Chapter 160: Birthday Banquet

Meng Shutang opened the door and saw Bai Cixian standing there.

Bai Cixian saw her emerge from inside and was also surprised.

The two stood face‑to‑face and stared at each other for several seconds.

Bai Cixian suddenly became aware of her face, instinctively covered it, and turned away.

Meng Shutang stood there, her hand slightly clenched.

She was not being saintly, because Bai Cixian was her half‑sister on the same father, and she sympathized with her plight.

She suddenly understood why Gu Yunci had kept Bai Cixian in his heart even after she had been gone for years.

Such a beautiful, moving, constantly sobbing person—who could bear to let her go!

Meng Shutang turned and left.

After she left, Bai Cixian opened the door and entered the room.

The man in a coat heard the noise, slightly turned his head, and Bai Cixian stepped lightly in small steps to his side, "Brother Yunci."

She reached out to pull him, but the man sidestepped, not letting her touch him at all.

"Stay here in this house, and if they come asking later, you know what to say, right?"

Bai Cixian nodded, "Just say you were drunk, I tried to cling to you, and the rest, I don't know."

Gu Yunci gave a slight nod, then turned and shook his head.

Bai Cixian suddenly called out to him, "I helped you; can you kill him for me?"

Bai Cixian asked herself that, aside from targeting Meng Shutang, she had not offended anyone else.

She didn't understand why this person would put her in mortal danger—first saving the Meng family and her, then causing a car accident that left a scar welded onto her face, like an indelible disgrace.

Gu Yunci's steps halted, he glanced at her, and strode away.

Meng Shutang left without going to room 1602; Gu Jin Xing, having waited too long for her, called her.

"Shutang, have you come over?"

Meng Shutang pressed her lips together, "Sorry, I was delayed on the way here; how is your injury, do you need to go to the hospital?"

Gu Jin Xing lowered his eyes, glanced at his hand, "It's fine, Zhang Ning bandaged it for me."

"Zhang Ning?" Meng Shutang pressed her lips, her expression showing a barely restrained curiosity, "Do you mean the Zhang Ning from our class?"

Back then, Meng Shutang, Chen Man, and Zhang Ning shared a dorm; their relationship was as close as one person.

But after Meng Shutang and Gu Jin Xing confirmed their relationship, Zhang Ning suddenly grew distant from her.

Later, it was said she went abroad and was never seen again.

Over these years, Meng Shutang and Chen Man have both missed her, constantly trying to find news of her.

Gu Jin Xing pressed his lips, muttered a vague "Hmm."

Meng Shutang asked another question, "You… together?"

She had no intention, just asked casually to confirm whether they were abroad, as colleagues or partners.

After hearing that, Gu Jin Xing's behavior became abnormal.

On the phone, Meng Shutang heard him stand up, go to the liquor cabinet, pour a drink, and say while drinking, "She is my assistant."

"Tang Tang, I only like you; all these years I've been alone, with no woman!"

Meng Shutang stood there unmoving, "Jin Xing, you're injured, don't drink."

"It's too late, I'm going back first."

After saying that, she hung up the phone.

Upon arriving at the underground garage, just as she approached the car, a force pressed her onto the car.

The basement was dim, but Meng Shutang, by the familiar scent on him, already knew who he was.

Their eyes met at close range; Gu Yunci saw through the fear, guilt, and lingering unease in her eyes, gently brushed the stray hair from her cheek, his fingertips warm, his voice hoarse yet gentle, with a hint of restrained heartache, "Aren't you trusting him a lot? Why didn't you go find him?"

Meng Shutang looked at him, "Aren't you in the room with Bai Cixian…"

Gu Yunci slowly withdrew his hand, leaving only two fingers pressed to her soft lips, "So you don't trust me?"

Meng Shutang looked at him, her long lashes trembling, "How can I trust you?"

She already believed him, but when she pushed the door open, she saw Bai Cixian standing there.

She hadn't left yet, and Bai Cixian had already rushed in.

