Chapter 142: Gentle Outerwear

The two stood in the night wind, facing each other for a long time.

Gu Yunci's eyes were cold and deep, and a chill pierced his whole body.

Meng Shutang stood in the wind, and only a cold, dead silence remained in her eyes.

The two who had embraced tightly last night now looked at each other, only distance remaining.

Meng Shutang felt a bit cold, shivered slightly, hugged Xin Xin tightly and walked upstairs.

Gu Yunci seized her wrist in one hand and embraced her from behind, "You can't trust me just once, just once?"

Meng Shutang couldn't.

Reason told her that besides Gu Yunci, she couldn't think of anyone else in this situation who would be willing and able to help the Meng family.

"Since you can't let go of Bai Cixian, go find her, and stop disgusting me."

"Tang Tang."

Meng Shutang gave no reply, held Xin Xin and entered the elevator.

The next day, after eating, Meng Shutang went to Ninggu Road.

The donation matters with the Palace Museum had reached a pause, and further coordination would be handled directly between the Palace Museum and Gu Group.

She only needed to appear as required, and if nothing arose she wouldn't have to be involved.

Therefore, Meng Shutang has lately been busy mainly at Wanxing Studio.

When work ended in the afternoon, rain began to fall.

Meng Shutang handed the studio's umbrella to someone else, "Hurry back, this rain— I don't think it'll stop any time soon."

Zhao Jing, "You gave us the umbrella, what will you do?"

"I still have some work; once I'm done the rain should stop."

After everyone left, Meng Shutang stood at the doorway, watching the torrential autumn rain spread coldly through the streets, forming a vague water curtain.

In her mind, the recent scene flashed: Gu Yunci standing in the rain here, watching her work.

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the office, snapping Meng Shutang's thoughts back.

Through the rain mist, a tall figure slowly approached.

Meng Shutang's heart fluttered, instinctively thinking it was him, but she quickly composed herself.

The newcomer was upright, bearing some of Gu Yunci's aura, yet lacking his innate sharp pressure and noble coldness.

"Shutang, haven't you finished work?"

Gu Jin Xing came before her, his voice soft and clear, like wind soaked in rain.

He wore a white sweater, his short hair hanging softly over his forehead, looking gentle and harmless, "I still have a bit of work; I'll leave once it's done."

"Then I'll accompany you."

Gu Jin Xing went inside, took the umbrella, gently shook off the rain from its canopy, and droplets fell.

Afterward, he carefully placed the umbrella at the doorway, fearing rain would seep in, and closed the studio's door.

While Meng Shutang was working, he stayed in the tea break area, leafing through magazines.

When Meng Shutang grew tired and looked up, she could just see his smile toward her.

Her heart gave a sudden thump.

Could it really be as Gu Yunci said, that Gu Jin Xing's feelings toward her aren't pure?

Half an hour later, Meng Shutang emerged from the work area, "Jin Xing, let's go!"

Gu Jin Xing set the magazine down, stood, and looked up to see a scrap of paper tangled in the strands on her cheek, reaching out to brush it away.

Before his fingertips reached, she, as if burned, retreated half a step silently and turned her head slightly.

That half-step distance was small, yet felt like a boundary.

Gu Jin Xing's hand halted there.

The air held a faint awkwardness.

Gu Jin Xing withdrew his hand, gave a light smile, "Shutang, don't be led astray by my brother. I'm not greedy; being with me carries no burden.

We may not be husband and wife, but we can still be caring friends, right?"

Meng Shutang felt a slight bitterness, looking at Gu Jin Xing's clear, gentle features, and for a moment didn't know what to say.

"If you think even being friends is a burden, can I be your younger brother?"

"Like my brother is to me, let me treat you well, okay?"

Meng Shutang was silent for a moment, then softened her voice, "I was born earlier than you; you're already my younger brother."

"Of course... I will regard you as a younger brother."

"Just, from now on, you don't have to come out in the rain like this."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but sneeze, then joked, "Take care not to catch a cold."

When the words faded, the studio door creaked open, and a tall dark silhouette entered, bearing the cold autumn rain.

Gu Yunci, while gathering his umbrella, spoke to Meng Shutang, "Something held me up; I'm arriving later."

He glanced up and saw Gu Jin Xing reaching out to tidy the strands on her forehead.

That ambiguous, careful manner made Gu Yunci's breathing pause.

He stood still, silent, his gaze lightly sweeping over their amiable interaction; jealousy grew wildly in his heart, freezing the tenderness inch by inch, leaving only cold indifference.

Meng Shutang lifted her eyes at the sound, saw him, and her gentle complexion instantly turned cold.

Gu Jin Xing seemed unaware of the suffocating pressure, "Brother, aren't you in several meetings today, very busy!"

"I'm taking Shutang home; you go attend yours."

The man stepped closer, seized Meng Shutang's wrist and pulled her behind him, "No need, I'll see her off."

Gu Jin Xing's expression remained light, "That works too."

Gu Yunci grabbed Meng Shutang and walked into the rain curtain; he wanted her to get into his car.

Meng Shutang didn't want to get in. "Gu Yunci, just take me to my car; I won't ride in yours."

Gu Yunci said, "The rain is heavy today, visibility is low; riding in my car is safer."

While the two were tugging, Gu Jin Xing suddenly walked over.

He looked at Gu Yunci with gentle, calm, courteous manner.

"Brother, Shutang doesn't want to get in your car, so don't force her."

Gu Yunci's hand halted, and he glanced at him.

Gu Jin Xing didn't look at him, turned his head to Meng Shutang, took her hand, and said, "Let's go; I'll take you to your car."

Meng Shutang shook off Gu Yunci's hand and tried to walk with Gu Jin Xing.

The man acted almost without thought, without a word, his palm covering her waist, half‑embracing, half‑protecting; the umbrella shielded them from wind and rain, and he slowly ushered her into the car. His movements were elegant and forceful, yet his eyes hid a barely perceptible tenderness.

After Meng Shutang sat down, Gu Yunci said no more, folded the umbrella, and closed the car door.

The Rolls‑Royce started, and Meng Shutang looked at him, "Gu Yunci, can you not be so overbearing?"

Gu Yunci didn't want to keep saying she shouldn't get close to Gu Jin Xing; seven years ago, Meng Shutang had abandoned Gu Jin Xing at their engagement banquet, and that has been a lifelong guilt in her heart.

The more he says, the more it will only deepen the rift between them.

"Jin Xing, when did you go to the studio?"

Meng Shutang sat upright, "Let's call it a day."

The man lifted his hand to glance at his wristwatch, "One hour—what have you two been doing?"

Meng Shutang turned her gaze, "What do you mean?"

"I don't mean anything; during this hour, you were probably working, and he was watching you!"

Shutang, go ask which man can endure it, especially since he's my brother.

"Don't be so unreasonable, okay? We just cleared the air a moment ago."

Jin Xing said, "Let me take him as a brother."

The man let out a faint snicker, cold as ice.

All that talk of "recognizing an older sister," of being devoted to her, is nothing but an invasion cloaked in the guise of kinship.

He uses tenderness as armor, gradually eroding Meng Shutang's defenses, slowly gnawing away her boundaries, turning her completely into a light that belongs only to him.

So tenderness can be this filthy.

"I've heard that you girls often label those who appear simple but are actually scheming as 'green‑tea bitches' or 'white lotus.'"

What do you think—do such people exist among men as well?