Chapter 114: Kisses Falling Heavily

Gu Yunci faced the elderly woman and stood upright, "It's me."

The old lady ran her fingers through her hair, sighed, "I guessed it was you; that Lu Shenyang child is restrained and steady, but can't do forceful hugging or embracing."

Being called out on the spot by the old lady, Gu Yunci's shoulders and back stiffened imperceptibly; he stood respectfully, motionless, "I was too abrupt, made you angry, I'll change!"

"The past is past; bringing up old matters now isn't to blame you."

"It's just that you divorced; continuing like this isn't appropriate. Let's be friends from now on; as for anything else, forget it, we can't reach that level."

Gu Yunci suddenly looked up, his eyes full of meek helplessness, "Friends? … Fine, I'll listen to you."

After speaking, he raised his hand to glance at his wristwatch, "It's too late, I won't disturb your rest."

That night, Xin Xin developed a fever.

Meng Shutang was still drunk; the old lady couldn't drive and wasn't familiar with the medical process, so she called Chen Man.

Chen Man took Xin Xin to Jiangcheng Yiyuan; Huo Yanchen was on night duty, and Gu Yunci was also there.

After seeing it, he told Gu Yunci about the matter.

Gu Yunci immediately left the office and went to the emergency department, where there was only one doctor, and not a pediatrician.

Gu Yunci looked at Xin Xin's flushed little face and promptly handed Chen Man a card.

Chen Man asked, "What is this?"

"Use this card to register, and a pediatric specialist will come."

Chen Man nodded, "Alright, thank you, President Gu."

If her son came for treatment, she might have let the doctor see him.

The key is that it's a best friend's child; having a non‑pediatrician examine them never feels reassuring.

Li Xiuyun saw Chen Man receiving Gu Yunci's item and said, "Sister, using President Gu's card isn't very appropriate, is it?"

Chen Man knew Xin Xin was Gu Yunci's daughter; even if adults have entanglements, it shouldn't affect an innocent child, especially since the child is ill.

It's just a registration card; after using it, just return it to him.

"Auntie, the pediatric doctor hasn't come out; President Gu said using this card to register, the chief or a specialist will come."

"We'll return it after use, we won't owe him."

Li Xiuyun considered, glanced at Xin Xin, and nodded at Chen Man, "Alright."

The card indeed worked; the attending physician had gone to sleep but still got up and came over.

It was just a simple tonsillitis; they prescribed some antipyretics and throat lozenge granules.

But before leaving, the doctor told Chen Man the child might have Kawasaki disease, which couldn't be completely ruled out as the cause; any new symptoms should be seen promptly.

Before leaving, Chen Man returned the card to Gu Yunci.

Gu Yunci said, "Xin Xin has registered; this card is now hers. Giving it to me makes it a useless card."

The next day, Meng Shutang woke up.

Chen Man grasped her hand, "Tang Tang, I'm sorry, I did something outrageous."

Meng Shutang furrowed her dark eyebrows slightly, "What is it?"

"Xin Xin had a fever last night at midnight…"

Before she could finish, Meng Shutang stood up, and Chen Man pressed her back down, "She isn't feverish now, she's lively and jumping, playing with my son."

Meng Shutang sat up, "Then what's the matter?"

"Last night at the hospital, while seeking treatment, I ran into Gu Yunci. He saw that the attending doctor wasn't a pediatrician and immediately handed me a card."

"He said that as long as you register with this card, regardless of the situation, at least the chief doctor will be present."

"When I heard that, I took it on the spot."

"I guessed it wasn't an ordinary registration card, but didn't expect it to be a children's exclusive medical green‑channel VIP card."

"I was too anxious yesterday; he fooled me, saying whoever's name you use to register, it belongs to that person."

"In fact, this card had been prepared long ago."

"With this card, nationwide, top pediatric experts are prioritized for visits, with a dedicated health consultant, everything included."

"No cost, no expiration."

"Yet it's a guarantee that money might not buy."

Meng Shutang held the card, her eyes deepened.