Gu Yunci smiled faintly, "I was afraid Jin Xing would send someone to investigate, so I let Bai Cixian wait in that room."

"You saw it—she entered, I came out, and I'm completely innocent with her."

After speaking, he lowered his head, intending to kiss her.

Meng Shutang pushed him away; she had heard too much, her mind was chaotic.

Gu Yunci didn't force her as before; she turned her head away, and he let her go.

From the hotel to Qingluju they escorted her; after seeing her return to the room, they drove away.

In the following days, Gu Yunci never came to Qingluju, nor to the studio.

He seemed to have completely vanished from her life.

Even Ruan An noticed and asked if Gu Yunci had gone abroad, otherwise why wouldn't he keep pestering Meng Shutang.

Gu Jin Xing also didn't come often.

Even when he did, he would mysteriously tell Meng Shutang, "I've prepared a surprise for you; wait a few more days, you'll be amazed."

That day finally arrived.

Gu Jin Xing's birthday.

He came to Qingluju early in the morning to pick up Meng Shutang; she joked, "Where's this famous hotel we're holding it at? It's already the day, and I still don't know."

Gu Jin Xing smiled lightly, "You'll know when you get there."

When the Bentley pulled up at the entrance of Qian Shui Wan, Meng Shutang's pupils contracted slightly, her lips unconsciously pursed, and her originally gentle brows and eyes were instantly covered with a layer of astonishment.

The two got out, and as they walked inside, Meng Shutang asked the question on her mind.

"You said not long ago that you weren't going to live at Qian Shui Wan, so why are you thinking of holding a birthday party here?"

Gu Jin Xing had just been as gentle and refined as a clear breeze and bright moon, but upon hearing this, a smile she couldn't fathom appeared in his eyes: "You don't like this place?"

Meng Shutang froze.

Qian Shui Wan is nestled against mountains and water, hidden among lush trees, with white walls and dark eaves, serene and profound.

In spring and summer, the vast courtyard is a tapestry of blooming flowers; floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the sky; the villa's interior is understatedly luxurious, everywhere exuding a tranquil and noble quality.

This is the bridal suite she shares with Gu Yunci; she has lived here for three years.

She especially likes this place.

Seeing her slight hesitation, Gu Jin Xing's face broke into a refined, relaxed smile: "I knew you'd like it."

He raised his arm to embrace her and walked inside.

Meng Shutang was still in that dazed state and did not feel their intimacy.

Only when she lifted her head did she see Gu Yunci on the second-floor terrace.

The man stood on the second-floor terrace, two buttons undone on his white, exquisite shirt, one hand resting on the railing, the other lightly holding a crystal champagne flute.

His posture was upright yet relaxed just right, his broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuating his superior figure, leaning slightly on the railing, his demeanor languid yet noble.

His clear, handsome profile in the morning light was sharply defined, his brows and eyes indifferent; merely standing still, he exuded an aura that made it impossible to look away.

Seeing her steps halt, Gu Jin Xing asked, "What's wrong?"

Meng Shutang shook her head slightly, "Nothing."

They arrived at the villa entrance; the sign-in area had no guestbook, only an exquisite wooden box containing many cards.

The cards bore "Happy Birthday" on the front, but as Meng Shutang stood there, a faint unease stirred in her heart.

The birthday party was decorated elegantly and grandly.

The main palette was cream white and pale champagne, luxurious yet understated.

Everywhere one could see crabapple-shaped floral arrangements, delicate and lovely petals interlaced, echoing the hanging pearl tassels in the light.

At the center of the living-room stage stood a long table, without an ostentatious cake tower, only a simple naked cake; beside it sat a vintage glass vase holding a few freshly cut dewy crabapple branches.

Meng Shutang watched silently, feeling it was a sham birthday party.

She was not the only one harboring this doubt.

Many of the attending friends began to complain.

"Which company did Jin Xing hire to handle this? There isn't even a birthday sign at the venue."

"You noticed, didn't you? This setting is especially like the engagement party from seven years ago."

"What do you mean 'like'? It's practically identical! What on earth is Jin Xing up to?"

……