Chapter 157: I'm back, just to destroy him!

In the following days, Meng Shutang still couldn't see Gu Yunci.

Seeing the mysteriously extra gifts in the living room, she turned to Xin Xin and asked, "Dad... came over?"

Xin Xin nodded, "Yeah, I read a picture book with you for a while, then left."

Li Xiuyun also noticed something off, "What's wrong with you two? Gu Yunci seems to be avoiding you lately."

Meng Shutang stubbornly replied, "I don't know."

After finishing her meal, she left and went to the studio, working nonstop until quitting time.

Zhao Jing and Ruan An left one after another, but she stayed behind for a bit of minor work.

Having just finished repairing an ancient bead, she rubbed her sore shoulder and stood up, accidentally bumping the table corner; the documents she had just finished looking at and then placed there instantly scattered all over the floor.

She bent down to pick them up.

A tall, slender figure approached and squatted down to help her pick them up.

Meng Shutang's body tensed, and she almost instinctively turned around, "Yunci..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she met Gu Jin Xing's clear, moonlit face, and she froze on the spot.

"Jin Xing, how is it you!"

Gu Jin Xing glanced at the documents, neatly stacked them on the table, and said, "On my way over just now, I saw my brother and Bai Cixian together."

"Don't wait any longer; he's forgotten you here."

Meng Shutang's smile stiffened slightly, the light in her clear eyes dimmed, and even her breath slowed half a beat.

But she quickly composed herself, "I wasn't waiting for him."

After saying that, she continued working, but it was clear she was somewhat panicked.

Gu Jin Xing stepped closer, helped her tidy up, and their hands simultaneously touched an ancient bead; their fingertips lightly brushed, he paused slightly, didn't withdraw right away, but lifted his gaze to her.

In the warm light, his brows and eyes were faint yet intensely focused, his voice full of concern.

"I've been away for a few days and don't know what happened; what's going on with you two?"

Meng Shutang shook her head slightly, "Nothing."

Gu Jin Xing took the ancient bead himself, his fingers unintentionally hooking hers.

The motion was light, with no extra words; Meng Shutang thought he had just bumped her by accident.

But the next second, seeing the lingering loss in her eyes, his Adam's apple rolled slightly; he suddenly stepped before her and gripped her hand tightly.

"I know you've always held my brother in your heart, but I still want to tell you—Shutang, I like you."

"Seven years is enough to blur many people and things, but my feelings for you haven't faded a bit."

"Seeing you again, I still can't control my racing heart!"

Meng Shutang jerked her head up; the loss in her eyes hadn't faded, yet was filled with immense astonishment.

Her whole body froze in place, her red lips parting, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"I originally intended to bury this feeling deep in my heart forever, so you would never know it."

"But my brother doesn't know how to cherish, and he hurt your heart. Don't keep waiting for him, okay?"

"You deserve to be cherished by someone who holds you dear, not to keep waiting in vain."

"I like you, I want to protect you; let's not stay just friends, okay? Like seven years ago, let's be an ordinary married couple."

Gu Jin Xing saw her silent, then spoke again in a low voice, as if using all his courage.

Meng Shutang shook her head violently, "There's no possibility for me and Gu Jin Xing in this lifetime."

"Jin Xing, Xin Xin is Gu Yunci's daughter; do you think we could be possible?"

He stepped closer, his gaze locked firmly on her face, earnest to the point of reverence, "We can forgo children; I only need you."

Gu Jin Xing's face was as deeply affectionate as seven years ago; his words pierced the heart just like before, but Meng Shutang was clear-headed—she was no longer the little girl from seven years prior.

"Shutang, we have already missed each other once."

"While we're young, let's cherish each other properly, okay?"

"The words I'm saying now are all sincere," he said, placing Meng Shutang's hand over his heart so she could feel his heartbeat.

Thump-thump-thump, his heartbeat beat strong and powerful.

But Meng Shutang jerked her hand away, "Jin Xing, sorry, I can't be with you!"

"Why? Is it because of my brother?"

"Really sorry!"

