Chapter 153: Gu Yunci

Gu Yunci stared at Meng Shutang, "Were you just in a tavern?"

Meng Shutang looked at him, saying nothing.

The man, seeing this, leaned forward slightly, his thin lips about to meet hers.

Meng Shutang's eye corners reddened slightly as she tilted her head just enough to dodge.

He didn't force it, just gave a low laugh, pulling her tighter, "I thought it was an illusion. Why did you go to a place like that?"

Meng Shutang stood calmly, "What? Only President Gu may go, but I may not?"

"I don't mean that," Gu Yunci furrowed his brows hard, his speech a bit faster, "I intervened in the tavern to save her not because she's Bai Cixian; I would do the same for any woman."

"Tang Tang, you wouldn't want the person you spend a lifetime with to be a cruel, cold‑blooded person, would you?"

For a moment, Meng Shutang believed him.

But thinking of him taking off his coat and throwing it onto Bai Cixian made her feel an inexplicable ache.

Indeed, he was right; he wasn't a cold‑blooded, cruel person.

Yet Meng Shutang also knew clearly that what she wanted wasn't someone soft‑hearted toward everyone.

"President Gu, you don't need to explain to me, and I have no right to demand that you be gentle only with me."

Whom you save, whom you are kind to, is your freedom.

On the way back just now, I thought seriously, we… let's just call it off!

Saying that, she slowly released his hand, stepping back, "From now on, between us, aside from being Xin Xin's parents and jointly watching the child grow healthy and happy, let's not have such complicated ties."

From now on, don't call me Tang Tang, and don't come looking for me.

Meng Shutang felt that once these words were spoken, Gu Yunci would definitely go mad.

During this period, he had pursued her so long, lowered his stance, and made every effort.

Only to have a single light‑hearted sentence of hers erase all his effort and sincerity?

Indeed, seeing the light in her eyes grow cold, Gu Yunci felt a sour sting rise in his throat.

Yet that sourness didn't turn into panic or haste; he suppressed it, letting his usual calm and dominance take over.

He stood quietly in place, his fingertips slightly curled, looking at her, and whispered, "I understand."

His voice was soft, revealing no emotion.

"Your misunderstanding, anger, cold heart… they are all understandable."

If it were anyone else, encountering suitors twice in just over ten days and rescuing a "ex‑girlfriend" each time would provoke a reaction.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze like a deep pool; though clearly in pain, he nonetheless appeared unusually clear‑headed.

"It's my fault for not handling things well, for not giving you enough security, time after time, letting you fall into this painful emotional state."

No argument, no pleading, only a near‑heavy calm.

"You're right, between us, we should think this through clearly."

Gu Yunci suddenly noticed many inconsistencies: first, the entire internet worldwide blackened him for allegedly having an affair with Bai Cixian; then Bai Cixian was in a car accident that disfigured her; and today he happened upon thugs in a tavern bullying Bai Cixian.

Bai Cixian had been circling him all these years; apart from harboring a few malicious thoughts toward him, she hadn't done anything illegal or disorderly.

Bai Cixian lived simply and hadn't offended anyone else.

Who… wants to use Bai Cixian to break him and Meng Shutang apart?

Lu Shenyang?

Thinking of that name, he immediately dismissed it.

When his grandmother once gave him such a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years chance, he was so gentlemanly that he didn't even dare to accept it, so naturally he wouldn't go to the trouble of doing this.

Thinking of a name, he shivered with dread!

The man remained composed and calm, no trace of agitation in his brows and eyes, simply looking at her peacefully.

Meng Shutang saw this and became a bit flustered.

She wasn't sad because Gu Yunci accepted the separation; she was merely curious why he behaved so unusually.

To know, before she said those words, he would have clenched his fists, pulled her into his arms, covered her mouth, and forced a kiss!

In her heart a voice whispered, he couldn't possibly be unable to bear the blow and go mad, could he?

The next second.

The man's gaze calmly fixed on her, then he suddenly asked, "Who let Chen Man take you to that kind of place?"

Meng Shutang's heart tightened a bit, she didn't dare to answer.

His tone was calm, bearing undeniable pressure, "Which partner?"

Perhaps knowing she wouldn't speak even if asked, he gave a light smile, the smile not reaching his eyes, "How dare anyone let my woman drink at such a place; I think he's eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall."

Those words floated lightly, yet carried a fierce hidden force, as if after leaving here he would go settle scores with someone.

Meng Shutang was jolted by his sudden possessiveness, feeling inexplicably uneasy, "I didn't go there to drink, I only discussed cooperation."

"Gu Yunci, don't speak recklessly, hear me!"

He glanced at her, as if explaining, yet also as if reviewing.

"My people, I failed to protect them; that's my fault."

If anyone else dares to step up, don't blame me for being ruthless.

After speaking, he slowly stepped back, "Go home, be safe."

He turned and sat in the car; Meng Shutang watched him, feeling an inexplicable emptiness and unease.

Yet it was only a moment; she quickly calmed herself and turned to go home.

Gu Yunci drove away, but at the intersection he turned the steering wheel and came back, the car moving slowly, watching Meng Shutang enter the apartment building, and only after she got home did he accelerate away.

On the road, Huo Yanchen teased him, "I thought you'd go humbly cajole someone again, didn't expect you to be so tough!"

Not bad, not bad. So, planning to switch from the 'bootlicker' mode to the 'cold and ruthless big boss'?

"No, just now in that instant, I suddenly understood many things."

"Huo Yanchen, I was just about to tell you," he said, and the phone rang.

Gu Yunci took out his phone, saw it was Qin Zheng, and immediately pressed the answer button.

On the other end, Qin Zheng's slightly urgent voice came, "President Gu, the Dingyuan Project has been snatched by a foreign company. By the way, the group's Chief Financial Officer Jin Chen suddenly announced his resignation, left without handing over work, submitted his resignation and left the company, and now no one can reach him."

If I hadn't just understood, Gu Yunci would now be getting anxious and irritable.

But now, he finds that everything is within his anticipation and control.

"I understand."

He said lightly, then changed the subject, "Qin Zheng, send people to keep an eye on Bai Cixian; no matter what happens, just follow without interrupting.

I have only one request: our people must not be exposed."

Qin Zheng was startled for a moment, "President Gu, has something happened?"

Gu Yunci's eyes were cold and deep, "Probably."

Qin Zheng still worried about the project, "Then what about the Dingyuan Project?"

Gu Yunci's expression was calm, tone steady, "Do it the same way as before; no need for special approval.

Also, staff turnover is normal; no need to make a fuss.

Tell the HR Director to proceed with normal selection and appointment, follow the procedures!"

After saying that, he hung up.

Huo Yanchen looked at him, "What's wrong?"

Gu Yunci's demeanor was calm and wise, his tone even yet forceful, "Someone wants to give me a grand gift, hoping to doom me forever!"