Chen Man felt even more guilty, "It must have been when he arranged it for his little nephew, and he also did it for Xin Xin."

"He always wanted to give it to you, but feared you'd refuse."

"All my fault…"

"It's okay." Meng Shutang took the card.

People eat grains and miscellaneous foods; illness and disaster are inevitable, let alone Xin Xin has…

Having this card is a good thing for Xin Xin.

"I'll think of another way, thank him."

Chen Man grasped her hand, "You've always wanted to draw a line with him; really, it's not my fault?"

Meng Shutang smiled, "Really, it's fine."

Xin Xin only had a fever once, and was in good spirits all day.

Li Xiuyun saw her constantly on the phone at home, and also took two calls from Lu Shenyang, "If you're busy, go be busy!"

There was an evening banquet that night, organized by the Cultural Relics Industry Association.

Meng Shutang saw Xin Xin in good condition, kissed her forehead, "Mom's going out, be back early."

Xin Xin suddenly grabbed her hand, "Mom, help me video call Uncle Gu."

Meng Shutang replied, "He might be busy."

"But I miss him," Aunt Manman said, "he helped me last night; let me thank him."

Meng Shutang hesitated.

Li Xiuyun got up and left, muttering as she walked, "You say this kid, even though he's grown up and we've only met him twice, why is he so precious!"

Meng Shutang, after hearing that, opened WeChat and started a video call with Gu Yunci.

He answered almost instantly, "Tang…" As soon as the words left his mouth, Gu Yunci saw the little figure on the screen and asked, "Xin Xin, are you feeling better?"

"I'm fine," Xin Xin said in a babyish voice. "I miss you; let Mom call you."

Gu Yunci pressed his lips in a light smile, "Uncle also misses Xin Xin; later Uncle will take you to play."

Meng Shutang raised her hand, glanced at her wristwatch, indicating that Xin Xin could go.

Xin Xin looked and said, "Uncle, I can't talk to you; Mom is all dressed up and beautiful, I have to go find Uncle Lu Shenyang."

Meng Shutang took over, hung up directly, "Grandma is at home, Mom has left."

As she closed the door, she said to Li Xiuyun, "Grandma, I'm leaving."

The banquet venue.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the dome, refracting dazzling, variegated light.

Fragrant garments and swaying hair, clinking goblets, the gentle fizz of champagne, the whole banquet hall seemed like an exquisite yet distant dream.

Meng Shutang, holding champagne, stood with Lu Shenyang, chatting animatedly with the people around them.

She wore a white strapless fishtail gown, its cut sleek and body‑hugging, the waist cinched tightly, the exposed shoulder and neck line smooth and cool.

The hem fell to her ankles; when she moved slightly, it rippled like water.

The most striking part was her back, almost entirely exposed, with only a few delicate ribbons loosely tied from the side of the waist upward, gently overlapping beneath the shoulder blades—sleek and sensual.

Beside her, Lu Shenyang wore a tailcoat, appearing as a gentle, elegant gentleman.

Many onlookers saw them and began to gossip.

"Minister Lu and Miss Meng have been childhood sweethearts, a pair destined from birth."

"Indeed, before long the Lu family will hold a wedding celebration."

Gu Yunci heard the harsh words, cleared his throat lightly, walked to the woman's side, and brushed her wrist as if by accident.

Meng Shutang turned her gaze, saw him, gave a faint smile, "Aunt Manman told me about the card matter; thank you."

Meng Shutang was very grateful for Gu Yunci's kindness.

After all, no mother would refuse a goodwill that safeguards a child's health.

Gu Yunci glanced at her collarbone and asked, "Do you really… want to thank me?"

Meng Shutang, still unaware of what would happen, simply nodded, "Hmm."

The man calmly placed the brandy in his hand onto the table, also took her champagne and set it beside the other, then grasped her wrist.

He pulled gently, yet the force was undeniable.

He pulled her into the stairwell, and the heavy fire door slammed shut.

His long fingers brushed her smooth back, inch by inch pressing her against the wall.

Before she could speak, he lowered his head and kissed her heavily.