She didn't want to stay there any longer; although it was her studio, she didn't have time to shut down the computer, grabbed her bag, and turned to leave.

Gu Jin Xing didn't chase after her; he remained standing there, his Adam's apple rolling as he suppressed his surging emotions.

Footsteps sounded behind him; his distinct knuckles lightly tapped the table edge for support, yet he didn't turn around.

"Sir, Bai Cixian's facial injury has mostly healed; I've sent her back."

Gu Jin Xing lowered his eyes and gave a soft hum.

"Sir, I can't understand; didn't you say you hated Miss Meng deeply and would never forgive her in this lifetime?"

Gu Jin Xing slowly turned around, the gentleness he'd shown Meng Shutang earlier gone from his face.

"It's only after seeing her again that I realize how feeble that former hatred was."

Zhang Ning looked at him, "Are you really going to treat your brother, Gu Yunci, like this? He's not someone easy to deal with!"

Gu Jin Xing gave a cold snort, his voice low and vicious: "I've never let go; I'm back just to destroy him!"

After leaving the studio, Meng Shutang went to the mall; Gu Jin Xing's confession left her feeling somewhat unsettled.

As soon as she arrived, she ran into Bai Cixian.

Bai Cixian wore a plain white long dress, standing on the terrace in the night breeze, her slender waist bound, sleeves fluttering like a mist holding fallen moonlight.

The lower half of her face was covered with a thin, soft white veil, making her brows and eyes appear even more striking, her nose bridge delicate and high.

Just the wind occasionally lifts the silk fringe, and one can faintly glimpse the scars on her delicate face.

She looks and feels very calm, completely lacking the earlier swagger and bravado she showed before, which instead gives her an added air of cold, fragile beauty.

She is slightly startled; didn't Gu Jin Xing just say that Gu Yunci and Bai Cixian were together?

But thinking of the scar on Bai Cixian's face, Meng Shutang basically judges that Gu Jin Xing was lying to her.

While pondering, a low familiar voice comes from behind.

Gu Yunci is explaining something to Qin Zheng; the group walks and talks, his tone calm, and she cannot detect any surging emotion.

Her steps freeze, as if a pause button were pressed, and she almost instinctively whirls around sharply.

Yet she only sees Gu Yunci passing by her, stepping onto the escalator behind her.

The man's figure is tall and straight, broad‑shouldered and narrow‑waisted; his haute‑couture suit outlines a highly dynamic silhouette—cold, rigid, noble, yet extremely reassuring.

He slips one hand into his pocket and tilts his head slightly.

But he isn't looking at her; he's looking toward Bai Cixian at the edge of the balcony.

Even if Bai Cixian's looks are ruined, she remains his favorite.

Meng Shutang suddenly realizes she's still feeling jealous and can't help laughing a little.

He rescued Bai Cixian from the car accident, protected her from thugs at the tavern—he simply loves Bai Cixian, what else is she doubting?!

Meng Shutang gives a faint smile, slings her bag over her shoulder and leaves.

But after only a few steps, her phone rings; she pulls it out and sees it's a call from Gu Jin Xing.

Remembering his sincere confession moments ago, Meng Shutang fears he's calling because he's unwilling to give up, so she puts the phone away and keeps walking.

Yet after two more steps, the phone emits a Beep—.

She assumes it's a work‑group message, pulls the phone out again, and upon opening it sees a blood‑splattered hand in the chat with Gu Jin Xing.

"Shutang, I'm injured, can you come take care of me?" (voice message)

Hearing the voice, she almost without thinking decides to go care for him.

"Where are you?"

"Room 1602, Bai Yue Hotel."

"Okay, I'm on my way."

Today it turned into a clash with Bai Cixian; she just arrived on the 16th floor and saw Bai Cixian standing face‑to‑face with a waiter.

She had her back to her, only a slender silhouette visible.

Afraid of an awkward encounter, she immediately turned and walked down the corridor here.

Unexpectedly, the waiter's words made her freeze on the spot.

"Miss Bai, President Gu is in room 1608, he's waiting for you, hurry over!"