Chapter 113: Gu Yunci, I

Meng Shutang was slightly stunned, staring at the wine in her glass, drifting off in and out of thought.

Chen Man nudged her, "Why aren't you speaking?"

Meng Shutang gave a wry smile, "I admit… he's quite attractive, whether it's his figure or his aura, everything about him catches the eye.

But I don't dare to touch him again, afraid of getting hurt once more."

Chen Man laughed, "You're just saying one thing and thinking another."

Meng Shutang said, "I'm not being two‑faced."

As she spoke, she lifted the glass and drank it down in one gulp.

It had been ages since she'd drunk, and a sudden drink felt quite good.

But Meng Shutang's tolerance was low; after three cups, a pink flush colored the corners of her eyes, her clear eyes softened, a hand propped her chin on the table, she tilted her head slightly, adding a touch of tipsy laziness.

Seeing this, Chen Man stood and pulled her, "Tang Tang, we…"

The unfinished words were cut off by a tall silhouette, a cold aura pressing down; the man didn't look at her, "She's drunk?"

Chen Man recalled her earlier words, "President Gu, when did you arrive?"

Gu Yunci replied, "When you two were talking about me."

Chen Man's foot fidgeted awkwardly, "Don't take it to heart, I was just babbling earlier."

No matter how far Meng Shutang and Gu Yunci quarreled, Chen Man still kept a deep gratitude toward Gu Yunci in her heart.

Her family was poor; her mother was a laid‑off worker, and her father, while working on a construction site, fell off a footboard and broke his waist.

It was Gu Yunci who funded her education; every scholarship she received in university was sponsored by the Gu Group.

If not, she wouldn't have been able to finish university.

In addition, the Gu Group donated a library and a women's dormitory to Jiangcheng University.

When she and Meng Shutang first entered school, the dormitory conditions were terrible.

Six people shared a room, and rats often roamed the sewers.

The Gu Group funded a standalone mid‑rise apartment‑style dormitory perched on Haitang Mountain, with two people per unit.

Each unit featured a private bathroom with thermostatic shower and smart toilet, a 270° panoramic floor‑to‑ceiling window, central air‑conditioning, fresh‑air system, washing machine and dryer.

The desk was an integrated smart desk, the bed a custom‑made upholstered single, even the curtains were motorized.

Additionally, a gym occupied the first floor, while a study room and coffee area were on the roof.

The dorm even had an elevator—it was essentially a star‑hotel‑style apartment.

Their class lived in the old rundown dorm for only a year before moving into the apartment‑style dorm.

It made the rest of the campus green with envy.

Now that I think about it, the library and that building were exactly the ones Gu Yunci built for Meng Shutang!

She basked in the reflected glory.

"You've been classmates with her all along, you two are the closest! Chen Man, tell me the truth, Tang Tang… you really hate me, don't you?"

Gu Yunci placed a hand on Meng Shutang, lifted his gaze to look at Chen Man.

Chen Man pressed her lips together, thought for a moment, "Yes, she still hates you!"

After a pause, "But she's also loved you for many years; she saw you at the Collection Hall when she was fourteen and fell for you then.

I often think that the reason she agreed to your younger brother's courtship back then was to be closer to you.

But I never asked, so these… I'm not sure."

The man's hand paused briefly, he bent slightly and hoisted Meng Shutang sideways in his arms.

Chen Man asked, "Where are you taking her?"

Gu Yunci replied, "Home."

On the way back, Lao Zhang drove, with Gu Yunci and Meng Shutang seated in the back.

The car's air‑conditioning blew gently, holding a faint whiff of alcohol.

She nestled beside him in the rear seat, the woman softly cuddling him like a tired kitten.

Her delicate cheek flushed a hint of crimson; the slightly tipsy, intoxicated look shattered the cool composure and aloofness she usually maintained.

The car glided smoothly through the night, distant streetlights flickering past, casting a wavering pattern of light on her face.

She behaved obediently, didn't cause a scene, leaned crookedly in his arms, looked up at him, "Gu Yunci? Are you Gu Yunci?"

The man lowered his gaze, his Adam's apple twitching, "I am."

The woman's clear eyes were half‑open, watery, "Am I dreaming? You only hold Bai Cixian and won't hold me again."

The man felt sorrowful, pressed her tighter, "No, I've never held her."

"I don't believe it; you both already have children."

The air hung silent for a few seconds; Gu Yunci lifted his hand, tilted her chin up as if to kiss, but the woman turned her head away.

Gu Yunci froze there, making no further move.

Suddenly, she collapsed onto his lap, turned over, found a comfortable position, and gently closed her eyes.

"Gu Yunci, I'm afraid I'll fall in love with you again."

She muttered it, the words as light as if swallowed by the night, yet they struck Gu Yunci's heart heavily, making his breath catch.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at Qingluju.

Gu Yunci carried Meng Shutang out of the car and lifted her up to the building.

Xin Xin was delighted to see them return together, but after four years, Li Xiuyun stared blankly at Gu Yunci.

Gu Yunci first greeted Xin Xin, then spoke to Li Xiuyun, "Grandma."

Li Xiuyun smelled the alcohol, glanced at Meng Shutang, and led Gu Yunci toward the master bedroom, "Come into this room!"

Gu Yunci placed Meng Shutang on the master bedroom's bed, gently pulled the quilt over her, and brushed the hair hanging over her face aside.

When pulling the blanket over, the pad of his finger brushed her finger unintentionally.

Grandma stood nearby; he dared not look longer, got up to leave, his eyes skimmed the diary on the table, which seemed to be about pregnancy, with dates, notes, and a pasted photo. His heart fluttered, and he instinctively reached out to pick it up and look.

"Cough," Li Xiuyun saw, and covered her lips with a soft cough.

The hand with clearly defined knuckles curled slightly and withdrew.

Xin Xin rushed over, clutched his leg, "Uncle Gu, why are you with Mom?"

Gu Yunci bent down, patted Xin Xin's little head, and explained to Li Xiuyun, "Your mother was playing with Aunt Chen; I was on the way and brought her over."

Qian Shui Wan and Qingluju lie in opposite directions; no matter which way you go, it isn't on the way.

"Let's not disturb Tang Tang's rest; come out!"

Li Xiuyun said a word and was the first to leave the room.

Xin Xin looked up at Gu Yunci, grabbed his hand, and came out.

Gu Yunci saw that the old lady did not welcome him, and said he would leave, "Xin Xin, Uncle is leaving."

Xin Xin pouted and shook her head, "Uncle Gu, don't go, stay and play with me a while."

She tugged Gu Yunci's hand toward the room; Gu Yunci glanced at the old lady, who gave no objection, so he followed Xin Xin to her room.

Li Xiuyun sat on the sofa, occasionally hearing a bell‑like laugh echoing from inside the house.

Gu Yunci was good at coaxing children, making Xin Xin very happy.

Half an hour later, the house gradually fell silent.

After a short while, Gu Yunci came out and gently closed the door.

"Grandma, I'm leaving now."

"President Gu, please stay." The old lady rose, "It was you who held Tang Tang that rainy night, wasn't it?"