was raised from childhood as the sole rightful heir—under pressure, a tool.

But Gu Jin Xing was different; he only needed to be happy. Even Gu Yeheng deliberately kept him away from the center of power.

Given Meng Shutang's background, she was far from a suitable match for Gu Yunci.

But Gu Jin Xing was different; as long as he liked someone, Gu Yeheng would certainly agree.

Her eyes reddened, and she questioned, word by word, with tears of blood.

"Gu Yunci, since you love me so much, why did you have to send flowers under someone else's name?

Since you love me so much, why did you originally tacitly allow your brother to pursue me?

Since you love me so much, why did you watch me walk together with him?

Since you want me so much, why did you try to snatch me away at my and his engagement banquet?!

Tell me—what exactly have you taken me to be?! 」

Gu Yunci was stunned.

"All these years, I always thought you didn't love me, that you treated me as a tool for revenge!

I don't know what grudges or resentments exist between you brothers, but why involve me in it!

Do you know how many slanders I bore during those three years!

Your Gu family, including the servants, all thought I loved my younger brother‑in‑law, and that I followed you for fame and profit! 」

Gu Yunci saw this, stepped forward a step, and embraced her.

Qin Zheng, who was outside the door, saw it and, with quick insight, hurried to close the room door.

"Because you and Gu Jin Xing were close, I didn't dare to get near you at that time.

I could only, through Chen Man's hand, in my brother's name, send you bouquets of flowers.

I didn't dare to say it out loud; I could only love you secretly this way。」

Saying that, he pulled her close.

The tears Meng Shutang had held back for so long finally rolled down her eyes.

His heart twisted in waves, and he suddenly bowed his head, his trembling lips pressed to her cheek, his tongue hurriedly, clumsily licking the salty, bitter droplets that fell.

He swallowed, his Adam's apple rolling violently, as if he were swallowing the bitter fruit he had planted himself.

"When I heard Gu Jin Xing come home saying you were to be engaged, I intended to let go, and also intended to bless you both.

In fact, your personalities suit each other well; you are both gentle and refined.

On the day of your engagement, I convinced myself not to go, yet I still wanted to see you.

After all, that time was a rare chance for me to openly look at you.

He went, and the demonic curse on the two brothers also began.

"You two stood on the stage, face to face, and when Gu Jin Xing cupped your face, about to kiss,

In my heart there was only one voice: I cannot lose you."

Saying that, his trembling hand cupped Meng Shutang's cheek, forcing her to look at him, "In this life, I have only been moved once. Even if I stand against the world, I cannot let you go."